Inferno Interview - Sean Scarborough

This one’  been a work in progress but we’ve finally managed to get NIHL1 Devils import Sean Scarborough to talk to The Inferno. Scarborough is an unknown quantity to many fans & teams in the UK but he's been a huge asset to date for the Devils so far this season.

For someone who's played hockey for such a short period of time, it's amazing that he hasn't been picked up by higher ranked teams not just in the US but in Europe.

When NIHL1 Coach Mark Cuddihy signed “Scarrzy”, there were some surprised coaches around the league thinking where did this signing come from? What he's shown at NIHL level and hopefully higher is the speed and worth ethic he has to succeed. Looking at his stats already produced before the weekend, his signing has been a huge boost for the junior Devils and to give Elite league coach Adams something to look at.

Sean has put in some impressive stats Games Played: 13 Goals: 19 Assists: 16 Total Points: 35

We talk to Sean about his career to date, his move to the UK and what the future holds for him.

The Inferno - When did you first get involved with hockey?

Sean Scarborough - I was 8 years old when I first started taking skating and hockey lessons. I wanted to be fast like my idol, Pavel Bure.

The Inferno - What’s the Best arena you’ve played in for atmosphere and where’s the worst?

Sean Scarborough - I played a few games in big arena's: HP Pavillion, Honda Center, Colisée de Québec and there was a mall with a long cat walk over the ice and a operating roller coaster across the bench that was in use during the game. I think the best atmosphere comes out in big games. Opening night at San Jose State during the NHL lockout of 2004-05 we had so many fans in attendance people were turned away. Stands were slammed with people. Spectators standing 6-7 deep along the glass. Kids were on their parents shoulders and climbing the walls creating seats along ledges. It was my first game and scored the game winner versus our local rival Cal. 3-2 final.

The Inferno - Who's the best forward you've played on a line with?

Sean Scarborough - There's no way to answer this without my inbox flooding from friends I played with over the course of my career asking why I didn't single them out. Every player brings certain intangibles that make them fun and good fits to play with. Steven Osman has been a great fit this year with his playmaking skills and ability to find the back of the net.

The Inferno - There's been talk of you training with the Devils Elite team- when will this be starting and what are you hoping to come from this ?

Sean Scarborough - I've gone out and had a few practices now with the Elite team and it’s been a great experience. Being out there and competing with some of the best players in the country brings out a healthy spirit of competition in me. More often than not however, it's a bitter taste of humble pie as they are quality professionals.

I believe Adams wanted to dress me against Hull on the 1st of November, but we found out the night before the game that had I been brought up there would be a 28 day wait before I could return to the National League. He was looking out for my best interest in allowing me to keep playing in NIHL games and has had no problems putting me in game scenarios at practice which has allowed me to better myself.

The Inferno - What attracted you to the UK and did you know much about the league before you were approached by the Cudds? How are you finding the league?

Sean Scarborough - I was not approached by Cudds, actually. I came to him. There's a bit of a story to it, so I'll try and keep it short. I've been following the league for three seasons now. I've been wanting to play since the 2010-11 season, but I had to wait nearly two years to receive my passport and citizenship from Ireland. After my first season in Australia (2010) a (now rival) coach had asked me to play for his team. Due to the aforementioned reasons however, I was ineligible to play. February 2012, my foreign birth certificate and citizenship papers come in the mail, but the team that had wanted me years back had already signed their imports. So, I contact my buddy in the league and he found a coach who had some interest in me. I had got the run-around from him for a couple months before I decided to started emailing other coaches in the league. I chose carefully too. I wanted to play for a team that rivalled others that had passed on me. Cudds responded and the rest is history.

The league has improved a lot since what I used to see on YouTube years ago.

As for the rest of the question. Opportunity attracted me to the UK. I wasn't always a fan of travelling, but I've come to enjoy it over the last couple years. Seeing new places, making friends, and having stories to tell about these characters and places I've been are all memories I've already come to cherish. And I get to do it all because of a pair of skates and a stick. I'm very fortunate to say the least.

The Inferno - What do you consider the strongest part of your game and what 1 thing would you improve - and why?

Sean Scarborough - When it comes to playing abroad. I can break a stick with the best of them. When I'm at home in the US however, they last forever.

I think the first thing people will notice about my game is speed from point a to b. It's a bit of a dangerous attribute to have be the strongest part of your game though. Going full speed down the wing and thinking, 'I can beat this defenseman to the outside' has ended with me being put hard into the wall more times than I can ever count. Goalies hate it because I tend to get hauled down from behind a lot and end up taking them out as if I were a bowling ball.

If I can improve one thing? Discipline with the puck. Not rushing to make a play (i.e.- Force passes that aren't there. Take bad shots.) Would create more opportunities and there'd be less turnovers.

The Inferno - Do you know many players in the UK and did their comments help make your decision easier to come and play here?

Sean Scarborough - I met and lived with a few players from the UK before I came over here, but hockey was rarely the topic of conversation most days. While it was the common ground between us, I've always been more interested in their stories and what they have going on in their lives. It was their experiences, comical mischief and recommendations that made this opportunity appealing.

The Inferno - Are you a Hockey fan when you’re not playing ? Do you follow an NHL team at all ?

Sean Scarborough - I'm a fan, but prefer baseball, honestly. I enjoy watching the West coast teams play. Vancouver, San Jose, LA, Anaheim.

The Inferno – What are our future goals?

Sean Scarborough - Keep playing/working hard and let the pieces fall in their place.