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Cornerstones of a Franchise - 5 Seattle Jerseys Retired
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When one looks at a team within any sport, there are various factors that can be consistently seen. There's the fan-favorite players, there's the coaching and management putting together systems and players that all mesh, and there's the ever present drive for competition. Everyone involved has a fire within them burning bright as they chase their goals. And yet, time and time again, this doesn't ultimately lead to success for a team. There's setbacks, and teams can come barely not close enough, failing to achieve their dreams. However, in a few cases, you'll have a team that uses the flames of adversity to light the way in front of them. And when the smoke dissipates, it shows the difference between the teams of success and the teams of failure. It shows the cornerstones of a franchise.

For the Seattle Argonauts, across their back to back Challenge Cup wins in seasons 67 and 68 of the SHL, these cornerstones revealed themselves to be 5 players. 5 players who always took the first strides, who always landed the biggest hits, and who, above all else, always put the team first. And while there were many players who contributed to the Argonauts during this time, these players are recognized for their contributions across many years with the Argonauts, truly cementing themselves as cornerstones of the franchise during this era.

#15 William Salming - @Salming

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William Salming, a winger drafted back in season 56, was a relatively unknown player. Scoring only 18 points across 50 games in his first game with QCC in the SMJHL, Seattle wasn't sure who they were getting. Still though, the management for the team saw a glimmer of potential in him, and drafted him in the 3rd round, 44th overall. With time, this 3rd round pick would grow to become one of the most important players in Argonauts history.

Across 1,320 games with Seattle, Salming would become one of the longest tenured players to play for the franchise. Coming off of a Four Star Cup win in his final season in the minors, expectations were high for both Salming, from both himself, and from the team. At the time, however, Salming was joining a strong Seattle team, and he was forced to compete for ice time, leading up to a smaller amount of ice time.

Salming was never discouraged, however. He consistently showed up to every game ready to give it his all, regardless of where he ended up in the lineup. This grit, and this tenacity, combined with the expectations he put on himself, always meant that Salming would be one of the players inspiring his teammates to be better. He wanted to "be a guy who gives others energy instead of taking it away." Over the years, teammates both younger and older, would be spurred on by Salming's efforts.

Every team wants a William Salming on their team. Every team wants a player that can slot into any position in the lineup, and make their teammates better. Whether it was driving a respectable amount of offense, or being placed into a shutdown role, Salming grew to every challenge. And unlike most players that prefer to have consistency with their place in the lineup, Salming put the team first. He didn't care where he was, as long as he was given the chance to make the team better. And this opportunity came right when Salming started reaching his peaks in the seasons where Seattle was making their deep playoff runs.

Salming was the player whose time with the Argonauts was long, and yet felt too short all the same. When a player who can do it all leaves, it leaves a lot of holes to be filled. Always putting the team first, Salming knew this. He also knew that he wasn't always going to be able to do it all, so he focused on passing his knowledge to the next generation, and shifted towards mentoring the next generation of Argobros.

So while the shoes of Salming would be impossible to fill after his departure, he made sure to sprinkle his magic across the team. This ensured that while his era of the Argonauts was over, his work ethic and team-first attitude would continue into the next generation of Argonauts. In his final season with the Argonauts, they made the playoffs again after missing them for a few seasons. This symbolic passing of the torch defined a fitting end to the tenure of an Argonaut legend.

"Salming has to be one of the better underdog stories I can think of. Since the league's been through a few rounds of expansion, fewer and fewer players are coming out of the third round of the draft, let alone impact players. He was the perfect jack of all trades up front: he scored, he defended, he killed penalties, and I think from a team perspective the biggest thing was his consistency. He never took a shift off and never took a single point out of over 1000 for granted. You win with guys like that." - NotoriousTig, GM for the Seattle Argonauts during their back to back cup wins

#25 Landon Fischermann - @efischermann

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Younger fans of the Argonauts may only know the Fischermann name through the young Campbell Fischermann, an exciting up and coming prospect for Seattle. Fans that have been with the team longer will know the Fischermann name through Campbell's father, Landon Fischermann, an absolute essential defensive defenseman.

