On Sunday night Vegas Golden Knights 2019 first round selection Peyton Krebs played his first game since injuring his partially torn Achilles this summer.
He joined his fellow Winnipeg ICE teammates in Everett and served his one-game suspension he received at the end of the 2018-2019 regular season.
The 18-year-old made his season debut against the Portland Winterhawks, who won the game 4-1. Krebs picked up the primary assist on the ICE’s lone goal.
“It was a little different being down low instead of up in the crowd,” Krebs mentioned. “It definitely took a few shifts to get into it. I think it was a good start, wish I could have gotten that goal out of the way. I got that dash (minus), but that is the way it goes sometimes. I just had to bounceback. Thought the game got better as it went along. It is one you want for sure as a win, wish we could have pulled it out.”
However, the Okotoks, Alberta native knew Sunday was just the first step and getting his timing back will come. “Anytime you are away from the game for a while you are going to have those adjustments to make. I could feel it for sure. As the game went on I think it felt better. Still a lot of things to work on, but it is a start for me.”
The 2001-born center had not played a game since March 17.
Being out for eight months was frustrating, but Krebs was glad to return to the ICE’s lineup. “I love hockey, and it is my passion. Like anyone else and their passion, when they have to sit out from it for a while it is really tough. It is great to get back out there, would have liked to win, but it’s a start. I’m looking forward to the next game.”
Rehabbing his injury was not the only item on the agenda while he was in Vegas. Krebs ended up signing his entry-level contract with the Golden Knights on Saturday.
“It is a great honor for sure,” he explained the feeling of putting pen to paper. “It has been a dream come true, just really happy to be able to do that. It is a step in the right direction. Next year I want to try and make the team.”
He talked about the process of signing the contract which included a phone call from his agent. “My agent called me to make sure I actually signed it. Then, I just talked with my parents. A few of the guys off the team called me, texted me, and said ‘congrats.’ My brothers, sisters, my cousin Levi called me right away. It is pretty special moment for my family and me. It will be a little bit more special when I can play my first game.”
While he was training and rehabbing, he lived with current Vegas winger Mark Stone. “I couldn’t say enough things about Mark Stone and Hayley Thompson, his girlfriend, and their three dogs, they were great to have me there. Anytime you can live with an NHLer, be around that atmosphere, it is pretty motivating. They were really welcoming, they are great people, they made it easy on me to rehab as fast as I could. It was really nice of them to do that, and I thank them very much.”
Fellow first round pick Cody Glass went through a similar situation rehabbing an injury. Krebs was able to connect with the former Portland Winterhawk for some advice. “I think Cody is a great guy. As a hockey player we both want to make the team in the NHL. He told me to ‘enjoy every moment, you only play junior once. The NHL will come before you know it. Take in what you can and do what you can here, make the most of it, when your time comes to play in the NHL, make the most of that.’ Thanks to him for that.”
Krebs joins an ICE team who, as of November 17, currently holds the third spot in the East Division.
Joining a winning team, and captaining the team, is something Peyton is excited for, “It is a huge honor. They have done some great work to start the season. I just want to add to that as much as I can. The feeling of losing stings. I’ve had a little bit of it too much in the past. I’m looking forward to creating some relationships and building some confidence with my linemates here. Also building some confidence with the team, we are a very good team. Once we can do that, it is going to be a great year. I’m really looking forward to it, feels good to be back on the ice with the guys; a great group.”
Winnipeg’s head coach James Patrick “thought Peyton was good (on Sunday). He hasn’t played a game in (eight) months. He’s basically been skating with a skills coach. He had one practice with us, so I know it is going to take him a bit to get up to speed as far as the battle, having faceoffs, and fighting for pucks, he has done none of that because he has just been on the ice by himself. Even with how he was (Sunday), his work ethic is infectious.”
As excited as Patrick is to have Peyton’s leadership and skill set on the ice, he values what Krebs brings away from the ice as well. “It is as important as it is on the ice. What he does for the culture, what he does for everyone in the room, and how he carries himself, interacts with his teammates, how focused he is on getting better every day, what his practice habits are like, I’ve never seen a high-skilled player like him. I know all of our 18-, 17-, 16-year-olds really look up to him. Our older group, we have some new guys who don’t know him that well, they will get to know him here.”
The first step has been taken by Peyton Krebs, and he will continue to improve as the season continues. The Winnipeg ICE, the WHL, and their fans, all should be thrilled to see #19 back on the ice doing what he loves.
