A look back at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft
Back 20 plus years ago, my family and I were huge Hurricanes fans.
After the debacle of the 2002-03 season, we knew the team was going to get a high draft pick.
By debacle, I mean the Canes scored fewer goals than any other team in the league, and won the fewest games of any other team. (22 wins, 171 GF).
We made early plans to attend the draft which was held in Nashville that year. I have never been a fan of sitting in a crowd, so the family and I sat in the back row of the lower level where I had room to stretch out and review my draft day sheets and notes which I brought with me.
After Carolina picked Eric Staal with the second overall pick, (much to my elation), I sat back and relaxed a bit knowing that the organization got the job done on night one.
Staal was rated as the number one skater available in the draft by most of the experts and he seemed like the perfect pick for the organization.
There was an empty suite right behind us and after a few minutes there was some activity in it. I turned around and in walked the Eric Staal entourage. This included his agent at the time, Bobby Orr.
Of course, we could not help but turn around and stare and wave, but I told the kids to be cool and not to make too much of a nuisance of themselves. Eventually though, I asked Eric if I could take a picture of him and he graciously said yes.
The picture above also happens to include Bobby Orr.
This is just one moment to share about Staal, one of countless that other fans could also share.
Eventually, I got the pic developed and then asked Eric to sign it at a season ticketholder event, and again he agreed.
One thing I will say about this player, I never saw him decline to autograph anything for a fan.
Needless to say, he was my favorite player for a while and I collected a lot of his memorabilia.
Did the kid face any pressure? He was looked upon at the time to be the savior of the franchise, and some might say he was successful.
As good as the team was, it is doubtful the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in 2006 without his 45 goals and 55 assists during the season. Yes, 45 goals.
He followed that up with another 28 points in 25 playoff games.
You will be inundated with various stories about Staal this weekend but here is my little tidbit.
You never know who will sit behind you at the Draft!