Wheels Keep on Spinnin': Rip Wheeler (off the record) recap of Season 87 in VHLM:

[ScottyP 200]

Wheels Keep on Spinnin': Rip Wheeler (off the record) recap of Season 87 in VHLM: 

 

Las Vegas Aces forward Rip Wheeler only has one minor league season in the Victory Hockey League…and let’s just say it was pretty memorable! Not just for his on-ice exploits, but for his off-ice escapades that would make a rockstar blush. During that season, Wheeler solidified his reputation as both a prolific scorer and a walking headline.

 

On the ice, Wheeler was a force to be reckoned with. He lit up the VHLM with a 30 goals and 47 assists, putting him in the upper half of the league offensively. Ol’ Rip wasn't afraid to mix it up either, racking up a whopping 194 hits in just 72 games regular season games. Rip’s the kind of player who can score a highlight-reel goal bar down and then drop the mits with the opposing team's goon all in the same night.

 

But it's Wheeler's off-ice antics that truly make him a one of a kind character. Rumors swirled like cocaine snow in a Vegas blizzard about the young forward's exploits. There's the time he supposedly shotgunned a beer with a Zamboni driver during the 2nd intermission of the first Las Vegas playoff game. Or the incident where he allegedly got into a hame of rolling strip poker with a casino showgirl, ending in a high-speed chase down the Strip on a rented Vespa (reports are conflicting on whether he was wearing his Aces bucket). 

 

The wildest tale involves a supposed wile bender after a playoff loss that landed Wheeler in lock up…The details are hazy, maybe even dazed and confused…but allegedly the story goes that Rip allegedly might have, possibly, inadvertently sniffed up some of Tony Montanas finest…anyways, somehow he ended up in a karaoke competition with a group of Elvis impersonators over on Fremont street. The pimp of a midget showgirl down the street took exception to Rip asking the fine little lady to “dance the night away”…one thing led to another and things went a bit off the rails. Local Vegas authorities have always remained tight-lipped about the incident, but Wheeler did miss a week of practice "due to personal reasons" around that time. Rip credits the Aces coaching staff with “protecting the team”.  And doing what was necessary to make the incident (or at least the news coverage) “go away”.

 

Despite the off-ice drama, Wheeler was picked  18th overall by the Oslo Storm in the VHLE draft. They seemed were content to look the other way as long as Wheeler promised to keep “putting butts in the seats”. As Oslos coach out it…”Rip's a character, that's for sure. But on the ice, he gives 110%. You can't teach hustle and heart, and that kid's got it in spades. As long as he shows up to the rink not (too) hungover and ready to play, I won't complain."

 

Since then, Rip has been passed around the big leagues (VHL) like a practice puck, but seems to have finally found a home with the Vancouver Wolves. He’s producing more than ever in the ice and hasn’t been snatched up by the Mounties once! Rips personality seems to have resonated with the Vancouver fans…Management has even added a special “double whiskey Ripper” at the concession stand…and you might need a few rounds if you want to keep up with Rip, both on and off the ice! 

 

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Edited June 24 by ScottyP

[ScottyP 200]

@Thunder @Frank @Scurvy @Gaikoku-hito

[Gaikoku-hito 2,089]

I am more a triple whisky or rum guy myself and most remember me when I lived in Banff, AB and other places for asking for a pitcher of rum and coke with at least a triple shot. The Japanese here that I drink think I breath my whisky. Not understanding that I drank at altitude for years so now at sea level, I find it hard to get drunk.

 

Also nice to see you fitting in nicely with the wolves but don`t let @Frank hear that since he has a habit of trading players that get too comfortable!!

[Scurvy 1,495]

24 minutes ago, Gaikoku-hito said:

hear that since he has a habit of trading players that get too comfortable!!

Let’s hope !!!! Rip to the VHLm