Rieger Lorenz leads the list of 2022 NHL draft Calgary applicants

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I have a lot of interests.

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It was clear when Rieger Lorenz scanned his itinerary at the 2022 NHL Draft Combine. A total of 25 teams have requested a chat with a Calgary-raised forward. This is just the end of an outstanding season with the Okotox Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

“I think I did an average of 6-7 interviews a day,” Lorenz said. “Some teams burn you, and they point out some flaws in your game to see how you treat it. Some other teams will give you I only know as a person. It depends on the team.

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“I was a little nervous when I got into it. I think it’s a little more difficult if I’m trying to sell to the team. I think I approached myself. I’m a person and a player. I’m sure who I am, so it’s myself and I’ve only shown it to the team. I think I did it, and I’m happy with how the interview process went. Did.”

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Lorenz, a graduate of the Symons Valley Minor Hockey Association and the Edge School Program, preparing for a freshman campaign with NCAA’s Denver Pioneer, was the first Calgary region talent to be named in the 2022 NHL draft of Montreal. There may be. He is projected as a second round by many professionals and scout services. (For example, TSN’s Bob Mackenzie is ranked 52nd in his final ranking.)

As a front-line left wing of Okotoks, Lorenz scored 38 goals and 85 points to lead the team on his 60th regular season outing this winter. He made two tally and nine assists on 14 playoff days, and then produced a Canadian game-by-game clip at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championship in Germany.

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“I think it’s my level of competition that sets me apart from other players. I think this year I’ve proved that it’s important to me,” said Lorenz, who was praised as a top rookie as well as AJHL. Said. But the whole Canadian Junior Hockey League. “There were ups and downs both individually and as a group, but I was very proud to put everything in. I was disappointed with the level of my efforts this season. I never got out of a game like that. “

According to Tyler Dice, Head Coach and General Manager of the Junior A-Level Oilers, interest in Lorenz extends beyond the 25 Brain Trusts that booked Meet and Greet at the NHL Draft Combine.

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“I think I talked with all the teams about him, what he’s doing well, and what he needs to improve,” Dice said. “The problem is that he dialed in to it. He knows where he wants to be good. Many people may not make much effort if they are not good at something. He He is a man who focuses on the fields he wants to be good at.

“No one is so enthusiastic in terms of his growth and getting better every day. He really takes it to the next level by working on what he is doing and his skills.”

18-year-old Lorenz is already working on the load of college courses. I enrolled in three summer classes on campus to ease the burden of the freshman season, so I won’t go to Montreal for the Draft Festival.

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Instead, his proud parents, his sister and his girlfriend are flying to Denver to share this special moment.

“I’m a little nervous, and I think that’s what you’d expect,” said Lorenz, who is listed at 6’2 and 194 pounds. It’s a great opportunity and it’s great to see it unfold as your dream come true.

“I think it was good mentally after the combine. As you know, there’s nothing more I can do about the draft. I’m just waiting. I’m not returning to the water basin. I’m happy with the year I put it together. From now on, I’m just waiting for the best and expecting it. “

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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