Nick Paul got a taste of the NHL with a call up on February 6th, but realized his NHL dream officially on February 16th, 2016.
The former North Bay Battalion forward played in his first NHL game on Tuesday night as the Ottawa Senators edged the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in a shootout.
With injuries mounting, Paul was called up from the AHL’s Binghamton Senators on February 6th.
See that story here: https://www.baytoday.ca/sports/could-nick-paul-to-make-nhl-debut-tonight-194261
For the next three Senators games Paul took the pre-game skate but was a healthy scratch for games versus Toronto, last Monday against Tampa Bay and Wednesday against Detroit.
Paul was then sent last Thursday back to his AHL squad on February 11th.
“Last week I was waiting for it, I was like a kid at Christmas waiting for the game,” Paul told reporters after Tuesday’s game.
He got the recall on a snowy and miserable day in Ottawa and played on a line, ironically, with former North Bay Centennials forward Chris Neil and former Team Canada World Junior teammate Curtis Lazar.
He played 16 shifts, had one shot on goal, and had 10 minutes and 54 seconds of ice time.
Paul admitted that his first shift was a bit overwhelming as he realized his first official NHL moment had arrived.
“On my first shift, I was taking in the crowd and the talent on the ice and after that I told myself I’m just as good as these guys and not worry about making mistakes and play my kind of hockey and be confident with the puck and good things will happen,” said Paul.
However, that first NHL shift moment was shortened as linemate Chris Neil dropped the gloves with Buffalo’s Nicolas Deslauriers.
“It was a good first shift, I got all the nerves out, played on a line with Lazar, we kept the puck moving forward and avoided any turnovers,” said Paul.
Now Paul’s goal is to prove he belongs in the National Hockey League.
“I hope I get a couple more here and I can show the coaches I am here to play,” he said.
