No joke -- the draft is one of my favorite parts of the year.
I've been to a few with my dad, and they're so much fun. Seeing all the new players join the organization is great, but you meet so many interesting people at drafts, whether it be fans or people that work for the teams.
I dug up some of my own pictures from the drafts. On Day 1 in 2014, the guy seated next to me who got really pumped over Leon Draisaitl going to Edmonton ended up being Pat Cortina, the head coach of the men's German national team at the time. Had to get a selfie, of course:
Day 2 (while wearing a Mikael Granlund Finland jersey, for some reason) I bumped into Mike Johnston on the concourse, days after he was hired by the Penguins. He asked if I was Finnish. So much optimism here:
If you've never been to a draft yourself, I'd definitely recommend getting to one if it is feasible for you. It's more than just sitting around listening to names being called.
On that note, let's check out some of the fun moments and posts from this year's draft:
Each table has a kid as a food runner, usually the child of a team executive. This year, the runner was James Rutherford. Bill Guerin messing with him over sandwiches is great:
With the Penguins' non-existent 1st round pick, Assistant GM Bill Guerin would like to select a salami and cheese sandwich. pic.twitter.com/RcIZYhVzWr
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 23, 2018
James was a little impatient on Day 2. Patrik Allvin did some early scouting of the food table and broke the news that it was pizza day:
If Day 1 of the #NHLDraft was about salami sandwiches, Day 2 was all about Penguins draft picks... and pizza. ? pic.twitter.com/y7SQGtFdV4
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 23, 2018
Second-round pick Filip Hallander was thrilled to join the organization:
What a day, feels great to be a part of the @penguins organization ?
— Filip Hållander (@FHallander) June 23, 2018
Fifth-rounder Justin Almeida was equally excited:
Excited to be drafted by such a great organization! Thank you @penguins for the opportunity!
— Justin Almeida (@justinalmeida27) June 23, 2018
Almeida grew up with fellow Penguins prospect Jordy Bellerive. Bellerive thought the Penguins made a great pick:
Childhood bestfriend and liney @justinalmeida27 ! Another great choice by the @penguins #congrats
— Jordy Bellerive (@jordybellerive) June 23, 2018
Bellerive's other buddy and teammate Calen Addison got selected by the Penguins in the second round:
Couldn’t be happier for the kid! @calenaddison welcome to the @penguins organization!!
— Jordy Bellerive (@jordybellerive) June 23, 2018
Just two besties bonding over the Pittsburgh Penguins. ?
Here's a behind-the-scenes look at Penguins draft pick @calenaddison calling his best friend, teammate, and fellow Penguins prospect, @jordybellerive.
Read more about PIT's newest defenseman: https://t.co/N82KZR1Nt3 pic.twitter.com/zXADYgjCCm
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 23, 2018
Matt Murray shared a throwback picture of his draft day. Time flies:
6 years ago today.. man time goes fast. Thankfully, so did that haircut ✂.. good luck to everyone in the draft!! pic.twitter.com/SWawFKqOAs
— Matt Murray (@mattmurray_30) June 22, 2018