U.S. Prospects Draft Q&A: Liam Hupka
On Wednesday, the Spokane Chiefs used their second round selection in the inaugural WHL U.S. Prospects Draft to select 2005-born defense prospect Liam Hupka.
The Eden Prairie, Minnesota native recently reflected on his draft experience in an introductory Q & A:
Q: What was your experience like being a part of the first ever U.S. Prospect Draft class?
Hupka: “I knew a little bit about the WHL, and thought I might get drafted. Maybe, maybe not, but we talked to (Chiefs Director of U.S. Scouting) George Ross prior to the draft. He came to a couple of my games and we talked with him a bit.”
Q: Is there an NHL player, past or present, that you feel encapsulates the type of player that you are?
Hupka: “He actually retired a couple of years ago, but Niklas Kronwall.
Q: Which player would you most look forward to playing against at the WHL level?
Hupka: “Actually, one of my close buddies–we were d-partners on our summer team–John Novak, he got drafted to Edmonton I believe. That would be really fun to play against him if we got the chance.”
Q: What’s one skill on the ice that you’d say you take the most pride in?
Hupka: “I take a lot of pride in my defensive skills. I feel like in a in-game situation, I’m very confident that if the coach puts me out there, that I would shut everything down and not let them score.”
Q: What’s something you’d consider pursuing outside of hockey?
Hupka: “Yeah, I’ve looked into teaching and interior design. I’d like to teach Social Studies or Geography and coach at a high school.”
Q: How did you get involved in hockey?
Hupka: “When I was younger, my stepdad had a pond hockey tournament somewhere in Minnesota that my mom took me to and I thought ‘I want to do that,’ and that’s just how it started. My stepdad also played college hockey at Harvard, so that was pretty cool.”
Q: “Is there anything you’d want Chiefs fans or hockey fans in general to know about you?
Hupka: “I’m just a big team guy and hope for the team’s success and want the team to win.”
