01-16-2012, 05:57 PM
Looking for Respect.
The Season 7 Manhattan Rage locker room is already a buzz and they have yet to play a single minute. After multiple news articles were posted predicting that the Manhattan Rage would finish in the bottom half of the SHL standings in Season 7, Rage players collectively have a giant chip on their shoulder and plenty to prove.
Incoming rookie Yuri Kulikov was quoted after a recent skate saying, “Believe what you want to believe, but know that the Manhattan Rage will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Yuri Kulikov looks to make an immediate impact for the Rage
![[Image: eFIDk.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/eFIDk.jpg)
Fellow 1st year winger Simon Asepelin chirped, "Its okay the "experts" of the SHL aren't giving us respect in the pre-season talk, because they're only "experts" cause the person in the mirror tells them they are, once the season ends, They'll know who was wrong."
9th Overall pick by Manhattan, Simon Asepelin
![[Image: SRqS1.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/SRqS1.jpg)
The Season 6 Rage was also looked at to be a ‘fringe’ team. With some fairly large roster moves made by some of the ‘favorite’s’ of the SHL, Manhattan wasn’t a feared franchise and was looked upon as a stepping stone for the Chiefs, Platoon, and North Stars for the Eastern Conference title and a shot at the Challenge Cup. However, the Rage lead the way in the Eastern Conference for much of Season 6. A late season surge by West Kendall and Minnesota landed the Rage 3rd in the East and 6th overall, eventually eliminated in the playoffs by the Chiefs.
The Rage played their way into the playoffs in Season 6
![[Image: TNqim.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/TNqim.jpg)
Now fast forward to present day, and just moments away from the Season 7 SHL season to get underway with preseason, the Rage again find themselves in the role of underdog. Respected columnists for the SHL have picked Manhattan to fail to reach the playoffs this season, a slap in the face to the Rage. Front office and players alike have been enraged by these predictions and are using it as a motivational tool heading into the season.
“We’ve cut out some of the articles and posted them in the locker room. We all feel like we’ve been overlooked, but ya know, it’s brought us together as a team and I think it’s going to make us a more focused squad,” said 2nd year forward Yuri Volkov. He went on to say “Last year was just the beginning. We gelled very well last year and showed glimpses of being a championship caliber team. This year, I feel, I know, we are a better squad. Agante knows how to draft and this last draft was no different.”
Yuri Volkov has been vocally defending the Rage
![[Image: lWmkC.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/lWmkC.jpg)
Volkov is right. Star defenseman, GM, and well respected Quilha Agante (D_A), once again had a successful draft, bringing in highly touted prospects Rachel Belmont, Yuri Kulikov, and Simon Asepelin. The Rage also used and S7 draft pick (Kurtis Hunter) to bring over some much needed veteran offense in Giovanni Mortellaro. Add all of the incoming talent, with the returning group and the Rage roster looks potent from top to bottom.
Mortellaro looks to bring his offensive punch to Manhattan
![[Image: 6QRkw.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/6QRkw.jpg)
Always respected, Agante is a leader on and off the ice.
![[Image: tkWkn.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/tkWkn.jpg)
"I don't really care what they have to say, we will show them on and off the ice how a real SHL team is supposed to perform," said Erik Chisling who is entering his 3rd year in the SHL, second with the Rage. Chisling, fresh off his dominant output in Season 6 which landed him the Scott Stevens award, is only expected to get better. His partner on the blue line and infamous bad boy Mike Ochocinco is also taking the disrespect personally. "I've had it with these motherfucking critics, on this motherfucking board. Bitch, please."
Chisling and Ochocinco are just two of the dominant defensemen that Manhattan has on their roster. The aforementioned Agante and Jardy Bunclewirth also play at an elite level matched by very few in the SHL. These four, along with Powell and Wood make up arguably the best defensive group in the league. The top four have all been brought up in discussions for the S7 Scott Stevens award.
Ochocinco, most outspoken of the bunch, sat down with us for a few minutes yesterday to discuss the happenings surrounding the Rage and the upcoming season.
Ochocinco, right, has no problems dropping the gloves.
![[Image: bOUb2.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/bOUb2.jpg)
Mike, you’ve garnered a lot of respect and fear in your short time in the SHL. Anyone in particular you are looking to mix it up with?
