SAN DIEGO – To say that Romania is not known as a hotbed of hockey would be a massive understatement. Despite the country’s less than stellar reputation for player development, the San Diego Marlins decided to trust their amateur scouting department and sign forward Manni Chuclavi today to an entry level contract.
Growing up in Hoghilag, Romania, Chuclavi was dubbed "The Wrecking Ball" or "Bila de Demolari". Manni didn't lace up the skates until he was 10 years old, it didn't take long for him to figure out a way to make an impact against much smaller players. With a wingspan of just under 7 feet, Chuclavi first got looks as a basketball player, but he found the sport lacked the physicality he longed for in competition. As a teenager, Chuclavi terrorized European junior leagues with his massive frame and brash playing style. "Raw" and "unrefined" had been used in most of his scouting reports, but the last two seasons in the German professional league, Chuclavi drastically improved his skating prowess and Hockey IQ. No longer just a "net front presence", Chuclavi was counted on to both kill penalties and play on his team's first PP unit. Despite a late season suspension which bled into the first 4 games of the playoffs, Chuclavi was able to score 9 goals in 12 games and help his team, the Hamburg Force, bring home their first championship trophy in over two decades. His first season saw him take home the league's Rookie of the Year trophy and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the toughest players the league had seen.
Expectations for Chuclavi seem to be tempered among the Marlin's management team. The skill level jump from Romania and Germany to the VHL is quite significant, but the Marlins seem to think his 6'5" frame will allow him to possibly get a shot at top 6 minutes at some point, hopefully this calendar year. Manni will more than likely start this season on the second PP unit to create havoc for opposing goaltenders, using his mammoth trunk to provide blinding screens.
Chuclavi has no problems getting to the front of the net where he does most of his damage offensively. Opponents have to be wary of the big man, he has delivered many a punishing hits in the open ice. Realistically the Marlins would be ecstatic with an effective bottom 6 forward. Chuclavi is capable of getting his share of greasy rebounds, but I wouldn't expect a 30 goal rookie campaign. I would expect him to be a willing combatant if the gloves get chucked. I would also expect to see some monster hits in the neutral zone, 100+ PIM and a relentless physicality as he carves his niche on this team.
One thing is certain, everyone in Hoghilag will be watching and cheering on “Bila de Demolari”.
“I will make them proud,” Chuclavi smiled. “I must.”
“Hoghilag will be singing in the streets and drinking my first game. It will be crazy, man. Gonna check and gonna score. Make Hoghilag drunk!”
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Introducing the Newest Sand Diego Marlin: "The Romanian Wrecking Ball" Manni Chuclavi
