Throughout his hockey career, Nick Baptiste has been heralded as a blue chip prospect, continuing his ascent up hockey’s ladder with focus, determination, and a goal – to achieve his dream of playing in the NHL.  After a successful junior career which saw him captain the Sudbury Wolves and later play alongside Connor McDavid in the OHL Championship series with the Erie Otters, Baptise is now impressing upon the Buffalo Sabres management.  In his first year at the professional level with the Sabres’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans, he is quickly developing into one of the league’s elite players.

Growing up in Ottawa, Ontario, Baptiste showed early signs of a promising hockey career. Just prior to his 16^th birthday, he was selected in the first round, 6th overall by the Sudbury Wolves in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League draft and steadily developed into a point producing machine, leading the team in scoring with 89 points in 65 games in his third year with the team.  He reflects fondly on his time spent in the Nickel City. 

“I spent three and a half seasons in Sudbury and loved every moment,” said Baptiste.  “I was blessed with great teammates and great billets.  In my third year with the team, we picked up some really good players just ahead of the trade deadline (Trevor Carrick, Radek Faksa) which was an exciting time to be a member of the Wolves.  Although we were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, the entire city was going crazy for us and really supported the team.  It was pretty special to be a part of that.”

The following season Baptiste was named co-captain of the Wolves, embracing the leadership role while bringing intangibles to the team off the ice. 

“Being named co-captain in my final year with Brody Silk really stands out as my most fond memory with Sudbury.  I had been captain of teams during minor hockey, but for me the OHL was the best place for me to play at that age and to be the team captain, everyone in the city knows who you are, and there was a real mutual respect.  The Head Coach in Sudbury at the time who named me captain, Paul Fixter, is actually now my Assistant Coach here in Rochester, so he knows what I can bring to the table.”

However, by November of that season, with the Wolves in rebuild mode, Baptiste was traded to the Erie Otters.  Although it was a bittersweet moment, Baptiste was excited about joining a team that had a legitimate shot of contending for the Memorial Cup.

“It was sad leaving such great billets and teammates, but at the same time it was a chance to win.  We lost in the OHL finals, but the team went on a great run and I had a lot of fun being part of that.  It was a complete team effort.”

While with the Otters, Baptiste shared the spotlight with some notable teammates including 2015 first overall NHL draft pick Connor McDavid.

“Connor and I actually got to know each other quite well and we are close friends now.  It’s great to see him doing so well in the NHL.  We got to play together a lot on the power play along with Dylan Strome.  We pushed each other to work hard, and he’s certainly a special player.  I learned a lot of little things from him both on and off the ice.”

During the summer of 2013, Baptiste was selected in the third round, 69^th overall, in NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, and proceeded to sign a three-year entry level contract the following May, landing him one step closer to achieving his ultimate goal.

“Prior to the draft that year I took part in the NHL combine in Buffalo and was interviewed by 27 different teams.  I had no idea where I was going to be drafted.   When I heard Buffalo had drafted me I was really excited as it’s close to my home in Ottawa which is great for my family.  Right from the start, everyone in the Sabres organization has been first class and I hope to be playing in Buffalo soon.“

This season, Baptiste is navigating through his first year at the professional level after being assigned by the Sabres to the Rochester Americans following training camp to help further develop his game.

“The Sabres and Americans coaches have been great to work with as they critique your game and tell you the areas they feel you need to work on in order to get to the next level.  For me it’s about playing hard along the wall and using my speed consistently which are big aspects of my game.  They want to help you out and prepare you for the next level.  I just work hard and play my best and hope to get a call up to Buffalo.”

Baptiste has found success thus far into his first AHL season having collected 17 points in 40 games.  He registered 64 points in 53 games split between Sudbury and Erie last year and noted the transition playing at the next level.

“The biggest difference I have found between the OHL and AHL is making sure mistakes made on the ice don’t turn into scoring chances the other way.  You have to be smarter on the ice and really be on top of your game at all times.  Passes have to be crisp and on point. You have to be mindful of the defensive game as well.  You definitely don’t want to make a mistake that can turn into a scoring chance for the other team.”

The adjustment for any young player to a new city and new league can be daunting, but so far, Baptiste has been acclimating to his new surroundings and continuing to embrace a significant role in the community as he did at the junior level.

“The city has been great.  I love Rochester, and living with my roommate Justin Bailey has really helped make for an easy transition.  The fans have been fantastic and I’ve really enjoyed living here and getting out in the community.  I’ve been involved with the hospital here in Rochester as well as the cancer center and a few outreach programs for mentally challenged children.”

Some of the veteran players on the Americans’ roster have also played a key role in helping younger players such as Baptise develop into a professional off the ice.  

“Having guys like Matt Ellis and Pat Kaleta around has been unbelievable.  They have taught me so much about how to be a professional.  Te see how they prepare before games and what they do off the ice, they really bring so many intangibles to the team.  They have helped a lot.” 

Baptise will be recognized later this spring when he is featured as one of the AHL’s top 150 players within this year’s AHL-PHPA Upper Deck trading card set, which has been a hit with fans and collectors since it debuted in 2014.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as part of this set, and pretty sweet to see yourself on a hockey card.  I have a few from my days with Sudbury and Erie, and I know my younger brother who is 13 is excited and brings them to school.  I’m looking forward to seeing how they turn out.”

At the professional level, players are represented by the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), the union for all AHL and ECHL players.  Although the PHPA has been representing professional hockey players for nearly 50 years, getting younger players such as Baptiste acclimated to a unionized environment and informing players of the various programs offered is important.

“I didn’t know too much about the PHPA prior to this year, but after hearing (Executive Director) Larry Landon talk to our team earlier this fall about what the PHPA does for players and talking to other guys on the team about how the PHPA has helped them out, I look forward to learning more about them.  It’s reassuring to know they are there for us.”

Away from the rink, when he is not practicing, training, or involved in a community initiative, Baptiste finds ways to unwind.  “I find playing video games helps take my mind off the game.  I actually play a lot with Justin Bailey, a ton of NHL 16, Madden, and NBA 2K.  Aside from that I like going out for dinner with the guys and just hanging out at someone’s house.  We have a real good group here in Rochester and they’re a lot of fun to hang out with.”

Now, well into his first season of pro, Baptiste has his eyes and heart set on reaching the NHL more than ever.  ”My goal is to get called up to Buffalo.  I’m going to continue to play my game, work hard, and impress upon the Sabres staff until I realize my dream of playing in the NHL.  That’s my ultimate goal.”

Follow Darryl Dionne on Twitter @DarrylRDionne