ition to our organization." The team said Nolan Ryan will

LONDON, ONT – For Brad Ross, it was quite the adjustment. NCAA Jerseys China . A second round draft pick in 2010, Ross was still cooking from a year that saw him score 42 times, adding 12 more in the playoffs for the WHLs Portland Winterhawks. But there with the Toronto Marlies in the fall of 2012, Ross, a rookie, was on the outside of a veteran squad peering in. "It wasnt too good to be honest," he said of his introduction to pro hockey during a conversation with TSN.ca. "The games that I would get in I would only play four or five shifts so its hard to really improve doing that. "But its hard to talk to the coach and be like Look I want to play when you have Matt Frattin, Kadri, all those guys down [in the AHL]." Ross tiptoed in and out of the lineup for 40 games, scoring only eight goals, and even spent a bit of time in the ECHL. This year promises to be different for Ross and a barrage of other top Leaf prospects though with the once potent and veteran Marlies veering in a youthful direction. Gone are a cast of mainstays who helped the club to a Calder Cup final two years ago, among them captain Ryan Hamilton, Mike Zigomanis, Will Acton, Greg Scott and the man who led the resurgence, Dallas Eakins. His replacement behind the bench, Steve Spott, will focus on the development of a youth-infused group. "And thats why Im excited about it," said Spott with enthusiasm, "because were going to see the progression." The head man in Kitchener for the past five seasons, Spott has a track record of cultivating young talent, a challenge hes prepared to take on at the next level in Toronto. "I dont have a lot of ready-made guys," he said of the roster hell guide with the Marlies. "Ive got guys that Im going to have to work with and develop along with Gord [Dineen] and with Derek [King] to get them ready to play in the next step. I take a lot of pride in that challenge. Its going to be a lot of video, a lot of teaching and something that we pride ourselves in, but ultimately, yeah, theres not a lot of ready-made products we have with our team." The Marlies will be built on the foundations of those looking to rise up to the next level of their respective careers. There will be the likes of Jerry DAmigo and Carter Ashton, aiming for the NHL stage and those like Ross, Greg McKegg, Tyler Biggs, Stuart Percy, Josh Leivo, David Broll, and Petter Granberg, trying to assert their place on the still new stage of the American League. An offensive star in junior, McKegg waded uncomfortably in his first year with the Marlies, gaining some steam late in the season. Training camp last fall brought with it a loaded roster, NHL talent in the form of Frattin, Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner lingering because of the lockout. The results saw McKegg, among others, dangling on a tight rope of sorts. "Even if you make a mistake in junior youre used to going right back out the next shift and that wasnt the case when we turned pro last year," he told TSN.ca, noting the constant worry of tripping up with mistakes. "I was a lot more nervous last year," added Ross, who hopes to rediscover the feisty offensive game which made him successful with the Winterhawks. "With the lockout it was so tough to get a spot." Each player will, in many ways, represent a project for Spott and his staff, an opportunity to shape individuals through their habits on and off the ice and "transform them into becoming day-to-day professional players." "I think thats maybe a big reason why Im here," said Spott, a longtime protégé of Devils coach Pete DeBoer, hired by the Leafs organization in early July. "…the pride in the development and making sure the players, once they have a chance to play, that theyre complete players. When you look at the Skinners, and the Landeskogs and the Roys, those guys we took a lot of pride in developing them the right way." For Percy, a first round pick in 2011 who thrived in Mississauga last season, that process involves "putting the pressure on himself to become an elite player". For Biggs, selected three picks before Percy that same year, its "playing with that passion every night", Spott stressing the physical elements required of the 6-3 winger. Leivo, a power winger who drew acclaim from Leafs brass for his goal-scoring efforts last season, will be equally tested under Spott, having spent 39 games under him in Kitchener. "The training, the nutrition side of the game, thats all going to be new to him," Spott said. "Those are the types of projects individually were excited about." Custom NCAA Jerseys . Hamilton signed offensive linemen Mike Filer, Joel Reinders, Landon Rice and Carson Rockhill. Wholesale NCAA Jerseys China . - Young and old. https://www.chinajerseysncaa.us/ . I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video.HOUSTON -- Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan rejoined the Houston Astros on Tuesday as an executive adviser. Ryan worked as a special assistant to the general manager in Houston from 2004 until he became president of the Texas Rangers in 2008. He added CEO to his title with the Rangers in 2011 and remained in that position until he stepped down in October. Ryan will serve as an adviser to owner Jim Crane, general manager Jeff Luhnow and his son and president of business operations Reid Ryan. "Im very excited to be back with the Astros," the elder Ryan said in a statement. "Im happy to assist Jim, Jeff and Reid in any way I can. The Astros have a solid foundation with a strong farm system. I think the future is bright for Houston and Im looking forward to my involvement." The Astros have lost more than 100 games in each of the last three seasons, but their minor league system has been ranked among the best in baseball this off-season. Crane is glad to have Ryan back in Houston after his time with the Rangers. "We will use his experience, expertise and knowledge to improve the Astros in all areas," Crane said. "He will be an integral part of our managemeent team. Cheap NCAA Jerseys Authentic. Nolan wants to be a part of our success moving forward." Ryan, who played for the Astros for nine seasons, is major league baseballs career strikeout leader and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999. "Nolan Ryans experience and insights will help us on the baseball side -- both in terms of decision-making and in maximizing the productivity of our players," Luhnow said. "Im fortunate as a general manager to get advice and guidance from great former players and Astros -- Craig Biggio, Roger Clemens and now Nolan Ryan." Ryan won 324 games and set records for strikeouts (5,714) and no-hitters (seven) in a 27-year major league career. He signed with the Astros in 1980 and helped them to their first post-season appearance that year and back to the playoffs in 1981 and 1986. Reid Ryan joined the Astros last season and is looking forward to working with his father. "The opportunity to work with my father is very special," he said. "Hes had success in baseball on many levels and will be a great addition to our organization." The team said Nolan Ryan will join the team at spring training in the next few weeks. ' ' '