With the 2015 World Junior Hockey Championships set to begin December 26, former Team Canada goaltender and current member of the Portland Pirates, Mark Visentin fondly recalls his International experience with the Junior team, and how his development since then in the American Hockey League has him on the cusp of landing in the NHL.

Visentin had a stellar Junior career in the OHL with the Niagara Ice Dogs.  He joined the team as a 16-year old, and played 4 seasons under the tutelage of current Nashville Predators Goaltender Coach, Ben Vanderklok. 

“Both of us were in our first year with the IceDogs,” said Visentin.  “We learned from each other through our four years together.  I owe a lot of my success to him.  It’s great to see him move up the ranks with the Nashville Predators.  He’s one of the hardest working guys and is always looking for that upper edge.”

At the conclusion of his third season with the IceDogs, Visentin was named the OHL Goaltender of the Year after posting a 30-9-2-4 record and helping the IceDogs to their best regular season finish in franchise history.  Not to be outdone, in his final season of Junior, Visentin played in the OHL Championship, set a record for shutouts in a season with 10, and even scored an empty-net goal in the playoffs against the Ottawa 67’s.  “My last season in Niagara was the most talented team that I have ever played on.  We had a lot of great individual players but our success really came from playing as a team.”

Internationally, Visentin was selected by Canada to play in two World Junior Hockey Championships, taking home a bronze and silver medal.  “Having the opportunity to represent your country makes you proud.  It’s special to get to play against the best players in the world at that age and don the Canadian colours.”

During his first year playing in the tournament, Visentin began as the backup goaltender but eventually took over the starting role.  In his second experience at the World Juniors, he was the starter and was in goal for the gold medal game where Russia came back to score 5 goals in the third period to erase a 3-0 deficit.  “Looking back at the Gold medal game, I learned from it.”

Growing up in Waterdown, Ontario, Canada, Visentin idolized Leafs goaltender Curtis Joseph.  “Living so close to Toronto, it was hard not to cheer for the Leafs as a kid.  As I got older, I watched more of the World Juniors and liked Marc–Andre Fleury and Carey Price. 

This year, Team Canada’s goaltenders for the World Junior Championships are Zachary Fucale and Eric Comrie.  Visentin’s advice to Fucale and Comrie is simple. “Just enjoy the moment.  I’m a believer that the only pressure you have is the pressure that you put on yourself.  Have fun, spend time with your teammates, and at that age, you need to trust yourself and your instincts.”

Visentin was drafted 27^th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and would make his professional debut following his final year of Junior with the Portland Pirates, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Coyotes. 

During his first season with Portland, he shared time in the crease with Chad Johnson, who is now a regular with the New York Islanders, and who at the time provided a calming presence for Visentin, helping him adjust with the transition to the pro game.  “Chad was a great guy.  He took a different route than me, going to university and then turning pro.  I couldn’t have had a better mentor as we really bonded and had a good relationship.” 

Last season, on April 12, 2014, Visentin’s hockey dreams became reality when he made his much anticipated NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks.  “I was watching the Arizona game and getting ready for bed when I got the call.  I didn’t sleep much that night because I was so anxious and excited to join the team.”  Once recalled to Arizona, Visentin was the backup for 10 games before he got his first start.  “It was an emotional day when I found out I was starting.  I had worked my whole life for that moment.  I called my parents and my coaches to thank them for all of their hard work.”  Although Visentin narrowly lost his first start 3-2 making 29 saves along the way, the experience, however, only built confidence in his game.  “It was big for me because it showed that I can play at that level, and I can’t wait to get back up there.”

Although he would be re-assigned to Portland, Visentin is working hard in the AHL to get back to the NHL. “I have always prided myself by leading by example.  I never was a highly touted prospect so I really had to work hard to get to where I am.”

Last year, Visentin was one of the top 100 players featured in the historic, inaugural AHL-PHPA Upper Deck trading card set and will again be included in the upcoming 2014-15 set.  “It’s an honour to be recognized by the League, the PHPA, and by Upper Deck as one of the top 100 players in the AHL.  It’s always special when organizations reach out who want to put your picture and name on products.”  Visentin has always been humble when it has come to individual recognition and awards.  “I wouldn’t have success without my teammates.  As a goalie, you need a good team in front of you.”

Visentin also appreciates having a player’s union.  “The PHPA has always done a great job.  It’s nice having them based out of Niagara Falls, Ontario where I spent my four years in junior.  They have helped me in a number of different ways from paying medical bills to tax preparation.” 

He is also fortunate that his Portland Pirates teammate, Mike McKenna, happens to sit on the PHPA player Executive Committee.  According to Visentin, McKenna is the best PHPA Player Representative he has seen.  “Mike is very knowledgeable and I actually think he has the whole Collective Bargaining Agreement memorized.  He has been very helpful and there haven’t been any issues.”

Visentin has worked hard his entire career to earn the success he has had, and hopes to get back playing on the big stage soon, proving he belongs in the NHL.