dustywilson22

Happy Birthday VHL i may be a youngin but i look to support you!

Ben Laas - Poke Checking PC

Well Ben Laas has officially done 4 seasons as his season did end due to losing to the bears. Though he can't say he's too upset as winning the cup last season was an amazing thing to do with the teammate's ben has! He's enjoyed every second in D.C and he is a dragon for life. Sure, Ben hasn't reached his potential like I'm sure others thought he would, but I would think Ben plays his role the best way he knows. Defense. Playing true to his position Ben prides himself on stopping the best scorers in the game and laying hits on opposing players. 4 seasons really has gone by fast. I Will never forget his time with the redwolves. So far Ben doesn't have any awards to show, but he has a cup and that's something many fight their entire careers to have a shot at. For now, Ben Is happy, but He's not satisfied. You already know we're going to be fighting for another cup next year!

bears force game 7 ooohhh man bears fighting!

WOOOOO DRAGONS WE DID IT!!!! Gg’s london, but wow what a feeling!

You know i probably needed this laugh with how shitty our seasons going

Well the Dragons started out strong, but man it has been anything but strong lately as you could see the depressed expressions on all the players faces during practices and especially during games we'd lose. Though our biggest failure this season was to get shutout by Moscow... Where were supposed a high powered offense after last year. It's just been heartbreaking to have to see our GM Frostbeard unsure of what's going on as well as this D.C dragons team had such high expectations so just for them to be dipped at the beggining of the year like this has hurt bad. We did finally get 2 wins today though so that definitely felt good as It was against a pretty good malmo team and an okay Calgary squad. Now we just need to lock in and figure this winning thing out, though I expect Frost to be shopping to try buy and sell and make us a better team this year. Though It all depends on Frost from here. D.C Dragons must come together!

The Wait is over the offseason is over. The game time is now. All the hard work managements have made to either retool their rosters or build up their rosters are now going to be displayed out on the ice. We will see If teams made the right choices or the wrong ones. Remember if you pick against the dragons its the wrong one. GO DRAGONS! Ben is hyped up for this season as who wouldn't be with plenty of promise. The Frenchman being added, VLG AND JASON BACK? Holy moly dragons. Plus the young and growing defenseman in calaway and Laas himself with the explosive season last year Sakamoto. Plus don't let me forget Gamble was called up! Which i believe ESD is a rookie as well so plenty to be happy here in D.C for. the D.C Dragons started the season of amazingly as they are showing that high powered offense, though It seems some teams are humbling us as we have seen some more losses as of late. Though you see the effort and talent still out there for the dragons. Though we are one of the offenses in the league with these last losses we've saw our Goals against rise, so I'm sure that's something coach will be focusing on with our defensive effort and the defenseman as a whole. D.C dragons will turn it around and make adjustments regardless long season ahead of us.

1. Well were forever gonna joke with his last name, but were taking a gamble on him. I believe he definitely has talent, but during the draft i saw the other talented guys, but obviously myself I'm a more support defenseman. Gamble will be the future of the dragons though. 2. Well with us both being young and the defenseman of now, I figured I'd get to know the guy as he Is a bit more talented then me as he's only a year older. So I've been asking for pointers where I could as we both may be young, but It's always good to ask questions. 3. Oh It definitely has to motivate them and they are well deserved, but the real award is that cup and were coming. 4. I Think we operate as a team wherre other squads rely on just a few talented players. I believe we work hard as a team so I would expect to be maybe 3rd overall? and 2 in our respective conference. Though you know were shooting for 1st! 5. Well I for sure make sure to eat a sandwich before the game and pray before I hit the Ice. 6. It would be cool look wise, I personally never watched Game of Thrones and not sure what HOD is lol. So I'll be grateful If I receive any though.

1. Well Jason had a great season for us and we brough In the Frenchman as he was a talented guy that Frost felt we could get on our squad. I look forward to see what he can contribute as he has said he's been disappointed in his own play. With how ryuji was able to rejuvinate his career. I believe the Frenchman will find success here regardless of the line choice. 2. Well two young guys getting to know each other out there just building chemistry. Or maybe they were gambling on a game of golf. lol 3. Well I appreciate the drama lol that they didn't get the 2nd part. Vincent is not good enough of a captain. He's great as our captain as he shows his worth and being a top player He fits perfect in the captain role for us. 4. Well I'll Say VLG and Jason are the now, but future wise Ben has to be up there so far as he's proving to be a pretty good defenseman. Mark Calaway Is that man though as he's only a year older than Ben and already looks to be exploding. 5. No simply no? lol wack media sometimes, trust that we are for real as last year was just letting the league know were here. 6. I mean I'm sure I could of earned more as my trivia has been bad, but Ben has been on the ice trying to make himself a great player as GM Frostbeard and the coach have given ben some advice on areas to improve, they aren't pushing him or forcing him. Just giving him the best advice they can give.

