Tyler Pazin, the nation’s leading 18U AAA scorer who led a high-charged offense for the first-year Norwich Hockey  Club, was drafted by Rimouski Oceanic in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Pazin was the 122nd overall pick, selected in the seventh round.

 

“Every youth hockey player in the province of Quebec and the Maritimes dreams of playing in ‘The Q,’” said Wayne Sheehan, the Norwich Hockey Club head coach. “For some players, this is an important developmental stop on the road to professional hockey, including top players who are eventually drafted into the National Hockey League. This is the culmination of a dream for Tyler.”

 

Pazin came to Connecticut to lead the offense for the new Norwich Hockey Club, which finished 34-15 in its first year and lost in the United Tier One Hockey League championship. 

 

During the course of the 49-game NHC season, Pazin scored 66 goals and tallied 54 assists for a nation-leading total of 120 points. 

 

“As Captain of our team, Tyler worked exceptionally hard from our first pre-season workout through the entire season,” Sheehan said. “He was our leader and led one of the most lethal offensive lines in the country.”

 

Pazin graduated from Norwich Free Academy, a regional high school with unparalleled opportunities for its students and where members of the Norwich Hockey Club attend. 

 

“Tyler is perhaps the most talented player I’ve had the privilege of coaching in more than 20 years behind the bench,” Sheehan said. “For him, this is an amazing step, and for our program, it proves we have achieved success in our first year and are a destination for players looking for incredible opportunities both on and off the ice.”