Squires was New Jersey’s fourth-round selection, 122nd overall, in the 2023 NHL Draft, both a short and long time ago, Squires explains. There’s so much ahead of him and he’s grown so much since then.
“I’ve always said the days are kind of long and months just fly by in this league,” he said. “Like, yeah, it’s been a while, but to look back and just think the draft was that long ago, it’s kind of crazy. You look back; you have just gained so much respect and appreciation for how you’ve got to where you are and the steps that you’ve taken along the way.”
For Squires, the guidance of the New Jersey staff throughout his Junior career has been integral to building his game. He frequently checks in with Devils director of Player Development Meghan Duggan and player development coach Mark Voakes.
“Meghan and her staff are unbelievable,” he said. “They’re always checking in. And even on the away games, on Sunday afternoons in the middle of Quebec, they’re still watching. So it’s great to have support. You know those people who care about you, and they want you to push your game to the next level, and they have the confidence, and they’ve shown that in me, that it can get there.”
But for now, Squires is entirely focused on the playoff push the Eagles are making, knowing that this will be his last go-around in Junior hockey before jumping to the pros. He’s played over 200 games in the QMJHL and while there’s plenty of anticipation for what’s next, he’s concentrated on what’s right in front of him and is beholden to where his hockey journey has come and where it’s going.
“I just appreciate all the people around me, good teammates,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to be in a great organization for four years, and now to have the Devils organization, to be a part of them, they’ve shown nothing but great support. And I’m excited to move on from one great organization to another.”
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