From small towns to big dreams.
To say it’s been a week to remember for McBride’s Tanner Molendyk would be an understatement.
Seven days after getting selected by the Nashville Predators, in the first round, 24th overall, the 18-year-old signed his entry-level contract with the NHL club.
OFFICIAL 🖊️
Congrats, Tanner! pic.twitter.com/mlHBfqIMfs
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 6, 2023
In an interview with Vista Radio, Molendyk stated it’s been a lot to take in.
“I don’t even have words for it to be honest with you. It’s been kind of a gong-show but it’s something you dream of. It’s a dream come true and I think the work is just getting started.”
He noted while he’s happy to get the contract signed, a lot of the behind-the-scenes preparation is about to begin.
“I wasn’t really expecting it but I felt I had a good camp and good talks with them. I think by the end of the week it is just another step.”
2023 Dev Camp ✔️ pic.twitter.com/aaLQD7ylKw
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 6, 2023
Last season, Molendyk was a pillar on the blueline posting 37 points in 67 games with the Saskatoon Blades.
He also appeared in 18 playoff games where he registered three goals and five assists. It was a dramatic playoff run for the Blades winning a topsy-turvy first-round matchup in seven games against Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats.
From there, Saskatoon made history and erased a 3-0 deficit to come back and stun the Red Deer Rebels in seven games. However, Molendyk and company ran out of gas, ultimately getting swept by the Winnipeg ICE in the Eastern Conference Final.
Growing up as a rural kid from Northern BC, Molendyk says he couldn’t be more grateful for those who supported him in his hometown.
“Huge props go to all the people there who were all part of this journey. It’s all kind of been huge is to have people to lean on – I -played house hockey until I was about nine and I think having those people around me was huge.”
Tanner Molendyk, McBride Grizzlies LEGEND 😤#NHLDraft2023 pic.twitter.com/VYHNH5Iubx
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) June 25, 2023
As a matter of fact, Molendyk had an inkling beforehand Music City USA might be his destination.
“I saw Wood (Matthew) get picked there and it was absolutely electric in that building and then I saw my general manager say this is where I was going. I was that fired up as the building erupted, I don’t remember going down the stairs. My mom was moving her leg and I had to tell her to stop because I was so nervous but it was a blast.”
Over 25 friends and family took in the Draft-day experience in Nashville with Molendyk.
Like a lot of young kids, Molendyk made the decision to leave home and head to Kamloops to spend the 2018-19 season with the Thompson Blazers of the BC Elite Hockey League, playing with Jordan Keller who is also a teammate of his in Saskatoon.
From there, he spent two years at the Yale Hockey Academy before making the move to the Prairies.
The McBride native came by the game honestly as his Dad Jamie played junior hockey in the BCHL and KIJHL.
The elder Molendyk’s best year came in 2000-01 with the Quesnel Millionaires posting 24 goals and 20 assists.
Jamie also suited up for the North Okanagan Knights, Vernon Vipers, and Prince George Spruce Kings.
“I don’t even have words to be honest.”
📽️ Blades defenceman Tanner Molendyk describes what he felt being drafted by the @PredsNHL at 24th overall 💛 pic.twitter.com/qAMySKsovj
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) June 29, 2023
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