"It's Something You Dream About When You're A Little Kid" - Drew Callin's NHL Preseason Debut
Sep 27, 2023A National Hockey League preseason game holds different importance to each and every player. For NHL veterans, it's a chance to knock off rust, tune up their skills, and reacquaint themselves with teammates. For young prospects, it's a chance to showcase abilities in hopes of making NHL dreams a reality.
In Drew Callin's case, its meaning is something quite unique. At 28 years of age, Callin has yet to play professionally on an NHL contract but don't let that take away from his full hockey story - one of tireless work, a team-first attitude, and a lesson in making the most of opportunity.
After four seasons at his alma mater, Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., the Middleton, Wis. native turned pro in the spring of 2019, joining the ECHL's Worcester Railers. From that spring to the fall of 2021, with the chaos of a global pandemic interrupting, Callin skated in 92 ECHL games and proved to be a reliable two-way commodity with 45 points in that time, including 14 goals in 54 games in 2019-20 prior to the COVID stoppage.
The 2021-22 Thunderbirds began their march toward an Eastern Conference championship with a flying start, starting 14-3-2-0 through the end of November.
That's where Callin's story kicks in. Springfield's impending trip to Rochester had to be postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Amerks' dressing room, and within the week, more than half a dozen T-Birds were also stricken with the virus, meaning that head coach Drew Bannister and then-general manager Kevin McDonald had to scramble to field a full lineup.
On the morning of December 9, just over 24 hours before Springfield's impending matchup on home ice against Toronto, Callin was summoned - out of equal parts necessity and reward - from the Railers and immediately pegged to make his AHL debut the following evening.
With no timetable on players getting out of COVID protocol, and therefore no semblance of knowing how long he could be staying in the AHL, Callin made it known instantaneously that this game was a chance he would not squander.
While Springfield would fall 4-2, it was Callin who shined brightest, leading all players on either team with six shots on goal and adding his first AHL goal late in the final period.
Callin would contribute 12 shots over his first three games in addition to his goal while providing a much-needed right-hand face-off specialist for Bannister's lineup. His steady presence and responsible game did not go quietly on management, and just seven days after his debut, he inked an AHL contract, ensuring he would be staying with Springfield.
Since that day, Callin has skated in over 100 AHL games and has never been returned to the ECHL.
An undrafted player locking down an AHL roster spot is an accomplishment in and of itself, but the Blues took it upon themselves to give Callin an even bigger reward - an invite to training camp this fall. A camp invite does not always equate to getting into an exhibition game, but on Monday morning, Callin got the news every hockey-playing kid dreams about: he would be playing an NHL game the following night.
Callin's first reaction was to call his parents in Middleton.
"I told them right away, and my dad instantly canceled his work plans and my mom just said, 'Yup, we're coming.'"
To the average person, a preseason NHL game is hardly a monumental occasion, but for Callin, it was validation for years of effort and love for the game.
"I’m on the older side, so it’s more rewarding for me. It’s been a lot of work over the years and grinding since I’ve been with Springfield. (The Thunderbirds) have been so great to me. Being here with the big club is truly special.”
Callin admitted there were jitters as he stepped onto the ice for pregame warmups, but was reassured by the advice of his veteran teammates.
"(They told me) to have fun, enjoy it, and play a simple game."
Callin more than held his own, playing just over 12 minutes and showing his penalty-killing prowess in St. Louis' 3-2 win before a well-populated Tuesday night crowd at Enterprise Center.
"(The crowd) was pretty crazy; the fans here are very loyal. For me, just going out of the tunnel and seeing the bright lights there - it’s something you dream about when you’re a little kid, even if it’s preseason. It was a fun night and one I’ll remember for sure.”
So the question had to be asked - does the childhood dream match up with the reality of playing an NHL game?
"Absolutely. Guys are trying to earn spots out there. It’s intense, it’s high-paced, and it’s everything I thought it would be.”