As a newer player, and someone who has yet to play a game in the SHL, Ryan Shepard doesn't have too strong of a viewpoint on the lockout. It sounds like it was a necessary thing, and that there was something wrong with players wanting to be a pass first mentality. This benefits him as he would have to completely change the way he plays the game and could take several seasons to fully transition. Shepard had a long offseason with a first round exit this season in the SMJHL playoffs so he spent some time going home to visit his family before the start of WJC. After a couple weeks at home and watching the SHL and SMJHL on tv, Shepard started his preparations for WJC and the upcoming SMJHL season. With the large delay before the start of the WJC as well, Shepard managed to improve himself in every aspect of his game from offense to defense to intangibles.