CF Punk

Born ready.

1. Most of you joined Saskatoon through waivers. Why did you pick us? Saskatoon was the first team to approach me and friendliness of the GM sold me instantly. I didn't need to hear a pitch from anybody else. The Wild is where I wanted to be. 2. We have now lost 16 games in a row. Do you regret choosing to play here? Absolutely not. It's been a hell of a learning experience with this group of guys. They've helped teach and guide me. It's been incredibly helpful in learning the ropes. 3. What's your opinion on this season's theme week? I'm all for it. Hope to see more stuff like this going forward. It's great for everybody involved. 4. Who are you rooting for in the playoffs? To be honest, nobody, Right now I'm more focused on growing my game and getting bigger, stronger, faster for the draft. The draft and preparing for the draft is all thats on my mind right now. 5. What NHL player would you say your playstyle resembles the most? Blake Wheeler. Same size, position, scoring instinct and physical presence. 6. What team do you wish will draft you this offseason? Ideally, I'd stay here in Saskatoon, but I won't have a say in the matter. So I'll just mention that I'd love to go somewhere with a welcoming locker room full of a great group of guys who aren't afraid to help teach and grow their prospects. I've got a lot to offer and I just need to learn the ropes a bit more.

First career goal on the PP! Alright!

With the success of players like Erik Summers and King Kruul at the VHLM level, it is clear that German hockey is taking major steps forward in recent years. The next German star coming down the pipeline is right winger Felix Kaiser. The 6-foot-5, 114-pound power forward recently signed a deal to play the remainder of the season with the Saskatoon Wild, but it was Kaiser’s rare combination of speed and size that initially caught the eye of VHLM scouts during his stint on Germany’s U17 National Team. Often described as Germany hockey’s best kept secret, VHLM scouts initially took notice of how effortlessly Kaiser pairs his imposing 6-foot-5 frame with strong skating ability and an excellent stride. This gives him good speed in both directions, especially given his size. Fortunately for Kaiser, being fleet of foot has seemingly come natural. No matter his competition or age bracket, Kaiser has always been a stand-out skater with excellent edgework. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case with his physical development. During his early teen years, scouts often dismissed Kaiser for being physically immature. The young German struggled to add weight and muscle to his lanky frame. It wasn’t until his 17th birthday that Kaiser began filling out. This development not only changed the way scouts viewed him as a prospect, but it also changed Kaiser’s entire game. He started playing with an edge… a nasty edge. Kaiser’s new found strength allowed him to use his size to dominate a game in the corners or with big hits. It didn’t take long for him to develop a reputation across Germany youth hockey as a nasty, intimidating presence who is no longer afraid to drop his gloves and fill the role of a prototypical power forward. This style of play landed Kaiser the nickname of the “Berlin Bruiser” and decent social media following self-anointed as the “Kaiser Club.” Unfortunately, a new knock against Kaiser’s game developed as a result of his new-found physical strength – he can at put his time in a hole by being too aggressive, which can lead to bad penalties (or worse). Like other power forwards before him, Kaiser will take some time to develop and mature his game in the VHLM before he can make the successful and productive transition to the ranks of the VHL. Fortunately, Saskatoon, who currently sits dead last in the VHLM, has been committed to being patient with Kaiser’s development and hopes to see him develop into a consistent point producer moving forward. 417 words

Berlin would be amazing!

@McWolf 2. What made you choose to join the Saskatoon Wild? It’s pretty rare for a player my age to have his pick of teams, but what drew me to Saskatoon is that they made me feel wanted. As a young kid, that’s always a great feeling and as somebody who’s over 4,000 miles from home, it’s just nice to feel welcomed by this great group of guys here in Saskatoon. @Berocka 11. What do you have to offer a team, that is different to others? There’s really no other way to say it. I’m big bodied power forward with a nasty edge. I’m quicker than usual for a player my size and I hope that allows me to able to create some more space out there for our more finesse players. @DrHexDex 4] What is your weakest aspect on the ice? Definitely my consistency. I’m only three games into my young VHLM career, but I’ve only managed to find my name on the scoresheet once. I want to be able to contribute more and, god willing, help contribute to a playoff run here in the City of Bridges. @McWolf 1. What NHL player do you model your game after? Definitely guys like Blake Wheeler and Anthony Mantha but with more of a Milan Lucic nasty edge. I have no problem dropping my mitts or laying a big hit to send a message. @Banackock 9. Favourite food? Steak. Cooked medium. Nothing in the world beats a steak that’s been grilled to perfection. @Berocka 10. Where would you like to end up in the draft? Ideally, I’d end up right back here in Saskatoon. This entire organization has been extremely welcoming and the coaches have been very generous with my ice time. If by chance I end up on another squad next season, then I hope wherever I land that the team is half as cool as the group in Saskatoon. I‘m really on the hunt for top minutes and some power play time so I can be that big presence in front of the net.

