Following the 2016 NHL Draft, defenseman Colby Sissons was an afterthought for
 most NHL teams. But that wasn't the case for the New Jersey Devils, who
invited him to their annual summer Development Camp and then shortly after
signed him to an entry-level contract. Now they look like geniuses as the
20-year-old Sissons had a career year in helping the Swift Current Broncos to a
 WHL championship and he's more than eager to continue his craft at the pro
level while making other NHL teams look foolish for passing on him.

This past season his 71 points (13g-58a) were third among WHL defensemen, two
points behind Ty Smith whom the Devils selected with the 17th overall pick at
the 2018 NHL Draft. "He's a player that doesn't hesitate to take off with the
puck, sees the ice well, and has the ability to create offense off the rush,"
New Jersey's director of amateur scouting Paul Castron told Chris Ryan from
NJ.com. "He likes to come late, be that extra guy, create those odd-man
situations."Colby Sissons, Fabian Zetterlund, and Reilly Walsh celebrate after
 a goal at New Jersey Devils 2017 Development Camp. (Photo Credit: New Jersey
Devils/Patrick Dodson)

It's likely that with a strong training camp in September that Sissons will
turn pro and start the season with the Binghamton Devils in the AHL. If there
are any injuries or trades among the Devils stable of blueliners he could even
find himself getting his feet wet at the NHL level sooner than later. After his
 71-point campaign, the left-handed defender chipped in another 23 points
(5g-18a) during the playoffs. 

Following the 2018 Devils Development Camp, The Hockey Writers caught up with
Sissons to find out why he was so successful this season, if there were any
other teams were interested in his services after he went undrafted, and which
defensemen he likes to pattern his game after, among other topics.Colby Sissons
 at the New Jersey Devils 2017 Development Camp. (Photo Credit: New Jersey
Devils/Patrick Dodson)Development Camp

The Hockey Writers: We're at the end of New Jersey';s Development Camp after
today';s scrimmage, how was this experience for you compared to the previous
one?

Colby Sissons: It was good. A little more experience under my belt definitely
helped. We have a really good group here; it's been good welcoming in the new
guys and building that culture. It was a fun week.

THW: You guys do a lot of off-ice activities, team-building exercises. What did
 you enjoy the most?

CS: They were all good. Go-Karting was really fun, Top Golf too. We did a
talent show as well, and that was pretty fun to end off yesterday; we had some
good laughs. I had a lot of fun this week.

Awesome start to my day! #NJDevCamp 3 on 3 and a pic with Colby Sissons & Ty
Smith @NJDevils pic.twitter.com/OEAfF9yTA7

- Victoria Lawdog (@falconsfan02) July 11, 2018

THW: Safe to assume this time around you're more comfortable with your
surroundings here, the coaching staff, things like that?

CS: Yeah, when you see familiar faces every day it definitely helps. It's a
great group we have in here from management down. It's awesome being
here.Devils Diligence Pays Off

THW: You went undrafted and then ended up signing with the Devils, what led to
that decision?

CS: It wasn't too hard. The day after the draft I was going to New Jersey (for
development camp) and then I played well, they liked what they saw. At the end
of the day, I got what I wanted, to be a part of a National Hockey League team.
 I couldn't ask for a better place to be.

THW: Were there any other teams interested in you?

CS: By my understanding not many. Maybe a few others but New Jersey was first
on my list.Colby Sissons looks to move the puck as Aarne Talvitie defends at
the 2017 Devils Development Camp. (Photo Credit: New Jersey Devils/Patrick
Dodson)WHL Explosion

THW: Your first two years with Swift Current you had a total of 50 points, and
this season you exploded for 71 points. Oh, and by the way another 23 points in
 the postseason. What changed for you?

CS: The experience definitely helps, it was my third year in that league. We
had a really good team this year and that definitely helped too, we had three
100-point players (Glenn Gawdin. Aleksi Heponiemi, Tyler Steenbergen). Anytime
you have three 100-point guys up front you just try to get them the puck and
let them take care of it. I tried to feed off them as much as I could and it's
a breakout season for myself, but I couldn't have done it without them.

.@colby_sissons & @ssskipy_74
power #SCB to HUGE 1-0 shutout win in Game Four of #WHLChampionship!
#OurTeamOurTown

RECAP: https://t.co/KHWuHkCGcg pic.twitter.com/Ti5swcvY96

- SC Broncos (@SCBroncos) May 10, 2018

THW: Your team wins the WHL for the first time in a long time. What was going
to the Memorial Cup like? Some players never get to experience that. 

CS: It was awesome, that was our goal going into the year. We knew we had a
good squad and picking up some key players at the deadline helped. It was the
most fun I've ever had in my hockey career. There's nothing like winning and I
had a blast. The Memorial Cup obviously wasn't the outcome we wanted but it's a
 really tough tournament. We played 26 games leading up to that and set a CHL
record for most games played in the playoffs. Sissons' Studies

THW: Do you have a favorite player or players you like watching or patterning
your game after?

CS: I've always liked watching Drew Doughty from the Los Angles Kings, he's
always a good guy to model your game after. A guy I started to watch last year
was Mike Matheson of the Florida Panthers. He's not a superstar, but I think I
can relate my game to his; I think we kind of play alike.Colby Sissons (71) and
 Aarne Talvitie (77) battle in front of the crease at the New Jersey Devils
2017 Development Camp. (Photo Credit: New Jersey Devils/Patrick Dodson)

THW: Would you rather score a goal or get an assist?

CS: For me as a D-man I like assists. But there's nothing like scoring a goal
(grins). But the best feeling is getting a win at the end of the day. If you're
 a part of the goal to win the game that's definitely a great feeling. Either
or is awesome, but giving a guy a back door, tap-in feels pretty good.

The post Colby Sissons: Dark Horse of the Devils Depth Chart appeared first on
The Hockey Writers.

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