A Newtown teen is on the verge of one of the most exciting days of his life - the upcoming NHL draft.

Mackie Samoskevich, 18, recently assisted the Chicago Steel to a minor league championship. Now, the forward is hoping to take his talents to the NHL.

Samoskevich played prep school hockey at the famous Shattuck-St. Mary's program in Minnesota, but it all started at a rink near his house.

He says he wants to do something to remember those lost during the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012 - where he was in lockdown at the nearby intermediate school.

"I remember putting the number 26 on my jersey," Samoskevich says. "Having them in the back of your mind... motivated me for sure."

Samoskevich says on Draft Day, he'll be thinking about how far he and his family have come since that tragic day.

The NHL Draft is next Friday.