NHL Draft Behind The Scenes Stuff
Here are some draft stories that you won't find on a lot of web sites. We had a lot of experiences and we wanted to share them with you.
What is The Name of This Place?
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We got a chance to see the prospects work a hockey clinic in a terrific arena. I had no idea it was called "8 Rinks". After watching the guys for a few minutes Steve Feldman noticed a guy in the stands with a David Wright (Mets 3B) jersey on. After chatting with him for a few minutes he revealed to me that he was the Vancouver Canucks mascot, Finn. He's a great guy and the fact that he is such an avid sports fan makes sense. He also let me know that he is a friend of the Sharks mascot, Sharkie, who had a run-in with Theo Fleury a few years' ago. At the end of this clinic I said to Steve, "this place has two rinks, that's amazing." That's when Feldman reminded me what the name of the rink was.
Sox or Cubs?
For the past 3-4 years I have routinely asked the Cubs or Sox question to the Chicago Blackhawks pick to see which team they want to see. Most hockey players, North American that is, are baseball fans. Jonathan Toews was drafted third overall and after the interviews were over and the camera's were turned off Shane Malloy and myself asked him the question. At first he said he didn't know and that's when Shane jumped in and said, "you can't waffle like Cam Barker," we need an answer. Two years ago when I asked Cam that question he answered Cubs but then soon became a "big" Chi Sox fan right around World Series time.
Getting back to Toews he then turned to me and asked, "who should I pick?." I thought I would help out the Winnipeg, Manitoba native and told him to pick the Cubs for fun and the better ballpark or pick the Sox if you are trendy. The Blackhawks PR representative turned to me and helped out the youngster by revealing he would be seeing the White Sox when he hits town because of scheduling. He saved him from being called a "bandwagon fan" as Malloy has told Barker in person.
Toews is one my all-time favorite prospects. He was a solid player in his first World Junior Championship and he has a great personality. I predict he will be one of the most popular players when he reaches the NHL.
Sanguinetti Goes To….
While buried deep underneath the bowels of GM Place it turned out that there was some drama. When the Rangers announced that they had picked Bob Sanguinetti from Lumberton, NJ, which is Flyers country. The Flyers did have their sites set on this burgeoning defenseman but when the Rangers selected him it had to throw the Flyers plans off just a bit.
"There are a lot of Flyers fans there. My dad was born in New York and he kind of brain washed me a little bit and I am happy for it," said the happy blueliner.
Bob Clarke hit the stage and had to reveal that he'd forgotten the selection. He then quickly redeemed himself by announcing Claude Giroux.
"I think it was funny and I was waiting to get up and I wasn't sure when to go. I didn't think I was going to go that early but it's amazing," said the Flyers prospect.
He told me he had never had a Philly Cheesteak before and even though there has been controversy regarding another popular place, Geno's (because of a sign asking to order in English) surrounding Pat's I told him to go there because they were the best.
Check out Hockey Hour for an in-depth interview with Sanguinetti and many other prospects.
Will Jessica Simpson Go Out With Bryan Little?
The Atlanta Thrashers drafted themselves a talented player and a new quote master by snagging Bryan Little with the 12th overall pick. In Little's bio is a little blurb that claims he would like to go out to eat with two other famous people and sexy siren Jessica Simpson was the third. Maybe he threw that in there figuring the folks that put together the draft guide would forget to print it or maybe he forgot.
"I don't know…maybe?," he chuckled. Then some pompous reporter asked, "what's that a reference to?" Maybe he didn't read the guide but Little followed it up with, "That was in that book I think?…yeah...if I could," he said with a big grin.
Little is 19-years-old and he has great taste in women. Lets see if he gets that date.
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and listen to candid interviews with six prospects and find out where Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin went clubbing.