Lowry recalls his draft experience at home with family

WINNIPEG - When most hockey fans think of the NHL Draft, they think of families in the seats, players making the walk to the stage to receive their jersey, and the photo that comes under the bright lights of a packed arena.
Adam Lowry didn't get that experience when his name was called by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round of the 2011 draft, but he'd argue his memories are just as good.
"My brother was draft eligible that year too. We were hoping that both of us were going to get drafted, but we weren't sure. We made the decision we were going to stay home," said Lowry. "My grandparents flew in for it. We got to enjoy it as a family."

Now 27-years-old and with 408 games of NHL experience under his belt, Lowry still hasn't forgotten what it was like to be a draft eligible prospect.

The 2020 NHL Draft dates - originally scheduled for June 26 and 27 in Montreal - are still up in the air. The National Hockey League continues to work to determine an appropriate time for this year's event, but all signs seem to point toward a virtual event - similar to the National Football League and Women's National Basketball Association drafts.
A virtual draft would remove the opportunity for prospects to have that experience inside Bell Centre, but Lowry says the experience of sharing that moment with family at home is incredible.
"The advice I would have is enjoy the time with your family. They sacrificed so much to help get you where you are," said Lowry. "It's pretty special that you get to enjoy that moment with them. It may not be the same as being in the Bell Centre, but you get that opportunity to spend it with your parents, your siblings, and the people you love. It still makes it a pretty special day."
JETS, CHEVELDAYOFF PREPARED FOR ALL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES
While there are adjustments for the prospects, there are also changes to scouting processes for the teams.
Critical late season events such as the CHL playoffs and the IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship have been canceled, meaning no late season viewings of prospects.
"You have to rely on the work you've done already," said Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. "That's why as an organization we've tried to keep a handle on the 'times seen' of players and the different portions of the year you get to see them play and try to have a balance in that regard."

Cheveldayoff is confident in his staff. He says he's had meetings with Director of Amateur Scouting, Mark Hillier, and the team's network of amateur scouts over video conference.
"Scouts, by their nature, they live in the moment," said Cheveldayoff. "They go to a game and they just hope a guy isn't hurt when they go to watch them. They've always had to learn to adjust."
One of the details the NHL and its teams will need to sort out prior to the event is around conditional picks included in trades prior to the deadline in February.
The Jets are not one of those teams - and hold a total of four picks in the 2020 draft. Those picks are in the first, second, fifth, and sixth rounds.
"We're all in this same boat together," said Cheveldayoff, referencing how every other team is having to deal with the shortened scouting calendar. "We'll start compiling our list accordingly. For us, we'll continue as much as business as normal as we possibly can."