True stories and hard-won lessons about a life of hockey, from a Stanley Cup champion and top analyst.
As a child growing up in Toronto, Nick Kypreos lived for hockey and dreamed of following in his idolsâ footsteps to play in the NHL. Hockey was an important part of the Kypreos household. It was largely through the game that his immigrant Greek parents acclimatized to their new lives in Canada, and from a young age âKyperâ proved he was more than good enough to move through the ranks. But he was never a top prospectâhe didnât even attend the NHL draft when he became eligible. And yet, through dedication and constant improvement, he made it to the show.
Kypreos built a career on his tireless work ethic and made a name for himself for always having a positive influence on team morale. A medium-weight fighter, he squared off with the leagueâs toughest players, including Chris Simon, Joey Kocur, Tony Twist, and Scott Stevensâanything to give his team an edge. Ultimately, he was brought to the New York Rangers to help them win the Stanley Cup in 1994âtheir first in fifty-four yearsâwith the legendary Mark Messier. And then he got to live his other dream: playing for his hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
When a concussion forced him to retire early, it changed his life. But the lessons heâd learned on the ice over eight seasons helped him build a new career as a top hockey analyst and personality for Sportsnet. For twenty seasons he provided unique insight on the evolving game, and a playerâs perspective on the biggest discussions of the day.
Revealing, fun, and brutally honest, Undrafted shows the challenges of being a pro player. Itâs a story of the resilience it takes to prove yourself every night, and how the right attitude can lead to the greatest success, not only in the arena, but in life.