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LONDON, ONT – For Brad Ross, it was quite the adjustment. 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." Nike Vapormax Flyknit Australia . He made another correct read. The Browns, who have been shuttling quarterbacks on and off the field all season, finally got some good news on that front: Campbells ribs are only bruised. Nike Air Max Plus 97 Australia . A night later, he was back to help lead a rout of the Detroit Pistons. John Wall had 20 points and 11 assists, and Beal scored 10 of his 15 points during the second quarter as Washington pulled away for a 106-82 victory on Saturday. http://www.vapormaxaustraliashoes.com/ch...-australia.html. But Paul Osbaldiston, Hamiltons assistant special teams and kicking coach, said the team still relished the championship game workout. Nike Air Vapormax Run Utility Australia . The same cant be said of last Saturdays 2-2 draw at Olympic Stadium against a very weakened New York Red Bulls side and one which had three stalwarts in Henry, Cahill and Olave back home in Harrison, NJ. Vapormax Sale Australia . Although head coach Randy Carlyle jokingly wondered how much actual training Bolland got done while in London. "I dont know how much training goes on when you go back to the junior team that you played for so I wouldnt read too much into that," laughed Carlyle after the Maple Leafs were put through an up-tempo practice that concluded with a 10-minute bag skate on Thursday.Manchester United are reportedly set to scout Vancouver Whitecaps forward Alphonso Davies, but who is the 15-year-old Canadian sensation taking the MLS by storm? Davies rapid rise has seen him shatter records at every stage of his progression through the Whitecaps, and now, with just eight MLS appearances under his belt, United have apparently been perked.So, following reports United have instructed their USA scout Jorge Alvial to take a closer look, heres what you need to know about Davies: FACTFILEName: Alphonso DaviesAge: 15 (Born November 2, 2000)Position: Forward/midfielderClub: Vancouver WhitecapsBirthplace: Monrovia, LiberiaInternational caps: Canada U15s - 3, U18s - 1, U20s - 1BACKGROUNDLiberia-born Davies received his footballing education in Edmonton, Alberta, where he was raised following his familys migration to Canada. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. At a young age he featured for local sides Edmonton Internationals and Edmonton Strikers before his talents sparked the interest of Vancouvers youth academy and development system, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency.It was there where Davies flourished, scoring six goals in 12 outings for the clubs development side at U16 level before hitting three goals in four appearances for the U18s.He then received international recognition with three call-ups to Canadas U15 team and one for the U18s. He was also drafted into the U20 squad in March and started Canadas 2-1 victory over England in Doncaster. Marcus Rashford and Alphonso Davies battle for possession in Canada U20s 2-1 victory over England U20s in March His performances for club and country resulted in him being fast-tracked to the first-team, and he was handed his debut as a substitute in the Canadian Championship semi-final against Ottawa Fury.Davies went on to make history in the return leg, becoming the youngest starter in Whitecaps history at 15. Regular outings in the United Soccer League for Whitecaps FC 2 soon followed, as too did another historic moment as his goal against LA Galaxy II saw him become the youngest player to score in the division.On July 15, Davies rise could not be ignored anymore and he was handed a three-year deal with the Whitecaps as a Homegrown Player, making him the youngest current MLS player and third-youngest in the leagues history.He made his MLS debut the next day, coming off the bench to replace Nicolas Mezquida for the final 13 minutes of the Whitecaps 2-2 draw with Orlando City. Who could be the next Didier Drogba or Frank Lampard? Check out MLS top 24 players under 24. (Video courtesy of MLSsoccer.com.) After six substitute appearances under manager Carl Robinson, Davies has since gone on to start the Whitecaps last two MLS fixtures - against Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders, respectively.STYLEOperating predominantly on the left, Davies is a direct footballer who does not hesitate to take the game to the opposition. Keen to utilise his pace, he is known for his marauding runs from deep, often leaving a trail of defenders lying in his wake.ddddddddddddDavies physical stature and athleticism belies his age and has seen him comfortably hold his own with each step up in standard. Spurs fourth, United fifth? Charlie Nicholas offers his Premier League predictions Although he is yet to find the net in MLS competition, Davies was a ruthless finisher at youth level, where he developed a penchant for acrobatic celebrations.However, his inability to replicate his goal-scoring exploits may pay much to his current role in the Vancouver team, where his versatility across a number of positions has been utilised by manager Robinson.Despite this, Davies was still able to have an impact in his latest outing where his electric pace earned Vancouver a penalty in their 2-1 defeat to Seattle. The 15-year-old Alphonso Davies, a rumoured Manchester United target, showed exactly what hes capable of in Vancouvers defeat to Seattle. WHAT THEY SAIDAlphonso is a bright young player who has earned this opportunity, Vancouver manager Carl Robinson said, after handing him a new contract.He still has a lot of hard work ahead of him, but at this point in time we felt this was the best move for his development and for the club.This is another great example of our player pathway and we hope he will be the first of many players to make the next step. David Villa and Jozy Altidore feature in the latest MLS Goals of the Week WOULD HE FIT IN?On first sight, Davies attributes are perfectly suited to the style of football synonymous with Manchester United. And, given the inherent lack of out and out wingers at Old Trafford, its understandable why a player of Davies potential would come to the clubs attention.Of course, the gulf in class between the MLS and Premier League would rule out an immediate switch from Vancouver to Manchester, but having displayed the desire and will to improve at every stage of his career, whod bet against Davies flourishing if he were to take his next substantial step up? You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Spurs fourth, United fifth? Be patient with Pogba ' ' '