[1862 words, first article so double pay please]

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Karl Hefeweizen - S36 2 Way Defenseman
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Intro
Anyone who’s seen Karl Hefeweizen on the ice understands where he gets his nicknames from. Some call him “The Vise” because of his tight gap control and shutdown ability. Others call him “El Jefe”, a Spanish reference to the way he commands the blue line on the powerplay. Regardless of which zone you’re watching, Karl is sure to give you glimmers of his potential as he progresses through his professional hockey career.

Karl was a former member of the VHL’s Calgary Wranglers after being drafted #9 overall in his class. Due to an undisclosed clerical error, Karl was registered as “Giddy McFly” and the name stuck. Despite the naming confusion, he went on to have a very successful career capturing 2 Victory Cups -- including scoring the game winning goal in VHL’s Season 8 championship.

Karl’s career took a turn when he had to take a league of absence from the VHL, citing family reasons. While the VHL continued on without him, Karl shifted his focus to his loved ones and the world long awaited his return.

Scouting Report

Karl is a smooth skating defenseman from Austria who uses his size and smart positioning to lock down opponents on and away from the puck. His skating is above average (70) for a player of his size, and while he’s known as a fitness buff (Endurance 60, Strength 60) his checking form is lacking (40). Karl’s defensive game is focused on sound stickwork and tight gap control, which stymies puck carriers. His breakout pass is promising but occasionally lacks consistency. He’s a dangerous weapon when running the powerplay, when his vision and maneuverability pull defenders out of position and set up teammates with an easy goal.

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Karl’s grin in the Calgary Wranglers’ locker room during the finals of the Season 8 Victory Cup.</div>
Coaches report that in the locker room, Karl is a vocal presence that holds teammates accountable. Karl is described as “very coachable” and “willing to trust the system” and has seen more success in puck control systems that rely on defensemen to carry the mail and gain the zone. Karl’s special teams time is largely skewed to the powerplay, but his high energy and mobility have put earned him second unit penalty killing duties as well. His reported penchant for fitness allows him to eat up huge minutes, and he’s usually on the ice in critical end game situations.

All-Access Interview

Coaches love him, teammates appreciate him, and opponents hate him. VHL fan favorite Giddy McFly, born Karl Hefeweizen, is ready to return to hockey. Today I, Bobson Dugnutt, sit down with Karl to interview him on his mysterious leave of absence from hockey and his imminent return in the SMJHL draft.

Bobson: Karl, first of all I wanted to thank you for your time today. What are your expectations for phe upcoming SMJHL draft?

Karl: To get drafted? I’m not sure how to answer that question...I understand that these guys haven’t gotten a chance to see a lot of me and so I’m a bit of an unknown. Still, I think there’s a great crop of talent coming up and it’s a crapshoot to try and decide where you might or should go.

Bobson: You had a great career in the VHL, and everyone was shocked when you withdrew from the league with minimal fanfare. What caused you to leave the game?

Karl: Well, my brother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and it hit us all pretty hard. We lost our mother to cancer as kids so we knew the battle we had ahead of us. It’s important in a situation like that to have as much of a support system as you can muster.

Bobson: How would you describe your relationship with your brother?

Karl: Well, he practically raised me. With one parent he was the one to teach me right from wrong, help me with homework. He’s the reason I got into hockey, he’d bring me to the rink with him so he could get in some pickup games now and again. Growing up as mixed-race kids in Austria, there was no way I would have survived without Darren.

Bobson: That’s phenomenal. How did things progress after his diagnosis?

Karl: Certain diseases are hereditary, so we’d joked as kids that we probably had a ticking time bomb inside of us. We didn’t exactly expect it, but it didn’t catch us totally off guard either. We were fortunate that I’d made the Wranglers at that point and had enough of a salary to get him the best treatment. Seeing the best doctors -- and listening to them -- were the only way someone with his illness could survive.

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Hefeweizen giving Bobson Dugnutt an all access pass during when announcing his entry for the S35 SMJHL draft.</div>
Bobson: And what have you been doing in the meantime to keep busy? Did you feel the need to do anything for yourself?

Karl: Of course -- it was difficult to find a balance at first. I mean, it didn’t click until he told me that I need to take care of myself if I wanted to take care of him. Still, it’s tough when your life is dominated by something like that. I found outlets that worked for me in terms of timing or convenience -- games, art, you name it. I took up golf to stay somewhat active, but I’m not in the same shape I was when I won the cup with Calgary. The important thing when you’re facing a tough situation like that is control. You need some sense of agency over your own life, and you need to focus on something else sometimes...kind of like an escape. That means you need to find something to pour yourself into when you feel that need, but you know you may get yanked out at any moment.

