Day two of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft was a defining moment in Kaedan Korczakâs hockey career.
The Âé¶čAV Rockets defenceman was selected 41st overall by the Vegas Golden Knights, thus expediting the busy off-season for the third Rockets player selected at the yearâs draft.
From the IIHF U18 Hockey Championships in April to Vegas training camp through the summer, Korczak hopes to build on those experiences in his continuing development this season.
âGetting that extra year is going to be a big part of this season,â Korczak said.
âWith the Memorial Cup, itâs going to be a fun and big year for the Rockets and Iâm really looking forward to it.
âIâm looking forward to getting back to routine in Âé¶čAV.â
READ MORE: Rocketsâ star impresses at World Junior showcase
Âé¶čAV will host the Memorial Cup in May 2020.Hosting the tournament earns an automatic berth for the host city.
âEveryone being a year older, weâre going to have a really good team,â Korczak said.
âLast year wasnât great, but this year weâre looking to make playoffs and make a big push for the Memorial Cup.â
His Rockets teammates Lassi Thomson, Nolan Foote and Dillon Hamaliuk were also selected at the NHL draft in June.
Korczak has talked with his teammates about their draft experiences, as well as their expectations for the upcoming season.
He said he didnât know what to think after being drafted, especially since Vegas traded up to grab the 6-foot-2 defenceman, a similar storyline to how he ended up being drafted as a bantam by the Rockets.
âAll I was feeling was joy and happiness. That was a fun day for sure.â
At the draft, we traded đ to get
â Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights)
Now we're excited to watch him become a pro đ
READ MORE: Rockets make big moves at WHL draft
Enjoying some brief time off in his hometown of Yorkton, Sask., before Rocketsâ camp in September, Korczak is prepared to return to Âé¶čAV in a bigger role.
âUs older guys will have to lead the younger guys and show them how itâs done this season,â he said.
The Rockets pre-season starts Aug. 30 with full roster camps starting shortly after ahead of the season-opener on Sept. 21.
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