Unfortunately security didn't let me bring in my nice camera for Day 2, so I don't have as many photos to share this time. Some random photos:
Walking to the arena, one reporter saw me with the Hughes/Kakko nameplates. He asked if I was the guy with the Hischier/Patrick nameplates in 2017. Had a couple media folks approach me for interviews; I had to sign a waiver for the NHL Network one. It's funny for the local one, I think they were just expecting me to say "JACK HUGHES WOOOOOOO", but instead I gave a rambling analysis for a few minutes.
For the NHL Network one, they asked me who I preferred between Hughes and Kakko. I said Hughes, and mentioned that Kakko was perhaps a little closer to being a finished product and that Hughes perhaps had some untapped potential as he was still growing into his body. Then I joked out loud "Yeah, me talking about an 18 year old growing into his body didn't come off creepy at all" which got a laugh from the cameraman.
Walking to my hotel, I spotted Kris Draper and Steve Yzerman across the street. If I hadn't been lugging around my bags, I might've worked up the nerve to approach them for autographs for my buddy back home.
Camped out near where the prospects were arriving but didn't have the patience to wait for Hughes. While I was there to potentially get pictures, that sort of thing was geared more for the kids. There were a couple of oddly aggressive women who were hunting for pictures/autographs, and usually they didn't even know who they were taking a picture with. Just kinda irked me, the whole "push a little kid over for a foul ball" mentality.
Hughes meeting the table.
Towards the end of the draft, I sat by the Devils table hoping to get a Marty autograph. The security guard was hyping me up to do it.
There was also some moron in a cheap suit and briefcase who tried to enter the draft floor but got stopped by the guard. The guy begged since he just wanted one quick selfie with him on stage. Him having a briefcase cracked me up. Just picturing him thinking how to make him look more official.
Eventually worked up the nerve and got the autograph. Marty didn't seem overly enthusiastic but I could understand. Once he signed one thing, a small group could then rush him for stuff too. Steve Yzerman had to turn down numerous folks.
Chris Terreri happened to be my on flight from Vancouver to Seattle. I got an autograph from Michael Vukojevic as we were both walking away from the arena. Got a Tobias Bjornfot for my coworker. Unfortunately as I was texting my coworker that I got him an autographed puck, that's exactly when Jack Hughes appeared for a brief moment en route to the chartered bus.
It also cracked me up that there was a family chasing down draftees for pictures but didn't know who was who. The daughter was like "OH THAT'S JOHN BEECHER" and the family got photos with a guy who was most definitely not John Beecher.
Walking to the arena, one reporter saw me with the Hughes/Kakko nameplates. He asked if I was the guy with the Hischier/Patrick nameplates in 2017. Had a couple media folks approach me for interviews; I had to sign a waiver for the NHL Network one. It's funny for the local one, I think they were just expecting me to say "JACK HUGHES WOOOOOOO", but instead I gave a rambling analysis for a few minutes.
For the NHL Network one, they asked me who I preferred between Hughes and Kakko. I said Hughes, and mentioned that Kakko was perhaps a little closer to being a finished product and that Hughes perhaps had some untapped potential as he was still growing into his body. Then I joked out loud "Yeah, me talking about an 18 year old growing into his body didn't come off creepy at all" which got a laugh from the cameraman.
Walking to my hotel, I spotted Kris Draper and Steve Yzerman across the street. If I hadn't been lugging around my bags, I might've worked up the nerve to approach them for autographs for my buddy back home.
Camped out near where the prospects were arriving but didn't have the patience to wait for Hughes. While I was there to potentially get pictures, that sort of thing was geared more for the kids. There were a couple of oddly aggressive women who were hunting for pictures/autographs, and usually they didn't even know who they were taking a picture with. Just kinda irked me, the whole "push a little kid over for a foul ball" mentality.
Hughes meeting the table.
Towards the end of the draft, I sat by the Devils table hoping to get a Marty autograph. The security guard was hyping me up to do it.
There was also some moron in a cheap suit and briefcase who tried to enter the draft floor but got stopped by the guard. The guy begged since he just wanted one quick selfie with him on stage. Him having a briefcase cracked me up. Just picturing him thinking how to make him look more official.
Eventually worked up the nerve and got the autograph. Marty didn't seem overly enthusiastic but I could understand. Once he signed one thing, a small group could then rush him for stuff too. Steve Yzerman had to turn down numerous folks.
Chris Terreri happened to be my on flight from Vancouver to Seattle. I got an autograph from Michael Vukojevic as we were both walking away from the arena. Got a Tobias Bjornfot for my coworker. Unfortunately as I was texting my coworker that I got him an autographed puck, that's exactly when Jack Hughes appeared for a brief moment en route to the chartered bus.
It also cracked me up that there was a family chasing down draftees for pictures but didn't know who was who. The daughter was like "OH THAT'S JOHN BEECHER" and the family got photos with a guy who was most definitely not John Beecher.
