With the first pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the New Jersey Devils selected the 18 year old American phenom by the name of Jack Hughes. Just a few minutes later, with the second pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the New York Rangers selected 18 year old Kaapo Kakko, who thrived in the Finnish professional league before being drafted in the NHL. 

While Oratory students such as myself are at school, studying and looking forward to getting jobs in certain fields of study, kids who are one year older than myself, are already making thousands of dollars playing hockey in the NHL. Think about that for a second, because it may be hard to fathom. Teenagers, kids who are our age give or take a few years, are playing in the bright lights of the NHL. It is mind-boggling to me that I am watching 18 year old professional hockey players on TV. These teens are playing against players of ages ranging from 20-40 years old.  Not only are they just playing in the NHL, they are expected to be superstars for their respective clubs. That’s a lot of pressure on the backs of these young skaters, yet they are handling it like pros! 

Kaapo Kakko is tied for fourth in goals for his New York Ranger squad, with an impressive start to the season. Jack Hughes has the third most points on his Devils team, with a notable 4 goals and 5 assists in his first 16 games. To say these point totals are impressive is an understatement, as many of us couldn’t imagine playing pro sports at such a young age, let alone being productive. These young guns are rising to the occasion, instead of shrinking under the pressure of the big stage.