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      Bettman, Schneider speak to prospects at breakfast

      MONTREAL --Members of the 2022 NHL Draft class and their families caught a glimpse of their futures at the Prospects Family Breakfast presented by Scotiabank on Thursday.

      NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and
      Mathieu Schneider
      , assistant to the executive director for the NHL Players' Association, each spoke to more than 300 attendees with the Stanley Cup on stage at the early-morning event. Commissioner Bettman called the NHL Draft experience "a life-changing opportunity and the beginning of another journey."
      "We want to make this experience as good as possible for you, and we want you to all be able to make the most of this incredible opportunity," Bettman said. "You made it. You've shown hard work, your great skill and determination -- and the theme that I keep hammering is the support from family and friends -- has all gotten you here."
      RELATED: [More 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft coverage]
      The first round of the
      2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft
      is at Bell Centre on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS). Rounds 2-7 will be Friday (11 a.m. ET; NHLN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS). The Montreal Canadiens have the No. 1 pick.
      The breakfast began with a video montage recapping the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the classic rock song "Baba O'Riley" by The Who. Bettman then channeled that emotion by acknowledging the challenges that came with the journey to reach the draft during the coronavirus pandemic and offering the League's support systems to help each prospect continue to make his dream a reality.
      "You should be excited, and I hope you're enjoying the experience," Bettman said. "If there's anything you need, all you have to do is ask, and I mean that not just for the next few days. As you go through this journey, there are tremendous resources that we have, both from the League and the Players' Association. You're not alone in this."
      Bettman also applauded Scotiabank global chief marketing officer Laura Curtis Ferrera for the company's work helping youth hockey players across Canada, particularly young people at risk either socially or economically. Bettman called Scotiabank an amazing partner and supporter of hockey at all levels.

      NHL_prospect_breakfast_3

      Schneider was chosen by the Canadiens in the third round (No. 44) of the 1987 NHL Draft and played 1,289 NHL games over 21 seasons. The retired defenseman said that "no one gets here by themself," especially given the circumstances since 2020 with many teams and leagues having to cancel practices, games and even seasons.
      "I think this class, probably as much as anyone, has had so many different obstacles over the last few years," Schneider said. "Knowing that you guys made it into this room after the last two years is something that's pretty special."