Memorable Knight for Swick
St. Catharines native Trent Swick was selected in the sixth round (180th overall) by the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL draft this week. Photo: OHL IMAGES.
Trent Swick wasn’t going to give up on his dream of playing in the National Hockey League after being passed over in the draft.
The 20-year-old St. Catharines native went unclaimed in his draft year, but all that did was make him work harder to achieve his goal.
“I believed in myself,” Swick said. “I had a good supporting cast around me with my family and friends and they believed in me and that helped me every day pushing towards my goal.”
Swick’s hard work and determination paid off when he was selected in the sixth round (180th overall) by the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL draft this week.
“I read something that the third most amount of players in the NHL are free agents, 157 active in the league, so it’s not a big deal if you get drafted or not, it’s just a really good feeling and gives me a lot of confidence heading into next year,” Swick said. “It paid off in the end.”
Swick, who attended Saint Francis before being drafted by the Kitchener Rangers, had already committed to a development camp with the Golden Knights as a free agent.
Getting to hear his name called was the icing on the cake.
“It was so cool,” he said. “I knew I was a prospect in the draft and I knew I had a chance to go but it wasn’t going to be in the top rounds. I thought it was smart to come down here for the experience and to meet some people.”
Swick, whose 6-foot-7 frame no doubt caught the eyes of scouts, said he had been in contact with four teams and had a good feeling he would hear his name called.
“It didn’t really sink in at first,” he said. “I was kind of zoned out, it was a long day and then I heard Kitchener Rangers and then my name and it was awesome.
“Just a million emotions at a time; it was crazy.”
Swick had a breakout season in Kitchener with 25 goals and 62 points after scoring a combined 13 goals in his previous two years.
“I think it was a new coach (Jussi Ahokas) who believed in me a lot and played me in all situations of the game,” Swick said. “Being a bigger guy, just developing over the years and getting stronger and faster and having more confidence in myself, I think that was a big part.
“Everything just clicked. It was a great season. Everything paid off.”
Swick, who suited up for both the Niagara North Stars and Southern Tier Admirals before being drafted by the Rangers, singled out coaches Dave Keracher and current Port Colborne Sailors coach Kevin Rosebrugh for their help.
“Dave Keracher is a great guy and Kevin really helped me develop into the player I am today. Had a really good minor midget season and he got me ready for junior.”
Swick is slated to go back to Kitchener for his overage season unless the Knights have other plans for him.
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