Draft Party Shenanigans
I walk into the draft party with my brother who makes the appropriate announcement that the Ironman has arrived, and everyone claps. Ok, so that is a little over the top but I go with it. I look up at the draft rounds projected up on the big screen and find myself in the fourteenth round which is full. I am thinking how awesome it is that the event is a sellout and immediately I know there I have no hope of being sober by the time I am up to be drafted. I get a beverage and start making the rounds talking to all my draft tournament friends.
At least 4 beers later I think the first round is about to start, but Nick Fleehart (Master of Ceremonies) calls me up. Something tells me things are not quite right, this is when I discover the shenanigans are starting. The NCHL guys give me a cool present to celebrate going to all the draft tournaments in a year, an Ironman jacket.
Next I am told that I am not actually going be drafted, I get to pick which team I want to play on. I register my objection to this violation of protocol but
they force me to pick anyway. I decided on my selection based on bribery.
The fourteenth round was mostly filled with fake players, except Bill Boxter the beer crusher. Well played NCHL! I may be the only non-goalie to ever play in draft tournament that wasn’t drafted. I have to admit that I may have chosen poorly since I passed on playing with Seattle radio personality Steve Migliore, who ended up as the A champion winning goalie. I vaguely remember the rest of the night other than I was having a great time. My team ended the weekend with only one win, but it was against the later crowned A champions.
Once again I had a great weekend and I want to encourage anyone who enjoys hockey to come to one of the many Draft Tournaments that are held each year. I don’t know how long the madness will continue, but I know I will be going to Calgary and Vancouver in the next month.
Be well and play hockey!
The Ironman.
