Name: Nick Zottl
Current/Last team played for: York University 2017-2018
Years Played in Lambton (eg: 2008-2012) : 2009-2012
1. What was your favourite minor hockey memory? Two moments really stand out for me from my last year of minor hockey.
The first is when we were at the Toronto Marlies Christmas tournament, where we
upset the #1 seeded Don Mills Flyers who were led by current NHL’ers Max Domi
and Darnell Nurse and Coached by former NHL’er Tie Domi.
The second standout moment was at the conclusion of my minor hockey career when I was drafted to the Mississauga St Michaels Majors (Currently the Mississauga Steelheads) which was the kickstart of my junior hockey journey.
2. Greatest accomplishment in Jr Hockey?
On a personal level, my greatest achievement in junior hockey was getting invited to camp with the Detroit Redwings. I learned a great deal and got experience the NHL lifestyle for a week. From a team perspective, my greatest achievement was in my final year of junior hockey when I won a Sutherland Cup with the Caledonia Corvairs. We went 20-0 in the playoffs that year to win the Corvairs their third straight Sutherland Cup. Joining me on that team was another Lambton Jr Sting alumni and teammate of mine, Corey Pawley.
3. When you played for Lambton, who was your favourite Sting player?
My favourite sting player would be Steve Stamkos. I remember watching him win a world junior gold, and seeing him drafted 1st overall in the NHL draft. I remember him as someone I looked up to at a young age.
4. What one thing did you learn in Minor hockey that helped you get to the next level?
For me it was more one person that helped me looking back. My major bantam coach Corey Pageau really toughened me up as a player and taught me that if I wanted to play at a higher level I had to use my size to my advantage, play tough, and be really hard to play against as a big defensemen.
5. What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
In 10 years I see myself being married with 2 kids, an overpriced mortgage, a nice car in the driveway, working 40 hours a week, and having a German Sheppard named Rex to hangout with at night. I hope to get the chance to coach my own kids hockey teams.
To view Nicks stats please visit the Lambton AAA website under the Alumni Tab
Thank you to Nick for participating in Alumni revisited.