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Eggy216 · 05-04-2018, 06:44 PM

It's hard to believe this day has come, but after 11 seasons at the helm of the New England Wolfpack I have decided it's time to announce my resignation as head GM.

It's weird to think that the last time I wasn't a GM on this site was my second season in the league. In S26, <a href='index.php?showuser=1643' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Ballerstorm</a> gave me the chance I had barely dared to dream of, the chance to be an SMJHL Co-GM. I joined him in Montreal and thus began my surprisingly long career as a general manager. Together, baller and I won three straight Mathias Chouinard Awards for being the top GM pairing in the league (S26, 27, and 28), the same three seasons we also finished first in the SMJHL at the conclusion of the regular season. The third of those seasons we managed to take home an even bigger prize as well, the Four Star Cup.

Towards the end of season 29, I approached Baller to let him know I wouldn't be continuing as his co-GM, as I'd been offered a GM position with the Wolfpack that I had all intention of taking. It was weird to say goodbye to that SMJHL Co-GM job, I had no idea what GMing in the SHL would be like. Turns out it's a lot of fun. I really have a lot to thank <a href='index.php?showuser=1159' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-14'>prettyburn</a> and <a href='index.php?showuser=1174' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-9'>Storm</a> for, both for drafting me to the Wolfpack so long ago as well as for giving me that first opportunity to be a GM in the SHL. I really appreciate that they thought highly enough of me to give me this chance, and hopefully I've lived up to their expectations.

At this point I should also take the moment to recognize my first co-GM, <a href='index.php?showuser=1917' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>lil</a>. I couldn't imagine getting started with the Wolfpack without having her at my side. She was a great person to work with, and ended up becoming a close friend of mine in the process. Although I don't speak to her anywhere near enough since she decided to leave the site, it was great getting to know her through working together for so long.

While working with lil, we ended up winning both the Lance Uppercut and the Joe McKeil once each. Honestly I think winning the McKeil with her was one of the proudest moments of my time as a GM, because to me it was proof that I actually knew what I was doing, when so many people told me I didn't.

Lil and I also managed to pick up two Challenge Cups together, which is pretty awesome. In season 30 and 31, we managed to lead the Wolfpack to back to back championships, the second and third Challenge Cup victories in franchise history.

Then along came <a href='index.php?showuser=2309' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Torbvo</a>. I remember going into that draft I'd had one conversation with him, at which point I told lil "this is our guy. We're drafting him." I think it was as much of a surprise to him as anyone when we drafted him with our first round pick, but clearly it was the right move when you look at the success both he and the team have had as a result of that selection.

After lil left, Toivo and I managed to win another Challenge Cup, his first, my third, and the franchise's fourth. I think this was the point when it really seemed like we might have a franchise on our hands. With three wins in four seasons and so many of the same players featuring on our roster for every win, sometimes it was hard to believe the success we were having was actually real.

Although that was the end of our Challenge Cup victories, I couldn't be happier to have been such a big part of such a great franchise's success for so long. Being an SHL GM was as great an experience as I imagined it would be, and I'm forever grateful to everyone who's been a part of this journey with me.

It's hard to thank everyone who's been a part of this journey with me, but I'm going to do my best to hit on some of them here. After all, the real Challenge Cup was the friends we made along the way.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=1159' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-14'>prettyburn</a>, I can't thank you enough for putting your faith in lil and I. You left us with a great team, and set us up for so much of the success we proceeded to have for so long. We couldn't have done any of this without the great group we inherited from you.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=1174' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-9'>Storm</a>, much of the above applies as well. You've been a great friend to me throughout my time on the site, even after Ciarelli left New England. I'm glad we were able to bring you back in with Spitfire, and it was great to see you taking an interest in running the team again in the coaching role the last few seasons. Good luck with college!

To <a href='index.php?showuser=1643' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Ballerstorm</a>, working with you was one of the best experiences I've had on the site. It was so much fun running Montreal together. From Jaylor Toast to Raven Silverwing, I know they weren't all the best picks but it was still an amazing and fun experience. You were an amazing person to work with for four seasons, and I'm glad you convinced me to take the offer to work with you.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=1917' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>lil</a>, we'll always have the days of the #SAWFTpack. It's amazing to see so much of what we did in New England still in place today. We always said we wanted to build this team for the future, and we did just that.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=2309' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Torbvo</a>, I know you've been waiting for me to get out of the way for a while now so that you could make all of the decisions on your own. Best of luck to you and whoever you choose as your new co-GM, I know you have a few people you've considered. This team is going to be in great hands for the future, and I can't wait to see what you do with it. Hopefully we'll get that first fortnite win soon, I can feel it coming for sure.

Of course, thanks as well to all of you who spent my entire tenure as a GM with the Wolfpack. There's a lot of you.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=1630' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Kevin "Juice" Bieksa</a>, although you may have basically gone inactive at this point it's been so much fun getting to know you and your <s>multi</s> wife. Hopefully you can get away from the Diamond police and lock in a spot in Challenger this season. Maybe if <a href='index.php?showuser=1833' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Cynthia</a> cuts it out with the microwave you'll be able to get there.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=2031' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Raven</a>, it's funny how your entire career you've been unable to escape me. I hope the next adventure for you on and off the site are both enjoyable ones. Silverwing was a generational talent, let's see if you can replicate his success. Good luck with Magic, and hope to see you start streaming some more.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=2101' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-30'>Jenny</a>, it's been a lot of fun getting to know you off and on the site. You've been a great friend to me, and I'm glad we've been able to spend so long together on the Wolfpack. It's pretty crazy to be able to say I know someone who's in the top 600 of all Overwatch players. I look forward to hearing all about the next chapter in your life (or at least reading about it on Twitter).

