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notoriousTRON · 11-17-2019, 01:30 PM

-Cardiff, UK

When people think of elite hockey talent, the first country that pops in their head is Canada. The 2nd is a bit harder to nail down. Probably Sweden, Russia, USA, Finland, Czech Republic and so on. How far down the list do we have to go to find Wales? Indeed not a lot of hockey talent has come out to the United Kingdom as a whole, much less the small country of Wales. Yet nestled in the green rolling hills of the old Celtic lands of southern Wales is where we find Rhys Pritchard. Born in Markham, a small town in Monmouthshire, Rhys has never had access to world class hockey facilities or trainers. It doesn't seem to have made much difference.

Rhys, who turned 19 two weeks ago, has dominated to Cardiff club team and and semi-pro circuit. His passion for hockey, not a sport considered to be traditional to the British Isles by any stretch of the imagination, plays out on the ice. Pritchard led the Cardiff Redhawks, his team in University to a championship this past year, posting 2 goals and an Assist sin the series clinching game. A gifted athlete, it's always seemed like professional athletics has been in the cards for Rhys. In primary school, he played football and rugby in addition to hockey, he's even participated in workouts this past summer with the then Premier League Cardiff Bluebirds. Football is just not the path for him, says Rhys. "Hockey has always been my dream. I like football and I'll always be root for the Bluebirds, but my future lies in the SHL," he offered, "I want to do something that no one has ever done coming from Wales. I want to be the Gareth Bale of hockey." That's an ambitious claim but Rhys isn't backing down. "I think I can back it up. There may be faster skaters out there or better shooters but no one will outwork me." When asked about his goals as a professional hockey player Rhys again shoots for the stars. "Championships. I'm a winner and I want to play with winners. I'm looking to be successful anywhere that I go. I want to do whatever I can to help my team lift the cup. I don't care if it's juniors or the big show. I want to win."

On the ice, Rhys is a offensive playmaker, though he doesn't like to define his game with labels. "I hate the term 'pass first' because it implies that I'm not going to shoot or I'm just looking for lanes. I'm a smart hockey player and I can read the moment. I'm going to keep a goalie honest from time to time, but if my linemate has a better look, you can bet I'm going to get it to him." Pritchard is currently projected as a mid to late 2nd round pick in the upcoming SMJHL draft and hopes that a team will take a chance on him. "They won't regret it," the young forward says. Rhys says he doesn't plan to watch the draft but instead spend the evening with his mum in his childhood home in Markum. But that doesn't mean he won't be following it. "Oh, I'll be nervous. This is where I'll spend the next few years of my life and I don't get much say in the matter. I'm sure mum will yell at me to put my phone down a bunch of times. She'll try to keep my mind off of it." For an athlete with Ambitions such as his, it's hard to blame him for the nerves.

644 Words (x2 - draft week bonus - Ready for grading)

Sig Cred: Carpy, ML, RainDelay, Donini & Geekusoid

*thiefofcheese* · 11-19-2019, 12:10 PM

Great stuff man - excited to have you on the team!

Outlaws

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