With the S97 VHL Draft being held tonight, Swedish defenseman Albin Aldgard puts on his best suit and his lucky tie and gets the stream ready on the living room television. With family and friends gathered in his home in Ostervala, Sweden they all gather around to wait and see which VHL team picks Albin.
A smaller defenseman with excellent puck skills, skating and offensive vision, he has been contacted by a few teams interested in having him join their roster in the future. Mock VHL drafts have him going in the Top-5. Aldgard would be thrilled to go that high but he knows there are many skilled players – especially defensemen – that could go ahead of him.
The first three names are called and Aldgard fidgets in his seat as GM @qripll of the D.C. Dragons approaches the microphone. The Dragons gave Aldgard the most thorough interview and he has high hopes that his name could be next. Then the words he’s dreamed of hearing his whole life:
“With the 4th pick in the S97 VHL Entry Draft, the D.C. Dragons are proud to select, from the Las Vegas Aces via Sweden, Albin Aldgard!”
Aldgard’s home erupts in cheers and also a few tears of joy. He leaps up, hugs his mother, then his father and then the next few minutes are a blur of hugs, handshakes, high-fives and back pats. As the din dies down, a clear musical clanging begins and Aldgard’s agent, former VHL defenseman Gunnar-Rune Rorvik is tapping a glass with a fork at the front of the room.
“A toast!” he begins. “To the Animal Sports Agency’s new highest-ever draft pick, (beating my 6th overall selection), new D.C. Dragon, Albin Aldgard!” The room cheers again, “TO ALBIN!” Then the party begins.
Albin can’t stop smiling and barely hears his phone ring. Ducking quickly into the adjoining room, he answers.
“Hi Albin, this is GM qripll. Welcome to the Dragons!”