Everyone always says "defense wins games," but until one sees it in action, they don't really understand. For fans of the Argonauts during this past era, they would watch Fischermann and say that the "defense wins games" statement was an understatement. Fischermann would not just defend, he would control the game through his defense.

Joining the Argonauts in season 64, the Argonauts were already in the midst of their contention window. For a rookie coming in, especially for a defenseman, it was no easy task starting his pro-career at this time. And yet, that didn't deter Fischermann. He stepped into his role and learned as he went. This caused him to improve fast, and before fans knew it, he was one of the most important pillars of the franchise.

Over the years, it's been argued if the Argonauts would have still been able to make their cup runs without Landon. And the arguments are pretty strong that Fischermann was that essential piece. Another saying that people have is "the best defense is having the puck 150 feet away from your goal" implying that if you're an offensive player, you don't need to play defense. Fischermann took offense to this, and would take pride in turning a defensive situation into an offensive one. Whether it would be a stretch pass into a breakaway, or frustrating opponents as they skated through the neutral zone, Landon Fischermann would be there to turn a bad situation into a good situation.

This play earned Fischermann a nomination for the Bojo Biscuit, top SHL defensive defenseman. Although Fischermann won multiple defensive awards outside the SHL, he would not win any personal awards within the SHL. His skill with the defensive side of the game, however, is the proof that anyone needs that it isn't necessarily about the awards you win, but rather what you bring to the table. And for the 10th overall pick in the season 61 draft, the Argonauts were very happy with what Fischermann brought to the table.

"Fisch was still a younger professional at the time of the back to back championships, but what impressed me the most right from draft combine interviews all the way to his early career was how mature he was and how well he saw the game and his place in it. A lot of young, high draft picks want to hold a high leverage role as soon as possible, but he knew that between our depth on defense and what we needed from him, the bigger picture was most important. He made up a pairing with Ramsbottom that completely crushed their minutes on the third pair and that's a massive advantage he helped create for the team. A fantastic player but moreover a fantastic teammate." - NotoriousTig

#26 Vaseline Podcalzone - @yosh

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The captain is arguably the most important cornerstone for a franchise. And Podcalzone, as the second captain in Argonauts history, ushered the team through separate eras, from a growth phase in the earlier part of his career, to the dominant winning seasons, and then a rebuild in the newest era of the Argonauts.

19 seasons with a single team is no easy task, especially for someone who played hockey like Podcalzone did. Right out of the gate in season 59, the Argonauts knew they had someone special. He showcased his grit and tenacity on the ice. Every shift he would go all out, wearing down the opponents, and shutting them down. This rookie performance would earn him a nomination for the Ryan Jesster rookie of the year trophy. And while he didn't end up winning, he was still put on the Rookie All Star Team.

For the next few seasons, the Argonauts had some middling results, and for Podcalzone, it was similar. In seasons 61-63, he would end with point totals between 40 and 50 each season, struggling to get even close to the point per game mark. His tenacity that allowed him to materialize goals in Juniors wasn't working as well. He hit a crossroads of trying to evolve the skill side of his game, but in the major leagues, he just didn't have the time nor the space to make the needed connections.

The next season, season 64, Podcalzone managed to find the missing piece, and it was one that he knew quite well. Instead of trying to evolve his skill side of the game to beat his opponents, he opted for a more physical power forward style, returning to his style of hockey he displayed in Juniors. This physical play allowed him to disrupt the opponent's play, and create the space that he had been looking for. Instead of trying to work with less space, Podcalzone figured out how to create the space by laying out huge hits, and protecting the puck with his body. Podcalzone broke the point per game mark he had been trying to get to, scoring 71 in 66 games. This performance would give him a nomination for the Aidan Richan most improved trophy. And while yet again Podcalzone did not win the award, this change in his game would still mark the next era of his own career.

