Jeff Blaze Junior Review

[NyQuil 22]

Jeff Blaze Junior Review

 

 

Growing up as a kid in Tennessee, hockey wasn’t really a sport that was too popular at a young age. Most kids were either playing football or baseball, and that’s all the they really knew. Jeff started playing baseball very competitively around the age of twelve, and his father knew that he had some talent. Until one day about a year later, Jeff came home and told his dad that he didn’t have interest in playing baseball anymore. At first this was a little bit of a shock to his dad, as Jeff was an only child. His dad really thought that Jeff loved the game of baseball, and could potentially go somewhere with his talent. As a father of course Jeff’s father listened to his son and let him make the decision he wanted to. Shortly after Jeff stopped playing baseball he started to gain some interest in ice skating, and from there he really started to like the idea of maybe playing hockey. Fast forward about three years later, Jeff begged his dad everyday for weeks to register him for the upcoming hockey season. His dad was immediately excited that Jeff was taking some interest in playing sports again. Jeff and his dad went down to the local sports gear store, and got him suited up for his first year playing hockey. Jeff showed up to his first practice and very quickly impressed his coaches, with some raw talent that they were definitely not expected from the first year kid. He went on to have a stunning year with his local midget team, who went on to win the state championship. Jeff was third in scoring on the team, playing on the second line. He managed to tally 17 goals, 24 assists, and led the team in plus minus. He was starting to draw some attention to scouts around the area, and managed get a training camp invite to the Omaha Lancers, who playing in the USHL.

 

 

 

Going into training camp was very intimidating for him, as he hadn’t really done anything like it before. He shook the nerves off very fast and instantly earn some respect from the coaches, who were shocked with his play over the one week camp. They instantly offered Jeff a spot on the team in the player meetings, and he was more than excited to take the position. He was very nervous to leave home and move to a place that he’s only been to once, but he knew it would all be worth it in the end. The season had started and Jeff wasn’t getting the playing time that he was expecting, but patiently waiting for his time to come. That opportunity did arise about half way through the year, and he absolutely ran away with it. In the second half of the year he led the team in points, and was playing on the second line. The Lancers unfortunately didn’t manage to make the playoffs which ended the season shorter than Jeff was hoping for. Going into his second year, his confidence was at an all time high and he felt nothing could stop him. He started his second year on the first line, where he turned into a star and local favourite. The Lancers were in a rebuild year and didn’t make the playoffs once again, but Jeff lead the team in scoring all year and managed to be top five in points in the whole league. All season Jeff drew attention from some NCAA teams and was able to get a few full ride scholarship offers to play hockey. He pondered his options for a few weeks before finally making the decision to go pro and not go to college. That brings us to today with maybe a future all star entering the VHL.