Last week, I was able to catch up with Ryszard, Boris, Konrad, Alesky, Daichi, Jebany, and Filip Franciszek, known to scouts and fans alike as the premier Polish hockey family in the world. Despite their notoriety, not much was known about their personal lives, as no reporter was able to get a good interview with them Except for me, of course. I sat down with Ryszard first. The oldest brother of the group, and the star center, Ryszard is a quick-witted, short-tempered, snappy 13-year old, and he was a blast to be around. Eddie: It’s good to finally meet you, Ryszard. You’re a hard person to get to, you know. Ry: I think it’s good to meet me too. Eddie: Most scouts see a 1st round pick in the SMJHL draft in your future. Where do you think you and your brothers will go, and at what positions in the draft would you want to see them? Ry: You can’t split the 1st overall pick 7 ways, ya? (laughs). I think I’ll go in the 1st round, middle probably. Borys and Konrad will do the same. I don’t know about the others. Maybe 3rd and 4th rounders. Eddie: Are you a captain to your brothers? Ry: I’m the big brother, it’s kinda my job, bro. Eddie: Alright. Next, I talked with Borys, the “big” brother. A tank of a 13-year old, he’s bound to be a big-hitter in the SHL someday. Eddie: Not a lot of people know anything about you, Borys. Nice to meet you in person. Borys: Likewise. Eddie: Why do you like to play like you do, a big power forward. Is it because of your size? Borys: I’m big. I play big. Eddie: Okay, uh… what’s your opinion on your brothers? Borys: They’re family to me. I protect them if I need to. Eddie: Got it. Konrad Franciszek was easier to talk to. A hilarious guy to be around, with a big mouth and an even wider skillset. Eddie: Your brothers are harder to talk to than you are. Why is that? Konrad: We’re tight nit, we don’t usually talk to other people. I think Borys and Ry don’t like to have people bother us. They’re that kind of people. Eddie: Let’s say you’re going to the SMJHL this year. Who do you want to draft you? Konrad: I think Detroit has some promise. I like their upside and their goalie strength. Eddie: Who’s your favorite SHL player? Konrad: I think we all strive to be Mike Izzy. Daichi was pleasant to talk to too, a real nice guy to be around. A friendly, quick and nimble young goaltender. Eddie: What keeps you in a good mood in net, even when you’re being scored on? Daichi: I just don’t let it bother me. I’m happy on the ice, and nothing can really take me off that high. Eddie: What’s you’re favorite cereal? Daichi: We don’t have any good cereal in Polska, we like waffles. Eddie: What’s the one move you can’t seem to stop on the breakaway? Daichi: Borys has a move where he goes into a spinorama, but doesn’t shoot the puck, so you watch him spin and the puck’s already in the net. Really frustrating. Alesky Franciszek didn’t really want to be interviewed. A grouchy defenseman, his brothers forced him to join me. Eddie: Why don’t you like to talk to the media? Alesky: I’m not a talky person. People like you make me talk when I don’t want to. Eddie: Are you gonna answer my questions? Alesky: No. Eddie: Okay. Jebany was in ICU for a herniated disk that turned into appendicitis. He could not be reached. Filip declined an interview, said “Too busy for talk today.” The Franciszek brothers will be eligible for the S58 SMJHL Draft, and the S59 SHL Draft. (Word Count: 640) Double-Media 2x Eligible
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