For now, Europe remains a vacation destination and nothing more for a player still determined to make it.
IT USED TO BE only about the dream. Now its about the dream and the money, but as long as the dream is still part of the equation, Corey Locke isnt going anywhere. Except to the NHL, he hopes. “Until I give up the dream, Ill stay here in North America trying to fulfill my dreams,” said Locke after signing a free agent deal with the Ottawa Senators back in July.
In his sixth pro year, the 26 – year – old center was the AH lis most offensively productive player of 2009-10 after Hersheys incomparable duo of Keith Aucoin and Alexandre Giroux. Lockes 31 goals and 85 points for the Hartford Wolf Pack brought his tally to 86 goals and 236 points in 231 games the past three seasons.All of it merited him four NHL games. Three came lasl season with the New York Rangers, but were not enough to keep him, via free agency, from a fourth organizalion in four years.

If it was only about the money now, he said hed be heading to Europe like so many other talented, experienced players who find it increasingly difficult to land limited AHL jobs. The AHL permits teams to dress only five veteran players per game, plus one “exempt” player.

“I guess I get touted as an AHLer because I havent played as a regular in the NHL, but my goal is to be in the NHL for as many games as possible,” the Toronto native said. “If I had lost confidence in myself, Id probably go over to Europe, start a career over there.

“Id be lying if I didnt say it was an option. Ive got some interest. I know Im not as young and there are draft picks coming in, but I still feel Im not too old and that Im still considered a prospect for the Senators.”

Locke, a smaller player at 5 – foot – 9 and 189 pounds, chose Ottawa because of the fit and because the Sens extended a two – year, two – way offer. He confirmed he left money on the table – a one – year offer from another team that included a hefty minor league salary.

“Its nice to be wanted, but I was looking for an opportunity, somebody who would give me a chance,” he said. “I think its a work in progress again, which is important to me.”
In his journey to be the player some NHL team will want and use, Locke earned a Calder Gup ring with Hamilton in 2007. Different, but as valuable in the long run, was the 2008-09 season he spent with the Houston Aeros after a trade from Montreal to Minnesota.

“The Calder Cup experience was the best experience I had at the AHL level,” he said. “Winning a championship, thats what you play for. But Houston was different. I learned a ton. Thats not to say I didnt learn anything in Hamilton. But we were close and there was more to learn.”

Then – Houston coach Kevin Constantine and assistants Troy Ward and Luke Strand insisted on an all – around, team game by all – and the Aeros made it to the Western Conference final before bowing out in six games.

“Kevin, he knew that I was an offensive player, coming with an offensive mindset,” Locke said. “He gets tagged as defensive coach, but we worked well together. He wanted me to control my offensive game by adding more of an all – around game, by buying a team system. We worked on everything from defensive play to leadership to even offensive stuff, learning tricks and little offensive things.
“We were a good team because we played a team game and frustrated other teams. We just didnt get hot, we just played our game. We learned a lot from him. It was quality learning; it was impressive.”
Still, a year – plus later, the two – time OHL most outstanding player and CHL player of the year in 2003 – when he scored 151 regular season points and 38 more in the playoffs for the Ottawa 67s and was drafted 113th overall by Montreal – admits to some disappointment in how few NHL games hes seen.

“Any player wants to go right from junior to the NHL, but I knew I needed time in the AHL,” he said. “Obviously I am disappointed so far. Ive done a lot of things in my career in the minors, things coaches and organizations have asked me lo do. I think theyve made me a better player.

“I guess everything happens for a reason. Hopefully this is a good choice, Ottawa. Maybe Ill be the guy who comes into the NHL at 26.