Kellan Tochkin/Photo: Frank Deines III/Everett Silvertips

If that isn't enough to get you to sit up and pay attention to Mr. Tochkin, consider this: Today, the Silvertips announced that Tochkin is one of three Everett players to appear on an NHL Draft Watch list, compiled by NHL Central Scouting. (Tochkin is ranked 105 out of 210 players. Center Byron Froese is ranked 102nd and Left Wing Tyler Maxwell makes the list at 152).

Did I mention that Kellan Tochkin is just 17 years old?

What? You want to know more before heading to the box office at Comcast Arena for tickets to upcoming games? Okay, then. Sit back, relax, and read more about this amazing player, from the one person who knows him best--Kellan Tochkin himself.

Kellan Tochkin/Photo: Frank Deines III/Everett Silvertips

Kellan, introduce yourself to our viewers/readers. When did you start skating and were did you play your youth hockey?

KT: I started at a pretty young age, at 2 or 3, in Abbotsford, British Columbia at the local rinks. My brothers and I would just go out and play. I played my minor hockey in Abbotsford and then I made the jump last year to Everett here.

Did you start skating before you started walking?
KT: Yeah, around the same time. The earlier you can get on skates the better, because you're more used to it. It always makes it a little easier for you if you start at 3 or 4 than a kid that starts at 9 or 10 because you get that little advantage over him. Although it doesn't seem that important at that age, in the long run it definitely helps you out.

You got drafted in 2006 - when did you actually join the team? Was it the same year?
KT: No, because when you're drafted, you have to wait a full year to play and I didn't play the year I was eligible. I played the second year I was eligible to play.

How was the transition from the league that you were playing in, to coming into Everett and moving up into the WHL?
KT: I was playing junior hockey in Canada so it was a pretty big step, but after playing midget hockey and then playing junior, I played with a lot of bigger, stronger players so the transition with weight and playing with players who were bigger and stronger than me wasn't too bad. It was more so the speed but you get used to it as time goes on and as you have more and more games played. So, at the start it was tough but it got better and better as it went on.

Kellan Tochkin/Photo: Frank Deines III/Everett Silvertips

When you played juniors in Canada, did you live at home or did you start billeting (living with a host family) at a younger age?
KT: I billeted actually out but the way my year went, I played on a couple of teams, so on 2 of the 3 teams I played on, I billeted out and on the other team I was pretty close to home so I got to live at home. I was introduced to billeting at age 16. It was a little different, obviously. It was a lot nicer being home as a 16 year old, than being away. When you come in as a 17 year old, it's a little easier, just because you're a little more mature.

Is this the farthest that you've been from home?
KT: last year I was playing junior in Vancouver Island in Port Alberni, which was about 4 hours from home (Abbotsford), with a ferry ride and whatnot. It was a little farther trip and my parents couldn't really come whenever they wanted. But it wasn't too bad. It wasn't like I was playing in Manitoba or something like that. The transition here really was not tough, because my parents come down almost every weekend, whenever we have a home game.

Tell us a little bit about your particular style of play.
KT: I'm an offensive guy. Part of my game that I take the most pride in is scoring, or setting up goals whenever the team is in need of them. That's kind of what I base my game around: getting the puck in the other team's net. That what my line and I are counted on to do. That's probably the biggest thing, helping my team win by scoring goals or shutting down the other team's top offensive line. In this league, you cannot afford to be intimidated by anyone. You've gotta get in everyone's face. It's something that you don't want to do sometimes but you kinda have to do it.

What can people who have never been to a hockey game before expect when they come to an Everett Silvertips game?
KT: It's very exciting to come in, just with the fans and atmosphere that we have here at the Comcast Arena. It's something that a lot of people don't forget. It's really fast-paced hockey. It's the best major junior league in the world. They'll be pretty amazed at the level that we play at, just the skill that pretty much every player has in this league. The biggest thing is coming in and seeing the fans. They're crazy. They're the best in the league. It's exciting hockey so it makes for a pretty good night.

Is there any one or two players on your bench who you turn to, to keep things light, just when you need it?
KT: There's not really one guy. Everyone's pretty loose in the room. A player that we can usually turn to for advice or kind of leader to step up would obviously be our Captain Zack Dailey. He's someone who takes a lot of pride in what he does on the ice and someone who, when we're in need of guidance, being a veteran player, he's always there and he always seems to say the right things at the right time. It makes it really nice having a leader like that.

You're eligible for the draft this year (2009). Do you have any team you would particularly like to be drafted by?
KT: No. Well, obviously, being an Abbotsford boy, being close to Vancouver, it would be nice to go to Vancouver but it's something that you don't really think about. You don't control whether you get drafted or where you go if you're fortunate enough to get drafted. It's something that you're aware of but it's something that, for a guy like me, I don't think about it. All I'm thinking about is winning a Memorial Cup and doing whatever I can for the team to win. That's the biggest thing, because if you put yourself before the team, it doesn't make for a good team player.

(Playing in the NHL) is a realistic goal. Every day you work harder and harder to achieve that, because playing in this league, it is pretty realistic. I think 30% of the players in the NHL have come from this league. It would be a really nice compliment. If it happens, awesome. And if's Vancouver, then it's even better.

