The Life and Times of Dan Wilinsky [2/2]

[oilmandan 688]

 

 

 

 

 

THE START

 

Dan Wilinsky was born September 4th 1999 in Edmonton Alberta to loving parents Dave and Theresa. His father worked as an ice maker for the local NHL team, while his mother was a busy sports mom, shuttling the Dan and his two younger brothers to all their hockey, baseball and lacrosse games. There weren’t many sports Dan didn’t want to try growing up. His parents felt it was healthy for Dan try different things and not to just focus on hockey. He never chose hockey exclusively until age 15 when he was drafted by the Prince Albert Raiders. He was a standout pitcher and 2nd Baseman growing up, representing team Alberta in baseball at the Junior Canada Games. Some people say he may have been an even better baseball pitcher than a hockey player. From an early age Dan seemed to just be a better than his peers at sports, especially hockey.

 

Growing up, Dan’s family's yard was always the popular destination for backyard hockey, with his father expertly caring for the large rink. His grandparents lived on a farm and he would spend most weekends on their pond in the back 40, refining his skating and stickhandling. As a kid he was very active in both church activities and after school programs. 

 

While he was a youngster Dan loved being outside and camping in the mountains with his family during the summer. He also considers himself a poor golfer and an even worse fisherman. In school,  he excelled at geography and writing, and after his playing career is over, Dan wants to go to school for journalism, or get into scouting and player development. He loved playing with his Lego and if he wasn’t outside playing he was inside playing Lego. He still keeps several large figures, that he builds as a child, to his houses. Dan was never one to play many video games. He always wanted to be outside playing with friends and running around.  Through Junior High and High School, Dan’s parents pushed education before hockey, making sure that homework was always done before playing any sports.

 

Dan played in the Edmonton minor hockey system for his entire youth, breaking records the whole way along. His opponents always disliked how he was always smiling cause he was always having so much fun. He loved playing any type of sport from hockey to baseball to even tennis. And it was always a competition. He has always hated losing at anything. Even cards. He tried played goal for one game in midget and allowed 7 goals in a period. That was the end of that experiment. Dan grew up a big Oilers fan, his parents had season tickets through his father's work, and although they were in the decade of darkness, he never gave up on them. As a young player he modeled his game after his godfather Doug Weight. During the summer they would train together and work on puckhandling and passing skills. 

He first caught scouts eyes at 13, playing in a provincial tournament. He dominated competition and ended up as leading scorer and MVP.  

Dan played hockey in the Edmonton area until he was 16. At every level he played he could fly past everyone with his blazing speed and lightning acceleration. 

After being drafted in the bantam draft by the Prince Albert Raiders, Dan moved in with a very nice billet family. They had 2 young sons of their own that Dan would play street hockey with. Dan found the move away from home hard at first as most young players do, but he felt comfortable on the ice where everything felt natural and made sense. After a couple months he finally got into a comfort zone with his new home and school. In his two years at St Mary's high school in Prince Albert, he gained many good friends and even unsuccessfully ran for class president. 

 

Dan has always worked extensively with different charities wherever he’s lived. He worked long hours at the prince Albert food bank during the summer. During his time with his billet family, Dan always tried his best to help out with chores like washing dishes and cutting the grass. Eventually his new family came to love him like another son. Dan had a very successful two year stint with the Raiders. Winning one Memorial Cup and scoring over 40 goals in his final season.    

 
Picking the VHL over the NHL was a difficult decision, as almost any chance of playing for his hometown Oilers could be wiped away by choosing the upstart VHL. In the end, a more stable situation in Ottawa and no threat of another NHL lockout, helped make up Dan's mind.

Just before the NHL draft, Dan got a call from his agent about the possibility of playing in the rival VHL league.  Dan had expressed concern about his future, if the rumored lockout occurred in the NHL. Two days before the draft Dan made it public that he intended to skip the draft and try his luck as a free agent in the VHL. As per league rules Dan was too young to sign with a VHL club right away and had to start his career in the VHLM and hope to be drafted the next offseason. He ended up with 3 offers from teams and ultimately chose to go to the Ottawa Lynx. 

With his first pro contract, Dan plans to buy his dream car, a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. The Lynx were assembling a powerful lineup that was poised to have a successful regular season and contending for a Founders Cup.  Dan has always been team first and hope’s to play with one franchise his entire career. Dan is a big fan of tattoos and has a raider on his arm. The day he signed with the Lynx,  he got a tattoo of a lynx beside the one of the raider. 

 

What will the future hold....

 

1002 words

Edited August 24, 2018 by oilmandan
word count

[DrHexDex 68]

Bio is a little underwhelming. But enough to describe the player to us.

 

Good job.

[bagelbitesisbae 71]

You changed from event to the other a bit too quickly. The transitions could have been more smooth. I think adding a fun thing like buying yourself a new car was a great idea! Overall, great job, bud.