From L.A. to Red Deer: Ferry thrilled to be drafted by Rebels
Nikolas Ferry has only followed the Western Hockey League for a little over a year, but the youngster from Los Angeles is excited for the chance to bring his talents north to The Dub.
“It was kind of relieving, to be honest, to see my name come up on the draft board… amazing,” said the 15-year-old blue liner who was selected 15th overall by the Red Deer Rebels at Wednesday morning’s 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.
He says the WHL has become his number one preferred playing option since learning more about the league.
“Just the level of skill, how talented everybody that plays in the WHL is. The competition is really as good as it can get in junior hockey.”
Ferry grew in the City of Angels being a hockey lover thanks to his mom, a big fan of the Los Angeles Kings. It was she who first got Nikolas into skates at the age of four, setting the stage for a promising hockey career of his own. He also baseball and soccer growing up, and recently took up lacrosse as a new sport that obviously fits in well with hockey.
As you’d expect, Ferry cites star Kings rearguard Drew Doughty as a player he loves watching, along with Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes.
“I’d say I’m a solid two-way defenceman that can make the first pass to start a rush, and I’m positionally sound in the defensive zone,” Ferry said of his playing style.
Ferry collected 20 points in 68 games last season with the Los Angeles Kings U14 AAA squad. He also suited up for five games with Boston Hockey Club U15, picking up two points. The right-shooting blue liner is listed at 6’0 and 180 pounds.
Rebels Associate General Manager Shaun Sutter says of Ferry, “He’s hard to play against, moves pretty well… we were real excited to pick him and can see him wearing our jersey down the line.”
