Aspiring

The Draft

The 2014 NHL Draft was just like every other draft, except that in this draft, there were two superstars in the making. They were both leading the race and had tons of reasons for why they were both fighting for the number one spot in the draft. They were both equally talented, but everyone agreed and thought that one was better than the other.

One was named Jeremy Sagan, who drew similarities to a popular NHL player, Tyler Seguin. Both hailed from Brampton, Ontario and had the same playing style. But Jeremy was way younger than Tyler and way better looking and behaved. He wasn't immature or a partier either.

The other was a quiet, showoff-ish kid from Buffalo, New York. His name was Percival Kane. A curly blond boy with a knack for having soft hands and talent beyond his years. He was similar in every aspect to Patrick Kane. But again he wasn't immature or a partier.

These were the number one and number two draft picks which shockingly were owned by the Boston Blackhawks. It was because of them trading a key player to the organization of the Seattle Stars.

This is how the draft went:

Teemu Selanne, after retiring from the NHL, became the General Manager or GM of the Boston Blackhawks. He was making his first real dent with the team, by using his two acquired draft picks for the first and second pick (acquired from Seattle). He sat at the table that had been reserved to them at the 2014 Draft in Seattle, Washington.

Teemu sat with his staff, including the coach of the team, Julien Kucherov. Julien sat beside him. The head coach was leaning back in his seat, with his arms folded and his head up proudly.

The draft begun, as the NHL Commissioner stepped up to the podium. "There has been a tremendous amount of excitement, anticipation, and speculation about the first overall pick in this year's draft. Let's find out if it's Jeremy or Percival. So let's get started. The first selection in the 2010 National Hockey League draft belongs to the Boston Blackhawks, as does the second pick."

During the speech, Teemu made his way up to the podium and stood to the side, awaiting the cue. The GM made a steeple with his fingers. Then he stepped forward and up to the mic. "Thank you Gary, it's so great to see that hockey and it's fans are alive in Los Angeles. We have people waiting in Boston who have incredible anticipation. With the historic first selection in the National Hockey League draft of 2010, I am extremely excited to select from the Windsor Spitfires, Percival Kane."

"I told him to pick the superstar first, it's a good move. We need some offensive talent on the team. Tyler's been great for us but he's a great two-way player, we need a consistent goal scorer, Percy is that!" Julien stated to the others, cooly.

The NHL staff on hand went through the clips of the future superstar's skill and praised him as being the best. And truly he was a step up in talent from Jeremy. Percival truly was like Patrick Kane and that showed. But would he follow his footsteps or flop.

The Boston Blackhawks were willing to take the risk. They were smart and not bone-headed and they'd raise him the right way.

Percy jumped up from his seat, hugging his family and friends and then walked onto the stage and shook hands with Teemu and a few other people, like the NHL director and staff personnel. The people in charge of running the league. And Percy wore a smile the whole time. He put on the jersey and cap and smiled for the camera. He looked so excited and eager to get to work.

Then he headed off down the stage and over to where a desk was set up with the two announcers sitting. He joined them in the third "hot" seat. The draft continued on, as Percival Kane was interviewed about how he had felt being picked first overall.

"So, Percival," Don, one of the chosen announcers started.

"Please call me Percy."

"Okay, Percy, how does it feel to be picked first overall in the draft?"

"Well, Don, it feels great actually," Percy stated, still buzzing with excitement, "I'm so excited to be apart of the Blackhawks organization and I know that I might not get to be apart of the team this year, but I will try my best to make the team and showcase my talents, playing my game."

"Well, you were a big name in the minors, in the OHL."

"I owe much of my success in part to my teammates and friends, including the second overall pick, Segs." He turned in his chair to look back toward the stage, where the timer was counting down to the next pick, which was quite obvious now.

The chat continued on until finally the second pick came up and they stopped talking, let Percy go celebrate with his family and friends.

"The Blackhawks are on the clock now, getting set to make their selection. And James, this is the much talked about first round draft pick that the Blackhawks acquired from the Seattle Stars in the Israel Wassmuth Trade, last fall," Don soon stated, as soon as Percy was back in his spot.

His partner, James added on with, "The first of three picks they get: a first and second this year and a first round pick next year as well. That gives the Blackhawks their highest draft picks since they took Johnny Thornton, first overall back in 1997."

"You know, what's interesting about this, it's probably going to be Jeremy Sagan now," Don picked up.

"I don't think there's going to be any secret about that. But look at the center ice position now? Tyler Marchand (on and off), Jonathan Getzlaf, and Nikita Nichushkin. Maybe Teemu Selanne takes Sagan and eventually somebody moves," James explained.

"Well sounds like Marchand's gonna move. They've been trying to move Tyler Marchand or get a trade for Reilly O'Brien."

"They can begin next year with Nichushkin, Getzlaf and eventually, maybe Sagan at centre, if he's ready to play in the National Hockey League."

"And by the way, the San Jose Shruingers have no first or second round picks this year. They're not slated to pick until 62nd. That's a third round pick. Just keep that in mind, viewers. Here's Teemu Selanne:"

Teemu turned back to the mic on the podium and began again with the second pick, "First of all, on behalf of the Boston Blackhawks, we'd like to thank the city of Seattle, the fans of the Seattle Stars for this hospitality. Second of all, I'd like to reach out and say hi to all of our fans at the draft party, back in Boston. But most important, I'd like to make our selection now. And with the second pick, the Boston Blackhawks select from the Plymouth Whalers, Jeremy Sagan."

"Oh wow, Don, the Blackhawks are loaded with talent. They are going to be impossible to stop this year. I won't be shocked if they crushed all the teams with 7 or 8 or more goals each game."

"I couldn't agree more with you..."

Jeremy was interviewed now by the announcers and went through the routine, just like Percy had. Then he went back to his seat and the draft continued on in a blur, as the first round came to an exciting end and the second round began.