He was drafted with the 28th overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He began his hockey career when he was drafted by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft. He instead played for the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL for three seasons before he left to play college hockey. He played college hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth with the Bulldogs.