13,900 Miles.

[youloser1337 1,128]

 

When Maloish joined the VHLM, he didn’t expect to travel thousands of miles in the first 2 seasons. Here we are at the end of season 83 and the start of season 84, Maloish traveled over 13,000 miles to start his journey to the VHL.

 

Here are some stories of each move:

 

He was very nervous about leaving his home country. He didn’t know if he would fit in with the rest of the league. He didn’t know if he was up to the level of the rest of the VHLM. So when a bunch of the VHLM gms set up meetings with him, he was shocked. He knew he was a top prospect coming to the league, but this was the first time it felt natural. When Houston came forward and did their pitch, he felt a connection with the team. He knew he wanted to lace up for the Houston squad. He accepted their offer and was on a plane to his new home.

 

After losing out in the finals in 7 games, Maloish knew he couldn’t top that performance in the VHLM. He didn’t want to seem overly cocky but he didn’t want to regress or not learn anything. He came to the VHLE office and asked to be put in as a free agent. Of course, they were very accommodating and accepted that proposal. He was a free agent in the VHLE. At first, teams were slow to trickle in to get their name in the hat for Maloish to choose from. It didn’t ramp up until most of the other teams didn’t get their target and was falling back. It was a bit demotivating for Maloish to see his other classmates being signed before him. He knew GMs would come to him when their signings fell through. Something similar happened to Maloish, the team he wanted to sign with already moved onto a different person. So he went with his next option which was with Rome.

 

Rome was a great place for Maloish at the time. He was given top ice time and was the quarterback for the powerplay and the penalty kill. He knew that there was a lot of stress and scouts watching him play. He also knew that he needed to give it his all to make sure that he can prove to the scouts that he belongs in the VHL. When Rome wasn’t doing well, the Rome gm approached Maloish and asked if he wanted to be traded at the deadline. Of course, Maloish was hesitant because he didn't want to be seen as non-loyal. He also wanted to help out Rome in any way he could. So Rome decided the best bet was to deal Maloish at the trade deadline and get some assets as he would be walking to the draft at the end of the season anyway. There was no beef or any hard feelings after the trade. The Rome GM was very nice and knew that Maloish wanted to be on a Cup contender, which kind of worked out for Maloish in the end after being dealt to the Bratislava Watchmen.

 

Bratislava was a slow start for Maloish. He didn’t know anyone and was a bit nervous to change teams late in the season. He didn’t do too well on the ice but the Watchmen were gearing up for the playoffs. He knew going into the playoffs, that he would have to work extra hard. There was no slacking in the playoffs. In 17 games with the Watchmen in the regular season, he had 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points. He knew that he was under a large microscope being judged for every move he does. That’s why he went into overdrive and made sure to get the value the GM wanted out of him. He ended with 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points in 12 games played. What is crazy is that he also ended with a +/- rating of 6. He improved dramatically in the playoffs and it showed. The Watchmen went on a magical run and were able to lift the cup at the end of the season. This was, hopefully, the first of many for Maloish. Maloish was going to be in the VHL and the VHLE draft after his run in the playoffs. He knew that his decision of playing in the VHLE or VHL came down to his new GM. Tons of GMs approached for a draft interview and he kept his answers the same. “I’m leaving that option open for my new GM. I’m going wherever I’m needed.” When the draft day came, he was so nervous about where he was going. He saw all the articles and was guessing that he was going to be in the top 5. So when the top 5 came and went, he started getting nervous. Was he sliding in the draft? 6… 7… 8… Maloish was finally called. The Calgary Wranglers drafted him! The GM immediately pulled him to the side and asked if he was going to be with the club or the VHLE. Maloish told him that he wants to leave that option up to the GM. The GM came back and said… “Welcome to the Wranglers.”

 

So now Maloish’s 13,900-mile journey to get to the VHL is finally coming to the end. He is now with his new home in Calgary to be a part of the Wrangler squad. He doesn’t care if he is on the bottom pairing. He wants to prove to the league and his new GM that they didn’t make a mistake drafting him. He also wants to prove to the GMs who passed on him that it was a mistake.

 

“Watching everyone get called up before me was heartbreaking. I didn’t know I was going to slide that far. This is just motivation to train harder and prove everyone wrong. I’m not going to let my team down. This is my home and I’m going to try my best to get a cup here.”

 

1014 words - claiming 2 weeks

[Garsh 1,203]

But I would walk 13,900 miles aaaaaaaaand I would walk 13,900 more

[ShawnGlade 1,010]

Awesome article, I like reading summaries about a player's hockey experience whether it be in the VHL or elsewhere, and what I really like about this article in particular was adding a sort of wacky, memorable hook to it with the 13,900 miles which fuck, hope Maloish is an AA rewards member because he could probably cash out on some baller trips soon. I will say though, please use a different font or size or whatever it is, it was not very easy on the eyes.

7/10

[youloser1337 1,128]

Claiming week 2