Blackhawk turns pro in Sweden
It’s been an eventful week for Dylan Scriver.
The 20-year-old forward for the Thorold Blackhawks was named an assistant captain by Blackhawks head coach Scott Barnes at practice Monday, then received a text message from his agent that changed everything.
“My agent just messaged me asking if I wanted to play D3 in Sweden,” the Toronto native said. “He had a team (Viking HC) who was already looking for a guy. He gave them my stats and where I’m from and what I’m about and they offered me a spot right off the bat.”
Scriver couldn’t say yes fast enough when presented with the offer.
“This is what I’ve been working for my whole life to get the opportunity,” he said. “I’m just going to take it as it comes and live out the experience as much as possible and work my hardest and see what happens.”
Scriver had one last piece of business before signing on the dotted line — informing Barnes he was going to take the offer.
“When it got presented, it was telling Scott and making sure he was OK with it, which he was. He told me to get out of here as fast as possible and play.”
Barnes was thrilled for Scriver, even though it will leave a big hole in the Blackhawks lineup.
“We’re ecstatic, especially with this season and the uncertainty of what’s going on here,” Barnes said. “If you can go somewhere and play and get going, and it’s even better it’s a professional league.
“Our whole goal is to move guys on.”
Scriver appreciates Barnes’ philosophy.
“That was another thing why I came back here this year is because Scott is so good with player development and wanting guys to move forward,” Scriver said. “He always backs us on our decisions. That made me want to come back and have a 20-year-old play for them.”
Scriver, who collected 23 goals and 50 points in 47 games for the Blackhawks last season, isn’t quite sure what to expect in Sweden.
“Everything is brand new. I’m looking forward to a new experience, that’s for sure,” he said.
Scriver said he will room with an older player on the team in an apartment and the team has set up a meal plan for him.
“They wanted me to be with someone who knows what is going on over there,” he said.
Scriver is curious to see how his skill set translates to pro and the bigger ice surfaces in Europe.
“All I know is I have to put up points,” he smiled. “That’s all they said. It’s going to be somewhat close to a junior A level, but all older men. That will be the biggest change, playing against grown ups, not people my own age.”
Scriver is slated to leave within a week.
“I was just joking around with my roommate how fast life changes. One day you’re a kid playing junior and the next you’re being called to play pro.”
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