Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
For the second year in a row, the NHL Draft will be held virtually, this time on Jul. 23 and 24. This year, there are nine current, former and future BCHL players that made NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.
Leading up to the draft, we will be speaking with the prospects to get their thoughts on the process and variety of other subjects.
The BCHL’s 2021 NHL Draft coverage is presented by Chevrolet.
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The lone BCHL goalie on the list is Trail Smoke Eaters netminder Logan Terness, who is ranked as the 25th North American goaltender.
Terness’ two seasons in the BCHL could not have gone much better. The Burnaby, B.C. native was the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, finishing his freshman campaign with 27 wins in 44 contests and putting up the third-best save percentage in the league with a mark of .932, which put him in the top-10 all-time among BCHL goalies in a single season.
In his second year, he was a rock once again for the Smokies in the pod season. He went 7-5-0 in 12 games and ended the year with a .925 save percentage (fifth-best in the league) and two shutouts.
In the fall, the 18-year-old is off to the University of Connecticut to embark on his NCAA career.
Before he starts the next chapter of his hockey career, Terness gives us his thoughts on the draft, his NCAA future and a former teammate who is a top-10 prospect.
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BCHL: What was your reaction when you saw your name on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings?
Terness: My whole life, this is something I’ve been looking forward to, just getting closer and closer to the NHL. For a lot of hockey players, that’s their life-long goal. To see the rankings come out and have my name on there, that was definitely cool to see and really exciting.
BCHL: You weren’t included on any of the midseason rankings. Was it on your mind throughout the year?
Terness: During the season, you just worry about playing your best and let rankings and things like that fall into place after. If you focus too much on those rankings, it kind of gets to you a bit. You have to just go out there and play the best you can and work as hard as you can, then hopefully the right people see you doing everything right. If you get ranked, that’s great. If not, you just have to keep proving yourself and showing you’re supposed to be there.
BCHL: Your former teammate in Trail Kent Johnson is ranked as the number-three North American skater and is projected to be a top-10 pick. What can you say about the type of player he is?
Terness: There are things he’s done that I’ve seen in practice, where I just say ‘I can’t believe he did that.’ Having a player that can go out and get us two or three goals in the third period if he has to, it’s unbelievable to watch. Then seeing him go into Michigan and light it up how he did this year, seeing him on SportsCentre Top-10, it’s pretty cool to see from a guy who we were playing with. He did so well for us and now he’s at the next level and ranked to go pretty high. I think he’s going to be a great player in the NHL as well.
BCHL: You’re set to begin your freshman season next year at the University of Connecticut. Is there anything in particular you are working on this offseason to make sure you are ready for the jump?
Terness: When you go up every level, it gets a little faster, a little stronger and little harder. I’ve been working on my speed a little bit more, reacting to quicker plays. I’ve also been getting a little stronger in the gym, so I can hold my own out there as well. Those are the main things that I really need to focus on coming up at the next level.
BCHL: If you were speaking to an NHL general manager who was thinking of selecting you in the draft, how would you describe your game and how would it translate to the pro level?
Terness: My ability to read the play is getting really good. I’m pretty quick, so I can get side to side. Hockey is getting so fast, so players know they need to get the puck side to side. It’s hard to beat a goalie on a straight shot in pretty much any league. My ability to get side to side across the crease and to read the game, I think is what really helps me and will help me if I end up getting to that level.
BCHL: What would it mean to you and your family if you end up getting picked?
Terness: It would mean so much to everyone – for me and my family. It would definitely be the coolest moment of my hockey career and my life so far. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully my name gets called.
