BLOG: A Road Less Travelled
Drake Batherson has taken the road less travelled to accomplish his dreams in the game of hockey. His journey has been unconventional to say the least, but the nineteen-year old certainly has no regrets.
“It was a longer journey to the QMJHL for me compared to other players,” said the Fort Wayne, Indiana, product. “Being passed over in the Q draft [in] my first year eligible was tough, but I knew my time would come soon enough.”
Batherson has fully accepted and embraced his non-linear path in the game. “Playing another year of Midget at sixteen was great for my development,” he said. “I ended up getting drafted after that season, and finally got to attend my first QMJHL camp at seventeen.”
Batherson was selected in the 6th round, 97th overall, by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in 2015. But his dream to play in the QMJHL was put on hold yet again when he didn’t make the Screaming Eagles out of camp.
“I had a strong camp but got cut late, and obviously was very disappointed,” he remembers. “But I moved on and had another year to develop, and got faster and stronger.”
At 18, Batherson was ready to leave his mark on the QMJHL. The late-bloomer had a dominant performance in 2016-17, amassing 22 goals and 36 assists for 58 points in the 61 games he played with the Screaming Eagles.
And Batherson’s body of work didn’t go unnoticed by NHL scouts, especially Ottawa Senators Chief Amateur Scout, Trent Mann.
“Drake worked extremely hard last [season] and progressed very quickly. He gained confidence early [on] and ran with it,” Mann said. “The play is never dead with Drake, something happens almost every shift. He possesses exceptional puck skills, great vision and offensive sense. Drake also shoots the puck well, so he can hurt you in a number of different ways,” Mann explained.
And Batherson’s ability to play the prototypical power forward style of game contributed to one of the top lines in the QMJHL a season ago. “Giovanni Fiore, Massimo Carozza and Drake did most of the scoring last year for the Screaming Eagles. They seemed to have complemented each other very well,” added Mann.
The Ottawa Senators ended liking Batherson’s play enough to warrant selecting him in the 4th round, 121st overall, in last June’s NHL Entry Draft.
“It was truly a dream come true to be drafted to the NHL and so surreal when it happened,” Batherson said. “Having my family there with me was amazing. They have done so much for me and my hockey career, I can’t thank them enough!”
Drake is quick to point to his father as a beacon of knowledge when it comes to the game of hockey and life. “My father has definitely been the biggest help to me from day one. Everything I learned growing up was from him,” said the Senators prospect.
It’s no coincidence Batherson’s father, Norm, also played professionally for fourteen years. “Anytime my dad wasn’t playing or on the road, he would bring me on the ice and just help me work on my game,” Batherson remembers.
Hard work and dedication is imprinted in Drake’s DNA, and that certainly paid off this off-season. “When I saw him in August at the NHL Rookie Tournament, I noticed the skill level,” Mann said. “[I] then double-checked to see if it was the same kid as he was significantly bigger than the year before,” Mann said.
“I worked out at Pro Edge Sports Conditioning and they were really beneficial on my strength and speed improvements on and off the ice,” explained Batherson. “Jill Plandowski helped my skating, while Darrell Plandowski helped me with my skill work.”
After a strong Development Camp and Rookie Tournament, the Senators’ organization felt there was no reason to wait before signing Batherson. “I would be surprised if he isn’t in Belleville next year, with our American Hockey League affiliate,” said Mann.
“With a good finish [to this season] and another strong summer, he could have a real impact at that level next year,” Mann went on to add. “Obviously some things need to happen before, but the potential is there.”
As for Batherson, he is well aware of what it’ll take for him to play hockey professionally. “I’m trying to develop and improve all aspects of my game this season. I want to be a consistent player every night,” he explained.
Batherson’s story of perseverance and dedication to his craft is truly remarkable.
“My advice to young kids being passed over, or being cut from teams, is just to keep chasing your dreams. Your time will come,” he says. “I knew I had it in me to make it to the next level, I just had to keep working and developing my game.”
