COLUMBUS, Ohio — Some hockey experts, even a few at this weekend’s NHL Draft, were surprised when Gaylord’s Will Weber was drafted as the 53rd overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

But the selection was more exhilarating than surprising to  Weber and some friends and family, who were on hand at Nationwide Arena in Columbus for the draft.

“They announced ‘From Gaylord High School in Gaylord, Michigan,’” said Sharon Weber, Will’s mother. “Then we knew. I mean, who else would be from Gaylord?”

Weber’s drafting was another step in the diamond-in-the-rough story of this young man, who went from little-known northern high school player to high-level NHL draft pick in less than a year’s time.

Weber, an 18-year-old defenseman who stands 6-foot-4, is just one of a handful of players to be drafted from Michigan high school hockey straight into the NHL in draft history.

He’s only the second Otsego County athlete to ever be drafted by a professional organization, following the trail of baseball player Dave Johnson, who was a first-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975.

Weber must still work hard to realize his dream. The Blue Jackets retain Weber’s rights for five years, during which he’ll play for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League next season and for Miami (Ohio) University the following few seasons.

If all goes well, Weber could find himself with a professional contract within three-to-five years.

“If he wants it bad enough, it is his to get,” said Paul Castron, Blue Jackets Director of Amateur Scouting. “He has all the talent and ability to make it happen.”

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