Rayz Funk: A Farmers Third Son [2/2]

[Rayzor_7 741]

Name: Rayz Funk

Position: G

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 165 lbs.

Birthplace: Manitoba, Canada

 

            Rayz Funk is a small framed goaltender looking for his shot at professional hockey.

 

            Rayz Funk was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to his father Raya and his mother Aila. Rayz was raised in Steinbach for most of his life. Growing up on a dairy farm, he performed chores around the farm learning from his dad. His brothers who are twins, were both two years older than him. They both were drafted into the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings. His brothers were defencemen and played as a tandem most of their life.

            His father Raya was a defenceman and played high school hockey in Steinbach. Rayz live a mainly middle-class life thanks to his father’s success in farming and his mothers success as an electrical engineer. Rayz was always able to play the sports he wanted and was an all around athlete most of his early life.

 

Early Years

            Rayz was put into skates around the time he turned four years old. His father Raya had a stick in his hand by age five. Rayz started off his career as a defenceman. At age eight he already showed an uncanny confidence on the ice. He was not afraid to step in front of a shot and block it. At age nine, his team did not have a goalie and he was asked to step in for the season. At this time, it all clicked. Rayz was instantly a good goalie and would continue playing goalie in the seasons to come.

            At the age of ten, Rayz was age advanced and played Minor Peewee AA. Playing at the older groups gave him more experience as these teams tended to be weaker in his area. Playing on his older brother’s team, he had a difficult time getting respect. On top of this, his team played a very physical style of game. This led to a rough couple of years in which he was constantly dealing with a lack of defensive skill outside of the first line. On top of this his teams struggles defensively, they were always taking a ridiculous amount of penalties. This has resulted in him getting peppered game in and game out. This created his ability to absorb the puck and avoid giving the other teams a chance to thrash him with another shot.

 

            This caused Rayz to develop an aggressive mentality towards his teammates. He would get mad after the second or third goal if he felt the defence wasn’t doing their job. Rayz would to take some penalties clearing the front of his net. He was ejected on two occasions over the two years after punching opposing forwards who were crashing the net and jabbing at him. This caused him to not be afraid to go after an opposition player he feels ran him or was overly annoying. This aggressiveness continued in his career and still exists in his play today.

 

 

Middle Years

 

            Rayz played baseball as a catcher at the AAA level within Manitoba. His aggression that was developed from hockey showed within his baseball career as well. As a catcher he had was known for chirping batters while they came up to the batter’s box. He would call for his pitcher to hit batters he didn’t like as well. When he was baserunning, he was known for sliding hard into bags aiming to take out players as well as interfering in the infielders throws.

 

            At age 12 while playing Bantam AAA, he was invited to the Directors Cup. This tournament was invite only and was a pre-camp for WHL scouts watching for the next years draft. But tragedy struck Rayz during this tournament. Rayz was run over by an opposing defenceman, his leg snapped in two and tore his ACL and MCL. Rayz underwent surgery and was forced to sit out the next year and play back-up the year after. Now turning 15, Rayz went undrafted in the WHL draft due to injury concerns.

 

           

 

Teens

            Going into his high school years Rayz was pissed off and had a decision to make. His father needed him on the farm, but he would need to give up on baseball or hockey. He loved playing as a catcher in baseball, but he still couldn’t give up on his dream to play professional hockey. Upon deciding he would continue in hockey, Rayz was given a tryout for the Brandon Wheat Kings MMAAAHL. He secured himself a spot on the roster but would have to fight for the starting spot. Early in the season he got a bit of karma back his way. His competition on his team got hurt and knocked out for the rest of the year.

 

            Rayz has a solid year as a 15-year-old. After his partner got hurt, Rayz finished off the last 30 games in the regular season. Finishing 20-8-2. Carrying his team to the playoffs, they made it to the semi-finals. Rayz finished the playoffs with a 3-3-1 record with a 3.57 GAA and a 917% SV%.

            In his 16-year-old season he was established as the starting goalie. Playing 44/48 regular season games. With a 39-3-2 record and a 2.52 GAA and a 929% SV%. They got swept in the finals after sweeping the quarters and the semis. Rayz recorded a 2.19GAA and a 935% SV% in nine games.

            This last year, Rayz played 40/48 games, giving him a break before playoffs due to an injury. Finishing with a 34-4-2 record and a 2.33GAA and a 935% SV%. His backup lost two games before Rayz came back and won 9 straight games. Recording a 2.26GAA and a 931% SV%. With back to back appearances the VHLM scouts came to watch him win the MMAAAHL league.

           

 

Future

            Rayz will be looking to become a solid backup goaltender this upcoming VHLM season. He lacks experience at the professional level. However, with the VLHM Expansion, the addition of three new teams could see Rayz land a starting role in his draft year. If he fails to make a team, his sights would fall on the MMJHL or he would look at applying to Colleges in the USA for a Degree in Agriculture. He will seek out his Degree in Agriculture either after his career ends or if he fails to get drafted in the next two years.

[Beaviss 4,957]

@Rayzor_7 some great first work here dude! How did you hear about us?

[Rayzor_7 741]

1 minute ago, Beaviss said:

@Rayzor_7 some great first work here dude! How did you hear about us?

@Beaviss I was watching an old TacTixHD youtube video from October, 2018. He showed it off and it seemed interesting.

[Beaviss 4,957]

15 minutes ago, Rayzor_7 said:

@Beaviss I was watching an old TacTixHD youtube video from October, 2018. He showed it off and it seemed interesting.

 

That's awesome! How do you like the site so far?

[Rayzor_7 741]

5 minutes ago, Beaviss said:

 

That's awesome! How do you like the site so far?

I'm enjoying it quite a lot. The community is quite great and the site is well sorted.

[Beaviss 4,957]

6 minutes ago, Rayzor_7 said:

I'm enjoying it quite a lot. The community is quite great and the site is well sorted.

 

That's awesome have you checked out the discord channel yet?

[xsjack 132]

1 hour ago, Rayzor_7 said:

Birthplace: Manitoba, Canada

 

I instantly hope you succeed 

[Rayzor_7 741]

7 minutes ago, Beaviss said:

 

That's awesome have you checked out the discord channel yet?

sure have, i've already joined

[Rayzor_7 741]

6 minutes ago, xsjack said:

 

I instantly hope you succeed 

Born and raised here myself lol

[xsjack 132]

3 minutes ago, Rayzor_7 said:

Born and raised here myself lol

 

Same 

[Greg_Di 1,022]

Review:

 

Great Biography, enjoyed the story of being from a small rural area in Canada. I also like the fact he started off as a defense man and then switched it up to being a goalie. Only constructive feedback I could give is maybe have the pictures centered for a better read. Other then that great article with a great backstory! Best of luck to you in the VHLM draft!

[Walter Fizz 84]

Review: 

 

Nice bio. It was nice how you managed to add the switch between baseball and hockey. It’s also pretty cool seeing a baseball player transition to hockey which isn’t bad considering he became a goalie. Overall it was good it was well written and the format wasn’t bugging.