P.A. Raiders’ fonstad has seen his stock rise ahead of NHL draft
Cole Fonstad is still trying to wrap his head around the fact that his NHL dream could soon become a reality.
It should begin to sink in this weekend when Fonstad’s eyes are glued to the TV during the 2018 NHL draft, which runs Friday and Saturday in Dallas.
“I’ve waited a long time for this,” said the Estevan product. “It still doesn’t really feel real. I could be drafted and go to NHL camp and just experience new things. I’ve experienced a lot this year but just the thought of it being the NHL still doesn’t really seem real.”
Fonstad’s draft outlook is very real, thanks to a breakout season with the Prince Albert Raiders, notching 21 goals and 73 points in 72 WHL games. The 18-year-old forward added four goals and one assist in seven playoff contests before he was named to Canada’s team at the 2018 world under-18 championship.
Fonstad’s stock has been on the rise since last fall when he was overlooked in Central Scouting’s preliminary watch list. By midseason he was rated No. 78 among North American-based skaters and his ascent continued in the second half when he climbed to 65th in the final rankings.
“It’s something you can’t really focus on,” said Fonstad, who scored a goal in the CHL Top Prospects Game. “It’s nice to get recognized but it doesn’t mean you’re drafted or anything. Whether you’re on that list or not, your goal is still going to be to play in the NHL and get drafted. Until you get picked you haven’t really accomplished anything. Even when you get picked there’s still a lot of work to do.
“The next couple years are going to define what the future is going to be like.”
Fonstad’s talent isn’t in doubt, but his size — listed at five-foot-10 and 162 pounds — may be considered a negative by some NHL teams.
That perception is something he has battled throughout his young career.
“Obviously small guys get opportunities and are successful all the time now in the NHL,” said Fonstad. “If you have the smarts, if you have the skills, if you have the work ethic, you’re going to be able to play. The game now is speed and skill. Size is becoming less and less of a factor. It’s something that doesn’t really bug me when I hear people say it. I just want to go out and prove people wrong.”
That’s exactly what he did with the Raiders, who were one of the WHL’s top teams in the second half.
Fonstad was a big part of it. “I knew I wasn’t really on the (NHL) radar at all going into the year, so I had to do something to get on it,” said Fonstad, the fifthoverall pick in the 2015 bantam draft. “The opportunity that I got (in Prince Albert) is obviously a huge part of it too. There are so many great players out there that don’t get an opportunity. Once they get one it’s like, ‘Where did this guy come from?’ I was just lucky to get the opportunity earlier than most kids, and I’m lucky that I took advantage of it.”
As a result, he’s on the verge of realizing a lifelong dream.
“I would be happy going anywhere (in the draft),” added Fonstad. “I just hope to get picked. That’s all you really need is to get an opportunity.
“It’s what you do with that opportunity that is going to get you to the NHL.”
The game now is speed and skill. Size is becoming less and less of a factor … I just want to go out and prove people wrong.