The entire draft experience was a whirlwind for me, but the players and management in Quebec were incredibly supportive and welcoming in the days after the draft. Stepping into the locker room for the first time felt like coming home, and I was blown away by all the activity. In just a few short days, I had invites to team activities, mentors stepping in to help me build a training plan for the upcoming season, and a constant stream of casual communication that really made the whole place come alive.

So far everyone’s been great, but I’ve been really impressed with the team’s general managers for organizing such a helpful environment. In the QCC facilities we get access to state of the art training programs that keep us on track with our season and career goals, personalized advice to improve our on-ice skills, and opportunities to get involved with keeping the team and the league running smoothly. I’ve already agreed to take on a scorekeeping job part-time to build on what I’ll be earning with my rookie contract, and that should help me build up career earnings to support the strongest training regimen possible during my time in the juniors. I’m thrilled to be here, and I’m already looking forward to the preseason!