June 27th started like an ordinary Saturday for Max Tardy, but it quickly became extraordinary.

"I was eating breakfast with my family," said Tardy.  "We were watching, hanging around the tv just talking and chatting.  Then my name came up and it was just awesome."

The Tardys were watching the NHL Entry Draft, and Max's name coming up meant he'd just been drafted.

"I never really thought that this could happen until the end of this year," he said.  "It's what every kid dreams about, playing hockey from the start."

The St. Louis Blues now own Tardy's pro rights, and he couldn't be happier about it.

"They've got a lot of young Minnesotans in that organization like T.J. Oshie, Cade Fairchild, Erik Johnson," said Tardy.  "It's a young team, a rebuilding team and I think it's a great fit."

Being taken by the Blues capped a senior season that saw Tardy become a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award, and lead the Duluth East Greyhounds to the State Tournament.

"State was awesome, it was a great experience," he said.  "It was disappointing how it went, but it was nice to get back there for the whole 'Hound program.  The younger guys now have something to shoot for next year."

Before heading to the pros, Tardy will play his college hockey at UMD.  He's part of a recruiting class that features three draftees, a recruiting class tardy is excited to play with.

"Even the players that didn't get drafted, there are a lot of great young players who are committed to UMD," said Tardy.  "I'm excited to be part of such a high quality recruiting class.  Its awesome."

But first, he'll play a season with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL.

"Coach Sandelin really thought that I needed a year to get ready, get bigger and stronger and have more of an impact when I come to UMD, and I agree," said Tardy.  "I'm really looking forward to taking a year, playing a ton of games and getting a chance to work on my strength and speed."

When he does get to UMD, Max will be the third Tardy to play college hockey,. joining his father and older brother.

"All the success so far in my hockey career has been attributed to my dad and my brother and how much they pushed me," he said.  "After I got drafted, the first thing my dad said was I've got to start working harder."

And that work starts right away.

"You've always got to work harder," said Tardy.  There's always someone working harder than you are and you've got to work as hard as you can to keep up and keep improving and to be able to excel at the next levels.