Task #1 (3 TPE)

THOMSPON THE BERSERKER

This one is easy. If I wasn't a part of the Quebec City Citadelles in this years finals, I would be a part of the Newfoundland Berserkers. It isn't a stretch to imagine that happening, either: while I knew more or less that I wanted to return to Quebec upon rejoining the league, you never really know where you might end up until you do. Newfoundland was also on the shortlist of teams that I might have gone to, and that would result in another finals appearance just like my signing with Quebec did. Ultimately, however, I think it's fair to say that this would not have resulted in me making much different: the Berserkers already swept their way to yet another championship without Tommy Thompson. If anything, his arrival on the team would risk its chemistry somewhat, for the sake of adding a potential valuable player down the line. But I think that overall, the Berserker's chances of winning would stay the same: almost guaranteed.

The parity in the SMJHL is completely out of wack right now, and one more player going to the strongest franchise in juniors history wouldn't radically change much, other than ensure a Four Star Cup for Tommy Thompson.

Task #3 - 2 TPE (5 TPE total)

CITADELLES PLUSHIE GIVEAWAY

Given the logo of the Quebec City Citadelles, one obvious option for a fan appreciation gift would be an owl plushie. Not every team can get away with such a cutesy gift, but on game three of the series as the Citadelles go home, a cute owl plushie with the Citadelles alternate logo emblazoned upon it could be given out to the fans. To mix it up, each Plushie could feature the name and number of a different Citadelles player, with it being random which one you receive. This would mean they would become even more unique of a collector's item in their own right, and a suitable gift for fans who have stuck by the team this long. It would be an easy enough piece of merchandise to make, even with the complication of having to switch up names and numbers.

Task #4 - 2 TPE (7 TPE Total)

JOHANSSON VS TIME

Every series has to have a goaltending comparison, and the finals are no different. Jonas Johansson has backstopped the Berserkers to a 12-3 record as they have coasted through the playoffs, while Justin Time has managed an 8-4-2 record, unfortunately notching no wins in the final tilt. Their stats tell the tale of two teams on different levels: Jonas Johansson has only a .903 save percentage compared to Justin Time's superior .912 save percentage, but has a much better goals against average at 2.25, having only faced 350 shots. Justin Time, without the juggernaut Berserkers in front of him, has faced 558 shots for a goals against average of 3.42. Overall, it's hard to say who actually had the better playoffs stastically: Johansson obviously won and that is a major boon in itself, but Justin Time arguably had to put in more work and was a larger part of why his team was even able to make it to the finals in the first place.

Either way, there can be little doubt that the goaltending match-up featured two great competitors.

Task #5 - 3 TPE (10 TPE Total)

CITADELLES CHARITY GAME NIGHT

The Quebec City Citadelles regularly engage in charity events throughout the season, though the playoffs are a calm point for that due to the need to focus on the grueling playoff series. Earlier in the season however, the Citadelles hosted a games night for charity. The night featured Q&A sessions, a water-tank game, a 50/50 draw, a Super Smash Bros tournament as well as a score of loanable board games and party games. The idea behind the event was to get people coming out to play games with occasional Citadelles members joining in certain games or being part of paid Q&As and meet-and-greets. This required a partnership with one of the local board game cafes and a rented auditorium, but with all the money going towards charity, it served both as a chance to raise some money, get the team interacting with its fans, and raise awareness for its chosen charity: a relief fund to help alleviate the worst effects of poverty, mainly targeted within Quebec for obvious reasons.

Task #6 - 3 TPE (13 TPE Total)

QUEBEC / NEWFOUNDLAND SUPERTEAM

C - Alexander Mackenzie (NB): This is an easy selection. While Mackenzie benefitted from being on an offensive powerhouse of a team, his 38 goals in 66 games throughout the regular season clearly demonstrate his offensive prowess even beyond what a stacked team would enable.

RW - Jeff Larsson (NB): Larrson was the wingman of Mackenzie and Tightpants all season long, and his 48 assists helped to enable their twin 38 goal outings.In dream teams, one thing you have to worry about is chemistry, and putting Mackenzie and Larsson together creates an immediate connection for scoring.

LW - Rylie Versi (QCC): Playing on the wrong wing, Versi is the Citadelles addition to the forward line. He's an all around offensive player whose playmaking prowess makes him a challenge for Larrson's assist totals even with the weaker offensive team around him. Together, two stellar passing wingers should make the best out of a scoring center, and Versi has some scoring chops of his own to add.

D - Louise St. Martin (QCC): With such a stellar offensive line, it should be clear that this team is going offense first. With that in mind, the next selection is St. Martin from Quebec. With 40 assists on the season as a defenceman, they provide that crucial 'quarterback' style play that should spring the offense forward.

D - SD Core (NB): SD Core is a relatively new defenceman, in that he spent his last three seasons as a forward. Despite that, he's already proven himself as a solid blueliner and has notched 15 goals and 25 assists on his regular season effort. While this makes him by far the lowest scoring addition to the team, his reliability and leadership should help him ground the other players on the team. If St. Martin goes way forward, SD Core will know to stay back to guard the flank.

G - Justin Time (QCC): When you're looking for a goaltender, you want the one who has been tested the most and come out on top. Justin Time had a phenomenal season, and he did it while facing a mountain of shots. While the Berserkers goaltender might have succeeded in the same position, you've got to take the known quality of Justin Time and anticipate that the team's starting lack of chemistry will need a goaltender who is known to be perpetually active.

Task #8 - 3 TPE 16 TPE Total

THOMPSON SEASON IN REVIEW

In truth, I would say that Tommy Thompson exceeded my expectations this season. That may seem a little strange considering he scored just 7 goals and 11 assists for 18 points across a 55 game campaign, but he played just 8 minutes a game on the fourth line and still walked away with a +/- of 10 and a respectable amount of points for that meagre outing. Where Thompson underperformed was in secondary statistics like takeaways, hits, and shots blocked, especially given his avowed defensive mindset, but that's something that comes with time and development as he still needs to adjust to the pace of play in the SMJHL.

To improve, Thompson needs to hit the gym a lot harder. He's already proven that his offensive instincts are starting to come in, and his defensive fundamentals are clearly sound. But his physical abilities -- those are what really needs to spring forward. He needs to learn to skate faster, be stronger on his feet, stronger in the corners, and more than anything, he needs to be able to maneuver well enough to put himself in the awkward positions that speedy SMJHL opposition often forces on the breakout. If he can do that, he might be able to log next season as a third line center with a little more consistent success.