Welch Back to Roots After VHL

[Juice 641]

 

Every hockey player's final milestone is not the easiest one to do, as hanging up the skates is both dreadful to do as it's end of a journey that you've worked your entire life up to that point is over as soon as the sentence "I've announced my retirement..." comes out of your mouth in front of the media. However, it can also be quite peaceful as with your body not keeping up with your mind and abilities as it once did can be a very rough experience, and using your money you've earned up to that point to do something more relaxing after hockey can be the start to another journey.

 

When asked about the future of his career, and what he'd do after the VHL, D.C. Dragons defenseman Kristof Welch stated, "Well, I still have quite a few years left in me as I'm still in my prime, but when the time comes to tie the laces one last time, I'll probably go back to Hungary and do what my family does best. Make the best damn pálinka."

 

A Hungarian traditional alcoholic drink, pálinka can be both a pleasant and/or horrifying experience depending on where you are in your night. Taking a shot before having your lunch? Absolutely fine. Taking a shot after quite a few beers? Well, let's just say you might be waking up in what can only be described as an adult diaper in a rundown insane asylum turned hospital. However with the right amount of preparations and tolerance, pálinka can bring enemies together to eventually become friends, make families closer, and make the night all the more better.

 

Now for generations in the Welch family, the father and his son would make pálinka and store it for years until it's been perfected. From any type of fruit, from apple to pear, the best pálinka would be made by the Welch family. However, with Kristof becoming a VHL-bound hockey player and going to another continent, the tradition had to stagnate until his return. "It's time to go back to my roots and continue on the tradition dating back hundreds of years for my family. I'll still give it my all in the best years I have left, but in a weird way I'm kind of looking forward to my after hockey life and do what my forefathers have done for generations."

 

Now while this route is...not the most common for post-retired players, as you'd usually see people stay close to hockey in one aspect or another, whether it's coaching or being an analyst of some sort. But for the journey to end where it began back in Hungary and to take the reins of something that was just put on hold until the future is both commendable to stay true to their roots, as well as having a dash of nostalgia being close to family and doing what you grew up doing alongside hockey.

 

"Either way, whether it's now and in the future, I just want to do what I love to do. Hockey is the now, but I know where my future is going and I can't help but smile."

[Greg_Di 1,028]

Review:

Well written article on Welch's potential future. I have tried Palinka and it is pretty damn good ;). Hopefully after his retirement Kristof can continue to make some great tasting Palinka. I really can't see much wrong with this article as cons. It flowed well, has a picture and is structured well. If anything I would maybe say add color to the quote to let them stand out but thats just pulling strings. Well done! 10/10

[osens 297]

Fun media thingy, I had fun reading it and it was very original. I love how you tied Hungary with it and I know it's all true based on you. Welch is going to become an alcoholic with all that palinka, but it doesn't surprise me. I liked how you had even generations tied with this story. It was fun read and you should write more, I really enjoyed this.

 

10/10 (you are straight ten in my eyes)