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cly · 05-24-2023, 10:48 PM

With every passing hockey season, another SMJHL draft brings the newest talent into the spotlight for what might be the first time. For Rocky Orwell (RD, Kelowna, 5th OA), Leon Rizzton (LD, Vancouver, 22nd OA), Oskar Samuelsson (LD, Great Falls, 31st OA), and Ana Parast (LW, Regina, 45th OA), their first and only SMJHL draft nights as players began and ended in vastly different ways. But it seems that in hockey, everyone crosses paths– and the four prospects' lives managed to align at just the right time, forging what appears to be a budding friendship despite their different teams, a friendship that could eventually prove to create an excellent leadership core when the time comes for their SHL draft day. 

Rizzton and Orwell had met previously at Tier 1 U18 Nationals in Pittsburgh with Orwell representing Nebraska's state champions and Rizzton boasting the home advantage representing the Pennsylvania state champions. Their only matchup was in the championship game, in which both had an assist on their team's single goal in regulation. It was during overtime that Rizzton's teammate scored the game winning goal, securing the national championship. However, no bad blood was harbored between the two, and when the two as met last-minute joinees in the major junior draft, they clicked hastily.

Another pal made in the last second before midnight was in the form of Oskar Samuelsson, a Swede with little to no experience in the big leagues. Orwell mentioned that while the three were talking, it “just felt solid” and Samuelsson “just fit in” with him and Rizzton. He continued to say that they all found common ground despite different backgrounds and upbringings and that, at the end of their time talking, it seemed like they had all hoped to head to the same team– specifically Vancouver, who had been hoping to pick all 3 of them up in the draft.

The group was rounded out by Ana Parast, who carried more experience than any of them in all aspects. He holds quite the backstory full of adversity, hard work, resilience, and passion for the game, having grown up in Pakistan. Parast, who spent ample time in Czechia honing his skills, did not end up hanging around his Czech teammates at the draft, and instead gravitated towards the trio of 3 promising defenders, made up of Orwell, Rizzton, and Samuelsson. The three of them, who had essentially just met, were more than happy to chat with Parast about his fascinating background and their mutual dream to one day skate with the best of the best.

The draft loomed over the horizon and after more conversations, the four of them had settled on Vancouver as their final destination so that not only would they be able to play together but they would be able to stick together and further their clear bond. As the draft approached, it seemed like the four of them were itching to head to VAN with their 2nd, 3rd (x2), and 4th round picks, just grateful for the opportunity.

However, it’s rare in hockey that things pan out to a perfect end without some bumps in the road. Rocky Orwell, in what was one of the biggest shocks of the draft, went 5th overall to Kelowna, followed by Rizzton who, out of the 4 of them, was the only one who ended up in Vancouver (22nd Overall). Ana Parast went surprisingly low to Regina, 45th overall, while Samuelsson was drafted to a solid team in Great Falls in just about the overall range that was expected.

Being split up didn’t hit the boys too hard, but it wasn’t easy when they had all gotten their hopes up. Despite this, the four are all ecstatic about their locations and new teams. Orwell, especially, has been getting to know GM Artermis and teammates Crystal McLeod and Logan Webb. He stated that coming into this league freshly 18 was intimidating when there’s so many experienced players, but he’s come to see Webb and McLeod as mentor figures that he can look to for advice.

Parast has not said much about his opinion on Regina, but it seems like he is mainly focused on proving himself as a talented winger who can play a solid defensive role. Orwell continued to say that Rizzton and Samuelsson have both “settled in” with their respective teammates and that, in character for the very chatty Orwell, he continues to talk to them over text message and “pester them” about their daily routines.

Overall, the four seem to have an active friendship that could truly contribute to a leadership core. The four could use their complimenting defensive talents and IQ to create an extremely well rounded penalty kill that could put up some of the best numbers in the SHL if they are ever united onto one team. Orwell concluded that he hopes they do all end up in the same place, but he is prepared for any outcome that comes his way.

“I’m excited for the future,” he said, “and I know they [Parast, Rizzton, Samuelsson] are too.”

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