.jpg)
Eastman Select standout Will Mateychuk was selected in the WHL Draft by the Vancouver Giants, the same team that earlier selected his cousin, making an already special day even better for the Mateychuk family.
"It means the world to me," a humble Mateychuk explains. "To be drafted to the WHL, it's a huge accomplishment. To be drafted by the same team as my cousin (Crosby Mateychuk), that's something special. It's not every day that you hear that two cousins are drafted into the WHL, let alone to the same team. It was an unforgettable feeling that I'll remember forever."
A unique thing about the WHL is that it doesn't matter where in the draft you go, it's which team a player ends up on and with that, Mateychuk is thrilled to be a Giant. "Vancouver has such a great organization, a great past. They've produced a lot of very, very good hockey players. They're a great organization to be a part of. Now, it's about putting in the work on and off the ice, going to the gym, eating healthy, it's those details that can get me to the next level."
The 15-year-old says he hoped to be drafted but he had no idea it would be with Vancouver. "That was 100% a complete surprise," he says with a smile. "I had no idea that they would be selecting me."
Knowing Crosby was selected earlier in the draft, Mateychuk admits he perked up a bit every time it was Vancouvers selection. "Every time they came up to pick a guy, in the back of my mind I thought it would be pretty special to go play with Cros in Vancouver. Sure enough, the 9th round came around and they picked me. It was very special."
Despite it being a big moment for himself and his family, Mateychuk says he was able to keep his cool even after hearing his name selected to the team he really hoped would call on him. "My grandparents were over at the time, they were helping out my sister and brother for the weekend, so I was cheering with them. We hugged and stuff, but I kept it to myself, at least the best I could."
It didn't take long for word to travel throughout the family and Crosby couldn't have been more excited to hear Will was also now part of the Giants organization. "I saw him a couple hours after at the POE top 40 and we were talking about it, we were pumped up that we can go to their camp in the fall together."
Coming off a standout year with the U15 Selects, Mateychuk potted 28 points in 29 games and he says this year was huge for his growth. "I think this year was personally my best year when it comes to development. I feel I became an overall defenseman, solid in all areas, shutting down plays and everything. I've been fortunate to have the same three coaches the past couple of years now, and we have a great connection. They are great coaches and I owe them a lot for helping guide me to where I am today."
Being drafted to the WHL means younger players will be looking up to Mateychuk, something he is looking forward to and ready to embrace. "I try and stay humble with that stuff. I want to be respectful to everyone that plays with me or against me."
Heading into the new season, Mateychuk has focused on a specific part to his game he'd like to see take a couple of jumps throughout the year. "Probably my skating to the next level. If I can get to be a very smooth skater, being able to skate as fast as the guys coming down on me one-on-one, I think that will take my game to the next level, for sure."
Mateychuk says he couldn't be prouder to represent the Eastman Selects and he values greatly what the programs have done for him to help him get to this point. "It's such an honour to represent Eastman and the Steinbach area. I've been blessed with great coaches, even back in U13 the coaches were great. I'm looking forward to my next few years in Eastman."