Jonathan Drouin, the highly regarded forward who was the third overall pick at the 2013 NHL entry draft, was cut by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.
On Monday evening Halifax Chronicle Herald hockey writer Willy Palov caught up with Drouin to get his reaction to being cut by the Lightning:
Jonathan Drouin won't have Nathan MacKinnon as his linemate or chauffeur this year. Says he might finally have to get his driver's licence.
— Willy Palov (@CH_WillyPalov) September 30, 2013
Drouin said he had "no clue" the Lightning were considering sending him back to Halifax: “Obviously it was devastating in a way...
— Willy Palov (@CH_WillyPalov) September 30, 2013
... You want to make the team as quick as possible. There’s a lot of years in front of me, one year’s not going to change much...
— Willy Palov (@CH_WillyPalov) September 30, 2013
.... It’s disappointing but I’ve got to move on and help the team win another championship.”
— Willy Palov (@CH_WillyPalov) September 30, 2013
All things considered, Drouin is handling the huge personal disappointment well: "Now I’m just looking forward to this year (w/ Halifax)."
— Willy Palov (@CH_WillyPalov) September 30, 2013