. "All my friends congratulated me, and I was just speechless. It was just a really good moment to experience with all my friends. It was really cool, and I couldn't be happier with the organization."
Dean Simmons, a high school economics teacher for more than 20 years at Saint Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, shared his perspective on the moment Hallum learned he had been selected by Vegas.
"It was right at the beginning of class. He came in with the intention of going to class, but in that time of walking from one class to the next he found out that this was happening," Simmons said. "I think he was on the phone for the whole hour with family and the organization. We actually turned it into a bit of an economics lesson, how it was actually more beneficial for him to be on the phone with the organization rather than participating in class that day."
The high school forward turned 18 last month and is considered by many as one of the fastest skaters out of the entire 2020 draft class. During the 2019-20 season as a junior at Saint Thomas, Hallum led the Cadets with 35 points (18 G, 17 A) in 25 games.
"My school is an all-male Catholic military school," said Hallum while wearing full uniform. "We take the military pretty serious. As you can see, I'm a Sergeant First Class. I'm in Alpha Company and the four is for being a senior. My school is just filled with a lot of tradition, it's really strict. It's really cool being at a military school, having that aspect just really teaches you how to be a young leader."
Hallum committed to the University of Michigan in September and is expected to play in Ann Arbor for the Wolverines a year from now along with fellow member of the 2020 Vegas draft class, Brendan Brisson.
Until then, the Minnesota native plans to finish his senior year of school and potentially spend the upcoming hockey season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League. The Gamblers selected Hallum in the fifth round of the annual USHL Entry Draft back in May. He will have the opportunity to decide to play the 2020-21 campaign in Green Bay when the USHL season begins, or to continue to play with his high school club.
"As for many people, it's kind of hard times, but I'm just trying to make the right decision for me," he said. "I guess we will just see when all this stuff comes out about Minnesota high school leagues. So, that is kind of up in the air, but I think Green Bay is going to be the route for me."
Regardless of which route Hallum goes on to take in his hockey career, he'll never forget the one he took to economics class during the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
