Paradise's Ryan Greene drafted into the NHL — 2 days after his hockey gear was stolen

This month has been a roller-coaster of emotions for Ryan Greene of Paradise, N.L. Things hit a high note when the 18-year-old was drafted into the NHL on July 8, after hitting a low two days earlier — when his hockey gear was stolen.

The forward, who was selected with the 57th overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks, called the draft "nerve-racking" and said he was glad to have his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles by his side on the big day. 

"You see it on the Jumbotron and you hear your name called. It's just honestly unbelievable," Greene told CBC News on Thursday.

"To be able to hug your family that are right there with you, they've done everything for me, and they've been so supportive throughout my career, so it was honestly just amazing."

Greene said he'd become close with scouts from Chicago throughout the year, but didn't have his hopes pinned on any one team.

He's off to Calgary on Friday to try out for a spot on Canada's team at the world junior hockey championships in December, but his path to the big leagues started 15 years ago, when he started skating at age three.

"I knew hockey was what I wanted to chase," he said.

At 14, he left home to attend South Kent School, a private boys' prep school in Connecticut in his sophomore year of high school.

"I think it did wonders for me.… I matured a lot there and became more independent," he said.

"I have a lot of passion for the game, always have."<br><br>We caught up with Gamblers forward, Ryan Greene, as he reflects on his career in GB and what the sport of hockey means to him in this week's Player Spotlight Interview.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gogamblers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gogamblers</a><a