If he never plays another minute Dylan Wells can say he played in the NHL but of course he hopes there are many more ahead.
The Peterborough Petes alumnus made his NHL debut Saturday night getting pressed into action for the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period in a 4-0 loss to the host Winnipeg Jets.
Wells signed with Chicago on Wednesday when injuries left them with just one healthy goalie under contract in Arvid Soderblom. Wells served as a backup against Los Angeles in Chicago on Wednesday and then was told during the second intermission on Saturday that Soderblom was injured and got ready to start the third period. Wells stopped 12 of 13 shots.
Originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers, Wells served as a backup for the Oilers for a game against Montreal during the COVID-19 bubble season of 2020-21.
“It was short notice,” said Wells, 24. “I didn’t have too much time to think. I just got dialed in and ready to go do my job. I just treated it like any other game. My job is to stop the puck so my mindset didn’t change and my routine didn’t change. Once I was out there and got into the game it was just another hockey game.
“Now, having had some time to look back on it after the game, it’s pretty special. Not just for me but my family and friends and everybody who has supported me along the way. It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life.”
Wells said his agent got on the phone to call Wells’ parents Rob and Barb in St. Catharines to make sure they were watching.
“My dad was doing some laundry and my mom was letting the dog out so they scrambled back to the TV and got to see it. I’m not sure if they sat down for the whole period. They were pretty excited.”
It helped his nerves to have so little time to think before taking the ice.
“You try to treat every game as though there is a chance you are going in. I learned that way back in junior that anything can happen and things can change quickly. I don’t really stray from my routine too much whether I am starting or not. I make sure I’m ready to go for whatever happens. (Saturday) that opportunity came and I felt like I was prepared and ready for it. It’s something I’ve been working for my entire life.”
Wells isn’t sure of the status of the Blackhawks other goalies. Chicago is off until Thursday when they visit Los Angeles.
“Whatever league you are in pro hockey, it’s a day-to-day thing and you take the days as they come,” he said. “I’m not really too sure what the plan is and that’s OK. I’ll take what comes at me and make the most of it. I’m enjoying my time up here.”
Wells spent the past four years playing in the AHL and ECHL including splitting six games between Chicago’s AHL affiliate in Rockford, Ill., and ECHL affiliate in Indianapolis this season. He attended Chicago’s training camp as a free agent and signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on Wednesday.
“It’s been a long journey with a lot of ups and downs. Sometimes you feel further away than other times like this when you’re really close and anything can happen.
“It’s always been a goal and dream of mine to play in the NHL and to say I’ve done that is a really great stepping-stone in the right direction. The work is just getting started. I hope to play in this league full-time one day and I hope to make a name for myself and be an NHL goalie. I’ll keep chipping away.”
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