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monochroma · 06-09-2021, 12:25 AM

So! The SMJHL Draft. It's in 4 days. My brain still hasn't quite processed that. The true start of my professional hockey career, in less than a week's time from today. It feels absolutely amazing to be able to say that. Am I ready for it? Hell no I'm not. But I really don't care, I'm too god damn excited to care.

In the days leading up to the draft, I've been chatting quite a lot with many of the other players from my draft class. We're all in the same hotel right now and we've got plenty of free time, so we've been hanging out quite a bit. I've gotten to know some of them quite well, to the point where I think I could call them friends. They're a bit... weird at times, but overall they're a pretty alright bunch. I'm definitely looking forward to playing alongside and/or against them, both in the J and, in a few years time, the SHL. Some of them are names that I've known for years, constantly seeing them being touted by North American scouts as "the next Ron Mexico, Joe Kurczewski, Jason Visser, Esa Anrikkanen". I've seen their junior league highlights be posted everywhere on the Internet, so meeting all of these guys in person felt... strange, knowing that not only were these real people, not just beings on the internet, but that they're also the people who I'm competing with, the people who I will be compared to throughout my entire career, the people who I'm going to be playing against for years to come. It's a lot of pressure - but I kinda like it. It feels right, knowing that my name will soon be amongst theirs as we all head towards the SHL. We've all been practicing together, and holy fuck these guys are good. Seriously, their skill is like something I've never seen in person before. Well, technically, I have actually played against a couple of them at the U18 Worlds, so that's not entirely true, but most of them I'm meeting for the first time. I found myself being able to keep up with them just fine though, and I think that's the moment where I realised that I really do have that exact same superstar potential as they do. Though the practice sessions we're doing are low contact, which... kinda goes against my entire playstyle, but it does mean that I get to work more on other aspects of my game which is always good. I get it though, the guys don't want to get injured right before the draft - right before the start of the SMJHL season, for that matter - and I don't either, so I suppose that's fair. I've been working on my slapshots a little bit, even though I'm not much of a scorer I figured it'd still be a good skill to have in case I need to put it to use. I got some good pointers from one of the guys, and I've noticed I'm hitting the net much more often. Still not particularly accurate, but at least I can get a shot on the goal now instead of breaking the glass (Which did, in fact, happen. It may or may not have happened a few times, actually.)

I've also been in talks with the scouts from a good few of the SMJHL teams, and even some of the GMs who have decided to reach out to me and have a bit of a chat for themselves. Honestly, it's a really exciting feeling checking my email or my phone and seeing that I've got a new message from one of the teams who wants to talk, it's just this little "hell yeah" feeling that I get every time I see something new like that popping up in my inbox. I've also noticed that I've been gaining a good few followers on Twitter (follow me pls), presumably most of them are fans excited for the draft, and, hopefully, excited to get to see me play. Is this what it feels like to be famous? Anyway, the talks with the scouts have been going well - at least I think they have. I suppose that little article that I wrote about myself did indeed help get my name out there quite a bit. I'm not entirely sure where I'm going to actually go in the draft though. I don't think it really matters all that much where you get picked in the juniors - or in the SHL for that matter, though being an early pick does give you bragging rights. I do hope to go in the first round though, and I do think that my chances of going in the first round are pretty decent, though this draft class is ridiculously stacked so who the hell knows? Man, the mock draft is hard to do this year. I do care a bit more about where I end up though. Not so much the geographical location, but mainly the culture around the team. What's the locker room like? What are the fans like? Will they give me a good chance to win the cup? Those are the things that matter to me. I know my time in the SMJHL is very limited, just like everyone's, so there's not gonna be all that many chances to lift the Four Star Cup, and winning it is very much a team effort. But yeah, in the juniors I want to leave a good impression on the SHL general managers and, if I can, help bring a cup to whichever team chooses me. I've actually met some of the current SMJHL players as well and have talked with them about what it's like playing there - one of the teams actually invited me to meet the entire roster, which was really cool. They're all a bunch of amazing lads, so I would definitely have no complaints if I were to end up there, however I will be happy no matter what team I end up at. Well, maybe not if my new teammates end up being complete dickheads or something, but I don't think that's something I need to worry about. I'm sure they'll be nice, they were all in the same position as me just a year or two ago so they know exactly what I'm going through right now, as they've gone through it themselves and are set to do so again when they go to the SHL. No matter how the draft goes, I'll be happy. Unless I go undrafted. That would fucking suck.

I'm also super excited for the upcoming prospect showcase. The teams for it were actually announced just before I started writing this article. Apparently I'm now a San Diego Sand Lion. Looking at the rosters, I think we definitely have a good chance to win it - we've got a lot of good guys like Selich, Viggosson and Miller on the roster. Not gonna lie, we're pretty damn stacked. I'm definitely not the only one hyped for it either - the rookie group chat is absolutely buzzing with excitement right now. LET'S GO SAND LIONS! I've never been to San Diego before, but maybe I should visit one day. I'm really happy to get a chance to compete against the guys for the first time in a more proper, slightly more competitive setting. Could really help with my draft stock too, if I do well. We've already started practicing with our teams, and all I can say is: Scrims are going well, can't wait for the showcase.

You know, at the beginning of this article I said that I'm absolutely not ready for the draft. Honestly though? After writing this, I do genuinely feel a bit more ready than I was before. I suppose writing just kinda... helped me ease my concerns. Anyway, that's... pretty much all I've got to say. Expect to see me at the Prospect Showcase in a few days time, at the Entry Draft not too long after and on the ice in the SMJHL in a couple of months time. Cheers.

-Leons Briedis

steveoiscool · 06-09-2021, 12:38 AM

***Ace*** · 06-09-2021, 07:14 AM

Nice read

Talls · 06-09-2021, 09:55 AM

*lmao* · 06-09-2021, 03:30 PM

good luck in the draft sir

Jumbobone19 · 06-09-2021, 04:32 PM

Good stuff right here

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