Prospect Profile | Drayden Uhrina
Victoria, B.C. – With the 53rd overall selection in the WHL Prospects Draft, the Royals picked forward Drayden Uhrina from RINK Hockey Academy Winnipeg U15 (CSSHL).
“I was super excited. It is a great honour. I’ve heard great things about the organization in Victoria, so it is an honour to be selected by them. I got the chance to go out there with RINK this year, and it was a beautiful city” said Uhrina.
Uhrina found himself amid a travel day during the draft, following along on his way.
“I was actually heading out to Brandon on Draft Day. There was a tryout for Team Manitoba U16, and we were heading up for top 40, so I was just watching the draft on the way up there, and I saw my name pop up and got pretty excited.”
Uhrina has stayed close to home for the past two seasons, noting the benefits of playing hockey close to his family in Winnipeg.
“Well, it’s pretty special. Obviously just having your parents nearby all the time and being able to talk to them is a great bonus. It’s definitely motivating to have them at your home games when you see them there all the time,” noted Uhrina.”
Uhrina had a productive season offensively, registering 22 goals and 29 assists for 51 points in 25 games played. He was second on RINK in goals, while leading the team in assists and points. His 51 points this season were also 6th most in the CSSHL.
Those numbers helped Uhrina gain league-wide recognition, as the 15-year-old was named to the Prairie CSSHL U15 All-Star Team.
“It was an honour. There’s only five people selected for the division, which made it special. I took great joy in that.”
Moving into next season, Uhrina will look to add strength as he gears up for the U18 level. He currently stands at 6’0” and 154 lbs.
“I am just looking to build on strength right now, aiming to put on a couple pounds of muscle, which will make me stronger for playing at the U18 level next year. I want to be able to be an impact player.”
Uhrina gives credit for his hockey journey so far to spending extra time on the ice working with his Dad.
“My Dad would always rent ice back where I used to live, and we would always be out working hard, usually three or four times a week,” stated Uhrina.
Growing up, the right-shot left-winger found himself drawn towards the play of Jack Eichel.
“I’ve always thought about Jack Eichel [as a comparable]. I see lots of similarities in our game. From Hockey IQ, to skating, our shots, the way we can make plays, and we can score.”
Outside of his skating, and play-making abilities, Uhrina credits his Hockey IQ as something that helps him excel.
“I think I’m a well-rounded player. I bring skill, playmaking, shooting, physicality all to the table. I’m a good player outside of the dots, but also work my way inside the dots if needed.”
Rapid fire:
Q: Who was your favourite player growing up?
A: Pavel Datsyuk/Nikitia Kucherov
Q: Who was your favourite NHL Team?
A: Tampa Bay Lightning
Q: What is your pre-game meal?
A: Fettuccine Alfredo
Q: Do you have any other pre-game rituals?
A: I like to do 11 minutes of stick handling before the game with a golf ball.
Q: If you could be an olympian, but not in hockey, what sport would it be?
A: Skiing.
Q: Who is your favourtie musical artist?
A: Zach Bryan.
Q: Do you have a favourite pump up song?
A: Hideaway by Daya.
