From the Point: Warriors defenceman Denton Mateychuk
Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Denton Mateychuk joined Junior Hockey Magazine to discuss the upcoming Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, the opportunity to play before a national audience, and his approach ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft:
Junior Hockey Magazine: How excited are you to play in the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game?
Denton Mateychuk: We’re fortunate that we are able to do it this year. It’s unfortunate that they were unable to do it in the previous because of COVID-19. I am excited and honoured to be a part of it. I think it should be a really good game. I am excited to go to Kitchener and play some hockey.
JHM: How did you find out that you are going to be one of the team captains?
DM: Our general manager Jason Ripplinger called me and said I’d be wearing the captaincy for Team White. It was a cool moment and I was very honoured. I am excited to be able to do that and represent my organization. I am excited to get to Kitchener and help lead the guys. It is going to be a good experience.
JHM: How important is it to have this opportunity to get this exposure?
DM: It’s very important. It’s good that we are getting back to normal and getting to do this showcase for the players who are draft eligible. I am excited and feel fortunate that we are able to do it. Going through the pandemic was very tough and it makes you think about what the game means to you and how much better your life is when you are playing.
JHM: How do you view this game?
DM: I view it as any other game. I am just going to try to play my game. I am not going to try to change anything. I think everybody knows that. They want to prove themselves and I want to prove myself too. I am going to do what I do and play my game. I think it is going to be a really intense game and a good one.
JHM: You get to share the bench with the OverDrive crew including Jeff O’Neill. What is that going to be like?
DM: That should be pretty cool. I am excited. It’s going to be awesome.
JHM: How much fun is it going to be knowing this game will be broadcasted nationally?
DM: It’s great. My family and friends are all very excited that they are going to be able to watch. It’s going to be good. They try to watch as many games of mine as they can.
JHM: What was it like to win gold with Canada at the U18s last May?
DM: It was a great experience. It was very beneficial for my development. It was a great group of guys. I hadn’t played with many of the 2003-born players before. It was a lot of new faces, new teammates, and new competition too. I hadn’t played against a lot of the competition either, so it was a different look for me. I was honoured to represent my country in that tournament and to be able to walk away with gold was an experience of a lifetime.
JHM: How much attention do you pay to the NHL Draft rankings?
DM: It’s something I try not to pay attention to too much. It’s nice to see your name up there but I also know that the draft is still quite a ways away and we still have a bit of hockey to play. There is lots more that I can do to build my stock. I am just going to keep playing the game and not try to worry about that much.
JHM: How do you feel about the way your year has gone?
DM: I think it has been a good year for me. My coaches have given me lots of opportunity to play my game. I am a pretty offensive guy so they really help develop that part of my game and also to become a two-way player. I think I have done a really good job of that so far this year. I keep trying to enhance my game and build it at both ends.