Nick Boka talks about being drafted by the Minnesota Wild
By @MichaelCaples –
Nick Boka admitted that he was getting a little nervous while he was waiting to hear his name called at the NHL Draft in Florida.
The nerves went away, however, when the Minnesota Wild announced that they had selected him in the sixth round.
“It was special,” said Boka, a Plymouth native. “I was waiting there for a pretty long time, much longer than I thought I was going to be waiting there, but hearing my name called, instant excitement. I went and hugged my brother, and then my whole family, and my dad was in tears. It was special for me and now I’ve got my foot in the door with Minnesota and I’m glad to have that opportunity.”
Turns out that Minnesota’s management group was pretty excited to see he was still available at that point, too. When Boka made his way to the draft floor, he was given a Wild jersey that already had his name on it.
“It was amazing. They actually had my name patched on the back. They said, ‘we don’t put patched names on for the late-round guys, but we really wanted you.’ That was pretty special to hear, for me, and it was just very exciting.”
Hearing those words made everything all the more special for the product of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
“It was great, because like I said, they all showed a lot of interest in me and they said, ‘we didn’t think we could get you this late, we’re so excited.’ Things like that made me feel wanted and I think that’s the best feeling to have.”
Boka will get to spend more time with his new organization starting on July 7, when the team begins their prospects development camp.
“I’m really excited. I’m excited to meet everybody and really, I’ve never been to the Xcel Energy Center. I’ve been to Minnesota a couple times, but never there. You hear great things about the rink and how great the fans are, how just everybody in Minnesota loves hockey, I think that’s pretty special. I’m really excited to meet all the guys and all the prospects.”
Boka was one of six University of Michigan commits or current players to be selected over the weekend, joining Zach Werenski (Columbus), Kyle Connor (Winnipeg), Brendan Warren (Arizona), Joseph Cecconi (Dallas) and Cooper Marody (Philadelphia) as the latest crop of drafted Wolverines.
He and Warren were teammates both with Compuware AAA and the NTDP, making draft day all the more special.
“It was awesome,” Boka said. “He got drafted by Arizona, we actually got some pictures together after, and I’m excited to spend another four years with him. I was excited to be down there with him, with Marody – saw him get drafted – and we had all our Michigan commits down there, so that was pretty exciting to see all of us go. I’m excited for next year.”
Boka also cherished the fact that he had his family with him in Florida – especially younger brother Luke, who has committed to play for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires in the fall.
“It was really special for me, having all of them down here with me. My brother is somebody I try to set an example for, have him in follow in my footsteps, so to have him here with me and hopefully he’ll be drafted in the next couple years, I think it’s pretty big, pretty special. And just to have my parents here, they’ve helped me throughout my whole career, and my mom and dad, I can’t thank them enough for all the things they’ve done for me. This is just a small payback for them for all their hard work and everything they’ve done for me.”
After two years in Ann Arbor with the NTDP, Boka returns to the same city for his college hockey. He credited the NTDP for his development.
“I think the NTDP gives you all the resources and opportunities to get better and make yourself better,” Boka said. “Playing against older competition and playing against stronger guys in the USHL, I think that’s what’s helped me develop into becoming a good hockey player. The NTDP, the coaching and the staff, they helped me so much.”
And now, it’s time to skate with a Block M on his chest.
“I can’t wait to get back to Ann Arbor, move into my dorm and everything. I’m really excited to play for Michigan and play with all those guys. It’s always been my dream to play at Michigan, and I can’t wait for that first time I step on the ice in the Maize and Blue.”