1 Season is almost over and we haven't been too good. Are you disappointed in the team? Absolutely not. We've got a great group of guys, but we're all still pretty new, you know? It takes time to find chemistry and it's only a matter of time before we do. 2 What about your individual performances, are you doing as good as you expected at this point? I'd like to be a bigger physical presence and put my large frame to work. Hopefully that'll continue moving forward. 3 We just traded Gary Tarantino to the Minnesota Storm. Are you going to miss his presence? I never had the pleasure of meeting Gary, but any time a fan favorite is moved out it isn't easy. You know? We just gotta fill his shoes by committee and that's exactly what we plan on doing. 4 Who do you think will end up winning the Founder's Cup? It's still too early for me to say. 5 What are you going to work on this offseason? Speed. I want to get faster. I think that will be the key to success for a big guy like me. 6 What would be your early objective for next season? Hopefully, I'll be able to find my way back to Saskatoon, but if not then I'm just going to word hard, get stronger, get faster and come back as a more complete player next year.

Fresh from his hometown of Berlin, Germany, 6'5' 214 lbs right winger Felix Kaiser is ready to greet the press as the newest member of the Saskatoon Wild.

Saskatoon, SK – Playing over 4,000 miles away from his hometown of Berlin, Germany, Saskatoon Wild right winger Felix Kaiser will be the first to admit that he still has a lot of work to do before he can excel at the next level. "I was kind of nervous before the game, but once you get out there and get your first shift, it's all good," Kasier said. "Unfortunately, we couldn't win the game, but it was a great experience for me." Though Saskatoon Wild fell to the Houston Bulls 8-0 during Kaiser’s VHLM debut, the 6’5”, 214 lbs. right winger was beaming from ear to ear during the post-game press scrum. "First games only happens once in your life and it's obviously a dream come true," Kaiser said. "It's something you've dreamt about a long time, since you were a kid. It's a special feeling. I had a lot of fun out there." Often projected as a prototypical power forward, the Berlin, Germany native ended his first outing with two shots on net, one hit, a slashing minor and a disappointing -2. “I’d be lying if I said that adjusting to the North American game wasn’t a challenge,” explained Kaiser. “but I’m confident that my decision to sign with Saskatoon will offer me the best chance to succeed here in the VHLM.” Though already relatively quick for a player his size, Kaiser remains committed to improving his skating and work around the net with the Saskatoon Wild. "I'm just trying to improve every day, just by hard work," he said. "I don't think I've changed my game style that much because that's what my game's about. I enjoy the physical side of the game. That's how I want to play hockey, and that's why I think I've been successful so far." Though he was held off the scoresheet during his debut, Kaiser remains focused on increasing his production. "I want to shoot more," he said. "I've always been physical player who isn’t afraid to try grind the puck to the net, but I believe there’s another dimension to my game that I’ve yet to figure out." As the Wild sit dead last in the VHLM and are coming off a thrashing at the hands of the Houston Bulls, Kaiser and his teammates look to improve their 11-39-4 record and 26 points. "I don’t think it’ll take us long to find our game and get comfortable as a team out there," he said. "Some may have already had us counted out, but we're still looking to make a run for it this year. I believe we're good enough to do that." Saskatoon’s next game will take place Feb. 19th against the second place San Diego Marlins and, despite a rough debut, Kaiser is welcoming the challenge. “I can’t wait,” explained Kaiser “Whether I can throw a big hit or if I’m fortunate enough to find the back of the next, one way or another, I’m going to make my presence known.” 500 Words

Baptism by fire! ?

We’ll chalk this one to still getting used to those smaller North American rinks... ?

I’d be more than happy to bring Felix’s 6’5 frame to the Saskatoon Wild.

Player Information Username: CF Punk Player Name: Felix Kaiser Recruited From: Reddit Age: 18 Position: RW Height: 77 in. Weight: 214 lbs. Birthplace: Germany Player Page @VHLM GM