2022 NHL Draft Diary: Logan Cooley

Logan Cooley of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team will file a monthly draft diary for NHL.com this season leading up to the 2022 NHL Draft at Bell Centre in Montreal on July 7-8.
The 17-year-old center (5-foot-10, 174 pounds), No. 2 in NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of the top North American skaters, has scored 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists), four power-play goals and two shorthanded goals in 25 games. Cooley played one game with the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship before the tournament was canceled Dec. 29. He is committed to attend the University of Notre Dame next season.

Hi hockey fans.
It was really cool when I received word that I was ranked No. 2 on Central Scouting's midterm rankings]. You work hard your whole life to hopefully get drafted in the NHL one day, but personally I think it doesn't really mean too much right now. The general manager still has to make the decision and you have to play the rest of the season and do well. But it does motivate me to keep playing well and hopefully catch that No. 1 spot.
It was so disappointing when the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship was postponed just because it's one of the coolest tournaments ever whether you're playing in it or just watching it, especially because of how good the guys were on the team. It was such a fun group to be around. When players were starting to quarantine because of positive COVID-19 tests, we kept seeing on social media that the tournament would probably be canceled or postponed. We kind of had a feeling, but it was still heartbreaking.
I think it would be nice to see the tournament rescheduled over the summer. Personally I don't think there'll be as much hype since this is more of a holiday tournament around Christmas, but it's just so fun playing against different countries with all that talent. I'd like to see it played in the summer if it is possible.
After going through that, I'd say the thing I took away the most was not taking anything for granted. You get caught up in some things and you realize, after it got shut down, just how quickly things happen. I think that's the main thing I learned. Obviously with all those talented players, you know how hard they work and how competitive they are. I thought that was really cool to see.
I know United States coach Nate Leaman told us each of us would have to lead on our way, and while I'm not too big of a talker and was the youngest player in the locker room, especially with all those older guys, I just let my play do the talking. I like to bring energy when we need it, score a big goal or make a nice play. Whether it's winning a face-off when there's not a lot of time left or making a good play, it doesn't matter. I think little things like that contribute to the leadership and also in helping the team win.
I was happy with my performance at the
[All-American Game on Monday
. I would like to have done a little more but I think I did a few things that drew some penalties and I had a nice assist. It was a good experience and I enjoyed it a lot.
My collision with NTDP teammate
(Toronto Maple Leafs) at World Juniors, and I've been keeping in touch with them. It's just going to be cool to continue to watch them, see where this journey takes them.
That's it for this month. Thanks for reading and I hope to post again in February.
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