[309 Words]

Entering the SHL hasn’t always been my dream. The natural talent imbued by being the son of a Hall of Fame Goalies is only overpowered by the sheer shadow he shines on all of your endeavors.

My father only played seven seasons in the SHL, but in that time he separated himself as one of the best goalies to play in league history. Imagine trying to come into a league with that hanging over your head. Timo would have made that save. Timo would have put the team on his back. Echoed everyday, every game, every time I don the pads. From my earliest moments, I knew my father was very good at what he did, but he would help dissolve that shadow by assuring me that I am not him, but I could be better. A child is supposed to be better than their parents. My father made it abundantly clear that I could be the best Haas to ever put on the pads. This is when I knew I was ready.

Life for a teenager in Los Angeles, especially one born into a family with money, has many pitfalls. Drugs around every corner, people wanting to be your friend just for the money, and so many distractions. But I stayed laser focused. I saw the way people looked at my father when he was on the ice when I was younger and now I wanted to be thousands of people’s hero every single night. So I passed on the booze, I passed on the hanger-ons, and I zero’d in on being a goaltender.

Today, I am now ready to take that step in to the next stage of my development. Helping a SMJHL team bring home a cup. All I need now is a chance to shine.

I am my father’s son...but I walk my own path.