The NHFL is now entering its 12th year – wow. Your fantasy league last that long, did it? Didn’t think so. 

 

Although we have been around for over a decade, there have been a number of changes to the GM group over the years, with only 5 of the original members having been active over that entire period. After the first few years, the league settled into a relatively consistent GM group that has now been together for 6 years. That draft 6 years ago marked the first draft of the current era of the NHFL: this was the first time a major effort was made by all GMs to attend the draft and, although we fell one short that year (because of weather and flight cancellations), it noted a change in the group, our cohesiveness, and in particular the entity that has become the most important day of the year – DRAFT DAY.

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This first draft was held at my house in State College, PA. It was a small affair where we inaugurated golf and in-person drafting. It was also the first time I met Matt Cheese and Marty Quinlan. My life changed. This was 2013. Since this relatively simple affair, DRAFT DAY has grown into a spectacle that is only rivaled by the Olympics. It no longer consists of a single day or even weekend, but a 4-5 day event. Bids are made to host, dates are set months in advance, and infrastructure upgrades planned.

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The draft weekend+ most often now consists of an official NHFL Draft Golf Tournament, the traditional draft breakfast out, GMs all wearing their jersey of choice, and of course jersey of unchoice as the jocko. But of course each venue holds its own special features, such as water front drafting and boat access only, or a private tour guide taking us through the premiere drinking establishments of the capital city.

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This year I was again lucky enough to host the upcoming draft weekend+ and, with the move to our new location, the New England Sea Dogs felt that, like other cities that have hosted events such as the Olympics, we would spend the money upfront so that our city (house) could benefit from the significant infrastructure upgrades of hosting a major event. So, once it was finalized that the draft would occur here, we pushed through a bill (i.e., asked the wife) that would allow upgrades such as a new draft deck and draft basement. As generally agreed upon in the bid to host, we also arranged to remove free-loaders (a.k.a., anklebiters, nuggets, shitheads, or simply kids) from our venue. In addition to infrastructure upgrades and removal of undesirables, as draft host, a consideration of sleeping arrangements, travel, restaurant venues, and general entertainment must also be accounted for. This of course is no small feat with 10-12 childish adults who whine, bitch and complain about everything all coming together for our single most anticipated event of the year; and its difficulty grows each year. With the final purchases of new draft deck draft furniture and entertainment, the prolonging of swim venues, and rezoning for increased short-term residence, we at NE Sea Dogs and our parent company MML Sport Inc. feel ready to host the NHFL draft weekend+. As quoted from the mayor (again read as Katy) ‘yes the upfront costs are significant but at least this is forcing you to finish shit’.

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So get ready all for a weekend of golf, swimming, beach, seafood, an NHFL Friday challenge, a night out at watering holes established in the early 1800s, oh and of course the actual draft. We may even get a little drinking in.

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WE. GO. HARD. (but I did arrange for the cabs to pick us up at 11pm on Friday – so not that hard).

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