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***goldenglutes*** · 12-18-2018, 09:47 AM

NOTE FOR GRADERS: This is my first article!

Guy Zheng Shows Character at SMJHL Combine

An unassuming young defenseman from Brighton, United Kingdom, Guy Zheng is turning heads at the SMJHL Combine. Though he wasn't originally one of the top prospects of this SMJHL draft, offensive defenseman Zheng has impressed scouts and general managers with his determination and resilience. After almost being crushed by a pile of spinbikes during a tragic accident involving several inebriated prospects toppling half of the equipment in the testing room, Zheng simply shrugged off the damage and asked if he could re-do his test. While some reporters question his willingness to seemingly play through injury, several scouts and GMs have been overheard praising the defenseman's perserverence.

One of the SHL GMs who were surveying future prospects at the combine said of Zheng: "This guy could probably take a cannonball to the head and still score on the ensuing powerplay. That's exactly what you want on a winning squad -- someone's who isn't afraid of drawing penalties and is lethal on the PP. After the spinbike incident I immediately got one of my scouts to show me some tape of Guy Zheng's play, and boy was I impressed. He's got a slapper like a bullet and the sauce on his passes is impeccable for a rookie. I'll definitely keep an eye on his rookie SMJHL season."

A top SMJHL scout, who wished to remain anonymous, is quoted saying: "Zheng's looking like the next coming of Sami Salo. He looks like he could take a Weber slapshot to the balls and still play the week after, even if he's missing a testicle. I like to judge my prospects by how well they can play after they've undergone serious physical trauma, and I tell ya, this guy's got what it takes to make it big in the SHL. If other team's can't see that, it's their loss."

After impressing in the Biking Test (though not for the usual reasons), Zheng also produced impressive numbers in the hand grip tests, coming in at 170 pounds for left hand and 180 pounds for right hand, suggesting the prospect has an iron grip on both his stick and a high spot in the upcoming draft. In the new Hardest Slapshot competition, Zheng's shot clocked in at an impressive 98.4 miles per hour. However, his endurance came into question after scoring relatively poorly in the VO2MAX Aerobic Fitness Test.

Zheng is just one of more than 130 prospects in the upcoming junior draft, but he's clearly already won high praise from front offices across the junior league. We caught up with Zheng after his gutsy performance at the first day of the SMJHL Combine to see what he had to say.

Q: We are here with Guy Zheng, a young SMJHL prospect that just finished the first round of the SMJHL Draft Combine. Guy, tell us how you think you did.
A: I thought I worked hard out there but there's some room for improvement.

Q: You seem to have made a big impression to the teams here after that unfortunate spinbiking incident. Did you expect this amount of attention coming into the combine?
A: To be honest, not really. I'm not sure why everyone's talking about me for getting back up after having a few spinbikes fall on me. If that's what they're impressed by, I guess I'll do well in this league.

Q: Is this kind of incident indicative of your playstyle? Are you ever scared about injuries?
A: I want to be known for my slapshot over my recklessness, but I'd like to think I can't be injured. I've never even gotten a bruise throughout my U18 hockey days, even after slamming head first into the goal post at full speed. I'm starting to think there's some divine being that's watching me and making sure I'm always in top playing condition. It's like we all live in a simulation and my resilience is cranked up to maximum. Come to think of it, I've never seen anyone else injured. Have you?

Q: Uhh moving on. You didn't score quite so well on the fitness test. Would you say endurance is one of your weak points?
A: Right now I'm definitely packing a few more pounds that I should be because I'm trying to score well on the strength tests. You know what they say - cardio kills the gains. After the combine I'm definitely going to be spending more time at the gym getting fitter and slimmer. There's still a few days before training camp, maybe I can get some liposuction done.

Q: Alright, moving onto some more personal questions. Could you tell us a bit about what brought you into hockey?
A: Hockey isn't exactly popular in England, but my dad's Canadian so he kind of forced me to play. I fell in love with both clapping bombs and blocking them, so I was hooked from the start.

Q: Tell us about the clubs you've played with growing up. Is there one in particular that shaped your playstyle?
A: I didn't take hockey too seriously until I played with the Oxford Junior Devils in the U18 South 3 League. The coach wanted me to take the lead as the quarterback of the first powerplay unit and use my passing and scoring skills to help coordinate the team, and that carried over into the rest of my play.

Q: Do you have a secret behind that wicked shot of yours?
A: I just grip it and rip it.

VIDEO: "Grip it and rip it" is a new saying among young hockey players meaning shooting quickly. Rookie superstar Elias Pettersson is shown using the new term.

Q: Do you have any words for the teams who might read this interview?
A: I hope you'll pick me for your team! I'm probably not the most technically impressive player yet, but I'm putting in the hard work to become a better player every day.

Q: Lastly, do you have anyone you want to thank or acknowledge today?
A: I'd like to thank my Dad, my coach, and my teammates for helping me get here. Thanks to the scouts and GMs who came out today and thank you for the interview.

Q: Thanks for the interview, Guy. Good luck with the draft.
A: Thanks for having me.

Signatures by Vulfzilla, Jepox, Jess, rum_ham, Ragnar, and myself
[Image: 9vAsr7c.png]

***luke*** · 12-18-2018, 09:53 AM

Im all about that Hand Grip you know. If you can Grip more than 100 points the out of my Locker Room. Great article to read

***goldenglutes*** · 12-18-2018, 10:00 AM

12-18-2018, 09:53 AMluketd Wrote: Im all about that Hand Grip you know. If you can Grip more than 100 points the out of my Locker Room. Great article to read

Thanks luke. Guy definitely believes that a stronger grip gets the job done faster.

Signatures by Vulfzilla, Jepox, Jess, rum_ham, Ragnar, and myself
[Image: 9vAsr7c.png]

***luke*** · 12-18-2018, 10:02 AM

12-18-2018, 10:00 AMgoldenglutes Wrote:
12-18-2018, 09:53 AMluketd Wrote: Im all about that Hand Grip you know. If you can Grip more than 100 points the out of my Locker Room. Great article to read

Thanks luke. Guy definitely believes that a stronger grip gets the job done faster.

anyone with that grip likes yours can truely make it in the SMJHL

Mayuu · 12-18-2018, 10:03 AM

Great read, welcome to the show buddy!

RETIRED

***goldenglutes*** · 12-18-2018, 10:06 AM

12-18-2018, 10:03 AMMayuu Wrote: Great read, welcome to the show buddy!

Thanks for all the help getting set up Mayuu!

Signatures by Vulfzilla, Jepox, Jess, rum_ham, Ragnar, and myself
[Image: 9vAsr7c.png]

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