Of the ten players selected by the Montreal Canadiens during the most recent NHL draft, only three were at La Sphère in Las Vegas to experience this unique moment.
The other seven had the experience at home, in a less spectacular, more private environment.
While Aatos Koivu, the 70th overall pick, said he didn’t go to Las Vegas because he didn’t want to interrupt his training, Tyler Thorpe and Mikus Vecvanags admitted Wednesday they didn’t go because they were uncertain about being selected.
“I was sitting on my couch with my dad. A friend told me the news because it was a commercial break on TV,” Thorpe said after the first day of on-ice practice at the Canadiens’ development camp.
For his part, Vecvanags was at home in Latvia, and he soon learned he had to come to North America for the camp.
Another player present at the Canadiens’ development camp had a very different experience during the draft. Alexander Zetterberg was in Las Vegas, but his name never resonated in La Sphere.
He then received an invitation from the Canadiens, which helped him quickly shake off the disappointment.
“It was a difficult moment, of course, but I’m still the same player. I have to keep working,” Zetterberg said.
The 5-foot-8 Swede is aware that his size is the factor that has likely dampened interest from NHL teams. But that hasn’t stopped him from collecting 58 points in 45 games in the Swedish under-20 league.
Despite this, Zetterberg has chosen to make the jump to North America next season, where he will suit up for Boston University.
“I think as a smaller player it’s hard to break into the SHL. [première division suédoise]he explained. By playing at the American college level, I will have more time to develop and work on my physical strength.”
Vecvanags in the QMJHL, regardless of the team
For its part, Vecvanags will also cross the Atlantic to continue its development.
The Canadiens’ co-director of amateur scouting, Martin Lapointe, escaped after the draft, affirming that the Latvian would join the ranks of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada next season.
The problem was that the Canadian Hockey League had not yet organized its draft for international players. The Acadie-Bathurst Titan played a trick on the Armada by selecting Vecvanags in 19th place, three spots ahead of the team from Montreal’s north shore.
Vecvanags denied he had a deal in place with the Armada prior to the CHL draft, but confirmed it was always his intention to come and continue his career in the Canadian junior circuit.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but regardless, I’m happy to have the opportunity to play in a league like this. It’s a huge opportunity for me,” said the goaltender selected in the fifth round by the Canadiens.
Vecvanags noted that he will have the opportunity to play more games and will be better surrounded, both by the coaches of his junior club and by the Canadiens’ development staff, than if he had stayed in Europe.
He will therefore have to leave the family nest, his parents and three brothers, with whom he shared a great moment during the draft.
“It was amazing to see my name on the screen,” he said.
It will be a long road, but he hopes to follow the same path as many Latvian goalies who have made it to the NHL, from Arturs Irbe to Elvis Merzlikins, not to mention his hero Arturs Silovs, who helped his country win bronze at the 2023 World Hockey Championship.
“I grew up in the same program as him [Silovs]”It’s special to have been able to work with the same coaches,” he noted.