“ It ’ s an unexplainable feeling ,” said McIlrath . “ Obviously as a kid you dream of winning the Stanley Cup , and the Calder Cup usually isn ’ t on your radar . But growing up in a city like Winnipeg , I watched the Moose for all of those years and I idolized those players as a kid . Now finally being in their shoes it ’ s a big deal and means a lot to all the players and fans of the city . It ’ s the biggest deal around so it was very special to be a part of that , and something that I will cherish forever .”
Historically , each member of the championship-winning team is given one day with the Calder Cup to do as they please . For some , that day is spent on the beach or at a backyard pool party . For others the Cup may be taken to a local arena or for a mini parade around town . But in McIlrath ’ s case , the Calder Cup spent its day in Winnipeg at the local Children ’ s Hospital , where the 25-year-old took the hardware room-to-room , visiting children suffering from various illnesses and ailments .
“ I just wanted to share it with all of those at the hospital ,” McIlrath reflected . “ I have been a part of the Children ’ s Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament for the past couple years , so I wanted to help out again in a similar fashion . I was always in and out of the Children ’ s Hospital as a kid with broken bones from hockey and stuff like that , so it ’ s just a foundation that I really want to support . I was really happy to bring it back to Winnipeg for sure ; it was a great day .”
The Calder Cup has certainly seen many sights over the years , but has it ever been lost in the mail before ? According to McIlrath it now has .
“ There was actually a bit of a mix up , as I was supposed to get the Cup on the Saturday ,” he said . “ Somehow with Fed- Ex and all , it just kind of got lost in the mail essentially , and I didn ’ t get it until the Monday . So that actually worked in my favour as the Children ’ s Hospital usually closes down on the weekends . I had originally wanted to do the hospital all along , but it didn ’ t look like it was going to work out . When I realized it was actually going to be a Monday , I just figured it was the perfect thing to do .”
“ I know what I need to do to make it to the next level , I learned a lot through my time in New York and Florida ”
For the former member of the Norberry Royals , returning back home to Winnipeg in the off-season is immensely important .
“ Coming back to your home town is definitely one of the better feelings in hockey ,” he said . “ Having played away from home since I was 16 , a lot of people haven ’ t actually seen me since I was 15 , when I was playing with the Winnipeg Warriors . So coming home to work out in the off-season ( at Focus Fitness and the Bell MTS Iceplex ) is something special for me . My first game playing at the MTS Centre was great , and then every year coming back to play here is really exciting . We try to get everyone together and then enjoy a home cooked meal at my parents house . It ’ s a pretty sweet feeling .”
Being drafted 10th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft , ahead of the likes of Vladimir Tarasenko , Evgeny Kuznetsov , Jaden Schwartz and Cam Fowler , the goal is to play regular NHL minutes . McIlrath spent the 2016-17 season floating between five different teams , bouncing around in both the AHL and NHL .
An early November trade to the Florida Panthers came as an exciting fresh start for the eager young man . But after drawing the short stick within the Panthers ’ 23-man roster , the former WHL defensive specialist found his way back to the minors again . On March 1 , Florida dealt McIlrath to the Detroit Red Wings who immediately designated him to the Grand Rapids Griffins in order to help them in their push for the Calder Cup .
The trade clearly paid off as McIlrath led the Griffins with a plus-10 plus-minus rating , while collecting five assists during the AHL playoffs . In appreciation of his efforts , the Red Wings re-signed McIlrath to a two-year deal on June 28 , 2017 . It was very exciting for the St . Vital product .
“ It was a great situation for me coming into a first place team at the time ,” McIlrath said . “ I just tried to bring my style of game with me and I think it worked out great as they were missing some toughness and physical presence . And then in the off-season the Red Wings told me that they wanted to get a deal done with me before free agency hit , and obviously it was very exciting for me to feel wanted by them . I think it is going to be a good fit on both sides and I am definitely looking forward to making a good impression with the Wings ’ coaching staff come camp this fall .”
For the kid who learned to skate with his dad and big brother out on the outdoor ice at Norberry and Glenlee Community Centres , there is still more learning to be done . This fall will mark his first training camp with an NHL organization other than the New York Rangers as McIlrath will get his first taste of Little Caesars Arena with another Original Six franchise in September .
“ I know what I need to do to make it to the next level ,” he said . “ I learned a lot through my time in the minors and in New York and Florida . But now it is about getting back to the basics and trying to prove to a new organization this year that I am ready to play in the NHL . I have actually only been to Detroit one other time , so I am really looking forward to seeing the new arena . From all of the videos I have been watching , it looks great – it looks like it will be the real deal .” ❍
88 | GAME ON | SEPTEMBER 2017