*song of the imagine;
even if it breaks your heart; Eli Young Band*

Alex's POV
"How do I look?" I turned around to face my mom and she smiled, tears starting to form in my eyes. "My baby is all grown up." She gasped looking at me in my suit and tie. "Hey! I'm offended. You weren't that sappy when I was drafted Ma." I heard my older brother Will say and I laughed, turning around to give him a hug. "Thanks for coming, Will." I said into his shoulder and he patted my back. "Anything for my younger brother." He let go and smiled. "Sorry about the rough season for the Leafs. At least you guys are gonna get Matthews so you know you'll have some depth at center and you have Marner coming off a hot season with London." I told him and he nodded. "Ya, I'm excited to play with some of the other youngsters. It should be a good season." He smiled and I smiled back. My dad came in and announced that we had to leave for the arena. We left the hotel, many people wishing me good luck, people who recognized me, my brother or my dad watching in awe. We got into the uber and they drove us to the arena. We pulled up and I watched in awe of all of the young kids, waiting for their dreams to come true, just like mine. We got in and found our seats. I looked around for a while and then my phone buzzed. I smiled when I saw it was my girlfriend of 4 years texting me.

From: baby girl
Good luck tonight baby! I love you :)
To: baby girl
Thanks so much beautiful, I love you more ❤️

It was 12 am in Sweden and I was hoping she would go to bed so she could get a good night, but then I remembered it was a Friday. We met in Sweden 5 years ago and it took me a year to finally ask her out. We've been together for the past 4 years and I love her more than anything. It's been a good 3 months since I've seen her. I'm clearly missing her like crazy because I swear I heard her voice. I turned around to see who was actually at my side saying "good luck tonight cutie." I turned around and gasped, my hand over my mouth, not believing the sight in front of me. "Y/N?" I asked, tears forming in eyes, mirroring hers. "Hi baby." She whispered through her tears. I jumped up and grabbed her in my hands, lifting her off the ground. "How, what, when, umm," I rambled, not believing what I saw. "I missed you so much and I couldn't miss the biggest moment of your career. You think I would miss this? I flew out here last year just to see a Drake concert with you, Nylander. Don't count me short of a great girlfriend." She smiled and I kissed her softly on the lips. "Let's go sit down. The draft is starting soon." We sat in our seats and I pulled out my phone, snapping a picture of my beautiful girlfriend smiling at the arena for snapchat. "My princess flew from Sweden to be here :)" I posted on my story after saving the picture to my camera roll. The lights dimmed and I grabbed Y/N's hand, squeezing it. She smiled and kissed my cheek. "Ease up, hot stuff." She whispered in my ear, winking. I wrapped my arm around her and she rested her head on my shoulder. It's a long flight, and I knew she was tired. "Welcome to the 2016 NHL Draft. I'm Gary Bettman­" the boos started, coming especially from the feisty girl next to me, causing me to laugh. "And I'm pleased to welcome all of you to First Niagara Center for the 54th NHL Draft. I'd like to take the time to thank the Buffalo Sabres organization for hosting this years draft." He continued for about 20 minutes, a moment of silence for Gordie Howe and some information about the draft in those 20 minutes. The first 5 picks past and I knew I wouldn't get drafted then. I started to get more nervous and when the Coyotes had submitted their pick, I started to get nervous. "With the 7th pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, the Arizona Coyotes select Clayton Keller!" Bettman announced and I sighed, leaning back into my chair. Y/N leaned over, stroking my cheek. "Baby don't worry. This next one is all you." She said and I smiled, kissing her. "The Buffalo Sabres have submitted their pick." I heard and my mom squeezed my hand on one side of me, my girlfriend squeezing my hand on the other side of me. "With the 8th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select Alex Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads!" I smiled widely, hugging my mom, my brothers and my dad. My girlfriend looked at me with tears in her eyes. She pulled me into a hug and we held onto each other for almost a minute. "I'm so proud of you." She sighed and I kissed her shoulder. "I wouldn't be here without you, my love."