And just like how his game changed, the Seattle Argonauts would change too. In season 66, they made it to the Challenge Cup finals, but unfortunately fell short through six games. The one to rally the team together was none other than Podcalzone. Podcalzone had never let a setback in his career define him, and a loss in the finals would definitely not be the first for him or for the team. Rallying everyone together so they could only grow from their narrow miss, the Argonauts would be written.

After the two Challenge Cup wins, Podcalzone's job was not over. He still played hard, and the Argonauts would try to compete, however, anything more was not meant to be. Podcalzone, like his teammate William Salming, would shift to a mentor role, ensuring that the next era of the Argonauts could be equally as successful as his own.

Podcalzone was never the top scorer for Seattle. He wasn't expected to be. He was, however, someone who could still be an elite scorer. He was a hitter. He was a grinder. He was the one who made space for others. He was the one who picked people up when they were down. He was the one who held them up when they wanted to fall. He was the one who enabled others to succeed. And that will always be his legacy.

"What can be said about Pod that hasn't already been said in the city of Seattle? A draft steal in the organization's first draft to pick up a guy who would captain us to two cups, it's a literal dream scenario as a general manager. No matter what emotions were running through the room, he kept everyone pointed in the right direction. He wasn't the type to say "we need a goal here" on the bench to get everyone riled up, he was the type to jump over the boards and score that goal. If anyone deserves the statue treatment in this city, it's Pod - no question." - NotoriousTig

#94 Kermit Murphy - @notorioustig

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If this article were Jeopardy, the answer would be "A premier shut-down defenseman with puck moving skills allowing him to play on both the power play and penalty kill," and the question would be "Who is Kermit Murphy?"

Coming into the league in season 61, Murphy immediately made an impact. Following in the footsteps of many Argonauts rookies during this time, he showed flashes of brilliance, and made an impact on the ice right out the door, earning him a nomination for the Ryan Jesster. His play impressed voters, and he ended up winning the trophy for best rookie. This play, leagues ahead of his peers, would continue throughout his time in Seattle. And although his tenure was shorter than some of the other names on this list, his impact was not.

Kermit Murphy had a way of moving the puck and getting around opponents. Using his strong hind legs, he would leap around the ice with a slickness and agility that only someone like him could have. This made him a menace on the power play, where he was quick in activating the puck, keeping both his webbed feet, and the puck moving. His impact didn't stop there, however, as this ability to ribbit into position allowed him to quickly and effectively cut off lanes on the penalty kill.

Murphy would be a pillar of the defensive side during their cup runs. A recurring theme, Murphy played the best hockey of his career during the years surrounding the cup runs earning both a Bojo Biscuit nomination, as well as a place on the first All Star team. It's no understatement to say that Murphy was one of the best defenseman in the league during this time, a fact made unbelievable when it's noted that before joining Seattle, Murphy had never actually played as a defenseman.

That's right, in his Junior career with the Detroit Falcons, Kermit Murphy was a forward. In season 59, in fact, he won the Roberto Martucci award for top SMJHL goal scorer. So what do you get when you take a player with incredibly gifted goal scoring, and you move him to defense? Hockey analysts would say that this move would be a disaster. Kermit Murphy proved them wrong.

His transition to defense was seamless. He used his experience from his days as a forward to analyze the ice differently from most defenseman. He was able to create offense in places that a normal defenseman would not. It felt like every shift was a power play when Murphy was on the ice. He was that good.

"I think what Kermit provided for us was just pure stability. He was capable of impacting every part of the game consistently, and the coaches could just send him over the boards knowing his job was going to get done. I think he only got better after we acquired Kahnwald, giving us two high end guys on different pairings that could eat minutes without getting run into the ground. His career was unlucky in some ways in that his best seasons were usually overshadowed by other D having career years, but Kermit was the model of consistency and a driver of a cup-winning blue line." - NotoriousTig

#99 Wendolene Ramsbottom - @JuOSu

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A player joining a team on the cusp of winning the Challenge Cup, Wendolene Ramsbottom knew what her role would be. She was a depth player. Every team has them; they're another cornerstone of any team. While some fans tend to focus on the stars and their abilities to change the game, others argue that games are decided by the depth players. Ramsbottom wasn't sure which side was more true, but she did know that she could factor into one side of it.

