I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Chad Lygitsakos, the third overall pick of the 2024 QMJHL Draft.

We talked about a number of topics ranging from his earliest hockey memories, his heroes and his experience so far in the QMJHL.

Jacob Titus: Just to start off, what were your earliest hockey memories?

Chad Lygitsakos: My dad has been a coach his entire life. He coached semi-professional in the LNAH, coached senior regional AAA and won a couple championships. I just remember them putting me in a cup when I was younger. Another memory is of him tying up my skates, buying my first hockey stick, learning how to skate and just being happy with going out to the rink at 6-7 A.M and making friends that I still have to this day.

My parents probably weren't the happiest waking up that early, but they were happy to see me having fun and developing a passion for the sport.

JT: To those unfamiliar to your game, how would you best describe the way you play?

CL: I would say that I am a pretty complete player. More on the smaller end, at 5-foot-8, but honestly I don't play 5-foot-8. I am a competitor that tries to play hard with a lot of grit. I think I have a pretty complete package of skills, IQ and work ethic, as well as a lot of intensity and leadership. I think that's what separates me from other guys. I like to develop my 200-foot game.

JT: What I love about that answer is that you didn't mention much about your offensive prowess, because man did you ever have an insane year last year. What was it like to be on that Trois-Rivieres team and to play with a bunch of other guys like Benjamin Cosette-Ayotte (Val-d'Or, #2) and Enzo Lottin (Victoriaville, #7) -- who both also got drafted in the first round?

CL: That was crazy. To be honest, at the beginning of the year it was very difficult for me to get my groove going -- to get installed in U-18 and have an impact on my team. I had a tough start to the season, but after Christmas both for me and for the team we had a huge jump. Our practices were way better, our game performances were way better. At the end, I felt that we were unbeatable... until we lost game five against Magog.

You brought up Enzo and Ben, those guys are my two buddies since I was under 10 years old. I started playing hockey at the same time as him, we were there every single day from five years old up until this year. 

We also had Jeremy Loranger (Shawinigan, #17/Shawinigan, #62), the leading point scorer in the league, who was doing an incredible job all year. We just tried to help the team as best as we could, because Loranger couldn't do it all himself. Every line did their job. It was probably the best year of hockey in my entire life.

JT: To follow that season up with getting selected with the third overall pick. What was that experience like heading out to Moncton and hearing your name called while surrounded by your family?

CL: Going into Moncton, I was confident. I had some good interviews, I had already shown what I had to show on the ice but also my personality, which I take a lot of pride in. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NHG2gv93So[/embed]

When I got drafted I couldn't stop smiling with that Shawinigan sweater on -- that's all I ever wanted since I was eight years old. I was so happy to live this moment with my family and see all my buddies getting drafted.

My dad and I put on a summer program called 'The Warriors' and we played a couple tournaments over a couple years and a lot of our players got drafted in the first and second rounds. For my dad, it was a super proud moment seeing all the boys getting drafted. 

For me, it was great. But, seeing all my boys who I played with a couple years back getting drafted to different teams and taking photos up on the big stage. I'm just super proud of them and hope they are proud of me as well.

JT: Now that you are getting into games at the QMJHL level, what has the adjustment period been like between playing AAA last year and the 'Q'?

CL: There's a gap. The first 10 games or so have gone well, even though I haven't produced as much (as I did before). 

Like, last year I had a good playoff run in terms of points, but I try not to focus too much on that. I am a guy who is process-oriented; I just try to make sure that I am doing the right things to get to the level where I can be that impactful player. 

I am confident in my abilities and I have the resources here in Shawinigan. Dan Renaud is a great coach and I trust him a lot and try to do what he wants from me. I really love it here, it feels like (I'm living) a professional life.

JT: More on Shawinigan, what's it like getting drafted to a team that's already a pretty competitive team -- especially with the addition of Calgary Flames first rounder Matvei Gridin?

CL: Some people might say that getting the chance to play more minutes might be nice, but I don't have that mindset. Here I have the opportunity to learn from a couple guys that I admire like 'Grids'. 

Gridin is unbelievable. Super skilled, super determined. He's always working out and trying this and that, so I try to look at him.

Being in Shawinigan, it's an unbelievable organization. Anybody who comes here can feel the winning culture. I just try to do my thing and look up to guys who've already been there. Guys like our captain Tourigny, Menard and Ethier.

JT: Going back to playing with Benjamin Cosette-Ayotte. You had played with him for so long and now you two are separated. Are you going to bring a little more intensity whenever you play against Val-D'Or?

CL: We laughed about it just a couple days ago. 

I might try and push him a little more or try and score a goal against him and celly in his face. 

I am really close with his parents and he's really close with mine -- we're two tight-knit families. They'll be at the game.

He's a great player, but he's just special -- a special individual. As much as I am lucky to be here in Shawinigan, I would love for him to be on my team and play a couple of years together, but unfortunately life isn't like that.

That said, it will be a great game versus Val-d'Or.

JT: This question might be a bit of a given for any hockey interview, but what players do you look up to or have inspired you throughout your career?

CL: I look up to a couple of guys.

I love to watch Brayden Point. Pretty small, but very competitive, driven and detail-oriented. He's a proven winner and leader -- respected all over the league. On ice, we all know of his offensive abilities. He's just so relied in every situation in the game, how can you not like that? I've worn the number #21 my entire life, the number he wears, and now I laugh cause I can't wear that.

In general, Sidney Crosby has been my idol since I started playing hockey. The way he is off-ice. Bringing rookies, guys into the teams. He's a gentleman and a hard-worker, and a guy I look towards to help me be a better leader for my team and my people.

I like to watch a bit of Brad Marchand. Some people don't like him, but I personally love him because he's got a competitive edge to him. He loves to get into battles and into people's faces, and that's what I try to do. As a hockey player, you try to get any advantage you can get on the ice. If I can get under people's skins and get my confidence up, I'll do that.

JT: You spoke earlier in that answer about making the shift from #21 to #72, what was the reason behind choosing that number?

CL: My U-18 coach Marc-Andre Bergeron had an unbelievable career in Shawinigan and now his number is retired and I can't take it anymore.

I didn't talk to him about it, but when I got drafted I really wanted to get #21 and then I saw Marc had it. I talked to Martin (GM of Shawinigan) and he said there's a bunch of numbers you can't take. #16 was taken, #91 -- which I love -- was worn by Anthony Beauvillier and you don't want to be that guy to take the number of a guy who was incredible for Shawinigan. So, I went for a number that I loved, #72, which I wore when I had an unbelievable year in my first year of bantam.

I had that number to honour one of my favourite hockey players who never got the chance to play at the highest level -- Francis Charette, who played with Sidney Crosby in Rimouski in his younger years. My dad has been a close friend to him and coached him for probably 10 to 15 years.

I talk to him on a regular basis and he's been a great resource for me. Having already worn that number for a few years, it was fitting to choose #72.

JT: Next month, you are poised to don the Maple Leaf, representing Team Canada Red at the Under-17's. How big of a moment is that for you and your family?

CL: My family are super proud people. Of Greek origin, but super proud of being Canadian. I wasn't happy with my camp, so I came into this season knowing that I wanted to make that team. So when I found out I made Team Canada, I was honoured -- and to see my boy Ben get selected was cool.

Right now, I am just focused on the next two games against Halifax and Moncton, but  the next two weeks are going to be special.