First-rank pick in the NHL draft goes to 17-year-old defensive player.
Informal Article Rewrite:
Title: Sad First Round for German Ice Hockey Prospects, But Hopes Ain't Dead Yet!
Content:
The 2021 NHL draft just wrapped up, and German hopefuls were left scratching their heads following a disappointing first round. The New York Islanders, unsurprisingly, picked the player they fancied. But where were the German talents?
The Canadian defender, Matthew Schaefer, got the number one spot while Michael Misa, a Canadian forward, went to the San Jose Sharks, and Anton Frondell, a Swedish forward, joined the Chicago Blackhawks. These teams, formerly lousy performers, had the chance to pick first due to their dismal seasons.
Luckily, the fight ain't over! The first day of the draft only saw the first 32 players taken, with each team having their pick. Teams that missed out on the playoffs get a shot. Teams struggling more in the past get a better shot at the picks. A lottery system taking pobabilities and countless trades determine the final order.
When the smoke cleared after the first round, no German player snagged a spot. But hey, hang in there! There are still six rounds left this weekend. Players like Canadian-based David Lewandowski, son of ex-national player Eduard Lewandowski, captain Carlos Händel from the Canadian team, and Berlin Bears' Maxim Schäfer are still in the running. No German player made the cut last year either, but that ain't stopping anyone now!
Keeping Tabs
Check out these interesting facts:- Last year, NHL stalwarts like Lukas Reichel (17th overall in 2020) and JJ Peterka (34th overall in 2020) hail from German soil.- While German prospects didn't make the cut this year, those who slide under the radar in round one could still get picked in later rounds, where teams often seek out potential players who may need a bit of polishing.- Moritz Seider, a German defenseman drafted 6th overall in 2019 and winner of the Calder Trophy (NHL rookie of the year), is the epitome of what German players can achieve with the right devleopment.
Things are looking up for German ice hockey! As Germany improves its infrastructure and player development systems, the future looks promising for homegrown talent. The presence of active German NHL players performing well sets a positive example for other German prospects looking to make it big.
In the words of the legendary Wayne Gretzky, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Let's cheer on our German players for the remaining rounds, keeping in mind that past setbacks don't define their future potential!
References:1. dpa2. The Hockey News, https://www.thehockeynews.com/3. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/4. HockeyDB, https://www.hockeydb.com/5. Deutsche Eishockey Liga, https://deutscheeishockey-liga.de/
Learn more about the potential impact of this draft on German ice hockey →[Uncover more about how Moritz Seider paved a path for German ice hockey →](url, https://www.si.com/nhl/2021/03/01/draft-2021-m草 analyze the impact of German players on average NHL draft rankings for European skaters.](url, https://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/draftstats.php)
- Despite a disheartening first round in the 2021 NHL draft for German ice hockey prospects, the chances aren't over yet as more rounds with potential picks are still to come, such as Canadian-based David Lewandowski, captain Carlos Händel, and Maxim Schäfer from Berlin Bears.
- The lack of German players in the first round of the 2021 NHL draft doesn't necessarily predict the future of German talent as past setbacks don't define their future potential, much like the legendary Wayne Gretzky's quote, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
