LIVING THE DREAM
Drake Batherson makes NHL debut
Drake Batherson made his presence known when he donned the Ottawa Senators jersey for his first NHL game Nov. 15.
Rising to the ranks of the NHL was a long-awaited feat for Batherson, who proved he belonged there when his first shot on net turned into the game-winning goal for the Senators in a 2-1 battle against the Detroit Red Wings.
On Nov. 16, a TSN headline read: “Batherson’s first NHL goal sends Senators past Red Wings.”
“It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid,” Batherson told television reporters after the game.
Batherson said the evening couldn’t have gone better, and the 20-year-old winger hailing from New Minas also noted that he was thrilled to have about 15 familiar faces in the crowd cheering him on for the momentous occasion.
The Valley Wildcats alum is a success story many can identify with, having found his stride in hockey later than most. Yet he’s a player who has peaked just in time, earning a spot on the Sens’ starting line in his first NHL game.
“I think in any new league you’re going to be a little nervous your first couple of shifts. But the older guys here have done a good job in telling me, ‘just play my game.’ I think that’s the most important… not to change how you play,” said Batherson, speaking in an interview with Sens TV prior to the game.
‘A knack for the net’: Greenough
Batherson has seen much success in recent months, making his move up to the Senators’ main roster — a move that some fans may have been expecting.
He scored 20 points in 14 games as part of the Belleville Senators, the team’s American Hockey League feeder team, and is perhaps best known for the seven goals he scored during last year’s IIHF World Junior Championship tournament in Buffalo, making him Team Canada’s highest-scoring player and helping propel the squad to a gold-medal finish.
Locally, Batherson is known as a former top Valley Wildcats forward, who enjoyed a successful career with the team and saw steady growth.
Among those not surprised by his latest success is former Wildcats coach and current general manager Nick Greenough, who says he always knew Batherson would make it big.
“We saw that he has a great talent, and that he would succeed. I’m sure he’s a little nervous about hitting the ice with the Senators, but everybody will be watching. He’s going to do well,” he said before the big game.
“He’s got a knack for the net, for scoring goals. It’s amazing to see his growth, in terms of where he was and where he is now.”
Support from family, former teammates
Batherson’s father, Norm, also played for the AHL and was signed by the Ottawa Senators. He was also a member of the Acadia Axemen hockey team, and helped carry the team to a national championship.
Batherson said he received some good advice from his dad ahead of his game — to have fun with it.
“He’s seen me every day, training and working hard for this moment, so he’s going to be proud of me. …It’s the game I love, and it’s going to be special for sure,” said Batherson in the Sens TV interview.
The young star also said his phone has been “blowing up” with people sending their well-wishes.
A group of his closest family members and friends were in the stands for his NHL debut in Ottawa.
Former Valley Wildcats teammate John Deacon said he’s “very happy” for Batherson, describing the NHL rookie as “one of the most humble people I know.”
“He’s such a talented smart hockey player but the biggest thing I remember from him is how much he loves the game,” added Deacon.
“He’s the kind of player that’s the first one on the ice and last one off.”
The Ottawa Senators announced prior to the game that Batherson would play right wing alongside centre Matt Duchene, one of the team’s top players, on the starting line.
Batherson’s journey is an inspirational one that continues to captivate Canadians across the country, and one that should serve to inspire young hockey players the most, said Greenough.
“It shows kids who play locally here that if you work hard and follow your dreams, that great things will happen.”