Matty Fire Rookie Experience

[mattyIceman 1,039]

After a season and a half in the VHLM, playing for two teams, and capping the experience with a Founder's Cup, it's time for the rookie experience in the VHL.

 

THE VHLM (S78-S79)

 

Getting selected 2nd overall in a draft class with alot of premium young talent, his expectations are through the roof.  Getting his feet wet with a cup of coffee with @dlamb's Ottawa Lynx in S78, putting up eight goals and 16 points in 18 games, he knew he could hang in there with more skilled players like AJ Williams and Shane Lazeski, and hold his own.  He was good enough to get picked by @InstantRockstar's Miami Marauders in the 2nd round at 13th overall, and was part of a team of VHLE bound talent consisting of Mikey Markov, Hari Singh Nalwa, Jloyd Bloyderson, James Glove Dropper, Logain Ablar, Em Em Flex and Alessandro Nano that was contending for the majority of the season.  The Marauders loaded up with a very skilled roster en route to the Founder's Cup final, taking out the top-ranked Mississauga Hounds in a surprisingly short five-game series.  In the 18 game quest for the Cup, he put up a very worthy 20 playoff points with 8 goals.  He even had a tryout for the newly-created expansion league VHLE team Istanbul Red Wolves in a brief draft lottery tournament, getting picked to play by GM @KaleebtheMighty .  He struggled mightily, playing behind some VHL caliber players, only getting an assist in the short tournament.  Fire also did get to showcase his skill in the World Junior Tournament.  He was selected to play for his home country Team Canada, and did a decent job playing behind some older players, getting two goals and five points in eight games for the Canadians.

 

 

THE S80 VHL DRAFT

 

Heading into the draft, he had a big choice to make.  Either head to the VHLE and develop there, or head straight into the VHL.   He took into account many factors, mostly his performance with the Red Wolves and with Team Canada.  He did ponder if he would be able to compete at the VHL level early, but only for a short while.  While he could have probably been a good player in the VHLE, his made his choice when the Toronto Legion selected him 2nd overall.  After getting selected, GM @Peace had the talk with Matty "Are you coming up or going to the VHLE?"  He knew that with plenty of ice time available in Toronto that he could have plenty of time at a young age to figure things out quickly, and be a part of Toronto's leadership core going forward.  So he made the choice to play in Toronto.  He even got drafted the very next day back to the Istanbul Red Wolves after having answered some VHLE GMs and posting a status update saying he was going to play in the VHL with Toronto.

 

"The goal is simple.  Get good, fast.  I'm looking forward to playing with some great players against great players, especially Asher Reinhart.  They've been around the league for awhile, so I have a good chance to be great too."

 

Extra Mentions: @ajwllmsn @Lazarus @Dil @oilmandan @leafsman @Kelsier @Jamomayo@rjfryman

 

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Edited September 22, 2021 by MattyIce