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KenitohMenara · 06-08-2019, 06:21 PM

1102 words - x2 draft related content

Welcome to Edmonton: The Next Challenge for Raphael d’Alcott

Tears ran down the face of Raphael d’Alcott on draft night for two very different reasons. He had thought he done enough to earn his way into the first round, he had crossed every t and dotted every I on his way to the draft. Training hard every day to prepare himself, playing every shift at 110% to prove his worth, seeking out older players to learn from and push himself even harder. It seemed like he had done enough to earn his way into the late 1st round. Even SHL players wanted to play alongside the Georgian Grenade. The pieces were all in place… then it all just fell apart. Both Calgary and West Kendall, the last two teams in round 1, picked up separate players that filled their needs more effectively. Raphael, for lack of a better word, was shattered. Having watched his best friend, Gabriel Johnson, get picked 2nd overall, it seemed like Anchorage prospects were going to have a great night but that dream would soon turn into a nightmare. The 2nd round wore on and it was almost too much to bare, Raphael almost left the draft hall as the second round continued and he saw other players pass him by… then finally, his agony was put to rest. The Edmonton Blizzard selected Raphael d’Alcott with the 26th pick.

As Raphael made his way on stage, pulled on his jersey and stood up there with the GM and coaches, he forced himself to smile for the cameras. He was happy that Edmonton had selected him, but at that moment he just wanted to find a corner to cry in. He kept thinking… What did he do wrong? Why were teams not interested in him? Did he make too many mistakes? Even though all his friends from Anchorage, his junior GM and his player mentors had all congratulated him, he felt empty inside… then he remembered something. A thought that had driven him for so long and had always steered him in the right direction when times got tough. He wouldn’t cry anymore and he would go to Edmonton before he formally addressed the media, for that would be an interview that nobody would ever forget.
The more he thought about it, the selection by Edmonton seemed weird. Back at the combine, the Blizzard had never seemed interested in him. Their GM and Coach were more interested in talking to Barrett Blackwood (who they picked in the first round) than anyone else. It just seemed so far out of left field that it felt more like a plot twist than natural progression. All the same, when Raphael arrived in Edmonton, he was greeted as if a hero had come to save their town. Even though Blackwood was Edmonton’s first round selection, they treated Raphael as if they had stolen something from the rest of the league. Signs saying “Welcome Cottsy!” and “#97 on his back, #1 in our hearts” filled Raphael when a great sense of pride. There was even a kid already a jersey with his number on it, which Raphael signed immediately before thanking the kid. Further in the terminal lay another great surprise. Dean Colt III had already stated his intention to play with Raphael and after the draft, Dean had reached out to Edmonton to discuss a contract. This interaction would be the first time that Dean and Raphael had met in person and they embraced each other as if they were old friends. It truly meant a lot to Raphael so see Dean in Edmonton because it proved to him that people actually wanted to skate alongside him and help his development along.

Training Camp in Edmonton was a lot of fun for Raphael. Fans were allowed to attend the event and could cheer on their beloved players from the stands, which often went into standing room only. Some of Raphael’s best plays from training camp made it onto the official Blizzard twitter page and the fan interaction between players and fans was almost unreal to Raphael. Even though he knew that he would likely be sent back to Anchorage for next season, he was glad to know that the people of Edmonton were as welcoming as the folks in Anchorage.
After his last day of training camp, Raphael was ushered into a room filled with the press. This time, he was ready to let everything out. Everything that he had been feeling over the past couple of weeks he would finally let out in one big burst. The fateful question arrived:
Did the draft turn out how you expected?
"I wouldn't trade that night for anything but I have to admit I did leave rather disappointed.” Raphael said, “There was a lot of hype about if I could get into that first round and whatnot and to simply fall out of it like that is rather heart breaking. There are also some rumors that teams tried to make trades to draft me but I don't put too much stock into them.”

This is in reference to the rumours that teams like the New Orleans Spectres and the Buffalo Stampede were trying to trade back up in order to pick Raphael. He would continue to say:

“I do want to thank the Edmonton Blizzard for selecting me and I promise to give them everything I got to make that selection worthwhile..."

Raphael blinks a few tears away before looking up at the gathered press:

"You see, this is a pattern with me. No matter what I have done in my life, people have always doubted. They doubted me yesterday, they doubted me today and they will doubt me tomorrow. They said I will do nothing with ice hockey, but they've been saying that for 14 years and for all 14 years, I have proven them wrong. Now, with the Edmonton Blizzard, I will make every GM wrong for passing on me because that is what I do!"

The room became absolutely silent, you could hear a pin drop in the room. Raphael smiled, thanked the Blizzard once again and left the room. His point had been made with full effect and he felt better about this whole situation. Now the next challenge begins for Raphael. He is set to return to the Anchorage Armada for the next SMJHL season and will be hungry to win a four star title. He would make every GM pay for passing up on him and he was ready to put in even more work to make it happen.

Sean · 06-08-2019, 06:26 PM

Great Article! Welcome to Edmonton buddy Smile

EDM All-Time Leader in Goals, Assists and Points

Mack · 06-08-2019, 06:58 PM

Awesome man we are lucky to have you! Great draft class!

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