Nick Wolff cuts grass, not corners. That’s just one reason why he could hear his name called at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Growing up, the Eagan Hockey Association product put as much attention on golf, football, fun and his own lawn-mowing business as he did hockey.

Minnesota Hockey caught up with Wolff to hear about how being a multisport athlete and entrepreneur has helped him grow into a UMD recruit and NHL prospect.

Minnesota Hockey: Your dad, Ron, played hockey growing up. Was there any pressure from him or your mom to pick up a stick?

Nick Wolff: Not at all. My dad always told me, ‘you play a sport to have fun with it.’ I couldn’t agree with him more. It wasn’t until these last two or three years, when I really started showing myself that I could be a higher-level player. That’s when the pressure started to come on – mostly from myself. But even now, and ever since I was little, my parents remind me to play until I’m not having fun anymore. I’m still having fun and probably won’t stop until I’m not.

MH: What other sports did you play growing up?

Wolff: Ever since I was a kid I was playing different things. I played football and golf up until my junior year before I decided hockey was something I really wanted to pursue. To me, hockey was a winter-season sport and other sports were for another season. I took my time off from hockey all the way up until last year, and I really enjoyed doing that.

MH: And clearly it hasn’t held you back. Do you think it helped you develop skills and a stronger love for the game in the long run?

Wolff: It definitely helped me love hockey season that much more. I think sometimes parents, from when kids are young, push kids to play hockey year-round or with the traveling teams. If I had done that, I know I would have gotten burnt out from all of the hockey. When I’m in hockey season, I want to play hockey and when I’m in football season I want to play football. I can’t play a sport year-round.

MH: Were you a late bloomer?

Wolff: Definitely. I was still growing and still trying to get my legs under me. It just took more time for me to develop and to be confident as a player. Any time you want to play at that higher level, it takes time and confidence to do that. I wish it happened earlier, but I’m still getting better today and still learning how to be a better player all of the time.

MH: For a hulking defenseman at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, your speed is pretty impressive. How hard have you had to work on that?

Wolff: For taller guys it’s hard to skate because we’re not as fast as the smaller guys. I’m still working on my footwork. It seems like I’m always working on my footwork, so that helps a lot. To be fast, you need to have a good stride and good transitions. I just keep working on that and it’s improved, definitely, but it’s something I will continue to work on in the USHL and college.

MH: Are you still connected or involved with the Eagan Hockey Association?

Wolff: I help out anytime time I can, and I always will. I always want to go back and teach younger kids how to play. When I was younger, I always got older guys’ advice and I want to be able to do that for other kids.

MH: If the NHL doesn’t work out, we hear you may have a second option in lawn care?

Wolff: (Laughs) My brother, Joe, started it. We needed some money here and there and I tried to help him out and it just became an annual thing. We go every summer and mow people’s lawns and we hired some of my buddies to help out. It was all cash money at the end of it and it was good money – something we worked hard for and for us to use on spending. All of the other money my parents had went to hockey and our college funds, so it was nice to have some of our own.

(Editor’s Note: Read how responsible players, like Wolff, become well-rounded players and individuals – ideal candidates for college/pro hockey and the workforce.)

MH: So where can we be looking for you next season?

Wolff: I’ll be going to Des Moines (USHL) next year and then from there, hopefully after a year, I will be at the University of Minnesota-Duluth for the 2015-16 hockey season.

MH: And then hopefully someday in the pros?

Wolff: It would be great to play for (the Wild) in the home state, but it’d be an honor to go play professional anywhere. I’m just so incredibly grateful for this chance. My parents and I are new to this, so it’s been quite an experience through the whole process and it’s something I won’t forget.

Wolff is one of 20 Minnesota natives ranked in the Top 200 North American skaters heading into the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, which will take place June 27-28. The first round of the draft will be broadcast on Friday, June 27, starting at 6 p.m. (CST) on NBC Sports Network.

Photo credit to Loren Nelson.