NHL draft will be a family affair
Kitchener native Nic Hague bringing a full house with him to Chicago to share the moment
KITCHENER — Nic Hague slipped on his first NHL sweater when he was a baby.
Parents Sheila and Bob are massive Toronto Maple Leafs fans, and outfitted their son in blue and white soon after he was born.
“We bought a little jersey with No. 1 on the back,” said his mom. “It’s in the closet. I kept it because it’s cute.”
Next week, they’ll get to see the real deal when their only child puts on an official pro sweater after he’s selected in the NHL draft.
“When the kids are little they all say they are going to play in the NHL when they get bigger,” his mother said. “As parents you sit there and say just keep working hard, follow your dream and you can do anything you want.
“But never in a million years did we think this was going to happen. We’re completely proud of him. It’s pretty amazing.”
Various scouting services have the 6-foot-6, 215-pound Mississauga Steelheads defenceman rated to go early in the draft, which runs at the United Center in Chicago next Friday and Saturday.
If he’s among the first 31 selections, he’ll join other recent Waterloo Region first-rounders in Logan Stanley (2016, Winnipeg Jets, 18th overall), Tanner Pearson (2012, Los Angeles
Kings, 30th) and Mark Scheifele (2011, Winnipeg Jets, 7th).
Hague is trying to keep his emotions in check.
“You always dream about it but I never thought I’d be in a position like this,” he said. “Every kid wants to play in the NHL and I was the same. Those are guys you look up to and idolize and you want to be just like them.
“Now I’m in an opportunity where I can have a shot to be one of these guys. It’s kind of surreal.”
NHL Central Scouting has Hague ranked 20th among North American skaters, while Waterloo natives Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm) is listed 47th and Ben Jones (Niagara IceDogs) is 170th.
Several Kitchener Rangers are also on the list, including forwards Greg Meireles (93), Dylan Seitz (123) and Nick McHugh (145). Luke Richardson is 30th among North American goalies.
Over the past year, Hague has done interviews with 24 NHL teams, talked to countless scouts and attended the league’s pre-draft combine for top prospects.
“It’s always nice to get some extra attention for all the hard work you put in,” he said.
“But you want to put the whole draft thing at the back of your head while you’re playing and focus on the team.”
And Hague is coming off a memorable run with the Fish.
The Kitchener minor hockey product had a career year with 18 goals and 28 assists as the Trout won the OHL’s eastern conference playoff title before losing in five games to the Erie Otters in the championship.
“He’s the full package,” said Steelheads general manager and coach James Richmond. “He passes like a pro and is a big, mean, tough defenceman. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t go in the first round of the draft.”
Hague, who counts Tampa Bay Lightning rearguard Victor Hedman as an influence, doesn’t have a preference.
“I’d be happy to go anywhere,” he said.
“At the NHL level for the most part every team is going to be the same in terms of player development. Whatever team I go to it’s all about fighting for a roster spot.” It’ll be a busy affair in Chicago. Hague’s grandmother Andrea will be in the stands for the big day. So, too, will a hoard of extended family and friends.
But it’s the reaction of his mom and dad that he’ll be most interested in when an NHL club finally calls his name on draft day.
“I’m looking forward to going through it with them,” said Hague. “I can’t thank them enough for the support they have given me over my hockey life.
“They know how badly I want it. They have seen first-hand the work I have put in. They have been right there watching me go through it my whole life.”
Yes, right by his side, ever since they put a Leafs sweater on him when he was an infant.