Opinion

Letter: First picks don't always turn out to be best

Posted January 23, 2023 12:00 am

History suggests the Bears emerging with the first selection in the NFL draft rather than the second may be much ado about nothing.

Back in 1980 the Blackhawks had the third pick in the NHL draft. Management desperately wanted the consensus first pick, Regina Junior hockey superstar center Doug Wickenheiser, and if they couldn't get him they coveted the consensus second pick, and David Babych, an outstanding defenseman who'd played junior hockey in Portland.

But the Montreal Canadiens, who had the first choice, picked Wickenheiser, and Winnipeg, which had the second selection, picked Babych.

So, the Blackhawks had to settle for the consensus third choice, a Montreal Junior sensation named Denis Savard.

Savard went on to be selected one of the "100 best players in NHL history," was inducted into the Hall of Fame and remains one of the most popular players the Hawks ever had.

Babych turned out to be the second best of the three but wasn't nearly as accomplished as Savard. Wickenheiser was a decent NHL player but wasn't a standout and spent the last two years of his pro career playing in the minors.

Neil Milbert

Wilmette

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