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*leviadan* · 03-16-2020, 01:38 AM

1711 Words - Double Draft Media Bonus - Ready for Grading

After a painful loss in the semi-finals of the SMJHL playoffs, it was good to return home to Germany to take my mind off of things for a few weeks. My family put me through my paces on the farm, I ate more potatoes than I probably should have, and I caught up with my favourite hog. As the Four Star Cup wrapped up and World Junior rosters started to be announced, I figured it was time to get back to work. Weights, chickens, wrestling, horses-- the whole nine yards. I was going to arrive at season 53 even bigger and Burlokier than season 52.

But when the mock drafts started to roll in, I was devastated. Nobody had me in the top ten, some didn't have me in the first round, and some left me out of the first two rounds entirely! Have they seen how far I can throw a chicken? Have they seen my hit totals from last year? Is this really what people think of me? These are the questions that plagued my mind as I spiraled into a depression. It's tough to train and grow when you're constantly afraid that you won't be good enough.

One evening, as I went to fetch the mail, I decided I'd just keep walking. Right past the mailbox, across the street, through the field on the other side-- I was just going to keep my feet moving until they wouldn't. Why bother getting the mail? It would probably just be another mock draft without me in it. If I walked long enough, maybe I could get all the way back to Detroit, skip the draft entirely, and be a perennial SMJHLer. It wouldn't be that bad.

Field turned to dirt, dirt turned to rock, rock turned to water, and water turned to road as I walked on. Head down, imagining all the horrible positions I could be drafted in. 22nd? Ugh. 30th? Jesus Christ. When all of a sudden, a beautiful streak of rainbow colour caught the corner of eye. I looked up to find that I'd walked all the way into town, and right in front of me was the most intriguing person I'd ever seen.

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He stopped dead in front of me, hopped off his board, and quickly tossed a baggie far into the lake I'd just walked out of. I couldn't believe how fast he moved and how loudly he dressed. I could tell that this guy didn't care what anyone or anything thought about him. He hopped back on his board and turned to leave, but I reached out to stop him.

I grabbed him by the hem of his tie-dye shirt and poured my heart out to him. I told him how I felt torn down and worthless every day, how I wasn't even on a handful of mock drafts, how I only got seven assists in season 52. He looked at me confused at first, but the confusion soon turned to kindness, and he listened carefully before speaking.

"Life is a lot like school, it really sucks. But do you know what gets me through school every year? Beyblades and pizza day."

Something about that really hit home for me. I needed to make a little bit of time for myself every day, whether it's talking or walking or letting it rip. And the idea that, no matter how hard things get, you always have to find something to look forward to. I was dreading the draft because of my positioning, but that's not in my control. What I needed to do was look forward to the day. The excitement, the new friends, the atmosphere. I needed to focus on the things that I could influence, and not what I couldn't. I told him how much that meant to me, and how good it was to have someone listen. He asked my name, and I asked his.

"Zeke. It's right here, on my shirt."

I felt stupid for not noticing, but his smile reassured me. I told him I probably needed to get back to the farm, and he said he'd go with me. We talked about a lot as we traveled, only taking a break when we heard sirens and Zeke had to lie down in the ditch for a few minutes. He said that he saw something shiny in the ditch and the sirens had nothing to do with it. He must be a pretty lucky guy to find eight shiny things in the ditch on one walk.

We got around to talking more in depth about my draft position. He had some great advice that would simultaneously clear my head AND improve my draft position overall. He only asked $5 million for it, and while I was hesitant at first, I'd known Zeke for a good 32 minutes now and he hadn't steered me wrong yet. As we know, the SHL draft just ended, and I went 19th overall-- 3 full positions higher than I went in the SMJHL draft. If it worked for me, it can work for anyone. So here's some simple things to keep in mind next time the draft rolls around!

*****

#1: Be Agreeable

Zeke says that everyone likes when you agree with them. Doesn't matter if it's a cop, an SHL GM, or a guidance counselor. So if a GM asks if you'd be happy to play for their team, you say, "Yes! It's the only team I'd ever want to play for! I'm telling all other teams to get lost! I grew up cheering for your team!" This will especially endear you to teams that are in terrible locations that nobody would ever want to go to. These teams know who they are.

