June 13, 2007

CREDIT: Greg Southam, The Journal

Defenseman Jeff Petry goes through his paces during the Oilers' development camp at Millenium Plac on Friday.

Baseball was the game in the Petry household. His father Dan, aka Peaches, spent 13 seasons on the mound in the major leagues, mostly with Detroit. He was with the Tigers when they won the World Series in 1984 and when they captured the American League eastern division pennant in '87.

But his youngest son developed a passion for hockey -- so much so that in his junior year in high school Jeff put down his bat and glove for good.

"I was more of a hockey fan. I liked the faster pace, the hitting," said the 19-year-old who calls Farmington Hills, Mich., home.

"But I couldn't have done it without my dad. He's helped me so much because he knows what it took for him to get to the next level. He's going to be pushing me, and he's always telling me stories about how he might not have been the best player but that he worked harder than the others."

Petry, the first player selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the 2006 entry draft, has been in Edmonton this past week for the club's development camp -- except for the two days he missed in order to make a side trip to Colorado Springs.

Petry, named USA Hockey's junior player of the year earlier this week, was in Colorado for the federation's annual congress. He was back in town on Friday for the final day of camp. From here, the defenceman intends to ready himself for his first season with the defending NCAA-champion Michigan State Spartans.

"Obviously a lot of people noticed him," said Kevin Prendergast, the Oilers director of hockey operations. "And we're happy for him, but I think this is just a stepping stone for him. He's a talent. He does have to get a little bit bigger, but he doesn't shy away from work and he's going into a great situation going to Michigan State."

With a number of Spartans on the graduation list, Petry could step into the top four to hone his game -- which would be just one more step on his fast-paced ascent.

"It's all come so quick. First it was moving into the USHL, then it was getting ranked by Central Scouting, and getting drafted," Petry said of everything that has unfolded over the last 18 months.

What followed was a trip to the semifinals of the United States Hockey League, a nod as the league's defenceman of the year, a stint in the Oilers' development camp, and the USA Hockey honours.

The six-foot-two, 185-pounder registered 18 goals and 27 assists with the Des Moines Buccaneers this past season. He was the fourth-leading scorer among league defencemen.

"Things just clicked, but I couldn't have done it without our teammates," Petry said.

Bucs coach Regg Simon was far more effusive when recalling Petry's accomplishments.

"Jeff's season and story are one I'll be telling forever," Simon had said. "We got him out of Michigan AAA hockey in early November.

"He comes to Des Moines, develops into one of the most sought-after defencemen by the end of the season, wins a championship, gets a scholarship to a top program and university, and is going to be drafted.

"I don't think you could have scripted it any better than that."

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