And she did. With a team that had the likes of Kermit Murphy and Landon Fischermann on them, opponents would be happy to get a line matchup against the younger Wendolene Ramsbottom. This, however, would come to be known in the business as a big mistake. Following in the footsteps of the aforementioned defensive Argonauts, Ramsbottom quickly became another sort of shutdown defenseman. She wasn't the fastest or most skilled, but she wasn't going to be the player to let her team down. She would constantly put her body in the line of fire, becoming the  best shot blocker that the Argonauts have seen.

This ability to shutdown opponents, despite being a depth player, was the final piece that the Argonauts needed for their back to back Cup wins in just Ramsbottom's 2nd and 3rd pro seasons. And while the team's success slowed down after those moments, Ramsbottom did not. She continued to grow, following the mentorship of the older defenseman, growing into her own complete player. When older players started to slow, Ramsbottom was there to fill the gap. She nearly singlehandedly extended the window for Seattle, allowing them to compete for much longer than most expected from them.

Ramsbottom wasn't a player to give up. She cemented the start of his SHL career with success, and she wanted to keep going. This drive ended up earning her a nomination for the Bojo Biscuit, once again following in the footsteps of the other defenseman on the team. She played on both the penalty kill and the power play, and continued to be a shot blocking machine. As her play evolved, she developed the skills to not need to rely as much on his shot blocking, opting instead to simply take away the puck from the opponent before they could even take a shot. Now her toolset consisted of skills to both block shots, and stop them from happening, leading to a decisive combo that prevented the other team from scoring.

Forever an Argonaut, Ramsbottom continued to play with the team through season 79, after which she retired with the 2nd most shots blocked in league history, a testament to her willingness to put his body on the line. He, along with his long teammates, passed the torch to her new teammates to usher in the new age of the Argonauts.

"Wendy was a competitor above all. There was no job too small, no hit or shot block too painful for her, and she put her body on the line every night for this team. Depth is king in the playoffs and being able to put her on the ice knowing she was going to outwork anything the opposition threw at her made the coaches' lives a lot easier. She had some truly memorable penalty killing sequences and all around was a key cog that we do not win two Challenge Cups without." - @notorioustig



To honor the legacy that these players have had with the Seattle Argonauts, the management officially announces that the jerseys for all five of these players will be hoisted into the rafters, and forever be retired in order to cement their legacies at true cornerstones of the franchise.

We reached out to the players, and they had some words to share:
@Salming (William Salming): "The time I spent in Seattle was unforgettable. 20 seasons, 955 points, lots of deep playoff runs and amazing locker room culture. GM Tig's decision to believe in me as a 44th overall pick in the entry draft of season 56 was a big motivation boost year after year. I gave my heart and soul for the franchise and I am glad it was rewarded twice in seasons 67 and 68. Those years right before and after our back-to-back titles were the best times of my ice-hockey career. Because I am a big fan of another expansion team Vegas Golden Knights, being a part of the Argonauts from the very beginning was extremely special and fun. I like to be a part of building projects from the scratch to the top. When I joined the franchise as a young prospect, it was impossible to think that someday I would have for example 170 playoff appearances under my belt when all is said and done. My career in Seattle went better than I ever could have hoped for."

