CALGARY KIDS - NICK WOLFENBERG

There's nothing like representing your country.

Few get to experience it, but for NHL Draft prospect Nick Wolfenberg, he can say he got to put that red maple leaf sweater on as he represented Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge.

"That was amazing," he said. "Every little kid dreams of playing for Team Canada. It was a dream come true for me when it happened.

"A huge honour to play against guys from the USHL and Europe. You don't see them at all and it's different competition from the AJHL, so it was cool to take part and play against peers from around the world. It was a challenge but I enjoyed it."

Wolfenberg was one of three Okotoks Oilers' to suit up for Canada West, with the squad finishing fourth in the tourney falling just short of a bronze medal to Sweden in a shootout.

His responsible two-way game with the Oilers was a big reason why he was named to the roster and after the tournament was over, the experience of it helped him take another step.

"The competition was definitely higher," he said. "How much faster it was and how quick you needed to be to make decisions with the puck.

"That helped when I went back to Okotoks, when I did have a little more time with the puck I was able to look for a different look instead of forcing something, it helped a lot."

In his second season with the Oilers, Wolfenberg posted 24 points in 38 games and tied for the team-lead in goals from the blueline with six.

In the end, the rearguard saw his name stay on NHL Central Scouting Final Draft Rankings, earning a spot of 212 among North American skaters, being one of just 12 CJHL players to be listed.

"It was super cool," he said on the ranking. "It's a huge honour to be on that list, but at the end of the day my teammates and I just focused on getting better and not worry what we can't control.

"Our coach would say just keep getting better every day. You can't control what they (scouts) like and don't like so every time you step on the ice be the best that you can be."

The 19-year-old enters his second year of draft eligibility, and is set to join Cornell University for the upcoming season.

It's been an eventful ride for the local product to this point, from his U-15 days with the Calgary Royals to now embarking on the start of his collegiate career.

"I'm super excited, looking forward to it," Wolfenberg said. "It was my top school that I wanted to go to, it's got the academics and strong hockey program and they develop defenceman well there. I can't wait to get there.

"I know the draft isn't end all be all. It's a one day thing, it doesn't define you. I'm definitely excited I have my path set (with Cornell) moving forward and can't wait to get started. If you would have told me after my first year at NAX (Northern Alberta Xtreme) I'd be on Central Scouting and committed to Cornell, I might not have believed you. It's surreal."