A hockey player born in Peace River has been drafted into the NHL. Lane Zablocki was picked by the Detroit Red Wings 78th overall Saturday.
The centre spent the last two seasons in the Western Hockey League, splitting last year between the Regina Pats and Red Deer Rebels. He finished with 28 goals and 26 assists in 64 games, and added six goals and two assists in six playoff games.
Speaking to the Rebels after the draft, Zablocki says he had spoken with Detroit at the recent NHL Scouting Combine, and thought it was one of his better interviews. He was at home with his family in Regina when he got the call up, opting out of the entry draft in Chicago.
“I still can’t believe it right now,” he told the Rebels. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of and just seeing my name on the TV… it’s unbelievable.”
Zablocki will head to the prospects camp in July, where he could earn a spot at the team’s main camp in September.