Maximilian Wehner - Der deutsche Riese
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InciteHysteria
Registered Posting Freak First Article by InciteHysteria (2,374 words)(Ready to be graded) Monday July, 25th. The day that life will change for so many young athletes. When the draft clock begins to tick; the sweat begins to fall. For one of these young athletes, the sweat isn't falling. Young German goaltender Maxilimian Wehner knows he has a place in this league. A relatively unkown quanitity in North America, Wehner is ready to light the hockey world on fire. Towering over the other goaltending prospects in the S30 SMJHL draft, at an imposing six foot six inches, Wehner creates a wall in which pucks simply won't pass. The young German is already confident in his ability to play goaltender on the world stage. Having been the primary goaltender of the newly formed German National Under 17 team and taking home a silver medal in 2015. When asked about Wehner's play in the tournament Coach Karl Beckert told media, "The kid is ready to take the next step. He plays beyond his years. He's a force on the ice and a star in the locker room. Wehner is one of the most humble kids I have worked with in all my years." Prospect Profile: Full Name: Maximilian Andreas Wehner Position: Hybrid Goaltender Born: April 21, 1998 (18 years old) Height (ft.): 6'6" Weight (lbs.): 205 Birthplace: Krefeld, Germany Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Music: Trance, but really anything including Metal and Classical. Draft Profile: Overview Young Max was pulled into the hockey world via whirlwind. Attending the games of the Krefeld Pinguine of the DEL with his family. Max was immediately intrigued by the game. As a 5-year old Maximilian had the most life changing moment of his existence. The Krefeld Penguine won the DEL Championship. Max and his family attended each and every game, awaiting puck drop with baited breath. When the underdog Penguine had finally defeated juggernaut Kölner Haie, Max knew his destiny lay in Eishockey. Maximilian's father Anton Wehner told us, "We'd catch Max in his room with his skates on. *laugh* He'd have my oversized Krefeld sweater on that reached down over his knees. He'd be making saves on imaginary shots. He was such a precocious child. He loved to smile and never met someone he didn't immediately connect with." By the time Maximilian was 8 years old. He starting a majority of games for his local youth league. At the age of 12, Max was already playing with 15 year olds. His father spoke up on this, "You have this little 12 year old, someone so small that the other players and coaches wrote him off immediately. But when they saw what Max could do in pads. They changed their tune very quickly." But Max wouldn't stay small forever. By his day of his fourteenth birthday, Maximilian Andreas Wehner was nearly six foot one (185cm) and over the next few years grew to an astonishing six foot six inches tall (198cm). Playing for the german youth leagues, Maximilian was considered a special talent. His teams would often blank the opposition. This is what lead Deutsche U17 coach Karl Beckert to seek out the young goaltender. "He is something special. Finding a goaltender with his size and agility together is a rarity. I can't wait to see what the kid will do with competition. I believe in Maximilian." Strengths: Maximilian's glove hand is one of his best traits. For a young guy of his size. The speed of his hands is phenomenal. Tall guys usually have problems low, but Maximilian has the agility and glove speed to cover those low areas with ease. He is not SHL level yet but with development in these areas, Maximilian has the opportunity to become one of the best goaltenders in the SHL. His size, speed and agility are astonishing. Coach Beckert spoke highly of Wehner's agility and reaction time. "He has some of the quickest reaction time I have seen in a young guy. In one game against Finland we had a defender just parked right in front of Max. We are talking another big tall guy. Butt right in the face of Max. His vision to the puck was obscured as the puck was moved from player to player. As with most young goalies Max bit the wrong direction and the puck went tape to tape to a wide open net. This is where my jaw dropped. The kid spun over on his back and got his blocker on the puck. There was no chance anyone would stop this puck. But Wehner did it. This kid is going to be special." Weaknesses: Skating, skating, skating. When in the crease Wehner is a worldbeater. When he can be standing in the crease or down in the butterfly, he is fine. But playing the puck is not Wehner's strong suit. He can handle the puck alright but getting to it without getting caught? That's a whole different story. "He'll definitely need to be coached in skating. If a team wants him to be an active goalie playing the puck and pushing the assault, Max is going to have to work hard on this aspect. He looks like a baby deer on skates at times when outside of the crease." Said Beckert. Bottom Line: Wehner is a talent young goaltender with all the ability in the world. His size and agility are a rare combination. He is a moldable chunk of German Granite and will be a boon to every locker room he enters. Interview We