You may not get that much out of this video interview that Lucas Raymond gave to HockeyNews.se…
But here’s a rough translation of John Falck’s conversation with Raymond from this morning, Swedish time:
HockeyNews.se meets Lucas Raymond: “I will never forget this”
Lucas Raymond is now the highest drafted Frölunda player ever, after Rasmus Dahlin.
HockeyNews.se met Raymond on Wednesday morning, and we talked about his feelings after the night’s experience, the conversation with Steve Yzerman and how he sees his future with the Detroit Red Wings.
“It’s a dream come true,” Raymond says to HockeyNews.se.
Lucas Raymond sat tense with anticipation at home, on the couch, with family and friends, and did not have to wait long to hear his name read aloud during the virtual NHL draft 2020.
The Detroit Red Wings had the fourth choice in the draft and when it was the team’s turn, Kris Draper stepped in front of the camera and seized the rights to the Frölunda talent.
“[It’s] dream come true. Having that experience with family and loved ones was enormously cool, and something I will never forget,” says Lucas Raymond to HockeyNews.se.
“I was at home with my family and agent Peter (Werner). It got pretty nervous in the end but it was extremely fun.”
It was then a hectic night with many conversations – not least his first talk with the club manager and general manager Steve Yzerman.
“I tried to keep the phone fairly free for Detroit to call. There were a lot of meetings and the like in the evening, and then I tried to keep track of all the other Swedes and Alex (Holtz),” says Raymond.“I spoke with Yzerman immediately afterwards and Kris Draper. It was really awesome. They just told me that they were extremely happy to have me in the organization, I told them that you are probably not as happy as I am.”
Alexander Holtz was selected as number seven in the draft and now has his future in the New Jersey Devils.
“Sickly fun and well deserved. They got a good choice there, we are happy for each other’s and have played with each other for a long time and are good friends too so it’s a special feeling too.”
