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*CptSquall* · 08-15-2018, 12:58 AM

Grade away graders.

The heavy oak door to the Austrian Federation headquarters closed behind him and with it, so did the feeling of heavy, stale air. The birds outside sung, the sun was bright, and the people were jovial in the early afternoon. This moment was a long time coming for one of the best player turned coach in Austria's hockey history. Baron von Hecht is a name know all over the lush meadows and fields of western Austria, having been back to the country and coaching at all levels within save one, national. A household name as one of the first power forwards in Austria, Baron was a man who, in staying with tradition, stayed in the Austrian Hockey Association or ASA for short. Many young men of his age left for the upstart Simulation Hockey League in North America. It was the changing of an era, most would move on from their homes in Europe for the Best league in the world. But for now, many would wait with bated breath, to see if they could make it.

Born in a small farmhouse just outside Salzburg. Baron von Hecht started his career by signing for the Salzburg Storm as an 18 year old. Standing 6'3" and weighing 223lbs, Baron was a big, for his age, winger. Starting in S32 of the ASA, (S12 for SHLers) he made his mark with a goal, 2 assists, and 5 big hits as he helped the perennial losers to start off their season strong. By his 3rd year, S35 of the ASA, Baron von Hecht was a major scoring threat, having 3 30 goal seasons and a huge building block for the Storm and in S36, would lead the Salzburg Storm to the Imperial Cup as their star. 50 goals in the 50 games they played, a remarkable goal EVERY game and no fear in the playoffs as he put up multi point games in 13 of the 15 games it took to get the cup.

S37 saw them defend it with von Hecht as Captain this time, a roll he'd serve for 3 more years in spite of waning production. S38 of the ASA saw the Storm make the finals one last time, but they were over the hump and many could see, 20 goals and 50 points is mighty fine, but more was expected, more was needed. Many Austrians and others in their league had moved on to stronger programs in Canada, Russia, Germany, and America. By S40 of the ASA, Baron von Hecht was back where he started and a knee injury would drive home the point that the Storm had petered out. Still, at 26 and just entering his prime, Baron von Hecht was ready to take on all challenges.

This time he chose to follow a few friends from the ASA to the Deutsch Eisen Hockey League or DEHL for short. Earning a tryout with the Munich Marauders and Frankfurt Sailors, signing with Munich to be closer to home. 3 violent seasons with the nasty, hardnosed Marauders and 2 Deutsch cups later and that was it. But it took a tole on the Baron. At 29 Knee injuries in both of his last two seasons in Germany, including one that kept him out for the final quarter of the season and the Marauders loss in the finals to the lightning in a bottle Sailors from Frankfort and his contract was up.

Wisely, Baron von Hecht would chose to rehab his knee....which took 4 whole years. The last few years saw the Baron turn mad. The more he tried to come back, first with the Vienna Capitals for two* (*see 1 and 1.4th of a season) and back home in Salzburg for 3, Baron von Hecht just was not the same. Slower in an increasingly fast league, left off balance and old of course. At 37, a respectable age mind you, the Mad Baron was forced to retire. 236 goals, 314 assists for 550 points, in 562 games played in the ASA. A further 86 goals, 110 assists, for 196 points in 133 games in the DEHL, a Hall of Fame career no doubt.

Angry for how his career had to end he stewed, stuck to a largely quiet, private life. One day, ten years later, a program for the youngsters of Salzburg to go and learn hockey had lost it's main camp coordinator to cancer. These kids, young, and heartbroken, were ready to move on from hockey when he stepped in. Step in he did, using the small fortune he had amassed playing and investing, Baron von Hecht had saved an organization, naming it the Stolkner Academy after the man who had last run it. Sitting here felt right, imparting hockey knowledge, and saving the program in a local place.

A couple years in and Baron von Hecht has fleshed out the organization so he can pursue something a little higher up. The call comes not too long in the summer. A spot as the Assistant Coach for his childhood Salzburg Storm. The first 4 years were nothing like the blitz of his player career, most of the focus on the head coach and the abilities of this team are hit or miss at best. One playoff series in those 4 years and it wasn't a very good one. 5 game series with only one win and then missed the playoffs to finish out. They needed to get rid of one of the two and with Baron's contract up it seems to be him.

But then a stroke of luck. The head coach wants to retire so the Storm, lacking a head coach going into the season, hires Baron von Hecht to be their man. About as big a position as you can get in a league in Austria. A change in tactics to a more aggressive team and a higher tempo, coupled with a signing of a surprisingly big acquisition to build his system around. Season is hit or miss, they may take the last spot in the playoffs or just miss by the deadline. Baron von Hecht NEEDS a spark. Something big to get them over the hump. So the Baron trades a fan favorite and their first for a HUGE, hulking defenseman from the Alps to galvanize the hemorrhage of goals.

The gamble pays off and into the playoffs they go, finishing 5th in a league of 10 teams. Playoffs are odd, 6 teams make it in, 4 miss, 4 play in round 1, top 2 teams get a bye. First round is a dog fight, games go back and forth and are kept close. Game 7 overtime and the Storm look grim, they are tired, the high tempo system is wearing on them and they could very well break. But their opponents haven't weathered the storm very well either and it might just be a matter of time. One last push, one more relentless shift, drag the win out of them. That is what Baron von Hecht is thinking, driving his men to exhaustion to move farther than Salzburg has since he captained them to a loss in the finals 15 years ago. Again the gamble pays off, not the freshest legs but the 4th line is full of relentless grinders. Men who make no bones about what they have to do to win. Constantly at the heels of their opponents the Brewers. A poor dump around the boards gets fed on net and the 4th line pounces onto it and pokes it in. 5-4 in game 7 OT and the Salzburg storm are off to the next round to meet the Vienna Capitals.

The Caps are the top team and easily claimed a bye, fed by a large budget for signings and the desire of living and playing in the grand old city. They never struggle to claim the best men and prospects. 7 Grueling games, none finish in regular time save the 6-0 loss in game 1 and we are back to the same situation. It is 2-2 in Vienna, nobody was allowed to have any fun in the city and all are focused. Again the men are tired, ready to drop. The caps seem perfectly fine, ready as they play through 1, then 2 overtimes. In the 3rd overtime all seems well, the Storm are the ones on the ropes, looking ragged, and the caps have kind of gotten lazy. Down from the 2-1-2 high tempo forecheck to the 1-3-1 trap with that one aggressive forward on the forecheck and he races in. Caps defenseman lazily has it behind the net and is shocked to see someone skating hard, he wasn't prepared. Moving to dump the puck up the ice he miss judges it and banks it in off his own goalie. Its crazy, its lucky, but it works. Salzburg is onto the Imperial Cup finals.

5 games in and Salzburg is in charge. Leading 3 games to 2, though having lost the last two. Overtime has been cruel and the players just aren't all conditioned for this. Their opponents have had time to rest, the cup is within their grasp, and it is still 0-0. there are five minutes left in the 3rd and Baron von Hecht fears overtime. He has had enough of it after 10 of his 18 games so far this run. He puts out his first line, then again, then again....3 minutes in and they are exhausted. Still the Mad Baron sends them back out onto the ice, now here in the final minute and he needs a goal. He calls a time out and rips into his stars, demanding a goal, demanding they reach their destiny before it slips from their grasp, then he sends them right back out. The coach of the other team is fighting to stifle their laughter, their players smiling, almost jovial. But Baron, just smirks. Play begins and his stars fly around the ice, renewed vigor, ice in their veins and fire in their hearts. Nearly the entire last minute has been a relentless push to score and yet the opponent has stood firm. Final whistle, 7 seconds left, one young forward turns to face the bench, seemingly half hearted about going off for a change, his eyes meet the steely grey of the Mad Baron's and he turns around to his spot on the half boards. Puck is dropped and both centers have tied themselves up, 6, 5, the wingers race in and that young winger for the Storm has grabbed the puck and given a quick shot, 4, 3, 2, it his the pads and trickles through, 1, it wobbles over the line just in time. The Storm have won a seemingly improbable victory and all that exhaustion, all that weight seems to just lift off.

The whole city had not seen a celebration so monumental in 15 years. Songs, dancing, days with the trophy, a whole parade is planned and everyone in the whole city attends. It goes well, but some are questioning things. Was the Baron too hard on these boys? The rest of the summer left a warm glow on the city that carried into the fall. Many watched to see how the Storm would feel after their push. The year started horribly, and the Baron only pushed on, it was bad, 10 wins and 40 losses, 13 of them in OT. He was fired something fierce. It was clear he had run them into the ground in pursuit of greatness. 6 seasons, 300 games, 113 wins, 140 losses, and 47 OT losses for 273 points....out of 600 possible is bad. One playoff appearance and a bad reputation. It looked like it was all going to be over.

Then he got a call, one that would change his life forever. The owner of the Vienna Capitals gave his phone a good ring, wondering if he was still willing to coach. Of course Baron von Hecht was more than willing, he was just praying for a job. With a top team too? A dream come true for sure. So it began, A learning experience as the Mad Baron seemed to calm down, learning just how far to push his team....and when to push them harder than they want. 5 seasons and 3 cup wins gave him his distinction, 250 more games coached, 158 more wins, 92 losses, and 66 OT losses. 11 Coached seasons, 550 games, 271 wins, 206 losses, with 113 in OT. Much more respectable. Importantly, 4 cups as a coach to add to his 4 as a player. That is what brings him here. Having mentored hundreds of 15, 16, 17 year olds and even more, Baron von Hecht has made a name for himself. That left him ready to come to the gilded, ivory halls of the IIHF HQ of the Austrian Federation, and the office of one Mr. Coach Biz @Coach Biz. A formal interview with all the glitz and glamour that can be taken upon first glance of the organization was not only expected, but delivered. The exploits of this Austrian Hall of Famer from an era before SHLers took over is a rare treat. Now the 42nd season of international hockey will learn of the genius, the pure, mad genius.

2217 words.

DeletedAtUserRequest · 08-15-2018, 06:52 AM

2200 words in 1 paragraph... that’s how fucking mad the Baron is!

Love giving an opportunity to a pure Austrian in-house legend like Von Hecht,, and I have even given him permission to ride our young guys hard this camp.... Salzburg style!

Let’s win gold BVH.

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***Ace*** · 08-15-2018, 11:03 AM

Nice job. Great article.

ml002 · 08-15-2018, 11:35 AM

Great job Squally! Austria

Credit to Copenhagen, Wasty, FlappyGiraffe, InciteHysteria, and caltroit_red_flames
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