Ranking the top 10 best names from the 2018 NHL Draft
There were plenty of outstanding names called during the 2018 NHL Draft, but these 10 stood out above the rest:
10. Michael Kesselring, Oilers
This name should be a bitter reminder to all of Phil Kessel's haters that the Penguins forward has not one Stanley Cup ring, but two.
9. Shamil Shmakov, Avalanche
Shamil Shmakov sounds like a regular name at first, then someone added the "sh" at the beginning to make it sound made up. But it's not, and it's awesome.
8. Trey Fix-Wolansky, Blue Jackets
Fix-Wolansky could provide a quick fix for the Blue Jackets' offensive woes. Imagine Zach Werenski and Fix-Wolansky sharing the ice on the power play? We can only dream.
7. Eetu Pakkila, Devils
If the Devils don't play this song when Pakkila scores, but replace the word "tequila" with his last name, they need a new in-arena entertainment person. The fans would go crazy.
6. Wyatte Wylie, Flyers
The Arizona Coyotes should've done the entire hockey community a favor by drafting this man. The Wylie Coyote? Even if he never made the NHL, Wylie would've been a fan favorite with Arizona's AHL club, the Tucson Roadrunners. Talk about an opportunity squandered.
5. Linus Lindstrand Kronholm, Sabres
This is perhaps the most Swedish name of all time, and oh my is it ever glorious. It will be a headache for broadcasters and writers, but a joy for fans.
4. Blade Jenkins, Islanders
Blade has a truly a great hockey name, and he could slide right in as a member of White Goodman's dodgeball team. Too bad it's not a more common name. Stick blade? Skate blade? This guy was born to play hockey.
3. Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Maple Leafs
Hyphenating "Der" as a part of any last name makes it incredibly cool, but ahead of Arguchintsev? That's a dynamic der-oh.
2. Angus Crookshank, Senators
Wouldn't Angus Crookshank be a great name for the villain in a horror movie?
1. Bulat Shafigullin, Kings
Most of the players on this list were only blessed with either an amazing first name or last name. But Bulat Shafigullin has it all. We can only hope he has a Bulat of a shot.
Honorable mentions: Lenni Killinen, Jonathan Gruden, Jasper Weatherby, Demetrios Koumontzis, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Yegor Sharangovich, Bode Wilde, Jett Woo