A Day to remember
Grimsby native Nate Day was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers this week. Photo: OHL IMAGES
Nate Day found out every once in a while dreams really do come true.
The 18-year-old Grimsby native was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round (184th overall) of the National Hockey League draft this week, a moment he had been waiting for almost since the day he strapped on the goalie pads for the first time.
“Obviously, since I was a little kid this has been a dream of mine to get drafted to the NHL,” Day said. “It was something I was looking forward to growing up.”
Day was watching the draft on TV when he finally saw his name pop up on the screen.
“I was at home with my family, my parents and siblings. It was a pretty special day for my family and I. My dad jumped up. We were all freaking out. It was a great moment.”
Day, who has played the last two seasons with the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League, then received a call from the Oilers welcoming him to the organization.
“I talked to a few people from Edmonton afterwards just introducing me and congratulating me,” he said.
Day’s first order of business is to fly to Edmonton Friday for a development camp.
“That should be pretty cool,” he said.
Day had a solid 17-10-0 record last season to go along a 3.91 goals against average and .874 save percentage. He was ranked 12th among North American goalie prospects by Central Scouting.
He had an inkling the Oilers were interested in him.
“I talked to quite a few teams,” Day said. “With Edmonton there was quite a bit of interest so I always thought there was a possibility there. I was looking forward to it every time they got their pick.
“I thought there was a pretty good chance I would get drafted but nothing is guaranteed so hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”
A third-round selection of the Firebirds in the 2021 OHL draft, Day really came on in the second half of last season.
“I thought I had a lot better second half of the season and I thought that definitely put me out there and gave me potentially a chance to be picked,” he said.
His work with long-time goalie coach Lucas Lobsinger also played a part in turning his season around.
“I owe him so much credit. I can’t thank him enough,” Day said. “He’s been there training me since I was little, almost since I was a goalie. He’s been there almost the whole journey and helped me along the way with the ups and downs.”
Lobsinger was thrilled for the hard-working Day.
“I couldn’t be happier for Nate. He’s put in so much work over the years and continues to do so,” Lobsinger said. “Through May and June, he’s been skating two to three times a week, working out off-ice five days a week at Athlete Farm, and on top of all that working a part-time job.
“He’s just a high character, hard-working kid whose earned everything he’s got. Right after the season ended in Flint, he was champing at the bit to get back on the ice. I actually had to hold him off the ice for about three weeks because I felt giving his body a bit of a break after the season was the right thing to do.”
Day, who is hoping to get invited to the Oilers main camp in the fall, will likely be back in Flint this season.
“I think he’s got a great situation in Flint, he’ll go back there and get the opportunity to play a ton,” Lobsinger said. “Their goalie coach has obviously done a great job with him too. He’s got lots of experience to draw on and share with Nate as he continues to develop and work towards making a jump from junior to pro in a couple years.”
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