Logan Cooley of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team will file a monthly draft diary for NHL.com this season leading up to the 2022 NHL Draft at Bell Centre in Montreal on July 7-8. The 17-year-old center (5-foot-10, 174 pounds), an A rated player on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list, has scored 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in nine games this season, including seven goals during a six-game goal streak. He is committed to attend the University of Notre Dame next season.
Hi hockey fans.
It's going to be fun providing you with a monthly diary on what's happening in my life and at the National Team Development Program this season. I'm very much looking forward to it.
I was surrounded by a good amount of hockey people in my house. I have two uncles that played Division I college hockey, at Notre Dame and Colorado College. I have two older brothers, Eric and Riley, that played. I was surrounded by hockey, so I had no other choice, really. I'm glad I picked hockey, though.
Being from Pittsburgh, we went to a lot of Penguins games when I was growing up. The Penguins had to be up there and, obviously, you follow Sidney Crosby ... he's a great guy. But to be honest, I was kind of a Washington Capitals fan growing up. I really don't know how it happened, but ever since I was a little kid I liked Alex Ovechkin and it just went from there.
I just like the way 'Ovi' competes. He's one of the best players in the world. He's getting close to breaking Wayne Gretzky's record for goals and I just feel like he's so electrifying to watch. I try to do some of the things he does in his game and put it into my game.
My mom and dad have had a huge impact on my career. Hockey is a pretty expensive sport, and with each of my parents working, it was tough to get everyone everywhere, especially when all three (brothers) were playing. I want to thank them a ton; they put a lot of time and effort into us.
My dad made us an ice hockey rink in the backyard and we'd always play out there for hours. In the summertime we'd play 1-on-1-on-1 street hockey all day or until it got dark or when it was time for dinner. There were definitely some good battles out there.
When I was just starting out in hockey I was actually a defenseman, but after a few years I always played center. I think the opportunity to score goals, make plays, was what interested me most.
This season I started out pretty slow (two assists in first three games). We played in the USHL Fall Classic in Pittsburgh and there were a ton of scouts watching, so I think that got to me a little bit. I needed to set the NHL Draft aside and just start focusing on my game, getting better every day and doing what's best for the team. When I started doing that, I think my game started to take off. I'm pretty happy with it right now.
I would say I'm a complete two-way player with pretty good IQ. I have good hands and a finishing touch, can make plays under pressure. What do I need to work on? I would say just my physical strength, getting stronger on my skates and playing against bigger and stronger players.
Everyone wants to be the best, especially when you have a team full of really good players, and the end goal is to win the gold medal for the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.
My linemates recently changed. I'm with Isaac Howard and Marek Hejduk right now and we've been practicing together this week. I think it's gone pretty good so far. Earlier on I played with Cruz Lucius and Rutger McGroarty but those two guys got hurt unfortunately. I feel like we have everything on that line. There's skill and also some hard-nosed hockey. You need a little bit of everything on a line.
The NHL Draft is a really important part of your career. It's always in the back of your mind and there's a little bit of pressure, but pressure is also good for you. I think I'm just trying to play my game, do what I can do best. I'm looking forward to the draft. Hopefully everything falls into place and it'd be a special night for sure. I've never been to Bell Centre in Montreal but I hear it's a pretty exciting spot.
Finally, I also have a goal of making the U.S. team for the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship. I played at the World Junior Summer Showcase in August and thought I did well. My coaches talk to their coach but I can't really control much now until I hopefully get the invite back (in December), and hopefully I do well there.
I'd feel really fortunate if I'm able to get an invitation and then, hopefully, make the team.
Thanks for reading this month. I'll post my next update in November.
Photo credit: Rena Laverty/NTDP
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