BUFFALO, N.Y. — ​Luke Pavicich wants nothing more than to head north to Canada and play for Team USA at World Juniors.

It's a far cry from last year when Luke dreaded the thought of leaving his home in Western New York and traveling far away. In early 2020, Luke was eligible to be drafted by a team in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), one of the top junior leagues in the United States.

"I was telling my dad, I’m like ‘please don’t get drafted by like an Alaskan team. I just hope it’s somewhere at least in the United States, you know?'" he recalled with a laugh. "My dad called, he was like ‘good news buddy, you got drafted.’ Please don’t tell me it’s an Alaskan team. He goes ‘Kenai River Brown Bears.’ I’m like ‘That’s not in Alaska right?’ He goes ‘nope! That’s Alaska.’

Luke was 18 and looking for a junior-league team to boost his chances at a Division-One scholarship. The COVID-19 pandemic forced his Alaskan team to play in Minnesota, which could still bring about bone-chilling, bitter cold.

"It was super cold. We were living in these dorms right next to a rink. We weren’t in a billet house or anything," he said. "It was cool. We did a lot of bonding. We got sick of each other after a while."

If Luke needed a pick-me-up, he could always count on a phone call from Jacob Brozyna, his former coach with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres.

"We always had some discussions," said Brozyna. "Pav always played a little bit of second fiddle to the area goaltenders. Even nationally."

Brozyna knew Luke could fight through anything. He watched Luke backstop the Jr. Sabres to a national championship when he was 15.

"Pav was an anchor for a national team for us as a goalie," he said. "I remember that last game, especially the game we won, he was unbelievable."

A few years later, and Luke is a freshman on scholarship at Boston University, the reigning national champs. He knows there's a huge opportunity in front of him to make Team USA, and put himself squarely on the radar for NHL teams.

"I think it’s a no-doubter. You have a bunch of NHL scouts looking at that tournament. I just think everything’s an opportunity," he said. "Especially with where I’m at now. It’s just important to play your best, showcase your skill and what you got."

"He always had the skillset for it. He’s a very athletic kid. Just his hard work and his effort, I’m not surprised at all," said Brozyna. "If anybody was going to do it, with his determination, I knew he could definitely get to that point."

If that’s not enough motivation, he’ll be trying out alongside fellow WNY native Declan McDonnell, a former teammate with the Jr. Sabres.

"I was super excited. When I found out he was on there, I made sure to shoot him a text," said Luke. "I snapped him, I’m like ‘dude I’m so pumped to be able to see you again, skate with you again.' "

Luke was quick to answer when asked who might gain the upper hand during drills.

"He’s not scoring on me," Luke said. "That kid has shot at me too long, I know where he’s shooting every time. It’ll be good competition, for sure."

If they make the club, their first game would be Dec. 26 against Slovakia.