Tom Warden’s draft story into the National Hockey League might not be as common in the age of social media platforms.
Back in 1984, the now Athletics Director of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay was a ninth round selection (187th overall) of the New York Islanders, who were fresh off a run of four consecutive Stanley Cups between 1980 and 1983.
“A day later, a friend of mine called and said I didn’t know you got drafted and I said ‘I didn’t know I got drafted” recalls Warden. “I always say I was drafted the same year as Mario Lemieux, just nine hours after him.”
Warden added, “When you went to the Islanders training camp in 1984, I remember thinking I gotta stay in school.”
The Entry Draft took place June 9, 1984 at the old Montreal Forum.
Warden also played with the University of Toronto and took advantage of dual citizenship in the United Kingdom playing briefly in the British Hockey League.
He also skated and coached with the former Thunder Bay franchise in first the Colonial Hockey League and then United Hockey League.
Related: Recalling Thunder Bay’s Pro Hockey Days
Warden ended up staying in Thunder Bay after the pro hockey team relocated to Rockford Illinois and got the job as Athletics Director at Lakehead University in 1999.
