Dreams are set to come true this weekend as the NHL holds their entry draft.
The first round of the draft is set for tonight, with rounds 2-7 set for tomorrow.
Swift Current Broncos defenceman Peyton Kettles has been consistently ranked as a pick in the top half of the draft.
"It's obviously pretty special," said Broncos GM Chad Leslie. "It's something that has been on the radar for a while. It's a lot of build up for one day and a lot leading into it. So, I'm excited for the family, for Peyton, just to be there and experience it and then also to get past it and move forward."
Kettles was the 39th ranked North American skater according to NHL Central Scouting. TSN's Bob McKenzie has Kettles 56th on his rankings, while he is ranked as low as 123rd by Draft Prospects Hockey.
The Winnipeg native had 14 points in 53 games as a sophomore, while playing significant minutes against the other team's top players.
He brings an attractive package to NHL scouts as a right shot, 6'5" defender who can move well and defend at a high level.
"The reality is his frame, right-handed, Peyton moves very freely for a big man," Leslie said. "Growing into a big frame and his hips are free. He closes as well. He's got a really good stick and the individual puck play under duress is fairly good. There is some competitiveness and some physicality and some nastiness."
Kettles had to play a very big role for the Broncos with a young blue line last season.
"To start the season five of our seven defensemen were 17 years old or younger," Leslie noted. "He was asked to play a lot of minutes. Playing a lot of situations have matchups that a lot of other guys necessarily didn't get on a nightly basis. I do believe he provides extremely great value for whoever selects him."
Leslie added he has heard defenceman Josh McGregor and former Broncos forward Luke Mistelbacher in the discussion as potential draft picks.
They were both undrafted in the WHL before developing into regulars with Swift Current. Mistelbacher was one of the top scorers in the WHL as a 19-year-old.
Leslie also updated the search for a new head coach in Swift Current.
"It's been a long process," he said. "Lots of applicants gone through the interview process with a number of potential candidates and a good smattering of experience. Guys in the league, guys with head coaching experience. I've been very pleased with the interest and have been taking our time with it just to make sure that we're going in the right direction."