Years of hard work and dedication is paying off for Rebels forward Lane Zablocki, after being selected by an “Original Six” team in the 2017 NHL Draft.

With the 79th pick on Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings drafted Zablocki in the third round.

He says he still can’t believe it.

“It’s pretty surreal. For the first couple of hours, even after the first day it almost doesn’t feel real,” he laughed.

“It’s just unbelievable.”

Potentially playing for such a storied franchise with a winning culture is something Zablocki says is very motivating.

“At the end of the day, I want to win. My main goal is to play in the NHL someday and win a Stanley Cup.”

“Detroit would be a great place for that.”

Zablocki says he’s going to continue to work hard, knowing he needs to add a little more size to his frame if he wants to compete at the highest level.

“This is just the first little step and all the hard work starts now. You’re just putting your foot in the water right now and there’s lots more to go and I’m looking forward to it.”

When asked if we’re going to see a different player next year, this is what he had to say.

“If anything, I’m going to come in bigger, stronger and faster. I have a lot of extra motivation to improve everything about my game.”

With not being physically at the draft in Chicago, Zablocki had to pay extra attention to his television.

“There was a guy being interviewed at the time and I heard something in the background that kind of sounded like my name and I said, ‘I think they said my name’ to my parents and they were like no,” Zablocki laughed.

“I was pretty sure and it was.”

The Wetaskiwin native played part of the season with the Regina Pats, before being sent to the Rebels at the WHL trade deadline.

He finished the season with 28 goals and 26 assists for 54 points in 64 games.