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Trolling Gary Bettman asks NHL Draft crowd to boo him louder, tells gullible kid to announce Canucks pick

By Ian Oland

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June 24, 2017 2:20 pm

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has led the NHL to three lockouts and is now the man behind disallowing NHL participation in the 2018 Olympics. Bettman, who is wildly unpopular among fans, is universally booed whenever he speaks in front of NHL fans.

But this year, something seemed different. Bettman, dare we say, is having fun with the negativity.

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Bettman’s first duty of the weekend was to kickoff the NHL Draft by announcing that the New Jersey Devils owned the first overall pick.

“Hello, Chicago,” Bettman said, beginning his memorized statement. “A sellout and among the loudest arenas in the league. It must be the United Center! Thank you. Our first draft in Chicago after 54 years, we’re finally happy to be here with an original six set of fans and a great city. Thank you for this energetic welcome.”

Blackhawks fans responded with more boos so Gary decided to egg on the crowd.

“You can do it,” Bettman said. “You can do better than that!

The boos got louder.

“That’s more like it.”

Gary also trolled a small child early in the draft.

As Canucks management was on stage to announce the fifth overall pick, Bettman appeared to ask the contingent who will be addressing the crowd. The team’s draft runner, a kid, raised his hand. Gary nodded and encouraged him to make the team’s selection. Bettman then pulled back the draft runner right as he began to approach the mic.

General Manager Jim Benning was not amused.

Bettman giggled after his practical joke.

This wasn’t the only trolling at the draft. Another prospect literally brought a troll doll to the draft. Josh Norris was selected by the San Jose Sharks with their 19th overall pick and thanked his lucky figurine afterwards.

The doll, named Dustin, was gifted to Norris by this mother when his team, the US National Men’s Development Team, had a rough start to their season. Ever since receiving the doll, Norris would stroke the dolls hair before every game and they turned their season around. Now, being drafted in the first half of the first round, Norris has even more reason to believe his troll doll brings good luck.

Cara Bahniuk also contributed to this article.

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