Dziver driven to prove himself

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This article was published 28/04/2020 (2155 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There were 233 names called at this year’s Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, but Noah Dziver’s name wasn’t one of them.

But one week later, the Winnipeg native didn’t have to play the waiting game. The Neepawa Natives owned the first pick in Sunday’s Manitoba Junior Hockey League draft and they chose Dziver. The Oak Park High School student had a breakout season for the Winnipeg Monarchs Bantam AAA team, with the forward registering 78 points (34G, 44A) in 36 games.

“I put up pretty big numbers this year. I showed really well. I felt I had a pretty big season, so it was a bit of shock not seeing my name pop up on that screen,” Dziver, who turns 15 next month, said about his WHL draft snub.

“But it is what it is. I’m going to use it as motivation now. My doors are still wide open, especially being drafted as the No. 1 MJHL player, so I’m going to have a lot of eyes looking at me. If I have a great season next year, I’ll have both the college route and WHL route open.”

There’s a good chance Dziver would have had his name called by a WHL club if his season with the Monarchs ended on a better note. Dziver was hit from behind with two seconds left in Game 4 of a semifinal series against the Winnipeg Sharks and smacked his head on the boards. He fractured two vertebrae in his neck. The Monarchs advanced to the Winnipeg AAA Bantam League final before losing to the Winnipeg Warriors.

“It’s a stable bone fracture and at the age I am and with me still growing, the doctor said it was the best neck injury if you had to get one. At my age right now and the state that I’m growing, it’s going to heal very fast. It’s already basically healed. I’m already working out and able to run without any pain,” Dziver said.

Neepawa head coach and general manager Ken Pearson did his homework and isn’t concerned about Dziver’s neck being an issue. Dziver plans to try out for the Winnipeg Wild under-18 team next season and hopes to suit up for Neepawa when he’s 16. Pearson believes he has the potential to turn into an impressive goal scorer in the MJHL.

“We liked his finish, his compete and his character,” said Pearson. “We’re big on character here. In conversations with him and his family, character really stood out. He seemed like a really mature kid both on and off the ice. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and combine that with his abilities on the ice, it’s a real good combination.”

Big expectations come along with being the top pick in the draft and Dziver said that’s fine by him. Neepawa is coming off back-to-back seasons with last-place finishes and Dziver is eager to help turn things around.

“I can’t wait to play for them. The pressure is just going to help me with my career even more. It’s going to help me push forward in my hockey career, improve as much as I can, try harder and make sure I play for them at a high level,” Dziver said.

The OCN Blizzard drafted centre Jayden Perron with the second-overall selection. The Dakota Collegiate product played a huge role in the Warriors’ championship run with had 27 points in 10 playoff games. In regular-season action, Perron potted 46 goals and 58 assists in 36 games.

Perron was the first Manitoban to come off the board in the WHL draft as the Portland Winterhawks snagged him in the second round with the 23rd-overall pick. Talent-wise, there’s no question the Blizzard picked the right guy. The problem is, there’s no guarantee he’ll ever play for them. Perron has yet to decide if he’ll take his talents to Portland, or if he’ll head to OCN. If he decides his goal is to eventually play NCAA hockey, then playing for the Blizzard will likely be his choice. He’ll go to both training camps and make a decision after that.

“It was definitely exciting,” Perron said about the WHL draft. “I was on FaceTime with some of the boys and it was a surprise, but it will be fun to see how it plays out… It’s a lot better than having one option, but it’s definitely stressful having more than one option. Both are good choices, but I want to pick the right one for me.”

Blizzard head coach and general manager Chris Perchaluk was asked why he felt comfortable rolling the dice on Perron.

“As a league, we’re trying to develop players. As coaches, we want to make the league the best we can and attractive to better players coming in. Obviously, to make the league better, we need top-end players playing in the league,” said Perchaluk.

“Obviously we took that risk to potentially work with him for a year or two then move him on (to the NCAA). There’s no question if he played in the MJHL he’d have a lot of success and be a top-end guy in the league.”

The MJHL draft traditionally takes place at the beginning of June, but the league decided to move it up as a way to give the local hockey community something to be excited about during these trying times owing to COVID-19. The Selkirk Steelers owned the third-overall pick and chose forward Hayden Wheddon of Stonewall.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31