The odds were stacked against the Saint John Sea Dogs for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft lottery on Thursday.
But the Sea Dogs still managed to do what seemed like the impossible and win the first overall draft pick for the 2019 QMJHL Entry Draft.
Saint John had one ball in the lottery, giving them just a five per cent chance of getting the first overall selection.
Trevor Georgie, the team’s president and general manager, calls it good karma.
“We have such a loyal fan base, players that believe in the process, coaches and staff that are such optimists, an owner who is the most patient in the league, they all deserve this,” said Georgie in a news release.
“I have so much faith and confidence in our Head Scout Anthony [Stella] and his staff that we knew even at five, we would get a great player. With the first overall pick, we get to pick the very best, the exact one that we want.”
The @SJSeaDogs have been awarded the FIRST overall selection in the 2019 #QMJHL Entry Draft. pic.twitter.com/tDHTMpYa2k
— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) April 18, 2019
Picking second at the draft will be the Val-d’Or Foreurs, followed by the Moncton Wildcats, Gatineau Olympiques and Shawinigan Cataractes.
The draft, which takes place on June 8, will mark the sixth time the Sea Dogs select first overall.
