I joined the SHL just before the Season 79 draft and had no idea what I was doing. I was not active on Discord, did not understand the forums, could barely navigate the portal, and was in the middle of some major life events. I had no idea how to answer scouting questions about earning and TPE and player types. Sometime in the mid-offseason Yosh reached out to me about being a part of the very first draft class for the Thunder Bay Walleye, the recently relocated team with big shoes to fill after moving the relatively successful Regina Elk.  I was driving to a dying relative's house listening to my SMJHL draft, and when I finally heard my name called mid-third round, I still had no idea what I was doing. I got some warm and welcoming messages that eased the anxiety of being brand new in the league.

Over my first four seasons in the league, my player has had ups and downs, wins and losses, promotions and demotions, but overall, it has always been a great experience. Thunder Bay was a great landing spot for someone like me. There was a lot of aspiration to grow but minimal pressure to dominate now. It was a place I could have a significant role from the start. It molded to fit with my expectations and available time. I want to thank @yosh, @CloudRobot, and @Troy_McClure03, the leadership during my four seasons in Thunder Bay. Each of them has been willing to help anytime I have a stupid question or weird idea. I’m lucky to continue on to play with two of these three in New England next season. 

In my last season I was honored to be elected as captain of the team. I have been trusted to be a part of scouting the next classes of fish. I feel like I have been given opportunities I would have never got elsewhere. I think the team has a great future ahead, and I am glad to be tied to the first four seasons of Thunder Bay history.
  
Going out in the first round is not how I wanted to end my J career. We had a hard fought battle with Vancouver, and you can never be too hard on yourself for a game seven overtime loss, but I had really hoped to surprise a few people this season. It makes it more bittersweet that the Walleye locker room came alive in this past season. I know that with the latest class and the users Thunder Bay brings in next season, they will only keep moving up in the standings and running deeper in the playoffs

All that said, I am looking forward to jumping into the big time with New England next season. I’m lucky to get to play on an already good team with strong leadership and a great locker room. Thank you Thunder Bay for taking a chance on me and I’ll be rooting for you to win it all soon.

(505 words)

One of the most inspirational stories ive heard from a player. From a mid 3rd rounder to the top, going through events that arent even comprehensible to the mind sometimes. Congrats to your J career, and I hope to see you on the ice in a few seasons.

Thanks for the kind words friend! Your player may be moving up, but you are always welcome in Thunder Bay!

Colorado Raptors Capitan S42-Until Forever!
Czechia Wants you! Ask about a transfer!!

S74 - Troy McClure IIII
Late To Draft - Signed by Regina Elk
Drafted 18th overall in SHL Draft to New England Wolfpack






S42-Troy McClure III- D-Retired
Undrafted Signing-S41
S43-S52 SHL Totals: 500 games played 32 goals 189 assists 891 hits 10227 minutes
S41-S42 SMJHL Totals: 100 games played 10 goals 52 assists 187 hits 1818 minutes
S41-S52 Czechia Totals: 124 games played 12 goals 42 assists 230 hits 2468 minutes




Awards
S41 WJC Gold Medal Champion Co-GM!!
S42 Quilha Agante Trophy Winner
S42 Ideen Fallah Trophy Winner
 S44 Champion Cup Champion - Winnipeg Jets
S53 Champion Cup Champion - Hamilton Steelhawks

Kristaps Skalbergs | D | Thunder Bay Walleye | Minnesota Monarchs | Latvia | 410 TPE
---Draft History---
S81 SMJHL Draft | Selected 36OA by Thunder Bay
S82 SHL Draft | Selected 25OA by Minnesota
---Career Stats---
--SMJHL Regular Season--
S81 | TBW | 7G | 37A | 44P | 66GP | 103HIT | 108SB | 82TA | 9th place
S82 | TBW | ??G | ??A | ??P | ??GP | ??HIT | ??SB | ??TA | ??th place
--SMJHL Playoffs--
S81 | TBW | 2G | 3A | 5P | 7GP | 12HIT | 15SB | 9TA | Eliminated in Round 1
S82 | TBW | ??G | ??A | ??P | ??GP | ??HIT | ??SB | ??TA | ???
--WJC Group Stage--
S81 | RAT | 3G | 6A | 9P | 12GP | 16HIT | 19SB | 13TA | 4th in Group A
--WJC Playoffs--
S81 | RAT | 0G | 0A | 0P | 1GP | 1HIT | 1SB | 1TA | Eliminated in QF




Thank you OrbitingDeath and RainDelay for the sigs, and sve7en for the You Belong banners!

What a series it was, had us in VAN on the edge of our seats every game! Good luck in the SHL next season, rooting for ya!

Hans Gronlund | LD | Vancouver Whalers (S79 Waiver Claim) | Seattle Argonauts (S80 Pick 7)
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 227lbs
Number: 65
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SMJHL Regular Season:
S79 Vancouver Whalers | 62 GP | 0 G | 11 A | 11 P | -76 | 34 PIM | 85 H | 173 BLK
S80 Vancouver Whalers | 66 GP | 13 G | 23 A | 36 P | -25 | 57 PIM | 85 H | 176 BLK

What a series it was, had us in VAN on the edge of our seats every game! Good luck in the SHL next season, rooting for ya!

You too Red Wings friend!

Thunder Bay Legend

Ty to Eni's Sig Shop

ty to ragnar

Mac Turner || F || Regina Elks
Mac Turner:
6'4:
219:
#37:
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SMJHL:
S72: GP:66 G:14 A:31 PTS:45
S73: GP:66 G:17 A:36 PTS:53
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Awards:
S72 Brandon Holmes - Top Defensive Forward(SMJHL)
S73 All-Defensive Team (SMJHL)