b) Bas’ life in Ireland was quite normal until one day his father had taken a job as an assistant coach in Italy. Tired of living away from home, Bas’ mother refused the move and Bas began the part of his life without his father around. Bas’ father Guts had been his biggest inspiration and biggest coach. Guts, whom had played in the SMJHL, inspired Bas to strive to make it as an SHLer. But Guts’ own failures as a player had always subconsciously weighed too heavily on the development of Bas. Guts tried to fix every crack in Bas’ game that resembled his own cracks but ignored Bas’ strengths. With Guts gone, Bas could focus on what he was good at and Bas became one of the greatest goal scores in Dublin juniors history. Guts had tried to make Bas a playmaking center but Bas was a sniper on the wing and that’s how Bas liked it. When Guts came back from Italy to take a coaching job in the Irish minor leagues, Bas had developed significantly. But significantly into the player he wanted to be. Guts never fully was behind Bas’ development, but he had to respect it.

wc: 199