Draft Day Memories: Egor Sokolov

He might have had to wait, but Egor Sokolov wasn’t going to be denied again. The perseverance he has shown throughout his career and the exceptional scoring ability he demonstrated with the Cape Breton Eagles proved to be the deciding factors. After sliding through the first round, the Ottawa Senators selected him 61st overall in the 2020 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Sokolov readily admitted that enduring the selection process was challenging. He also reflected that joining an organization with total belief in him was well worth the wait.

“A lot of confusion and excitement. I expected to be drafted my first year because I went to the top prospect game. I played on a line with Barrett Hayton and Filip Zadina. They went fifth and sixth in that draft. I had a goal and an assist in that game, so I thought I showed what I can do. At that point, when you’re being passed over twice, you’re never sure what will happen. I was talking to my agent, and he was sure I was getting drafted, but that possibility always scared me. Obviously, when the day came, I was nervous. The first and second rounds were going by so slowly. It felt like it was already the seventh round, and I thought I wasn’t getting drafted again. I just remembered how I felt the past two years and did not want to feel that again. I knew how much work I put in, and once my name was announced, I realized all my hard work had finally paid off. I’ve been dreaming of this all my life, and I should sit back now, relax and enjoy that moment.”

Since turning professional, Sokolov has become the Belleville Senators’ franchise leader in goals scored (55), power play goals (19), assists (79) and points (134). Undoubtedly, the native of  Yekaterinburg, Russia is well on his way to making his mark. Sokolov is projected to be an impact power forward when he joins the roster on a full-time basis.