It didn't take long for Justin Schultz to get the answer. The Westside Warriors defenceman was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, 43rd overall.
The pick originally belonged to the Edmonton Oilers but was transferred to Anaheim as compensation after the Oilers signed Anaheim free-agent Dustin Penner a year ago.
About a dozen family and friends crammed into his parents basement early Saturday morning to hear the news.
“It was awesome,” says Schultz. “They supported me all through my hockey career and just for them to be here and share this with me is unbelievable.”
Schultz, who won't turn 18 until July 6, has been a Vancouver Canucks fan all his life.
The Canucks had the 41st pick in the second round and Schultz admits he was a bit disappointed when he wasn't taken then.
“I was getting a little mad after every pick because you want to go as high as you can, but I don't care, I'm going to Anaheim. I could care less now that I didn't go to Vancouver.”
Schultz spoke briefly with Ducks General Manager, Brian Burke, after the selection.
“He called me to congratulate me and say he would talk to me in a few days about going down there for the prospects camp.”
Kim Schultz, Justin's mom, called this one of the proudest days of her life.
“It's very, very exciting,” says Kim. “It ranks right up there at the top for sure.”
She says it didn't really matter who drafted her son.
“I wasn't really paying that close attention to the teams, I just knew it was a great opportunity if he did get drafted, and hopefully it will work out for him. To me it didn't really matter what team he went to.”
Kim says she is a Ducks fan now.
“Of course. Disneyland.”
Schultz was ranked 38th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. TSN had him rated 58th overall.
Schultz was the first player selected from the B.C. Hockey League. He went two spots ahead of Penticton forward Zac Dalpe, who was projected to be a late first round selection.
Dalpe went 45th overall to the Carolina Hurricanes.
