Big moment for the Grabner family: Aidan Grabner, son of former Austrian NHL star Michael Grabner, was selected by the Wenatchee Wild in round five at position 101 in the Western Hockey League (WHL) draft.
The talented forward currently plays for the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 14U AAA and impressed scouts with his speed, game intelligence and offensive drive – characteristics that distinguished his father over many years in the NHL.
For the 15-year-old, the draft is the next big step on the way to top North American hockey – and perhaps he will soon follow in the great footsteps of his famous father.
Some Austrians were already on the ice “in the west”.
There were already some Austro cracks on the ice in one of the three major Canadian junior leagues. Including RBS crack Thomas Raffl, Swiss legionnaire Dominic Zwerger and of course Michael Grabner himself. He stormed for the Spokane Chiefs between 2004 and 2007 – teammate at the time? None other than former ICE bomber Derek Ryan. Current referee Dario Winkler was also on WHL ice in 2016/17 for the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Everett Silvertips.
Image: Unsplash
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