Ben Laas - Rookie Experience

[dustywilson22 133]

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!