Vegas Golden Knights prospect was recently named co-captain of the WHL’s Everett Silvertips.
“It’s a true honor just to be a captain in this organization,” Hemmerling said. “There’s been so many great captains before me and to be a part of that group and to share it with Austin (Roest) is a true honor and I couldn’t be more happy about it.”
Hemmerling was drafted by Vegas in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, 177th overall. He wasn’t at the draft in Montreal as he said that he was having fun with his family and friends.
“There was definitely a roller coaster of emotions that day for sure,” Hemmerling said. “But just seeing my name come up on the board there. I couldn’t be more happy to go to an organization like that, probably one of the one of the best days of my life and a memory I’ll cherish forever.”
Hemmerling has seen a lot of success on the ice this season and the past few seasons. Last season he piled up 62 points with 21 goals and 41 assists.
“I think that’s just kind of one of the ways that I lead,” Hemmerling said. “I mean, I try not to focus on points too much. I try to just focus on playing the game the right way, 200-foot game and I’m really just leading by example and with playing the game right and obviously keeping the room light, I like to keep them light and I think that’s one way I contribute as a leader is just being the glue in the room and keeping the guys close knit together.”
It’s been clear from not just Hemmerling, but also Roest and Kaden Hammell that this season’s team is really close-knit and enjoys not only playing together but spending time together off-ice.
“We like to we like to go for walks,” Hemmerling said. “Just kind of go to the mall or hang out with the guys away from the rink. It was always fun going and driving range, pretty fortunate the weather stays not too bad all year round. So maybe go golfing or just get out and just get away from the game a little bit. I think it’s important to find that balance so away from the rink and we find that.”
It’s clear that when it comes down to it, they’re focused on winning, growing and getting better as a team.
“I think just the group of guys we have, everyone in that room wants the same thing and that’s a win,” Hemmerling said. “So, when everyone’s pushing for the same goal, everyone’s got the same growth mindset every day at the rink getting better and then just kind of the character of the guys in there. It’s pretty remarkable and it just speaks a lot to our group.”
As one of the main leaders on this season’s team, it’s clear that Hemmerling knows that it’s important to take the younger players under his wing and set an example for them.
“I think it’s always important to take those younger guys under your wing a little bit,” Hemmerling said. “I remember when I was 16 coming into the league, it’s a pretty hard and intimidating league for sure at such a young age and moving away from home and everything like that. So kind of just being there, I know the older guys when I was 16, they were there for me so just kind of take it one day at a time and be there for younger guys in any way that I can.”
The US Division is tough and has quite a few competitive teams with the Portland Winterhawks, Wenatchee Wild, Everett Silvertips and maybe even the others who could provide a surprise. Hemmerling and his teammates know that and it was clear from Hemmerling that he knows that it’s a grind. While the team wants to ultimately contend for a title, he has personal goals as well. He wants to just take it day by day, take care of his body and play the game the right way. Hemmerling wants to grow his game in every aspect that he can. But with being drafted by an NHL team, there are additional expectations that they’ll ask to see from the player in his games.
“Just kind of the consistency a little bit you know stopped on talks being a little bit more reliable, I’d say,” Hemmerling said on what Vegas wants to see from him. “Other than that, just kind of just keep playing my game.”
When it comes to Hemmerling’s game, he likes to model his game after players such as the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brayden Point and the Boston Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk.
“I think our games complement each other very well,” Hemmerling said. “Just the competitiveness and IQ with the puck and how they love to make plays and trade scoring chances. I think you can learn a lot from like, a couple of guys like that and I try to just kind of learn from them and watch them as much as I can.”
One aspect about Everett that a lot of people know about is their crowd and how raucous it can get, especially with the cowbells. It’s clear from Hemmerling and his teammates that they love playing at Angel of the Winds Arena in front of their fans.
“It’s pretty special,” Hemmerling said. “I mean, everyone says that they have the best fans and the WHL but everybody knows that Everett’s fans are the best, we get the most fans and we get the most passionate fans. Whether we’re winning or losing, they’re always packing that barn so we really appreciate it, it’s a very special place to play.”
Northwest Sports Desk 