歪歪漫画

BEMIDJI 鈥� As the final round of the 2025 NHL Draft wound down, Max Vig was watching the television coverage with a small group of friends at a midwestern lake cabin on a warm, humid Saturday.

He didn鈥檛 get a call. He didn鈥檛 even know if he鈥檇 get drafted.

Like the rest of the world, Vig, a Bemidji State men鈥檚 hockey incoming freshman defenseman, found out when he saw his name on the screen next to a Montreal Canadiens logo.

鈥淚 was at a cabin with a bunch of my friends,鈥� Vig said. 鈥淲e knew it could be possible that I鈥檇 get drafted, so we were sitting around on the couch watching TV. I played with and against some of the kids getting drafted, so that was cool to watch. All of a sudden, my name popped up.鈥�

Vig and his friends commenced the celebration after he was selected with the 209th overall pick in the seventh round. The pandemonium quickly made its way to the rest of the people in the cabin who weren鈥檛 watching along.

鈥淚t was exciting to be around a lot of friends; a pretty surreal moment, to be honest,鈥� Vig said. 鈥淚 had a few buddies in the living room watching and a handful of friends upstairs. As soon as it happened, everyone was screaming, and they all ran downstairs. It was so cool that I had so many people so close to me when it happened. I鈥檓 glad that it happened like that."

Courtesy / Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

At 6-foot-2, 212 pounds, Vig departed from his weekend at the lake and boarded a flight to Montreal for the Canadiens鈥� development camp. He spent roughly one week across the border with Montreal鈥檚 other touted prospects and camp invites.

鈥淒ev camp was an amazing experience,鈥� Vig said. 鈥淚 got to meet a lot of the staff and a lot of the prospects. Everyone was awesome, and I learned a lot, which is most important. I learned a lot that I can use in the rest of my summer and going into my freshman season in Bemidji. I learned what it鈥檚 like to be a pro and what it takes to get to that next level.鈥�

For Vig, one moment with a revered NHL legend stuck out.

鈥淢artin St. Louis came into the locker room and gave a speech that hit me pretty hard about how difficult it is to make it to that level of hockey,鈥� Vig said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a job, and everybody is fighting for that spot on the roster. It was an amazing experience, and I鈥檒l use a lot of what I learned for the rest of my hockey career.鈥�

Before Vig got a chance to hear from the Canadiens鈥� head coach, he went into his draft process hoping to learn while staying true to himself. He noted that he talked with several teams through pre-draft interviews, and his conversation with Montreal鈥檚 representatives felt encouraging.

鈥淵ou really know if or when you鈥檒l get drafted,鈥� Vig said. 鈥淚 was an older player in the draft 鈥� second year being eligible 鈥� and you don鈥檛 really know if it鈥檚 going to happen. I had an open mind going into those interviews, and I gave them what I had. I was myself. Coming out of it, the interview with Montreal, specifically, was really good. I think they saw the characteristics they want in their organization.鈥�

Vig is part of the Beavers鈥� freshman class this fall. It comes after accomplished stints in the United States Hockey League and the North American Hockey League.

After playing his final season with Bismarck Century High 歪歪漫画 in 2022-23, Vig went south to play for the Oklahoma Warriors in the NAHL. He had 27 points on eight goals and 19 assists in 61 games.

Courtesy / Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Last season, Vig played in 65 games for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the USHL. He scored 10 goals and 22 assists, cementing himself as one of the USHL鈥檚 top blueliners.

鈥淎 lot of this goes back to coaches, especially in juniors and last year,鈥� Vig said. 鈥淢ark Carlson really pushed me and my teammates to be the best we can possibly be. He was extremely professional and expected top-notch performance on and off the ice. I learned how to be a man on the ice and a professional off the ice.

鈥淢ike Lysyj, the D coach, taught me how to play a simple hockey game and how to use my skill and talent on the offensive side of the ice. I really learned how to round out my game, and I look forward to using what I learned at Cedar Rapids in Bemidji because Bemidji is a great place to play and keep learning.鈥�

After two years in juniors, Vig feels ready to take the next step. He already trains in the summer with BSU senior forward Kirklan Irey, another Bismarck native.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been the type of player to go where I鈥檓 wanted,鈥� Vig said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the reason I鈥檓 going to Bemidji State. They wanted me from the start, and I鈥檓 very grateful for that.鈥