Claimed:Hanz Backenbauer: Brampton's Golden Boy

[Seventy-Four 16]

 

THERE WAS ONLY 30 PICKS in the Season 35 VHLM Dispersal Draft. Despite the low

amount of prospects, the draft was choke full of future VHL stars,

most namely Connor Low who got drafted fifth overall by the Ottawa Lynx. Low is already

shattering records at the VHL level and is the current captain of the New York Americans. Looking up and down the list,

you'll find some shiners. Brick Wahl (Saskatoon), Mike Szatkowski Jr (Ottawa), Xin Xei Xao (Saskatoon), both Robin 

Gow and Robin Gow III (Ottawa). However, that's where it ends. Know any of these names? Prizza Dringus? Oli Brunnstrom? Markus Klingemann? You don't know any of them, but they were all drafted before 29th overall pick, 

Hanz Backenbauer who was drafted with his brother, Franz, by the Brampton Blades with the very

last picks in Season 35. Bern, Ottawa and Vasteras instead 'passed' on their picks instead

of taking the Backenbauer brothers and Oslo passed on them twice. Brampton however, Brampton

saw something. Something special.

 

 No one will ever claim Hanz is the best VHLM player to ever play, but it's hard to deny the effect he had on not

only the Blades, but the city of Brampton as a whole. He had a 'show-time' sort of personality and something about him made him lovable. He spend his free days volunteering at charities, meeting local kids and doing public speeches at schools. Season 35 was an interesting one, despite having a good season, the Blades failed to make

the playoffs. Hanz was a team best +21 despite playing over 30 minutes a game. The next season, Season 36, Hanz was drafted late in the VHL draft by the failing Vasteras Iron Eagles. He was sent down for Season 36 and was made 

captain of the Blades and led the sinking ship to last place in the VHLM. Hanz played alongside inactives who could care less, but it didn't stop Hanz from playing his heart out each and every night, and was quietly an inspiration for the 

city of Brampton and right then, he took the reigns as the franchise player. He couldn't go outside without fans mobbing him and complimenting his play in a 6-0 loss. Hanz would laugh, make a joke, give the fan a hug (or if was a girl over 16, a kiss. He was a player), sign whatever they need, take a picture and stroll away. Many players shyed away from media, but upon realizing he was the Brampton Blades' only hope, he embraced it. 

 

 

So, you can only guess the reaction of Blades' fan when they heard their captain and golden boy

had been traded to Turku, to become a Turku Outlaw. He left the Blades with virtually nothing, a pregnant wife and a lot of mixed emotions. He was happy to be on a competitive team, but he didn't speak a word of Finnish and though he hated to admit it, he loved being with the Brampton 'Bombers', it was his home.

 

Hanz thought he would be forgotten.

 

Hanz was wrong.

 

Hunter and Hudson, Hanz's two sons, were both drafted to Brampton and Hanz hopes they can deliver the cup to 

the city that deserved it the most -- the Brampton Blades. Hanz was surprised when he dropped his kids off at their new apartment. Fans were swarming him, screaming and crying. It was just like old times, Hanz gave them an affection hug and shed some very manly tears. The tears turned into a waterfall when the Brampton Blades announced number 4 would be retired in honor of their previous captain. They will hang it high and the banner will be in company of some legends, and Hanz is hopeful in a few years time, his sons' banners will

be right beside his.

637 words 3531 characters Edited May 15, 2014 by Seventy-Four

[Will 4,660]

Content: 3/3 

Really nice article here! Very interesting story about Hanz's career, and how Hudson and Hunter came to be. I would like to say I wish you luck in Brampton this season, but, as a Yukonian, I refuse! Hopefully both Hudson and Hunter can not only match what their father Hanz did, but surpass it by becoming stars in the big leagues.

Grammar: 2/2 

Only found one thing, good job! 

 

in a 6-0 loss = after a 6-0 loss

 

Appearance: 1/1 

Looks pretty good. I don't really like how new paragraphs start mid-sentence, but it still looks good.

Overall: 6/6

Edited May 15, 2014 by Draper

[Guest]

Claimed