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***bluesfan55*** · 03-19-2025, 02:47 PM

I hoped that I'd be writing this after going out with a ring. Lord knows I've tried. But to go out like we did, getting swept by Kelowna, was not the way I wanted to end my SMJHL career. I've played four years for this franchise, and every year I think we've had a realistic chance at winning it all. It's just frustrating to not win a ring for this franchise while I was lucky enough to play for them.

My first season in the SMJHL had low expectations. I was a first round pick, which was pretty exciting, but I knew Anchorage had low expectations. Then we finished second in the league in the regular season. That's when the bar was set - we were ready to be one of the best teams in the J. We didn't do that well in the playoffs (swept in the first round - starting and ending my J playoff career with that sucks, eh?), but we weren't expected to win it all. We just wanted to but the league on notice. We did just that.

The next season we finished fifth, but we were a better team and the league had a lot more parity. The playoffs were great - we swept Great Falls in the first round before shocking Newfoundland, who'd finished second in the SMJHL in the regular season, in a 7 game series that I want to relive again and again (and actually would the next year but we'll get to that). Then we ran into the Quebec juggernaut, and they beat us in 5.

We'd finish fourth in S80, beat our rivals Vancouver in 5 in the first round (how sweet that was, especially considering how much I've talked about our rivalry in point tasks), and then ran into Newfoundland, who'd finished second in the SMJHL in the regular season, again. We swept them. Absolutely blew them away. When we went up early on Quebec, I was convinced this was our year. But they were just too good again. That series hurt so much, and I struggle to describe it. It's just painful knowing that if we won that series, if we'd just held on, we'd probably have beaten the Kraken in the finals and gotten that ring. But it wasn't meant to be. And this year, we just kind of fell flat. I have no idea how. We were playing as hard as we usually did, but the results just didn't come. Then the playoffs happened, and now I'm here. God, that hurt.

Being on the Armada was such a privilege. I was lucky to come here with a stacked rookie class, playing with guys like Barcus Juneau, Javelin Bodine, and Hughes Incorporated. We were the team's core. Barcus and Javelin were great two-way guys, Hughesy just quietly put up points (what a beast), and I was the defensive guy who blocked shots (trust me, we'll get to that soon). For four years, we busted our asses to get Anchorage that ring, and we got so close. It's just a shame that we didn't get there. I've been fortunate to play with some great guys, and lucky enough to have been voted team captain this season. That's why the loss hits so hard this season. I failed to lead this team to the promised land. Maybe I put a bit too much pressure on myself, but it just felt like we could make this run and as captain I wanted to be at the forefront of that. It just wasn't to be.

Personally, I think I've been able to accomplish a lot in these four years. I'm leaving Anchorage with two Alexis Metzler awards, being the first player to win it more than once. That's an honor - I take my defensive game so seriously, and I'm glad to have been noticed, but I play this way for the team, which is why no ring stings. I also leave with the most blocked shots in SMJHL history, and being the first player to break 1000 in a career is insane. I've always wanted to put my body on the line for my team, and it helps that I'm bigger than most people so I cover a wider area, but I find more satisfaction in shot blocks than goals. There's a reason why my offense hasn't been as developed - I focus on those blocks. Now, I find my way up to Minnesota. Getting drafted there was pretty surprising, to be honest. They'd scouted me, and our conversations had gone well, but I simply didn't think that I'd be a Monarch. I was hoping to go in the first round, and I think I warranted a spot there, but I'd ultimately fall to Minnesota in the second round. That hurt, especially considering what I perceived to be a lack of interest in me as a player and person (brief aside out of character: I understand the recreate tax when it comes to scouting, but I really do feel like I was underscouted and that most teams with picks in that draft bar a couple didn't do their due diligence until the day of the draft which I get but still hurt my feelings), but going to a franchise where I'd had a good conversation and made me feel valued was nice. It's spurred me on to make sure that I grow into an elite SHL defenseman, and I think I can be. I want to prove these teams that passed on me wrong, and I feel like I'm ready to do that and make my mark on the SHL.

With that being said, I have to say goodbye to the Armada now that my four seasons in the SMJHL are done. I'd have given anything to win a ring with these guys down here, but that's sadly not how life goes. I've said this a lot, but we did the best we could. It just wasn't enough. Now, I prepare for the SHL and a new chapter. Thank you, Anchorage. It's been a fun ride.

Prayl07 · 03-19-2025, 02:54 PM

We will miss you! Thanks for all you did for Anchorage!

Oh Captain my Captain!

retuperkele · 03-19-2025, 03:51 PM

Tours when

***bluesfan55*** · 03-19-2025, 05:11 PM

03-19-2025, 03:51 PMretuperkele Wrote: Tours when

soon trust

icewindoo · 03-19-2025, 07:57 PM

Great post! Was a pleasure sharing the ice and LR with you these past four (!) seasons. See you in the bigs.

LGRW613 · 03-20-2025, 11:52 AM

Finally the shots blocked #1 spot is mine!

Best shot blocker in SMJHL history, gonna be the next Hodor/Jaden Tanner, looking forward to see you break records in the SHL!

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