Reason to celebrate

NHL draft saw 30 strong on hand to support Truro’s Jared Mcisaac

The NHL entry draft in Dallas last week had a big following locally.

Truro’s Jared Mcisaac, an outstanding Halifax Mooseheads defenceman in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, had nearly every team in the NHL showing interest.

Drafted fifth in the second round of the draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Mcisaac went 36th overall – simply amazing considering there were 217 players drafted from 14 countries around the world. Of the best junior hockey players worldwide, McIsaac fared among the top three dozen.

Family members have remained both humble and appreciative with this positive step in Jared’s career. Earlier this week, it was an enjoyment to hear firsthand details describing some of the highlights from Dallas.

“It was a very emotional moment for all of his family and supporters,” Harold Barkhouse, his grandfather, of Truro, said. “It was definitely a very happy moment. I’ll always remember the loud cheer that went up. I’d describe it as a moment we’ll never forget. Helen and I were thrilled to think we were well enough to have been there for the draft.”

Helen Barkhouse, Jared’s grandmother, commented: “There were 30 of us there in Dallas supporting Jared. There were family, including his uncle, NHL referee Jon Mcisaac, neighbours, friends, fellow workers and a former coach. On Friday night when Jared was not chosen in the first round – Paula, a cousin’s wife, cried with disappointment. Saturday morning when Jared was drafted, Paula was in tears again, Just drafted, Jared Mcisaac and his mother Sandra are bused back to the hotel. Behind Jared is his former bantam coach Justin Tobin and his wife Krista.

but this time they were tears of happiness.”

Sandra Mcisaac, Jared’s mother, acted as major organizer for the group.

“A relative of a fellow worker called our group ‘ The Mcisaac 30.’ We’ll all be close for life because of the big moment in Dallas. This is something most of us will never forget.”

Jared’s father, Jamie Mcisaac, recalled the period leading up to his son being drafted.

“Telephone calls and texts, messages were coming in from hundreds of people all over the country. It was really something.”

Bill Mcisaac recalled the feeling of everyone being on edge just before his grandson Jared was drafted.

“On edge, I believe that describes the feeling of everyone,” Bill said. “When his name was called and the cheer went up, I recall think- Enjoying the NHL draft in Dallas are Harold Barkhouse, left, his wife Helen and Jeanie Mcisaac.

ing ‘its darn near time!’ It was all really fantastic, the excitement was unbelievable. There was a lot of hugging going on; people kept coming up to our group and offering congratulations for Jared being

drafted. What a celebration!”

Helen offered another interesting perspective.

“All of a sudden there was a sea of red coming down the stairs of the large arena; everyone had red Detroit Red Wings caps on. Jared certainly had a lot of supporters, I thought this was pretty cool.”

The second day of the NHL draft began last Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Dallas time. Family members believe the announcement (Detroit Red Wings selecting the 18-year-old Truro native) took place between 10.45 a.m. and 10.55 a.m. They recalled that shortly after, Halifax Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell and their head scout Allie Macdonald stopped by to congratulate Jared. Next, it was an invite up to the Red Wings box and within two hours the 30-strong contingent was being bussed back to the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Dallas.

“We gathered in Jamie and Sandra’s suite and the celebrating carried out to the swimming pool,” said Helen. “The celebration carried well into the evening.”

The family was treated to outstanding friendliness during their Dallas stay, as residents of the city, hockey fans, hotel staff and NHL officials reached out beyond expectations.

“I met the NHL president Gary Bettman in the hotel hall,” Jeanie Mcisaac said. “He reached out and shook hands with me. He told me he was use to everyone booing him.

“Another special moment was when (Filip) Zadina, Jared’s Mooseheads teammate who was drafted in the first round by Detroit, came into the hotel room and he and Jared looked at each other and then they embraced. This was very special to see.”

As numerous other highlights were also shared, Helen demonstrated how Jared, at age four, pretended to be a goaltender in front of the fireplace.

“I had to sing the national anthem,” Helen said as everyone laughed. “My, how things have changed.”