Jimmy Spyro Path to the VHL

[DarkSpyro 984]

Jimmy Spyro

 

 

Introduction

 

The story of Jimmy Spyro is one of late blooming goaltender who was once a player until the age of 17. Growing up in a small town near the Greater Toronto Area, young Jimmy first laced up pair of skates at the age of 3. By the age of 5 he started playing pond hockey with his neighbours and became a fairly exceptional skater, with dreams of one day playing hockey like his father and grandfather before him.

 

Minor League Beginnings

 

From the ages of 6 till 13 he played at the houseleague level in the local arena as a forward, where he modestly enjoyed his time until he managed to make the Hamilton AAA team at the age of 14 as a deffenceman. With his IQ for the gaming growing rapidly and his above average size, he managed to impress with 37 points in 28 games during his 3rd season at the age of 16 and believed he was on pace towards his dream. That all changed when his career at a competitive level was about to be short lived after illness struck half way through the season where it seemed his days playing the game of hockey were about to slip away for good.

 

From Sword to Shield

 

After multiple operations and surgeries, and 8 months of no hockey, he returned to a team practice to realize he was already a shell of his former self and could no longer play with the physicality he once fostered. With the help of his father who was a goaltender his whole life, he found the himself able to play recreational hockey as a goaltender to stay active and recover. After realizing he was a natural with stopping pucks, and already good at reading the game, he made the choice to resume his dream with his new found position. After 12 more months of serious training, he reformed his game and his body but with new abilities. Again making a push for his dream at the age of 18, he tried out for his town's local team which at the time was the farm team for the Montreal Canadiens, the Hamilton Bulldogs.

 

The Hometown Underdog

 

After his 2nd try out at the age of 19, he made the Hamilton Bulldogs as a back-up and got a 38 save shutout in his first career game. He was behind a future legend in Carey Price and took advantage of the single season playing together to improve his game further. Price had also gone through the same transition of player to goalie and seemed the perfect person to learn from. Once Price was drafted to the Montreal Canadiens the following year in the 1st Round, Jimmy became further determined and motivated to become the best Goaltender he possibly could. After 5 years with the Hamilton Bulldogs, and the possibilty of moving on in the league seemingly less likely due to his age, he decided to move his career in a new direction with the then also struggling Ottawa Lynx midway through the Season. He found this the perfect opportunity to push his limits to become better, and continues to train this off season before draft day.

 

 

Edited October 28, 2019 by Spyro
Revised from 400 words to 535, enjoy!

[Ricer13 2,839]

Review: Very simple, written well, and has that bit of struggle in it that everyone seems to involve in their players history.  I guess with Price in the way there’s no chance of the NHL dream happening so the VHL was the right call.

[DarkSpyro 984]

On 10/25/2019 at 12:08 PM, Krice13 said:

Review: Very simple, written well, and has that bit of struggle in it that everyone seems to involve in their players history.  I guess with Price in the way there’s no chance of the NHL dream happening so the VHL was the right call.

Thanks! About to edit it and add a bit more.