Born To Be A Star, Raised To Be A Legend - A Riley Andersen Story

Chapter 5: 14 Years Old, 5 Goals In Her First Match.

͏First pick in the Draft, surpassing Sarah Filler in the competition was something that the media already expected Riley to do, after all, the "Magic of the Bay Area" was the most special and talented of her class.

In addition to the choice, Riley also turned 14 years old at that same day, making her the youngest player in history to debut in any sports league in the United States. Surpassing of course, Chloe Primerano at 15, two years before Riley in the 2022 PWHL Draft.

Sports Narrator: She is definitely destined to be the greatest player of all time, if you saw Riley Andersen during her time in San Francisco and the Firehawks, i consider you lucky.

Sports Commentator: Expectations are very high for her now, it's worth remembering that Riley is still in high school, so there's another obstacle to overcome. If Riley maintains the level she played before, scoring 3,4 or even 5 goals in games, I already have my favorite for the GOAT.

As Riley walked to shake the flight attendant's hand, she hugged all of her friends and family who were with her: Grace, Bree, her Firehawks friends, Valentina and her parents.

Riley: Guys, thank you so much for everything you've done for me to get here, I owe it all to you, really everything. (said Riley, crying with emotion)

Mother: Go there my daughter, your goal has been fulfilled, a story awaits you and we will all be rooting for you and your success.

Riley then went up the stairs where she shook hands with the flight attendant before heading to an exclusive session for rookies to hang out during the Draft.

When she shook the flight attendant's hand, she said:

Commissioner: Welcome to PWHL, Riley. I'm very happy to see that a young kid like you wants to reach the top before turning 18, you motivate young girls to do the same.

Riley: Thank you very much, Commissioner.

As Riley went to her session, she knew that the first steps had been taken, now her professional journey, a dream for her, would begin.

After the end of the first pick, these were the post-Riley Draft picks:

Riley Andersen: Drafted first to PWHL New Jersey

Sarah Filler: Drafted second to PWHL New York

Claire Thompson: Drafted third to PWHL Toronto

Ronja Savolainen: Drafted fourth to PWHL Boston

Daniela Pejšová: Drafted fifth to PWHL New Jersey (same team as Riley)

Hannah Bilka: Drafted sixth to PWHL Montreal

Noora Tulus: Drafted seventh to PWHL Minnesota

Cayla Barnes: Drafted eighth by PWHL Boston

Amanda Kessel: Drafted ninth to PWHL Montreal

Julia Gosling: Drafted in tenth to PWHL Minnesota

Danielle Serdachny: Drafted eleventh to PWHL Toronto

As the choices were made, Riley looked like a simple 10-year-old girl, all excited and happy, as she opened her cell phone to receive messages from old friends of the Foghorns as well as her grandfather and grandmother.

After the first 11 picks of the first round were chosen, all the rookies left towards a press conference room, where they would speak to journalists. As Riley walked into the living room, Daniela placed her hand on Riley's shoulder much to the young girl's surprise.

Daniela: Surprise, right?

Riley: Daniela! You really caught me by surprise (Riley said while walking but hugging her new team friend)