had coach Karl Beckert sit down with the young goaltender and answer a few of our questions. Karl Beckert: Maximilian, it's a pleasure to see you again. How are you handling this week, it's a big one isn't it? Max Wehner: Yeah, coach. This has been a whirlwind for me. I never thought I'd be in this position long ago. I've been working to get to this point all my life, but having it happen now, it's just really exciting and special, you know? KB: So what would you like to say to all the potential GMs out there preparing for the draft? What sets you apart from the other goaltenders in this draft? MW: Well, first and foremost I'd like to say there are some amazing goaltending prospects in this draft. Aittokallio, Wahlgren, Waters and the list goes on. I am a huge fan of Aittokallio's game and his father is obviously one of the best goaltenders to play in the SHL. I am just hoping I can stack up with guys like them. I would like to say that my size is something that has always set me apart. I am a big guy in front of the net. But I always get the question about how well I play low. I just think that the hybrid style fits me so well. I play low extremely well. So for any of you GMs out there. Don't worry. I'll play fine down there. No need to worry. *small smile* KB: You always seemed to play with the agility of a much smaller goaltender. How do you explain this? Do you feel this is the reason you play well low on the ice as well as you do play the top corners? MW: I think so. I just think I recover well. Everyday is continually working to get better. To get stronger and quicker. I think I can do a lot to increase my agility and speed more. I want to be able to make that routine save and be in the right place. But everyone loves those highlight saves. I think I'd like to see myself on TSN. I think it's a real possibility. KB: What would you say to those Managers that say you're not as good as the other goaltending prospects in this draft? MW: *laughs* I personally think I am just as good as those guys. They are my peers but I still look up them for their talent. But I believe I will be the best goaltender in this class! If I don't believe in myself the most, then what is the point? I think anyone that picks me will not be disappointed. They will be getting the hardest working goaltender they could imagine. I will practice my ass off, I will bring my A-game every night and I will prove to them that I was the right pick. If a team passes on me I won't be bitter. I won't try to prove them wrong, I want to prove the team that picks me right. You know? KB: That's what I like to hear, Max. So a little change up question now. What is the most exciting and most frightening part about the eventual move to North America? You've lived most of your life here in Germany. Has your time abroad quieted your anxieties at all? MW: Oh definitely! I spent a year in High School in Canada. I stayed in a place called Red Deer in Alberta. The people there were so nice! The most difficult thing to get used to in North America is just how friendly everyone seems on the streets. Everyone says "Hello" or "How are you". Even the smiles people give you as you walk down the street. Here in Germany, people keep to themselves. We're friendly people here in Germany but we really like our personal time, you know what I mean coach, right? *both laugh* I am just super excited to go anywhere in North America and relish this time in my life. These are new beginnings and I can't wait for them. KB: So talk about your weaknesses, the GMs want to hear about your more unsavory skills. MW: Oh. *laughs a bit* Well I guess I am not the best skater. I have always felt a little, awkward skating around. I have held myself alright. But when I get all those pads on and have to skate to the corners. I just feel uncomfortable. It's something I will really need to work on. I just hope the teams I play for feel better with me not playing the puck from the corners much and just want me to do so from the crease. KB: What about your strengths? Everyone has been talking about your glove speed, your reaction time and your agility? Which do you think is best at this point and what do you consider most important? MW: Oh I definitely think my agility is my strongest asset at this point but I would say it's not as important as reaction time. I still think my reaction time is tremendous. I can't wait to hone my craft more. I want to show the world that the Deutsche make goaltenders better than anywhere else! *chuckles* KB: Thank you for sitting down with me Maximilian. I know you are extremely busy this week. We're very proud of you. All of us here will be cheering for you. Go show the world what German work ethic can get you! MW: Thank you for everything coach. You'll always be an important part of my life. I'll talk to you soon! At this time I would like to open the forum to all players, GMs or curious posters to ask questions. I will get back to you in timely fashion. I hope to hear from you! Also, you can hit me up on twitter at @MaximumWehner Forum Questions I will be answering these questions from both my perspective (InciteHysteria) and from Maximilian's perspective as best as I can. I feel like getting to know the face behind the player is vital for a healthy locker room experience! Quote:Originally posted by Jenny+--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1' id='QUOTE-WRAP'><tr><td>QUOTE (Jenny)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->What kind of vibe do you bring to a locker room? <!