(Courtesy of Perry Bergson, Brandon Sun) — The path is finally clear for Nolan Patrick.

The 18-year-old Winnipeg product, who is back skating this week with the Brandon Wheat Kings, is healthy and will have his first chance to achieve his dream of playing in the National Hockey League when he heads to Philadelphia Flyers camp later this week.

“All the pieces are kind of falling together and now it’s just up to me to perform the way that I can and show them that I’m NHL ready,” Patrick said. “I’ll get a good couple of skates in this week and some workouts and keep up with that. Hopefully it all work out in Philly.”

Better days surely lie ahead for Patrick, whose 2016-17 Western Hockey League season in Brandon was an utter disaster. After off-season surgery in Winnipeg on a sports hernia, Patrick played just five games to start the season, leaving the lineup from Oct. 12 until Jan. 11. After playing in 28 more games, he suffered a leg injury on an unpenalized slew foot and missed the playoffs.

“That was a long time,” Patrick said. “It was pretty stressful being hurt that much and just kind of the way it went down and coming back and then leaving and coming back and leaving again. It was obviously a tough year for me last year but I said this all last year, that at the end of the day, going through some adversity like that as a young player doesn’t hurt you. I think it will help me grow as a player.”

Even with the injury, which he would later say wasn’t properly treated initially, he put up 46 points in 33 games, including 20 goals.

Patrick had a second abdominal surgery on June 13 by Philadelphia-based Dr. William Meyers just prior to the NHL draft.

“I feel good,” Patrick said after an intrasquad game on Saturday morning. “My body feels 100 per cent for the first time in a while so I’m excited. This is my first game playing since I got hurt last year so I’m kind of getting my timing back and getting the legs back.”

Patrick, who had for two years been considered the top prospect in the 2017 draft, fell to second when the New Jersey Devils selected Swiss centre Nico Hischier instead.

He still enjoyed the draft, which was held at Chicago’s United Centre.

“There was obviously a little bit of pressure but it was a fun experience,” Patrick said. “I had my three best friends there and my family and my girlfriend so it was a pretty exciting time for everyone. I was really excited where I ended up so it was a pretty special day for me and my family.”

Flyers general manager Ron Hextall, a Brandonite who also suited for the Wheat Kings, has been supportive of Patrick all along, adding that with a long career ahead of him, he won’t be rushed into NHL action.

While Patrick clearly hopes to play in the NHL this season, he deflated the latest innuendo that he won’t report to Brandon if he gets sent down.

“There are a lot of rumours that go around like that,” Patrick said. “My first goal is to make the NHL and if I don’t do that, I want to end my junior career in Brandon. It’s been great for me here. I have developed lots as a player since I came here. I love playing here.”

On Friday, he spent extra time on the ice as a shooter during the goaltending sessions. Even when he has not been on the ice, he’s been taking in camp at Westman Place with teammates and former Whet Kings such as Jayce Hawryluk.

“I was excited to come back and see some of the returning guys and see what the young guys are like that they picked this year,” Patrick said. “I didn’t play in camp last year because I was hurt so I didn’t get to see those guys play. There are some good young guys. It was nice to meet some of them.”

Patrick came to Brandon at the end of last week after spending time down in Virginia at the NHL Players’ Association’s rookie orientation.

He said he can’t wait to get Philadelphia for his first chance to earn the right to be an NHL player. He also wants to reward the organization for the faith they showed in him at the draft.

“It’s been really good,” Patrick said. “They didn’t doubt me with my injuries and it’s been really good ever since I’ve been there. I really like the way the team plays and obviously the fans in Philly are unbelievable. I’m really excited to have the chance to try out there.”

The Wheat Kings meanwhile kick off their 4-game pre-season schedule Friday night against the visiting Regina Pats. Friday is also Season Ticket Pick-up Day.