The last time Yann Sauve listened for his name to be called in a draft, his wait was nowhere near as long as this.
Sauve, a former first-overall pick in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, had to wait well into the second round of the NHL draft Saturday before the Vancouver Canucks scooped the Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman up with the 41st selection.
The native of Rigaud, Que., admitted it was getting a bit tough hearing all the names go before his. When it did go, however, it was music to his ears on a day Canucks staff honoured the memory of deceased defenceman Luc Bourdon by wearing lapel pins in the shape of electric guitars - one of Bourdon’s passions.
“I told myself not to have any expectations,” the six-foot-two, 209-pound Sauve said. “It was pretty frustrating for me last night, but now I’m in Vancouver so I’m pretty happy. It’s a dream come true.
“Growing up, my favourite team was the Montreal Canadiens, but now it’s the Vancouver Canucks.”