Who's been the biggest influence on your hockey career?
KT: My mom and dad, for sure, with all the money that they've put toward my hockey and all the rides that they've taken me on. They've always been my biggest fans and they've continued to be my biggest fans. It doesn't matter how well I'm doing, they're always there for me. When I'm a little down they're there for me and always supporting me, they and my brothers. Overall, my mom and dad have always been there for me, when the going's gotten tough. They've pretty much made me the hockey player that I am right now. (Kellan's two brothers are older. One is in university and one is a teacher. Both played Junior B hockey locally but did not pursue the sport at a higher level. Kellan describes his family as a "typical Canadian hockey family.")

Now, for some "Firsts":

First WHL goal:
KT: It was in Kelowna (October 1, 2008). We were down 3-1 and we were on a 5 on 3 power play. I shot it from the side of the net just trying to get a rebound and it snuck in, so it was a pretty special night. It would have been a lot nicer to win, but it was a pretty special night just to realize that it was kind of the start of things.
(About scoring in Kelowna): They sell out pretty much every night so it was pretty special. When you go to a place like Prince George or even occasionally Seattle, or Portland who just doesn't have the fan base, it doesn't feel that special, but to have a sold out barn, it was really special. (Kelowna is) an unbelievable hockey city.

First win that made an impact:
KT: The first win that really had an impact on me, a win that I was kind of a part of, would have been our first game against Seattle.(September 23, 2008 at Comcast Arena) I had a couple of points and we crushed them 7-3 and there were about 7,000 people here. That was my first game that I was a part that I really helped the team. It was really special knowing that I helped the team win and we were lucky enough to get the win so, that was the first game that my confidence came and the first game that I realized that even being a smaller player; I can play in this league. That's where I tried to take off from and I have so far.

On being a smaller player: (Tochkin is 5'10"/176lbs):
KT: You play against some guys in this league who are (bigger). Some teams have an average size of 6'2". That's something that helps a smaller guy like me with the new rules because sometimes I'll draw penalties. I should draw more than I do but it does help, being a smaller guy. It would be nice to get the full package but what you will notice with smaller players is that they're a little quicker and a little smarter.

Is there a loss that particularly still stings, even now?
KT: Yeah, actually, both games in Spokane. (October 3, 2008, October 11, 2008) We got crushed, 5-0 and 5-1 (respectively). Those two games were huge and they really sucked, especially being in Spokane. Those two games for this year really jump out at me because there's a pretty heated rivalry with us and Spokane because we've met in playoffs the past two or three years in a row and you never like to lose to the team that won the Memorial Cup last year. I think the second game we were down 5-0 and they had a 5 on 3 power play and they were putting their top power play unit out with two minutes left- that really leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. Any chance we can get to put the puck in the net to win; we're definitely going to take it because those two losses really stung. We're going out to Spokane on Saturday (January 10). That's been a game we've had marked down for a while. (Note: unfortunately, the Silvertips fell to Spokane, 2-0).

Who was your favorite player growing up?
KT: Trevor Linden. He played for Vancouver. I was actually lucky enough to go to the game (where they retired Linden's jersey). It was a pretty special night for him and something that I'll never forget. He was a player who not only on the ice but in the community really made a difference, just a really good character guy to look up to.

Who's your favorite player now?
KT: Right now there are so many in the NHL but I'd have to say someone who I kinda look up to would be Kyle Wellwood of Vancouver. The smarts he has and being a smaller guy and being able to play in the NHL, it's quite an accomplishment. We're pretty similar players so he makes it pretty easy to look up to him.

Favorite "away" arena:
KT: It would probably have to be Moose Jaw. I had a pretty big night there. It's a small town, small arena but it gets packed and it's fairly loud. It's an old barn but it's pretty nice to play in, with just how dedicated those fans are. The town's tiny but they get sellouts every night. It was pretty cool. After playing in a lot of arenas that seat 15,000 and just being empty, and then playing against a team like Moose Jaw where the arena's a little smaller but fans come out, it's a pretty special place to play in.

Favorite team to play against: (Kellan doesn't really enjoy playing against many teams - he liked Moose Jaw and Red Deer because he had his biggest points against them)

About the Vancouver Giants:
KT: Growing up, from when I was about 10 years old, that's when they joined the Western League, so growing up and going to games, watching Vancouver and whatnot, probably that's the most special team to play against, because it was back when my dream was to play in the Western league. Now that I'm doing it, it's always special to go and play against the old team you used to cheer for.

About the ShoWare Center (Seattle Thunderbirds new home in Kent)
KT: It was awesome. It was sold out (the first game at ShoWare pitted Everett against Seattle (on January 3, 2009). The atmosphere was unreal. It was really, really loud and the game was awesome. I think the next night they got 3500 so hopefully attendance stays up there because when the place gets loud, it's really awesome to play in front of. If they can get the fan base down there it would make it that much better because the facility is just beautiful.

Favorite thing to do when not playing hockey?
KT: Watching hockey, especially watching the NHL. I usually watch a game or two a night.

What music is in your mp3 to get you pumped up? What bands do you listen to?
KT: Anything that's in my MP3 player. I like anything whether it's rock or country.

What music gets played in the locker room the night of a game?
KT: A lot of techno or rap or whatever the vets are feeling like playing that night.

So, you now have all the goods on Kellan Tochkin. Well, all the goods that matter, when it comes to taking care of business on the ice. Off the ice, he's your typical high school student (for more on KING 5's Chris Egan's story about a day in school with Kellan and two teammates, click here).

Ready to buy those tickets now? Here's the link to the Silvertips and to Comcast Arena's websites. Their next home game is this Friday, January 16th against cross-town rivals, the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Maybe I'll see you there.