Jake Hildebrand talks NHL Prospect Tournament and upcoming campaign

 

By @MichaelCaples –

TRAVERSE CITY – Jake Hildebrand is in the midst of making a transition from college to professional hockey.

You could tell by his goalie pads.

The Michigan State alum was wearing his green and white gear during the first day of the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City.

It certainly clashed with his Chicago Blackhawks jersey.

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Hildebrand signed with the Rockford IceHogs – the AHL affiliate of the Blackhawks – over the offseason, and he’s working towards earning a spot in the Chicago organization this fall.

Said transition to the pro game began last spring when Hildebrand had the opportunity to play in six games with the ECHL’s Allen Americans after the conclusion of his collegiate season.

“It’s nice,” Hildebrand said when asked about starting his pro career. “I mean, playing a little bit after the season last year really helped me, kind of calmed my nerves to come here and just go out and play.”

 

After the Blackhawks’ first game of the tournament, Hildebrand told MiHockey he was enjoying the experience.

“It’s really exciting,” the native of Butler, Pa., said. “There’s so many good young players. To be able to come here before the main training camp, I think it’s really good to kick things off that way and really get into things right away.”

The Spartans longtime netminder said he wants to use the prospect tournament as a jumpstart to his 2016-17 season.

“I kind of just want to get things going. I think today was a good game for our team, I thought we played really well. It’s good to finally just start playing some games. Over summer, you’re in the weight room, you’re trying to get ready for the season, but it’s nice to get that first game under your belt.”

Hildebrand acknowledged that starting the season off with an all-star tournament of this nature is sometimes a rough go for a goaltender.

“Maybe a little bit. It’s hard for a goalie to simulate game-like situations over the summer, just the pace of the game and stuff like that. You start cheating things over summer just because of how the game is played. It was nice to get a couple practices, a morning skate in so you start feeling a little bit better and then you just hop right in.”

 

He doesn’t know where he will end up this season – signing with Rockford could still mean he ends up in the ECHL to start the year – but he’s taking it one day at a time.

“I’m really not sure, just taking it one step at a time. I could be in Rockford, I could be in Indy, so I’m trying not to worry about that right now and focus on our next game.”

Hildebrand also said he’s starting to miss East Lansing, and he learned over the summer that he’s already an alum and not a current team member.

“I was there a little bit over the summer and the guys are getting things started and I’m kind of getting pushed out of there, so I had to get dressed on the other side in the away locker room, so it was a lot different.”