Batherson posted career-high in goals and points this season and The Hockey News Ottawa caught up with him to discuss the summer ahead.
THN Ottawa: Are you keeping an eye on the playoffs right now?
Batherson: Yeah. I'm trying to get out on the golf course as much as I can. And then after dinner, definitely watching a lot of hockey. So it's been good. Obviously, it's fun to watch and I wish we were still playing, but it is what it is.
We're getting close to the end of the first round. Is there a series that's grabbed you so far?
Yeah, I like watching Colorado just because I have a buddy on the team (Nathan MacKinnon). Same with Boston (Brad Marchand). So definitely the series where I know guys, I like to watch those. And definitely the games in our division.
Do you guys all plan to get together again to skate this summer with Sidney Crosby and other pros out east?
Yeah, we'll be back at it for sure again. All those guys come home in the summer and get right back to work for the most part. I think it was before the last game we played Boston, if we won, they were playing Toronto. So in the back of my head, I was like, I would love to see Marchy go against the Leafs. And he's doing a great job right now in that series and fun to watch.
Marchand is always the villain on the ice, but you say he's a great guy off the ice, right?
Yeah, he's unreal. Him and his whole family, I know all of them really well. And, yeah, he's the best. I think once you get on the ice, he kind of turns into a different beast and will do anything to win. But off the ice, love to go for a beer with him or hang out with him. He's fun to hang out with and a really nice guy.
So after the long season, you're in rest and recovery mode right now. How much time do you take off, and at what point do you begin to amp things up for next season?
Right now, I'll probably take at least three weeks completely off. Just regroup, give the mind a little rest and then get back in it. So I'm usually a guy when I'm itching to get back to it, that's when I'll get back to it. And that usually doesn't last too long, like three weeks or so. So the biggest thing for me is not starting too early and burning out by mid-summer and being annoyed at training and stuff like that. But this year is a little different. I'll have a gym at my house. So a little easier access and I'm excited for that.
You built a new gym at your place then?
Yeah, I just bought a new house back home and there's a two door separate garage that I turned into almost a full training facility. I got a full gym, a cold tub and just added a sauna too. So I've kind of got my own little gym-spa spot there and really looking forward to that.
Are there some fun things you're looking forward to this off-season?
Yeah, I'm kind of getting to the age now, just turned 26, and everyone's getting married now. Teammates are getting married and my buddies are getting engaged. So there will be a few bachelor trips, weddings, stuff like that.
Other than that, I'll just be golfing and laying low. I really don't like leaving home too much in the summer. Most guys jet off to a beach or something like that, but I just like getting back, seeing my buddies, playing some golf, doing a little bit of fishing and then we'll get back at it and get training again.
Have you found a track you like in Ottawa?
Yeah, I met a lot of guys outside of hockey at the Hunt Club. So I've been playing there with those guys quite a bit. Really enjoy that place.
You and your sister, Mae, recently went to a PWHL Ottawa game together. What can you tell us about what's happening with Mae and her hockey career?
Yeah, so this year our schedules didn't align great. So I wasn't able to catch a game and then when the season was over, I really wanted to get out for a game. My sister's an hour down the road. So she drove up, we went to the game, had a blast. It was really fun to watch. The crowd was awesome. It was sold out.
As for her career, she just finished her fifth year of college. So she's declaring herself for the PWHL draft this year and there's been some mock drafts where she's ranked and stuff like that.
But hard to say where she's going to go. Just hopefully she gets drafted and it'll be an awesome day. And maybe it'll be Ottawa. Who knows?
Sounds like it's shaping up to be a great summer ahead for the entire Batherson family.
Watch for part two with Drake Batherson tomorrow as he looks back at the past season here at The Hockey News Ottawa. Be sure to bookmark our site for quick access.