Utica, N.Y. - Second-year pro, Zack MacEwen, is looking to build off a decent rookie season where he registered 33 points in 66 games played for the Utica Comets.

So far this year he's off to a great start, he has a goal and three assists through the Comets first two contests.

After having huge success in his junior hockey career for the Moncton Wildcats and Gatineau Olympiques, last year was about learning how to be a professional hockey player.

This year, he says it's about taking what he learned and using it to improve his game at this level and possibly beyond.

He said that during the summer he worked a lot on his skating ability, including foot speed and his 'three-step quickness.'

So far this season, through training camp and the first couple of games, he says been more stable with his surroundings.

"I had a great summer of training and coming out of Vancouver camp, I felt comfortable on the ice. It's nice to get off to a start like that," MacEwen said. "It's going well for me, and it's all because we have a great coaching staff here that really know how to pick out things that you need to work on."

Head coach Trent Cull noticed that MacEwen's skating has improved heading into this year, and said that after a slow start to his rookie season, partially due to injury, the Comets right winger has shown that he can play at this level.

"He's one of those guys that's our job that we find we have to continuously try to push him to make sure we're getting the most out of Zack, and we want him to develop," said Cull. "He's come in, he's obviously in a way better frame of mind, he's confident in his ability as a player and I think he's making strides."

MacEwen went undrafted and is working to prove that he is worth a look for a shot in the NHL.