NHL draft tracker: Chase De Leo, Portland Winterhawks

While growing up in California, Portland Winterhawks centre Chase De Leo didn’t have the privilege of learning how to play hockey on an outdoor rink or pond. Instead, he learned the ropes playing in a roller hockey league.

“Roller hockey was actually pretty popular then in California,” says De Leo. “You can get a feel for hockey and learn some coordination that way. I started through roller hockey, learned how the game works and stuff. Then I got into ice hockey when it started growing and getting more popular.”

De Leo wasn’t a forward in roller hockey as he is now with the Winterhawks, though. He learned the basics of hockey while guarding the blue paint.

“I thought being a goalie was pretty fun,” says the La Mirada, Calif., native. “I enjoyed playing it when I was a kid. But when I started playing minor hockey I decided to make the change. I think you have more fun as a forward because you’re involved in everything.”

Ten years ago the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder would have stuck out as an NHL draft prospect hailing from the Golden State. But following California natives such as Emerson Etem, Beau Bennett and Jonathan Blum going on to be selected in the first round of the draft, De Leo’s home state doesn’t raise too many eyebrows anymore.

“Hockey has grown a lot in California over the last 10 years or so,” says De Leo. “I think the Los Angeles Kings winning the Stanley Cup (in 2012) did a lot. It got more people excited about hockey and watching it. The minor hockey is also growing. They now have the Jr. Kings and Jr. Ducks, so that really helps get kids playing hockey.”

De Leo isn’t the only Californian playing for the Winterhawks. The organization added a fourth, along with Garrett Haar and Keoni Texeira, in the off-season whom De Leo knew beforehand by acquiring Shane McColgan from the Saskatoon Blades.

“I was pretty excited when I heard they traded for Shane,” says De Leo, who turned 18 in October. “I knew he was a good player that would help our team. I also knew Shane from when I lived in California. I played with his brother Luke McColgan (who now plays for the Battlefords Stars in the SJHL). So I got to know their family a bit.”

Pegged as an A-list prospect by NHL Central Scouting Service’s preliminary ranking, De Leo is in the mix to have his name called in the first round of the 2014 NHL entry draft. He started getting his name on the map last year as a talented high-energy forward with 18 goals and 56 points in 71 games. And this year he has picked up right where he left off after a strong MasterCard Memorial Cup performance with 12 goals and 21 points in 19 matches.

“I try to get better every game and show I can play against the best players in this league,” he says. “Last year at the Memorial Cup I wanted to show that I can play big in high-pressure situations. I think I did that even though we lost to Halifax (Mooseheads) in the final. Then this year I came in wanting to show that I can be a player my team can put out onto the ice in every situation.”

1. How would you describe yourself as a player?

“I try to play with a lot of energy. I’m a smaller guy, but I get into the dirty areas and try to generate scoring chances. I think I’m an offensive forward, but I play hard at both ends of the ice. I also think I’m pretty good on faceoffs and am a hard worker.”

2. Do you try to model your game after a player in the NHL?

“I like how (Buffalo Sabres centre) Tyler Ennis and (Montreal Canadiens winger) Brendan Gallagher play. They bring a lot of energy and are offensive threats. I want to be a player like that.”

3. Who is your favourite NHL team?

“I like the Los Angeles Kings. I just like them because I grew up watching them in California.”

4. Why do you think so many NCAA recruits are giving up their scholarships to join the WHL lately?

“I think it’s because this league is the best option to get to the next level. You play 72 games here and learn how to be a professional. And in the WHL, you are playing against a lot of NHL prospects and there are some great coaches.”

5. What’s your favourite movie and television show?

“My favourite movie is Lords of Dog Town. I like it because it’s about kids from California skateboarding and is an interesting movie. My favourite TV show is Breaking Bad. It’s just a great story that I really liked.”

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