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***boom*** · 03-15-2022, 12:14 AM

[1439 words, x2 media, ready for grading]

All of the work and the grind was leading up to this week. The discussions with the SMJHL teams and how she performed would determine Sophie Bordeleau's draft destination and where she would spend the next few years of her life. Several teams had reached out, and it was now up to her family, Coach Philips and her to work through the interviews. "These are all going to sound like boilerplate chats, and they kind of are, but they do help you get a sense of how they see you fitting in," explained Coach Philips during one of their regular after-school meetings. "I'm going to flip the questions on their head a bit. Any of the teams strike you specifically as a place you'd want to go?" Sophie smiled back at her. "Don't want to get my hopes up too high before the draft, I've been reading things saying that this class is going to be really competitive and I hope I can be up there with the best. Playing in Quebec would be pretty cool, but if another team can give me a better shot then I'm down for it. I just want to show them all that I can compete even with being small and a girl," Sophie said determinedly. Coach Philips laughed approvingly in response. "Good stuff. I knew you'd say something like that. I know you'll make us all proud wherever you end up, but as someone who follows the Citadelles myself I hope you end up there and win a Cup with them," she chuckled. With support like this, Sophie felt emboldened wherever she was. She might not be a linebacker on skates like M'Baku Olubori or a power centre like Aleksi Kettu, but she felt pretty confident in her own skill set and hoped a team would take a shot on her as well.

~~~

The day was finally here: the SMJHL entry draft. Sophie had prepared as best she could with all of the interviews over the last few weeks, but with all the media talking about how this class was going to be incredibly strong, she felt nervous with the butterflies in her stomach. Fortunately, she wouldn't be alone here in the arena; Sophie was accompanied by her parents, Coach Philips, and Jamie - the girl who had, for the last few weeks, been her rock. Jamie had been there for the late-night text conversations, listening to Sophie ramble about her fears, and cheering on every positive development. With the action starting, there wasn't anything in the way of dramatic trade-ups or off-the-board picks, but simply prospect after prospect watching their dreams come true. As Aleksi Kettu went off the board to the Carolina Kraken at 6, Sophie was getting a little more excited. Detroit was a team that she had spoken to in the pre-draft discussions, and after that was Quebec City, the team closest to her home and everything she had ever known. The Falcons GM stepped up to the podium and spoke into the mic, "With the seventh overall pick in the S64 SMJHL Draft, the Detroit Falcons are proud to select B Jobin." However, confusion soon overtook the ecstasy, as the draft floor seemed to be abuzz with discussion, particularly between the Falcons' table and the representatives from the league's head office. A representative in a sharp suit soon stepped up to the podium to give an explanation. "The pick was submitted on the draft card, but there was a mix-up with the announcement and the wrong name was announced. We have confirmed that the draft card is correct, and the seventh overall pick of the Detroit Falcons is C Jobin. Congratulations," the league representative said. As the buzz came over the arena at the shock of the event, Sophie turned to find Jamie giggling to herself. "It's just like Moonlight!" she joked, referring to the infamous error at the Academy Awards that had swept the Internet.

With the error out of the way, the next pick belonged to the Quebec City Citadelles, the team Sophie had been watching since she was in grade school. Knowing what it would mean to be picked here, she could feel Jamie gripping her hand tightly. No doubt she was hoping to see her girlfriend be picked up here and get to be near here, and Sophie smiled at the silent affirmation. The draft card was submitted, and a person in a sharp suit stepped up to the podium, speaking into the mic. "With the eighth overall pick, the Quebec City Citadelles are proud to select Sophie Bordeleau." As the words came out of the representative's mouth, the world slowed down around her. It was like watching a sports film on slow motion at the end when the main character achieves their biggest dreams. The people around her jumped into cheers, Coach Philips gave her a pat on the back, and Jamie pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm so proud of you, I'm so goddamn proud," Sophie could hear her gush. Her head still spinning from the surprise and excitement, she got to her feet and made her way down the stairs towards the stage, knowing that all the eyes in the arena were on her. Managing to stay on her feet on the way to the podium, Sophie shook hands with the Citadelles GM Oisin Fletcher, a good strong handshake and a smile. With the customary donning of the jersey and hat, she knew that while there would be more work in her future to rise up and continue to follow her big-league dreams, this was a pretty amazing step in her young career. She'd get to play for the team that she grew up watching, be part of an organization with a strong tradition of success, and be close to home and her family. Sophie made her way back to her seat, her smile lighting up the whole arena for all to see. Getting back to her little group, Sophie shared another round of hugs with the people she loved and cared for most before settling back to watch the further picks in the draft, clad in the beautiful blue jersey. Quebec had three other picks in the top 20, and Sophie was excited to eventually get to play on a team with them all.

A few picks later, the Citadelles were up again with the 13th overall pick. Fletcher made another forward pick, taking a German power winger in Faust Faker. He was big and looked like he had the strength of a bear, but was smiling and joking as he walked up to the podium. Faker looked like a pretty friendly person, and Sophie was looking forward to getting to know him. The first round ended with a break and everyone got to stretch their legs, and she noticed a figure in a Citadelles jersey approach the section she was sitting in. Sophie looked closer and realized it was Faker, coming to say hello. "Hi there! Nice to meet you! Pretty great we ended up on the same team," she greeted, hoping to make a good first impression. The two had a good conversation while waiting for the second round of the draft to start, breaking the ice. As the managers started to congregate on the floor again in preparation for the second round. A few picks passed before the Citadelles were up again, and at 17th overall they selected a lanky winger in Portgas D. Ace. Sophie didn't much recognize the name, but from the highlight videos that played to accompany the pick he seemed to be a pretty adept offensive talent and she was impressed. And then, at nineteenth overall, Quebec City picked her. "With the nineteenth overall pick, the Quebec City Citadelles are proud to select Isabella Bouchard." With this announcement, a woman who appeared to be about Sophie's height stood up from the other side of the arena and made her way down the stairs. Sophie hadn't seen too much of her scouting videos, but from the little she had seen this girl seemed to be a very smart goaltender, always focused on being in the right position for the shot. Though she'd been on all-boys' terms before and the Citadelles had a few women on the team, Sophie knew that the pros would be different and had been a little nervous about trying to break onto the biggest scene against men and carving out her own niche. As Isabella made her way up to the stage, Sophie felt calmer knowing that at the very least she wouldn't be going it alone.

***RAmenAmen*** · 03-15-2022, 12:20 AM

Woo, more Bordeleau media! And even better that it gets to continue with Quebec!

***Evok*** · 03-15-2022, 12:29 AM

Exciting media! Pumped with the draft class and excited to see what we will reach together.
LETS GO QUEBEC
Citadelles

***boom*** · 03-15-2022, 01:08 AM

I think this is either my favourite or second favourite piece that I’ve written so far, up there with the one where Jamie and Sophie get together. It was fun to try and capture the party atmosphere of the draft.

***Patty*** · 03-16-2022, 07:18 PM

Faust and Sophie gonna be homies

***boom*** · 03-17-2022, 10:22 AM

03-16-2022, 07:18 PMPatty Wrote: Faust and Sophie gonna be homies

Faust just seems like the kind of guy who would be friends with everyone and easy to get along with

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