The NHL is partnering with Amazon to produce a documentary on arguably the biggest draft bust in hockey history.
Alexandre Daigle, the first overall pick in the 1993 draft, was hailed as a generational talent before being drafted. But the Montreal native never lived up to the hype that surrounded him, finishing with just 327 career points during his long 616-game NHL career, which he split between the Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins And Minnesota Wild.
“Scheduled to premiere in 2024, Chosen One: Alexandre Daigle highlights the Quebec-born teenage hockey phenomenon, positioned to be the savior of expansion Ottawa Senators,” read a statement released Tuesday by the NHL.
“Even though he never lived up to those lofty expectations, the former No. 1 overall pick’s career was remarkable and eventful. The documentary chronicles this journey as Alexandre Daigle himself reflects on life, on and off the ice.
In many ways, the Daigle saga transformed the rules surrounding the NHL draft and rookie contracts.
Two years later allegations that senators intentionally tanked For Daigle surfaced, the NHL introduced the draft lottery in 1995. Daigle’s record salary, worth $12.25 million over five years, also played a role in revamping the entry-level contract structure.
Additionally, Daigle provided the sports world with an infamous quote.
“I’m glad I got drafted first because no one remembers number two,” Daigle said sadly after being selected, which turned out to be a wild quote considering the next pick was a legendary Hall of Fame defenseman. Chris Pronger.
Daigle showed glimpses of potential in his first four seasons in the NHL – recording 156 points in his first 263 career games with Ottawa, including two 50-plus point campaigns – but things went wrong very quickly. Daigle, who got kicked off a flight for making an explosive joke in front of a flight attendant, quickly wore out his welcome in Ottawa.
From 1997-98 until the end of the 1999-00 season, Daigle bounced between the Senators, Flyers, Lightning and Rangers before briefly retiring from the NHL at age 25. Daigle would return to the NHL two years later and recorded 87 points in 157 games. from 2002-03 to 2005-06 – including a 51-point campaign with the Wild in 2003-04, which earned him a nomination for the Bill Masterson Trophy.
Daigle played four seasons in the Swiss league before hanging up his skates for good at the end of the 2009-2010 season.
In an interview with the Ottawa Citizen in 2007, Daigle showed no ill will regarding the way his career unfolded.
“I played a lot of games. Everyone criticizes careers, saying “I should have been.” Yeah, I should have been. But if you tell me my son will win two world championships, play 650 games, 200 in Europe, travel the world… I will sign him up (for this career) tomorrow. Anyone would do it”, Daigle said.
The NHL and Amazon also announced they were producing a documentary about the time the New York Rangers tried to cut Joe Sakic from the team. Colorado Avalanche with an offer sheet. Amazon and the league have collaborated in the past, producing All or nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs – a behind-the-scenes look and unlimited access to the team during the 2020-21 season.