“I don't take my anger out on just anybody. I like to fight the stars, the big names. I've fought Danielle Hogan, Zach Miller, Brodie Witzel, Kain Webb and guys like that. So I dont really care who it is, but I'm not giving up ice time to fight a scrub. “
You’ve done a lot of scouting for the Rage and with the Seattle club. Who here in Manhattan do you see having a big year?
“I think this is the year of the bull. Time for a big year from everyone but if I had to say a single person, it would be Daniel Malenfant, I think he's poised for a breakout year as one of the premier defensive forwards in the league. Which is good, because it helps us kill the penalties I take every second shift.”
You were paired with Scott Stevens award winner Erik Chisling this year and it looks like that will be the case for Season 7 as well. How’s that relationship been?
“Like sex for the first time. We go perfectly together. I'm kinda slow, he's fast. He's offensive, I'm defensive. I'm an enforcer, and he's kind of a pussy. It all works out.”
Expect to hear more from Mr. Ochocinco this year as we will be checking in with him throughout the season.
Mike did mention Daniel Malenfant as his pick to have a breakout year and many people are saying the same thing. An early candidate for the Jeff Darr award, Malenfant looks to take advantage of the added offense that will be surrounding him this season. “Bad Child” chipped in 33 points in Season 6, but many in the front office say he is in line to offensively explode this year to match his defensive tenacity. Don’t be shocked to hear his name called at the SHL Season 7 awards show.
Two way standout Daniel Malenfant soon to be a household name.
![[Image: KVotB.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/KVotB.jpg)
Along with Malenfant, the newly acquired force in Mortellaro, and the outstanding incoming draft class, the Rage offense has depth as well, something that is a bit foreign to certain SHL franchises. Season 7 will also be the last run for SHL vet and still offensively capable Gianni Ciddio, who recently announced that he will be hanging up his skates at the conclusion of the season.
So to review, the S7 Manhattan Rage have talented youth coming in, SHLers on the verge of a breakout season, a defense that is equaled by no other team in the league and depth from top to bottom. What’s not to like about this team? Why are so many overlooking the Rage heading into Season 7? The leadership is present as they have one of most respected front offices in the league. The roster is a nice balance of youth and veterans. The defense is arguably the best in the league. Jayson Hornet, despite his declined activity with the team, is still a very serviceable goalie in the SHL and posted respectable numbers last year.
The biggest knock on this team seems to be a lack of experience overall, but with Agante at the helm and the move that has brought Mortellero over from Minnesota; this team appears to be ready for the spotlight. Whether the other teams in the SHL are
ready to admit that is a totally different story.
1336 Words 8 images
The Season 7 Manhattan Rage locker room is already a buzz and they have yet to play a single minute. After multiple news articles were posted predicting that the Manhattan Rage would finish in the bottom half of the SHL standings in Season 7, Rage players collectively have a giant chip on their shoulder and plenty to prove.
Incoming rookie Yuri Kulikov was quoted after a recent skate saying, “Believe what you want to believe, but know that the Manhattan Rage will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Yuri Kulikov looks to make an immediate impact for the Rage
Fellow 1st year winger Simon Asepelin chirped, "Its okay the "experts" of the SHL aren't giving us respect in the pre-season talk, because they're only "experts" cause the person in the mirror tells them they are, once the season ends, They'll know who was wrong."
9th Overall pick by Manhattan, Simon Asepelin
The Season 6 Rage was also looked at to be a ‘fringe’ team. With some fairly large roster moves made by some of the ‘favorite’s’ of the SHL, Manhattan wasn’t a feared franchise and was looked upon as a stepping stone for the Chiefs, Platoon, and North Stars for the Eastern Conference title and a shot at the Challenge Cup. However, the Rage lead the way in the Eastern Conference for much of Season 6. A late season surge by West Kendall and Minnesota landed the Rage 3rd in the East and 6th overall, eventually eliminated in the playoffs by the Chiefs.
The Rage played their way into the playoffs in Season 6
Now fast forward to present day, and just moments away from the Season 7 SHL season to get underway with preseason, the Rage again find themselves in the role of underdog. Respected columnists for the SHL have picked Manhattan to fail to reach the playoffs this season, a slap in the face to the Rage. Front office and players alike have been enraged by these predictions and are using it as a motivational tool heading into the season.
“We’ve cut out some of the articles and posted them in the locker room. We all feel like we’ve been overlooked, but ya know, it’s brought us together as a team and I think it’s going to make us a more focused squad,” said 2nd year forward Yuri Volkov. He went on to say “Last year was just the beginning. We gelled very well last year and showed glimpses of being a championship caliber team. This year, I feel, I know, we are a better squad. Agante knows how to draft and this last draft was no different.”
