So, the NHL Entry Draft is hosted by the Kings and marks the first time in the 46-year history, that it will be in California! That's pretty cool. A good reason to go check it out. Well, that and the fact that the tickets were free.
Hockey is one of the few sports where the drafted players don't go straight to their pro teams. NBA players have guys coming straight out of High School, and NFL players jump straight from college. The NHL is somewhere in-between. A few superstars make the jump straight to the NHL, which is sort of the NBA high schooler equivalent. But most take time to develop and play college, major junior and/or some minor pro time in the American Hockey League (AHL) or ECHL.
Because of this, the draft is a bit of an non-event. There is no instant gratification. Some GM's may not even be around to see a drafted player finally make the NHL roster. It makes little sense to go see this event live.
But I'm interested. I want to take in the event. It will be interesting to see the emotions of these young players and their families when their name gets called. I do follow the prospects within the Kings and Senators organizations. But most of all it's a matter of checking off another item on the Bucket List. NHL All-Star Game? Check. NHL Stanley Cup FInal Game? Check. NHL Entry Draft? Check (in about 5 hours)
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