The Newfoundland Berserkers weren't particularly tipped for championship glory last season, but they were expected to at least get past Quebec City. After playing well for most of the year, Weston Windsor expected to have his best performances in the playoffs with the benefit of experience and chemistry. Instead, he hit the ice against Quebec City and put up a single point in five games, registering a minus, and offering little of value to his team as they cruised to a crushing defeat at the hands of a depleted reigning champion.

The thing that helped Weston get back onto the horse and start putting in training hours was, in the end, the forthcoming draft. Discussions with interested scouts and general managers, the excitement of having to wait and see where you'll end up -- those are highlights of a player's career, and to allow the bitter taste of defeat to dampen his spirits would have assured a worse experience on draft night.

As it was, Weston was drafted to the Edmonton Blizzard. Being rolled into such an esteemed organization has helped him stay on focus, though that bitter playoff exit hangs in the back of his mind.