Photo Courtesy of Wheeling Nailers Hockey Club

Casey Pierro-Zabotel is living his dream. The 21 year old Shushwap Nation member is in his first professional season, lacing up his skates for the Wheeling Nailers after signing a three-year entry level deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Though very talented, Pierro-Zabotel lit up the Western Hockey League last season, he’s got a lot to learn about the game.

And it’s a grind too. His team, the Wheeling Nailers have played a stretch of twenty games in forty two days with added travel.

His coach, Greg Puhalski says that’s what pro hockey is all about.

“You have to find a way,” said Puhalski. “Talent only takes you so far. The guys who succeed are the ones who perform consistently.”

“He’s got all the tools necessary to be a good pro,” said Puhalski.  “He sees the ice well and distributes the puck. He’s learning what it’s like to be a pro, in turn what we expect from him is daily improvement.”

Puhalski says Pierro-Zabotel could rely on his talent in junior but talent alone won’t cut it in professional hockey. “It’s a big step for junior kids getting adjusted to playing pro. There are stronger smarter players, defenceman are bigger.”

He agrees.

“There’s always someone trying to take your job,” said Pierro-Zabotel. “But hockey is my life and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

That’s just the on ice stuff.

Casey is just three months into fatherhood too.

His son was born just after training camp.

“He’s just started sleeping through the night so that’s a relief,” said Pierro-Zabotel. “It’s been unbelievable having him around.”

There is a difference between him and his mostly single teammates just out of junior.

He has a family.

“I don’t like to go out without my wife so it makes it an easy decision,” said Pierro-Zabotel of his preference to head home rather than head out for a pop with the boys after a game. “It makes it easier having her here. It’s comforting and helps me out a lot.”

“I’ve just got to keep going, pick up on offence and continue to improve and I’ll jump to the AHL next year.”