Zhilkin family's decision leads to NHL Draft memories

One trip to Canada in 2013 changed Danny Zhilkin's life forever.
He was nine-years-old when he and his family flew from Russia, where Zhilkin was born, to Canada for a two-week hockey camp.
He didn't speak English, but that didn't matter.
"The coach saw me and asked me to play for the team in the following year," Zhilkin said. "We went back, packed our stuff, and moved here."
And now, nine years later, he's the 77th overall pick in the National Hockey League Draft, and got to put on a Winnipeg Jets jersey because of it.
"To go to Winnipeg, a Canadian team, it's incredible," said Zhilkin. "Two or three years ago, I never would have really thought this was possible. It's incredible. I'm super thankful."

His Canadian hockey career began with the Toronto Junior Canadiens of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. It took him a while to learn English, but said his teammates were really helpful and just being around them made the transition a lot easier.

Now 18-years-old, he just finished his second season with the Guelph Storm with 23 goals and 55 points in 66 games.
Had the COVID-19 pandemic not cancelled the 2020-21 Ontario Hockey League season, Zhilkin would have three years of major junior hockey under his belt.
Despite that setback, he tried to do all he could to stay in shape.
"The first few months it was just online workouts in the basement," Zhilkin said. "I was able to get to get to Gary Roberts up in Aurora, that's where I train now. There is a pretty good strength coach there and they took pretty good care of me there."
Zhilkin's resume also includes a gold medal from the 2021 World Under-18s with Canada. In fact, that win came against Russia.
"I would consider myself fully Canadian," he said. "Obviously, winning gold at U18s with Team Canada against Russia was a special experience."
He's a player that Jets Director of Amateur Scouting, Mark Hillier, saw plenty of times.
"He's a big, strong kid," Hillier said of Zhilkin's 6'1", 190-pound frame. "He's a good skater, has some upside on the skill side and good speed at the centre ice position."
Those viewings might have been when Zhilkin's name started moving up the Jets' draft list. A few years ago, Zhilkin couldn't even fathom being drafted at all.
Now, sitting in front of reporters wearing the Jets colours, he can't wait to get to work.
"I was just on the ice with Cole Perfetti a couple of weeks ago," said Zhilkin, who knows a bit about Winnipeg.
Well, one part specifically.
"I know about the whiteout in the playoffs," he said. "That was pretty special watching them years back. I'm just super excited and super thankful to be drafted by such a great organization."
And it's arguably all because of a decision he and his family made back in 2013.
"It's the best game on earth," Zhilkin said. "You travel the world meeting people, you score goals and the crowd goes nuts. It's incredible."
Especially in a whiteout.