What Wildcats chums had to say ahead of Batherson’s big game:

Ryan Huestis: “I got the chance to play against Drake when I was in my final year of midget and you could always tell by the amount of skill he had there was definitely something special to come in the future.

I also was very lucky to not only play with him for the Valley junior A Wildcats but to sit beside him in the dressing room.

There are so many great memories I got to share with Drake on and off the ice. From picking him up after he got out of school or coming back to my billet’s to play Xbox.

I couldn’t be happier for Drake, his hard work and dedication to the game of hockey over the past couple years has been phenomenal.” John Deacon: “I’m really happy for Drake. He’s an unbelievable hockey player and an even better person.

Drake was a great guy to play with on and off the ice. He’s such a talented [and] smart hockey player, but the biggest thing I remember from him is how much he loves the game.

He’s the kind of player that’s the first one on the ice and last one off. I lived close to him, so we drove to practices and games together and he’s just a good guy to be around.

He’s always nice, he’s funny, and he’s one of the most humble people I know.”

Lukas Kane: “I’m really excited to watch and see how [Drake] adapts to the big league.

He always finds a way to get the job done no matter where he plays. And playing with Drake back when he was a Valley Wildcat was a lot of fun.

He always enjoyed the game and loved every minute of it. He’s definitely one of the smartest players I ever played with.

He made the game so easy, just getting the puck to you when you’d least expect it and he’[d] make it look effortless, too.”