Kelowna Rockets’ Leon Draisaitl aims to end WHL career on winning note

Leon Draisaitl thought he put his junior hockey days behind him when he stayed with the Edmonton Oilers after the nine-game mark in October. He believed he traded in his $200 a month paycheck and seat on a charter bus for a six-figure salary and a first-class spot on a jet.

But when Oilers architect Craig McTavish and Prince Albert Raiders GM Bruno Campese worked out an agreement that sent the 19-year-old centre’s WHL rights to the powerhouse Kelowna Rockets near the trade deadline, his immediate future quickly changed. His NHL dream was put on hold while his junior career picked right back up again.

“At first it wasn’t easy; you dream of playing in the NHL and you want to stay there,” says Draisaitl, who scored two goals and nine points in 37 games with the Oilers. “But I’m not worried about the money right now. I’m only 19 and have a lot of years ahead of me. This is a good opportunity here and this is where they want me to be right now.”

The first-place Rockets were a strong contender before they even landed Draisaitl. Their top defensive duo of Washington Capitals second-rounder Madison Bowey and Winnipeg Jets first-rounder Josh Morrissey combined with a surplus of high-end offensive talent such as San Jose Sharks pick Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley separated them from the rest of the pack in the Western Conference. So when Kelowna added the Germany product, it seemed to make the B.C. club the clear-cut favourite to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup in the WHL.

“He’s an elite player and adds a lot to our team,” says Rockets head coach Dan Lambert. “He’s a game-changer. He’s good on the forecheck, good in faceoffs and is a good influence in our room. He was a big addition to our team.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Draisaitl was fortunate to not have to walk into a dressing room where he didn’t know anyone when he joined the Rockets. Kelowna GM Bruce Hamilton also acquired his former Prince Albert teammates Chance Braid, Gage Quinney and Morrissey before the trade deadline.

“It was nice to have guys that I’ve played with before here,” says the No. 3 selection of the 2014 NHL draft. “It makes it easier to adjust to joining a new team.”

With six goals and 15 points in his first 10 games, it would appear that Draisaitl took no time at all to adapt to the WHL. But since the style of play and lifestyle in junior hockey is much different than the pros, his transition to Kelowna wasn’t quite as smooth as it seemed.

“I think at first there was an adjustment period for him,” says Lambert. “It takes time to get back to junior life coming from the NHL. We sat down with him and talked about the challenges he has been going though. The type of player he is – I think that at times it has been harder playing in junior (than in the NHL). There is a lot more scrambling and guys are out of position. This can be frustrating for a player used to playing at a higher level.”

Of all the benefits to returning to junior, redeeming his reputation in the post-season is likely at the top of Draisaitl’s list. He is yet to win a single WHL playoff game as the Raiders were swept in the first round in both of his seasons with the club. The left-handed centre is partially responsible for some of Prince Albert’s playoffs woes because he was inconsistent at times and didn’t contribute enough offensively (1G-6A-8GP) for a franchise player.

“It was disappointing to not even win a game (in Prince Albert),” says Draisaitl, who has netted 14 goals and 37 points in 23 contests this year. “We have a good team here and that’s a goal of mine (to have a strong playoff). This will be my last chance and I want to win in the playoffs and go far.”

Fortunately for Draisaitl, he doesn’t have near as much pressure on his shoulders to carry Kelowna’s offense as he did in Prince Albert. This not only will put a smaller target on his back for a specific player that opposing teams want to shut down, but it will also benefit him as a playmaker surrounded by teammates that possesses more skill and higher hockey IQs as a whole.

“Yeah it’s a different situation here,” he says. “There’s some guys already drafted here and have a lot of talented forwards. It helps me out and makes it easier when setting up on the power play.”

While trying to help the Rockets win games, Draisaitl is looking ahead at returning to Edmonton next season. He hopes developing into more of a complete player will lead to him earning a permanent roster spot on the Oilers next season.

“I’m trying to develop a more complete game,” he says. “I’m working on winning faceoffs and killing penalties. Really I’m working on my entire game and trying to improve all parts of it.”

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen