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**_Blitz_** · 05-11-2020, 07:15 PM

I've had a big day today. First, I extended my contract with Toronto. Second, I was named the Head General Manager of the St. Louis Scarecrows. Third, I found out that Coldstone Creamery delivers over-priced, custom-mixed ice cream.
Before opening up to questions, I'd first like to thank everyone for the kind words that I've been getting through the day. It really means a lot, and I appreciate the support very much. Thank you.

So, any questions?
[Ready for Grading][Site Count: 1706 Words]

05-11-2020, 07:20 PMsve7en Wrote: What's your favorite mix-in?

It's a common tradition to relocate and rebrand teams when becoming a GM, what's your plan to make this happen?

I'm going to go with Oreos. I also like cookie dough and brownie bits.

The brand isn't going to deviate from the St. Louis Scarecrows. I've got a few ideas to refresh or tighten the branding a bit. I may not do it this season, but next season may see some small changes. I think the biggest one would be shifting emphasis to the Hayes Head and Archer logos, and away from the Full Body logo.

05-11-2020, 07:21 PMNictox Wrote: How much of a prick was the last GM?

Is there anything you want to same to him?

What do you look forward to this season?

Excited to be in charge of a draft?

How do you feel about the team in general?

Anything you want to change right off the bat?

Any projects you are working on that is STL related?

Hi Nic!

The last GM? He was a bit of a prick on Tuesdays and bank holidays. Only a little, though.

If that's "say to him", the answer is definitely "Thank You". You're an awesome mentor, and I know you'll be amazing in NOLA.

This season feels so big already. I'm going into my last season playing in St. Louis, I'm the GM now, there's a ton of players for this draft. It's difficult to pick just one thing. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.

Being in charge of a draft is going to be interesting. I've done a couple of drafts in the War Room, but I got to browse the spreadsheet while you were watching GM chat. It's going to be a different view of that process. That said, it's always fun to get new people in the locker room, and I'm hyped. We have such a great team and we've gotten some really cool people in my time, so it's exciting.

Overall, I'm optimistic. We've got a lot of people leaving, and that's always bittersweet. At the same time, we've got our S53 class getting to 425, which is awesome. I think we'll do well, but I'm ready for the possibility that this will be a building season. If it is a building season, then we'll do our best to build up and be better. It's going to come down to the draft, so we'll see how it goes.

Off-the-bat changes will probably be to our Team Awards. It was already a project that we were talking about before you stepped down. I think it first came up shortly after the All-Star break. It's more about the change to FHM than me, and I think that makes it an ideal first project.

I have a couple of branding ideas that I'm messing with. I'd like to either complete or drop them by next season. Obviously S53 awards in the new system is a priority.

05-11-2020, 07:35 PMGeekusoid Wrote: Are you planning on going full "slapshot" with the team now that you're player AND GM?

Hi, Strom!

I haven't ruled out the possibility, but probably not.

05-11-2020, 07:36 PMNhamlet Wrote: Taking on head GM is a big responsibility. What are some strengths you feel confident in bringing to lead the Scarecrows? What lead you to wanting to submit your name in the first place?

If and when you decide on a CO-GM, what are ideally attributes they would bring to complement your skillset?

After TDZ stepped down from NOLA, it was very quickly decided that Nic was moving up. I've been in STL's front office for two seasons, scouting and testing lines. I was approached and asked if I was interested in applying. I had to think about it because IRL is kinda weird right now. And then I found myself writing my application at 3 AM, and it was settled.

I feel like my strengths lie in Scouting and being able to keep the locker room going.

I've done some testing between the Cookie Classic (which I think @Mutedfaith and I are going to have to RNG to finish this weekend) and St. Louis lines for the Playoffs. I'm getting better, but I'm far from good. I think my compliment in a Co-GM would have more experience with strategies and player builds in FHM.

05-11-2020, 07:59 PMhonkerrs Wrote: You mentioned ice cream, whats your favorite ice cream flavor?

What's one thing you've learned from your previous GMs in STL that you'll definitely carry over now to your reign?

Honkerrs!

Ben & Jerry's makes a Mint Cookies & Cream that's probably my favorite. Although the mess of Oreos, chocolate chip cookie dough, and brownie bits that I ordered earlier is also very good.

The biggest thing is probably how to put together lines. When I first joined as a Scout, I also got to be the Team USA WJC GM for the first time. There were some nuts-and-bolts types of things like line assembly and strategy that I needed help with. By some, I mean a lot.

05-11-2020, 08:04 PMCementHands Wrote: Who is your favorite other player from your draft season?
What will it take to win the East next season?
What are your feelings on the St. Louis brand?

