“Really riveting stuff here” – Twitter reacts as Juraj Slafkovsky and Shane Wright participate in NHLPA Rookie Showcase
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Juraj Slafkovsky and Shane Wright
On Tuesday, Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky and Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright made an appearance at the National Hockey League’s Player Association’s Rookie Showcase at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
But they weren’t the only ones to be present at the event. 27 other players who signed trading cards also participated. Slafkovsky happily took time to wear the Canadiens jersey, not for playing but rather for posing for pictures.
It was a busy day for all the players present, as they continuously skated back and forth on the ice to sign trading cards, engage in activities related to them, and most importantly click pictures with fans and for social media.
Juraj Slafkovsky, Shane Wright, and other players express their feeling at the NHLPA
Slafkovsky who got selected by Shane’s favorite team Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Draft stated, “It’s pretty tough to sign that many signatures”. “But it’s fun and it comes with that, and it’s good to meet other guys also and just spend some time together. Do some photos and that stuff. So yeah, I liked it.”
The fans are no stranger to Slafkovsky and Shane’s draft pick this year. Shane hoped to play with the Habs, but unfortunately, the team went for the 18-year-old forward. Later Shane got picked up as 4th overall by the Seattle Kraken whose games he has followed since childhood, as is a favorite of his own. So no hard feelings there.
When the interviewers asked what Slafkovsky thought about his card image, he replied jokingly, “Depends how my face will look”. Matty Beniers, the Kraken’s No. 2 pick also took great joy in engaging with the interviews, and fans at the event.
On the other side, New Jersey Devils forward Graeme Clarke the 80th pick in the 2019 Draft got to enjoy some family time as he met his brother Los Angeles defenceman Brandt Clarke the 8th pick in the 2021 Draft.
Brandt noted, “It’s really cool, really special for our family that I and he are succeeding the way we are and getting recognized like this,”. “It’s really special that he’s out here with me.” With the camps fast approaching this was a very needed break for the NHL players.
Shane quoted, “Definitely gets me itching a little bit for camp”. “I’m leaving in a couple of days here for camp in Seattle. … Just putting the socks on as well to match the jersey kind of really makes it feel real in that this is the reality for me, which is really cool.”
NHLPA special assistant to the executive director Mathieu Schneider said, “This is a [NHLPA] and Upper Deck event that we try to keep very relaxed”. “The guys aren’t really on a time crunch, and I think that’s something that’s a little bit different from the day-to-day of the NHL or the clubs that they came from. … When you get into the NHL, it’s here at 12, be here at 1. So I think they enjoy that.”
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Kaushani Chatterjee
(2140 Articles Published)