The Chicago Blackhawks held pick No. 26 in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, which opened Friday at the United Center. But they traded down three spots with the Dallas Stars at the last moment to gain another pick, and they still got their man.
Leading up to the draft, I had my eyes on defenseman Henri Jokiharju, and when the ‘Hawks traded down while he was available, I was ready to quit on Blackhawks life (just for the day of course). But then they got him at 29, and I was ecstatic.
I’m a sucker for the fan-to-player story, and Jokiharju fits that mold.