A season to forget

[JCarson 744]

Season 87 came and went, and I have to say it was disappointing in many regards. Let me elaborate on several of them. 

 

First, I had an extremely poor season. I could take time to lay out why that was. I could lay blame on myself and on others but that will not help in the long run. I played the entire season on the second line, so I had a significant drop in production. I went from being a point per game player looking to improve further to getting only 60 points on the season. Now some people will argue that a 60-point season is good, and for some it is. Yet as a max earning forward with a significant investment into offensive skills it is not. Reality is I had hoped to push for a 100-point season, to be listed among the top 10-point producers and to start pushing for recognition as one of the best forwards in the VHL. That was quickly shot down. 

 

Second, London United tied for 5th place in the conference and lost their playoff spot on a tie breaker. A technicality separated London from the playoffs. We all understand that the rules are in place to ensure a decision can be made but I am not sure anyone expected that they would be used, ever. I will put it out there, it was not even the first tie breaker that was used but the second. Lost a chance at the playoffs due to a difference in ROW. The disappointment is real. 

 

Third, our GM is stepping down. Yes, London United is losing Dil. For some people that may not be a significant thing, but Dil was my first VHL GM. He was the GM that drafted me and named me captain of the team. His focus was to build a competitive team around Molly the Cat and bring the Cup to London. I get that life happens and that he is pursuing his career, and we wish him well. However, with Dil stepping away that is going to bring in someone new, someone with a different vision, with a different methodology. It is going to mean change.  

 

Fourth, by not making the playoffs the offseason is going to be long and boring. Yes, I have signed up for the ProAm, yes, I will stay engaged and do my Point Tasks, but it is going to be long and boring. I will repeat that, long and boring. For those of us on the outside we can pick who we root for, we can follow the games but in all reality it does not mean much. The goal of playing on a team is to compete for the top honors and unfortunately, we get to sit outside of it all and watch. Not the dream we had in mind. 

 

Well, those are my thoughts on the season, the disappointment it was and how that is going to impact the offseason. To those of you still completing good luck, to those of you who like me are sitting on the sidelines good luck to you as well. See you all in season 88. Hopefully, it will be better.