Chicago Blackhawks 1st Round Draft Pick Is Playing High School Football This Fall, Throws 4 Touchdowns In Season Opener
Juan Ocampo. Getty Images.In the history of the NHL Draft, I don't think there's ever been a player selected in the draft who has ended up staying in high school the following year. If you're an absolute superstar, you get drafted and immediately make an NHL roster at the age of 18. But that's only one or two guys per draft class. Most guys will either go play college hockey, junior hockey up in Canada, or they are European and will play in whatever pro league they're in overseas. But nobody has ever been selected in the 1st round of the NHL Draft in June, and then had to go to social studies class in September.
That is, of course, until Mason West was drafted in the 1st round by the Chicago Blackhawks. The Pride of Edina. It was known before the draft that Mason West is a big time two-sport athlete. It's not like he has SEC coaches knocking down his door to get him to sign, but he's the 13th ranked quarterback in the state of Minnesota. So instead of immediately turning to his development to get ready for the NHL, Mason West decided to finish out his senior season of high school football.
Apparently he's received D1 football offers from schools like Marshall and Kent State. But Mason West plans on heading to Michigan State next year to play hockey. Maybe if he puts together a decent senior season, he could find a way to get himself onto the football team in East Lansing.
Maybe there's a chance that Caleb Williams lives up to the hype. Maybe there's a chance he's not a total bum. He deserves at least another couple years to prove himself in Chicago. But if he sucks and the Bears continue to drown in mediocrity? That gives Mason West just enough time to crack the Blackhawks' roster, already be living in Chicago, and available to play on Sundays for the Bears. We've seen the NFL/MLB crossover before in professional sports, but never the NFL/NHL. He's the hockey Bo Jackson.
Sidenote: What a life this kid has to be living right now. Best senior year ever? Has to be right up there in the mix.