PT1

Being asked to take part in this type of simulation is great, especially since I can put myself up against the SHL’s best, both past and present. While I would like to wish I’d be on the up and comers, or even the Superstars, I don’t believe I qualify, and therefore have been placed on the Grizzled Vets. I may be past my prime a little bit, but I still know how to play the game at a high level and make an impact.

Once I was placed on this team I looked around the room I saw some of the players on my team: Aaron Wilson, Michael Scarn, Tony Pepproni, and even Andreas Kvalheim. These are all phenomenal hockey players that I’ve had the pleasure to either play with, or against in my career, and each of them have impacted how I play the game.

Practice was actually very interesting, but also fun. You could tell everyone wanted to continue being at the top of their game, but there was also some lightheartedness. People joking with one another, poking fun at their games and it just felt like everyone knew what we were here for but realized they could have some fun since they’ve contributed to the game. It’ll be interesting to see how the team gels together, and how it works going up against different generations of players.

PT2

This tournament was something I was looking forward to ever since I got named to the Grizzled Vets squad and saw my teammates. I wasn’t totally sure who would be on the other teams, but I was looking forward to the competition and seeing how me and my teammates would stack up against the rest.

When we got on the ice to play the Up-and-Comers, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Firstly, I don’t really know many of the younger guys in the league, but I recognized a few faces prior to hitting the ice. Some of the young Panthers, like “Long” John Donair, Jimmy Wagner and Rock Strongo. I also saw some young Steelhawks, like Dogwood Maple and Evangelos Giannopoulos. I know these guys have some skills, so the game wouldn’t be easy.

Keeping up with the pace wasn’t too difficult, after all these guys are still a little young and we play some very good SHLers every night. We did manage to get the victory though, by a score of 5-2. I wasn’t the standout performer on the team, but I chipped in with an assist on a goal from Aaron Wilson. It was great playing with these guys, and I can’t wait to see what the next team has in store for us

PT3

While these Hall of Famers have been out of the game for a little bit, they sure as hell never lost the ability to play hockey. I think after the first couple of games we were feeling confident, we were playing well and really starting to find a rhythm together. Then it all came crashing down once we played the Hall of Famers.

They may not be as quick as they once were, but their smarts on the ice was a step above anything we’ve seen. They just know where to be at all times, the puck was constantly in motion and it felt like they weren’t exhausting any effort to play. It felt like when you’re a kid and you’re looking forward to playing against your parents because you think they’re out of shape, only for you to not be able to get anything going and get absolutely smoked. It was great to witness while on the bench, just to see the way they played and get some insight on what they were doing and why. While we may have lost, I learned a lot from that game, and hopefully my teammates did to for the next one

PT4

The Up-and-Comers are a great hockey team, and while we did come out with the win, we knew that it wouldn’t be an easy game. Everyone approached this game like the playoffs, and nobody took them for granted, even after beating them in the Round Robin.

The game was very close though. It felt like they continued to have their legs throughout the whole game, and the high pressure they were putting on us was something we had to adjust to. There was not a lot of open ice and because of the consistent pressure, there was no time for decision making, everything had to happen instantly. Harry Carpet was phenomenal for us, and he kept us in the game at points when the pressure was mounting, and the shots were piling on. He made a couple big saves, including a huge breakaway stop late in the 3rd period to keep us up by one. Everybody had a great game, but there’s no doubt that without Carpet playing the way he did, we wouldn’t be moving on to the finals.

PT5

The superstars, they’re definitely taking over the league. However, when you’re told to look at the top of the leaderboards to find them, I see someone that sticks out, the number 5 spot, Theo Morgan. Those superstars are definitely overwhelmingly good, but there’s a vet who continues to be among the best of them (it’s great that it just so happens to be me).

We knew taking on a team like the Superstars wouldn’t be easy, but the main difference was, a lot of us vets have been in tough games before. Tons of experience from SHL cup runs, IIHF gold medal teams, and overall just being more accustomed to the big stage and playing big minutes with the opposition’s best against us. It was a close game, and for a second I thought the game might slip away from us, but a late goal from Aaron Wilson allowed us to go into overtime, where we eventually won off of a beautiful play and goal from Elijah Jones. It wasn’t easy, but experience proved to be the key. What a tournament this was, and I’m glad I was a part of it with these guys.