Leon Gutzwiler's Crazy North American Adventure

[Gwdjohnson 40]

It was a weird off-season for the Gutzwiler brothers, especially for Leon Gutzwiler, who had to deal with being traded for the second time in two seasons, having been dealt in a deal involving his brother Gabriel to the Minnesota Storm from the Halifax 21st. The adjustment Leon has had to make has been quite overwhelming, considering the traveling he has had to do in the short amount of time he has been in North America. First, he had to move from his home nation Switzerland all the way to Las Vegas to join the Las Vegas Aces following the VHLM Draft, which in itself is a stupidly long trip. Then, to get reunited with Gabriel, he was dealt to Halifax, meaning he had to make another long trip all the way across the continent just about a week after settling in Vegas. Halifax went well for him and Gabriel, as they put up very solid rookie seasons, but then new management came to the 21st and they wanted to shake things up. He was then dealt to Minnesota, which meant that he, at least in the company of his brother this time, had to pack his bags to travel once again across the continent, all the way to Minnesota.

 

Despite probably not being too happy with having to make the trip, Leon has now settled in very well with the Storm, who built themselves very well to make a competitive powerhouse team this season. He finds himself 17th overall in league scoring, with 25 goals and 28 assists in just 32 games on the year. Gabriel Gutzwiler has enjoyed an even more exceptional season, as he currently sits 7th overall, with 32 goals and 68 points in the same 32 game time frame. Last season, Leon put up 81 points playing for Halifax, while this season he finds himself on pace for just short of 120 points. As for Gabriel, despite Leon being better last season, he has been blowing him out of the water this season, as he is on pace for a staggering 153 points.

 

The crazy travel schedule of Leon's past two seasons have likely been a massive headache, and having been picked by the New York Americans all the way to the East in North America, he probably does not even want to think about the fact he will have to make another long plane ride to join up with yet another team. However, Leon has said it is all just part of the game, and that it has not really phased him:

 

"It is what it is. When you come to North America you have to be ready for things like this, and I was. I am happy no matter what because I get to play with Gabriel and we are both showing how good we are together. I am very excited for when I go to New York in a season or two after hopefully winning something here in Minnesota."

Gutzwiler was recently selected to be part of the Team Asia roster for the World Juniors Championship, and with the Storm being 28-4 thus far in the season, he will hope to have a cup to his name when the time comes to compete internationally.

 

@DaftRaincloud