Heading into the draft, Yukon Rush defenseman Nathan Powers was excited, understandably. The day he had worked for all season long had finally come. He received interviews from teams that intrigued him, but none more than the Prague Phantoms. It was looking like he was going to be a late first rounder, if not a second round pick. After getting the sense that the Phantoms were interested in him in the top ten, Powers got more hopeful that it could potentially happen. Especially when VSN scouting predicted he would go to Prague at number 9 in their official Season 78 Mock Draft.
Powers was originally drafted by the Yukon Rush in Season 77, in the 5th round, 57th overall. He played all 72 games for the Rush this past season in the VHLM, compiling 9 goals and 53 assists for 62 points. Powers also blocked 112 shots, tied for 7th league-wide. Speaking on his experience in Yukon, Powers had this to say: "It has been a great place. I still appreciate @Juice and @fromtheinside taking a chance on me as a player just entering the league. We had an up-and-down season in Season 77, but I'm confident we'll be much better in Season 78."
One of the main things Powers was hoping for was to be drafted to a winning franchise. Although he wanted to be a 1st round pick, he would have sacrificed it in a second to go to a contender. Powers is team-first all the way and focuses solely on the team around him.
Fast forward to this past Thursday, the day of the draft. Powers was pumped to see how things would play out. He anxiously watched as players were picked. Many were consensus picks; ones that everyone knew. "Most of the picks at the start of Round 1 were expected. Those players were insanely talented. Also, credit to the scouting department for VSN, they absolutely nailed those picks."
The picks were happening fast. Within a few minutes, Calgary was on the clock at number eight overall. The mock draft had the Wranglers taking Powers's Rush teammate, Alex Johnston, with the eighth pick. Then, as predicted, Johnston was selected. "It was obviously awesome to see @Alex_J32 drafted at eight. Well deserved, he made an immediate impact for us both on and off the ice."
The opportunity was there to have back-to-back Yukon picks. Prague was now up at ninth. The suspense was building. A minute passed, then another. Then--his name was called -- "With the ninth pick in the Season 78 VHL Draft, the Prague Phantoms select...Nathan Powers, defense, Yukon Rush." Powers was elated. His dream had come true. Two Yukon picks in a row, and he knew where he would start his VHL career.
"Hearing my name called was unbelievable. It left me in awe. I am very grateful to @diamond_ace and @Domg5 for drafting me in the top ten. Being a first round pick and going to a legit cup contender was so great. I am looking forward to the opportunity to play on such a wonderful franchise."
Powers is still well under 250 TPE, the limit for players to play in the VHLM. He signed an entry-level deal on May 15, two days after the draft. "In a way I am glad I can stay down here in Yukon for a bit longer. Knowing what great things lie ahead makes you want to do more here in the M and cherish your time here. I feel like we have unfinished business to take care of in Season 78."
Later in the first, Rush defenseman Tynan Sylvester would go to Warsaw. "It was awesome to see Tynan go in the 1st, to a team very close to Prague. I am excited to see what he brings to our blueline this season in the meantime."
A few short picks after, Yukon right wing and fellow Season 77 Rush draftee Jaromir Lemiuex would be selected by the Moscow Menace. "Seeing @hockeyis66go to Moscow was fantastic. We were kind of in the same boat last season, both being late picks. Just watching him develop this season has been great, and he emerged as one of our top players without a doubt."
Speaking on his hopes for the future, Powers was optimistic, saying, "I really want to continue to grow as a player. I want to win a Founder's Cup this season with Yukon. It would complete things for me in the VHLM. Regardless, I am going to give all I got this season before going up to Prague. Once I do get to the Phantoms, I am going to work very hard as a rookie. I want to make an immediate impact, for the better. Prague has such a great team as is, and with @Mistxh J going up soon too that'll be cool. I guess we'll have to put the Marlins-Rush war behind us at that point (chuckles)."
Powers also spoke briefly on the World Juniors. "It was disappointing to not win the tournament, but I'm proud of Team Canada. Big thank you to @Prout for picking me to be on the team, it was a great experience. And congrats to Team Europe, well deserved."
Last, he spoke on the ProAm tournament: "It has been great, everything about it. The draft, the players, all of it. Currently 3-0, crossing my fingers. These players give it 100%, so I'm not worried, no matter the result. It has been a real honor to GM the Halifax Chiefs."
Powers informed us that he would be doing something similar at the conclusion of the tournament, featuring content about Halifax. This will include background information, things to know about the draft, a roster rundown and lineup coverage, and finally, the results, still to be determined.
Powers left us with this: "In the end, it does not matter where you go, it matters what you do there. What character you show and the effort you put in each day, which will ultimately lead to great success. I will do whatever it takes to win and be a good player on and off the ice for Prague. And for Yukon, in the present. Thank you for doing this, and have a great night."
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