2024-25 NHL Misc. Thread
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My biggest memory was seeing Columbus GM Doug McLean walking out from the back just before the 4th pick. I pointed him out to my wife and told her we had just traded up. And then Bettman saying something like “we have a trade. And you’re gonna like it”. And then JR picked Andrew Ladd. My youngest spent all day roaming the concourses looking for Bobby Orr.
Fayettenamcanesfan
Well-known member
I just missed it. I left my job with the canes in the middle of the 2003 season. Took a job overseas in Iraq and watched the draft (and SCF a couple years later) at 3 in the morning. Good times
Ovie was actually first drafted in 2003 by Florida. Or at least they tried to draft him as a 17 year old on some technicality. Something to do with Leap year I think. NHL shot that down obviously.
CanadaCanes
Well-known member
Greg is a great guy, still helps out in the Canes Learn to Play program every summer! I could talk hockey for hours with Greg. I went to the Bulls game that night Ovi and Malkin and the top picks were there, I still have some items Ovi signed from that night. Time sure does fly past looking back!
They tried to draft him 4 times in the 2003 Draft and sent his name to the podium in the 9th round. He missed being eligible for it by 2 days, born on September 17, 1985, the Panthers did try to claim leap years but were shot down.
dwind
Well-known member
Greg and I worked together for close to 20 years doing LTP and other programs. He’s by far the best young kids ever. Kids and parents loved him and his attitude Was always very positive.
My daughter did LTP at the RecZone with Ryan Schmidt. He occasionally got some help from his friend Jorge Alves.
Fayettenamcanesfan
Well-known member
Ryan Schmidt that used to play for the Fayetteville Force? If so he was on the first team I ever worked for learning the equipment manager craft. Great guy. I’ll see if I can find a picture
The one and only. My daughter had Learn to Skate and Learn to Play with him. She was the only girl and was a little older than most of the kids, so Ryan looked out for her a little.
Fayettenamcanesfan
Well-known member
Awesome. He was a tough guy on the ice but what a great guy. Small world
I had the flu that week and my memories don't extend past the 1st round. I was there, but wasn't "there"
polarbare
Well-known member
That was a really cool day. When we traded up I remember the place went wild.
Not a Beninati/Laughlin fan, but this is their call of Ovechkin’s goal.
View: https://youtu.be/ceWvi4YIjKs?si=P0L0Zxkvh3R_d0Ka
View: https://youtu.be/ceWvi4YIjKs?si=P0L0Zxkvh3R_d0Ka
Yeah, hot pass. The hottest of passes, in fact.
It seemed like most Canes fans left after the Ladd pick, so their memories wouldn't either.
We stuck around for a while. There were rumors around the building that JR was trying to trade into the end of the first round to draft either Rob Schremp or Kris Chucko. Schremp went 25 to Edmonton, he played 114 NHL games, 20 goals, 34 assists. Chucko went 1 pick before him to Calgary, he played 2 games in the NHL. The Canes took Justin Peters with the 8th pick of the 2nd round and we bugged out after that.
StormChaserBH
Well-known member
I stayed for the whole thing... #gluttonforpunishment
Can't say I remember a whole lot after the Ladd pick lol... for example that Pekka Rinne was taken with the final pick in Round 8!
Just went back and looked over the draft list... outside of about a dozen players it was a brutally bad draft especially compared to it's 2003 predecessor.
Can't say I remember a whole lot after the Ladd pick lol... for example that Pekka Rinne was taken with the final pick in Round 8!
Just went back and looked over the draft list... outside of about a dozen players it was a brutally bad draft especially compared to it's 2003 predecessor.