08-16-2012, 05:14 PM
When you approach the draft table before the NWJHL prospect draft there is only so much you know about a player. You tend to know about the players skill level, compete level, and maybe a couple of other interesting facts about the players that you are eyeing for your pick. It is near impossible to know each player thorough enough to know every last detail. When the Prince George Firebirds drafted center men Alexander Andrezjeck this was just the case. The Firebirds knew they were getting a high skill forward with great leadership qualities and a drive to win but they didn’t truly understand what they were getting behind the scenes.
When you think of a NWJHL hockey player and what they do in there free time you usually get roughly the same idea. Players that hang out with their teammates, chase girls around, and even though they will deny it probably sneak a drink in every now and again. The difference is when you look and Andrezjeck you still get the usual but there is another hobby that he is more tied into. Andrezjeck is what a lot of people would call a gamer, but his game of choice isn’t Call Of Duty, NHL 12 or Halo. Andrezjeck instead chooses to spend a lot of his time playing Pokemon, yes you heard me correctly the 1996 classic from game freak. It captured the world by storm and it still hasn’t let go of some people. We were lucky enough to get and inside scoop on Andrezjeck and his hidden passion and we were in for quite a surprise.
When we got to Andrezjecks loft in Prince George he was nice enough to greet us and show us around and let me tell you he truly is a fan of the game. When you first walk into his house it is nothing unusual. The only thing that might stand out is that it is rather clean for an 18-year-old hockey player living on his own. Andrezjeck gave us a tour its when we reached his bedroom is when our jaw dropped.
![[Image: tumblr_lhrewrIpef1qciqsmo1_500.jpg]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/luuux-original-files/bookmarklet_uploaded/tumblr_lhrewrIpef1qciqsmo1_500.jpg)
Andrezjeck’s entire room is decked out in Pokemon swag, from the bed sheets, wallpaper, and everything you could possibly cover in the memorabilia. Of course we wanted to know more about his obsession and he was not shy about sharing. Andrezjeck then was kind enough to show us his card collection.
![[Image: pokemontowes2.jpg]](http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/Crashnburnluder/pokemontowes2.jpg)
Andrezjeck also showed us some of his the rarest cards that he owns.
![[Image: Rare_Pokemon_cards___page_1_by_Superdemon_Inuyasha.jpg]](http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs29/f/2008/056/d/1/Rare_Pokemon_cards___page_1_by_Superdemon_Inuyasha.jpg)
After Andrezjeck showed us his gigantic card collection he begin to tell us about the tournaments he competes in. Andrezjeck competes regularly in monthly Pokemon tournaments where he joins other enthusiasts. The ages that he competes against vary anywhere from 8 to 18. Andezjeck is one of the oldest competitors but with age comes wisdom apperantly because the display case that Andrezjeck has in his office is full of trophies he has won in pokemon battles.
![[Image: pokemon_championship_trophy_by_blackpanthro-d2zulv6.jpg]](http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/274/4/1/pokemon_championship_trophy_by_blackpanthro-d2zulv6.jpg)
When we first scheduled this meeting with Andrezjeck we were expecting to just take a tour of his house ask him a few questions and that was it, little did we know Andrezjeck has some surprises up his sleeve. Andrezjeck had strategically planned our meeting on the date of one of his tournaments. This way we would get the chance to fully experience what his life is like outside of the rink. We also think that his goal was to try and get us involved and hooked on the game as well. The event was being held just a 20 minutes drive away so we headed over there with Andrezjeck to observe one of these events. It was rather interesting; it felt almost like comic con but instead of all the different comics and the wide verity. The event was full of competitors with a total of 224 contestants all-vying for first place.
![[Image: Pokemon-World-Championships-2010.png]](http://www.thetanooki.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Pokemon-World-Championships-2010.png)
As Andrezjeck started competing, just like every game on the ice for the Firebirds, he became extremely focused and intense. Even with us there watching his every move he did not alter at all and focused all his effort on each match. As he slowly eliminated one opponent after another he was at the point where he was in the final 16. This would be quite and achievement for many but for Andrezjeck he still had a ways to go to be satisfied.
![[Image: pokemintoews.jpg]](http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/Crashnburnluder/pokemintoews.jpg)
The final 16 stared out great for Alex as he advanced to the final 8 but that is where he hit a roadblock. Andrezjeck was unfortunate enough to run into his rival, 10-year-old Haywood Jablomi, this time Andrezjeck wasn’t fortunate and he lost to Jablomi. As the competition wore down Andrezjeck stayed just to watch the final matches as we started to get ready to leave. We left him to his games and the people that he spends a lot of time competing with trading cards and all sorts of other pokemon events.
In the world of hockey everybody has his or her own back story. There are players that choose to sit at home and keep to them selves, others that find extreme sports such and motocross, and then there are the few that stink to there strategy games such as Andrezjeck. There are going to be people in today’s game that don’t understand his hobbies and will make fun of him for what he does. It was already said in an earlier interview this season that went under a love of criticism and caused quite and up roar and even started a very heated rivalry when Chris Partlow of the Vancouver Whalers was quote calling Andrezjeck. “All ***** and shit” but its all-just part of the game and the gamesmanship involved.
