Here it is, the off-season and I was looking forward to some quiet time…time to allow my body and my mind to heal and reset and prepare for next season. But that came to a end pretty quickly once the calls started about the VHL draft. I didn’t even know that I was in another draft! But yea, there was going to be one more draft to determine the path my career would take after my time with the Scarecrows was over.
 
I had no idea about the teams in the VHL (I guess it is not good that I admit that, but there is a lot to take in to understand the league!) so I didn’t have an opinion one way or another when it came to where I wanted to go. After talking to my parents we agreed that no matter where I went, things would be good because the team wanted me, that is why they chose me. So I am excited to see what happens next.

The Scarecrows paid for me to have a private coach to work with me at the local rink. I spent 8-10 hours, 6 days a week, at the rink. Man, did my legs and arms hurt when I got home every night. But I felt like I was getting better. As I watched the game film from the beginning of the season to the tapes from my practice sessions, yea, I seemed to be faster and didn’t have to think so much about what to do, it actually seemed to just come natural now. I hoped that it would be enough to catch the eye of a scout or two.

The phone calls started as a trickle and then belt to a flood as the scouts, coaches and managers were reaching out to talk to me. They asked about my plans for my career, what I wanted to achieve, was it more important to me that I be a superstar or to be on a winning team. That one is so simple, I want to be on a winning team. I don’t think that I even thought about that answer…but it was something I know deep inside. I want to win championships…anything else is just nice.

The night of the draft I was with my family. I didn’t want to go back to St Louis yet. I knew that most of the team would be there to watch the draft unfold, but I preferred being with my family. The names started, the first overall, is it bad to say I didn’t know him? But 2nd overall was my good friend Mathias. I couldn’t be happier for him! There were so many trades after those first 2 picks that I got confused about who was even selecting at any given time. It was getting to be too much for me so I decided to take my dog for a walk. Tolkien was so glad to have me home and I think I enjoyed those walks as much as he did. So I grabbed the leash and headed out the door. Ma handed me my phone and smiled before saying…Just in case…

I hadn’t been gone 5 minutes before my phone started ringing. I have to admit, I love that song….Thunderstruck by AC/DC…I mean, who wouldn’t like that song? But anyway, I looked at the phone and it said the call was coming from Winnipeg. Oh wow, had I been drafted already????

Yep, the Auroa had selected me with the 16th selection. I was so shocked…and excited! I talked to them about my new contract and what the plans were for my player’s career. My mind was swirling and I hate to admit that I don’t remember much of it. But I do know that I have another fantastic organization that I will become a part of.

I am excited to know that I will be joining Winnipeg when the time is right and I look forward to seeing what this next stage of my career is like. There is a lot I don’t know…and I cant wait to find out.


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