The days leading up to the draft were a Virtual blur. Signing that contract with the SHL on march 28th left little time to make sense of this vast league in time for the draft. Much of that first week was about asking questions, following leads and stumbling on to activities... to be honest the draft was the least of my concerns.

By week 2 I began to recognize names, I new where to find basic information and by following the clues.... I had built up a relatively decent week of completed tasks. It was right around that point where the first Mike Izzy draft sighting accrued! Ranked 16th in a pre draft write up i began to scour for information on this draft, it's participants and the teams involved...This was now SHL priority number 1!

Confidence that i could make an immediate draft impact began to grow as I shifted from 'trying to understand' to 'understanding' my role in this new league. I began to familiarize and eventually visit each franchise (filled out there draft Bios) I strengthened my skill set by banging out the available assignments and I even went out and bought a suit.jpg! By the morning of the draft it was my belief that I had done enough to allow teams to overlook the unknown Izzy factor and warrant a mid draft selection.

I watched the draft live and as it began my hope was to see an Izzy selection somewhere between the 10th and 20th picks... but as the each name got called out a recurring theme began to surface which was that teams liked drafting known quantities. 2nd or 3rd generation players and teammates from the past were like draft comfort food.... suddenly I began to worry that the unknown project from Whitby didn't have the same allure as I thought i may. By pick 10 I was just hoping to be drafted.

I was quite pleased to see the Izzy Name called with the 22nd pick! Coach Jenny's 'Welcome to Kelowna' words validated the work I had put in since signing out of the CCHA and the general feeling I had was gratitude to the Knights. The risk that they took on me was noted and the welcomed nature of this organization was appreciated! Now that the draft is over i want to reward the Knights for taking a chance with Mike izzy by becoming this drafts most potent power forward while helping this franchise win a title.

With the hard work leading up to it and the ups and downs while watching it... overall the draft experience was quite exciting!