(1238 words. Ready for Grading)

With the SMJHL draft only days away, I was able to sit down with with Columbus' own Patrick Rail. We discussed many things across the interview from his upbringing to what he thinks life in pro hockey will be like.

Patrick was born in Columbus and according to many friends and family he was born with a hockey stick in his hand. He grew up playing midget hockey at the rink down the road from his house. He experienced many highs and lows while playing High School hockey, his first two years his team was the worst in the league and his senior year he led them to the state championship.

His coaches always rave about what a teammate he is. He will spend more time helping players work on their game during warm ups to help make them better and the team better. When the team was at the lowest of lows he was still trying to build his team up and encourage them that they were going to turn it around. It was very fitting that the championship game he ended up with 3 assists and was more excited to see his teammates score than he has been when the puck went in the net for him.

His parents are very excited for him though his mom expressed concern about where he would end up at. She has stated many times this is going to be the roughest transition since he has always been at home. His dad is very excited to see what his future holds and knows that if hockey isn't it he will still go on to do something amazing.

I had the pleasure to sit down for a 30 minute interview and he told me no question was off limits.

Dispatch: Draft is less than a week away, what are your thoughts leading up to the draft?

Patrick: Bittersweet. More so sweet but there is a bitterness to it. I loved my high school journey, you work so hard together as a group from 9th grade and to see us reach the top in 12th grade as a group was so wonderful. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me to and see what God has in store for me but also nervous about the step up that is going to take to reach the top of this new level. I haven't stopped working out, to prepare for the draft. I am as ready as I think I can be so at this point it is just seeing where I land and what the next steps are.

Dispatch: Talking about going out on top. Tell us about that state championship game and how it felt to finish your high school career.

Patrick: Man, that game brings back so many emotions. We weren't pick to win it. We went on a massive run after having a lack luster season. The team knew we weren't meeting our potential so we locked in and really put in work before the tournament. We worked so hard in games to get the the Championship game but ended up going up against the first place Mentor team. We simply out worked them from the start. I had a great assist in the first period where Jimmy got sprung on a break away. From that moment I knew we were going to win. Jimmy and I also had a 2 on 1 break away where we passed it 3 times between us and he ended up just sliding it into the net. It was a best game we played. It was a great way to end my high school career.

Dispatch: You have been asked dozens of questions when meeting with scouts, what is your favorite one and which one is the weirdest?

Patrick: My favorite is also the weirdest, because I love to think and to be pressured to think on my feet is even better. I don't think I can say what that question is because it may give information on who is interviewing me though.

Dispatch: So if you like weird questions here is one we have: If you were a new crayon in the box what color would you be and why?

Patrick: Oh, I like that. So.... I think i have to go with.... wilted rose red. It sounds so weird but I like to see roses right when the petals are about to die. They turn this really dark red like they are using the last of its energy to stay alive. Its not as pretty as rose red but in its own way it is. It shows that it has lived a beautiful life and even in its dying moments its still so beautiful.

Dispatch: That's a really great answer. I don't know how to put into the article the pauses you had to take to think of that but it was about a good minute of you thinking silently about what you wanted to say.

Patrick: Questions like that bounce in your mind but sometimes you can narrow down your answer pretty fast.

Dispatch: Where do you see yourself going in this league?

Patrick: I want to go into the SMJHL and do everything I can to help whatever team picks me to win. My end goal is obviously to get drafted to the SHL and become a great hockey player!

Dispatch: If you weren't playing hockey what would you do instead?

Patrick: I would become an airplane pilot. I love flying. I even do flight simulator games to relax. Something about being in the air so high and controlling the thing that is keeping you up is amazing. Plus you get to see so many different places as a pilot.

Dispatch: Which airline would you want to work with?

Patrick: The aggressive side of me would say spirit to see all the drama, but I cant imagine that leads to a healthy life. I would probably want to be with one of the Major companies to be able to go to multiple different places.

Dispatch: Every coach and player that has been around you has gushed over your ability to help them and encourage everyone, are you a positive person or are you a serious competitor that no-one wants to be around after a game?

Patrick: I'm a positive person. Loses I take more personally than being upset with anyone. I look for why we lost and how I can improve to keep that from happening again. The one thing I can control is my effort and I will put as much effort to make up for anything I cant control.

Dispatch: Thank you for taking this time and we are about out of all the time we had allotted, but one final fun question for you, what type of tree would you be?

Patrick: That's another great question and I love that's how we will end this interview. I would be a maple tree. They are big and strong. They produce sap that can be used to make syrup and their leaves in the fall are absolutely stunning. Now with that answer I'm going to leave.

The Columbus Dispatch thanks Patrick, his family, teammates, coaches and parents for speaking with us. Columbus should be excited to see what this future start does!