To <a href='index.php?showuser=2104' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>jjaybs</a>, the longtime goaltender of the New England Wolfpack. Watching you steal those playoff series for us in S31 was amazing, it felt so good to watch you have all that success for the team. I wish you'd stuck around more because it was always nice to talk to you, but from the screencaps I sometimes see of your conversations with lil on twitter, it's good to know that you're still doing well.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=2098' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-17'>bilbo</a>, I don't know what there is I can even say to you. Hopefully someday I'll have to chance to meet you in person, because you've been a great friend to me on the Wolfpack. I always enjoy talking to you whether in the locker room or in DMs. You're going to make a great orisa/bastion main. I also look forward to the inevitable tag with a "WAIT WHAT" on discord when you read the first sentence in this article.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=2166' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>akegs</a>, I know you're doing well since we just saw each other on twitter pretty recently. Sorry to see the Wild couldn't pull it off, but I'm sure the playoff experience was a fun one for you. Good luck to you and your kid with whatever comes next!

To <a href='index.php?showuser=2169' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>psocoptera</a>, although we really never spoke all too much I always appreciated your willingness to help out the Wolfpack. I hope you're doing well.

And of course, to the only one who's spent my entire tenure as GM on the Wolfpack not just with one, but two players, <a href='index.php?showuser=725' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-10'>drodger91</a>. It's kind of funny how these things work. I remember when you told me your reaction to finding out I was your teammate was more of an "oh God" than anything else. I've really enjoyed getting to play alongside a legend, my captain, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

To my other Wolfpack teammates from throughout the years, I need to thank you as well.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=2005' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-74'>crutch</a>, the trade for you, while it did nothing for the Wolfpack, was probably one of the best moves this team has ever made. It gave me and everyone else on the team a great friend. It's obvious why everywhere you go (except Edmonton) you are instantly beloved. You'll always have a home in New England, even if the fit on the ice just wasn't right.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=2699' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-24'>Evok</a>, the future of both New England and the SHL. It's great to see how much growth you've had in this league, to the point where it's hard to imagine an SHL without you. You've made a great name for yourself in the league so far. Be sure to keep on torturing Toivo in my absence.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=512' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-54'>Green</a>, it's funny to have you as my teammate after spending so long watching you in West Kendall. You were somewhat of a legend to me, so it's an honour to have the opportunity to play alongside you in New England. Always enjoy speaking to you in discord, hope you'll start coming around more often again.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=2012' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Jepox</a>, probably the player I've acquired more times than any other throughout my time as an SMJHL and SHL GM. It's good to see that you've finally gotten a player you're happy (enough) with to keep around. Can't wait to see what more you can do with him.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=1484' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Ohtaay</a>, our time together was brief but it was certainly enjoyable. I wish we could've gotten you the Challenge Cup when you were here, but finally getting to know you was certainly reward enough.

To <a href='index.php?showuser=1855' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Rich</a>, I really enjoyed being your teammate for three seasons on the SHL and however many on GOMHL. You were always a man of few words, but you were always someone I enjoyed speaking to when given the opportunity. Good to see how well Lundberg has done in the league since leaving New England.

And finally, I'd like to take the chance to thank two of the GMs who I've probably spoken to more than any others while working as a GM in New England.

The first is <a href='index.php?showuser=78' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Wasty</a>, my seemingly annual draft day trade partner. For a while it seemed that every season, 15 minutes before the draft, Wasty and I would throw a trade together and end up fucking with everyone's mocks. I swear it wasn't intentional, but it was always nice to know I had a willing and fair trade partner on draft day. I feel I should also mention <a href='index.php?showuser=1290' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>vbottas17</a> here, Wasty's partner in crime who I've also had frequent trades with, although usually those were a little less last minute Wink

.

The second is <a href='index.php?showuser=1045' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Steelhead77</a>. I don't think it's any surprise to you or anyone else that I looked to you as a model when approaching my GM job. When I looked at Calgary and saw the success you had (and clearly continue to have), I knew I wanted that. It's so good to see you get another Challenge Cup to your name, you've been one of the greatest GMs in the league for a long time and it's always nice to see the Dragons continuing their dominance. I look forward to seeing when you pick up number five now. I also always appreciated your messages of support, which came from day one on the job. Each year when we won the cup yours would be the first message of congratulations I received, and I always truly did appreciate that.

So with that, I'd like to recommend to the SHL commissioner that Toivo be named the new head GM of the New England Wolfpack. He's more than shown he has the ability to take on this job, and I have no doubt that New England's successes will continue with him at the helm.

It's hard to say goodbye. It's honestly kind of emotional. But in the end, I look back on a career I can be proud of, every season .500 or better:

<div align="center">S30: 29-20-1
S31: 32-13-5
S32: 30-16-4
S33: 32-15-3
S34: 33-12-5
S35: 30-16-4
S36: 26-17-7
S37: 24-24-2
S38: 32-14-4
S39: 25-21-4
S40: 27-17-6

320-185-45

11 seasons.

10 Playoff Appearances.

3 Challenge Cups.

2 Joe McKeils.

1 Lance Uppercut.

1 Damien Littleton.

1 hell of a time.

To the New England Wolfpack, I have just two words to end my time at the helm:

Thank you.</div>

Cynthia · 05-04-2018, 06:47 PM

Hehehe. 2Am hot pockets :lol:

Also fuck you for making my tenure as Toronto GM a living hell Tongue

Thanks to Enigmatic and Crutch for the beautiful signatures

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