There's still a little college recruiter in Dave Hakstol.
The Philadelphia Flyers head coach, who made the jump to the NHL from the University of North Dakota in May, traveled more 4,000 miles to make sure his first impression on Jakub Voracek would be a lasting one.
Related: Flyers sign Jakub Voracek to reported 8-year, $66-million contract extension
"I talked to (Hakstol) over the phone and he told me that he would like to see me in the middle of June," Voracek told reporters after signing his mammoth multi-year contract extension with Philadelphia on Thursday.
"I was like, 'Yeah that's perfect, but I'll be still in Czech (Republic).' He was like, 'Yeah I know, I'm just going to fly to Czech to have dinner with you.'"
Thinking there was more to the visit, Voracek inquired about other potential travel plans when he arrived.
"I asked him what was his next plan, if he's staying for the week or going somewhere else. He was like, 'No, no. I'm flying back tomorrow morning.' I told him that's a long trip for one dinner, but it meant a lot to me and it was great to talk to him eye to eye."
And that, my friends, is how you land commitments.
The $66 million probably helped too.
