Red Wings think size, defence at NHL draft
Studnicka, DiPietro endure ‘long wait’ but thrilled to hear their names called
Old minor hockey teammates Jack Studnicka of Tecumseh and Amherstburg’s Mikey DiPietro shared the ups and downs of the NHL Draft in Chicago.
The two, who played more than half a decade together with the Sun County Panthers, sat through Friday’s first round of the draft at the United Center before hearing their names called on Saturday.
“We have the same agent, so we spent the majority of the weekend together,” said the 18-yearold Studnicka, who plays for the Oshawa Generals.
For Studnicka, sitting through Friday’s first round wasn’t an issue.
“I didn’t have any expectations, but I went there for the full experience,” Studnicka said.
When the Dallas Stars moved up late in the first round on Friday, DiPietro thought there might be a chance he could be reunited with former Windsor Spitfires goalie coach Jim Bedard, but the club selected goalie Jake Oettinger instead.
“It’s a long wait,” the 18-yearold DiPietro said. “You think it’s a good fit and then you’re not called.”
When Saturday’s second round got underway, the anxiety kicked in for both players.
“It’s a stressful environment,” Studnicka said.
With each pick, the stress level only goes up.
It was 22 picks into the second round when Studnicka stood and made his way to the draft floor after the Boston Bruins took the 6-foot, 171-pound centre.
“I’ve been dreaming about being drafted to the NHL since I can’t remember and it’s satisfying to have it happen,” Studnicka said. “I talked to Boston a couple of times during the year and at the (NHL) Combine. I think it’s an awesome fit and I think I’ll fit in well.”
After shaking hands and meeting members of the organization, Studnicka made his way to the interview area. He wasn’t around 11 picks later when the Vancouver Canucks made DiPietro their second pick of the third round.
“I’m happy to hear my name called,” the 6-foot, 202-pound DiPietro said. “I think it’s a great situation for myself and I get a team that truly, truly believes in me as a player.”
DiPietro admits the wait makes the mind wander, but there was a little irony in seeing Vancouver take him with the 64th pick overall.
DiPietro wears No. 64 for the Spitfires in honour of the year his father Vic was born. “It’s a long wait,” DiPietro said. “I started imagining the second pick of the second round because that’s where I was drafted in the OHL. (Vancouver’s pick) was really ironic. I was thinking that was a joke. ” But it was worth the wait. And it was an experience the two local players agree they will never forget.
“Best experience of my life,” Studnicka said.
DiPietro was selected long after teammate Gabriel Vilardi went 11th overall to the Los Angeles Kings in Friday’s first round of the draft.
“I couldn’t be happier going to L.A.,” Vilardi said.
“Such a great organization that has so many great players and learning from those guys.
“(There) really are no words. Just an amazing (experience) for me and my family.”