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***eddiesnothere*** · 07-24-2019, 12:12 PM

Konrad Blazej was expecting a normal trip to Poland to scout upcoming talent. What he got instead was the scouting report of a lifetime.

According to Blazej, an amateur scout who works in his home-country of Poland, he discovered a team with 7 players bearing the same last name on the roster, a 5-player line, a goalie, and an extra forward, all going by the name Franciszek. Asking about what he thought was a typo or error in the roster sheet, he found that all 7 players were in fact real. In a 7-2 junior game, the brothers combined for 4 goals, 8 assists, and 23 saves in a great junior performance. Blazej was able to write a comprehensive report on the 7 players, each more interesting than the last.

First, there’s the “big brother” of the group, the team captain, Ryszard Franciszek. The hefty two-way forward seems to be the guiding light for the other 6 boys. A controlling centerman who uses his long reach and moderate size to control the puck, making his ice surface better for his teammates. In nearly every game, “Big Rig” (as the fans call him) seems to make an electrifying play, whether it be his quick wrister or his smooth-but-steady hands, you can’t not watch the kid. The only issue with Ryszard is his temper. If a player gets under his skin, don’t expect him to be quiet about it. It can sometimes throw him off his game.

Borys is the guy who stands out on the bench. Not for his colorful personality (Konrad) or his comical nature (Daichi), but for his stature. A large presence for a 13-year old, the 6-foot-1, 176 pound power forward uses his size as a brutal weapon on the left wing against anyone with the puck or anyone in the way of his path to the net. Suspended frequently in the minor league juniors for brutal hip checks, Borys can also unleash a laser slapshot from anywhere, much to the terror of goalies everywhere. With that skillset, you would be surprised to find that Borys is almost emotionless. With a poise beyond his years, he is the balancing act and the calm of the storm that is a locker room with the Franciszek brothers.

Despite being the 3rd oldest of the group, Konrad Franciszek is the smallest of the boys, but that doesn’t diminish the heart he has for the game. A genius on the ice, and a silky smooth skater, he can uses his quick hands to razzle and dazzle any crowd, and stun any opposing defenseman or goalie with his creativity. The outspoken right wing has an iron will and a loud mouth, frequently making noise and aggravating players with his attitude – if he hasn’t frustrated them with his play. His could get him in trouble if he’s not watched well.

In every family, you must have a jokester, and where do you put a jokester who you don’t like? In the line of fire. I have no doubt that this was the family situation that made Daichi Franciszek the goalie he is today. Boasting a quick blocker and an active stick, Daichi is one of the more flexible and reliable goaltenders in junior hockey. Handling the puck and making a quick glove grab come as easy as Polish to him. Though he struggles with pad saves and the five-hole, the witty goalie is always in a grand mood, even when he’s facing the toughest of opponents.

Alesky Franciszek is a grouch, no getting around that fact. The modestly-sized offensive defenseman positioned on the right seems to be the exact opposite of his loud and happy brother between the pipes. With his quick feet and great offensive skillset, along with a great wrist shot and beautiful passing feed, there’s nothing off about Alesky’s on-ice ability, but his off-ice attitude leaves something to be desired. He’s confrontational, and tends to talk to no one and interact with nobody. As a coach, it’s a fair sell; you’re trading a personality for a great player.

Rounding out the line is Jebany, the freakishly fast defensive defenseman on the left. His quick feet and adept stick allows him to annoy players coming into his defensive zone, with all manner of stick checks and stick lifts make a player coming in on a contested breakaway a nightmarish situation. Fast, but not furious, Jebany is the definition of a house of cards, as any contact of any physical nature leaves him in a heap on the ice. There’s work to be done in the gym for this kid.

Finally, there’s the little brother pushed out of the forward line in little Filip, the left wing. With a unique shot on the wing and a surprising amount of speed, he’s a great young player who looks to shine in the SMJHL someday, but the player himself is a mystery. Not much is known about the youngest brother of the premier Polish hockey family, aside from his name. A little help with his slapshot and defensive skill will help him go far.

According to Blazej, the Franciszek septuplets were born on the same day, each about an hour apart from each other, from Ryszard being first to Filip being last. Their incredible story of brotherly love and their ability to play together will help all 7 to someday play in the SHL someday. Whether they stay together is up in the air.

The Franciszek family could not be reached at this point for comments.

(Word Count: 921)

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