Red Wings draft pick Moritz Seider spoke with Adler Mannheim’s website today, discussing the Wings’ decision to pick him 6th overall and his experiences at the Wings’ summer development camp. What follows is roughly translated from German:
Seider: “As a player, you don’t know anything before”
It was perhaps the biggest surprise of this year’s NHL Draft: Adler Mannheim defender Moritz Seider was picked 6th overall by Detroit. The youngster discusses in an interview how he experienced his time before he was drafted, the draft day itself, and the subsequent development camp.
Moritz, since this morning youve been back in Mannheim. Please summarize the events surrounding the NHL Draft, starting with the Draft Combine.
“At the combine there were all the eligible draft picks, so about 140 players. There are various tests regarding sports performance and flexibility. There are many meetings, many discussions. That’s what it is, basically. The teams want to get to know you and you can learn about their organizations. You get in contact with many scouts and general managers. One month later, the draft happens Many people think that everything is determined in advance, but that’s not the case. As a player, you don’t know anything about what’s going to happen. While I had good conversations with Detroit, and felt that I could fit in well with the Red Wings, I never thought I would be drafted with the 6th pick.”
What was the day of the first round like?
“It was a very stressful day. At 7:30 AM, there was a breakfast, and everything was very hectic. During it all, you forgot some of the excitement. After lunch, we finally went to the huge arena in Vancouver. Everything was built up. Each team had its own space, and there was a place where my name was listed. It was all very impressive and unforgettable.
In North America, the Draft is a huge media event. How much did you hear about it?
“A lot. When your name is called in the draft and you come onto the stage, you have an incredible amount of media members in front of you. All in all, it took almost two hours. But at the moment you are so pumped up and you are so happy that you are happy and want to take it with you.”
What happens specifically regarding being picked?
“Everything is very fast, but it’s timed throughout. You go on stage, then down to the media. Then they take tons of pictures of you. With the stick, without the stick. With the jersey, only with the cap. Then you go to the team’s area. There were also coaches and managers, but also my parents. There was food and drink and the opportunity to relax a bit.”
Last week there was a development camp in Detroit. What happened there?
“The focus was on skills, whether as a forward or a defender. There was a lot of work on stick techniques and skating work. On Friday and Saturday, at the end of the camp, there were a few more fun events held, like a 3-on-3 tournament. In the meantime, you met with the other participants, and of course you want to go home a winner on the ice.”
What will you do over the next few months?
“In the summer I will train here in Mannheim, that’s in the foreground. It’s about laying a good foundation for the rest of the season with good workouts. For that, we have the best conditions in Mannheim. Everything else will be determined in due course, with the appropriate people.”
