Daniel Janser veteran Presence

[Daniel Janser 2,171]

Scotsman Hill, Calgary, Alberta

 

The view from Scotsman Hill

 

Daniel seeks out this location about halfway from his home and the Saddledome whenever he needs to be reminded, that he does not dream. He is playing for an Original Eight franchise, whose retired Jerseys read like the who's who of the HOF. Slobodzian, Boulet, Virkkunen and Labatte even had awards in their respective fields named after them. Marlow-Marta lent his name for the winner of the North American conference.

 

The older Janser is always humbled whenever he looks up to the Jerseys hanging in the rafters of those who came before him and he still feels like a rookie at times. But he is no rookie anymore. He is not the 'new kid' anymore but a respected player, favourite of the connaisseurs of solid two-way play and he cannot go grocery shopping without being asked to pose for selfies. What a change since he arrived in Calgary. He was only known to the hardcore fans, but latest since his first hattrick in his first season, he became a household name in the province of Alberta.

 

And his play had further improved, as he does pick his fights more wisely, spends less time in the sinbin and has found a way to score clutch goals, while not sacrificing his physical play. He got smarter and took advantage of the mentorship expanded to him of the likes like Perry and Johnson. 

 

In his sophomore year he was given responsibilities as an alternate Captain and was re-elected this off-season for this role. He is committed to guide the latest crop of very talented players like Chicoine, Wolanin, Maloish and Gonçalves. When the management announced that their planned accommodation had a fire and that is was inhabitable in the foreseeable future, Daniel immediately volunteered to take them in. GM Ricer did not hesitate for a second as he trusts the hardworking Swiss to keep the curfew as well as his protegés in check and even if they should be missing their bedtime, it will be in a responsible manner and nothing ontowards would be happening. So the rookies got a room each in Daniel's abode and moved in.

 

To get them shipshape he had them jog to the Saddledome at the crack of dawn while he rode his bike alongside them and cheered them on to go faster. It was of course a practical joke, a kind of a initiation ritual as well as to draw a line in the sand. He is their friend and team mate but he is one of their Captains as well. He made it very clear that this is just a taste of what they could expect if they abused his trust and do not adhere to the Wranglers' rules and Code of Conduct. Should that happen it would be the same procedure but with the goal being Chestermere Lake and back, a roundtrip of 46 kilometres, carrying the full kit on their backs. 

 

Chestermere Lake

 

And Daniel looks the part to be good for his word, as the Rotkreuz native has not only grown mentally but also physically and filled out his bulk since he started to work out under Phil's guidance. Which gives him an advantage in the in-fights in front of the net and along the boards.

 

What does the future hold for Daniel? Will his Jersey be hoisted to the rafters, after everything is said and done? Will he be memorized as one of the Wranglers legends or just be one of many? Will the VHL one day give him a call to prepare a speech for his induction ceremony to the Hall of Fame?

He is ambitious and works hard on himself, yet sometimes he wonders if that will be good enough to make his dreams come true. 

Spoiler

@Ricer13 @Phil @leandrofg @youloser1337 @jacobcarson877 @PoignardLeclerc11 @tinafrombobsburgers

 

Edited September 5, 2022 by Daniel Janser

[Daniel Janser 2,171]

almost two years later and a lot of it has come true...