Hoser Headlines:Live from NH, its the NHL Draft in Columbus

Quote of the Week:
“The teams made it clear to me that they thought Major Junior was the better route,” vanRiemsdyk said. “That’s where they would rather have me play next year because there are more games and it’s supposedly tougher hockey. … I couldn’t be any happier with my choice.”

-#2 Pick in the 2007 NHL Draft pick, and incoming UNH frosh, James vanRiemsdyk on choosing UNH over Juniors

Well ladies and Hosers, there comes a time once every year when dreams can come true for anyone who spent their childhoods on frozen ponds dreaming of making it to the NHL, it's also a day where the worlds of College and Pro Hockey collide. The 2007 NHL Draft took place in Columbus, Ohio tonight, and yours truly was kicking back to enjoy what would be a particularly interesting draft for the Good Guys in Blue. Here are some notes and other observations

-Gary Bettman gets booed everywhere he goes, I wouldn't be surprised if his cat boos him whenever he comes home

-The commentators certainly made a big deal over JVR committing to playing for the Good Guys in Blue, mostly because of the daunting size of Lake Whittemore. Clearly they forgot to mention that skating for the home team at Lake Whittemore comes complete with the full support of Hoser Nation, as well as a fruit basket that we made sure Nick didn't sit on

-I think the Phoenix Coyotes have a certain advantage when it comes to singing young players, really, all they got to say is "You get to have Wayne Gretzky as a coach" and most kids instantly say yes, Keith Johnson of course has a reverse affect even if he mentions Wayne Gretzky.

-Once again, I was passed over at the draft.....sigh

-Montreal still sucks, even New York agrees

-Did anyone else notice whose logo was on JVR's tie?

-The NHL again missed out on the opportunity to draft legendary star of the Flin Flon Lagerheads, Jaromir Yacobson

-The Bruins unfortunately missed out getting JVR, but its always good to see my personal favorite player of all time, Cam Neely still being involved with the Bruins. Very impressed with the new look for them by the way

-Pick #17, Charpenov has got a mullet even Barry Melrose would be impressed with

-Montreal sucks, and the Mainers suck even more and they didn't even have much to do with this draft

On to some of the questions regarding the highest picked UNH recruit that we all will be spending the summer and beginning of the fall pondering

-Will a Philly Chesesteak be enough to lure JVR away from Durham?
All indications say that he will be in Durham for the upcoming season, which is really a refreshing thing to see as many are lured away by temptations of the Pro leagues

-If JVR does keep to his committed course, just how long will he skate the waters of Lake Whittemore?
Most say he will be there only a single season, some optimists say 2

-And most importantly, is he the "chosen one"?
Being the highest selected NHL Draftee of UNH recruits, having passed over several other highly regarded prospects, his dominance in the Five Nations Tournament, and his commitment to wearing Wildcat blue suggests that he just might be the player that will be the catalyst that this team has needed to get that level. This question will be answered in time.

Congrats the JVR and all the other draftees on their great night. Hope all you Hosers and Non-Hosers are having a good summer thus far, be sure to stay tuned for more Red Sox type news, misadventures in the real world, the eventual news regarding Hoserfest, and other tales of Hoser Greatness. Until next time as always,

Good day, Eh!
Rouge