Submitted Photo Zach Nehring of Minot meets with the media after being selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Minot native Zach Nehring prepared his entire life for the moment he had last Thursday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn. With the 82nd overall pick (third round) in the NHL Draft, the Winnipeg Jets selected Nehring to come be a part of their organization.

Before making his way to Nashville to witness a lifelong dream come to fruition, Nehring participated in the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, N.Y. as he got ready to show NHL teams what he was made of.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am super grateful I was selected to go. It was cool getting to see many of my old friends and meet some of the prospects,” Nehring said.

During his time in Buffalo where he went through various fitness tests and had meetings with teams, it was there where he started to get a clearer picture of his future. After meeting with teams and talking to his advisors, Nehring learned that he was projected to go anywhere from rounds 2-4 in the NHL Draft.

One of those teams Nehring met with in Buffalo was the Jets, who ended up selecting him with the 82nd pick. According to Nehring, they had a great meeting with the Jets.

Fast forward to draft week when Nehring got dinner with his advisors the night before the draft. At dinner, they told him the Jets enjoyed their meeting and they felt confident the Jets would draft him in the third round.

Although his future continued getting clearer, it was still a thrilling moment for Nehring when his projection rounds came on the board. “In the third round, I was on the edge of my seat, waiting as Winnipeg was on the clock. I looked at my dad and said, ‘I think this one’s it’.”

His gut feeling proved to be true, as he had to wait no longer to hear his name called. The feelings he had surrounding the moment, however, were a little blurry.

“It was one of the most memorable moments of my life. Having that experience with all my family members around me and in the building watching was genuinely incredible. I don’t remember too much, but there were a lot of emotions,” he said.

Nehring added, “All I remember is hearing, ‘From Shattuck St. Mary’s, we are proud to select Zach..’ then I don’t remember much after that except getting up and hugging everyone that was there to support me.”

After having some time to reflect on his lifelong dream coming true, landing in Winnipeg was even more special for Nehring and his family. His mom’s side of the family is Canadian and most of them are Jets fans, according to Nehring.

“I remember hugging my Grandpa Keith from Canada after I was selected and telling him, ‘I’m gonna be playing for your team,’ and he immediately started to cry. Just moments like that make it so much more special.”

Nehring added, “I was lucky enough to get 30 people up in Nashville for the draft, and I couldn’t have had a better group of people with me. The love and support from them and everyone watching at home means the world to me.”

The 6’3″ forward is committed to Western Michigan University to play NCAA Division I hockey for the Broncos, however, he will get a taste of life as a Jet before then.

Beginning on Wednesday, July 5 and running through Saturday, Nehring will participate in the Jets Development Camp before he gets ready to head to Western Michigan to play for the Broncos.