Claimed: One Rookie Makes Waves

[MD9 139]

One Rookie Makes Waves

The Saint John River in all its glory.

 

Local sports newspapers in Augusta, Maine are reporting one local rookie who is reportedly ‘making waves’ as he begins training in anticipation of the upcoming draft, and his subsequent entry into the VHLM. The youngster in question, Jake Scheel, has reportedly decided upon a new training regime. After his current head coach was reportedly frustrated by his lack of improvement in skating during one on one lessons to get him ‘up to speed’, so to to speak, he was set on a new course. Rather than completing laps of the ice rink or doing suicide sprints on ice, he has begun cardio of a whole other sort.

 

Swimming.

 

Although an excellent aerobic exercise, few prospects in the past have sought to tread water as a way of improving their on ice ability. However, according to Scheel’s coach, “A bit of a swim never hurt anyone.” One photographer reported seeing Scheel attempting to swim up the Saint John River, his coach following close behind shouting encouragement to the budding center. If scouts can be assured of one thing, it is that while this new form of exercise may not be doing anything to improve his on-ice ability, it does seem to be an effective exercise in perseverance and determination. Maybe that was the coach’s intention all along.

 

Having been making an effort to improve his skating for many years now, Scheel did make some noticeable progress through his high school years, only to hit a metaphorical wall as the VHLM draft loomed ever nearer. Between his struggle to improve, his continued poor discipline on the ice - being easily frustrated into poor penalties - and his overall hesitance in the opposing zone, perhaps this training will really help to iron out some of his problems and help him develop into a better rounded player overall.

 

The VHLM is not an easy league to play in for a player with such noted speed disadvantages, but perhaps at the behest of an old coach’s clever trick, his past struggles will simply be water under the bridge. If not, Scheel will soon find himself drowning amidst a pool of highly talented, quick forward who he simply can’t go step for step with. As he attempts to improve his draft stock for the VHL itself, creative training such as this is one of many steps he will need to take to ensure he does not find himself up a creek without a paddle.

 

In the immediate future, the popular attention Scheel may gain from swimming the Saint John River between Maine and New Brunswick may help to raise his VHLM stock. Given how competitive these things can be, it would not be altogether unsurprising to see one of his rivals take on a similarly creative training program. Perhaps before long, we’ll be seeing a prospect trying to climb a mountain, run on a rolling log, or climb a pole with naught but a rope and some determination. Of course, if this stunt neither improves his play nor his draft stock, history will look back on him as the player who wasted his time swimming up a rather dull river when he would have been better spent checking into a gym or an ice rink.
 

[Higgins 3,618]

Media spot and rookie profile fired off already, hot damn.

 

Good luck in the VHLM

[Kendrick 4,724]

Good work @MD9! Good articles so far

[Laflamme 376]

good article. Hope you show us what ya got!! Word count is good. We need to watch out for this guy !