Anna Bright’s Unexpected Journey with St. Louis Shock: In Major League Pickleball (MLP), where careful preparation and strategy dictate success, the story of Anna Bright’s unexpected drafting by the St. Louis Shock is a compelling tale of surprise, excitement, and new potential. Bright, one of the sport’s premier players, had her eyes on several teams leading up to the draft, but it was the last-minute call from Ross Chaifetz that ultimately changed her path. Bright’s candid reflection on the draft process reveals the spontaneous nature of her selection.
“I was honestly quite surprised to be drafted by the Shock, I think I had spoken to eight teams in the week leading up to the draft, and St. Louis wasn’t one of them until Ross Chaifetz called me about two hours before the actual live draft started.”–bright
In the world of professional sports, where negotiations and discussions are often extended and calculated, the last-minute nature of this interaction was both unexpected and refreshing. Bright continued;
“I honestly didn’t think much of it as it was so last minute; I thought they were more covering their bases by talking to me. But it was a great conversation, and I was super excited when I got the call.”–bright
The excitement was built not just from being drafted but from the opportunity of joining a team with a unique vision and intimate ownership structure. Bright expressed her enthusiasm for the Shock’s approach, saying, “I was really excited to be drafted to a team with a smaller ownership group really looking to grow their organization within their local community that I knew would listen to my draft input.”
Bright found that the Chaifetz family’s dedication to nurturing a tight-knit, community-focused team deeply resonated with her, appreciating their priorities on both professional achievement and personal relationships. This alignment of values has indeed proven to be an ideal match. “Everything has worked out so much better than I could have expected,” Bright remarked, highlighting the seamless fit and mutual objectives shared between her and the St. Louis Shock.
Bright’s connection to St. Louis was almost by chance. While she had no prior ties to the city, her brief experience at a pickleball tournament held at the Missouri Pickleball Club a few years ago left a positive impression. “I had been there once before for a pickleball tournament a few years ago. The tournament was held at Missouri Pickleball Club, where we just played in the first home/home exhibition series with the Chicago Slice in front of a completely sold-out home crowd,” she recalled.
The warm reception from the city and the growing pickleball community further reinforced her excitement. “I really like the city, and it’s so cool to have been drafted into such a sports-focused community where pickleball is really being embraced, championed, and celebrated,” Bright said. The enthusiasm of St. Louis fans and their support for the Shock have created an exciting atmosphere that Bright is eager to be a part of.
Bright’s optimism about the future is noticeable. “There’s such excitement there for pickleball and all things Shock-related, and I’m really excited about the future and what the Chaifetz and their team can make happen in the city,” she concluded, her words filled with anticipation and hope.
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Hayden Patriquin, another star drafted by the Shock, shares Bright’s sentiments but with his own style.
“My reaction to being drafted by the Shock was ‘so stoked.’ I was super hyped to play with Anna. She is such a standout in MLP!”– Hayden
Patriquin’s enthusiasm was matched by his admiration for the Chaifetz family. “I also knew the owners, Rich and Ross, were sick, so that’s just a huge bonus.”
Like Bright, Patriquin had no previous ties to St. Louis but quickly grew fond of the city. “I never had any ties with St. Louis, but I just visited for the first time right before MLP Washington, and it was amazing!” he exclaimed.
The stories of Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin reflect a broader narrative of unexpected opportunities and the forming of new connections. As the St. Louis Shock continues to rise in the ranks of MLP, the city’s enthusiastic adoption of pickleball and its new champions promises a future filled with exciting competitions, community engagement, and strong support for the sport and its players.
News in Brief: Anna Bright’s Unexpected Journey with St. Louis Shock
Anna Bright’s path to joining the St. Louis Shock in Major League Pickleball (MLP) progressed rapidly and significantly. Initially overlooked by several teams, Bright’s last-minute draft by Ross Chaifetz brought her both excitement and opportunity. Her alignment with the Shock’s community-focused vision struck a chord with her, despite having no prior ties to St. Louis. Alongside star Hayden Patriquin, both players have appreciated the city’s lively pickleball culture and passionate fanbase, setting the stage for a promising future in MLP competition and community engagement.
Also read: St. Louis Shock a Premier MLP Team Driven by Chaifetz Family
