Isau's Rookie Experience

[Eynhallow 412]

What It's Like to be a Rookie in the VHL

 

After having spent more than a season playing in North America and Mexico, moving to Eastern Europe was not without its challenges: language and diet just to name a few.  However, there were other North American players in Riga and all the details got sorted.  I mean the ice was flat, cold, hard and slippery.  Hockey is hockey.

  

 

For most of the season the Riga Reign were languishing outside the playoff picture looking in.  Then, in a late season move, GM Hedgehog acquired some high end talent in the form of Ray Shields, Guy Sasakamoose and Oskar Lagesson.  The latter two retiring at the end of the season.  These veterans were able to carry the Reign into a wild card spot.  Even though the Reign bowed out quickly, making the VHL playoffs provided valuable experience for the large number of rookies on the Riga roster.

 

 

Isau’s rookie season was what one might call indifferent.  His production resembled his production with the Philadelphia Reapers in their Founder’s Cup season:

Goals: 20

Assists: 34

Points: 54

This was good enough for 8th on his team in scoring.  In addition, Isau managed 122 hits which was 8th on the team.   His lack of defence showed up in that Isau was a -19.  Second only to Guy Sasakamoose.  Isau has vowed to improve in this area during the off-season.  At this time he has added +10 attribute points to this skill dimension.  After the trade, Isau was moved, from his natural center position, to right wing.  At this time he also lost power play minutes and, as a result, his late season production slowed down dramatically.  However, Isau was just happy to be playing in Riga and tried his best at whatever he was assigned to do.  He realized that, generally, rookies were at a distinct disadvantage in this league as they frequently play against players that are far more skilled and much further along in their careers.

 

So, the big question after a first season in the VHL is “Where do we go from here ?”  Personally, Isau will be trying to build his player in the most efficient and productive way possible.  As well, I believe in the intangibles that come from participating on a regular basis in the Reign Locker Room and on the various Discord channels.  As far as the team is concerned at the time of writing this review;  GM Hedgehog has brought up three of the Reign’s prospects, including a goalie.  Also, he is in negotiation with an elite defenseman.  Hopefully he will choose to spend a couple of seasons in Riga.  Although Riga does not have a particularly high pick in the upcoming draft, there is always hope that there might be a diamond in the rough that will come our way.  In the meantime, before the next season begins, Isau has started his regime of eat, sleep and train.  He is determined to be faster and more defensively responsible in the upcoming season.  Go Riga 

 

Word Count:  508