From the Northern Capital to the Windy City.
That’s the outlook Prince George Cougars defenceman Cole Moberg has after being taken by the Chicago Blackhawks at the NHL Draft on Saturday.
Moberg told MYPGNOW.com he had quite a bit of contact with the Hawks leading up to the draft.
“I talked to them quite a bit, I got a survey and questionnaire from them throughout the year and one of their scouts stayed in contact and then a month before the draft I went down there and did some testing with some other guys and thought that’s where I might end up.”
He adds now that he’s been selected, the journey in possibly putting on a Hawks sweater has now begun.
“Now that I have been drafted, the real work starts now because now you are fighting for spots and throughout this year I am going to keep building on what I did last year and then also help the guys who are draft eligible this year.”
Moberg admits it’s still a pretty surreal feeling knowing he was taken in the seventh round, 194th overall by a franchise that has some success in the past decade with some of the best players in the NHL including the likes of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
“Honestly, I don’t think it has sunk in yet that I have actually been drafted because going in I wasn’t sure if I was going to get picked, I thought I might but I wasn’t too sure. As it moved on I didn’t think it was going to happen but then once my name was called I was really happy.”
“It’s something that I have dreamt about my entire life and for it now to happen is amazing.”
The 19-year-old from North Vancouver enjoyed a breakout second season with the Cats compiling 13 goals and 27 assists in 61 games this season on a team that struggled to score goals and missed the playoffs for a second straight season.
Our final selection in the 2019 #NHLDraft is Canadian defenseman Cole Moberg!#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/dEW0cJq679
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 22, 2019
Moberg explains what was the turning point for him in finally seeing himself as a pro prospect.
“After the game in Lethbridge where I had two goals I just thought that I could do this and when I was recognized on the mid-term rankings I knew there were people watching and that I had a chance.”
Cougars netminder Taylor Gauthier was not selected at the NHL Draft but has been invited to a development camp with the Boston Bruins.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 22, 2019