BUFFALO

Nolan Patrick met reporters on Friday inside a trailer filled with Hockey Hall of Fame pictures and memorabilia.

Based on the lack of pre-draft buzz about the projected first overall pick, it was a milieu few think he’ll ever be in unless he buys a ticket. Whether it’s because Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews had superior billing and then went to high-profile Canadian teams and delivered the goods, or due to Patrick’s unfortunate double-sports hernia — the second of which just came to light — that time off the big stage lessened his profile.

But meeting the 6-foot-3 centre from the Brandon Wheat Kings for the first time, one is impressed with his handling of challenges to date, even if “generational player” won’t be part of this month’s draft lexicon in Chicago.

“The media has done a good job this year pumping us down, saying we’re not going to have an immediate impact,” Patrick quipped of himself, Nico Hischier and three other projected top 10s, who will be physically tested here on Saturday at the NHL combine. “So I guess that’s good for us.

“At the end of the day, I’m not putting added pressure on myself or reading into what the media says. I just try not to compare myself to (McDavid and Matthews). I don’t think I’m going to come in and be scoring 40 goals, or four in my first game. I don’t think that happens too often.”

Both the No. 1 and No. 2 ticket holders, the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers, gave him extensive interviews this week. The son of former first round winger Steve Patrick and nephew of defenceman James Patrick was as prepared in those meetings as his NHL alumni family has made him on the ice.

“They’ve been huge for me since I was really young,” Nolan said of Manitobans Steve and James.

“There are so many things they’ve taught me, I can’t narrow it down to one that’s been most important. Being a professional, being a good person — that’s probably the main thing for me. They’re both huge in how you carry yourself off the ice. There are some tremendous players out there, but the main thing for them would be the respect you show for others and how you carry yourself.

“No one wants to be that guy, to be arrogant or anything like that, so for me, since I was young, I try and pride myself on that, and I still do.”

Keeping his jaw from drooping must have been hard at times this season, the year to make a great leap from being the WHL MVP, but ended with the 102-point producer from the year before going under the knife. A right-side hernia was repaired in the summer, while a left-side issue was not detected. Patrick, who wasn’t picked for the world junior as a 17-year-old, was not in any shape to enhance his draft status when Team Canada’s roster for the 2017 tourney omitted him.

That health uncertainty followed him here, where every team that grilled him this week, even just for intel purposes, delved into his medical background, followed by another round on Friday with reporters. Scribes from Jersey and Philly were naturally most curious.

“It is what it is, I don’t get mad about it or frustrated when people ask me,” Patrick said. “I had two hernias at the same time, they missed one, but I’m not disappointed in the doctor. He was trying to do the best job he could. It happens sometimes.

“I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me. I think a little adversity for a young kid is what makes you stronger as a player. For me, I didn’t try and talk about it during the year, the missed diagnosis, I just wanted to focus on my year. This is the first time I’ve spoken about it.”

Patrick made up for lost time in part because of his lineage. If Steve wasn’t giving him constant pointers, James was supplying stacks of videos culled from years as an NHL assistant. He was Lindy Ruff’s assistant in Dallas until the staff was let go.

“My dad has been big on the mental side of things to stay positive, (James) is still up-to-date with the game. I’d be sitting here all day if I was to tell you what was (in his instructional videos), literally two hours. A lot of defensive play.”

Patrick didn’t come out and say it, but his scores in Saturday’s testing might still reflect what he’s been through, which is why he wanted to be honest with teams such as New Jersey and Philly when their personnel scrutinize him.

“I’m not trying to prove anything, I’m just going to test to the best of my abilities. I’ve been getting a lot of those questions. But I understand every team wants to do their own research.”

The first round of the draft is June 23. Patrick won’t be looking back, only ahead.

“I don’t think it was an ideal season for me, I don’t think any player wants that kind of year, especially their draft year. But it will be an exciting day, a fine day, for me, my friends and my family.”

'JUST BE THE GUY I AM'

Judging by this week’s team interview process, Nolan Patrick should do just fine.

He went in ready for any curveballs from the teams most likely to pick him, not working himself into a ball of nerves trying to get ready for the unusual questions that can come out of these sessions.

“Zero, no preparation at all,” said the top-ranked Patrick. “Just be the guy I am.”

But one thing does seem to irk him a bit: People who bring up his potential NHL limitations.

“I don’t like to think like that. I won’t let anything get in my way. That’s my goal and I’m not a huge guy about setting goals, but I’ve had that one three years.”

Judging by the interviews, he couldn’t nail whether the Devils were definitely going to pick him first or if the Flyers will be there at No. 2.

“I don’t think I could tell by the vibes in the meetings or anything like that. They were (both) really good, a really friendly group. At the end of the day, I’ll go anywhere.”

LHornby@postmedia.com