Seattle was a scoring-starved team. Heading into season 2 of the franchise, we still didn’t have the forward depth and high level talent you need to be successful. Our young players had positive steps forward, and we’re in a good spot going into S58. That being said, Darrow had a fantastic season. He led the league with an absurd 312 blocked shots and 61 Takeaways, while also adding a respectable 35 points and 126 hits. Darrow also had the best plus minus among top four defenseman (van Dijk and Bieksa weren’t playing much), albeit a -18. For a top player on a struggling team, I couldn’t do much more than what I did. Without Darrow, Seattle would have been a much worse team. Heading into S58, I think the additions of Gabe Johnson and Reid Sutherland, along with another year of improvement for the young players like Thor, Darzins, and Dee Centerman IV, will allow Seattle to make a sizeable jump in the standings. Darrow looks to benefit from this improvement, as there will be more talented players able to finish his passes or redirect his point shots. I imagine his defensive stats will stay about the same, but the improved talent around him could see scoring numbers tick up (and some improvement in his advanced stats).

Cassius Darrow headed over to the Lambert House, a LGBTQ community center in Seattle, earlier today for the first time (unintentionally for #BellLetsTalk day). Over the offseason, he plans to help with several handyman projects on the property, as well as support some outreach programs the organization is doing in the Seattle community. Since coming out as ace a few years ago and moving to Seattle, Darrow has tried (gingerly) to engage more with the queer community of his new home, and help be a role model for other youth who may struggle with understanding and acceptance of their own identities, or who struggle to get support from those around them.

“As much as I try to avoid it, I have a platform and can help others,” Darrow shared. “I’ve always wanted to just focus on my play, but I know that I can make a positive change by being open and honest with who I am. I want to help young people who are different not feel so alone.”

Earlier this season, Darrow worked with the Seattle Argo Foundation/Community Engagement team to host a game day silent auction, proceeds benefiting Asexual Outreach, a nonprofit that aims to “create safe and inclusive schools for ace and aro youth, and [work] with major LGBTQ+ nonprofits to extend the reach” of their work.

May the tendrils pan
Across Many-handed feet
A Martian on skates
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Another season
ended, Steelhawks skree no more
Congrats Chicago
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Sutherland and Gabe
All aboard good ship Argo
We’re comin’ for ya
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BOATS AND OWLS AND BOATS
And no more Owls; Quebec falls
Faelax weeps again

It’s Quebec Citadelles. It’s not close. Quebec from start to finish had a completely dominant season cut short by Anchorage, but they’ll be even scarier in S58. They had three of the league’s most dominant centers in Jst Maro, Stan Q. Next, and Zdenko Beranek, along with a frankly unfairly deep group of defense and wingers. This team’s only weakness might have been a pedestrian season for Mat Smith in net, but even then, he was among the league leaders. It’s unfair to the rest of the league that they have to face more than 80% of that team coming back. Even with some losses to call ups (maybe 3 people?) Bjorn Jakobsen, Mew Two, and Brian Davenport will be a season older and stronger, ready to step into bigger roles. Jakobsen was already one of the stronger offensive defenseman in the league with favorable matchups lower in the lineup. Quebec was great last year and could be even better in S58. I’m glad I don’t have to face them as player or GM.

Luca Del Vecchio is, without question, John Gibson. Dude puts up very impressive numbers, but the team is incapable of getting the poor guy wins. If he was on a contender like Tampa Bay/Chicago, he’d be raking in the awards. You almost feel bad for him.

Augustus Wang is early career Erik Karlsson—plays no defense at all, wildly overrated by the public at large, and likely someday will get an undeserved Stevens win. With his off-ice pursuits, he’s more like Paul Bissonnette, though. Will his career end in disgrace and a lowbrow podcast on a sexist network, or will he learn to play defense and earn a Stevens win? Will his partner get into a very public dispute with another teammate’s wife, leading to both of them leaving Buffalo? Probably none of the above.

Barry Batsbak is the SHL’s Claude Giroux. Largely anonymous to the layperson, but puts up solid production a team the league loves to hate (Batsbak and CGY, Giroux and Philly). Never going to get a ton of recognition individually, but that’s how it goes; they are steady, productive centers.


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