The prospects of the Class of 2024 are experiencing a crash course in NHL intensity -- and it's only just beginning.
Every February, the NFL holds its annual scouting combine in Indianapolis, which is televised for all the nation to watch.
One of the under-the-radar combines, however, tends to be the NHL, which is being held this week in Buffalo.
And tomorrow, the 100 prospects of the NHL Draft class of 2024 will experience first-hand what general managers, coaches, and fans hope to see from them in the combine workout tests.
(In this list of prospects, courtesy of the league, London's Sam Dickinson, Denver U's Zeev Buium -- pictured above, and Saginaw's Zayne Parekh, considered to be Utah's top three choices to go no. 6 in the draft, were invited.)
Three of the tests are occurring as we speak: VO2 Max, grip strength, and Y-balance.
The bulk of the tests will be tomorrow, and even though Sportsnet's primer made it look simple, one can only imagine the physical demands required.
To say nothing of the mental and emotional demands, as well; interviews with prospects are also occurring throughout the week, which measures maturity, leadership, and discipline, among other things.
All of these kids who are about to be drafted are under 19 years old, and will have a lot of eyeballs on them, especially projected no. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini.
Regardless, this will be the first opportunity to see how they handle the bright lights, and will give them a chance to impress the veterans watching -- if any.
It's no wonder, then, NHL.com called the draft combine a "rite of passage".
It's a brutal gauntlet of physical, mental, and emotional strain to see if you're ready for primetime.