Mitch Marner texted Shane Wright during the draft to give him this great message
Even before the 2021-22 NHL season began most hockey insiders and scouts had Kingston Frontenacs', Shane Wright picked as the consensus top pick in this year's draft. Over the year there was little doubt from anyone that Wright was ranked 1st overall. Wright went unchallenged until about a month before the draft.
Things changed a little bit when Bob MacKenzie released his top 10 Draft picks prediction. MacKenzie combines his knowledge with insight from scouts and executives. When MacKenzie releases his rankings he doesn't often miss.
However, many people including Shane Wright still felt he was going number one. Unfortunately for Wright he didn't get his wish when the Montreal Canadiens would select, Juraj Slafkovsky.
Wright was clearly disappointed not going number one, instead he went forth overall to the Seattle Kraken. Before he was selected Wright would get told by his father Simon who clearly knew his son was upset said:
He's not the only one to reach out as another player who was drafted 4th overall, Toronto Maple Leafs' star, Mitch Marner would send some encouraging words to Wright as well:
Marner was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs 4th overall in 2015, others include the likes of Cale Makar in 2017 and Brady Tkachuk in 2018 all 3 have became big time NHL stars.
Only time will tell if Shane Wright can follow in these players footsteps and have himself an incredible career.
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) warms up prior to the during the first periodau- during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532771.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) warms up prior to the during the first periodau- during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532520.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532460.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
