Josepho
i want the bartkowski thread back
i raked out WAY too much cash for that but i'm glad i went and i'll probably go the next time the draft is in a cheaper and more unconventional hockey market.
I got a good photo with your namesake at the draft.
The draft was a fun time - met so many nice folks in and around the building. Lots to see and do and the event itself was, well, eventful! Good times.
i raked out WAY too much cash for that but i'm glad i went and i'll probably go the next time the draft is in a cheaper and more unconventional hockey market.
So much pressure on these kids its insane. Not that it detracts from how seriously anyone takes it, but I almost prefer hearing from a prospect drafted in the mid-late rounds that they didn't attend the draft and were off doing something else. It shows that they are able to take a step back and not be overly concerned with things beyond their control. In my experience these players end up being signed and making pro more often than not (Corrado, LaBate, Hutton, Gaudette for example since I've been following the draft)IMO, worth it to at least experience once. I decided to go both days, when i only planned for Day 1. Day 1 was exciting though and nice to talk to some fans who at least know some of the players. But it was very tiring; next time, i think i'd only do day 1. The arena was not full either days. Holy, there were a lot of empty seats on Day 1. The supply should not have been this low, i think a lot of families did not show up.
Day 2 was more relaxed, but ughhh i sat next to some of the most awful girls. When prospects were drafted and their photos popped up on the jumbotron, she said "Ohhh Rees that's my husband" I was like WTF. She said the same thing about Afanasyev. Then when Robertson got drafted, she was talking about how hot he was. It was so cringe, i got up at that point and moved. Thank god, the host said i could move anywhere because there was a lot of room.
I found the top prospects relatively noticeable. At least, the ones that attended the combine. I walked home behind Krebs on his little scooter thing. It was pretty funny looking. I saw Dustin Wolf just running around the concourse before day 2 and that kid looked super nervous. The bad part is also seeing a kid not get selected. I've got a good guess of who it is. Throughout the 7th round, his head was in his hands. Then I saw him stand up right when the last pick got announced, demand something (either car keys or hotel keys) from his dad while looking super upset. The dad tried to calm him down, when that didn't work, he handed over the key and the kid ran out of our section. All of the agents were in the same area and they definitely took notice of it too.
Seattle's been pushing to host the 2021 Draft, but they're not sure the arena renovations will be completed by June 2021.
I seem to have better experiences from attending Day 2 of the draft. Just easier to navigate with fewer people and there's a bit more of a relaxed environment. Plus it's a million times easier to ID a prospect wearing a jersey than trying to pick out a teenager in a suit. I kinda laughed after Day 1 at this family who "saw" John Beecher and chased him down for a picture. The guy was most definitely not John Beecher, unless I grew five inches recently.
Day 2 was more relaxed, but ughhh i sat next to some of the most awful girls. When prospects were drafted and their photos popped up on the jumbotron, she said "Ohhh Rees that's my husband" I was like WTF. She said the same thing about Afanasyev. Then when Robertson got drafted, she was talking about how hot he was. It was so cringe, i got up at that point and moved. Thank god, the host said i could move anywhere because there was a lot of room.
Day 2, I had some woman behind me sarcastically woo-ing every pick. That got old real fast, and she did it for at least 10 straight picks and I had to change seats.
Then sat nearby some awkward teenagers who were critiquing each pick (poorly). I figured it was mostly fruitless endeavor to chat with them, but I couldn't help myself after one of them said "St. Louis is stupid (for drafting a goalie with the last pick of the 3rd round). Binnington almost won Rookie of the Year!" I had to point out that the draftee was 18 and Binnington was 26. If they were lucky enough for the drafted goalie to pan out in 4-5 years, Binnington might already be a free agent.
But for the most part, everybody else was pretty cool. Extra kudos to the guy who tapped me on the shoulder when Jack Hughes appeared for a brief moment after round 1. Unfortunately I took too long to try to fish out a puck.
I had a nice conversation with a family who made the trip up from Everett, they seemed genuinely happy that I knew the team / where they're from. The mother was rocking a game used Dustin Wolf jersey. It was nice to hear the commotion from the ~40 Everett fans that had stuck around in the 7th round for Wolf to get taken. It must've been a long few hours for him.
I think I bumped into Brodeur right after your autograph, I was a little ways up the stairs from that area - maybe he had to go to the bathroom or something.
I would like to mention the audio in the building was dreadful.
Could barely hear anybody speak, gary or teams
The Canucks assistant GM just met Quinn on Friday?It was amazing !
Met Wayne Gretzky, Can Neely , Quin and Jack and many more.
Also didnt have to listen to 3 hrs of broadcast about how every pick and player is a great pick and player !
I stood next to Bob McKenzie while he was ordering his pizza as well! He definitely seemed intent on getting his food, so other than asking to shake his hand, I didn’t bug him.
Wait...what? Before they were selected? He was talking about who we’d probably pick with a random guy before they were selected?Did the Dad have a mullet? I might have met them, too. Props to the Everett fans that attended - ran into lots of their season ticket holders who'd made the trek just to cheer on the kids in the draft. The cheer when Wolf got picked was the highlight of Day 2, IMO.
I got pretty lucky both days - Day 1 we sat by some very drunk, but fortunately quite friendly Canuck fans. Also a very nice lady Philly fan who we chatted with a bit. Day 2 we sat near a few pleasant Canuck fans that we chatted animatedly with about all the happenings and goings on - by and large, everyone I ran into was friendly. I think I bumped into Brodeur right after your autograph, I was a little ways up the stairs from that area - maybe he had to go to the bathroom or something.
Nicest hockey guys I met were Ron Delorme and Farhan Lalji. Delorme stopped, chatted, autographed, photographed, and shared his thoughts on who the Canucks would pick that day. Easy to see why he's so respected within the organization. Couldn't meet a friendlier guy. Lalji was awesome too - stopped, asked for your name, shook hands, all that good stuff.
Wait...what? Before they were selected? He was talking about who we’d probably pick with a random guy before they were selected?