Draft Consequences

[David O'Quinn 115]

 

 

Everyone has to prepare for the draft. Every player, every Manager and every scout. But not everyone has to prepare their family, and this year that's exactly what O'Quinn has to do.

Though it may be considered a dead topic by now, as all O'Quinn seems to talk about is his family, it's obviously important to the VHLM rookie. 

 

After a succesful year in the VHLM with the Saskatoon Wild, ending the year 3rd in team points, just two points behind Julien Blackthorn, both players back from Sophomore sensation Ondrej Ohradka, his draft stakes are relatively high. He's not in the top tier, and he may fall out of the first round, but he definitely won't be ignored during this draft. With up to 8 rounds, being picked early in the second round is pretty solid, especially for a 34yo hockey veteran who finally decided to try his chances in the big league. He enters the draft alongside five other Saskatoon players, RJ Rubis, Kristopher McDogg, Sade Taika, Eliot Porter, and Andy Roche. 

 

For O'Quinn's family back in Nova Scotia, it's a scary time. The best case scenario for this father is ending up in New York or Toronto, with secondary choices in Calgary and Washington. Even if he ends up in these first choices, O'Quinn will be far from his family as he was this year. But, if the damage is brought full force, O'Quinn could end up in a place like Moscow. O'Quinn has indeed publicly stated he has no problem with Moscow, or any other Euroconf teams, O'Quinn ending up in these cities would spell issues for his family. If O'Quinn ended up in his favourite choice, New York, he would be only but a several hour flight from home, whereas if O'Quinn ended up far off in the capital of the largest country on earth, Russia, he would be almost an entire day's flight away from his family, which would severely decrease - if not altogether eliminate - potential regular visits with his family. 

 

Language, law and comfortability also come up into questioning; one may ask themselves: "If I end up in Russia, how difficult will it be for me to quickly learn Russian? Is there the same protection of personal rights and freedoms?" I do not, however, mean to discriminate against Russia. These are legitimate questions one would need to ask going to any new country in general, but especially as a professional sports player with millions in cash in their wallet.

 

Though it would be silly if a VHL prospective decided to outright deny himself the opportunity of playing in the VHL, simply because he did not want to play in the European conference, and vice versa, maybe one day a conversation should be brought to light, about players having their own say over these kind of things. The VHL has many variables, from timezones to families, players to law and tax, and accounting for all of these variables within the limited constraints of the VHL's own rules would be a fool's errand. But, attempting to rectify and control some of these issues, atleast, may be a good idea, if for nothing else but the comfort of the players which bring in the money. 

 

 

534 Words

Edited November 4, 2019 by JohnOQuinn

[Dil 1,757]

Auto correct did you no favours in this one @JohnOQuinn

[David O'Quinn 115]

2 hours ago, DilIsPickle said:

Auto correct did you no favours in this one @JohnOQuinn

I must be blind. Where