Don Cherry
06-27-2003, 06:31 AM
There's a certain amount of prestige that comes with being chosen in the first round of the National Hockey League Entry Draft.
There's also a whole lot of pressure.
Having had the chance to see Thomas Vanek star for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers during the NCAA's Frozen Four in Buffalo last April, the Buffalo Sabres chose the talented Austrian forward with the fifth overall pick.
Vanek scored the game-winning goal in both the national semifinal game and the final over the New Hampshire Wildcats at Buffalo's HSBC Arena.
"I love the rink — I won a championship there already, and I hope there is more to come," Vanek told a throng of reporters after being selected. "I'm happy that I'm in Buffalo
more (http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=1491962)
There's also a whole lot of pressure.
Having had the chance to see Thomas Vanek star for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers during the NCAA's Frozen Four in Buffalo last April, the Buffalo Sabres chose the talented Austrian forward with the fifth overall pick.
Vanek scored the game-winning goal in both the national semifinal game and the final over the New Hampshire Wildcats at Buffalo's HSBC Arena.
"I love the rink — I won a championship there already, and I hope there is more to come," Vanek told a throng of reporters after being selected. "I'm happy that I'm in Buffalo
more (http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=1491962)