Rip Wheeler - Origin Story

[ScottyP 208]

Rip Wheeler - Origin Story 

Rip Wheeler’s story is one of tragedy, hard work and perseverance. A quick google search will provide the backstory of the young orphan boy taken in by the ranch baron of Montana. Cutting his teeth growing up on the Yellowstone Dutton ranch he learned about grit, toughness and loyalty. But, after working his way up from ranch hand to boss of the bunkhouse, he was left wanting more. 

 

One night, Rip was flipping through late night cable TV when everything changed. Rip has always had love and admiration for the red, white and blue. But that night, the blue, white and yellow of the Charlestown Chiefs became his new obsession. Rip was a few whiskeys deep, but he knew the only place he could truly be free was out on the ice. Using the Hanson brothers and Reggie Dunlap as role models, he began to study. The skating, the lingo, the aggressive brand of old school hockey and of course, the foil! Over the next few weeks, Rip watched Slapshot twice a day to learn the ways of the hockey warrior. After two weeks of intense study, Rip decided to hang up his stirrups for good. He went to his local play it again sports and bought his first pair of CCM Tacks, the original 652s with the pump! With that Rip left Montana and headed to the Hockeytown, USA. 

 

The story resumes with Rip putting down roots in Warroad, Minnesota. He traded his cowboy hat in for a beat up CCM backwards dad hat, his Carhart jacket for a Violent Gents hoody, and glasses of whiskey for sixer’s of Hamms. He rented a crappy one bedroom apartment and began to hit every stick time, drop in or open skate he could find. Even though ice skating is nothing like riding a horse, Rip was a natural. Rip started to light it up during stick time and backed up his chirps by taking down some of the drop-in goons. 

 

His exploits began to peak the interest of local beer league captains. He continued to work hard and keep his nose to the grindstone. Soon enough Rip was playing on 3 separate beer league teams as he continued his rapid development into a serviceable hockey player. 

 

Rip’s fighting prowess and toughness is well documented. He always prided himself on being a T-Triple G or “Team Guy, Glue Guy”. He loved and respected the brotherhood of the beer league. Beloved by his teammates and hated by the opposition, Rip wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. His pre and post game beer journey continued, but he felt destined for the bigger stage. 

 

Rip’s quick development of silky mits around the net began to take the local hockey scene by storm. Rip started to transform from beer league all star to legit prospect. Rip began to make a habit of goin’ bardownski on the daily and collecting gino’s and apples like a certified beauty. 

 

Rip again had a decision to make. Stay a beer league superstar or take the next step into the unknown. As much as he enjoyed being a big fish in a beer soaked pond, Rip wanted more. It was at that point that he decided to take his talents to the Victory Hockey League. He packed his bags and waited for the call…

 

555 words 

[Scurvy 1,548]

Nice.  Welcome to the league 

[Thunder 1,205]

Rip Wheeler.  Light it up.