With one day left till the highly anticipated draft all of the prospects and general managers are making their final preparations for tomorrow’s big day. Darian has been waiting for this day since he was a kid playing pond hockey. Darian now addresses the media one last time before the NWJHL draft which starts a new chapter in his hockey career.

“Well it has felt like this draft process has taken years but it is finally hear. This is what all of those 6am practices and hard gruelling workouts were for. I can’t wait to hear my name called tomorrow and to help my team to win a chmpioship! Tomorrow will definitely be a day to remember!”

So Darian what has been your biggest challenge through your hockey career so far?

“It has definitely been when my father passed away when I was thirteen. He was such a great inspiration to me. It was really tough to get over at first but then told myself that I will play in the SHL one day to honour my dad. He was always was there by my side through the good times and the tough times. He was the one who taught me the game and believed in me that one day I would be a star in the SHL. He always told me that when you set your mind to something and believe you can accomplish it anything is possible. He taught me to have a great work ethic and give it you all in everything you do in life. I would not be here today without my dad.”

Where do you expect to go in the draft and do you think that your suspension will hurt your draft stock?

“Honestly I am just happy to be a part of the draft and do not really mind when or where I get drafted. I just look at all the millions of kids who have dreamed that on day they will be playing hockey in the pros and I am one of the lucky ones who actually get to experience it. I will be happy will give it my all on any team I get drafted by and just want to help my team bring home a cup. And yes I think my suspension will hurt my draft stock but I just want to let teams know that I will be training harder than ever during my suspension and when I come back I will be that x -factor on the team I get drafted by”.

What kind of role do you see yourself playing on the NWJHL team that drafts you?

“I hope to bring that nastiness to my team using my big frame and good checking to shutdown my opponents. I pride myself on my defensive play and always think of defence first. The way I look at it about half of the time when goals are scored against your team it’s the defensemen’s fault. I will be that guy who makes those smart passes who has very few turnovers and will always be that last guy back. I think I would be a good asset on any teams the penalty kill and can work good in pressure situations when my team needs protect that one goal lead with a minute to go. I hope to become an elite shutdown defenseman in the future. And remember like the saying goes defence wins championships.”

Darian’s final statement: I don’t think I will be getting much sleep tonight as I anxiously await tomorrow’s draft. I have arranged to fly some of my family in from Ukraine to share this special moment with me. I will not be there at the draft waiting for my name to be called as instead I will be at home anxiously watching the draft and celebrating my accomplishment with my family. Also without my family I would not be here awaiting the draft. Last off I would like to thank the media for getting my name out there to all of the members in the NWJHL as when I first came over to Canada I was not well know but now with the help of the media gms have gotten a better look at me. I also want to wish all the other draftees good luck and look forward to playing with some of you.