1 vs. 92, Episode 1: Where Are We?

Narrator: In the SHL, it's impossible to tell when the next superstar might make their way into the league. Especially when it comes to goalies, a position with not a lot of seats to fill and a lot of elite talent at the professional level. So it's no surprise that when Jackson Weekes and Colin Schmidt declared for the SMJHL that pundits were quick to tell them they were wasting their time. It's no surprise that they were instructed to find another league or perhaps learn to play out of net if they wanted to make it at the next level. The thing is, when a superstar is born, sometimes the only one who can recognize it is the player themselves. Weekes and Schmidt both recognized it, and nothing was going to turn them away. Mike Molholt and SHL Films present:



We pan around an empty draft room, a large board on the wall is covered with teams, picks and names. Whalers - Tsizling. Scarecrows - Sullivan. More names begin to fill in, the board filling up. Round 1. Round 2. Round 3. A voice echos in the empty room...

Announcer: ...With the third pick of the fourth round, the Detroit Falcons select Colin Schmidt, goalie.

Announcer: ...With the fifth pick of the fourth round, the St. Louis Scarecrows select Jackson Weekes, goalie.

The lights behind the board flicker, fading to darkness, leaving only the title of the board visible. S18 SMJHL Entry Draft. We zoom in on these letters and suddenly pan back out. The board has changed. It features only three selections now. Round 1, Pick 5: Mārtiņš Pētersons, Detroit Falcons. Round 4, Pick 19: Dymo Ranjan, Montreal Impact. Round 4, Pick 21: Colin Schmidt, Detroit Falcons. Slowly the camera zooms out, revealing a figure facing the wall, we rotate around and he faces the camera and speaks.


Jackson Weekes: I shouldn't let it bother me, but it did. These were the three taken before me. It was supposed to be my moment and they took it. Those three players. Those three teams. Everyone who passed over me, even the Scarecrows, who eventually selected me - they had passed on me as well. I immediately had a chip on my shoulder and it fueled me, I used it. Those three didn't do anything to me, but I still took it out on them - I focused on them and their every fault and I enjoyed all of them.

Mike Molholt: What about Colin, why was it so heavy towards him?

Jackson Weekes: It was strange. Despite Detroit taking two goalies, including one in the first round, Schmidt was "the guy" in my rookie season. Everyone loved him. Everyone talked about him. I felt slighted by him. Why did they love him and not me, ya know? It was infuriating. I was working harder. I was playing better. I couldn't do enough to win them over, so it built a rage within me and I wanted to destroy him. He had done nothing to me, everyone else had -but he was their idol and I wanted it destroyed.

We fade away from Weekes and to the office of Colin Schmidt, as seen in the first episode. He's speaking with Molholt once more.

Mike Molholt: Tell me about things from your side, how was the heat from Weekes?

Colin Schmidt: I didn't understand it. I didn't see it like he did, how could I? I felt like I was doing what I could to win people over and be friendly to those around the league, so I was confused. It never felt warranted in the SMJHL. I thought we got along before the draft. Obviously we've spoken since then and now I understand his side, but I don't know what I could've done differently at the time. Probably nothing, to be honest.


Mike Molholt: At the end of their first SMJHL season, Jackson Weekes and Colin Schmidt would meet up in the playoffs. The conference finals, to be exact. It is there that Jackson Weekes would prevail, eliminating Schmidt and the Detroit Falcons and ending their much hyped season. It was there that Weekes would get some retribution.

We see the St. Louis Scarecrows swarm the ice, Weekes in the middle of them all. The team is elated, they're going to compete for a championship. At the other end, Colin Schmidt hangs his head, the Falcons are going home. Detroit's spirits crushed, they all slowly make their way off the ice.[/b]

Mike Molholt: The St. Louis Scarecrows would lose in the championship round, perhaps they just weren't the better team, or perhaps Weekes wasn't as committed having vanquished his perceived foe. Either way, it was time for both to find out if their careers would be extending at the professional level or not - it was time for the SHL Entry Draft.


We see a room full of SHL hopefuls, last season's standouts and top prospects. Ryan Sullivan adjusts his tie at a table with fellow Scarecrow hopefuls, Zallerras Szlerchek and Jonathan Kane. Martins Daugavins and Colin Schmidt smile for a photo with some Falcon fans. Jackson Weekes sits alone, no teammates or coaches. He looks nervous, anxious. The picks start coming in...[/b]

Announcert: ...the first pick of the SHL Entry Draft, the Minnesota Chiefs select... Ryan Sullivan! Defenseman, St. Louis Scarecrows.

The table of Scarecrow players erupts with Sullivan's selection, high-fives and hugs all around as Sullivan goes up to shake hands with the commissioner and pose for a photo as the top selection. Daugavins is selected next by the New England Wolfpack and then West Kendall takes Zalleras Szlerchek, another Scarecrow teammate of Weekes. Weeks hasn't reacted much at all, waiting for his name to be called.[/b]

Announcert: ...have a trade to announce! The Los Angeles Panthers have traded up for the fourth pick and will be making their selection now. They have selected, from the St. Louis Scarecrows, goalie, Jackson Weekes!

We see the Scarecrow table cheer and turn back to Weekes as he stands from his table. He's smiling, big. His focus is intense, though it is not on the commissioner or his teammates. He's looking at Colin Schmidt, and the smile is more of a smirk. Weekes knows he bested Schmidt again, first in the playoffs and now at the draft. He goes up for his handshake and photo as we fade back into Schmidt's office, present day.[/b]


Colin Schmidt: It was surprising that such a big deal was made of it. He was selected before me, and yes, he clearly enjoyed that, but I was selected next. The fifth pick in the draft was still more than anyone ever thought I'd accomplish, heading to the West Kendall Platoon - I was excited. I didn't think it was a big deal at all, but the media was all over our selections.

Mike Molholt: I have to ask, now that the draft is complete... what happened with Team Canada?

Colin Schmidt: Yes, Team Canada...

Schmidt sighs, clearly troubled by the next bit of information. He leans back into his chair as the camera fades to black and then on to a lighted stage where producer Mike Molholt stands.[/b]

Mike Molholt: A rivalry that is largely on the ice spills over into the country level. Massive international ramifications follow and a true hatred develops. Next time on SHL films!