"Faith has carried Rocco Grimaldi to this point in his life, and it will be something he will lean on wherever life takes him.

But as he sits inside the Xcel Energy Center at St. Paul, Minn., on Friday night, Grimaldi also hopes his unwavering belief in his ability will carry him into the first round of the NHL entry draft.

Grimaldi, 18, could become the latest California-born hockey player to go high in the draft, which begins at 4 p.m. inside the home of the Wild, possibly joining past first-rounders such as Jonathon Blum, Beau Bennett and Emerson Etem.

With his parents, Rocco and Susie, and an extended group of family members and friends alongside him this week, Grimaldi is keeping his cool as his big moment approaches.

"I'm really just not trying to worry about it," he said. "I'm a little excited but I'm trying not to think about it too much. It's been a long time and obviously I've been waiting for this moment.

"Now it's finally here.""