MONTREAL — Sean Farrell should’ve been drafted at the Bell Centre in June 2020, but things didn’t play out that way.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the event, and it was ultimately conducted in a remote format later that year in October.
So, where was the American forward when Montreal made him the final pick in the fourth round? At an establishment in the Chicago suburb of Geneva.
“I was with my dad watching the Draft at the rink where the Steel play. There’s a little restaurant there that used to be called Chelios Pub and Grill. We were watching NHL Network, and then my name popped up on the screen. It was a pretty crazy moment,” remembered Farrell, who was selected 124th overall after a productive first season with the USHL franchise. “It was awesome to have my dad there, and then I called my mom and everyone else in my family. It was great to feel all that support from all the people that helped me throughout my life.”
Nearly four months after he was initially supposed to learn which team would secure his services, Farrell finally had his answer.
Talk about an extended wait, but it was worth it.
“Everything with that year was just crazy, so finally being able to have a little bit of normalcy after it was pushed back for so long was great. There was so much buildup. It was a bright spot in a pretty weird year for everyone,” mentioned Farrell. “I haven’t been in any moment like that in my whole life where I’m just sitting there waiting for something to happen through the TV. It finally happened, though, and I was thrilled.”
Since being drafted, Farrell has shone both domestically and internationally.
His accolades include winning the 2021 Clark Cup and earning USHL Player of the Year honors, enjoying a standout sophomore campaign at Harvard University, and representing his country at the Winter Olympics and IIHF World Championship in recent months as well.
There’s no denying that the 20-year-old Hopkinton, MA native is trending in the right direction.
“Everyone’s path is different. There are only a handful of drafted guys that are going to step up and play in the NHL right away, and then for everyone else, you’ve got to take big steps in order to make it there one day. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been working every day to try to become a better hockey player and one day realize that goal,” explained Farrell. “Wherever I ended up in the Draft, I was going to work as hard as I could to prove to that team that it was a really good pick.”
All the young winger does is impress with his skills and numbers alike, so the Canadiens obviously chose wisely.
While it remains to be seen what the future has in store for Farrell, he has some advice for Draft-eligible prospects who are about to experience the rite of passage for themselves soon.
“Just relax and have fun. Whatever happens, it’s still an amazing day, but the work really starts after the Draft. I’ve seen that for myself the past couple of years,” said Farrell. “You have to continue to push even harder after the Draft happens, and wherever you go, whether it’s high or late, there’ll be motivation to push yourself to continue to get better.”
The 2022 NHL Draft will be held at the Bell Centre on July 7 and 8.
Photo credit: USA Hockey and HHOF – IIHF Images