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(PHOTO: torontorock.com)

By Glen Cuthbert | @gcuthbert35

Former Hamilton Red Wings defenceman Drew Petkoff played two seasons with the franchise, from 2001-02 with the Kilty B's as a 16-year-old, then returned to the Red Wings in 2003-04 after a season in the OHL. A steady, stay-at home defenceman, Petkoff played 64 games for the franchise, recording 18 points. After three years of hockey at the University of Windsor, he went on to play pro lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League with the Toronto Rock, winning a Champion's Cup with the team in 2011. Glen Cuthbert caught up with Drew to talk about his time with the Red Wings and to see what life was like as a pro in a different sport.

1. How was your time playing for the Hamilton Kiltys/Red Wings? What was it like playing in your hometown?

DP: “My time playing for Hamilton was always special.  The Dave Andreychuk Arena was 5 minutes from my house so I always had a good local vibe going there. My teammates really made it a great team to be a part of.”

2. Why did you decide to switch to lacrosse full-time?

DP: “I always played lacrosse alongside hockey, but it wasn't until I started playing university hockey at Windsor that I mentally committed a bit more to lacrosse. I felt like a lot more guys were committed to winning and bettering themselves in lacrosse.”

3. Did you ever dream that you would end up playing pro lacrosse, instead of hockey?

DP: “I remember telling a friend one day that I wanted to do whatever it took to play professional sports. All of my focus was always on hockey, and lacrosse was something that I somewhat did to unwind. I just so happened to be pretty good at playing defence in lacrosse, probably due in no small part to being developed as a defenceman for Hamilton minor hockey.  At some point I just kind of decided to run with it.  I watched an NLL championship game and thought to myself, ‘I can definitely compete with those guys’.”

4. Who was your closest teammate when you played in Hamilton?

DP: “Playing for the then-Kilty’s, my closest friends were my fellow rookies. I played minor hockey with Sam Campbell, Mike Whalen, and Dave Brown, and we had won I think 4 league championships previously so we were always really close, as well as the other rookies, as we all battled to get ice time.  

“My second go around (with the Red Wings), I was fortunate enough to briefly play with my best friend growing up, Kyle Hagel.  He played on that same minor hockey team, and we also won a national lacrosse championship together for Oakville.”

5. What did you learn during your time with the Red Wings that helped you at the university and pro level?

DP: “I definitely benefitted a lot from both the adversity I faced moving up to junior hockey, as well as the value of flexibility and adaptation moving onto the best team in the league.  A lot of that I put into practice when I started playing lacrosse competitively as an adult.”

6. What was your most memorable moment from your time with the Red Wings?

DP: “My most memorable moment for the Red Wings it would have been almost coming back to beat Oakville (in 2004 division semifinals). We were down 3-0 in the playoff series, and despite having probably the most talented forward line in the league we were struggling to produce goals.  We won the next two games in some very hard fought battles, only to lose in overtime in game 6.”

7. Do people remember you as a hockey player when they see you at a lacrosse game?

DP: “People do always remember me as a hockey player. I've gone to a few games where I have seen some former OHL teammates, and hockey associates. People still ask me to this day about my career in hockey, about some of the guys that I've played with, et cetera. Hockey, especially in Hamilton, is such a large part of the culture that I think I'll probably always have a lot of people recognize me as a hockey guy first.”

8. How is lacrosse similar to/different than hockey?

DP: “Lacrosse is essentially the combination of basketball and hockey.  Lacrosse has the same physical nature, it requires very similar 'awareness', and has a very similar culture.  Both sports require a great deal of hand-eye coordination, quick thinking, and mental and physical toughness.  It's no coincidence that guys like Wayne Gretzky and the Shanahans played lacrosse in the summer amongst many other hockey legends.  They are a great source of cross-training for each other.”

9. You’ve since retired from lacrosse, what are you doing now with your life?

DP: “I'm only semi-retired at the moment. I had surgery to repair a torn ACL and then upon returning from that injury suffered a major concussion which has lead to some other complications as well. I've since played a few games, and am hoping that I can continue to play for a few more years.

“I am currently living in New York City working as a lacrosse and hockey performance/conditioning coach.  No wife or kids at the moment, but I do however have a fantastic girlfriend and a beautiful dog. There's a pro lacrosse team that just re-located to Connecticut (New England Black Wolves) that I am hoping to talk to, and I wouldn't mind playing in the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships, which take place in Buffalo/Syracuse areas.”

10. What advice would you have for the current generation of Red Wings?

DP: “My biggest piece of advice for current Red Wings is first and foremost, the cliché "have fun".  Hamilton is a fantastic place to play with a great hockey culture, so try and embrace and be a part of that.

“(When deciding between the NCAA and OHL), weigh your options and take your time. Don't tunnel your vision too much on a certain path, be flexible, and be willing to learn. I had to learn that lesson the hard way, however it did lead me to winning 3 national lacrosse championships and an NLL championship with the Toronto Rock, so it was a lesson well learned."

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