Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

[derrickthomas58]

Number 1. That's what this game is all about. To be number one. To be the number one guy. To be the number one team. To be the man. I have been number one all my life, in every schoolyard pick, in every draft, I’ve been number one. I expected nothing less when it was my year for the NHL Entry draft. I realize this comes off a little cocky, but I am anything but. For as far back as I can remember, I have always had that hockey stick in my two hands, and the puck has always been at the end of my stick, and I have always known what to do with it. For as long as I can remember, I have played against kids that were bigger, stronger and older than me, and I held my own. No scratch that, I more than held my own, I dominated. I got used to the kids on the opposing teams giving me jealous stares and taking it out on me physically. I got used to the parents of the kids on the opposing teams screaming at me from the stands after I had made their little defenseman look like a pylon, or when I scored six goals on their little boy. I could skate circles around everyone, nobody could catch me. I have more trophies, medals and accolades that I care to mention. All of this leads me to my ultimate goal…the NHL.


This is my story. This is my journey. This…is my time.

[GoldenJet]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

Great start, keep it up.

[onlybygrace]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

So whats your name for Gods Sakes!!!

Are you Gretzkys boy?

[star king3]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

So whats your name for Gods Sakes!!!

Are you Gretzkys boy?

probably his name is DERRICK THOMAS hence thats his name.

[derrickthomas58]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

So whats your name for Gods Sakes!!!

Are you Gretzkys boy?

Sorry, the player's name is Larry Chaytor.

[derrickthomas58]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

The NHL draft is today in Ottawa. All the top prospects are there. I’m not there. Where am I? On my couch. My agent, Lionel Hutz, who is also a lawyer who inexplicably chases any ambulance he sees, told me it would be better if I stayed at home. So I watched it on TV. I watched as all the first rounders went to the podium. I watched the second round. Third, fourth and fifth rounds. I even watched rounds six and seven. I watch every team make their pick, and they all picked someone else. The “can’t miss” prospect missed…big time


3 weeks later…

Watchin’ TV. That’s what I do now. Watch TV and workout. I think I overdid it. My left leg is killing me. I slowly make my way towards the fridge when the phone rings.


Me: “Hello?”


Caller: “Hi Larry. This is Darryl Sutter, GM of the Calgary Flames”


Me: “Uhhh, ok, what can I do for you Mr. Sutter?”


Sutter: “We’d like to invite you to training camp to try out for a spot on our team. Nothing guaranteed though.”


Me: “Are you serious? This is amazing. Of course I’ll come. What do I need to do?”


Sutter: “Gather up your gear, my assistant, Brenda, will call you with the flight details. Looking forward to meeting you…good luck.”


Me: “Thanks Mr. Sutter. Thank you very much. I can’t wa-“


Sutter: “Listen Larry, I gotta go…we’ll talk more when you get here. Bye”


It took me a full minute before I had sense enough to hang up the phone. Could this really be happening? Was I going to get a shot?


One week later.

Airplanes. I haven’t been on many. I’m not afraid of flying. Just not used to it. I smile to myself as I silently hope this is the first of many plane rides for me, with Calgary. I relax, close my eyes and drift away into sleep...

[derrickthomas58]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

381 days ago

“What a great game, Chaytor!”

It was a great game. 3 goals, 3 assists. Best player out there. Again. The stadium was rocking…and filled with NHL scouts. My teammates all came over to high five me, or pat me on the shoulder or back. These guys were the best. No petty jealousy here. I’m not used to that.

“Hey Chaytor,” says Ryan Clarke, my best friend on the team, “there’s a party on Friday night, you going?”

“Don’t think so Ryan. I might do some skating drills here.”

Then Brian Motzinger enters the room, he’s our team captain, and a big time partier. Seems like he is always drunk. I’m sure I have seen him drunk at a couple of our games, and hungover at practice.

Brian: “Yeah man, this party is going to be the party to end all parties! I’m going to get wasted!”

Me: “Big surprise Motzi”

Ryan: “C’mon man, you never go partying…just this once?”

Me: “LOL…we’ll see.”

[derrickthomas58]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

I arrive at training camp and I’m brought to GM Sutter’s office.

Sutter: “Good morning Larry. You ready?”

Me: “Yessir, I’ve never been more ready.”

Sutter: “Ok then, get out there and show us what you got”

I get ready and make my way out to the ice. I look around at the guys already on the ice, and I get a nervous sensation in my stomach. There’s Iginla. Jokinen. Kiprusoff. For the first time in my hockey life…I’m overwhelmed.

[star king3]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

UHOH A FLAME! can i be in as a rival nuck?

[GoldenJet]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

I'll take the role as your rival superstar in the East.

[derrickthomas58]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

UHOH A FLAME! can i be in as a rival nuck?

I'll take the role as your rival superstar in the East.

Well, I've played 6 games already so I don't think there is a way to add you in now??? (I could be wrong, if so let me know).

So here's what I'll do. Because I haven't reported on my games yet and because I'm only 6 games in...I'll start them over. Send me your info ASAP and I will create you guys and start over. What do I do for the attributes? Not sure how much to give you so let me know some numbers if you want. Thanks.

[star king3]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

its coming

[derrickthomas58]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

378 days ago

Ryan: “Hey Larry, you going to the party tomorrow night or what?”

Me: “I don’t think so Ryan.”

Ryan: “Come on man, soon you’ll be an NHL star…and too good to hang out with me.”

Me: “LOL, well, you do have two good points there…”

Ryan: “Ha. Ha. So is that a yes?”

Me: “Ok, let’s do it”

Ryan: “Excellent, pick me up at 7:30!”

Me: “Wha-“

Ryan: “See ya tomorrow night, lol!”

[derrickthomas58]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

These drills are rough. I’m a little winded and my legs are killing me. Coach Keenan is giving me a look of disgust. That can’t be good. Just nerves. Don’t worry about it. After practice, coach Keenan comes to me.

Keenan: “You planning on being better tomorrow kid?”

Me: “Uh, yes sir.”

Keenan: “What?”

Me: “YES SIR!”

Keenan: “You better be.”

I wasn’t.

Two full days of horrible practices and drills. My confidence is starting rattle. I’ve got to pick it up, and I will, starting tomorrow. I’m getting ready to leave the stadium when I get called into GM Sutter’s office.

Sutter: “Have a seat, Larry”

Me: “What’s up sir?”

Sutter: “Well Larry, coach Keenan and I have been talking and we feel that this situation isn’t working as well as we’d hoped.”

Me: “Excuse me?”

Sutter: “We feel that you just aren’t what we were looking for, and we think it would be a waste of everyone’s time if we continued on any further.”

Me: “I don’t understand. It’s been just two days.”

Sutter: “I’m sorry Larry, but we have no choice. We’re cutting you.”

And so ends the second worst day of my life...

[derrickthomas58]

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

377 days ago

Ryan: “Man, we are going to have some party tonight! I’m gonna get laid!”

Me: “You always say that.”

Ryan: “And I always do.”


The party was good. Everyone knew who I was. It seemed like everyone was watching me, paying close attention to me. Everyone must have known I was soon going to be an NHL star. There is a lady staring at me, although she’s looking at me kind of funny. She’s a couple years older than me, but she’s very easy on the eyes. I smile at her. She just keeps looking at me. I ask her if I can buy her a drink, but she just looks at me with a look on her face…it’s almost like concern…but…I dunno…it’s weird. Suddenly I’m being carried around the room to “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” This party is awesome!