It perhaps took longer than he would have liked, but Patrick Bajkov is now a professional hockey player.
The Everett Silvertips overage forward signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Florida Panthers, the organizations announced Friday.
“It’s something I’ve been dreaming about since (before I knew what this was),” said Bajkov, who grew up in Nanaimo, British Columbia. “Putting on the skates, going out and playing hockey as a young kid. Yeah, obviously a dream come true and a really exciting moment.”
Despite being Everett’s all-time leader in points (280) and goals (109) Bajkov went undrafted the past two seasons.
“I think not being taken in the draft could have been one of the best things that happened for me,” he said. “It’s obviously a little fire burning that you just want to prove people wrong. I think it was all worth it coming into today.”
Fans of the @FlaPanthers will want to keep their eyes on @patrickbajkov in this highlight reel: https://t.co/VxgfgVJVCt
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 9, 2018
Bajkov was originally selected by the Silvertips in the sixth round of the 2012 bantam draft. The 6-foot, 185-pound winger has been a fixture in Everett for five seasons alongside fellow overagers Matt Fonteyne and Kevin Davis.
“He has elevated his game every year and this season became not just an elite offensive presence for our club, but one across the entire league,” Everett general manager Garry Davidson said in a press release. “When combining talent and dedication, his potential for success at higher levels is great. His progress on the ice is a testimony for current and future players in our program.”
Bajkov’s 92 points this season are one back of the franchise single-season record held by Zach Hamill and Josh Winquist. He is third in the WHL’s Western Conference in points and is tied for the conference lead in assists.
The Silvertips have five regular-season games remaining beginning Saturday in Kent at 7:05 p.m.
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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