Out of all of my S52 classmates, it's probably a tie between @Geekusoid and @notoriousTRON. Geek's so much fun to talk to on a regular basis in Team USA and our podcast group, and Tron's one of the people made me consider Toronto when I wanted to move in the SHL. Honorable mention the rest of the Class 52 Podcast group, @RedCapeDiver, @"Jakub", and Mutedfaith. We need to record another episode.

Winning the East is going to be a challenge. Detroit's only going to get stronger, much as it pains me to say, with that S53 class hitting 425. At the same time, I think Maine is going to hit their stride any day now and Newfie almost had us with their lineup this season. I'm not sure if next season is going to be good for Carolina, but I expect that it'll be better.

When I first joined, I didn't get it. I thought a Scarecrow was an odd choice of mascot, as many people do. Three seasons later, I can't imagine the St. Louis Scarecrows any other way. Like I've said before, I don't see a huge re-brand in our future. I'll probably change a few things here and there, but we'll still be the Scarecrows.

05-11-2020, 09:00 PMbluesfan55 Wrote: Do you see your future being spent in Toronto?
Favorite teammate?
I tend to ask this question a lot but was there any player last season you hated to play against?

Hi Bloos.

I see a good bit of my future in Toronto. Moving into Toronto was really easy, it's a great group of people that I really enjoy talking to. I gelled almost immediately. I could possibly see going to FA on the next contract, to be a little more open to new things and kind of price-check myself, but I'm very happy in Toronto.

Favorite teammate is close. It's a tough call. Probably Zapo, CptSquall. Hudson and Dangel are up there too.

I had a few tough opponents last season. Probably you, Jack Kanoff, Jukka Timonen, and every goalie in the league. You were one of the few players that seemed to beat me consistently on face-offs, and you're fast. Jack and Jukka are just great defenders and really broke up my game. And then I had a 5% shot accuracy rating, and I blame the goalies.

05-11-2020, 09:23 PMrum_ham Wrote: What will the Scarecrows' official pre-game pump up song be now that the team is under your reign?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je84VupqD58

Side note, if anybody knows how to embed videos, the help would be appreciated.

05-12-2020, 01:02 AMMutedfaith Wrote: What would it take to convince you to rebrand to tbe Scaredcrows?

How do you expect me to keep hating STL now that you're GM?

Hey, Cal.

First, there is no "d" in Scarecrows. If it's on purpose, you should know better that we're not afraid of you. To answer the question, if such a thing is out there, I haven't found it yet and I'm not going to look. Can you imagine the Falcons changing?

As for continued hatred, I'm sure we'll do something in the Playoffs sooner or later. To be honest, sooner would be good. Means we're bouncing back after a big change and lots of players moving up.

NeonLime Wrote: for the love of all that is holy fix that awful logo

My thoughts to look at changes to branding have been inspired a bit by the discussion in the Graphics Discord and my own experience with jersey swaps. I'm not planning to completely change the logos at this time.

Thank you everyone for your questions. Good luck this off-season.

SCARECROW NOISES Scarecrows

***sve7en*** · 05-11-2020, 07:20 PM

What's your favorite mix-in?

It's a common tradition to relocate and rebrand teams when becoming a GM, what's your plan to make this happen?

Nictox · 05-11-2020, 07:21 PM

Hi Blitz!

How much of a prick was the last GM?

Is there anything you want to same to him?

What do you look forward to this season?

Excited to be in charge of a draft?

How do you feel about the team in general?

Anything you want to change right off the bat?

Any projects you are working on that is STL related?

RIP Dangel #AD26 | RIP TDZ

***Chevy*** · 05-11-2020, 07:35 PM

Are you planning on going full "slapshot" with the team now that you're player AND GM?

Nhamlet · 05-11-2020, 07:36 PM

Taking on head GM is a big responsibility. What are some strengths you feel confident in bringing to lead the Scarecrows? What lead you to wanting to submit your name in the first place?

If and when you decide on a CO-GM, what are ideally attributes they would bring to complement your skillset?

***honkerrs*** · 05-11-2020, 07:59 PM

You mentioned ice cream, whats your favorite ice cream flavor?

What's one thing you've learned from your previous GMs in STL that you'll definitely carry over now to your reign?

CementHands · 05-11-2020, 08:04 PM

Who is your favorite other player from your draft season?
What will it take to win the East next season?
What are your feelings on the St. Louis brand?

**_Blitz_** · 05-11-2020, 08:58 PM

Answered to here.

***bluesfan55*** · 05-11-2020, 09:00 PM

Do you see your future being spent in Toronto?
Favorite teammate?
I tend to ask this question a lot but was there any player last season you hated to play against?