Meeting the media at the NHL Scouting Combine: Noah Dobson

BUFFALO - Here are excerpts of prospect Noah Dobson's scrum with reporters on Friday afternoon at the 2018 NHL Scouting Combine at HarborCenter.

When and how soon do you think you can help an NHL team? It's a big jump to make.
NOAH DOBSON:Right now, I haven't really thought that in depth about it, but my goal this summer is to get my body ready and add some strength, put some weight to my frame and get my body to a level to go into an NHL camp next year and be able to compete versus the men, not look out of place and make a decision hard on management to send me back to Junior.
How were the last few days for you? They must have been pretty intense.
ND: They've been pretty busy, I think, but it's been a great experience. I think all players want to be in this setting at the NHL Combine. I've really just been trying to take it all in and enjoy the experience and soak it all up.
Did you have a chance to celebrate with your teammates after the Memorial Cup win?
ND: It was kind of a quick turnaround. We flew back to Bathurst on Monday. We were greeted by like 1,500 fans at the airport, so that was pretty cool. On Tuesday, I got to do the parade. I think there were 5,000 people there in a town of 11,000. It was really cool, memories that will last a lifetime, and then I was out here on Wednesday.
How do you think you could help a team?
ND: I think I bring a complete two-way game. I think I'm reliable defensively and I can get up in the play and create offense. I think two-way defensemen are pretty valuable to teams. I think that's what I bring.
How much bigger would you say you have to get before being NHL ready?
ND: It's definitely an area of development for myself. I think there's no set number. I think just getting my body to a level where I'm able to compete against the older guys and the men and be able to battle in the corner. It's obviously a big summer and I'm planning on putting some weight on and adding some strength, so come an NHL camp in September I'll be ready.

Is there an NHL defenseman you like to model your game after?
ND: I like to model my game after Alex Pietrangelo. I think we play a similar style. He's a good two-way D in the league. He's a puck-mover, very reliable defensively. At the same time, he produces offensively, too.
How do you come out of the Memorial Cup a better player?
ND: It's definitely a big confidence-booster. Winning the Memorial Cup, it's a Junior hockey player's dream to be on that stage. I learned a lot from that tournament, knowing that I'm right there with all the best players across the CHL. For our team, I think it's pretty special coming from probably the smallest community in the CHL to come out on top of Junior hockey is really special.
How much time have you spent in Montreal?
ND: I'm pretty familiar with Montreal, playing Blainville, they're right there in Montreal. I've been to a few Habs games before. Obviously, they're the closest market to my hometown, so I'm really familiar with Montreal.
Any players on the squad that you watch, pay attention to?
ND:Shea Weber is an All-Star defenseman in Montreal, so I think all defensemen kind of keep an eye on him. He's a great role model for any D in the league. He does everything right, so he's kind of the guy I pay attention to.
Would it be an ideal landing spot for you?
ND: Definitely. I think there are no bad spots playing in the NHL. Whoever picks me, I'm going to be very grateful for the opportunity to be drafted there and I'm going to make the best of it.