Focht is prepared for anything that may arise from NHL draft
Regina’s Carson Focht has a game plan for the 2018 NHL draft, but executing it won’t be easy.
The 18-year-old forward realizes he has no control over whether his name will be called when the draft takes place Friday and Saturday in Dallas.
Therefore, he’ll do his best to simply enjoy the show — regardless of the outcome.
“I’d like to enjoy the experience with my family and friends,” said Focht, who plans to watch the draft on TV. “You put in the work all season long. Now it’s time to sit back and see what happens. I’m looking forward to it but it can definitely be a little bit stressful when you’re waiting for your name to be called.”
If selected, Focht could go anywhere from the middle to late rounds. Central Scouting’s final rankings had him 155th among North American skaters — up almost 50 spots from mid-season.
“There’s definitely a lot of uncertainty,” Focht said. “I’m trying not to go in with too high of expectations. I think I’m ready for whatever happens. I’m just going into it with an open mind. Obviously it would be an honour to be drafted. Even if I’m not, that’s OK too.”
Focht has been around hockey long enough to know that the draft isn’t the be-all and end-all.
It’s all about what you do afterward.
“You work for that opportunity your whole life,” he said. “It would be great to get drafted but there’s still a lot of opportunities after the draft. You hear about a lot of success stories of guys who’ve gone undrafted playing in the league right now. It’s just about seizing it and working hard every day.”
Focht has momentum on his side after a strong second half with the Calgary Hitmen, who acquired him on Jan. 6. He was a key piece of the blockbuster trade that sent all-star defenceman Jake Bean to the TriCity Americans.
“It was definitely an experience I’ve never had before,” said Focht, who notched 13 goals and 33 points in 69 games last season. “It was tough to leave all my teammates in Tri-City but I thought the opportunity was greater in Calgary. I have no regrets on the move.”
Focht insists he doesn’t have a favourite NHL team that would create a dream scenario on draft day. He talked to a handful of clubs over the past few months and hopes those conversations will pay off this weekend.
“All the organizations are great,” he said. “If I was leaning toward a team I would probably have to say Chicago because I just got back from there (after the Blackhawks invited him for a visit). I was able to talk with their organization a bit and go through a combine (with other prospects). That would be my favourite but at the end of the day it’s an honour to be drafted by any team so I don’t really have too much of a preference.”