Under the bright lights of the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, Jackson Unger shined.
Being named to the roster was an accomplishment, putting on a strong outing in the showcase was an impressive feat.
"When I got the call, I immediately called my parents and agent," he said on the moment. "They were super proud, just a proud feeling overall for myself, too on being named to the game. It was really special."
The netminder was composed in his 28 minutes of work and put on a strong showing making 21 saves on 22 shots to help lead Team White to the 4-2 victory.
"It was a cool experience and a huge honour to play in it. To be named alongside top players in the country was surreal. I thought I put on a pretty strong performance and I took out a great experience but also confidence, that was the biggest thing."
After returning to his club the Moose Jaw Warriors, Unger saw that new found swagger and hard work earning him more starts and turning them into wins.
The Calgary product ended the season with 15 victories, almost doubling his total from the year prior.
And although he admits the campaign was a bit of a rollercoaster, he showed his mental strength in bouncing back impressively.
"I feel I grew and developed as the year went on," Unger said. "When I went through that big stretch towards the end of the season getting more games, I got my game together and performed well.
"Next year I want to have a better year. I want to go in the season with that starter mindset."
The Warriors have quietly made noise year after year, with the club taking massive strides the past two seasons. And while both have ended in second round exits in the WHL Playoffs, there's a lot of buzz among them of taking another step.
"We are going to have a really good group," Ungar said. "We want to win it all and I think we can go far.
"It's going to take all of us and for me, I'm building a lot of muscle, hitting the gym but also working on my agility and speed to get my game to another level.
"I want to develop my speed in the crease, making everything easy in the crease for me."
With a final ranking of 19 among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting, the 18-year-old has been cool and collected with the draft just days away.
Of course, his goal is to make it to The Show, but all in all knows that he did all he could.
"Definitely made it all feel real," he said. "It gave me a boost of drive and pride to get my name listed and get prepared for the draft. "Come that day, whatever happens, happens I worked hard and gave myself a chance to get drafted.
"It's crazy, my Bantam year I remember thinking the NHL Draft wasn't a reality, now that I'm here listed on Central Scouting, having played in the Top Prospects game, it makes you think how far you've come as a hockey player. I'm super proud of myself."
