Draft Night Excitement!

[OBrian Young 314]

Draft night! One of the most anticipated days in the life of a young sportsperson. It can be an occasion to celebrate the next stage of their career or a night of broken dreams and re-evaluations of the future.
Yea, that sounds really philosophical…I wish I had come up with it…but it was really from my Dad. We were talking about the draft and he was trying to keep my expectations based in what could possibly happen. I know what he was trying to do, but it didn’t make things any easier.

Draft night seemed like it would never get here…and once it was here…it was over in a flash. Most of the other players decided to go to Draft Headquarters and share in their achievements. They knew they were going to find out where they were headed next, some would return to their original teams while others would be off to find a new home. I didn’t know what would happen for me.

I had enjoyed my time with the Las Vegas Aces. But I knew they had bigger needs. The draft grades had come out and the majority of the players in the draft were given pretty high grades. The grading system is pretty confusing so I wont try to explain it. But lets just say that my grade was fairly low. 

To be honest, it makes sense. I didn’t play a full season in the league. Even though I practice as much as I can I am still progressing at a slower pace than I wanted to. Every week is an opportunity to get better and I know that it is something I need to focus on. 

So anyway, I decided to stay home and watch the draft in my room. I figured I was going to be in for a long night anyway. The draft was expected to go at least 6 rounds, probably into 7, and I figured that I would be in those later rounds. I settled in for a long night.

As the names were called I was so excited for the players that I had been in the same team with, the players that I had faced across the ice and the ones who I had heard about as the season progressed. I saw the joy on their faces as they shared the experience with their friends and families. Seeing that made me miss my Mom and Dad even more than I already did. I had talked to them on Saturday, but I didn’t want to bother them during the week. The time difference made it tough to talk to them when things like this were happening. The draft started in the early morning at home, so by the time I am going to get selected, yea, it makes no sense to expect them to be awake when I hear my name called. I don’t want to consider what I will do if I am not selected. Sadie, the GM at Las Vegas, assured me that everyone will be drafted, but deep inside I know there is always a possibility that I wont be picked.

The draft proceeded…the first round was over. There were a lot of great players that were selected there. I am really pleased for them. The second round….then the third. I had made a fresh cup of tea and settled in so I could continue watching the draft.

Is it fair to say I hope that I go back to the Aces? I mean, I don’t mind playing anywhere…I just want to play. But I had found a nice place to live there. The staff at Las Vegas is awesome! Okay, yea, it is a little too hot there for me…but that is why they made air conditioning!

Well, that is interesting…Las Vegas just made a trade with Mississauga. The Aces gave up their 2nd round selection in the next draft to make a pick in the 4th round. Damn, they must want this player really badly! A 2nd round selection to pick in the 4th round? Yea, that is pretty interesting for sure.

Wait? What? My phone is ringing! OMG! It is Sadie on the phone! The Aces have made the trade to select me! I am going back to Las Vegas!! I stuttered and stammered my way through the phone call. All I really remember is Sadie telling me how excited everyone is to bring me back. 

I told Sadie I would be on the plane tomorrow. What? Okay, that sounds good…the Aces have already bought me a ticket! Cool! 

I hang up the phone and try to figure out what to do next. As I stand in the middle of the room with what I am sure is a dumb look on my face…my phone rings again. Who could that be? I knew I would be calling my family as soon as the time was right. Lets see, 6 hours difference…so really around midnight my time everyone should be up so I can call them then. That is till 3 hours away but I am so excited I know I wont sleep. 

I am jarred out of my mind-fog by the jarring sound of my phone ringing again. Oh yea, my phone!

I said Hello and was met by a chorus of screams, hoots and yelps. It was my family! They had been watching the draft! They had seen me get drafted!! I don’t know who ever got a word in with all of the noise coming across the phone. But I know they were happy for me…and proud. That is what is the best…they are proud.

Now…how do I tell the staff at Las Vegas that I am going to miss Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning to go to Nashville to attend the AC/DC concert! 

Word Count: 971