Friday was a day that Brayden Pachal will never forget.
It was announced that the 20-year-old defenceman, who hails from Estevan, had signed an entry-level NHL contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. Pachal attended the Knights training camp this fall.
Later that night, he helped the Prince Albert Raiders raise the championship banner for the 2018-19 Western Hockey League season. Pachal was the Raiders captain last year.
“It was pretty amazing. Obviously signing was the best thing to ever happen to me so far. Being able to celebrate that with my teammates from last year, and the championship as well, and all the hard work that we put into the last couple of years to get those banners ... was pretty special.”
This year marked the third straight season that Pachal has attended an NHL training camp. Two years ago, he was with the Ottawa Senators. Last year it was the Calgary Flames.
“Going to Vegas, compared to other camps, I just felt a lot more comfortable. I put in a lot of work this summer, knowing that there’s a chance that I could turn pro this year as a 20-year-old.”
It started with the fitness testing during the start of camp, which gave him confidence when it was time to get on the ice.
He knew before camp that a few contracts were available.
“My goal going in was to get that contract, and it paid off,” said Pachal.
The big games that he was part of last season also gave him confidence and helped him handle the pressure.
If he didn’t get that contract, he still would have been able to return to the Raiders. There’s a chance he could still wind up in Prince Albert for his overage junior season, but it’s more likely he will play with the Golden Knights minor league affiliate, the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.
Chicago is an amazing city, he said, very different from what he’s used to in Saskatchewan.
As for the banner raising ceremony, Pachal received a standing ovation from the fans when it was announced that he had just inked a contract with the Golden Knights.
The arena was loud that night, and it shows the support that exists from the city.
“There was a buzz around the city like there hasn’t been in many years. They deserved that, and it was amazing to be there and share that with a lot of the teammates who were on that team last year.”
