Austria’s Michael Grabner to back to his hometown to play ice hockey during the NHL lockout
Michael Grabner, a professional ice hockey player from Austria and a forward who plays for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League (NHL), has decided to go back to his home country to hockey during the NHL lockout.
The Villach, Austria born player will play there for his home town club VSV Villach where he spent most of his boyhood and trained there to become a top player, before moving to North America to join one of the top leagues of the world.
Grabner made the announcement about joining the 12 team’s league on late Wednesday, via social networking website Twitter. Even though he would be joining a league which is much under-rated than the NHL, but he seems very happy and excited to go back to
the place where he was born and grew up.
The 24-year-old right winger revealed that his dream of playing for the hometown team has come true as he would be returning and he would be happy to help the club that groomed him as a player and helped him reach where he is right. He is also looking forward
to see a lot of support from all the fans as he returns and expects atmosphere to be ballistic, as he said,
"A dream has come true: I can play for my VSV in the regular season and help the club that trained me. I’m looking forward to Villach, all the fans, and a hopefully packed arena. The atmosphere will definitely be great!”
Speaking about his one and a half year old son, Aiden who was born on 31st March last year, the player showed the love for his son as he showed excitement on Aiden getting his first VSV sweater as he added,
"My son Aiden will first get his VSV gear and then we can start. I’m really excited!"
Last two seasons have not been for the 6-foot-1, 188 pounder player but he would like to add more goals. In 174 games that he has played in last two years, Grabner scored 59 goals and 36 assists for a total of 95 points.
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