As a teen, Zach Bogosian dedicated his summers to taking long road trips across the Canadian border from his hometown Massena, NY to Ottawa to attend vigorous workouts with premiere NHL players like Daniel Alfredsson and Daniel Briere. Ottawa is a three-and-a-half hour round trip from Massena. Bogosian made that trek routinely over three summers, sometimes hitting the road before dawn to make a scheduled skate. The training in Ottawa was much more intense and Massena offered little to no hockey that time of year.

Possessing these strong work ethics and born competitive to the core, it’s no surprise the 17-year-old American was selected third overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2008 NHL draft.

Bogosian comes from a family of hard hitters with football chromosomes in their blood. His father, Ike, was a safety and captain of the Syracuse University football team and his Uncle Steve played defensive tackle at Army. Too small to play football, Bogosian pursued hockey instead. He enrolled at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Mass. where NHL Hall of Famer Ray Bourque was an assistant coach. “That’s when I began taking hockey serious.” said Bogosian.

Knowing Bogosian was accustomed to competing against older players his entire life, Bourque played the 15-year-old recruit against 19 and 20-year-olds, some who had attended previous NHL camps.

Against the older, more developed competition, Bogosian managed 17 points in 36 games. “Bourque taught me to be deceptive with the puck in the offensive zone to throw the forwards off. He also said to learn to play defense first then the offense would come later.”

As Bourque suggested, Bogosian mastered his defensive position first, then a few years later, as Bourque had promised, the offensive numbers improved.

While honing his skills playing with the Peterborough Petes in the OHL, Bogosian tallied seven goals and 33 points in 2006-07. The following season he nearly doubled that point total, netting 11 goals and 61 points, becoming the only defenseman in the league to lead his team in scoring. The 6’ 2”, 200 pound hard-hitting blue liner also registered 135 penalty minutes over those same two seasons.

Along with the impressive offensive numbers comes a fierce competitor capable of playing with a mean streak. Watching him compete and battle on the ice, it’s no surprise his favorite movie is “Gladiator.”

When asked what player he wants to model his style after he responded, “Chris Chelios was always my favorite player. He’s a warrior and a leader. He’ll do anything it takes to win.”

Bogosian has adopted that same attitude about winning and has said he will do whatever is necessary to crack the Thrashers lineup this upcoming preseason. He began his quest by being a standout during last month’s NHL Thrashers prospect camp, dominating during many of the scrimmages while showing his ability to get physical at times. After that stellar performance, many expect him to be in uniform on opening night at Philips Arena in Atlanta on October 10th.

This off-season, it was imperative for the Thrashers to address their need for defensemen after finishing worst in the league with a 3.24 GAA. In addition to drafting Bogosian, GM Don Waddell signed UFA defenseman Ron Hainsey to a multi-year deal.

Bogosian’s offensive-minded style is a perfect fit for new Thrashers coach, John Anderson, who wants his defensemen to be aggressive with the puck and loves the style of play his young rookie brings to the Thrashers. “If there’s a lane open, he can take it. It’s up to the forward to drop back and cover.”

Never apprehensive about going to the net with the puck, Bogosian is a puck-carrying defenseman who can showcase his offensive attributes on an Anderson team. “I’m a defenseman so I need to take care of my own zone first. Then throw offense in.”

Although most young draft picks take years to develop before making a roster in the NHL, GM Don Waddell confirmed in an earlier interview that the Thrashers are giving Bogosian an open chance to make the team in 2008.

Bogosian’s journey from the small town of Massena to Atlanta, a city five million people strong, has been one full of challenges and commitments. The young prospect appears to be in position to snag a spot on the Thrashers roster many feel is in desperate need of new blood and new leaders.

Tom Ferda is an Atlanta-based sports writer covering the NHL and MLB. In addition to being a columnist for Inside Hockey, he is a contributor to TheHockeyNews.com, The Detroit News and Baseball Digest Daily.