50 Players, 50 Days: Derek Dropik

Derek Dropik had four points in three games at the 2020 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament.

During the current and unforeseen cancelation of the 2019-20 season, the players in the NA3HL saw their seasons cut prematurely short. In some cases, players saw their junior hockey careers come to an end as well. However, the NA3HL got together a decided to highlight some of those players, who were born in 1999 and were in their final season of playing junior hockey.

As a result, we present a new series entitled: 50 players, 50 days

50 players in 50 days will select 50 players from each of the 34 NAHL teams this past season that were born in 1999, who are currently uncommitted, and deserve some recognition during their time spent playing and developing in the NA3HL. Over the course of the next 50 days, we will take time out to look at their accomplishments, review their season, and provide some background on their NA3HL careers. Players will be initially highlighted in alphabetical order by team. Enjoy!

Derek Dropik, forward, Alexandria Blizzzard

After getting his feet wet in the NA3HL with a goal and seven assists in 32 games played from 2016-19, Derek Dropik, a 20-year-old, 1999-born forward, stepped into a key role for the Alexandria Blizzard this season to help the team further cement a place among the West's elite. 

Watch: Derek Dropik highlights

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Alexandria native posted 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points in 41 games in 2019-20, good for sixth among all Blizzard skaters. Dropik's contributions in his first full NA3HL season also caught the eye of NA3HL Central Scouting, as he earned a spot on the West Division Top Prospects team during the 2020 event in Attleboro, MA. Dropik put on a show in front of more than 200 scouts at the event, logging two goals and two assists in three games. 

Dropik's first three NA3HL seasons were limited in scope due to his playing high school hockey in Minnesota with Alexandria Area High. There, he logged 74 games across three years, putting up 18g-19a--37pts along the way. In 11 playoff games with Alexandria High, he also recorded a goal and five helpers.