Raymond Bernard's Journal S2 #1 [1/2]

[Mr_Hatter 1,608]

1175 words, claiming for the week ending  9/15 and (eventually) 9/22

 

S2 #1

 

Sunday, September 8th:

 

5:17 a.m. PST

 

I can’t sleep. I mean, I did for a couple hours, but that’s about it. Today is the S68 VHL Entry draft, which means that in a few hours, I might just end up in the majors. To think, just a season ago I was in this exact same position, virtually unknown, but ready to join the minors instead of the majors. Now the season has passed, I’ve grown a lot, and picked up a cup along the way - not too shabby for a 4th round steal. But all that doesn’t matter, because I am still terrified right now. I have no idea what to expect. 

 

It’s tricky to predict how this draft goes. There are a few likely guarantees when it comes to the top few picks, which makes a lot of sense. There are a few extremely prolific players this draft class. That being said, as far as goalies are concerned, there is a relative lack of both high level options and attractive opportunities. I think right now everyone is slating me to be the 2nd goalie drafted, behind A Red Guy, but honestly I wouldn’t take that for granted. There are a couple of good options “behind” me that might go first, Sam Ross, my buddy from Ottawa, the primary one. Honestly, as cool as it would be to be the first goalie taken, or the second, I don’t really think that matters. What is more important is that I end up at a team where I can both learn a lot to develop myself, and ideally get some good ice time. If that means I play backup to a contender for a season, then so be it. But if I jump right into a starting position, I’ll do my damnedest to make the saves. 

 

Anyway, back to my original point. Point is, it’s not really known where I’m going to be taken. It’s looking likely to be either a late 1st rounder or an early 2nd, but other than that there’s no guarantees. The Americans seem to be in need of a goalie, so I could be snagged there, but they might try and wait until later. Regardless, I don’t expect any teams picking ahead of them to draft A Red Guy so it’s likely that I will not end up in New York. A pity too, because I could foresee a lot of my Ottawa guys ending up there in the draft. New York does, after all, hold just about half the important picks this draft. So that leaves just the expansion teams as teams who need a starter immediately, and I gotta say that would be an exciting opportunity, even if the team would, well, be awful in the beginning. Most likely of course, no guarantees. 

 

You’d think that would be the end of it, that I might end up at one of those spots, but I’m not so certain of that. You see, I’ve been approached by a couple other teams interested in drafting me, that may end up surprising a lot of people at the draft. Davos is looking at getting a backup apparently, and I’ve ended up on their radar. Even Moscow might be on the hunt for a starter sooner rather than later. Owen May, their current goalie, has been taking some time this off-season it seems, and he might be reevaluating where he is in his life. I know that sounds a little strange, to say it like that, but it sounds like he has been dealing with some really awful personal issues lately. All I can say is I hope he returns; as great of an opportunity it would be to start at a place like Moscow, I wouldn’t wish such pain on anyone. 

 

I thought maybe writing this down would clear my mind and let me get a little bit of sleep, but all it’s done is sharpened my senses to the point that I can’t even close my eyes. I guess an early breakfast is in order.

 

8:32 p.m. PST

 

Wow. A whole lot of unexpected movements this draft, and I’ve ended up at Moscow. I'm absolutely stoked! I know that I acknowledged it as a possibility, but I’m going to be honest; I did not expect that. And Sam went before me! Couldn’t happen to a better guy of course, he deserves it so much. I hope he is happy in Davos, beautiful country Switzerland, although it seems a little small of a town for a VHL team. To be honest, it’s kinda like I said earlier this morning. It doesn’t really matter to me when I was drafted, as long as I’m happy with my new team, and I think I am. I’ve had a nice long chat with Mr. Alfredsson, and I think we are both on the same page. The idea is that I play understudy to May for a season, and see how he is getting along, as well as see how I’m getting along in the big leagues. 

 

It will be a tough transition, but I’m ever optimistic. In fact, I don’t see why I can’t challenge for a starting spot this season alone! I believe in myself to get there, and I think that I could really help the team. That’s my goal of course, I want to play. I’m hungry for it. But I know how the league works, you can’t just expect to waltz into a squad and be put in net right off. I’ll do my best to get there though. 

 

The one thing I am a little bummed about is that there aren’t many of my Ottawa teammates sticking with me for this next step in my career (though Hawk will be there!). I would have loved it if it worked out that way. Especially Thorny and Sam (even if it wouldn’t make much sense for us to play for the same team, I’ll miss having my friend in the locker room). I know I’ll be able to keep in touch with them, and who knows, I might end up with them at some point, but it does hurt, even just a little. 

 

Oh well! On to the next big step. There are a bunch of great guys in a new locker room that I have yet to meet, and I’m sure that they will be just as great with me. I gotta be honest, it’s going to be great learning how to stop shots from a legend like Cast. And I briefly met up with Killy Foilen, another draftee who is probably going to stay down in the M this next season, but he seems to have a lot of spunk. I hope he can keep it up and do us proud. Finally, Jet seems like a real character. Jaguar, that is. We met briefly at the draft, and he gave me a nice welcome. 

 

Well, until next time! I gotta go celebrate with my family, the champagne’s waiting!
 

[Victor 11,043]

Delighted to have you on board.

[HughJas_ 76]

Review,

 

Nice in depth journal formatting makes it easy to differentiate from different points of your draft, looks like Moscow is very lucky to have you join their organization.

[Mr_Hatter 1,608]

Claiming for 9/22