What’s it like to create the perfect team? As a General Manager, you’ve got decisions to make when it comes to playoff hockey drafts. With the Wawota Lions no longer able to host their annual quad derby, the service group had to look at finding a new fundraiser which would aid the Lions in bettering their community and to continue funding projects in Wawota. The plan, a live auction hockey draft.
The plan was formed by Joel Carpenter: “It’s a live auction style hockey draft. So, we’re auctioning off the top 120 players going into playoffs with a max of 30 teams. It was something we used to do at Precision Ag, where I work, but they weren’t doing it this year and they decided to give it to the Wawota Lions to use as a fundraiser.”
“The Lions lost the quad derby and we needed a new fundraiser to continue doing community projects here; and it’s Canada, everybody loves hockey.”
With 17 preregistered teams, Carpenter was hopeful of having at least 20 for the first year. In the end, although the Lions didn’t reach 30 teams in the pool, they did take in 25 total, which Carpenter was very pleased with.
The live auction put a different spin on things as the $120 buy-in gave each team 1,000 points to work with. From there Rhett Parks – auctioneer – took over. With the 1,000 points, team captains bidded on the top 120 players headed into playoffs. They were also given a goalie list and would take one goalie on their team as well. Players earn points through goals and assists, while goalies earn points through wins and shutouts.
The draft saw Parks auction off the top 120 goal scorers from the regular season starting with Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers. Each time someone was up for auction, they were listed at the front on a slide with a variety of information to help individuals make their decisions.
Every 10 spots a goalie was up for picks and once everyone used their 1,000 points the team captains could round out their 10-player roster with players that hadn’t been bought.
Additionally, a Calcutta was held with 10 teams being able to be bid on to be the winning team, losing team, loser to the winner, and loser to the loser.
A cash payout will take place for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd; while first place will also take home bragging rights and their team name will be etched into a miniature Stanley Cup trophy, which will sit on their table next year at the event.
