William Groves Junior Review

[Will3 415]

   Life has not been easy for William Groves, the seventeen year old  left wing prospect from the United States. He has had to deal with issues both mental and physical. Yet Will as he is called has used the sport of hockey to help overcome his demons and challenge his limits.

 

   William was born in Wheeling, West Virginia in the early hours of October nineth. It was suppose to be a happy moment, but something was very wrong. He had suffered a severe case of neonatal jaundice. It separated the newborn from his family for a little while but that was the only damage. Or was it? Not to later in life, Will was diagnosed with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To this day Will wonders if his brain was damaged before he was born. This resulted in Will struggling in school, being bullied and ostracized by his classmates, and questioning his self-worth.

 

   Yet the answer to Will's problems presented itself before birth.  Professional hockey had come to Wheeling the night before. And his father was there, finding a team to cheer for. He would be back, this time with his family. It is as a fan where his love of the game began. He found a local pee wee team and began to play. At first, it was a struggle, as all things were. But he loved every second of it. It was on the ice where he felt valued. It was on the ice where his teammates supported and protected him. It was on the ice all the troubles of school work faded away. And it was on the ice where he unleashed his energy. It was because of his love of the game, he would develop into the relentless offensive engine he is today.

 

  Playing as a professional hockey player seemed like a dream to Will until his Junior season of high school. As the captain of the high school hocky team, he was the key to his team's high tempo, up beat offensive. They buried the opponents goalie in shots and goals and he was making it all happen. All of this would lead to a West Virginia state championship in hockey with Will being named MVP. Thus VHL scouts came nocking and convinced Will to declare for VHL Draft.

 

  Will knows what he wants most in the VHL. While championship and individual accolades would be nice that is not why he is here. What he most wants is to be a role model and hero to others with ADHD. He wants to know that despite their flaws they can still do amazing things.