Sticking on a path to NHL
China's teen hockey sensation is determined to reach the big league
Wang isn't the first Chinese puckster to be drafted into the NHL, though, as his senior hometown compatriot Song Andong was pick 172, drafted by the New York Islanders, in 2015. However, Song failed to earn a big league contract or lace up in an NHL game.
From being drafted to playing in the league is another journey in itself. There remains a long way to go for most raw recruits with Wang's potential, usually having to hone their game in minor leagues or the NCAA for a few more years, until they can prove themselves strong and fit enough to meet the elite criteria of an NHL contender.
Wang is fully aware of the gap, and has decided to play one more season with the Oshawa Generals in Canada's Ontario Hockey League, before reporting to Boston University for more grind in the NCAA D1 program until he's ready to make the step up.
He's adamant about accomplishing a feat that very few Chinese-born prospects, including North Americans with Chinese heritage, have.
"It's just a new beginning from here, and my goal is to become the first Chinese player to ever suit up in an official NHL game," he said.
His self-confidence stems from his apparent talent, which is housed in an imposing 6-foot-5(1.98m), 215-pound (100kg) frame, and an adroitness on skates that belies his size. Perhaps more importantly, it's backed up by the quality drills he's experienced by working his way up the junior ranks in Canada — where the sport is a borderline religion — over the past five years.
Strong family support has also played a huge part in Wang's steady growth, underlined by his mother, Willa, even starting a business around his son's interest.
To ensure her son had greater access to drills at home and in Canada, Willa raised money to build a makeshift rink near their house in west Beijing. She now runs multiple ice sports centers in China as president of Beijing-based company Xinghongao Sports and Culture.
