Rookie Round Up! Meet the PHN’s six pack of newbies
Rookies vying to be champs in first season
The PHN 2023 summer season has featured the most exciting rookie crop in years.
Six new kids made their debut in the big league this summer, and the only teams without a rookie on their roster is the Nords.
That means the odds are very high that a rookie or rookies will be hoisting the PHN championship trophy this season!
PHN veterans Jessie, Dunner and 15 interviewed the rookies, and most were happy to comply with the media terms of their PHN entry level deals.
“Most” said Jessie, “but not all.”
The PHN is not sure every question was answered honestly, “but every question was answered,” said Jessie.
A video link is coming soon but first here are the essentials on the rookie crop, plus some highlights of their answers
DoCo
Team: Caps, but was drafted by the Whalers
Age: 29
Position: Defence (for now!)
Hockey History: Highest level played as a goaltender AA, as a player, the backyard rink.
Favourite player: Jake Allen
Interview Highlight:
JESSIE who do you model your game after?
DOCO I try to model my game after Dion Phaneuf, Leaf’s era Dion Phaneuf.
JESSIE So Pylon?
DOCO Exactly
JESSIE You’re a singer as a side hustle, if you had to get hit in the head with a projectile on stage and possibly have a scar or get herpes from a super hot groupie would what you chose and why?
DOCO I‘d take the object on stage and I’d take it as an ice cold miller lite or ice cold bud light
Welly
Team: Caps
Age: Unknown! He’s a man of mystery, or very shy.
Position: Defence. We do know this.
Hockey History: Unknown but excellent skater and smooth passer. He didn’t answer this question either but it could be because he’s humble. Possibly was the stunt double for the character Russ in The Mighty Ducks movies, which would make Welly, the REAL inventor of the Knuckle Puck.
Favourite player: Unknown, but maybe the Godfather? Or could be Willie O’Ree. Could be Paul Coffey. If you find out let us know!
Interview Highlight:
JESSIE who’s the best player in the PHN?
WELLY Me! hahahaha
JESSIE How much of your signing bonus did you give the the Godfather?
WELLY None! hahahaha
Conner B
Team: Seals
Age: 21
Position: Winger
Hockey History: A and AA, started playing in 2008
Favourite player: Alex Ovechkin
Interview Highlight:
15 Who do you most identify with?
CONNER One of our captains, Joe Barbuto, he’s been a great inspiration on the ice and shown us what the PHN is all about.
15 What’s your best fitness tip for rookies coming into the PHN riding high on their horse being all physically fit and also for those veterans who need help to get over the hump?
CONNER I think consistency is key whatever you do, I’ve been working out for a couple months now and I’d say I feel better being consistent.
Nicky
Team: Seals
Age: 22
Position: Centre
Hockey History: Highest level played, Select in 2014
Favourite player: Mitch Marner
Interview Highlight:
15 Nick what would you say to people or fans of the PHN who like to draw similarities between you as Nick and Nick Lachey the popular pop singer?
NICKY I’m gonna be honest with you I don’t know who that is but if he’s good looking I’ll take that.
15 What’s your best fitness tip for rookies coming into the PHN riding high on their horse being all physically fit and also for those veterans who need help to get over the hump?
NICKY Baconators man. You gotta get those in. Those are fuel. Four dollars – you can’t go wrong!
AK
Team: Seals
Age: 51
Position: Forward
Hockey History: No organized hockey experience at any level
Favourite player: Jaromir Jagr
Interview Highlight:
JESSIE How are you enjoying the PHN
AK It’s fun, it’s pretty good, little bit like prison, the Godfather told me it was nice hockey but it’s pretty competitive.
JESSIE Who are you more afraid of Joe Barbuto or Dom Barbuto and why?
AK Dom because he yells a lot and Joe because if he catches you in the shower you’re in trouble.
Shy
Team: Whalers
Age: 24
Position: Left Wing
Hockey History: Sketchy
Favourite player: Carey Price
Interview Highlight:
DUNNER Shy you’re known as the number partier on the Whalers I wonder if you have any hot tips for guys son where to score I mean besides the slot?
SHY It’s a numbers game, you gotta go everywhere, it’s strictly numbers you gotta take as many shots on and off the ice and you’re bound to score a few
Those are your PHN 2023 summer rookies!
Which of these six kids will hoisting the PHN championship?
Stay tuned for that and the exciting video!