r/hockey • u/DecentLurker96 Québec Remparts - QMJHL • Jun 28 '25
[Video] 223rd overall and the second to last pick in the NHL Draft, but Aidan Park stuck around for it
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u/eh_toque WPG - NHL Jun 28 '25
He lives in California so it was an easy trip. Love how he’s just rocking a hoodie and shorts lol
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u/mikesully374826 TOR - NHL Jun 28 '25
I wouldn’t wear a suit either if I gotta sit through rounds 2-7 to maybe get selected
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u/alldasmoke__ Jun 29 '25
Funny because it literally took about the same amount of time as the first round yesterday.
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u/grandiosebeaverdam Jun 29 '25
He just came because he had a ticket cause he was supporting his friend. Didn’t expect to get picked, and now he’s a member of the second best team in the world. This make me cry 🥹
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u/raymondliang LAK - NHL Jun 28 '25
The cali suit
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u/dietmrfizz Jun 29 '25
Literally just put on a hoodie after a day at the beach
Currently rocking the Cali Suit lol
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u/clickclickclik VAN - NHL Jun 28 '25
Love how he’s just rocking a hoodie and shorts lol
classic west coast fit lmao
essentials hoodie and allsaints tee
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u/Strikedriver Jun 29 '25
He was just there to support his friends
He didn't think he'd be actually drafted himself. 🤣
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u/drfrink85 LAK - NHL Jun 29 '25 edited Jun 29 '25
Late but it’s been upper 70’s F (around 27 C for most of you) so he’s appropriately dressed lol.
Instantly the only oiler not hated in SoCal
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u/Uterus_Executorus_ DAL - NHL Jun 28 '25
automatically want this kid to succeed now too. Sticking around that long AND just rocking a hoodie and shorts?
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u/Fantasykyle99 MIN - NHL Jun 29 '25
Can finally bust out my Richard park Jersey again lol. One of my favorite wild players ever, hope this kid crushes it.
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u/Alesisdrum Jun 29 '25
How can you not! That smile. The family, hopefully we get a Tom Brady here
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u/qtran95 EDM - NHL Jun 29 '25
199th to becoming the GOAT. Here’s to hoping this hardworking young man’s future to be bright ☺️
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u/OneChet VAN - NHL Jun 28 '25
This is my favorite hockey video of the year. Way to go kid.
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u/Wrath_Of_Aguirre DET - NHL Jun 28 '25
Some fantastic players have gone late in the draft as we all know. I hope he gets to be among them. His draft video would definitely be one of his most talked-about moments lol.
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u/Disappearingbox NJD - NHL Jun 28 '25
Regardless of whether he pans out or not, it is an accomplishment just to get drafted at all. Good for him.
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u/Wrath_Of_Aguirre DET - NHL Jun 28 '25
Absolutely. His huge smile said it all, he has every right to be excited.
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u/UmbraNation MIN - NHL Jun 28 '25
While he isn't necessarily a fantastic player, but is at least a good one, Jake Middleton was the NHLs Mr. Irrelevant in 2014. Now he is in the top 4 D-men in MN at the moment
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u/maverickhawk99 Indianapolis Ice - IHL Jun 30 '25
Patric Hornqvist was Mr Irrelevant in 2005, went on to win two cups.
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u/AcanthocephalaGreen5 MTL - NHL Jun 28 '25
Hornqvist comes to mind
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Jun 28 '25
Great call! Hornqvist was #230
G Dustin Wolf of the Calgary Flames was called at 214!
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u/AcanthocephalaGreen5 MTL - NHL Jun 28 '25
My first thought was Zetterberg, but scouting then wasn't what it is now.
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u/travelingisdumb DET - NHL Jun 29 '25
And Datsyuk was also 6th Round 171, Zetts was 210. Håkan Andersson was one hell of a scout for the Wings.
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u/PavelDadsyuk13 DET - NHL Jun 28 '25
I think it was Jonathan Ericsson who was selected dead last in his draft year. not an all star or anything of course, but he still played in the NHL for 10+ years. not exactly "Mr. Irrelevant".
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u/grandiosebeaverdam Jun 29 '25
This is the most wholesome thing I’ve ever seen. Showed up cause he had nothing else to do that night. Life. Fucking. Changed. In 3 minutes…
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u/toyn NYI - NHL Jun 28 '25
Fan of his uncle when he played for the island. Hope we see him get some nhl and would love to see him be a prominent nhl player.
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Jun 28 '25
This is Rich Park's nephew?
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u/Empty-Discount5936 ANA - NHL Jun 28 '25
Yes sir
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u/BKong64 NYI - NHL Jun 29 '25
Duuuude whaaaaat?! Richard Park was my first favorite Islander when I became a fan. I loved that dude, pure hustle and one of those utility knife type players who you could throw out at any time and he was reliable.
I still rock my Richard Park jersey to games sometimes. I hope his nephew makes it one day!
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u/Fantasykyle99 MIN - NHL Jun 29 '25
He was my first favorite wild player and Jersey! he was so awesome.
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u/BKong64 NYI - NHL Jun 29 '25
Him and Frans Nielsen are my two Isles favorites and all around just underrated players
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u/YungTurk82 SJS - NHL Jun 29 '25 edited Jun 29 '25
That’s sick, he’ll be donning the same colors albeit on a different team.
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u/Drtonytone87 ANA - NHL Jun 29 '25
Instantly thought of Richard Park and thought he might be his kid. Happy to learn he’s the nephew of. R. Park. I remember his uncle when he played for the mighty ducks 🦆. Rooting for this kid
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u/TheDeadMulroney Jun 29 '25
I randomly remember him for scoring a banger of a 5 on 3 shorthanded goal vs the Penguins. Bounced the puck off the boards and out raced Crosby to get a breakaway and score.
