The
Western Hockey League is one of the premier junior hockey leagues in the
world. Just last year the WHL has 37 players drafted into the NHL, including 4 in the top 10!
It is a breeding ground for top end talent that has major impact on the sport
we all love. One of our, Jackson Oleson, was one of 82 players invited to
the WHL combine in Anaheim, CA. For one, we very proud of his
accomplishment. More so, we are excited at the opportunity he has worked
so hard to earn. This another of a long line of stories about our youth
going and making something of themselves in the world of hockey.
Jackson
and his dad, Van, are in Anaheim now and are recording their entire weekend for
us to share...
So
it’s day 1 of the WHL combine here in sunny Anaheim. The invite letter
was cool enough, “Congratulations, you are among 82 of the selected kids in the
western US.” But in walking up for registration we just could not
believe what we were seeing. There was a full pro layout including
obstacle course, jump station, sprint track, long jump, etc. I mean
the layout put on by Under Armour left us speechless. The only thing
missing was the ESPN truck!
9:00
am
We are next up at the registration desk. Jackson receives his combine
swag! Under Armor shoes, shorts, shirt, socks, Evaluation RFID
band and a bunch of other stuff. I thought, “Shoes? Whoa!" My
mind was racing. In all the travel, gas money, effort, pain, sweat, and
accomplishment to get here and standing there proudly watching Jack be treated
like a Pro my thought went all the way back to “man it’s warm here” and
“I wish I could get a pair of those shoes”.
Jackson
looked freaked a bit. What the “@#!” am I in for here? Jackson was
in the land of giants. Had to double check and make sure we were in the
right place. “Excuse me sir, Are these the 18s??????” No sir, these
are the 15s. The twilight zone tune played in my head and my eyes popped
out. Actually a few expletives. Just keeping this update
clean. Jackson isn't saying much at this point. He is gulping a bit
more than usual. They are getting ready for the fitness test so we will
report after.
9:30
am
Ok, so
I am just realizing that Jackson does not know really how to run or jump
high. Right off the bat on the first event, they had to lower the high
jump bar and adjust to his height. Comically, they had to pull this thing
way down. Jackson JUMPS! Hey not bad. Kind of hit the
middle. JUMP and JUMP again. I had to call Findorff right away, “What
do we do? He doesn’t know how to jump." Michael said something
reassuring, me, “Gotta go”, next event. As Jackson moved on to the long
jump station, in my peripheral vision I see a trainer raising the
high jump back up for the rest of the boys.
Now
the long jump, he is up. I'm thinking, oh man he has never done
this. After all what does this have to do with skating? I never
thought of this stuff. Now I'm feeling like I didn’t prepare him
properly. Hours and hours of skating flashed before my eyes. Back
on the phone with Findorff. “He doesn’t know how to jump”, something
reassuring from Michael, the jump, “Not bad…ok ok...Michael, gotta
go."
10:00
am
It's
sprint time. Hmmmm sprints, can he run? Good news is we took a
running clinic in Findorff’s training program. Just last week, we went
down and trained with Jo Jo Townsel the former Receiver for the Jets.
After that I realized that I nor Jackson actually knew how to run. It was
good stuff, let’s see if it helps.
Weeeeelllllll, need
to work with Jo Jo some more. Sending that email out after this
report. Wow, that other kid was fast.
Back
on the phone with Findorff. “Dude!?!?! Dude?!?!?!” more
reassuring words, this time I listened “Van, just wait till they see him
skate …” Yep, yep...That’s right. Wait till they see him skate.
10:30
Just talking with Jackson now since he is between
events. He isn’t really saying much. I can see the nerves are
displayed like an advertisement in Times Square. Off to lunch. Next
up, on ice practice!
To be continued...
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