Yuri Volkov has been vocally defending the Rage
Volkov is right. Star defenseman, GM, and well respected Quilha Agante (D_A), once again had a successful draft, bringing in highly touted prospects Rachel Belmont, Yuri Kulikov, and Simon Asepelin. The Rage also used and S7 draft pick (Kurtis Hunter) to bring over some much needed veteran offense in Giovanni Mortellaro. Add all of the incoming talent, with the returning group and the Rage roster looks potent from top to bottom.
Mortellaro looks to bring his offensive punch to Manhattan
Always respected, Agante is a leader on and off the ice.
"I don't really care what they have to say, we will show them on and off the ice how a real SHL team is supposed to perform," said Erik Chisling who is entering his 3rd year in the SHL, second with the Rage. Chisling, fresh off his dominant output in Season 6 which landed him the Scott Stevens award, is only expected to get better. His partner on the blue line and infamous bad boy Mike Ochocinco is also taking the disrespect personally. "I've had it with these motherfucking critics, on this motherfucking board. Bitch, please."
Chisling and Ochocinco are just two of the dominant defensemen that Manhattan has on their roster. The aforementioned Agante and Jardy Bunclewirth also play at an elite level matched by very few in the SHL. These four, along with Powell and Wood make up arguably the best defensive group in the league. The top four have all been brought up in discussions for the S7 Scott Stevens award.
Ochocinco, most outspoken of the bunch, sat down with us for a few minutes yesterday to discuss the happenings surrounding the Rage and the upcoming season.
Ochocinco, right, has no problems dropping the gloves.
Mike, you’ve garnered a lot of respect and fear in your short time in the SHL. Anyone in particular you are looking to mix it up with?
“I don't take my anger out on just anybody. I like to fight the stars, the big names. I've fought Danielle Hogan, Zach Miller, Brodie Witzel, Kain Webb and guys like that. So I dont really care who it is, but I'm not giving up ice time to fight a scrub. “
You’ve done a lot of scouting for the Rage and with the Seattle club. Who here in Manhattan do you see having a big year?
“I think this is the year of the bull. Time for a big year from everyone but if I had to say a single person, it would be Daniel Malenfant, I think he's poised for a breakout year as one of the premier defensive forwards in the league. Which is good, because it helps us kill the penalties I take every second shift.”
You were paired with Scott Stevens award winner Erik Chisling this year and it looks like that will be the case for Season 7 as well. How’s that relationship been?
“Like sex for the first time. We go perfectly together. I'm kinda slow, he's fast. He's offensive, I'm defensive. I'm an enforcer, and he's kind of a pussy. It all works out.”
Expect to hear more from Mr. Ochocinco this year as we will be checking in with him throughout the season.
Mike did mention Daniel Malenfant as his pick to have a breakout year and many people are saying the same thing. An early candidate for the Jeff Darr award, Malenfant looks to take advantage of the added offense that will be surrounding him this season. “Bad Child” chipped in 33 points in Season 6, but many in the front office say he is in line to offensively explode this year to match his defensive tenacity. Don’t be shocked to hear his name called at the SHL Season 7 awards show.
Two way standout Daniel Malenfant soon to be a household name.
Along with Malenfant, the newly acquired force in Mortellaro, and the outstanding incoming draft class, the Rage offense has depth as well, something that is a bit foreign to certain SHL franchises. Season 7 will also be the last run for SHL vet and still offensively capable Gianni Ciddio, who recently announced that he will be hanging up his skates at the conclusion of the season.
So to review, the S7 Manhattan Rage have talented youth coming in, SHLers on the verge of a breakout season, a defense that is equaled by no other team in the league and depth from top to bottom. What’s not to like about this team? Why are so many overlooking the Rage heading into Season 7? The leadership is present as they have one of most respected front offices in the league. The roster is a nice balance of youth and veterans. The defense is arguably the best in the league. Jayson Hornet, despite his declined activity with the team, is still a very serviceable goalie in the SHL and posted respectable numbers last year.
The biggest knock on this team seems to be a lack of experience overall, but with Agante at the helm and the move that has brought Mortellero over from Minnesota; this team appears to be ready for the spotlight. Whether the other teams in the SHL are
ready to admit that is a totally different story.
1336 Words 8 images
even if i dont win it this season with the team, i will still be cheering for them next season theres a great bunch of guys here 
