The Moose Jaw Warriors forward and his agent had chatted with a few teams heading into the event but one had stuck out – a pre-Draft interview with the Anaheim Ducks, where they asked if he thought he’d have a chance of still being around at the 29th pick.
Turns out, he was, and the Ducks ended up making the call that will change Tracey’s life.
Anaheim selected the Western Hockey League rookie of the year with the aforementioned 29th pick, making him the latest Warrior to be selected in the first round after Brett Howden was chosen by the New York Rangers 27th overall in 2016.
“I didn’t even know what to think, honestly, I was really nervous and the nerves were just flying through my body,” Tracey said of waiting in Rogers Arena stands. Then he heard the words ‘from the Moose Jaw Warriors…’ and it was time to go.
“I kind of saw my mom and she started tearing up, so I stood up and gave her the hug first and then made my way over to my dad… it’s just the best feeling in the world,” Tracey said.
While the walk from the stands to the NHL Draft stage wasn’t an overly long one, it was most certainly surreal.
“It’s special,” Tracey said. “You just can’t believe it, it feels like all the hard work paid off. But at the same time, you’re thinking of starting over from Day 1 again, it’s going to be a grind of moving forward and hard work again. But getting picked by the Ducks is very special, it’s a great organization and I’m honoured to be chosen by them.”
Once he’d shook hands with the Anaheim brass, received his first Ducks jersey and hat, took part in a photo shoot backstage and conducted a handful of interviews, it was time to refocus on the task at hand.
“My agent and dad took the family out for dinner, and we sat down and kind of talked about the future and what’s up next,” Tracey said. “And I’m off to California (Monday) morning, it’s kind of a big turn-around but I’m excited about it.”
Just being in the Sunshine State for his first development camp will be an experience in itself for the 18-year-old Calgary product, as he’s never visited before but will soon be making his home there.
“I’ve never been to California, but my agent was telling me when I was drafted ‘you don’t need a jacket, it’s going to be flip-flops and sunglasses from now on,'” Tracey said with a laugh. “And then the organization itself is outstanding. I was talking to a few scouts and (special assignments coach Scott) Neidermeyer, and they were saying they couldn’t stay away, they love it so much, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Realistically, Tracey has a bit of time before he’ll crack the Ducks line-up. That means another season or two in the Western Hockey Hockey league and a chance to further develop a game that has exploded in leaps and bounds since joining the team full-time last season.
Tracey won the Jim Piggott Trophy as rookie of the year after an incredible campaign where he scored 36 goals and 81 points to lead all first-year players in the WHL.
“Being a rookie this year, (head coach) Tim (Hunter) and (general manager) Alan (Millar) trusted me and I can’t thank them enough, they pushed me to get here as well,” Tracey said. “So it’s my turn to give back, kind of being ‘that guy’ next year is going to be special and I’m excited.”
There was word heading into the Draft that Tracey’s stock might take a hit due to playing with fellow standouts Tristin Langan and Justin Almeida, both of whom finished the 2018-19 campaign with more than 100 points on the season. Together, the trio formed the highest-scoring line in the Canadian Hockey League.
But the World Under-18 championships did their part to dispel that belief: Tracey emerged as one of Team Canada’s top players in Sweden, scoring four times and seven assists in seven games.
“Playing with those guys had an impact for sure, but I think it was a triangle of trust,” Tracey said. “We worked well together, we all trusted each other, and it worked well. Then going down to Sweden as well, I wanted to show I could produce without them as well and I think doing that really boosted me up a little bit. But they were two great players and it was awesome to play with them this season.”
As for the coming season, it’s just a matter of going out and playing as well as he can while continuing to improve and develop as much as possible.
“Game-wise, I just play my own game, that’s why they picked me,” Tracey said. “So I think if I keep doing that I’ll be successful. In the gym, things might change with what the Ducks organization wants me to do, but it’s just the same, it’s all hard work and I’ll do my best to reach the next level.”
