Derrick Graham was once considered to be a top goaltender. Probably one of the best in the world recording twenty-four shut outs in his Freshman and Sophomore years with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He had so many offers at the time to go to the NHL but turned them all down to stay in college and get his degree in computer engineering.
Graham's hockey dreams were shattered in a preseason game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the '06 - '07 season. Wisconsin had a two on one where they quickly beat the lone Minnesota defender and Graham was all alone. They passed back and forth a few times before letting a one timer rip. Graham turned quickly to make the save but it was too quick of a movement and he winced in pain as the puck flew into his out stretched glove while the Wisconsin players skated past him in disbelief.
Problem this time was, Graham didn't get up and by the time the trainers reached him all his pads were off and told them he thought he had pulled his groin. Reports came back a day later and the Gophers were informed that Graham would probably never play hockey again with multiple tears in the groin area.
Graham finished his Junior year, disappointed and bored since he couldn't play hockey anymore. He missed the rush and excitement of playing between the pipes and robbing some of the best college players in the game.
Graham's hockey dreams were shattered in a preseason game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the '06 - '07 season. Wisconsin had a two on one where they quickly beat the lone Minnesota defender and Graham was all alone. They passed back and forth a few times before letting a one timer rip. Graham turned quickly to make the save but it was too quick of a movement and he winced in pain as the puck flew into his out stretched glove while the Wisconsin players skated past him in disbelief.
Problem this time was, Graham didn't get up and by the time the trainers reached him all his pads were off and told them he thought he had pulled his groin. Reports came back a day later and the Gophers were informed that Graham would probably never play hockey again with multiple tears in the groin area.
Graham finished his Junior year, disappointed and bored since he couldn't play hockey anymore. He missed the rush and excitement of playing between the pipes and robbing some of the best college players in the game.
One Year Later
Graham had been walking for about six months now and stunned doctors at every turn by how well he recovered and the things he could do again. Doctors finally cleared him to try and play Hockey again after much pleading from Graham and the team. He continued to train with the team even if it was too late for him to play in the games.
The draft was coming up and some scouts were amazed to see Graham on the ice again even if most of them doubted he would be effective in net anymore.
The draft was coming up and some scouts were amazed to see Graham on the ice again even if most of them doubted he would be effective in net anymore.
Draft Day
Graham sat at home watching the NHL Network as the draft went on. He knew he probably wouldn't hear his name called but he liked to watch anyway. It was down to the final round of the draft and before the first pick was made Graham's cell phone rang.
"Hello? Who is this?" Graham said as he answered the phone.
"This is Paul Holmgren, GM of the Philadelphia Flyers. We loved how you played in your early college days before the bad injury and seen you practice with the team in your senior year and you looked good. We are willing to give you a shot to see if you can become what everyone thought you could be two years ago."
Graham stopped for a second to try and regain his composure so he didn't stutter or say something stupid but it happened anyway.
"Re-re-really!? That is great, of course I will play for you. This is really unexpected." Graham said as he sounded like an idiot as he talked to fast in excitement.
"Well you won't be on the Flyers right away but you will be on our affilate team the Philadelphia Phantoms. The plane ticket will be in the mail tomorrow. Good luck kid." Holmgren finished as he hung up the phone.
Graham held the phone up to his ear for about five minutes even after Paul had hung up before dropping it in excitement and turning back to the TV as he heard:
"And with the 196th pick in the 7th round - The Flyers select....Derrick Graham, Goalie out of the University of Minnesota."
"Hello? Who is this?" Graham said as he answered the phone.
"This is Paul Holmgren, GM of the Philadelphia Flyers. We loved how you played in your early college days before the bad injury and seen you practice with the team in your senior year and you looked good. We are willing to give you a shot to see if you can become what everyone thought you could be two years ago."
Graham stopped for a second to try and regain his composure so he didn't stutter or say something stupid but it happened anyway.
"Re-re-really!? That is great, of course I will play for you. This is really unexpected." Graham said as he sounded like an idiot as he talked to fast in excitement.
"Well you won't be on the Flyers right away but you will be on our affilate team the Philadelphia Phantoms. The plane ticket will be in the mail tomorrow. Good luck kid." Holmgren finished as he hung up the phone.
Graham held the phone up to his ear for about five minutes even after Paul had hung up before dropping it in excitement and turning back to the TV as he heard:
"And with the 196th pick in the 7th round - The Flyers select....Derrick Graham, Goalie out of the University of Minnesota."
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