“ I definitely see some similarities between the two sports ,” Draper explains . “ Playing in the NHL requires great hand-eye coordination and I think that is a skill that has enabled me to play fairly well early on with my pickleball game . One of the aspects of pickleball that I really enjoy is getting into battles at the net when the volleying gets fast , quick , and hard . That ’ s when my competitive juices really get flowing . When I get in a competitive atmosphere , I really want to win .”
The spirit of competition never leaves the mindset of former professional athletes . It ’ s part of their DNA , and improving his game on the pickleball court is a top priority for Draper — who played in the NHL until the age of 40 , which is an incredible accomplishment in a sport as physically demanding as professional hockey . “ Playing in the NHL until the age of 40 is something I am very proud of . I ’ m also very proud to have played over 1,000 games in the Detroit Red Wings uniform ,” he adds . “ And a big reason for that was that I was able to stay relatively healthy during my career . I have always had a passion for working out . With that combination , that allowed me to play 20 years in the NHL .”
Draper ’ s longevity in a Red Wings sweater is in line with the likes of Gordie Howe , Alex Delvecchio , Nicklas Lidstrom , Tomas Holmstrom and his good friend Steve Yzerman , now the general manager of the Detroit Red Wings . “ To be mentioned in the same sentence as those players is truly an honor ,” he says . “ I can ’ t believe , [ thinking back to ] when I was playing in my early junior days in the Ontario Hockey League , that one day I would be mentioned in the same breath as a Gordie Howe and a Stevie Yzerman . Well , it ’ s just an overwhelming feeling . One that I will always cherish .”
When not playing pickleball as much as he can , Draper is also the director of amateur scouting for the Detroit Red Wings and gets to work closely with Yzerman . “ My role is to travel around the globe and look at top prospects that could be potential draft picks for the Red Wings ,” he explains . “ I am in charge of running our draft . It is great to have Stevie Y back in Detroit with the passion to make the Red Wings Stanley Cup contenders once again .”
Aside from Draper ’ s family and job with the Red Wings , his other passion clearly lies within the 20 ’ x 44 ’ dimensions of a pickleball court . Not exactly the size of blue line to blue line , but it suits the “ grinder ” just fine . And , as with any high-achieving athlete , Draper — who plays with the Engage Maverick paddle — is continually working at his game , some aspects of which can be frustrating for the 50-year-old player : “ I would say [ it ’ s ] when I don ’ t hit the third shot drop . I know how important that shot is to get myself and my partner to the net , and when I don ’ t hit a good one , it is aggravating .”
He thrives on challenges and looks forward to the days when he ’ s playing in tournaments to see where he stacks up against other players . Draper truly enjoys the competitive aspects of the sport , as he has met a lot of great people within the local pickleball community . “ As of right now , I have really enjoyed playing the game ,” he says . “ I have had the opportunity to play with outstanding players here in Michigan , but I would like
We played a fast and physical style of hockey , and obviously we grinded it out game in and game out . I feel that is similar to the way I want to play in pickleball tournaments .
to try my skills at a tournament in the near future to see where my game is at . I am so looking forward to that challenge . Being a former professional athlete , we hold ourselves to a high standard and I always want to improve my game . I enjoy working on areas of my game that I feel I need to get better at , and I also enjoy watching the top players in the world .”
Challenges are what made Kris Draper a great hockey player , one of Detroit ’ s favorite sons and a Red Wings legend who ’ s proud of the Stanley Cup banners he helped to get hung in Joe Louis Arena . Now his focus is on the sport of pickleball , and while his “ grinding ” style may not play quite as well on the court as it did on the ice , there ’ s no doubt “ Nailz ” will find a way to make his game and style of play successful as he moves forward in the sport of pickleball . •
Drew Wathey is a published novelist and first-ever Director of Communications for the PGA TOUR ’ s Phoenix Open . Wathey is owner of SportsLink , a home-based sports public relations and marketing company . His family lives in Phoenix , Arizona .
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 | MAGAZINE 39