Baby’s First Draft

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So my first VHLM draft as GM of the Mississauga Hounds has come and gone and here is my experience so far. 
 

First, trading is hard, especially in the offseason. GMs have a plan in mind so throwing a wrench into that and offering a trade means that someone has to get a little uncomfortable and compromise if you want to get something done.
Throughout this offseason I have put a few offers out there, and negotiations were good, but ultimately it didn’t fit into the plans that GMs already had in mind. This experience was humbling to me because it made me get out of my comfort zone. I have had to learn that it’s not going to be as easy as sending out an offer and it being accepted immediately. 
 

Next, scouting isn’t as easy as I thought either. I took it upon myself to put my focus on the inactive players in the draft class and try to bring them back to the league. I know when I was first scouted the experience was pretty cool since it made it feel like a real draft, which I will never personally experience. I tried to make the players feel the same way but getting through to the inactive proved to be more difficult than I thought. The ones who did respond made the effort worth it though, since it means a couple more faces will stick around. 
 

As for draft day, here’s Mississauga’s picks and the reasoning for them:

 

8th overall: Ozzy Batty @Ozzy Batty

This one was a no brainer. We had to bring Batty back for another season to earn some more points with the Hounds and we were happy they were available.

 

14th overall: Slava Kovalenko @OblivionWalker

Kovalenko is a big shut down defender who is a big earner as a first gen. We couldn’t pass them up as our top defenceman. 
 

19th overall: Wefernardo Mackingikus @vincentlg2007

Vincent is a Hounds legend so we had to bring him in to get that locker room presence. Someone who earns and knows their way around the league, especially as a former GM, is invaluable when developing new talent. 
 

22nd overall: Kurt Bachmann @Blutch

A first gen who’s interview was exactly what we were looking for. They are another shut down defender who will keep out back end strong for a couple of seasons. 
 

35th overall: Gustav Larsson @azie

Another first gen who interviewed well. This is our goalie of the future. Although earning is low right now, I’m confident Azie is going to find their way around and be exactly what we need as our backstop. 
 

44th overall: Liamdots Sarkanis @Anomalijs

A homegrown player who we were lucky enough to bring back. Sarkanis was a point per game player and in the 4th round, that’s a real gem. 
 

46th: Marek Vojtisek @MAVO

Vojtisek hasn’t earned anything yet and hasn’t applied their points, but I’m excited to work with them and get them on track. I’m really hoping this player can be a diamond for us and play a couple of seasons for the Hounds. 

 

Overall, I’m happy with my performance this time around. I’m excited to work with all of our new players and really build this team. 

 

Let’s Go Hounds!