How does a fan's perception change once he is drafted... then playing in the NHL?
This is the question that I would like to ask all nhl players, but since I never meet any - I don't get to ask the question.
Most north american hockey fans start out as kids and have big NHL dreams. When those dreams start to come true, how does it change their fandom?
You can't still be a Flames fan if you are playing for the Oilers... or can you?
I know that my earliest connections to a team never fades - is this true for the pros too? Does a Calgary born kid remain a Flames fan for life even after being drafted? Even after playing AGAINST the Flames? Does he revert to a Flames fan when his career is done?
I KNOW many of you here know some NHL players past and present - how has being a pro changed their fan perspective?
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This is the question that I would like to ask all nhl players, but since I never meet any - I don't get to ask the question.
Most north american hockey fans start out as kids and have big NHL dreams. When those dreams start to come true, how does it change their fandom?
You can't still be a Flames fan if you are playing for the Oilers... or can you?
I know that my earliest connections to a team never fades - is this true for the pros too? Does a Calgary born kid remain a Flames fan for life even after being drafted? Even after playing AGAINST the Flames? Does he revert to a Flames fan when his career is done?
I KNOW many of you here know some NHL players past and present - how has being a pro changed their fan perspective?
I liked Montreal and Colorado growing up. I've been a Flames fan my whole life but never really put them above those two. Now, for a while, I have, and I hate Montreal and Colorado with a passion.
I would assume a pros perspective would change. I bet Iginla grew up an Edmonton fan. Now what?
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My line of work involves meeting a few WHL/AJHL level players.
With the 15 or 16 year old typically they are going to be stars in the NHL by the time they are 19 or 20. And usually they will be playing for their hometown team, their favourite team or the team that their favourite player plays/played for.(It's almost like they figure they can just pick their team)
What's interesting is that when you talk to those same players when they are say 18/19 their team preferences are different. For one, they are more mature, they realize that the "road to the show" isn't going to be getting picked 1st overall, right into the NHL with their favourite team, 20 glorious seasons followed by 1st ballot HHOF. Getting drafted is just the first step. You have to show enough to get your ELC. Then you have to prove yourself in the minors. Then you have to do it all over again in the NHL. Its a long road.
What they want is a team that will maximize their chances of eventually getting to the NHL. I even had one player tell me that he sabotaged some of his interviews at the draft combine to avoid some teams.(the Flames were one of the teams)
What they generally want is to be drafted by a team that has a proven track record of their draft picks making it to the NHL. The Sharks seem to be a favourite among players in their draft year. The Flames, not so much.
And then after they have been drafted they go into some sort of politically correct mode and will generally say things like "It couldn't have worked out better, I was hoping that __________________ would draft me!"
Last edited by Mister Yamoto; 07-21-2012 at 04:40 PM.
What they want is a team that will maximize their chances of eventually getting to the NHL. I even had one player tell me that he sabotaged some of his interviews at the draft combine to avoid some teams.(the Flames were one of the teams)
While it makes sense, it sucks to hear that kids actually do this. Playing in the NHL is a privilege
While it makes sense, it sucks to hear that kids actually do this. Playing in the NHL is a privilege
a privilege that is less likely to happen if drafted by certain teams. Do you think Calgary has a good draft to NHL record comparatively?
I don't. I think Calgary has poor development, if I was a player I would be nervous if drafted by Calgary too. I don't think these future NHL players think about "privilege" at all.
Those are the types of players you'd hope have nowhere to play in a few years.
Burning bridges with other NHL teams before you even get into the league is a very risky and stupid tactic if you ask me.
They are trying to make the NHL, the tactic of trying to get drafted by preferable teams to achieve one's goal only seems like a strategy to achieving said goal to me.
It's a rare opportunity afforded to a few but it's not a privilege.
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They are trying to make the NHL, the tactic of trying to get drafted by preferable teams to achieve one's goal only seems like a strategy to achieving said goal to me.
Why not just explain to them why you'd rather not be drafted by them?
Seems like the more mature thing to do IMO. The whole fake interview thing just reeks of immaturity and unprofessional to me.
That's just my opinion.
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Last edited by Hells Bells; 07-21-2012 at 11:21 PM.
Those are the types of players you'd hope have nowhere to play in a few years.
Burning bridges with other NHL teams before you even get into the league is a very risky and stupid tactic if you ask me.
Sounds like a tactic used by only those who are not really sure they'll make the NHL. Fringe guys, desperate guys with no true confidence in themselves or their abilities.
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Why not just explain to them why you'd rather not be drafted by them?
Seems like the more mature thing to do IMO. The whole fake interview thing just reeks of immaturity and unprofessional to me.
That's just my opinion.
There is a pretty big difference between mature and moronic.
I'd rather the team think that I was having an off day then insult the team, staff and their management to the face of the man who is in charge of that all.
If throwing an interview is burning a bridge, what you describe is like setting C4 to go off in the middle of some sort of bridge inspired war.
I liked Montreal and Colorado growing up. I've been a Flames fan my whole life but never really put them above those two. Now, for a while, I have, and I hate Montreal and Colorado with a passion.
I would assume a pros perspective would change. I bet Iginla grew up an Edmonton fan. Now what?
yeah, thanks for that, we really wanted to know your story, thanks.
They are gonna say what is politically correct after they are drafted by a team- " I used to be an Edmonton Oilers fan growing up, but now Calgary is my team" I don't believe your favorite team, players, as a kid dies ever, however, if you play for another team for a number of years, your loyalty in the present may change due to experiences, successes, you gained in another team you lived and died for. They are now YOUR new team cause you are so involved, but nothing takes away the inner child's memories.
Sounds like a tactic used by only those who are not really sure they'll make the NHL. Fringe guys, desperate guys with no true confidence in themselves or their abilities.
This makes a lot more sense.
If you don't feel you can make a team with plenty of depth, better off going to the team with no depth.
I thought they were talking about players from the first few rounds that didn't like certain teams or cities. That's why I couldn't understand how some people thought it was okay to do that.
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Last edited by Hells Bells; 07-22-2012 at 02:57 AM.
Why not just explain to them why you'd rather not be drafted by them?
Seems like the more mature thing to do IMO. The whole fake interview thing just reeks of immaturity and unprofessional to me.
That's just my opinion.
IMO, you are 100% right. What I should have wrote/didn't mention in that post is that the kid who sabotaged his draft combine interviews told me that he did it on the advice of his agent. It wasn't a 17 year old kid being "immature and unprofessional' it was most likely a 45 year old man wearing a suit.
Why doesn't that kid just walk into the interview and say "I don't like your team, please don't draft me!". I will tell you why, It's the agent. He does not want to make a bad relationship with any team. Period. The agent would rather make the kid look bad than make himself look bad.
Also, how many people played in the NHL last season? I would think around 900. Of those 900, how many came up through the Flames system? Maybe 15? 20? Agents and prospect players notice things like that.
How does a fan's perception change once he is drafted... then playing in the NHL?
