Login

ssdd911 · 09-19-2015, 08:07 PM

<div align="center">Osgoode's Story - The Truth Untold</div>

Phil Osgoode has never spoken to the media here on the SHL ever before. In fact, the only peep we have ever heard out of him before this are from his tweets, which are pretty irrelevant to most of the league and we are pretty sure not one ever reads them. So for all intents and purposes, this is the first time we've ever heard of Osgoode. But now for the first time ever, we have gotten in contact with him and he is here to tell us about himself. We’ve been following his hockey career since he got into the SHL but now we can tell the story that also has his thoughts thrown into it, making it a more readable and emotional tale. So buckle up lads. The truth could kick you in the nuts pretty hard.

Osgoode started out his career in the crazy summer draft madness of S20. The goalie from across the pond really didn’t have any expectations of himself nor of the league in which he was going to be a part of.

“I actually just came over here as a favour to a friend,” Osgoode told SHL Weekly. “He wanted the recruitment bonus and tried to convince me that I’d have a better life over here. I was quite happy to oblige, as I have known him for a while, but I was happy with my London Lasers team so looking back my life could have been a lot different. Actually, it may have been worth it to refuse but I guess I'll have to live with my decision.”

Osgoode also informed us that the move was a surprise to him too, as he had been in talks with the famous Player Agent Phil Knight, who was trying to get him to switch over to the best international hockey league in the world, the VHL.

“Yea, Knight almost had me convinced, the VHL sounded like a dream in every aspect expect for one, and it looks like they are still years away from expanding to London so I wasn’t sold on the idea. However, when I moved to the SHL… I sort of lost all will to play."

You can say that again. Osgoode, after being drafted, failed to report to practice for 3 full seasons. He landed in Kelowna but aside from the few back-up games he played, he was quite literally nowhere to be found.

“As soon as I declared for the draft, something didn’t feel right. I was not in my element. I did not like my surroundings. Everything seemed highly disorganized and so I said ‘Screw it. I am not wasting my energy here’… that is, until Season 23."

During S22 off-season, Osgoode mysteriously wandered into the Kelowna lockerroom for the first time. He put in more training hours than anyone else on the team and got some solid recognition from his GMs, Jon and Jedi. His work ethic continued throughout S23, amazingly earning over 200 TPE. His GMs gave him more playing time and he was performing better than their current #1 choice, Igor Ogorodnikov.

“By the end of the regular season, Jon had told me that I will be in net for the playoffs. I had better stats, better attributes and more activity than Igor had. I was clearly the number one choice and was so excited for the post-season. I was very happy with the way things were going for me. I finally thought I had found my new groove and could get my career back on track!”

Kelowna were the underdog favourites of the playoffs. Many people predicted them to beat the Whalers and then win the whole thing, based on their performances during the latter half of the season. However, the dream was cut short when they got knocked out in the first round in 7 games. It was a crushing defeat and totally unexpected.

“I was absolutely furious with my GMs,” Osgoode vented to us. “I was promised that I would be the starter and I wasn’t. Igor’s stats in all but the first game were terrible and they refused to make a change. We deserved to lose because of it. We earned that loss and the most frustrating thing wasn't just that I was lied to, but we could have, if managed properly, we could have won.” Osgoode continued by saying: “It just goes to show what a reputation does here in the SHL. Igor’s agent was a well-established member of the league, and Knight, although famous in many other sim leagues, was new to this one, so they went for the safety blanket…. But that ended up suffocating them. Choking and dying is what we did. I had over 55 practice hours more than him, my stats were better, I was the pinnacle of activity, AND I was promised the starting role but then denied it. It just goes to show you how much of an “old boys club” this league really is.”

At this point you’d reckon it was the end for Osgoode. After busting his balls off to then being treated like that was pretty poor management, but he stuck around.

“I figured that once I get into the SHL, I may get some respect if I keep my head down and keep plugging away. Although my expectations of this league were significantly lower.”

His 3-season rookie contract with Edmonton Blizzard, the team that had drafted him, had just expired. He was searching for a team that could use him as a back-up to start with.

“Edmonton had offered me another contract. But honestly, as much as I tried to be involved in discussions in the lockerroom, all my comments were ignored and they had their own random talks – generally not even hockey related. I did not feel like a member of the team there so I didn’t want another miserable season... and going back to Kelowna was simply out of the question.”

Seattle also offered him a contract, which Osgoode seemed very intent on signing. There was a mix-up in the contract talks, as the Commissioners had listed him as a restricted free agent when he should not have been. Osgoode fought tooth and nail to have that rectified so he could sign in Seattle.

“The Riot GM and Knight knew each other from another league they both shared with their clients. He knew of Knight’s work ethic and the talent that his players bring to their respective leagues so there was no doubt in my mind about whether I would be valued here,” Osgoode recounts. "I instantly hit it off with the GM and knew my role would be on the bench, but I’d be happy here and I am fine with that. I have nothing but respect for him and only want to help him achieve the goals he has set here in Seattle. If that means that I'll sit on the bench, then so be it. I'll do that without fuss or bother!”

Osgoode would be backing up the young superstar Karlensons, who just this past season, was awarded Rookie of the Year. Osgoode knows that he’ll most likely never start in Seattle but being in a more positive environment will make that an easier pill to swallow.

“At least I am guaranteed 6 games each season,” Osgoode said jokingly. “But backing up Karlensons, who is quickly becoming one of the best goalies in the SHL, is not a bad thing. I can learn a lot from him.”

Unfortunately, it is not all sugarcane and chocolate now for Osgoode. He has stated that it is hard to stay motivated only looking forward to 6 games each season.

“Yea, with every passing day it is hard. I have logged over 550 practice hours now and am just looking for new ways to stay motivated… but it’s hard, you know? I do like the team and my teammates... I feel like I am actually a part of this team... and I definitely don’t want to go anywhere else, but I also feel like the lack of pressure put on me because I am not playing is slightly hindering my development. I have felt myself slacking a bit.”

Osgoode continued by saying that if he is going to be a back-up, then he ill aim to be the best back up in the SHL. Very good back-ups are hard to come by and they can steal a few more wins each season for you, which can affect the end of season standings and consequently your playoff match up, generally in a positive way. In the 5 games Osgoode has started, he is 2-1-1 with a 0.878 SV% and a 3.04GAA, respectable stats for a back-up, and he will only get better with time.

What the future will hold for Osgoode is uncertain, depending on the GMs mindset. He can either get rid of Osgoode or keep him. One thing is clear – Osgoode wants to go nowhere else in the SHL.

Word Count: 1,504

Gifter of Bikes · 09-19-2015, 08:29 PM

Best backup in the league in any book I'll ever write.

***HabsFanFromOntario*** · 09-20-2015, 12:46 PM

Phil Osgoode, da GOAT backup.

Leo Senpai · 09-20-2015, 11:41 PM

Great backup and future starter

Navigation

Extra Menu

About us