It has also been said and heard that whenever Andrezjeck scores a goal he always starts a celebration by yelling "Gotta Catch 'Em All!" but we don't have and visual evidence yet of that.
![[Image: toewscelebration.jpg]](http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/Crashnburnluder/toewscelebration.jpg)
I think its fair to say from this point on Andrezjecks new favorite pokemon just might be… Moltres The Firebird…
![[Image: 146.png]](http://pldh.net/media/dreamworld/146.png)
Thank you for checking out our article and we hope to be able to catch up with other players and their personal stories as the playoffs role on. Until next time, Im Hugh G. Rection and this is Behind the Players.
[code]
Words - 1030ish
Pictures - 8
When you think of a NWJHL hockey player and what they do in there free time you usually get roughly the same idea. Players that hang out with their teammates, chase girls around, and even though they will deny it probably sneak a drink in every now and again. The difference is when you look and Andrezjeck you still get the usual but there is another hobby that he is more tied into. Andrezjeck is what a lot of people would call a gamer, but his game of choice isn’t Call Of Duty, NHL 12 or Halo. Andrezjeck instead chooses to spend a lot of his time playing Pokemon, yes you heard me correctly the 1996 classic from game freak. It captured the world by storm and it still hasn’t let go of some people. We were lucky enough to get and inside scoop on Andrezjeck and his hidden passion and we were in for quite a surprise.
When we got to Andrezjecks loft in Prince George he was nice enough to greet us and show us around and let me tell you he truly is a fan of the game. When you first walk into his house it is nothing unusual. The only thing that might stand out is that it is rather clean for an 18-year-old hockey player living on his own. Andrezjeck gave us a tour its when we reached his bedroom is when our jaw dropped.
Andrezjeck’s entire room is decked out in Pokemon swag, from the bed sheets, wallpaper, and everything you could possibly cover in the memorabilia. Of course we wanted to know more about his obsession and he was not shy about sharing. Andrezjeck then was kind enough to show us his card collection.
Andrezjeck also showed us some of his the rarest cards that he owns.
After Andrezjeck showed us his gigantic card collection he begin to tell us about the tournaments he competes in. Andrezjeck competes regularly in monthly Pokemon tournaments where he joins other enthusiasts. The ages that he competes against vary anywhere from 8 to 18. Andezjeck is one of the oldest competitors but with age comes wisdom apperantly because the display case that Andrezjeck has in his office is full of trophies he has won in pokemon battles.
When we first scheduled this meeting with Andrezjeck we were expecting to just take a tour of his house ask him a few questions and that was it, little did we know Andrezjeck has some surprises up his sleeve. Andrezjeck had strategically planned our meeting on the date of one of his tournaments. This way we would get the chance to fully experience what his life is like outside of the rink. We also think that his goal was to try and get us involved and hooked on the game as well. The event was being held just a 20 minutes drive away so we headed over there with Andrezjeck to observe one of these events. It was rather interesting; it felt almost like comic con but instead of all the different comics and the wide verity. The event was full of competitors with a total of 224 contestants all-vying for first place.
As Andrezjeck started competing, just like every game on the ice for the Firebirds, he became extremely focused and intense. Even with us there watching his every move he did not alter at all and focused all his effort on each match. As he slowly eliminated one opponent after another he was at the point where he was in the final 16. This would be quite and achievement for many but for Andrezjeck he still had a ways to go to be satisfied.
The final 16 stared out great for Alex as he advanced to the final 8 but that is where he hit a roadblock. Andrezjeck was unfortunate enough to run into his rival, 10-year-old Haywood Jablomi, this time Andrezjeck wasn’t fortunate and he lost to Jablomi. As the competition wore down Andrezjeck stayed just to watch the final matches as we started to get ready to leave. We left him to his games and the people that he spends a lot of time competing with trading cards and all sorts of other pokemon events.
In the world of hockey everybody has his or her own back story. There are players that choose to sit at home and keep to them selves, others that find extreme sports such and motocross, and then there are the few that stink to there strategy games such as Andrezjeck. There are going to be people in today’s game that don’t understand his hobbies and will make fun of him for what he does. It was already said in an earlier interview this season that went under a love of criticism and caused quite and up roar and even started a very heated rivalry when Chris Partlow of the Vancouver Whalers was quote calling Andrezjeck. “All ***** and shit” but its all-just part of the game and the gamesmanship involved.
It has also been said and heard that whenever Andrezjeck scores a goal he always starts a celebration by yelling "Gotta Catch 'Em All!" but we don't have and visual evidence yet of that.
I think its fair to say from this point on Andrezjecks new favorite pokemon just might be… Moltres The Firebird…
Thank you for checking out our article and we hope to be able to catch up with other players and their personal stories as the playoffs role on. Until next time, Im Hugh G. Rection and this is Behind the Players.
[code]
Words - 1030ish
Pictures - 8
