Ice’s Krebs joins high rollers

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This article was published 22/06/2019 (2572 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER — It took a little longer than many thought it would, but Peyton Krebs eventually got to hear his name called out Friday night at the NHL entry draft.

The Vegas Golden Knights selected the captain of the Western Hockey League’s Winnipeg Ice with the 17th-overall pick, bringing the talented forward into their very promising pipeline.

Krebs — who suffered a partially torn Achilles tendon after being cut by an errant skateblade during training earlier this month — was all smiles as he limped his way to the podium, his brace concealed by his dress pants, to pull on his new sweater.

“I was not riding on a scooter across the stage. We made it happen and I was fortunate to have some good people around me,” Krebs told the Free Press at Rogers Arena.

“The wait was definitely hard, for sure. I was thankful for whoever picked me. Someone really wanted me and I’m happy to be here. Vegas couldn’t be a better spot for me.”

Around 60 family members and friends let out a huge cheer when Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced the selection. There’s no doubt the injury caused Krebs’ stock to fall a bit, as many pundits had him going in the top 10.

But the Golden Knights weren’t scared away.

“I’m excited to get started. It feel so good to have a team. It’s amazing,” said Krebs, 18, who is from Calgary. He had 19 goals and 49 assists in 64 regular-season games with the Ice last season, their final one in Cranbrook, B.C.

Krebs is hoping to get back on the ice by early fall and said he wasn’t worried about where he got picked.

“As long as you work hard and have fun each and every day, do your best to get better, you know eventually you’re going to get picked and have a shot at the NHL. Now I’m here,” he said.

Vegas has another talented centre in their system in Winnipegger Cody Glass, also a centre.

“I’ve met him a couple times. Great person, excited to get to know him a little better here, he’s going to be a stud, for sure. He’s probably one of the best players in Canada at his age. It’s pretty special,” said Krebs, who had a feeling the Golden Knights were interested in him following their meeting at the draft combine.

“I think Vegas was one of those meetings you walked out of and just felt really good about. I’m so happy, they felt like family from the get-go,” he said.

No Manitobans were selected in the first round of the NHL draft, but today should bring some local flavour as rounds two through seven are held. Goaltender Trent Miner, winger Ben McCartney, winger Kyle Bettens, winger Cole Muir, centre Reilly Funk and goaltender Max Paddock are among the possibilities.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg