Eric Parker Draft and Free Agency Diary

[Eparker24 16]

Getting Drafted

            Eric Parker was hopefully paying attention to the VHLM S63 draft waiting to hear his name called out. He was an interesting pick to say the least. It was very obvious that he wasn’t going to go in the first round or the second round. Even the third round was more than likely out of reach without a team really stretching because of a need on the blue line. He was starting to lose interest in the draft when all of a sudden, he was drafted in the 4^th round by the Las Vegas Aces. He was very excited but also knew that now the real work would begin. He talked to his agent, representatives from the team, said goodbye to his family, and head out to Reno for the beginning of training camp. He was not super familiar with the big city lifestyle especially not a city as wild as Las Vegas but he assured his family and mentors that he wouldn’t lose focus on the prize, the VHL. He knew as a 4^th round selection that he was going to have to work hard to make sure that he was given the ice time he wanted. Gone were the days where he was the only superb talent on the ice and knew that he was going to be guaranteed ice time just because of his natural skill. Every piece of ice time he was going to get only if he deserved it, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Surprise of Free Agency

            While traveling and getting settled into Reno for soon the beginning of training camp to begin he was the news that the Las Vegas Aces had landed the very popular and coveted Brick Wahl for their top goaltender. This was great news! With such a solid goaltender backing him up he had a renewed surge of confidence. He was going to be able to play faster and looser knowing that there was solid backing behind him. He was obviously going to defensively responsible but not every little mistake would end up in the back of the net. The next big free agent signing by the team came with a more bittersweet feeling. The Las Vegas Aces had landed another great player in Evgeni Komarov. This was a great signing for the team providing another great player to be added to the roster, but it meant that there was even more stiff competition for ice time now. Parker knew he already had to work hard but with a player of Komarov’s stature it would be even more difficult to gain top ice time minutes every night. This only fueled Parker’s fire because he had even more to prove to the front office and coaches of the team. This week has been a whirlwind of events from the anticipation and relief of the draft to the bittersweetness of free agency. Either way Parker is loving the beginning of his VHLM and VHL adventure and nothing at all beats being able to professionally play hockey!

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