Paddock impressed with Nijhoff
Logan Nijhoff is working his way to the head of the class.
The 16-year-old forward was one of several players looking to make an impression when the Regina Pats opened rookie camp early last week, but it didn’t take long to separate himself from the pack.
“He has been the brightest light so far of that age group,” head coach/GM John Paddock said after main camp opened Saturday. “For the most part as the pace picked up with better players around him, he has sort of rose to the occasion. He has been really good.”
After a strong performance in pre-camp fitness testing, Nijhoff went on to lead all rookies with six goals in three scrimmages. He followed that up by scoring twice, including the game-winner, in the first scrimmage of main camp.
“Things are going good,” said Nijhoff, an eighth-round pick in 2016. “I’m pretty comfortable now. I’m just trying to play fast, play hard, play my game and hopefully get a spot.”
Nijhoff realizes it’ll be no easy task to earn a full-time job with the Pats, who are playing host to the 2018 Memorial Cup.
He’s simply trying to control what he can control — his own effort and performance.
“I’ll just give it my all and see how it pans out,” said the 5-foot11, 180-pounder. “(The Memorial Cup) is definitely in the back of my mind but I’m trying to block it out.”
Nijhoff, who describes himself as a hard-working two-way forward, had 18 goals and six assists in 32 games last season with the Okanagan Hockey Academy’s prep team. He made his WHL debut in Game 4 of Regina’s first-round playoff series against the Calgary Hitmen as a last-minute injury replacement.
“I’ve never really been around that high pace of hockey,” he said. “The team was great and the guys were all good to me. It was a good experience to just see what they do for the games, how they focus. I tried to learn as much as I could.”
Nijhoff is trying to apply those lessons during this year’s camp. His competition includes three other forwards from the bantam draft’s Class of 2016: Cole Muir, Kjell Kjemhus and Tristen Robins.
“All those guys are going to play,” said Paddock, whose team opens the pre-season schedule on Thursday (7 p.m., Brandt Centre) against the Saskatoon Blades
EXTRAS: Seven members of the Pats are slated to leave in about 10 days for NHL training camps. In addition to draft picks Sam Steel (Anaheim Ducks), Josh Mahura (Ducks), Nick Henry (Colorado Avalanche) and Jake Leschyshyn (Las Vegas Golden Knights), three other players have received invitations as undrafted free agents: D Jonathan Smart (Toronto Maple Leafs), D Liam Schioler (Edmonton Oilers) and C Matt Bradley (Minnesota Wild).