After the NHL entry draft this past weekend, I caught up with Carolina Hurricanes first round pick Zach Boychuk for a phone interview, and I learned what the experience is like for the players who participate in the draft.

From the Hurricanes to the Hurricanes—Zach Boychuk is destined to be a natural disaster, well a Hurricane at least. The 18-year-old center who plays for the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL was chosen first round, 14th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL entry draft Friday night in Ottawa.

When it comes to hockey, Boychuk thrives under pressure. He led the WHL with 13 playoff goals this past spring (adding eight assists), yet he still described Friday’s NHL entry draft as a nerve-wracking experience.

“Right from the beginning, when they announced the first pick, my heart was really pumping,” Boychuk said. “It would be a lot easier if you’re like Steve Stamkos and you know exactly where you are going to go.”

While Stamkos and the big five defenders had a good idea of where they were headed, according to Bogosian, he didn’t have a clue where he was going to be drafted. But he was projected to be picked somewhere in the 10-15 range.

“It was great to see some of my friends get called.” Boychuk said. He has played against a number of the top defenders, including Drew Doughty, Luke Schenn, Zach Bogosian and Alex Pietrangelo.

“I’m pretty good friends with some of them.” He said. “It’s incredible to see them get drafted so high. They are incredible players.”

Since Boychuk didn’t know what team he would be drafted by, or even if he would be picked, he was pleasantly surprised when Carolina Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Development Ron Francis called his name in the first round Friday night at Scotia Bank Place.

Sporting a black sport coat and dress shirt, paired with a silver tie, Boychuk hugged nearby family members in response to the announcement of his name, and made his way through the sea of tables to the stage, where he was greeted by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the Hurricanes’ staff.

Meeting new people was one part of the draft experience that Boychuk really enjoyed. Going into the event he had already been prepped for what to expect by his friends, Thomas Hickey and Dana Tyrell, who were drafted last year.

Friday was a long day for the prospects, who attended breakfast and an orientation meeting in the morning. At the orientation, Pierre McGuire facilitated a panel with Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA director Paul Kelly, to familiarize the prospective players with the business side of the league. Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier also addressed the young players on leadership.

Now that the draft festivities in Ottawa have ended, Boychuk has returned to Alberta with his family and is preparing for the Hurricanes’ training camp, which begins on July 8.

“Right now I am just focusing on preparing for that – getting bigger, and stronger,” Boychuk said.

For Boychuk, one great thing about getting drafted to the Hurricanes is that he already knows several of their prospects, including Brandon Sutter, who was drafted first round (11th overall) by the Hurricanes last year.

“I’m excited to go to a team with prospects that I already know. Some guys got drafted to teams where they don’t know anybody,” Boychuk explained.

He is also looking forward to experiencing the new culture in Raleigh. “I’ve never been anywhere close to Raleigh, but I hear the golf is good there.”

These are exciting times for the recently drafted players. Many of them have a lot of work to do before they are ready for the NHL level game.

“The NHL is a huge step. It’s a completely different level than I have ever experienced before.” Boychuk explained. “My skills could be on that level, it just depends how my training camp goes.”

While Zach Boychuk might still have some training to do before he is ready to dawn the red and black sweater in Raleigh, he does have a few things going for him.

First, he has been described as possibly the quickest prospect in this draft. According to WHL defenseman Tyler Myers, who was drafted first round (12th overall) by the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, in an NHL.com article: “[Boychuk] has unbelievable speed. He's one of the fastest guys I've ever played against, and one of the fastest guys in the league.”

Boychuk is a player who uses his size for his advantage. He was one of the smaller players in the draft, but he doesn’t let that slow him down. He compares his game to Danny Briere of the Flyers: “Me and Danny are both small guys.” Boychuk said. “We have to overcome our size with speed and skill.”

Second, he scores goals despite adversity. In the second round of the WHL playoffs this season between the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Kootenay ICE, Boychuk was hit from behind and jammed his wrist into the boards. He finished the game but later found out that he fractured his wrist. The fracture is still healing, but according to Boychuk, he can’t feel any pain when he shoots, and it doesn’t affect his game. Despite his wrist injury, he finished the post-season with 13 goals (most in the WHL) and 21 points (second-most).

Third, he is training this summer with Doug Crashley of Crash Conditioning, an intensive hockey training program out of Alberta which has worked with players such as Mike Green and Triston Grant. He is also attending the World Junior camp in the third or fourth week of July.

Carolina had better look out for Zach Boychuk, for he has the potential to take the city by storm.