WHL Alumni Spotlight – Nick Drazenovic

Nick Drazenovic got to do what many young hockey players dream of doing by starring for his hometown team, the Prince George Cougars, during his four-year career in the Western Hockey League.
r
rNow, the 21-year-old Prince George, B.C., product is experiencing life away from home in his first season of professional hockey with the American Hockey League’s Peoria Rivermen.
r
rDrafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 6th round (171st overall) at the 2005 NHL draft, Drazenovic was an offensive force for the Cougars, scoring 77 goals and 216 points in 281 career games for the Cougars, and helped them on an exciting run to the WHL Western Conference final in his last season in 2006-07.
r
rSo far, Drazenovic hasn’t had too much difficulty displaying the strong offensive and playmaking abilities the Blues drafted him for in his first season with the team’s top affiliate in Peoria. He’s already tallied 10 goals and 30 points with a +8 rating in 49 games for the Rivermen, while helping the team keep pace in the playoff race in the AHL’s Western Conference.
r
rNick Drazenovic’s Perspective…
r
r
rOn his first season of professional hockey in Peoria…
r
r“It’s excellent. The level of hockey is quite a jump, but this is what any hockey player aspires to do – to take that challenge and make the jump. It’s been a learning experience, but it’s been fun to challenge myself.”
r
rOn adjusting to the AHL level of play…
r
r“You play playoff hockey in the WHL, and every shift feels like ‘do or die’. That’s what it’s like for every shift in every game up here. You’re playing against men who are earning a living and feeding their family by playing hockey, so every battle is hard-fought, and you have to give everything you have until the last whistle.”
r
rOn life as a pro hockey player…
r
r“I played all of my junior hockey at home, slept in my bed, and ate my mom’s cooking. But, now I’m out living on my own, and I’m finding that it’s not only the hockey that is a big jump, but there is a lot of growing up to do in a short time. It’s difficult, but it’s been fun.”
r
rOn his contributions to the team this season…
r
r“I feel good. I came into the season with Mononucleosis, and was out of shape and not allowed to really do anything. But, the coaches gave me the opportunity, though they knew I was under the weather, and were patient with me. It’s been paying off lately, and I’m starting to get a comfortable grasp on things here. Now, I have to work hard in the off-season and come back ready to go for a full season next year.”
r
rOn his best memories of playing in the WHL…
r
r“I talk to Greg Gardner, who I’ve lived with since I was 16 and who still staying at my house, and Kalvin Sagert, who I became good buddies with over the years. The best memory that always sticks in my mind was being able to sell out the CN Centre and bring exciting hockey back to Prince George. Last year when we had the playoff run, it was so great to see the energy in the fans, and it still gives me chills to think about it. Growing up, I used to see the building full, but over the first few years I played there, we didn’t have much success. With all the hype and excitement around town and with our fans last season, it was such a great feeling to be there.”
r
rJesse Watts
rwhl.ca
r
r
r———————————————————–
r