Elmhurst Native Joins Nashville Predators

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst native Joey Willis was drafted last month into the NHL's Nashville Predators.

Willis, 18, was the 111th pick.

In a news conference, Willis told reporters that he gives 100 percent whether on the ice or off.

"I'm ready to work and ready to get started," he said.

In 2021, he was drafted into Michigan's Saginaw Spirit, a junior hockey team for those 16 to 21.

Willis, a York High School graduate, acknowledged to reporters that he was a lifelong Chicago Blackhawks fan.

"The Blackhawks have obviously been my team forever, but Nashville is the spot that chose me and I'm excited to get started here and these are my colors," he said.

In an email to Patch, Willis' father, Paul Willis, described himself as "incredibly proud" of his son.

"To say it’s been a hard road is an understatement. He's been through unbelievable challenges to get to this point," Paul Willis said.