Glued to the Internet on NHL Draft day, Penticton's Curtis Gedig waited with anticipation.

When the phone rang Saturday morning, the Cowichan Valley Capitals defenceman just knew. His agent called letting him know the New Jersey Devils had chosen him in the seventh round, 204th overall.

"I was just pretty shocked because it wasn't on the TV," said Gedig from his family's home in Westside.

It's been a busy summer for the soon-to-be 18-year-old who recently returned from trips to New Jersey and Sweden. Gedig loved traveling alone and the experience of going to New Jersey and seeing what the city and organization is about. He also got a glimpse of what it takes to play on the big stage. The six-foot-three, 190-pound blueliner played three games during the Devils rookie camp and faced guys who will challenge for NHL roster spots this season.

"The first couple games were a little shaky," said Gedig, who split his rookie BCHL season with Merritt and Cowichan Valley collecting four goals and 18 points in 46 games. "Then I kind of got used to it near the end. Got used to the speed. Got to play a lot smarter. Near the end of the camp I felt comfortable."

The Devils told their newest prospect that he's doing well staying in shape and working in the gym. The defensive side of the game is what he must work on and adding a nasty side to handle players in front of the net. To get pointers on that defensive skill he watches Calgary Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf.

However, while overseas in Sweden, Gedig played against their national team and discovered he should work on his stickhandling.

"They are so good over there," he noted. "They are incredible with the puck. It's really hard to get the puck away from them."

With his dream of playing in the NHL more realistic, Gedig had tough choices to make. He has a scholarship offer with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY to play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, but the Calgary Hitmen were interested too. After speaking to the Devils recently, they suggested it would be better for his development to return to the Capitals for a second season in the BCHL and that is something he is more than happy with.