--QuoteBegin-Dangles13 [b]What song(s) do you use to pump yourself up? I am all over the place. Simply put...I listen to everything. From Metal to Rap (good rap, haha), Classic to 80's, Electronic to Industrial. Everything is on the table. Instead of writing about every single artist I will link some samples of my taste! <object width="460" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BRZq8qRlR-k"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BRZq8qRlR-k" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="315"></embed></object> <object width="460" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d0s0XHVUGF0"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d0s0XHVUGF0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="315"></embed></object> <object width="460" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sBCgUs5FwlE"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sBCgUs5FwlE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="315"></embed></object> <object width="460" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wnx9NfowCXc"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wnx9NfowCXc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="315"></embed></object> <object width="460" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7P9QDdCJb8g"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7P9QDdCJb8g" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="315"></embed></object> <object width="460" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMVHOnHWS6s"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMVHOnHWS6s" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="315"></embed></object> and the last but not least, massive pump up music but definitely not for everyone... <object width="460" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/njA7iKBbSEE"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/njA7iKBbSEE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="315"></embed></object> Any quirky pre-game rituals? *laughs* I am pretty normal. I do enjoy a nice pregame shower. Anything that gets me clean and ready to work. Nothing beats listening to music and joking around with my locker mates right before the game. Getting in a good mood helps me play well. What do you do when you're travelling to pass time? 3DS/Vita and Reddit. Pretty much all I do when I am on the bus/plane. Nothing keeps me sane like browsing reddit or playing Monster Hunter/Persona. I just throw in my headphones and phase out the rest of reality. Getting in that zone I need for the upcoming game [/b][/quote]
RomanesEuntDomus
Appeals Committee S10 Challenge Cup Champion
InciteHysteria
Registered Posting Freak Quote:Originally posted by RomanesEuntDomus@Jul 22 2016, 11:08 AM Prost!
RomanesEuntDomus
Appeals Committee S10 Challenge Cup Champion Quote:Originally posted by InciteHysteria@Jul 22 2016, 09:46 PM Runter damit!
InciteHysteria
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Jenny
Registered S30, S31, S33, and S54 Challenge Cup Champion Quote:Originally posted by InciteHysteria@Jul 22 2016, 04:00 PM you did! but i'll ask ya some. What kind of vibe do you bring to a locker room? Can you provide your cutest animal pic? What did you think of Red Deer's selection of parks? [/color][/font][/size][/color] S36 | 23-25-2 S35 | 24-23-3 S34 | 23-17-10 S33 | 31-14-5 | Occasus Trophy | Mathias Chouinard Award S32 | 31-16-3 | Occasus Trophy | ★★★★ | Mathias Chouinard Award S31 | 30-13-7 | Laurifer Trophy | Occasus Trophy | ★★★★ | Mathias Chouinard Award 30 | 33-13-4 | Laurifer Trophy Player | Updates
InciteHysteria
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Waters
Registered stupid moron;dumb hair
Thank you so much for including favorite food, there's no way I read the article otherwise.
InciteHysteria
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Dangles13
Registered AKA: Dangies
What song(s) do you use to pump yourself up?
Any quirky pre-game rituals? What do you do when you're travelling to pass time?
MP7
Registered Posting Freak Quote:Originally posted by RomanesEuntDomus@Jul 22 2016, 09:59 PM Mit Genuss. Dann schaun wir mal was der deutsche Riese so alles kann. Toller Bericht. Alexander Wachter, RW, S51 Carolina Kraken - Texas Renegades - Winnipeg Aurora Player Page // Update Page
InciteHysteria
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InciteHysteria
Registered Posting Freak
Wishing I had been here a bit early to collect more early TPE.
Oh well. Time to put my nose to the grindstone and get working on catching and passing others! :ahh!: Also glad to see another Maximilian in the league!
InciteHysteria
Registered Posting Freak
I think I'm done with this topic. When graders get around to reading stuff. Should be ready to go! Thanks for all the questions and for reading this everyone, really, thank you!
InciteHysteria
Registered Posting Freak
Bumping one more time as it got pushed to the 4th page. My first post. Ready to be graded. :D
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