Bobson: So what happened that caused you to return to hockey? What was the turning point?

Karl: He went into remission late last year and we were all thrilled. You’re never truly “in the clear” after an experience like that...but we were all feeling pretty positive. We’re still feeling positive. As he became more and more self sufficient, he made it clear he needed me to help less and take care of myself more. We agreed that meant going back to the game, and I like to think I’m doing it to honor him for everything he did for me as a kid.

Bobson: I see...and given your tenure, what made you decide to join SMJHL?

Karl: Well, I had a great career in the VHL. Due to a translation error, I’m actually on the books there as Giddy McFly. I had a great career and was a part of a few deep playoff runs, learned a lot. Unfortunately life got in the way and I had to leave that all behind. Given some of the guys I’ve met in the meantime, I thought the SHL would be a better place for my skillset. Obviously, I have to earn my way in through the juniors first.

Bobson: Given your experience in a similar league, what things do you think you’re taking with you from the VHL?

Karl: Well a lot of the things translate pretty easily -- the game’s the game no matter where you play. I still have to learn some of the systems, and there’s always going to be a cultural difference no matter where you go. Still, I learned a fair bit about where to focus my practice efforts and what it takes to be a part of a championship team. I especially learned what kind of patience and commitment it takes if you want to do more than crack a lineup. The greats aren’t measured by draft position or scoring records -- they’re measured by longevity, and that takes a lot of hard work.

Bobson: How do you see yourself developing in the future?

Karl: Well, in the VHL I focused a lot on playing a tight, physical defense. I think that was valuable in my early career and definitely helped out the Stampeders given the team comp at the time. I had a great defensive partner who helped me polish some of the offensive side of my game, and that’s really where I want to thrive next. Throwing a big hit has always felt good, but creating a breakaway off a stretch pass or setting up a one-timer on the powerplay feels even better. I’ve found that puck mobility is an important part of the game now, and while I’ll never truly abandon my roots I think the game changes and we have to change with it.

Bobson: What would you like to impart upon the GM’s of the SMJHL and SHL as they look at you among the rest of the prospect pool?

Karl: I’m a guy that’s got a proven track record and respects the process. You’ve got to be there at the gym and get your reps in. You’ve got to go to practice and learn to play the way the coaches need, not the way you want. You’ve got to understand that sometimes you won’t get the icetime or powerplay minutes you feel you deserve and that’s just how the game goes. I think if more players kept a level head about that sort of thing, we’d be able to focus more on playing good hockey and less on managing attitudes.

Bobson: For any of the younger kids that are starting to grow up into a VHL or SHL, what advice do you have to give?

Karl: Enjoy the journey. There’s so many great things going on around you -- so many talented people. The more you reach out to them and interact with them, the more you let them into your life...the bigger impact they’ll have. You never know what kind of relationships you’ll build and how they’ll affect you down the line. Someone like me, going through what I went through...I’ve learned to appreciate the effects we have on each other. A late night chat conversation, a drunken phone call...those things can all markedly change someone’s life without you even knowing it. Embrace that -- embrace the crappy bus rides, the suicide drills at practice, the tiny improvements you make week to week. That’s why we do it and you should never lose sight of that.

Bobson: I think that’s a fantastic sentiment. We all love to watch players score goals, win championships, and lift trophies. But we don’t usually get to see the hard work that gets them to that point. Any hopes on who drafts you?

Karl: You won’t get me with that one, Bobson [laughs]. I’m just excited to be back out on the ice again, and from what I can tell every team is a class act with some fantastic talent. There may be a few seasons of Juniors in my near future, but I’m going to keep my eyes set on the SHL as I get my game back.

Bobson: Fantastic, thanks for your time, Karl.

Karl: Thank you!

Nothing better than a good Weizen on a day like this!

Evan Winter
Edmonton Blizzard
Player Page - Update Page

for this piece and best of luck for the upcoming SMJHL Draft.

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Bane - Defense - Nevada Battleborn - 345 TPE
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Birthplace: London, UK
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 225 lbs
Number: 3
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SMJHL Regular Season Statistics:
S55:
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Transactions and Awards:
Drafted 54th overall by the Nevada Battleborn in the S55 SMJHL Draft

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Player Page || Update Page

Nice work on this article man! :D