The Ottawa Senators chose not to draft Andrei Vasilevskiy after he got a sun burn
Andrei Vasilevskiy is the best goalie in the NHL and it's not particularly close. Vasilevskiy already owns 2 Stanley Cups, a Vezina Trophy and a Conn Smythe Trophy, all before he turns 28. Looking back it's hard to believe Vasilevskiy was available at 19, where the Lightning ended up drafting him.
It turns out that the Ottawa Senators, who picked 15th had their eye on Vasi, but a day in the sun ended up costing Vasilevskiy a meeting with the Senators according to his agency.
Tyjnych said there were a few teams picking ahead of Tampa Bay at No. 19 that were interested, including Ottawa, who was at No. 15.
Tyjnych said Senators GM Bryan Murray asked after the combine if they could interview Vasilevskiy in Ottawa, where the goalie prospect was training. They were going to fly in Russian defenseman Sergei Gonchar to help in the talks. But the day before the scheduled interview, Vasilevskiy went to a water park for a few hours.
" It was a very, very hot day," Tyjnych said. "He was burned. He was so red. So I called Ottawa and said, I'm so sorry, He's feeling bad, maybe some fever. Can we postpone for two or three days?
They said, "OK" but seemed disappointed.
"They never called me back."
Tyjnych said Senators GM Bryan Murray asked after the combine if they could interview Vasilevskiy in Ottawa, where the goalie prospect was training. They were going to fly in Russian defenseman Sergei Gonchar to help in the talks. But the day before the scheduled interview, Vasilevskiy went to a water park for a few hours.
" It was a very, very hot day," Tyjnych said. "He was burned. He was so red. So I called Ottawa and said, I'm so sorry, He's feeling bad, maybe some fever. Can we postpone for two or three days?
They said, "OK" but seemed disappointed.
"They never called me back."
The Senators ultimately chose to draft Cody Ceci and the rest is history. Ironically the sun is what potential prevented Vasilevskiy from ending up in Ottawa and sending him to the Sunshine State.
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