Once a seventh-rounder, Lorentz beaming ahead of NHL debut

Hockey players say it all the time.

It doesn't matter what round you're drafted in, it's all about the work after that to climb up a team's depth chart, in hopes of making it to the NHL.

Waterloo's Steven Lorentz, once a seventh-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015, will likely step onto the ice in a Canes uniform Thursday night at home to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

And the journey to get to this day, he said, might have been the best thing for him.

“I never thought there was a rush to get to the next level,” he told media gathered on a Zoom call Wednesday, “I just wanted to enjoy every step, and I think going to the East Coast (Hockey) League in my first year pro was maybe the best thing that happened to me.”

“I got to play with some really good hockey players who had NHL experience, and those guys kind of took me under their wing.”

Along the way, a Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers in 2019, and he picked up some tricks of the trade to be the swiss-army knife type of player he wants to be.

But it's not just his skill that his team seems to be impressed with.

Lorentz is bringing with him an infectious attitude that was quite evident, smiling ear to ear through an 11-minute media availability.

“I just like coming to the rink with a happy, positive mindset,” he said, “I think we're just fortunate to be able to do the best job in the world, and any time you can go and do something you love every single day, it's not really a job.”

Among those taking notice?  Canes head coach Rod Brind'Amour.

“You talk to the guy, and you come away with a smile on your face,” he said.

“He's just happy to be alive, he's happy to be having this opportunity to play in the NHL, whether there's zero fans…it's not the ideal debut, but he's just happy to be here.”

But Brind'Amour knows Lorentz isn't just there to be there.

“He wants to contribute,” he continued, “He doesn't just want to be check the list off that he played a game in the NHL.”

“He wants to do something special, and you root for guys like that.  I don't know what it is about him, but you just root for him.”

Lorentz has been practicing on a line with captain Jordan Staal, a guy Lorentz tends to model his game after.

“I want to play that game.  That hard-nosed, up-and-down, 200 foot player that can contribute offensively, and be relied on defensively,” he said, while also expressing his gratitude for the veteran support.

The Hurricanes, as a team, are missing a few players and coming back after an extended break because of COVID-19 concerns.

The team has played three games this year, last appearing on January 17 in a 4-2 win in Nashville.

It's only been 11 days for Carolina.

But for Lorentz, it's been a lifetime to get here.

And it seems he wouldn't have it any other way.

“Long road, short road, it doesn't matter what gets you here,” he said, “I'm here now, so I'm just excited to get it going.”