NHL Draft 2020: Q&A with Sam Colangelo
Oct 7, 2020By AJ Manderichio/SanDiegoGulls.com
Sam Colangelo welcomed reporters with a wide smile, a fresh Ducks draft cap topping off a crisp gray suit.
The talented right wing dropped to the second round of the NHL Draft, but he showed no hint of disappointment as he discussed joining the Anaheim organization.
"I had a bunch of family and friends here last night to watch, and I didn't get picked," he said. "I kind of had a gut feeling today that Anaheim would be the team. I had some great conversations with them, and I'm super excited to be a Duck. This is a dream come true. I've dreamed of this my whole entire life, and I couldn't be more excited to be part of the Ducks family.
"I can't even put it into words. It happened about an hour ago now, and it hasn't left my mind since. I'm so excited. This is a dream come true."
Colangelo broke down his game, talked about attending Northeastern and his friendship with Ducks' prospect Trevor Zegras:
On his pre-draft communication with Anaheim:
I think I did two or three Zoom meetings with (hockey operations), and throughout the year, a couple of individual meetings with one of their amateur scouts. I think they knew my game just as good as I do, and they believed in me. They were straightfoward with me and told me what I need to work on, which is my skating, and I like that. I like when someone is straightforward with me, and they went awesome. It's a great, great staff and they're very respectful. I'm super excited to be a Duck.
On his willingness to accept criticism of his game:
I think that motivates me. Seeing stuff that people criticize me for motivates me to get into the gym, to get stronger, to get faster. It's just a motivation factor. I don't think I'd be where I am today or be in this position if it wasn't for that and that motivation.
On his recent growth spurt:
My freshman year of high school, I was 5'8", 150 (pounds). By my junior year, I was 6'2" and just around 200 pounds. I'm still growing a little bit, but I've grown a lot over the past couple of years, which has been steady throughout. I can't remember exactly one big growth spurt.
On knowing Ducks' prospect Trevor Zegras and defenseman Josh Manson:
I was Facetiming with Trevor just before I got on the call. He's one of my good friends. My phone was kind of blowing up and I hadn't really been looking at it. I happened to look at my phone and saw a FaceTime from him. I walked to the other room and he answered the phone. We actually had kind of talked about the possibility of me going last night to the Ducks at 27. It didn't happen, but today I did get picked by the Ducks. I answered the phone and he was kind of screaming. He was so excited for me. He was just saying, 'Let's go!', and we were both just kind of going nuts. We're pretty excited. He's one of a kind.
I've known Trevor since I was probably six or seven years old. I'm in my basement right now, and there's probably a few holes in my wall from him coming here. He's one of my best friends. I haven't been able to hang out with him over the past couple of years because our paths kind of went different ways, but I'm excited to hopefully play with him someday again in Anaheim.
Josh Manson, actually, we did Zoom calls throughout the summer as a team where we had alumni come back on, and I was actually able to hear from him, so that was pretty cool as well.
On his decision to attend Northeastern:
Coach Jerry Keefe, who was here last night and today to watch the draft with me. Northeastern was the first school I ever toured when I was 13. I didn't even know where I was going to high school yet, and I fell in love with it right away. The Beanpot is a huge thing, and being able to play in that was a huge attraction for me. Coach Keefe is a great offensive coach. He knows how to develop players. Over the past couple of years, Tyler Madden, Adam Gaudette, Dylan Sikura, those are a few to name. I'm excited to hopefully be another one of those names.
The past couple of weeks have been great with practice, and I'm excited to hopefully get some games going soon.
On why the Beanpot is so important to him:
Being from Boston, I've been to the Beanpot pretty much every year since I was born. The first two Mondays of February every year, the four Boston schools - Harvard, BC, BU, Northeastern. The first Monday is the semifinals and the next Monday is the consolation game and the championship. Lucky over the last couple of years, every team has fans and Northeastern has kind of dominated that, which is pretty cool.
This year, there probably won't be fans if we're even able to play the Beanpot, but it's something I'm looking forward to. If you grow up around Boston and play hockey, you know what the Beanpot is and it's a pretty big deal around here.
On how he stood out on a talented Chicago Steel team:
I think I'm a pretty big body, so you kind of notice me right away. I think there's more to my game than that. I think I'm a skilled player for my size, and I don't think, because I'm 6'2", it doesn't mean I can't be skilled, have a good shot and be a good playmaker. My playmaking abilities are probably my best asset - along with my shot - and being able to set up my teammates and also score some goals for anywhere in the offensive zone. I work extremely hard, and I've earned everything I've got in my hockey career. My dad didn't really play at a high level, and I've worked hard my entire life. They might have noticed that.
On how long he'd like to stay at Northeastern:
I don't want to put a timetable on that. I haven't played my first game yet. I want to enjoy it while I'm there and take it year by year. I don't really like to put a timetable on it, but whenever the Ducks think I'm ready and I think I'm ready to move on, I'm open to that. I just want to enjoy it while I'm there and make the most of it with my teammates. It's been a great experience so far, and I don't think I'm ready I'm ready to leave yet.
On his knowledge of the Ducks organization:
Honestly, I've never been to California, but I know a couple of their draft picks. Like I just talked about, Trevor Zegras is one of my good friends, and I skated with Henry Thrun all summer. I played with Henry growing up in summer tournaments pretty much my whole life. I know they have a winning history. They're kind of in the rebuild right now, but it's exciting to be a part of.
On how he would describe his game:
I think I'm a highly-skilled forward who loves to shoot the puck but can also set up his teammates. I've worked on my defensive ability a lot over the last couple of years, and I consider myself a two-way player now.