By Ian Holmes

‘A dream come true’: Nanaimo’s Dylan Coghlan signs NHL contract

Sep 21, 2017 | 5:22 PM

NANAIMO — It’s been a roundabout journey but Dylan Coghlan is now property of the National Hockey League’s Vegas Golden Knights.

The 19-year-old Nanaimo Minor Hockey grad signed a three year entry-level agreement with the NHL expansion franchise Wednesday following successful development and rookie camps.

Coghlan, speaking with NanaimoNewsNOW from Las Vegas, said he was hopeful a contract would be offered during exit interviews following the rookie camp process.

“It was definitely a relief, there was a lot of pressure and nerves going into this week,” he said. “It was a dream come true to finally sign my contract.”

An undrafted free agent, Coghlan was passed over in two consecutive NHL drafts. He attended Detroit Red Wings development camp last year.

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He sees himself as a smooth skating two-way defenseman during his hopeful progression to the pro game.

“You can’t think about offense first in this league and that’s something they try and teach you here. I think if I just focus on the defensive game a little more up at this level then the offense will come.”

He said being around the Golden Knights and practicing with established pros like goaltender Marc Andre Fleury and James Neal has been an “eye-opener.”

Coghlan had plenty of praise for the various minor hockey coaches in Nanaimo who helped turn his hockey dreams into reality. He said his father (Bill), Chris Turnbull and Jason Dubyna were especially key in his development.

“Everybody that was involved with minor hockey, all the managers and the coaching staffs, I couldn’t be more thankful for those people.”

Coghlan remains in Las Vegas and hoped to play in one of the team’s remaining exhibition games.

He’ll return to the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans for a fourth season and has a goal of turning pro next year.

ian@NanaimoNewsNOW.com

On Twitter: @repoterholmes