"It's something I've dreamed of my whole life, and I'm forever grateful for the Nashville Predators," Pitlick said Thursday night from Bridgestone Arena after watching his new teammates face the Pittsburgh Penguins. "They drafted me, and now they've given me the opportunity to come out here. It's something that I'll cherish for the rest of my life."
It was almost three years ago when the Predators called Pitlick's name in the third round of the 2016 Draft. An offensively gifted center with NHL bloodlines, Pitlick had exploded that season to score 46 goals and 89 points in just 56 games with Muskegon of the United States Hockey League.
That outburst earned the 5-foot-9 centerman USHL Player of the Year honors, among other accolades, before beginning his freshman season at Minnesota. Those first two campaigns with the Golden Gophers were solid - 32 points as a freshman, 31 more as a sophomore, but as he became a junior, it was time for another breakout.
Pitlick scored 21 goals - 10 of them on the power play - and posted 45 points in 38 games to pace his club and rank among the top point-getters in the entire nation.
As his college season came to an end last weekend, the Preds were ready to put ink on paper and bring Pitlick aboard - and the feelings were mutual.
"With how my game has progressed, I just think it was the right time," Pitlick said of the decision to turn pro. "Talking with my close friends and family, we just all decided that it was the right time. There's always the opportunity to go back, and I don't think there's a right or a wrong decision, but this is what I came to and I'm ready to keep moving forward."
Two of those family members, cousin Tyler of the Dallas Stars, and dad Lance, formerly of the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, have been close confidants as the younger Pitlick's career has progressed, but he knows his name alone won't get him far at the game's highest level.
"They've been at this level and they know the ins and outs, so they're able to give me tips," Pitlick said of his cousin and father. "But at the end of the day you can't always prepare for these types of moments, you've just got to experience it, and that's what I'm looking to do. Mistakes are going to be had but they're all going to be learning experiences hopefully getting me ready for the next level."
It remains to be seen if and when Pitlick will get a chance to make his NHL debut in the near future - the Preds face the Jets on Saturday night (at 6 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Tennessee and 102.5 The Game) before a tilt with the Wild on Monday (at 7 p.m.) - but just getting on the ice with his new club will do a world of good as he makes the transition.
"I just need to get in practice and hopefully learn the systems and show what I've got," Pitlick said. "But at the end of the day, it's just going to be an amazing experience just to get to know the guys a little bit more, get to know the area a little more. I've attended the development camps, but this is just a different level, so hopefully next year coming in to training camp I'm going to be more comfortable and hopefully the transition is a little bit easier."
No matter his role in the days, weeks, and hopefully months, to come, the experiences Pitlick will gain are sure to be unlike any other. He knows what the postseason is all about - after all, he is a hockey player - but it's one thing to be on the other side of the glass.
Now that he's a part of the team, he can't wait to see what Smashville is all about come springtime.
"It's very cool to be a part of this team, who has obviously been a playoff contender every year for a while," Pitlick said. "The Stanley Cup Playoffs are unlike anything else in sports, so much learning and more things for me to soak up here, so I'm super excited and grateful for this opportunity."
