JC LIPON LIKELY TO HAVE NAME CALLED
JC Lipon is finally on the clock.
After being passed over in each of the last two NHL drafts, Lipon – a breakout star last season with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers – is positioned for a much better result heading into Sunday’s draft in New Jersey.
“It’s nice to know you’re (likely) going to go somewhere, it’s just you’re anxious to see where,” offered the Regina native, who turns 20 on July 10. “It seems to be dragging out. I just want to get drafted and get going. I want to start the next chapter.”
In a perfect world, that means turning the page on his junior career and making the jump to the AHL this fall.
A lot has to go right for that to happen, but Lipon is eager to make up for lost time.
“I’ve been told (to expect a selection) in the middle rounds – second-to-fourth area,” he said. “If it’s not until the later rounds it doesn’t really matter as long as someone gives you an opportunity. I just want an opportunity.”
A self-described late bloomer, Lipon has grown accustomed to the underdog role. It began when he came out of nowhere to earn a spot on the Blazers’ roster in 2009 – a year after he was passed over in the WHL bantam draft, deemed too small to play in the league.
Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Lipon+eager+chance/8590779/story.html#ixzz2XWsUh03F