The Offseason continues, but there can be happiness found in the fact the Stars didn't win as being swept definitely stung in the 1st round after our bounce back season. Now we look to rework the roster as GM Frostbeard tries to make moves that are the best for the team as he traded for the Frenchman who hopefully can find success with us like ryuji did! Though Ben feels the pressure as the other young defenseman that was on the team Eric Queefson was recently traded due to a bit of inactivity. Though we do see now he had awoken. Which hurts, but we move forward regardless. Ben has been putting In work as I've been actively earning to try and upgrade Ben to be the best version of himself he can be. Ben has also been getting into the weight room to get some strength under his belt to keep guys off of him and to smack guys as well. For Ben this feels like the first offseason that Isn't so hectic as this time around he won't be moving to another team. He's a dragon and Ben signed a 3 year contract extension. Which means we'll continue to see Ben In a Dragons uniform. Which we also traded for a goalie prospect Clark, which we hope will develop and become a great goalie for us. So plenty to be excited about with Gamble being called up, so we have young talent trying to make way on the Dragons roster. For now we'll continue to work till the season starts.

As the team was told to take a break away from hockey and spend time with their families. Ben did that by visiting family In New Jersey where they were still running their business and many of the locals recognized him as they all gave him the whole "you're so different now" Which Ben didn't mind as he can get why they say that as time does move fast. It feels just like last year he was making a dream with the Saskatoon Wild to being a D.C Dragon. Heck yesterday was like being In Istanbul! Ben has caught up though with all the quickness of the game and has been working on his game with GM Frostbeard making moves best for the team. Ben would tell his family bye as Training camp would get closer and he was just ready to focus himself back on the D.C dragons, plus wanted to be around to congratulate their new draftee. As our GM felt we could get a GK here we saw our dreams dwindle when the 8th overall and 9th overall were the last of the talented goalies which was sad, but we ended up picking Theo Allard a Center. Which seems to be just a talent get pick, but to get anything we were happy as we had traded away our former top pick Eric Queefson. Which definitely hurt, but we felt he was stepping away from the team, but recently we noticed he was interacting with the VHL Discord. Did we get snaked? Guess we'll find out in the future, for now Free Agency will be a big thing for us as we look to add to the squad to hopefully go further this year. Well Ben goes into his 2nd year. Can he improve the stats or will we see him go stagnant? you can bet on improvement this coming season and hopefully with that improvement equals more D.C wins! Go Dragons!

1. I don't personally think so as we still have our main guys. 2. I think it may be a bit weak by losing some depth guys but they aren't part of the future as If they were they would of still been here. 3. Well Personally from myself Ben had walked out as he was not interested In hearing that team make the finals. It just motivates him more that he needs to show the league the sweep was a fluke by the team. Things happen, but we plan to make things happen this coming season. Simple as that. 4. Most definitely, After only a 1 year rebuild? Definitely think so as queefson going inactive just means It's time to make the moves as draft hasn't worked out at the top, but I believe getting me and others to help build this team will be crucial, but with free agency we can find guys who complete us. 5. I believe so as Sure we had a good team, but It wasn't great as we obviously got swept. Only way to go and that's up baby! 6. I mean just keep your composure and trust your guys here. Remember not to Gamble too much lol as Gamble on and off the ice can be dangerous. Though It can pay off. Hell I say go for it!

