Pollard: Blum is California Dreaming

Jonathon Blum

Dan Pollard

6/20/2007 7:36:47 PM

In my last article, I questioned how deep a footprint would be created for the sport of hockey in California now that the Anaheim Ducks had won the Stanley Cup.

Well, I should have added there's more than just the Cup to build on this year. There's Jonathon Blum.

Blum is a native of Long Beach, California. More importantly, in hockey terms, he's expected to go no later than the second round in the NHL Draft. He's actually ranked 17th for North American skaters by Central Scouting. If he goes in the first round he'd be the first opening round selection ever from California.

A member of the Memorial Cup winning Vancouver Giants, Blum's style has been compared to current Chicago Blackhawk and former Lethbridge Hurricane rearguard Brent Seabrook. One scout said he moved the puck well and stays as cool as "a California surfer". That's one totally awesome dude.

Blum certainly has ridden a wave of ups and downs in his life. His story is chronicled in a recent Vancouver Sun article. It takes the reader through Blum's time with the California Wave, a touring minor league team, to the death of his twin sister Ashley in a fire and the battle his mother Dana has waged with cancer. It's been an incredible journey already.

Blum's dad, originally from Omaha, Nebraska, sparked his son's interest in hockey with the purchase of season tickets for the Anaheim Ducks. Against all odds, that spark has turned into a flame and this weekend will be one to celebrate for the Blum family.

It's one of many stories that will unfold at the NHL Entry Draft this weekend in Columbus, Ohio. The phones are already ringing as General Managers from around the league try to maximize their opportunities to build or rebuild their teams.

TSN will be there to cover all the stories starting coverage Friday at 7 Eastern. The NHL Network will simulcast the show Friday and then I'll be at the desk along with Gary Green and Todd Lewis to help provide live exclusive coverage of Rounds 2 through 7 on Saturday starting at 10 am.  

Skeptics say that this year is a weak one for the draft. Interestingly enough they said the same thing back in 1983 when three Hall of Fame players - Pat Lafontaine, Steve Yzerman and Cam Neely - were snapped up by NHL teams. Maybe it's just a coincidence but if you are superstitious there's another reason you may want to hold off for a while on your opinion of the strength of this year's draft. Call it the Gagner factor. Dave Gagner was a first-rounder in 1983. His son Sam is expected to go in the first round of this year's draft as well.