Two Upper St. Clair Natives Eligible for NHL Draft

Two Upper St. Clair natives could be drafted in the 2011 NHL draft this weekend.

Vince Trocheck and Barrett Kaib are ranked among the best players eligible for the draft, which begins Friday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Kaib graduated from last week and has a full scholarship to play hockey for Providence College in Rhode Island. 

As the only new defenseman coming on to the team, Kaib said he's focusing on preparing for Providence.

"I'm not thinking about the draft too much. If it happens, it happens," Kaib said.

Kaib grew up in Upper St. Clair and said he played a lot of sports, but hockey became his favorite.

"I liked the fast pace," Kaib said.

Kaib played for the Upper St. Clair varsity hockey team as a freshman. He transferred to Culver Academy in Indiana his sophomore year to focus on hockey before getting recruited by the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

"It was a hard decision to go away from Upper St. Clair, but it was the best experience of my life," Kaib said. 

Kaib got the chance to compete in three tournaments overseas. He won the gold medal with the U.S. National Team in Germany.

"It's something I will never forget," Kaib said.

Kaib said his love of the Pittsburgh Penguins also influenced him to play hockey. He said his parents had season tickets for eight years. His favorite player is Brooks Orpik. 

"He's very physical and aggressive. He's a lot bigger than me, but our styles are similar," Kaib said. "And Sidney Crosby, he is a great role model."

Kaib, and his former teammate from Upper St. Clair, Trocheck, will anxiously be waiting to hear if they get drafted this weekend.

"We're friends and look out for each other," Kaib said. "It's good to see a fellow teammate and friend make it this far."

Other Upper St. Clair natives who play in the NHL include Ryan Malone and .