Californian Kerdiles prepares for NHL Draft

Growing up in Irvine, California, just an hour south of Los Angeles, Nicolas Kerdiles had nothing but sand and surf in near perfect weather to occupy his time. Instead, he opted to spend his freedom at the rink, a decision that is paying off nicely.

Years after picking up the sport by playing roller hockey with his neighbor, Kerdiles is one of a number of young players coming out of California proving that hockey is there to stay.

“The opportunity for me to help California hockey grow, it’s pretty unique,” Kerdiles said.

The 6’1″, 194-pound power forward is stating his case on the ice. He’s one of the bigger forwards in the US National Team Development Program and he knows how to get into the dirty areas to score goals.

“His puck protection and his strength on the puck down low are tremendous,” said under-18 coach Danton Cole. “He scored quite a few goals for us last year, most of them were right in the tough areas.”

Like most modern power forwards, Kerdiles also has the element of speed. As one of the fastest players on the NTDP, he uses that to his advantage.

“Using my speed is a big part of my game and I use it all the time.”

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A versatile player as well, Kerdiles is capable of playing any forward position even though Cole primarily uses him at center.

Kerdiles is planning on taking that total package to the University of Wisconsin next fall. From a great coaching staff to one of the best buildings to play in in the NCAA, Wisconsin was a no-brainer destination for Kerdiles, who is planning on majoring in sports medicine.

“Graduating from the University of Wisconsin does not look bad on you at all, it’s a great school and a lot of great people have come from it,” Kerdiles said. “I really felt like I couldn’t go wrong with them.”

Until then Kerdiles, who likes to watch and model his game after Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, is determined to keep improving his game.

“Everything can always improve, but my skill work primarily is one of the thing I’m working on the most right now.”

He is never one who has to be pushed to get better either.

“Nic’s a hard worker,” Cole said.  “He loves being on the ice, loves being in the weight room. Pretty much anything we give him he takes it on his shoulders and he wants to get better at it.”

All that extra time working on his game definitely helps give him a edge, especially in the physical battles. Being able to stand those physical contests is going to come in handy in the Western Collegiate hockey Association next year. Kerdiles though is looking forward to those games.

Those long Wisconsin winters are a far cry from California’s perfect beaches, but with players like Kerdiles leading the way, more kids from the Golden State will soon be making that sacrifice.

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