What Draft Prospects Really Want: It's Not Just the Money

Ask NHL draft prospects what excites them about turning pro, and you'll hear about more than just contracts and endorsement deals. These kids are thinking about the food in NHL cities, the brotherhood of a professional locker room, and the environment they'll be stepping into for the next chapter of their lives. It's a reminder that for all the analytics and scouting reports, the human element of professional hockey still matters more than most front offices want to admit.