“I want to continue working on my skating. Being set makes such a huge difference for me, with my size. If I can continue working on my skating, getting more explosive, and faster, I think that would be a huge thing for me.”

The knowledge and understanding of the position is something that bodes well for Petruzzelli’s future. His continued work with Quinnipiac goaltending coach Jared Waimon will ensure that he doesn’t fall into the trap of being down early on passing plays against some very tough NCAA division I opponents.

Puck-tracking is something he states that he also wants to focus on with Waimon as the year goes on. Being able to project over top of pucks and cut them off is a main key for any large goaltender, and that’s something he wants to get better at.

“I want to stay over pucks more, especially while following plays. It’s huge for me. I got a bit lazy in U18, especially when my D had the puck in our own zone. I always have to be ready now, because you never know where guys can rip it from.”

Being able to adapt through many different circumstances is a required skill for any goaltender that is going to have a long professional career. The Red Wings are certainly banking on him being able to progress into an NHL goaltender, as they took him 88th overall in this year’s entry draft.

Petruzzelli was the top-ranked North American goaltender at the mid-term ranking from the International Scouting Service, eventually losing that position to Boston University’s Jake Oettinger – who was selected by the Dallas Stars as the first goalie taken in the draft.

Although he wasn’t expecting to be nervous, sitting and waiting for his name to be called turned out to be a lot more difficult than first thought.

“It was tough [sitting there]. My advisor told me that it would be brutal until you hear your name called, and I said ‘Yeah, it won’t be that bad. Who cares when I go?’ but the actual waiting part was really tough.”

The fact that it was the Detroit Red Wings who selected him was also a bit of a surprise.