Anxiety levels rise as draft day nears
3 players hoping to hear from NHL
At the end of the day Saturday, the long wait will be over, the anxiety quashed, and the feelings of pride and self-confidence temporarily lifted.
Come Sunday morning? Just another day in the life of a budding hockey prospect.
Not that Boxford teen Chris Kreider won’t enjoy having his name broadcast on Versus and his attributes dissected by analysts at the NHL draft Friday and Saturday in Montreal. But the former Phillips Academy standout and incoming Boston College freshman is maintaining a strict philosophy.
“It’s really an analysis of potential,’’ the 18-year-old Kreider said of the draft. “We’re all still pretty young kids. It’s just a gauge of how much you have to offer. It’s more motivation than anything.’’
Ranked 14th among North American skaters, the 6-foot-2 1/2-inch, 201-pound left winger dramatically increased his stock with a dominant senior season in Andover, posting 33 goals and 23 assists in just 26 games.
Those numbers piqued the interest of coach Jerry York and his staff at BC, who could potentially have a first-round draft pick on the Eagles’ roster for the 2009-10 season.
“There’s pretty big expectations; it’s a tough lineup to crack,’’ Kreider said. “But one thing that appealed to me was the mentality of coach York about earning your spot.’’
The predraft hype - the growing interest, the first-round projections, the curiosity over which team may select him - has Kreider taking a step back and remembering what his priorities are. And the first step is adapting to college to further improve his skills.
“It’s going to be an entirely different level,’’ Kreider said. “The difference is boys vs. men. But I think I’ll be able to hold my own. I’m getting a little nervous, but it’s a good thing. I think you can use that to your advantage.’’
A fellow Boxford prospect carries a Hall of Fame surname. Ryan Bourque, son of the legendary Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque, recently completed an impressive season with the US under-18 team.
The 5-foot-9, 163-pound center finished with 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 48 games. Bourque’s improving skills as a center will be on watch in Montreal, his parents’ hometown.
“I feel very fortunate to have a father who’s been here before, and a brother too (Chris, 2004, 33d overall by Washington),’’ said Bourque, ranked 49th by the scouting bureau. “I don’t like to worry about things I can’t control though. There’s no expectations.’’
Bourque will welcome the draft with open arms.
“It should be a good experience,’’ said the 18-year-old. “I got pretty lucky that it’s in Montreal. I’m excited and anxious - I’ve been waiting all year for this. It’s obviously every kid’s dream to be drafted in the NHL.’’
Bourque’s next stop is the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he will skate for the Quebec Remparts for two seasons.
“I’m really excited, it’ll be like nothing I’ve ever experienced before,’’ said Bourque, who was initially set to attend the University of New Hampshire but opted to head to Canada.
Also hopeful is Lynnfield’s Mark Hourihan, who finished an injury-shortened junior season this past year at Noble & Greenough, a private school in Dedham. Ranked 161st by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, Hourihan is, in his words, “right on the border.’’
“I’m trying not to think about it too much,’’ Hourihan said. “There’s nothing I can do about it right now.’’
The 6-3, 200-pound winger managed 20 points (6 goals, 14 assists) in a season that started with him missing five games due to an off-season concussion, and was again interrupted when he separated his shoulder 10 games in.
He felt his confidence grow, however, after a 5-3 championship win against Andover in the annual Flood-Marr tournament.
“I didn’t have as many points as I would like,’’ Hourihan said. “Getting that second injury was tough to come back from and we just missed the playoffs. It was a tough season to battle through.’’
The 18-year-old Hourihan has talked to a few teams, including Colorado and Washington, but said he knows that his one focus is on what college campus he will be on in the fall of 2010.
“I’ve been working out with [BU strength and conditioning coach] Mike Boyle and [Chicago Blackhawks skating coach] Paul Vincent, and I’m trying to figure out college,’’ Hourihan said. “I have to think about what program will help me get better and to where I want to go.’’
Jeff Powalisz can be reached at jcpowalisz@yahoo.com. 