The C.G.Y. Janser Story, Part VII: Stars spreading the news...

[Daniel Janser 2,178]

Graphic courtesy of Leandrofg

 

A lot has happened in the VHL/E/M universe since we last wrote about our protagonist. Cal-Gary is playing for the Rush, which recovered after an abysmal start and snatched the first seed of their conference, securing a playoff spot. Callum confirmed his reputation as a defensive behemoth and lead the league in hits and is amongst the top ten in assists, shots blocked and take aways. 

He is also competing in the WJC, this time for the European team under GM Otis Boudreaux. In this team though he has a more defensive role as Polish prodigy Dudzinska and S90 first overall pick Oven are the more offensive minded backs in that roster. The Calgary native is tied-second amongst the top hitters of the tournament and in the top ten in the blocked shots department. Europe is sitting at the 2nd seed at the moment, behind a surprisingly strong Team Asia, with still some hockey left to play.

 

As thrilling as all of the above is, the real excitment came at draft day. According to most of the pundits, there was only one place CGY could land, and that would be at first overall. This pick belonged to the New York Americans who are amidst a rebuild and want to finally get a cup after a 37 season draught. If Thadius Sales would not commit to Janser, the latter would almost certainly fall to Moscow, who had three of the top five picks in the S91 draft. Alas, Euron Leonidas was licking his lips in vain, as the New York General Manager pulled the trigger as soon as the draft opened and announced: 'With the first pick of the S91 draft, the New York Americans proudly select from the Saskatoon Wild, defence man Callum Gary Yannick Janser.' 

 

Graphic courtesy of Jason Kranz

 

The young Swiss wasted no time and jogged to the podium for the traditional shake hands and photoshoot. Later on he would answer the questions of all the news outlet present at the draft. One of which is our trusty Jean-Luc Lieuxperroux.

 

JLL: 'Congratulations, Callum. First overall pick in the entry draft. According to my research the first Swiss since the legendary Scotty Campbell to do so. You must be thrilled, surely?'

CGY: 'Yes I am indeed and don't call me Shirley. Jokes aside, I hope no-one expects me to pee in a phial tonight, as my endorphine levels must be off the charts. I mean, I expected a top five spot with all the scouting reports I read and the interviews I conducted, but it is still unreal to me that I went first overall.'

JLL: 'Will the Americans call you up for the next season, as they are in desperate need of defencemen?'

CGY: 'Thadius and I agreed that it would be in everybody's best interest if I went to Europe for one season to hone my skills. New York is going through a rebuild and there is no benefit to prematurely bring in talent, which may not be ready to compete on this level yet.'

JLL: 'In New York you will be reunited with your fellow Wild, Rin Kagamine. Any thoughts on that?'

CGY: 'It's certainly cool to already know someone when you come into a new locker room. I think we gelled pretty well in Saskatoon, especially during the playoffs when we were the only experienced defenders to hold down the fort. As far as I know, they will be going to Europe for one season as well. It would be cool to be in the same team in the VHLE as well, but that would be a bit too much asked for. We are not called Dixon/Grimes or McGryer/Anand after all.'

JLL: 'So what are your plans for the immediate future?'

CGY: 'Well, first I will finish the JST and the WJC and hope to win both. Then I will fly over to Europe to whatever franchise picks me up in the incoming draft. Meanwhile, I will look for a place to live in the big apple. Ideally not all too far off from Madison Square Garden, where we will play our home games. I hear traffic is quite annoying in NYC and if at all possible I would like to avoid it. Maybe people will see me ride the subway when I go to practice.'

JLL: 'We understand that you were also in contact with Kris Rice of the Wranglers. How did that go?'

CGY: 'We did chat, and it is well known that I would have also liked to join the franchise my dad had so much success with. But given the circumstances, it was highly unlikely for him to find trades to move up in the draft, without risking the future of the franchise. I understand that and it is just what life sometimes is.'

JLL: 'Your family seems to have a habit to fall to Original Eight teams. Your dad and uncle both were picked by the Wranglers back in S81. And now you are going to join the Americans who co-founded the league under the Hamilton Canucks and then rebranded/relocated in S7.'

CGY: 'It is indeed uncanny how that played out. But this is all in the past. I will focus on the present and improve further to prepare for the future. I am determined to put the Americans on track for a long overdue cup win.'

JLL: 'That is all I had for today, thanks and good luck.'

CGY: 'Thanks for having me.'

 

Here are Janser's stats for the JST:

30gp, 5g, 24a, 29pts, -5, 39 PIM, 118 hits, 57sb, 2ppg, 1gwg, 1 First Star distinction

 

And here for the WJC:

6gp, 1g, 2a, 3pts, -4, 8 PIM, 22 hits, 17sb

 

We will revert on the young Swiss' career as soon as we have news to report.

 

Edit: In the interim, the VHLE draft took place and CGY Janser was selected at first overall by the Oslo Storm. Interestingly this is also a franchise with a connection with the Janser family. Daniel played two-third of a season and was for a while part of arguably the best center-winger combo in the history of the VHLE with Chinese Boulet winner Yun Chiang.

 

https://vhlforum.com/topic/140500-how-we-snub-not-only-one-player-but-a-whole-class-theme-week/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/140747-cgy-janser-clearing-the-gutter/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/140772-the-cgy-janser-story-part-iv-almost-crunch-time/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/141062-the-cgy-janser-story-part-v-regular-season-is-done/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/141275-cgy-janser-sent-packing/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/141054-let-the-gloves-hit-the-ice/

https://vhlforum.com/topic/141334-the-cgy-janser-story-part-vi-between-two-seasons/

 

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Edited November 5, 2023 by Daniel Janser
draft update; word count; updated with Jason's graphic

[Daniel Janser 2,178]

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