By Mark Janzen /
9:15 – Alarm goes off. It’s draft day. Few days on the NHL calendar induce such optimism for so many people.
10:24 – Go to Starbucks seeking free Internet access. Kind of slim pickings in terms of trades. The only rumour being reported is Tomas Kaberle and this year’s first rounder for Phil Kessel. Burkie is not touching that.
1:13 – Bob Gainey walks out of the rink ever so casually with a backpack slung over one shoulder. The autograph hounds pounce. For them, draft weekend must be like that one weekend during the summer when normal guys get to go camping. It may only happen once a year, but it’s so worth it.
3:02 – On my way to join the media hordes at the buffet line. It’s still four hours before the draft begins and fans are already lined up for a block.
4:21 – Scalpers are selling tickets for upwards of $100. For those of you scoring at home, tickets were free on the Internet until the place sold out.
5:06 – Two hours to go and the ‘Boston Sucks!’ chant is in full throttle.
5:20 – There it is: A Montreal Candiens jersey with Lecavalier on the back. Pipe dream my friend.
5:38 – A two-year-old is sporting a Jordin Tootoo jersey. This is either ironic or fitting in so many ways.
6:04 – Scott Neidermayer is reportedly still hemming and hawing about his career.
7:01 – Gary Bettman takes the podium to kick things off. Incessant booing ensues. Well, what did you expect?
7:13 – Finally, the New York Islanders step up to announce their much-anticipated decision.
7:14 – John Tavares is the first overall pick. All this secrecy is finally over. Are the Islanders on the verge of respectability?
7:21 – Chris Pronger trade is announced. It’s a hefty price to pay, but Pronger is a perfect fit for Philly.
7:29 – Tampa Bay does the obvious and picks Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman. It’ll be a great fit.
7:39 – John Tavares holds court in front of a 10 reporter-deep scrum. Only in Canada.
8:06 – Brian Burke steps up to the podium to announce Toronto’s pick to a chorus of boos and a ‘Sixty-Seven’ chant. Leafs pick Nazem Kadri.
8:38 – With the tenth pick overall, Edmonton takes Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson. Oilers fans are delighted. The second ranked European skater wasn’t supposed to fall this far.
9:05 – The interviewing area is a zoo. To understand what the interview area looks like, picture this: A few of slow moving, yet exceptional talented, elephants making their way to be interviewed by hordes of hyenas.
9:15 – The moment of the night. Montreal comes to the stage with huge cheers but then they announce the name Louis LeBlanc. A French-Canadian. Absolute bedlam. Chills rush up my spine.
9:20 – The steal of the draft…and Mike Gillis and Vancouver didn’t have to do anything. Jordan Schroeder just fell into their lap after 21 teams took a pass.
9:30 – After Calgary traded down, they pick Tim Erixon with the 23rd overall pick.
10:45 – Maybe the second biggest celebration of the night erupts when Pittsburgh selects defenseman Simon Despres with the last pick of the night. Montreal has an infatuation for the Cup champions and obviously Despres is French.
11: 51 – Wrap up articles and leave a now very desolate arena.
12:15 – One beer and off to bed. Day 2 looms.
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