Growing up in North Delta means a lot to Nic and his Family, especially after seeing the pennants of past NHL players hanging at the Sungod Arena, and one day – it’ll be his jersey.
Hours after scoring the winning goal in Canada’s 5-3 victory over Slovakia at the world junior hockey championship; Petan and the Winnipeg Jets agreed on a three-year, two-way, entry level contract with an average annual value of US$925,000.
It should be told that several individuals helped him along the way and he makes a point of telling everyone about who they all are, which for a young player of his stature, it’s great!!
In conversation with coaches in the area, I am told that Nic is very offensive when it comes to finding the net as well as a gifted with high-end skating skills.
This plus his dedication for playing strong, helped with his signing an entry level contract with the Winnipeg Jet’s following a stellar game in Malmo at the World Junior Tournament.
Some say his size might prove detrimental, but others question this statement. He has a quick release and reads the ice well.
Nic was a prolific scorer when playing for the North Shore Winter Club Bantam team, managing to score 76 goals with 63 assists in 57 games.
This goal scoring ability helped led the club to a fourth-place finish in the Western Canada Bantam Championships.
As a 15-year -old he played with the Greater Vancouver Canadians in the BC Midget Major League and was selected by Portland in the first round (16th overall) of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.
He did manage to score 19 goals with 30 assists and had 36 penalty minutes in 35 games and scored 3 goals with 3 assists and 18 penalty minutes in six BCMML playoff games; all for the Canadians.
He played three (3) regular season games and seven (7) playoff games for Portland where he had 1 assist and was plus-one in the regular season.
He had no points or penalties with a limited amount of playoff ice time.
He was the second-leading scorer for Team BC winning the Gold Medal at the Canada Winter games, managing to finish with 4 goals and 8 assists in 12 games.
As a rookie he had 35 points in 61 games for Portland with several NHL chasing him.
He also played for Canada Pacific in the 2012 U17 World Hockey Challenge where he scored 14 goals with 21 assists and was plus-seven with 22 penalty minutes.
The Winterhawks had the WHL’s third best record and reached the playoff finals; losing to Edmonton in Game 7. Petan was scoreless and minus-two with 4 penalty minutes in 22 playoff games.
In 2012-13 he won Gold with Canada’s U18 team in the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament before returning to Portland for his second season.
He was part of the WHL’s top line, skating along side NHL prospects Ty Rattie (STL) and Brendan Leipsic (NSH).
His strong play helped lead the WHL with 74 assists and shared the overall point title with Brendan Leipsic finishing the season with 120 points in 68 games.
He managed 46 goals; fourth-most in the WHL behind Leipsic (49), Rattie (48) and Saskatoon’s Josh Nicholls (47).
With the leagues best record, Portland finished first in the U.S. Division, capturing the playoff title after reaching the WHL Finals for the third (3) straight seasons.
In 21 playoff games Petan scored 9 goals with 19 assists and was plus-13 with 16 penalty minutes. In five games at the Ivan Hlinka tournament he scored 1 goal with 1 assist and had 2 penalty minutes.
Petan was ranked 33rd amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting’s final rankings prior to the 2013 NHL Draft and was (originally) drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round, 43rd overall.
With players such as Trouba, Scheiffle, Morrissey, Petan, Lowry and Comrie, the Jets will have a different look in a few years!!
Congratulation to Nic on his success and Sportswave wishes him all the best!!!!