I think one of the most unexpected moves in the SHL involved yours truly and it was the very first move in the history of the SHL. All the way back in the beginning stages of the SHL, there was a lottery to determine the very first draft order Season 1 of the SHL. The lottery balls bounced and bounced and as luck would have it, the ball belonging to the Winnipeg Jets popped out first. As the GM of the Jets, I was ecstatic. Holding the first ever draft pick in league history was truly and honour and a great way to stamp your place in history.

The balls had barely stopped bouncing when I got a message from the GM of the Calgary Dragons. They wanted that first overall pick, and they wanted it bad. There was a goalie by the name of Ryan Jesster who was the talk of the prospects and the Dragons wanted him to build their franchise around. Still enamoured with the idea of making the first ever draft selection, I had to sleep on it. One on hand, history was at stake. On the other hand, getting an extra pick in the first round would go a very long way in competing for a cup. In the end, I couldn't pass up a chance to grab an extra player when they're all on the same level. We agreed on a trade and I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that that was THE move that brought the inaugural Challenge Cup to Winnipeg. While I would have loved to make the first ever draft pick, I'll take becoming the first ever winners of the Challenge Cup.

(284 words)