HH Minor Midget Player Spotlight is Brandon Deans #5 who
plays defence.
Brandon you are a tall drink of water at 6’-3” who holds
our blue line game after game. You hail
from a hockey family with your sister Lauren playing hockey for the Mississauga
Chiefs and your Dad coaching hockey.
You came from the G to play for Halton. Do you find any difference playing in the O?
Yes, the difference is the contact. There is more contact in the O. The hits are clean hits but there are more of them. The refs let a little more go than in the G but still maintain control of the game.
When we faced G teams in tournaments, did you find there was an extra level of intensity to those games?
Yes, because I played with and against some of the guys and when we won it felt good. The bragging rights I suppose.
It has been a bit of a tough season for you, as you broke your wrist in a season game and missed several weeks of the season. How hard was that and what kept you sane?
It was very hard. Our team was on a winning streak when it happened. Watching from the stands was hard but it made me want to come back strong and contribute. Getting back kept me sane. I was very lucky that the break missed the growth plate or else I would have needed surgery and been out for much longer.
Coincidentally your sister broke her wrist around the same time as you did, but her injury was due to volleyball. Did you both break the same wrist?
Lauren broke her right wrist and she was lucky where she broke her wrist as well. I broke my left.
Tell us 5 things we do not know about Brandon
1. I play elite baseball for Ontario Blue Jays.
2. I went to the Canadian Nationals in 2014 with Team London (in baseball) who hosted it.
3. I use to do boxing and track and field. The 100m and high jump were my favourite events.
4. I have 2 pet African Tree Frogs that I have had since I was in pre-school.
5. Last year I led my baseball league with most wins as a pitcher with 8 wins.
If you could time travel, would you go to the past or future? And why?
I would go to the future because I would want to see what the world was like and where my friends were in life. Also it would be really fun to see the technology.
Who has inspired your hockey success the most? How did they?
My parents. My Dad coached me up until my Minor Peewee year. I really appreciate all the time and dedication they have spent taking me to hockey camps, practices and games. I also appreciate the money they have spent.
If you could play with 1 hockey player living or dead who would it be and why?
I would pick Johnny Bower. He is my neighbour and he is a really nice guy.
If you could master 1 skill you do not have right now, what would it be?
To be able to cook. There are days when I am at home by myself and I want to make a good meal for myself but I don’t know how. I really like the cooking channel and the show Chopped and enjoy watching Gordon Ramsay.
I am not sure you are aware, but you have something in common with Austin Matthews. It is not widely known but at one time Austin was better at baseball than hockey. His specialty was his talent in the hitting department. I hear you are quite the baseball player, can we talk about that?
I like both hockey and baseball equally. I enjoy the competition level of both sports. The last 6 years my baseball team has finished 1st place in Ontario. I find everyone wants to beat us because we are number 1.
The competition is really fun and you want to prove to the other teams you are deserving of being in first place. You also want to beat them no matter where they are ranked.
The position I play is pitcher. I will have to choose my position soon as to whether I play pitcher or outfield. I know I am going to have a hard time choosing when I have to decide.
Ethan James wanted me to ask how many dingers you hit last year in baseball.
I had 2 last year and the previous year I had 14.
Ryan Fritz is our last spotlight player, be sure to read Ryan’s article to see the question Brandon wanted him to answer.