Siepmann hoping for dream call at NHL draft

Hitmen defenceman projected to go in middle rounds of Friday's second day

Grayden Siepmann knows the scouts have seen him play.

Not only through the winter with the Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen, but also on Team Canada's blueline at the IIHF world under-18 championship in late April.

“I heard that there were a couple hundred scouts at every game,” Siepmann said of that eight-team international showdown in Germany. “But I tried not to focus on that and just played my game.” A wise strategy.

Because in the company of some of the most highly touted prospects for the NHL draft, Siepmann feels he made a convincing case to potential big-league employers. The only bummer is the Canadians left without medals after a loss in the quarter-final round.

“It was an awesome experience,” said Siepmann, the highest scoring defenceman for the Hitmen this past season, with nine goals and 25 points in 66 outings as a WHL sophomore. “I learned so much there, being able to play with and against top players around the world and even just get my name out there for the draft and showcase my skills and see what I can do against the top players.

“I definitely learned a lot in just the few weeks of practising and playing with those guys. And I feel like I was right there with them, with all the guys. I feel like that was some of the best hockey I've played, just having a mindset of wanting to be the best out there and showcase myself. I feel like it was really good for me, personally.”

The NHL draft continues Friday in Montreal with Rounds 2-7.

Siepmann, who takes pride in his skating and puck-moving abilities, is hoping to be selected as early as the third, though most mock drafts and scouting services have him pegged a little later.

The 18-year-old will be tracking the picks from home in Abbotsford, B.C.

It wasn't all that long ago a guy of Siepmann's stature — he is listed at five-foot-10 and 175 pounds — would have been dismissed as too small to play the point position at the highest level.

There are several guys who are proving otherwise. One of Siepmann's role model rearguards is Samuel Girard of the Colorado Avalanche. Girard is a second-pairing staple for the Avs, though he missed the latter stages of the Stanley Cup run after suffering a broken sternum in the second round.

“I feel like we're about the same size and we play the game the same way — just moving pucks and getting up the ice and adding options in the offensive zone and being very smart in the defensive zone,” Siepmann explained. “They always look for taller guys, but I feel like the NHL is becoming quicker and quicker, and most smaller guys are pretty quick. Seeing defencemen who are around my size developing in the NHL and becoming top players, that's cool to see.”

Soon enough, Siepmann hopes to be one of them.

Friday should bring an important first step.

“Obviously, I'm really excited,” said Siepmann, who should be back to continue his development with the Hitmen in 2022-23.

“For all the hard work I've done and my parents, the sacrifices they've done to get me to the rink every day and to drive me around ... and even coaches, all throughout my years, I think they'd be just as excited as me to see me get my name called in the draft. So it would be a pretty special moment for a bunch of us.

“It should be a fun, exciting day for me, hopefully.”