The Beginning Ben laas was born 8/21/2005 In Kassel Germany where would be why his last name has German Origins to It as his family would only let Ben spend 5 years of his life In Germany Where he would be In Kindergarten to learn some German, but It wouldn't be a ton as Ben's family felt It was best to move To New Jersey now town they kind of just threw a dart on a map there and ended up with Rochelle Park, where he would attend Midland Elementary School as He would adjust to the American Life which would be very different, but for Young Ben It wasn't much of a difference as his parents had moved here for work. Now Ben wasn't involved with Hockey from the get go by any means as his parents got him into the usual sports like Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, and even Lacrosse, which ben has said to be his least favorite of all of them. Ben could be seen as a great athelete though as he was always bigger than the other kids and more athletic regardless of age group. All Ben knew was winning at a young age. In Football at a young age Ben would be put on the Offensive Line, and played Defensive Lineman where he would absolutely dominate on both sides of the ball help leading his teams to a championship in their little league on year. Basketball would see the same things as a lot of times the ball was being passed to him to allow him to score. Baseball would be actually Ben's worst sport as he just couldn't seem to get the hang of It at a young age, so he proceeded to not play the sport once It became playing for school, though Ben said he enjoyed It regarldess. Soccer Ben was able to outrun kids and score plenty of goals as he managed to win league mvp every year he played. Lacrosse he was okay at, but never kept his interest going, but his parents forced him to play. Ben Grows up As Ben would grow up the Other kids would catch up as well, but as a 7th Grade Ben was 5'10, now he wouldn't grow too much, but he was still the best player In every sport In His school as He was now playing for the Saddle Brook Falcons. In Football he wasn't able to carry the team much, but In Basketball he was giving opposing teams problems as he helped them secure a District Title. Ben would of course Skip soccer as he longer found interest. Now with Football and Basketball becoming his focuses, this Is the moment where he had found Hockey. He had been playing with kids In his neighborhood as just more for fun than anything. He would also watch some hockey games on T.V as they would show some of the New Jersey Devils games. As Ben would keep growing up and continue playing Basketball and Football he started to feel like the sports become more work rather than fun for him out there. He still kept his love for these sports as a freshman he was 6'1. Now In Football he played on the Freshman team where he absolutely enjoyed playing It as he got play with his classmates again. Basketball found himself as a varsity starter first year, where It felt wrong to be starting over guys who cared more about the sport, but regardless Ben played and played well, but nothing amazing. The story would be just about the same for Ben as in Football he would find the most success where by Junior season he was his 6'4 frame matched with the body of a Offensive lineman and Defensive Lineman. He was a big boy and Colleges started noticing that, but unfortunately not D1 colleges as rumors about Ben not caring about Football as It was just fun to him. Which was true as he had found himself falling In love with Hockey as one day he even caught a hockey game as his dad drove them to go watch one. He would be enrolled into summer programs for Hockey as he would tell his dad he really wanted to play more and would find any chance he could to play It. Time to Decide Ben would finish his Schooling and by his senior year had offers to play football at the next level, but It wasn't what he wanted to do as he searched everywhere to find places to play hockey. as that was when It happened. He stumbled upon the VHLM who was recruiting any prospects for their VHLM draft. Ben asked his dad and begged for him to give him money to make this dream come true. They would have prospects come in and show their skills and If you had tape to hand In for Gm's to see you could. Of course All Ben had was him playing pickup games so he submitted It. Now Ben had one goal and that was make the VHL. As he waited on the Draft he would be selected 14th overall in the VHLM draft. He would hug his parents as he got the call and his parents gave him as much money as they could afford to give, of course VHLM did provide funds with the rookies contracts so Ben had his first job playing a sport! He would show great promise to VHLE and VHL gm's it seemed as that was the next step As in VHLE he would be picked 5th overall and 6th overall in VHL! Ben had been drafted on his potential and Ben knew he could prove these gm's right. During his VHLM season he lost all that weight which made him more mobile of a defenseman and thats why VHLE was the big jump he needed. VHL would be his coming out party to the league where he showed he belonged right along with the Dragons. And that's where we catch up to the story. Ben had his dream come true of playing a sport he loved rather a sport he enjoyed like basketball and football. Many wonder If he could of made a career out of football as many felt he could of went the D2 route and found a D1 transfer for himself to play at the next level. a Big If, but for now we see the greatness Ben Laas delivers each and every game just like he does In Practice. The rest of the Story we will watch unfold.

Ben Laas had this goal from the moment he had his name mentioned in the VHLM. His name had surfaced into the VHLM draft as he had found the VHL from just searching on the web as a young defenseman that was learning the best he knew how, by playing In any game he could find playing pickups with randoms. Some say that caused his lone season in VHLM to be just okay, but gm's saw potential and with how VHLE ended in a cup finals loss. Ben had one expectation and that was making the VHL. Now Ben had been traveling from Saskatoon to Istanbul and then now to D.C. To say Ben has been traveling has been a understatement. D.C is the first place he can say he feels comfortable to be able to go out into public as In Istanbul he asked coaches what food would be good to get to just make sure he was well fed. Mostly he stayed near the training facility as he didn't know what areas were safe in Instanbul. Saskatoon was a the same, but It was more close to the USA so It was just adjusting to Canadian weather. So those experiences I believe toughned Ben up especially when VHLE toughned him up to players who were well experienced Europe players and then playing against other talented rookies that had made the jump to the VHLE like Ben. Ben knew one thing though that he was going to make It no matter what. He sure felt like his VHLE season was impressive to VHL coaches and to his Coach In D.C that he felt that It was enough to call him up. So the VHL call up happened and really Ben's only expectations were to get the experience and just get shots blocked and getting assists here and there as his true indication of being a player out there on the ice was playing his role as a defenseman to It's true definition. Just defense and having his +/- be a high number. So the season we saw trades were made and signings were made to try to bolster depth at the goalie spot. So we felt great about this year. Ben was also an assistant captain! as a rookie! It was an amazing honor to be representing the Dragons well and at that as a such a young prospect like himself. So the season started off rocky as most beginning of the seasons do, but as the wins kept piling up for us we started to seperate ourselves from the pack. Ben would have streaks of no points, but I truly believe he was still being his true team player self. Making the playoffs was an awesome first year thing to do as Ben had the idea the Dragons were going to be rebuilding for another season at least while we figure things out, but alas the Playoff hype ended as quick as It started. The Stars we thought we could hang with, just managed to keep us out of their net. So to the couch's we were going as a team. Ben remembers though that before they left the ice, they prayed on their home ice. All at the center arms on each other as for some guys we knew this was their last ride as a dragon. I wouldn't trade this first year experience for anything. Sure the losses hurt, but It humbles us and keeps us level headed. Now onto more seasons of the VHL!