#2: Be Memorable

Zeke told me that whether it's for a good reason or a bad reason, you have to be memorable. You could be really kind and ask about peoples' lives and be remembered as a positive community influence, OR maybe you could be the guy that called some GM's dog ugly! Who cares! When a GM is on the clock for a pick and they need to blurt out a name, you want to be one of the first ones on their mind! Zeke also said that no matter what bad things he does, it doesn't seem like his Dad notices him, so hopefully no GMs are like his Dad.

#3: Get a Good Haircut

Zeke asked me about my big beard. He said it was pretty cool, but maybe GMs aren't seeing me for who I am or how I play hockey, but for my big beautiful beard. He recommended a smart trim for both my beard and hair. The hope was to bring my eyes to the forefront and help me connect more on a personal level. Zeke said he's had the same haircut for 30 years. I said I thought he was still in school, and he said he is. I asked him how his age reconciles with that and he move on to point number four.

#4 Stop Asking Questions

Zeke said that nobody likes someone that asks too many questions. He said that people that ask a ton of questions are little twerps and it's no wonder that no SHL GMs are interested in them. He said that people like that are lucky he's helping them at all.

#5 Over Promise

The last piece of advice I got from Zeke was to promise everything, even if it's impossible. GMs will love your spunk if you say you're going to hit the TPE cap next week, even if it isn't true. Hell, by that point you've already been drafted, so mission accomplished! Zeke said that most people don't stay in your life long enough to follow up on big promises anyway. Besides, if you spend your life saying that you can do anything, maybe one day it'll be true. Fake it until you make it, right?

*****

As night fell and Sulfurgold farm came into view, I found myself feeling much better. While Zeke certainly was strange, all of his advice resonated with me. At that point I didn't know if it would work, but it relaxed me, and that's what mattered. I had a very cool man-boy on a 5 million dollar retainer, and I was finally in a head space where I could dedicate myself to full-time growth and training. We reached the end of my driveway and I gave Zeke a big hug. I told him that I was looking forward to the draft now, and I was excited to keep in touch with him throughout the upcoming season. He said he couldn't wait to tell his Dad that he was an advisor to a professional hockey player. That made me smile. I was glad that this wise (old?) boy had gotten something from this transaction. Well, aside from the money.

As I turned and waved to Zeke, I saw him heading off back toward the city. He was trying to land a kick flip every few feet, but I don't think he was quite good enough to. It looked painful. I swear I saw him dive into the ditch one last time before he disappeared over the horizon. Say what you will about Zeke, but he certainly lived by the advice he gave. I can respect that.

So here I am! Not only have I been drafted to a kick-ass SHL team, but I'm bigger, faster, and stronger than I was last year. Oh yeah, and I have Zeke in my corner. We're doing weekly calls so that he can keep my vibe in check. He's also taken it upon himself to make sure that I don't forget where I came from. I'm not sure I'll have that problem, but he says it's important.

Anyway, here's to a new season! I wish all of those that were drafted today the best, and I hope that all draft picks of the future can learn a little something from my story. Don't stress, be yourself, and find your own Zeke. Whether that's the one true Zeke himself, or something else entirely. I believe in you. We believe in you. Go get that number one spot.

***sve7en*** · 03-16-2020, 01:44 AM

I love your fucking media dude.

*leviadan* · 03-16-2020, 07:50 AM

03-16-2020, 01:44 AMsve7en Wrote: I love your fucking media dude.

Haha, thanks! I appreciate that. Shy

roastpuff · 03-16-2020, 10:42 AM

Zeke totally seems like a stand up dude.

*leviadan* · 03-16-2020, 04:15 PM

03-16-2020, 10:42 AMroastpuff Wrote: Zeke totally seems like a stand up dude.

I'd give you his number but it changes every couple of days. Also a different person answers every single time I call, but they always pass the phone to him right away. Sometimes it seems like they're surprised he's there?

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