<div align="center">The Best of the Losers

Many league wide sources will tell you that the best goaltender usually is the one with the best stats. When that opinion is conducted they usually factor in Wins, Save Percentage, GAA and Shutouts to come up with their nomination. If that is the way it is done, one man may have to make them think twice about forgetting him. That one man is none other than West Kendall Platoon goaltender C.J. James.

It has been an incredible career so far for C.J. James who went into last season as the number two goaltender behind Urijah Winnfield. Winnfield failed to show up to practice half way through the season and C.J. James got his chance to prove to the masses that he was a good goaltender. James soon became the number one choice in between the pipes in Florida. James' numbers were impressive last season and it won the trust of his teammates and management staff. Without one complaint of how things went and the positional depth chart, C.J. has been as gracious with the job as one can be. This off-season the Platoon went and traded for a high profile goaltender named James Riemer and he looked to have the starting job. Many league sources pinned Riemer as the number one option for the Platoon despite James' stellar play the year before. Little do those sources know that James' agent is a master of the simulation and has been doing this longer than anyone. C.J. showed them that a player way behind in progression compared to Riemer and Winnfield, can get the job done.

So far this season C.J. has not been helped out by his teams lacklustre offence and his win totals are not very high. However his strong play has turned some heads and shut down some league sources who aren't so intelligent after all. C.J. has only 3 victories on the season but he does have 2 shutouts to his name and an impressive .910 save percentage. His 2.03 goals against average is not anything to laugh about either, considering he gets no run support. James' last season had an impressive 12-14-2 record with a .906 save percentage and a 2.55 goals against average. The third year player has improved this year despite what the naysayers have said. When C.J. entered the league many had their say about the young goalie.

Edwin Ask:

"All these goalies gunning for my job".

Buddy Thomas:

"...some people might have to pull a Schneider and be the best damn backup goalie ever".

James Reimer: (Current Platoon teammate)

"...so many goalies!"

Many felt as though his addition to the league was good, but he wouldn't amount to anything seeing as the goalie position was full everywhere else. James was out to prove that he belong and that he would be something big. After his first two seasons his contract came to an end and he wasn't sure what he wanted to do for the rest of his career. At one point James thought about retirement early, for the sole purpose of travelling the world and covering hockey in other markets. James ended up signing another one-year deal with the West Kendall Platoon but for one reason: to give back to the team that took a chance on him. The Platoon also gave him the chance to succeed by rewarding him ahead of Winnfield despite the veteran guiding the Platoon to the playoffs the year before.



C.J. James:

"I'll be honest I signed the contract for many reasons and one was to stay where my teammates are. I only signed for one-year because personally as someone who didn't know about the SHL, West Kendall is a horrible place for a team. League officials may not understand this quite yet, but attractive locations is a huge reason new players stick around. I'm not even sure my uncle in Alabama knew where West Kendall was when I told him I got drafted here. Another reason I re-signed for one season is because I want to succeed and to put it bluntly, there is no goal support here. I love my teammates and such but this towns passion for hockey is not high and the goal numbers aren't either".

C.J. doesn't scream for attention and he actually rarely speaks up about many team issues or league discussion. James' goal is to simply be the best player between the pipes on whatever team he is on. This next summer will be an interesting time because he will be an Unrestricted Free Agent and those naysayers will be the first ones knocking on the door. C.J. plans to be a franchise goaltender but he does hold grudges.

C.J. James:

"The people who said I wouldn't be a starter and that Winnfield and Riemer deserve it over me will regret it. One day their team will need a puckstopper and I won't be breaking down doors to play with them. Reap what you Sow friends".

James' career numbers are not that bad if you dive into the statistics. His lifetime stats are judged because he was a backup for awhile but they aren't that bad. A lifetime record of 19-22-6 with a .909 save percentage and a 2.35 goals against average. Combine that record with 5 shutouts in 47 appearances. James is not giving up and anyone who doesn't notice will be forgotten along the way.</div>

LA Panthers Goaltender

James is a stud!

Thank you to My boys @Merica and @Ragnar for the lovely sigs!