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***Acsolap*** · 01-20-2022, 12:17 PM

The Anchorage Armada also previously known as The Regina Force and twice as The Prince George Firebirds are one of the original teams of the SMJHL along with Detroit, Montreal (now Carolina), Vancouver and Kelowna. In the 62 seasons since their inception they have had 22 general managers, the longest serving being Acsolap (me) who was at the helm of the team between season 44 and 56. In this time they have won the Four Star cup 6 times but have also had one of the longest droughts not lofting the trophy for thirty seasons between season 8 and season 38. They would also lost three finals in this time.

Despite having the second longest GM tenure in GM history and a respectable record of 344-252-54 over thirteen seasons my tenure was tarnished by post season mediocrity. Decent performances in the regular season failed to translate into finals opportunities with near constant six or seven game losses, often to lower seeded teams. The sole shining light being the seven game win against Kelowna in the season 51 finals. The feeling around the team was while all the building blocks were in place for success the management just was not able to get them across the line. When I decided to vacate my position at the conclusion of the season Gabe was a natural choice to be my successor.

S57:

Gabe started off with a bang posting a 42-16-8 record which was good enough for first place in the west and second overall. Anchorage would go on to beat St Louis and Quebec on their way to the finals where they would vanquish Anaheim in 5 games to lift the Four Star in Johnson's inaugural season.

S58:

The least successful season in Gabe's tenure. Anchorage cooled off and posted a 36-27-3 record only good enough for 5th in the league. However they came into their own in the post season easily overcoming Detroit and Newfoundland, both in 5 games, to once again reach the final. This time they couldn't get it over the line and lost 4-1.

S59:

Anchorage would finish the season with an incredible 95 points (45-16-5) which would actually end up only being good enough for second place in the league. Neither Colorado nor Quebec could end the Armada's run in the post season and Anchorage would make it a hatrick of finals appearences. Kelowna would prove to be too good however and Anchorage would drop the series in 5 games.

S60:

Gabe's final season in charge and would just miss out on breaking his previous seasons points total once again hitting 95 points (46-19-3) but this time two other teams would finish better off. A tight fought series against Colorado followed with the Armada winning game 7 before sweeping Quebec who were becoming somewhat of a whipping boy for the boat gang. Like the two previous seasons the finals proved to be a bridge too far with Newfoundland taking the series in 6 games.

After four seasons Gabe would end his tenure as the GM with an outstanding record of 169-76-19 and having made the finals in every one of those. Even though Anchorage only went 1 for 4 in the finals there can be few if any GMs who can claim they never missed the finals after GMing for multiple seasons.