In the Land of Shane Wright

For the Canadian, it would rather be where the k means karma. Karma as in first choice. As in Shane Wright, if ever the young Ontarian actually became the first selection for the next draft in Montreal in July, a selection that belongs to the CH now that he won the lottery (we can’t lose in everything either).

Shane Wright’s future was therefore in an abacus on Tuesday evening, whether he came out in the front row or a little later. Everything was played out while the young man was warming up.

When he returned to the locker room before the game, Wright wanted to know who chance had just favored. There is a world between playing hockey in Arizona or in Montreal. Obviously, he cared about it.

He wanted to know to put it aside and focus on the gameexplained his agent, Cam Stewart.

Slumped in an armchair in a small office in the arena, Stewart’s palms were sweaty.

It’s stressfulhe launched, without specifying whether he was talking about the fate that awaited his foal or the Maple Leafs game presented in the background.

What Kent Hughes just described is Shanehe added.

The general manager of the Canadiens had just said that he is important to draft talented players, but also to have character players and leaders to build a long-term winning culture.

Qualities that are generally attributed to Wright, captain almost everywhere he went. Here in Kingston, of course, but also at the World Under-17s and the Under-18s last year, where he was almost a year younger than most of the team.

Stewart was surprised at the time by Hockey Canada’s decision to give him the role at such a young age. He would have been told that it was natural for him.

It attracts attention, he says. We tend to imitate it.

In the locker room, the other players watch him tie his skates. He has that kind of presenceargued the agent of KO Sports.

Relative anonymity

On The Tragically Hip lands, Wright doesn’t have an ounce of their popularity. Even the Military College perched on the other side of the St. Lawrence River, where the stretch of water becomes Lake Ontario, casts a shadow over it.

At Leon’s Center – named after the prestigious furniture store – Wright doesn’t seem to be one of them, furniture. No photo of number 51 in the amphitheater, very few jerseys with his name, any welcome from the supporters in a sparse amphitheater. Wright does not run crowds.

He doesn’t have the game. Intelligent, but sometimes discreet, we won’t see him much during the third game of the series between his Frontenacs and the North Bay Battalion, a match won 6-3 by the visitors.

The hope will still end the meeting with two assists despite moments when he seems to lose interest in the match, little concerned by the issue. This is the reproach that is often addressed to him.

I may have seen him play a game surly out of ten. He doesn’t have that. It’s not something you activate by weighing on a peakwill launch a cross recruiter on the press gateway.

It’s just an impression, assured Cam Stewart.

Probably because he plays too much, according to the agent. The recruiter corroborates.

He plays 23-27 minutes per game. We send him shorthanded even if his team loses 5-1. There is not a coach in the National League who would do that.

Stewart then lists his qualities. It fits wonderfully. Shane is smart. Shane is playing 200 feet. Shane likes to learn too. Shane is the kind of player whose qualities carry over well to the next level. He thrives in the company of elite players.

Well, that’s a nice variation. However, a recruiter recently told us that if his team got the very first choice, he would seek to drop in the draft. And that if he had absolutely no choice, he wouldn’t take it.

Another, also crossed Tuesday evening, compares him to Jason Spezza, even to John Tavares.

How opinions are divided. And the opinion of an expert, however brilliant it may be, and God knows that the two to which we refer sparkle in the middle, remains precisely the opinion of a single person.

That the Canadiens trade the very first draft pick? While the auction is being held in Montreal?

” We have pressure one day a year. If you can’t take it, you may not be in the right job. »

And what does Shane Wright think of all this? Of his alleged nonchalance? From Montreal? Of his chances of being chosen first? Does it matter to him? Is it more smoked meat or poutine?

So many questions for the moment unanswered since the young prodigy preferred to refrain from commenting on the lottery on Tuesday evening, giving us an appointment the next day.

Stewart, his agent, for his part, assured that Wright is a good fit for Montreal.

In a draft that promises to be quite unpredictable, one wonders if the Canadian thinks the same thing.