Trevor Crawley

2019 NHL Draft Profile: Peyton Krebs

In 2015-16, the Kootenay ICE were in a free fall. They suffered their worst season in franchise history, winning only 12 games.

That poor season landed them with the first-overall pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.

They chose center Peyton Krebs from Okotoks, Alta.

Krebs, who was point-a-game in the playoffs for the UFA Bisons Midget AAA team and tallied 40 in 29 regular season games could have been forgiven for second-guessing a commitment to a team mired in losing. Not to mention the current owners talking about selling.

That was never a question for Krebs. He was going to play in the WHL no matter what.

“I think from the beginning I was not really picky about where I was going to go. It was just a privilege to get picked and play in the Western League. That was my first goal. I had no idea that I was going to go first. There were so many good players in the ’01 draft and I still can’t believe I was picked first. Going into the draft I wasn’t really sure where I was going to go. Honestly whether it was first or last, I didn’t care I was just excited to play for a Western League team,” Krebs said.

The desire to play in the WHL was stoked by his brother Dakota signing with and playing for the Tri-Ciy Americans in 2015-16, but that fire was built over years of watching and following the league.

“I grew up in Okotoks just outside of Calgary. I went to quite a few games. Obviously my brother going to the Western League and he loved it there helped. As a younger brother, I look up to my older brother and wanted to follow his footsteps. My first goal growing up was getting a good education and with the Western League you can do that so I was secure in that. Though my brother had an influence on me, in the end it was my decision.”

Another Krebs, 2003-born Dru was drafted by the Medicine Hat Tigers in last May’s Bantam Draft. The Central Division is now loaded with the Krebs family since Dakota now plays for their hometown team, the Calgary Hitmen.

“It’s pretty cool. Dru my younger brother was drafted and signed by Medicine Hat so all three of us are in the same division. It’s pretty special anytime you can do that with your siblings. I’m pretty fortunate to have some brothers but also some pretty excellent hockey players. It’s pretty awesome having my parent watch me and my brothers play. On the ice it’s a little weird. I think sometimes you catch yourself cheering for the wrong team but it’s fun that way and it’s a good battle always.”

(photo-Bradley Jones)

After having one goal and five assists for six points in his six games as a 15-year-old, he led all 16-year-olds in scoring last year with 54 points in 67 games. The ICE did not find their way back to the playoffs, but Krebs and company had 13 more wins in 2017-18.

“Anytime you can have success it definitely builds your confidence. I had some great linemates. I was fortunate to get to play with a good 20 in Colton Veloso all year. He showed me the ropes and gave me the confidence moving the puck and he would go to the net. That was pretty awesome. With my coach James (Patrick) he just knew my skillset and helped me with all assets of the game. He definitely helped improve my defense. Having that group around me really helped with the success. It’s carried into this year.”

After Krebs came aboard, the new ICE ownership hired longtime NHL defenseman and assistant coach James Patrick as their head coach. Patrick brings with him 34 years of NHL experience.

Patrick came to the WHL after being exposed a lot to the league while his nephew Nolan Patrick played with the Brandon Wheat Kings.

(photo-Trevor Crawley)

“James has been awesome. he shows every little detail that you need to be a pro. The littlest things like on the power play, learning to make your backward skating better so you can work the line. The little things like that can make a huge difference in the long run. Practices are hard and high tempo and can relate to the NHL. Everything he teaches us has a purpose and will translate and develop guys to play in the pros.

Krebs appreciates having someone who not only has firsthand experience with what it takes to play in the NHL but also helped steer a WHL player on their path through the NHL Draft.

Nolan went second overall to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2017.

“I think having that type of mentor and coach to look up to is pretty special. Not many guys have the opportunity to do that. It’s also cool to hear some of the stories he has. I think him having  nephew who has gone through the same ropes can relate to me and the other players.”

Along with leading the ICE in points so far this year, Krebs has taken 16-year-old first-round bantam pick Connor McClennon under his wing.

Krebs tries to pass along any nuggets he picked up last year while going through his first year in the WHL.

“It’s pretty awesome when you have guys coming for tips. I feel like I’m a guy that guys can come to — especially Connor with the skillset that he has and what he can be as a player — I just want to show them the ropes a little bit and how to play in this league and how to become a better players. James will do that too, but little things that I thought I used last year that I felt helped me a lot, I pass on to him.”

Specifically, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Krebs always tries to start practice off hard.

“Little things in practice — make sure three hard strides always, as hard as you can. That will translate well as it gets you in the habit that will allow you to be successful and be a pro in the future.”

If the ICE are to rebound and find their way into the playoffs, Krebs will be a major reason why. Determination is a word that nearly every scout uses in describing his play. That determination drove him to the WHL. There seems to be no reason why it can’t take him to the NHL as well.