Claimed:Hèctor de la Riva declares for VHLM Draft [Reviewed]

[Eggy216 136]

(Per Phil, I'm using this for the week of Apr 11 - Apr 17 because apparently All-Star articles are worth double this week)

De La Riva To Join VHLM

 

After questions abounded this morning concerning the future of Hèctor de la Riva with the Coventry Blaze, the young Catalan defender held a press conference this morning to announce that he would be leaving England to pursue a career in North America. "I believe this decision is the best for both my future, and the future of the Coventry Blaze," said de la Riva. "As much as I've enjoyed my time spent with Coventry, the fact remains that they have a great prospect pool right now to fill the hole that I'll be leaving. To the fans of Coventry, thank you so much for the past year - I've really enjoyed playing for you all each and every night, and I hope you all have nothing but the best in the coming years. This is an organization poised on the cusp of greatness, so go out there and enjoy every moment of what's about to come."

 

While de la Riva was only with the Blaze for a single season, he made a huge impact that was felt all over the ice. A physical player, he was never afraid to take someone out of the play if they started looking too dangerous. He backed this up consistently throughout the year with high scoring and quick feet as he was able to get up and down the ice to join a rush when necessary or fall back and defend if his team needed that most.

 

Fans perhaps remember the defender best for his hit on former Blaze defender Jasper Clayton while de la Riva was playing for the Cardiff Devils:

 

 

 

But de la Riva says there's more to his game than just hitting people. While speaking to the media, he told the reporters that this was his chance to separate himself from his reputation as "just another enforcer." "I can score too. I can make those big plays on both ends of the ice. Yeah, I'm not gonna pull back from a check at any point in time - once I've started on my path I'm gonna keep going. But that's not all I am. And this is my chance to prove that."

 

But how will de la Riva be received by North American fans? That's the big question on everyone's mind right now. Some claim that he'll have to tone down his physical play and work on the other aspects of his game if he wants a more permanent roster spot, but others argue that he already has the skillset he needs to really take his game further and play a shut down role on both ends of the ice.

 

At any rate, one thing's for certain - we're extremely excited to see what de la Riva can do in the near future, and we look forward to seeing him don the jersey of whichever VHLM team is lucky enough to acquire his services.

Edited April 7, 2016 by Eggy216

[Eggy216 136]

Jk it's a waiver system.

 

Close enough.

[Daniel 565]

3 minutes ago, Eggy216 said:

Jk it's a waiver system.

 

Close enough.

There is also a draft in the offseason, waiver claims are only until the end of the season!

[eaglesfan036 4,585]

3 hours ago, Daniel said:

There is also a draft in the offseason, waiver claims are only until the end of the season!

 

[Tim 182]

Claimed

[evrydayimbyfuglien 600]

Review: 

Really good job with this. Definitely looking forward to what you can do out there. The season is pretty much over now but good luck in the upcoming VHLM draft, I'm sure wherever you end up, you'll be good. I went as an offense first defenseman and I'm kind of wishing I had started off with the physical aspect instead.

 

Keep up the writing.