PROSPECTS: Nause ready for next step after capturing Memorial Cup

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - After long and rewarding run that ended with him hoisting the 2023 Memorial Cup, Evan Nause was already eager to get back on the ice for development camp.

"It's nice to be back," said Nause, a second-round pick (56th overall) by the Florida Panthers in 2021. "It feels like yesterday I was strapping things up here in September. Like last year, meet a lot of new faces, put in the work, have some fun, and try to learn a few things along the way."

Riding the momentum from his championship run into this week's camp in Coral Springs, the 6-foot-2 defenseman, who racked up nine points (five goals, four assists) in the playoffs, is hoping that the lessons he learned along the way will help him become an even better all-around player.

"It takes the whole group to win," said Nause, who is coming off his third season in the QMJHL. "It takes every piece of the puzzle to get the prize at the end. You've got to be a little lucky to go the distance and win in the end, but it's so worth it. … It was unbelievable. Still trying to catch my breath a little bit from all of that, but it was quite a run and incredible to be a part of all of that."

Also helping Nause's growth has been the guidance of his coach in Quebuec. None other than Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy.

"He's the best," Nause smiled. "People think he's really tough on the players. He is tough, but he is such a family-oriented guy that would do anything for us. His passion motivated us throughout the whole run and me during my three years there."

While Nause put up good offensive numbers during the 2022-23 WHL regular season -- 29 points (five goals, 24 assists) in 40 games -- the 20-year-old blueliner felt his biggest improvements came on the other side of the puck and off the ice.

"My overall maturity and defensive game took the biggest step this year," he said. "I got to play in some key games and really big moments. I think I matured physically as well and I'm just trying to continue that at the beginning of my young career."Nause, who signed a three-year, entry-level contract last July and is appearing in his second development camp, is now looking to make the next jump to the professional level in 2023-24.

"You're not trying to put too much pressure on yourself, just try to be as professional as you can be and hopefully everything works out," Nause said. "It's always a goal to make the next jump. I would love to play pro next year and that's what I am working towards here now."

Despite being caught up in his own playoff battle, Nause said he was also keeping tabs on the Panthers during their incredible run to the Stanley Cup Final. Having met a few of the team's players last summer, the personal connection to the action made watching even more fun.

"It was unbelievable," he said. "I'd go and play then go home and get to watch the Panther games. It was pretty special to see guys you know on a personal level go through that and it was really fun to watch. "I was lucky enough to come in early last year and be around guys like [Aaron] Ekblad, [Matthew] Tkachuk, and [Carter] Verhaeghe. To pick their brains was something special and see how a true professional operates and try to be that myself."