@efischermann (Landon Fischermann): "I had an incredible ride throughout my career. Playing for 1 SHL team was always my dream, and I couldn't have found a better landing spot than I did here in Seattle. Tig welcomed me in with open arms, and our draft class was the group that helped maintain the long success that we all shared. My player was never the flashy one, never the one lighting up the score sheet, but it was important for me to be on the ice, playing the majority of [my] career with Tig, to help shutdown the other team and turn defensive stands into offensive opportunities. I won at almost every level, amassing a championship in the SMJHL, the WJC and two here in Seattle with the Argonauts. I medaled at the World Championships, but that is the one win that always eluded me. It was an incredible ride, and I am honored to have been a part of such a strong franchise."

@yosh (Vaseline Podcalzone): "Podcalzone's career was everything that I could ever dream of." He looked off into the distance, as if recalling fond memories, and continued. "[Podcalzone was a] lifer that spent [his] entire career with one SHL club. Always a consistent and steady presence on the team. Gave all that heart and passion to the club, and served for an extensive amount of time as team captain. Captaining Seattle to back to back Challenge Cups was an incredible part of my experience in this sim league."

@notorioustig (Kermit Murphy): "I came out of junior as a forward and actually led the SMJHL in goals my last season there - [and] never spent another minute up front in my career.  I think that was just the culture we had in Seattle though, what can I do to make this thing work. And for me, that was jumping back on defense, clearly it worked out pretty well. I think I just tried to be whatever type of player the team needed. Sometimes that was a pure shutdown guy, other times it was leading the charge offensively and on the PP. I took pride in being counted on knowing that everyone else in that room was going to commit just as hard to their role."

@JuOSu (Wendolene Ramsbottom): "Wendolene's career might not have fully lived up to some of the expectations but I would still call it a success. Especially in terms of team loyalty and shots blocked it was a success. In career shots blocked, I ended up 3rd [sic] all time, which is probably the only claim to fame I have!"



Current GMs, @efischermann and @Ohtaay, while not GMs for the previous era of Argonauts, had the following to say:
"The legacy of these players is the foundation of this entire organization. When Tig started this team as an expansion franchise, there were a lot of tough years. He built this team from the ground up, filling it with lots of incredible people around him. Not many teams have the long standing success that this group had, and it is just an honor to be a part of that group. I am just the third General Manager in Seattle history, and the 2nd longest standing one now behind just Tig, so I can only hope to come close to the success that he was able to achieve and sustain. What he and the organization did to fill the team up with so many legendary players is truly remarkable and one that everyone in Seattle should be incredibly proud of." - @efischermann

"What a tremendous honor it is to be here today to recognize 5 amazing people, and 5 great users. All 5 played a huge role during the glory days of Seattle as the team launched from expansion. Building out a strong core, and playing key roles on and off the ice. Their on ice performance is easily measured and viewed and looked at by stats. But what I want to talk about is how they helped and are playing a role in the next generation of Seattle hockey. We were fortunate enough to have many of our key players today get the chance to share the ice and the locker room with Salming, Podz, Rams and Fisch! Now we may not have many games to launch the rebuild, but they were key in helping us build the strong locker room we have today. We can’t forget to mention Tig who has been providing words of wisdom on the management side ! This honor is long overdue, but I am glad these 5 finally get the recognition they deserve!" - @Ohtaay


[4,243 words] - Special thanks to everyone who provided quotes and to my GMs in Seattle who let me write this.
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#2

Vamos Argos Argonauts
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#3

All super well deserved! Great post

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Czechoslovakia PROFILE || UPDATE || RAGE. Rage 
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#4

Congrats to all 5!!!

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Credit to enigmatic, Merica, tweedledunn, and jaypc8237 for sigs



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#5

ArGOATs one and all

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#6

Super honored, thank you!

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#7

The biggest honour a hockey player can get. Thank you very much for the whole Seattle Argonauts organisation. I will never forget this day.

@ShadowFenix also your ability to describe so well all of us as players gave me chills. Excellent work.

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#8

the argos mount rushmore, Mount Argoat if you will

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#9

Argonauts Argonauts Argonauts Argonauts Argonauts

Heart Heart Heart Heart Heart Heart

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S61 Four Star Cup - Game-Winning Goal in the clinching Game 4

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