Thousands, likely tens of thousands, of repetitions helped Sam Harris get to this point.

The longtime Jr. Gulls hockey player was selected in the fifth round (133rd overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL Entry Draft on June 29. It's the latest step in a progression that started in San Diego and has carried Harris through the Upper Midwest and now on to the University of Denver as he begins his Division I career. 

"I couldn't have been happier to be picked by the Canadiens," Harris said. "My dad's entire family is from Montreal. They were over the moon. It's really cool how this worked out."

Hockey InfluenceS set the COURSE

The seeds for getting drafted were planted years ago under the watchful eye of longtime Jr. Gulls coach Randy Moy. 

"Randy Moy had one of the biggest impacts on my career of anyone," Harris stated. "I did three to four thousand hours of training with him growing up. We worked on a lot of baseline skills, and at the end of the day, that's what gets you to the next level.

"There were times I might not want to go, but my mom would make me. Her and Randy pushing me was fantastic. It got me where I am.

"He also taught me to think the game. I use speed and deception to put defenders on their heels, to create chances."

Plenty of that has happened during Harris' career. A late 2003 birth year, he wrapped up his United States Hockey League career with 56 points in 56 games for the Sioux Falls Stampede. His 30 goals were the eighth most in the top U.S. junior league. He played for Team USA in the World Junior Challenge.

Navigating the Pre-draft process

It was there, Harris believes, his play piqued the interest of the NHL Original Six franchise that possesses the most Stanley Cups (24).

"The Habs were watching me at the Jr. A Challenge in Cornwall (Ontario)," he said. "I had a Zoom interview with them in January or February. They wanted to know what kind of person I am and were the only team to ask tough questions.

"I was just myself. I try to have fun with everything, make everyone crack a smile."

This was another area in which Moy heavily influenced him, Harris said. 

"Randy was careful with what he said," Harris recalled about the longtime coach who passed away after a battle with cancer in 2020. "He always told me — and I've found this to be true — that words have a big impact."

Harris knew there was interest, but in the midst of a taxing junior season and with all of the smokescreens from teams, he didn't lose sleep over the predraft hype. He'd been down this road before given this was the second year he was eligible. 

San Diego's Hockey Village Is Vital

Harris repeatedly expressed how grateful he is for his time in San Diego. 

"Hockey's not the biggest thing, but the community is so close," he said. 

He gave the example of the Jr. Gulls' '95s, a group that launched multiple players into higher levels of hockey, including goaltender Thatcher Demko to the NHL, and Moy's son Tyler and defenseman Alec McCrea to long pro careers in the AHL and Europe. 

"All of us younger kids looked up to the '95s," Harris said. "Tyler would come out and skate with us. We couldn't believe it. Here's this guy who's going to Harvard and he's playing with a bunch of little kids. We've become very close since Randy's passing.

"Alec is one of the most supportive, positive guys I know. When I was 14 I started skating with that group during the summer. They're all 8, 9 years older than me. He would give me tips in warm-ups, and how to prepare like a college player, a pro.

"That's how the support of the San Diego hockey community is. It's fantastic."