Claimed:Brent Hardy Bio [Reviewed]

[Nero 27]

Brent Allen Hardy (Born April 6, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player within the Victory Hockey League Minors.  Hardy is the first player in VHLM history subjected to the new waivers system.  Beginning with Season 50, the revised system allows free agents to sign with any team after a 12 hour grace period.  

 

Background

 

Growing up in Toronto, Ontario, Brent Hardy emerged as the most talented ice hockey player among a family that includes four boys.  As the youngest of his siblings, Hardy often speaks of the challenges growing up and having to play with equipment that had been handed down three times over.  During interviews, Brent often jokes about being the “runt of the litter” and credits his older brothers as responsible for his gritty and tenacious play.

 

The Hardy family name is a staple within the district of Scarborough.  Brent’s father, Gordon Hardy, grew up a very popular ice hockey player in the area.  Gordon was the first of the Hardy’s to turn heads at the youth level and earn a scholarship to St. Michael’s College School, the oldest and most prestigious prep school in Toronto.  After setting several records at St. Michael’s, Gordon was drafted by the Mississauga Monarchs of the CCJHL.  A torn Achilles effectively derailed Gordon’s playing career but it did allow him to charter the York County Elite youth ice hockey program back in the district of Scarborough.

 

Brent Hardy was the last of his brothers to join York County Elite but performed years ahead of his time.  Gordon made it a point to coach all of his boys, thus he moved Brent up two age groups and paired him with his brother Danny.  Brent excelled playing against older kids and by his own account, utilized his speed to avoid contact with bigger skaters.  Brent and Danny continuously led their team and divisions in goals, assists, and points throughout their youth tenure.  York County Elite claimed the top ranking for youth hockey programs in Ontario and remains the best today.

 

High School

 

Brent was enrolled at St. Michael’s College School to start Grade 8.  Though he had no problem making the freshman team, Brent’s minutes were limited due to a logjam of forwards that already occupied the Blue Raiders’ roster.  It was also during this time that Brent’s 2^nd oldest brother, Dean, completed his senior season at St. Michael’s and accepted an ice hockey scholarship at the University of Manitoba.

 

Things changed dramatically for Brent as he entered Grade 9.  Brent hit a growth spurt over the summer that saw him gain nearly 2 inches and 20 pounds.  His new frame caught the attention of St. Michael’s varsity bench coach, Gus Goudreau.  A defensive specialist and former teammate to Gordon Hardy in the CCJHL, Goudreau believed it necessary to transition Brent to the other side of the blue line.  Goudreau obtained the blessing of Blue Raiders varsity head coach, Marc-Andre Proulx, and began to personally train Brent on playing defense.

 

Brent’s transition to defenseman began during his freshman season and led to his being called up to Junior Varsity midway through the year.   Brent wasn’t quite as fast as he was with a smaller frame but his speed was still superior to others playing behind the blue line.  He saw success managing the power play and was an instrumental player during short-handed shifts.  Despite only playing half the season at Junior Varsity, Brent finished 4^th in scoring and was a big reason the Blue Raiders were an OFSAA semi-finalist.

 

Brent led the Blue Raiders to back to back OFSAA AA Championships as a junior and senior at St. Michaels.  He was voted team captain as a senior and earned OFSAA player of the year honors.  He currently holds St. Michael’s records for minutes and assists.  Brent also holds OFSAA records for goals, assists, and points achieved by a defensive player.

 

Personal

 

Brent is a huge fan of the VHL’s Toronto Legion and has often said his dream is playing professional ice hockey for his hometown team.  Brent is also a big fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and spent a lot of time playing baseball.  He played youth baseball since age 4 and at one point considered staying at his hometown high school so that he could remain playing two sports.  Noted Can-Am scout, Carl Yarbrough, once tried to convince Gordon Hardy to push his son more toward playing baseball. 

 

“Brent is one hell of a corner infielder”, Yarbrough has been quoted as saying.  “...the kid has a power swing and can move around the bases awfully quick for a guy his size.”

 

When he’s not on the ice, Brent has said his hobbies include watching the Legion, Blue Jays, and Argos, Playstation 4, and fishing.

 

VHLM Entry/Free Agency

 

Brent was offered a full ice hockey scholarship to Boston College.  It is believed his mother urged Brent to accept while his father preferred him to enter the VHLM first year player draft.  Brent was undecided for several weeks but committed to Boston College during his final, official visit in early July.  VHLM scouts continued their efforts to reverse Brent’s decision but he relented and, at the urging of his brother Dean, remain committed to Boston College.

 

On July 27, 2016, VHLM teams were informed that Gordon Hardy had filed paperwork to declare his son, Brent Hardy, a free agent for Season 50.  The motion was completely unannounced and caught the junior hockey world off guard.  Local news outlets in Scarborough were unable to reach the Hardy’s for comment but confirmed with Boston College that Brent was not registered for the fall semester.  A few of Brent’s friends were interviewed by the local newspaper, indicating Hardy’s change of heart was due to frustration with registering for classes and the projected workload he would be subjected to as a college athlete.

 

It has since been reported that Brent Hardy is enrolled as a distance learning student as Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario. 

 

Brent is currently fielding offers from VHLM teams under the revised waivers system.  He will be eligible to accept a contract offer on July 28, 2016 and be eligible for Season 50 play immediately thereafter.

 

 

1033 words

Edited July 27, 2016 by Nero

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Review:

Amazing bio! My only two criticisms is that it could use some more pictures and does seem a bit short, but you met all the requirements. This really sounds sophisticated, seems like you really did your research!(or actually live in the area haha) It gave a sense of realism and i really enjoyed reading this whole article. Hope to see this and much more media moving forward for Brett Hardy!

 

1033 words

Edited August 7, 2016 by ADwyer87