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FuzzSHL · 08-26-2023, 04:40 PM

Leading up to the 56th SHL Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Panthers faced many question marks regarding their future. With multiple picks in both the first and second rounds of the draft and no permanent General Manager hired, Interim-General Manager @sve7en took over the Panthers draft table and made multiple selections that would forever change the future of the organization. Sve7en selected franchise cornerstone Jonas Kahnwald 8th overall, former General Manager Vili Afalava 16th overall, and future two-way star Grape Fruit 26th Overall. While these three selections helped push the Panthers in the direction of a Championship in different ways, it could be argued that none of these three picks did as much as the Panthers' fourth pick in the draft, winger "Long" John Donair.

Donair was a budding star who was drafted in the SMJHL's 55th Entry Draft by the then Anaheim Outlaws. Posting 24 points in 50 games as a rookie, Donair's future looked bright, but still slipped down the SHL draft boards at an alarming rate. Still, Interim-GM Sve7en didn't hesitate when Donair was available with the 34th selection. It did not take Donair long to make it known to Los Angeles that they made the right decision, and made every other SHL General Manager regret passing on him in the S56 Draft. Donair's rookie season wasn't bad, posting 35 points (17-18-35) in 66 games, but it was his second season where he really found his footing, posting 58 points (32-26-58) in 66 games. Donair's second season was the first of an 11 season stretch where he posted 20+ goals in each campaign, only failing to post 30 or more in four of those seasons. This did include a one season stint in Toronto, a trade that was part of what signaled the organization's impending rebuild, but this did not slow Donair down in leaving his mark on the Los Angeles franchise. When all was said and done, here is where Donair ranks among Los Angeles history in various categories:

Games Played: t-4th (792)
Goals: 2nd (336)
Assists: 4th (355)
Points: 2nd (691)
Plus/Minus: 5th (+93)

On top of it all, Donair helped bring Los Angeles its first Challenge Cup since Season 17 with a 4-2 S65 finals victory over Tampa Bay, a win that was over 8 real life years in the making!

As for the user, @GCool was a locker room favorite throughout his time in Los Angeles. Over the course of his career, GCool never had a negative thing to say in the locker room, and his daughter "Carl" (nickname given by his Panther teammates) will forever be enshrined as one of the team's "center ice ads." GCool picked up his teammates when they were down, and did everything that he could to make sure there wasn't a down day among the group.

This post is long overdue, but it is more than deserved. Today, the Los Angeles Panthers not only will recognize "Long" John Donair and GCool in the Los Angeles Walk of Fame, but we will also be lifting Donair's number into the rafters, retiring the number 15 alongside the former Panther greats. Congratulations on the career, and thank you for everything that you have done not only for the team and organization, but for myself and those that care about you. Thank you for being a massive part of what has made Los Angeles feel like home.

Aleksi Kettu

*Zerg* · 08-26-2023, 04:51 PM

WOOOOOOOO

***Frenchie*** · 08-26-2023, 04:52 PM

Despite only being able to share the LR on that final year of yours, its was an absolute pleasure. Congratulations on the career, LAP legend, one in who's footsteps I shall try to walk!

@"jason kranz" sig elite / @sulovilen elite sig

wumaduce · 08-26-2023, 06:38 PM

Oh fuck yeah, it was a blast sharing a lr with you for so long! It's been a great ride with you over the years, my friend!

GCool · 08-27-2023, 11:06 AM

Thank you very much for this honor. I aimed to be an example in the LR, taking all of my positive and negative experiences with previous players to heart, and I'm glad that it translated. I hope to enjoy watching many seasons of continued Panthers success, both figuratively from the rafters and literally in the Discord keeping up with everybody. Smile

*slothfacekilla* · 08-27-2023, 12:48 PM

The g in gcool stands for goat!

***Whitecap*** · 08-27-2023, 04:47 PM

So well deserved, absolute club legend!

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