How many years have you worked for this day? For those selected it will be the culmination of more than a decade of practice and playing games. More than a decade of playing a game that some people have forgotten is still a game. Sure, today we will hear about high dollar contracts and singing bonuses, but in the end, it will always be a game that is played with a puck and sticks by the “boys” on the ice.
When we look in the stands today, we will see the faces of young men who will hope to one day earn ice time on the team that drafts them.
Also in the stands today we will see the faces of the parents, siblings and others who have been deeply involved in helping these players get to this point in their lives. To have your name called is a life changing moment, whether you are the first one to the podium or the guy sitting at home getting the last phone call of the draft. Though some may argue that the honor of being drafted number one over number one hundred and fifty or two hundred is different, I would argue it is not.
The honor of being selected into the NHL fraternity is no different or more significant from one to two eleven. The place in selection only determines financial gain at this point and is not an indicator of any level of success in the future.
Let us also not forget those that will not have their names called today.
To not be drafted can be a disappointment to many players. We all grow up hopping it will happen one day. But there are thousands of hopeful players each year that are not called. Seven rounds of picks. Only a few hundred players in the world each year have the honor of getting picked, so those not drafted are in the majority and not the minority.
For some it will make them work harder. There are always players who make the NHL after getting passed over in the draft. Scouts and General Managers make mistakes every year. Sometimes they pick a player and the player doesn’t work out, and they sign a player later that they were unsure of. Do not give up the dream until you have to.
For others they will slowly begin to let the dream slip away. All players know where they fit in. For some it takes a little longer to figure it out, but in the end, we all know what level is going to be our highest level. In that respect today is a wake up call for many.
It is an exciting day for sure.
I have had some great experiences with players on NHL draft day and some disappointing ones as well. It is an emotional roller coaster at times, but I love roller coasters. I honestly look forward to this day all year long. Even when a player that I dont work with on a professional level is taken that I know personally, you can not help but be happy for him when you know his journey.
In that regard I wish my friend Ernie and his son Frankie, as well as all of their family and friends attending this years draft, nothing but success. As a personal message, I am playing lottery number 136 Ern.
Today, is a great day for hockey.
Joseph Kolodziej – Publisher
