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What’s striking about Rattie’s revival is he had good reason to wonder if 48 goals and 110 points with the Winterhawks in their 2012-13 WHL championship season was the career capper.

He cracked the St. Louis lineup in his first camp in 2013, but played just two games before being waived four years later. Claimed by Carolina, he played just five more times before being reclaimed by the Blues. Sent to the minors and not tendered a qualifying offer, the Calgary native thought that was it.

“I never found it,” said the 25-year-old Rattie. “I was off-stride and I was out of shape. It was tough. But it’s a mindset of saying you can do it and be here. I came to camp this year knowing this might be my last chance and you have to take advantage of it.

“And when you’re given this opportunity, you should be excited to just come to the rink every day. Playing with these guys, you can’t get better than that, but exhibition is one thing — you’ve got to do it in the regular season and keep it going to stick.”

Rattie has met the challenge to get pucks to McDavid at speed and finish chances when fed by the captain or Nugent-Hopkins.

“McDavid coming through the neutral zone with speed is the best option in the league and Nuge can find anybody at any time,” added Rattie. “It’s not crowding them too much and putting your attempts away. Everyone teaches you to corral the puck and support players. There’s no reason to support McDavid. He can draw three guys to him and beat three by himself.