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Washington Capitals pick Connor Hobbs hits stride in Regina

Regina Pats defender Connor Hobbs has notched 27 points in 36 games this season. (Keith Hershmiller Photography)
Regina Pats defender Connor Hobbs has notched 27 points in 36 games this season. (Keith Hershmiller Photography)

Even though the Washington Capitals chose him in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL entry draft, Regina Pats blueliner Connor Hobbs entered his 18-year-old season with something to prove this year. He was yet to establish himself as a star in the WHL largely because he only played 55 regular-season games in his previous two seasons in the major junior league.

Roughly half way into the year, Hobbs has left little doubt that he’s on his way to developing into one of the WHL’s top defencemen. He has racked up 12 goals and 28 points in 37 contests while playing a strong game at both ends of the ice.

“It feels good (to be taking part in his first full WHL season),” says Hobbs, who turned 19 on Jan. 4. “It was exciting to come here last year and that has not changed this year. I’m having a lot of fun and am glad to be a part of a great organization like the Pats.”

The 6-foot-1, 196-pounder credits his teammates and the organization’s “energy” for his success in the Queen City.

“There’s a lot of good energy here,” says Hobbs. “I’ve had some lucky bounces and the whole team is working together. We work hard together and everyone helps each other out.”

A big reason why Hobbs only suited up in 45 games last year is that he sat out two months after asking the Medicine Hat Tigers for a change of scenery. The Tigers shipped him to Regina on Jan. 5 following his decision to leave the team in early November.

“It’s the best decision I’ve ever made in my life,” he says. “I wouldn’t have been drafted if I didn’t ask for a trade because of the opportunity I was given here. There are a lot of reasons why I asked for a trade, but all I can say is it is behind me and I’ve moved on. Regina took me in and gave me a great opportunity to play here.”

In addition to a fresh start, the trade benefited the Saskatoon, Sk., native by giving him an opportunity to play closer to home.

“It’s great being close to home,” says Hobbs, who was originally drafted by the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2012 WHL bantam draft. “My parents come to almost all my home games and it’s great being close to friends and family. It’s a big benefit to playing here.”

While waiting for Medicine Hat to trade him, Hobbs played a handful of games with the SJHL’s Nipawin Hawks. His time in Junior A paved the way for him to receive a prime opportunity to play in front of NHL scouts as a member of Canada West in the 2014 World Junior A Challenge.

“There were lots and lots of scouts there and it was a great opportunity to play in front of them and against some really good junior players,” he says. “And to play for your country is the best feeling in the world. It was great to wear my country’s colours and get to experience that.”

Partially because of his strong showing with Canada West, Hobbs went into the 2015 draft feeling good about his odds of donning an NHL jersey.

“I had a pretty good idea that I would be drafted from my agent,” says Hobbs. “I went into thinking so be it if I didn’t get drafted, but I thought I would be drafted and when it happened it was an exciting feeling. It was a big confidence boost and something I have worked hard for my life. To reach that goal was an exciting day for me.”

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