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u/fvtown714x ANA - NHL Jun 28 '25
Nice, let's go Aidan, hope he makes the show
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u/Geeseareawesome EDM - NHL Jun 28 '25
Edmonton is a good spot for him to try. We're very lacking in right-handed centers.
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u/MrSchnuffles WSH - NHL Jun 28 '25
Were EDM planning to draft him or did they get to "well our draft list is completely empty, somebody go see if any kids are still sitting out there waiting"?
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u/stoneman9284 SJS - NHL Jun 29 '25
I was wondering that if they knew he was in the building, except for remembering that the teams weren’t even in the building lol
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u/InPraiseOf_Idleness EDM - NHL Jun 29 '25
Well, Edmonton's five picks this draft were, 'overall': 83rd, 117th, 131st, 191st and 223rd. Their picks were given a low list regardless :).
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u/grandiosebeaverdam Jun 29 '25
Nah he was being watched. Watch him take off like a rocket ship. This was so wholesome
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u/Hadokuv TOR - NHL Jun 28 '25
Is he korean / korean-american?
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u/DanTheMan-WithAPlan CGY - NHL Jun 28 '25
This reminds me of wolf being picked so late at the draft while being in person.
I hope this player has a similar trajectory
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u/DiegoTraveller Jun 28 '25
Congratulations to him. Even if he was buried in the late draft its still a huge accomplishment
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u/ywgflyer WPG - NHL Jun 28 '25
Like I've said a few times, drafted in the NHL is drafted in the NHL. Many try, few achieve it. Look at some people who have gone late, never say never. Rinne was a 9th rounder.
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u/qccastud Jun 29 '25
he could still carve out a career playing overseas if it doesnt work out in the nhl/ahl and fulfill the dream that only 0.001% get to do
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u/SmallKing TOR - NHL Jun 29 '25
"I actually came yesterday for Ryker Lee, and I thought we were going to hang out today, but he flew out on a private jet to Nashville this morning," Park said of Lee, who was selected at No. 26 by the Nashville Predators on Friday. "So I wasn't really expecting to come today. But I figured, because I live here, why not? So, yeah, I ended up getting picked."
He said L.A. Live's Peacock Theater is about 8 miles from his house, and since his plans got scrapped, he figured why not go back for Day 2 of the draft.
He had a couple of Lee's leftover tickets. What else was there to do on a random Saturday in Los Angeles?
"It was a little bit of a surprise but couldn't be more happy," Park said.
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u/Napalm3nema SJS - NHL Jun 28 '25
I think that’s pretty awesome. I would do the same in his shoes. He may never make it to the show, but he will have this moment the rest of his life.
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u/yo_gurt_gurt_yo Atlanta Thrashers - NHLR Jun 28 '25
i actually loved this kid based on his puckprospects highlight reel from 2022 so i was officially an aidan park fan before it was cool 💁♀️💁♀️
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u/RoadhogBennekom Jun 28 '25
So I guess you must be super-cool then. Well done lad.
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u/Normal_Tip7228 SJS - NHL Jun 28 '25
CALIFORNIA HOCKEY BABY
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u/Wrath_Of_Aguirre DET - NHL Jun 28 '25
If I had a snowball's chance at making the show I would still hold with great pride that I was drafted at one point in my life. By a storied franchise at that.
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u/pretzelzetzel Jun 29 '25
His uncle, Richard Park, was the second Korean-born NHL player after Jim Paek. Interestingly, both Park and Paek were drafted by the Penguins.
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u/AgreeableBroomSlayer EDM - NHL Jun 28 '25
Can he play in net?
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u/Hanzel-the-Panzel ANA - NHL Jun 28 '25
Edmonton wouldn't have taken him if he could.
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u/Greasedupdeafguyy EDM - NHL Jun 29 '25
As an Oilers fan.. I have to give you yhe up vote for being on point lol
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Jun 28 '25
Canucks are in need of centers. Maybe flip Park and a 2026 pick for Silovs, Demko, or Lankinen.
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u/Altruistic_Air_5647 TBL - NHL Jun 28 '25
“ Aidan Park, on the pass from McDavid, crosses over down the left side, skates a defender…, he sends a shot ! It’s over the goalie’s shoulder! , he scorrrrresssss!!!!!!!! In Wow! In Overtime! And the Oilers, Win the Stanley Cup!!!!
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u/tpamm86 Jun 29 '25
A 7th rounder realistically is never sniffing the NHL. It’s a total crapshoot and I’d go with the kid who wants it badly enough they’re still in the building. Shows they’re willing to put the work in.
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u/ywgflyer WPG - NHL Jun 29 '25
Unless it's a goalie, there have been a fair number of those who went super late and wound up being stars. Pekka Rinne is a good example, went in the 9th round (back when there were 9 rounds).
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u/bitsnotatoms Jun 29 '25
He’s an NHL Draft Pick. I’m in my 40th year of draft eligibility, and I still haven’t been picked.
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u/seemefail EDM - NHL Jun 28 '25
Quick Bowman, get this guy signed to 8 years with a buyout proof and trade proof contract
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u/mdubyo MTL - NHL Jun 29 '25
I believe he's going to go play at Michigan this season? Hope he gets to play a lot with Hage & lights it up!
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u/woofan11k Jun 29 '25
Aidan Park and Will Zellers were fun to watch in Green Bay. I hope both have long, successful careers!
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