So back in 2011 I was asked to join a hockey pool of a group of guys who were long time friends. Guys who went way back to high school and such had always done one. It was the return of the Jets to Winnipeg and people couldn't be happier.
Hockey pools as we know are a ritual in Canada. The pre-date what we now call modern fantasy sports and were often the unofficial opening to the hockey season for many. The years in university where we'd crowd around an old CRT TV on Saturday night to watch the double header and do the pool have passed but that classic spirit never dies.
For me the hockey pool draft night is as fun a night as ever. The banter, the trash talk, the jokes are what make it so fun, and of course the copious amounts of beer. Not being a native Winnipegger I never had a crew here. Sure there were options to go in the public pools through newspapers and online but it was never the same as gather around a table and TV, in this case in a garage and doing a classic keeper pool. Being apart of this group has been so great not because of the memories it brings but because of the camaraderie that comes with it. I feel pretty lucky to be a part of this crew.
Our rules are simple, number of guys who show up by 12 players in a classic snake draft. Total points earned per player by the end of the season for all 12 and the highest wins. There's nothing complicated and that's what makes it simple.
This year I had the 4th overall pick and here's how it went.
Round 1- Kucherov Round 2- Panarin Round 3- Karlsson Round 4- Skinner Round 5- Kadri Round 6- Neiderreitter Round 7- Kreider Round 8- Anders Lee Round 9- Palat Round 10- E. Kane Round 11- Foligno Round 12- M. Perreault
I tried when I could to go with guys who scored more goals than assists when looking at players with similar past point totals. Logic being that if you score goals and take lots of shots you'll earn assists doing the right things.
12 hours later I'm not totally sold on the pool but given the circumstances I'd say I'm going to finish right where I usually do 6-8th with one major injury holding me back from a top 3 spot.
So how did I do?