Song Andong is the first Chinese ever being drafted by NHL. The draft is still going on in Florida right now. Song is from Beijing, 6’1″ 18 岁. NHL was founded 1917 … here comes the dragon.
Being drafted only means you have a potential employer. You still have to prove yourself to earn a contract from the team – Islander in Song’s case. Drafting a youngster is to find the diamond in the rough = the team hopes he turns out to be good enough to make the team.
Every major league sport has draft. The location varies. Not too long ago NFL held its draft in New York City at the W Hotel. I happened to be meeting a friend for a drink, unaware of the event. Boy, the lobby was saturated with skinny, well dressed girls looking for action. It was actually pretty fun to watch.
Song’s draft is possibly due to:
- He’s good enough to be drafted, even at 172th (6th round)
- A good marketing gimmick
- Charles Wang the owner of Islanders
- all of the above
Regardless, Song is the first Chinese and in doing so, 2.5 million Chinese are watching in China right now.
Unfortunately, Islanders has just moved out of Long Island – this is another long story about Charles Wang – that bureaucracy is everywhere – stay tuned.
He’s the Islanders’ former goal tender for the team and current GM. He’s my hubby’s teammate on the recreational league.
北京18岁的宋安东创历史
Daniel Sprong is talented but plays selfishly, being drafted in the second round. Song’s draft is listed on the right at #11.
