BC’s Patrick Giles sets high aspirations beyond the NHL Draft

(Photo courtesy of BC Athletics)

Boston College forward Patrick Giles is familiar with the NHL Draft process. He participated in the Washington Capitals development camp last summer prior to his freshman season, and knew about the rigorous training and interviews required from potential employers.

Emerging from that experience, the Maryland native remained mindful of his great fortune as an undrafted participant in his hometown’s team development camp.

“I was a huge Capital fan growing up, and have been a fan of how Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie play the game,” Giles told Pucks and Recreation before last weekend’s 2019 draft. “Everyone wants to play for their hometown team so that would be a dream come true. Honestly, though, any NHL organization would be a dream.”

College Hockey Inc. had a hunch he would take a formal first step there, grading Giles as a prospective fourth-to-sixth round candidate. Ultimately, he was passed over, but still had reason to watch. Even going in, he was thinking about more than his own prospects.

“I am definitely going to be following it for my future teammates,” he said before the draft. “I am excited to work with this great group of guys we have coming in.”

Giles did not have to wait long for those current or soon-to-be teammates to be selected. Out of the Eagles’ connections in the 2019 pool, seven were projected as draft-worthy.
 



(Photo courtesy of BC Athletics)

Incoming BC forward Matthew Boldy (Minnesota Wild), goaltender Spencer Knight (Florida Panthers) and forward Alex Newhook (Colorado Avalanche) were all selected in the first round last Friday. Defenseman Marshall Warren was likewise picked by the Avalanche in the sixth round to cap off a stellar weekend for BC hockey. The celebratory news continued after that with head coach Jerry York earning enshrinement as a builder in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
 

Despite the disappointment of not joining the Eagles’ nest of NHL draftees, Giles remains level-headed and committed to improving in his sophomore season. 

“I went through the same process of meeting with teams, participating in pre-draft workouts and I think what I learned is that the draft isn’t the end goal,” he said. “Jack McBain, one of my current teammates who is a drafted player encouraged me just to focus on getting better every day.”

Giles certainly took that advice to heart as he improved once the calendar turned to 2019 this past season. He recorded four of his six points in the second half of the season, and even scored his first collegiate goal in the Beanpot against Harvard.

“Scoring in the Beanpot was definitely the highlight of my first season at BC,” said Giles. “I remember that goal vividly as I got a great pass from Graham McPhee. Even more than scoring that goal, I was just excited to get the win.”

Giles felt that his play improved in the second half of the year thanks to the now-Hall-of-Fame-certified coaching at Conte Forum.

“During the season,” he said, “I felt that I developed my game a lot through the great coaching at BC. I know that I need to keep getting faster and that I need to spend the summer working on my shot.”

Beyond the community of teammates and coaches at BC, Giles has also relied on advice from fellow Maryland native and current AHL Iowa Wild fixture Sam Anas.
 

(Photo courtesy of BC Athletics)



Giles and Anas have a unique friendship. They grew up within 10 miles of each other, with Giles residing in Chevy Chase and Anas in Potomac. Both also attended Landon High School. During his two years there, Giles led the Bears to two straight Mid-Atlantic Prep Hockey League titles.

Finally, like Giles to this point, Anas went undrafted before realizing his potential as a pro after signing with the Wild after his junior year at Quinnipiac.

Anas, who is seven years Giles’ senior, has yet to see action in Minnesota. But he is currently the best bet to become the first NHL player to have played for and graduated from a Washington, D.C.-area high school. Perhaps Giles can become the second.

“Sam’s been a great friend and mentor,” Giles said. “We went to the same high school and he has told me that the most important thing is to trust the process. We often work out together in the summer and his advice has helped a lot.”

Giles recognizes the support that is present all around him and knows where he needs to improve to have his name called on NHL Draft weekend. Since he will turn 20 next year, he still has an outshot at being selected in 2020. However, free agency is his most likely inlet at this point.

Beyond that, he selflessly recognizes the opportunity ahead of him during his sophomore season at BC.

“We have a great class coming in, and the players we currently have are now a year older and are more experienced,” said Giles determinedly. “Our end goal every year is to make a run at a national championship and I know that we have a chance this year.”

-          John Morton