First Round MVP: Braden Walls, Brasov

2018.03.06. 11:40 |
The first round of the 2017-18 ERSTE Liga playoffs have come to a close, two of the series were four game sweeps with the other two taking six games. There was one player that was constant for their team and was truly a valuable player for his team with six goals and three assists, this is why Braden Walls was voted the MVP of the first round.

Walls was Co-Player of the Week, once during the regular season. He ended up being the leading scorer for Brasov during the regular season with 33 goals and 14 assists. Walls comes from Calgary, Canada and played three seasons of junior hockey in the Alberta Junior Hockey League for the Calgary Canucks and the Drayton Valley Thunder where he was teammates with Ben Scrivens who was the goalie for Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics. He played in the NCAA at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks with NHL goalie Chad Johnson and future Fehérvár forward Adam Naglich. Walls would later play two seasons in the CHL before continuing his career in France, he would play one season in France in Briancon with Dr. Viktor Szélig and Bence Szirányi and five seasons in Angers. He would end up playing with former NHL players Jean-Sebastian Aubin and Guillaume Lefebvre as well as players who are familiar to Hungarian hockey fans in Jonathan Harty and Raphael Girard. Walls joined Brasov at the start of the season this year where he has been one of the key players for the team all season.

What was the key to Brasov getting past UTE in the first round of the ERSTE Liga playoffs?
The last ten games of the season everyone has been picking their game up, everyone has been consistent and we have been playing as a team we have four lines that are playing as a unit. Guys who were not contributing are contributing now and we have had good goaltending from both our goalies. We have been playing as a team the past few months.

How much did the coaching help Brasov during the season?
It was different for everyone, for some players it was a fresh start, it gave them an opportunity to contribute more than in the past. Whenever there is a coaching change other things change, we have some new system and over all it has been good.

After six seasons in France you signed with Brasov, what was the reason for switching?
I had an an offer from Brasov and I knew that Martin Lacroix was going to be coaching, he brother was the manager for a team that I used to play for. My family and I decided to try something new. I thought it was a good opportunity and it worked out well.

You played with Dr. Viktor Szélig and Bence Szirányi in Briancon, did you talk to them at all before signing with an ERSTE Liga team.?
I have kept in touch with Viktor since we were teammates, when I was deciding to switch teams I messaged him about hockey in Hungary, he said that the hockey is good and the towns are great. I sat next to him in the locker room during my first season in France so I had a good relationship with him.

What has been the largest surprise for you since you signed with Brasov?
The biggest surprise was that all the teams have pretty good depth in the league, we also played with four lines regularly. I feel there are some strong rivalries in the league which is nice, such as us and Csíkszereda and the teams in Budapest. I feel there is some history between the teams in the league, which is always nice.

What will be the biggest key for Brasov to get past MAC Budapest in the semifinals?
We need to keep on playing with confidence, we have to work harder than them. They are clearly a good team with a lot of great player and are well coached. We need to keep the momentum going that we have built during the past two months.