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Wasty · 03-04-2020, 12:30 PM

Los Angeles Panthers Make Big Management Moves

When news broke that the SHL was making a monumental move for the S53 Season that could change the fabric of the league, Panthers Owner and GM Niclas Wastlund began to ponder the future for himself. After Assistant GM Patrick O'Connor entered Niclas' office after the Panthers lost Game Seven to the Calgary Dragons informing him that he would be stepping down from his management position, GM Wastlund knew that it was the right decision to step down from his General Management position as well before the S53 offseason kicks off. After a 38 Season long career which is most definitely the longest in the SHL history, the soon to be 60 year old will be handing of the position to his son, Fredrik Wastlund.

Fredrik Wastlund was last heard in the SHL when he surprisingly announced his retirement from the SHL in S28, after winning the Khan Trophy and Stevens Trophy in a incredible season. Today he's named the LA Panthers General Manager and is tasked to take the reigns from one of the most legendary GMs the league will ever see. Many knocks on Niclas Wastlund is that he only guided the Panthers to One Challenge Cup in 38 seasons but played in Five Cup Finals. Amassing over 991 Wins and collecting Two Top GM Awards and Three Top Coach awards, Niclas Wastlund will be considered a Hall of Fame General Manager when all is said and done.

So what is Fredrik Wastlund's background since retiring from the SHL? He quickly signed to play in the PHL for the New Orleans Spirits and then winning a Dynasty Cup with the Rocky Mountain Rams, he then retired again and for a couple years Fredrik wasn't really in any of the spotlight and especially around hockey his name wasn't talked about until he announced his candidacy to be the Head Coach of the Los Angeles Jr Panthers 14U Team, a team that had been considered the worst team in the organization. After just two seasons Wastlund turned the two win 14U team to the Top 14U team on the west coast. Moving up the ranks, the 16U and 18U teams all flourished under Fredrik's coaching. Then he was called to be the head coach of the PHL's San Jose Sea Monsters. In just two seasons later due to unforeseen circumstances, the PHL closed their doors and Fredrik returned to Los Angeles to take a job as a Panthers Scout, then moved to the front office as Assistant to Director of Hockey Operations until today.

"I am grateful for my father and this organization to give me a chance to follow in some incredible footprints and continue the legacy that my father has built. We have a fantastic roster and I am looking forward to next season," Fredrik said. It was announced that Niclas will stay on as Owner of the Panthers. In other front office news Fredrik Wastlund has announced he will not be looking for an assistant GM as he considers every player on the team an assistant GM that can come to him about anything pertaining to the team. However there will be one major announcement as the Panthers have officially signed a new HEAD COACH for S53 and that will be former Manhattan Rage Hall of Famer, TOMMY CRELLER!!!!!!!!!

Tommy Creller has been virtually unheard of around the SHL for awhile besides when he was inducted into the Manhattan Hall of Fame that is and since then Tommy has been busy. Since retiring from the Rage, Creller stayed in Manhattan and entered into a business opportunity owning a Sports Bar. Unbeknownst to Creller, his partner also used the business as a drug money laundering scheme and after just fourteen months the FBI raided the bar and Creller was cleared in the investigation. Needing some time away Tommy moved to Key West, Florida and eventually met his future wife. After a couple years and having a son, Tommy got the itch to return to the ice and his family moved to Dallas, Texas as he was hired to be the Head Coach of the Dallas Snipers of the Tier Three Junior A League, WSHL. There Tommy became a big part of the youth program in nearby Fort Worth and just after two seasons as the Snipers coach, Creller stepped down to create the Central Texas Cyclones youth program. Growing the program from two teams to ten teams at all high levels and three girls teams, racking up National Championship along the way. Creller and Wastlund's teams even played each other numerous times in the National Tournament. Creller has been lauded for his work in the Fort Worth area.

So when Fredrik Wastlund was named GM, the first name to come to his mind for a job was his former Detroit Falcon teammate, Tommy Creller. Initially Creller was offered the Assistant GM role but actually asked if he could be the Panthers Head Coach. With the transition in the SHL, Creller is familiar with some of the newer systems and play that will be useful to the team. Quickly Fredrik had contracts sent over and it was official. Tommy Creller is the new Los Angeles Panthers Head Coach, he will oversee anything to do with Lines, Tactics, Systems and TOI. Creller will also act in a minor supporting role in team management as well. It wasn't until Tommy finally settled into LA when he began to assess the roster and when Fredrik Wastlund gave him the roster with the S53 Rookies added, it was a familiar name that stood out, Kenny Creller. I was completely shocked when I saw my last name there. It wasn't until Tommy called the prospect, Kenny when he found out he's actually his second cousin! While Tommy is a only child, his father is the youngest of six children and the oldest of the six was the father of Casey Creller (former Calgary Dragon) and Casey Creller is Kenny's father. Quite the confusing family tree but when Tommy met the entire team at the Offseason meetings, it was the first time Tommy met his second cousin, Kenny. "It'll be really fun to get to know him and develop his game. I got to see what he's done of his career and I'm really impressed, he could be better than I was," Tommy said.

1,062 Words - Two Custom Images
@Mook @SDCore

#40 Niclas Wastlund - W - VANCOUVER WHALERS Whalers

/ TORONTO NORTH STARS Stars

soulja · 03-04-2020, 12:46 PM

congratz

SlashACM · 03-04-2020, 01:36 PM

When a head GM steps down it's supposed to go to apps >:( Panthers cheaters confirmed

Grapehead · 03-04-2020, 01:48 PM

03-04-2020, 01:36 PMSlashACM Wrote: When a head GM steps down it's supposed to go to apps >:( Panthers cheaters confirmed

Blatant corruption

Mook · 03-04-2020, 02:05 PM

Damn I look good.

Really excited about the Panthers roster and after doing some test sims I have high hopes for S53. FHM is a huge opportunity and being able to work together with Wasty with the Panther's organization has been a dream job since I joined the site back in S20. After working with other big names like Anrikkanen, Merica, and Goody, I cannot wait for my chance to work with Wastlund.

Panthers

Briedaqueduc · 03-04-2020, 02:27 PM

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Steelhead77 · 03-04-2020, 04:34 PM

Congrats Mook! Great move for LA!

Cheers

---> ParmBorg Highlights <---

#1 All-Time SHL Goal & Point Scorer
- First 2,000 TPE Player in SHL History -
- First 400 Goal Scorer in SHL History -
- Only 500 Goal Scorer in SHL History -
- First GM to Win 5 & 6 Challenge Cups -
Esa Anrikkanen Award - SMJHL ROY - Est. S34
Vidrik Onoprienko Award Winner - S45

Dragonite

grok · 03-04-2020, 04:34 PM

03-04-2020, 01:36 PMSlashACM Wrote: When a head GM steps down it's supposed to go to apps >:( Panthers cheaters confirmed

commissioner is tagged in OP so im sure this will be handled quickly

DeletedAtUserRequest · 03-04-2020, 06:40 PM

Congratulations to Niclas Wastlund on his historic 30+ odd year career as head of the Panthers! at 60 years old you deserve some r & r in your remaining years (stay away from the corona virus) ... Freddy Wastland has big shoes to fill!

Congrats to Coach Creller! Seriously this is a GREAT add to the Panthers organization and makes them an instant threat in our new FHM era.. Creller is a skilled SHL mind and should do great in this high level role.

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mstuk41 · 03-04-2020, 11:28 PM

Congrats to you both!

Tate · 03-07-2020, 11:18 AM

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