A month ago, Jacob Trouba was finishing up his senior year at
This week, he is awaiting his future with the National Hockey League.
Trouba, 18, of Rochester, is expected to be a Top 10 draft pick during Friday night's NHL Draft, according to various scouting reports and NHL analysts.
The defenseman played most recently for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor. Trouba had 18 points on four goals and 14 assists in 22 games in 2011-12.
He played at the Onyx Ice Arena until age 10 and then in the Midwest Elite Hockey League at Compuware, he told Rochester Patch this week.
Trouba blogs for NHL.com. Here is an excerpt from a recent post where he talks about his excitement for his trip to Pittsburgh for the draft:
"It's a very exciting time for my family and I and we're looking forward to a crazy fun-filled week. ... This will be my first trip to Pittsburgh, and I am excited to see the city and the rink. It is a great hockey city and it should be a great place to host the Draft.
"I feel as if it is an unpredictable draft with all of the great players, but then again all drafts are unpredictable. I'm just looking forward to enjoying the time with my family, friends and teammates."
In an online chat with readers of the Detroit Free Press this week, Trouba was asked about the possibility of being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings.
"That would be awesome," he wrote during the chat (during which he also mentioned that his favorite hometown place to eat is ). "I grew up going to Red Wings games and it is a great hockey city."
Trouba has committed to playing for the University of Michigan in the fall. Being drafted by the NHL could change those plans.
