Hello Europe - Francesco Mancini

[GioSivo 167]

It's Nice to Be Home

     Playing in Europe was a dream come true for Mancini, getting to play on his home continent. Drafted by Istanbul he was happy that at least the weather wouldn't be different from home, and even San Diego. Only a few days after the press conference in Istanbul, he was told that there was an undergoing trade discussion involving him between them and... Rome. While Mancini kept it to himself, he was absolutely ecstatic about this news, he had always dreamed of being able to play professionally in his home country. And like clockwork, the trade went through, and off he was back home. Sure, he was from Milan, but this was close enough.

 

     Mancini continued to perform at a high level, continuing to average about a point per game and was a top leader in both goals and power play goals in the VHLE. His defense gradually improved since the beginning of the season, especially after the -8 plus-minus. Though off the ice he absolutely proved he was a great teammate. He melded in very well in the locker room, (hard not to get along with a guy who is constantly making you and the boys food), and was chosen to be an assistant captain of the team. He also proved to be very popular with the fans, being Italian himself, and he found himself attending all kinds of events and mingling with them. Though his absolute favorite part of the season was undeniably "L'ANFITEATRO", where they played a game in an ancient Roman amphitheater, it was a surreal experience for everyone, even for the guys who had played in multiple before. 

     Of course aside from social life he had to worry about his development as a player, he's New York's newest mafia boss after all. His point per game average was what he expected of himself, along with his production on the powerplay. But a nagging feeling told him it wasn't enough, he needed to produce more. These feelings only compounded after their horrendous run toward the end of the season, going 1-14-3 in 18 games at one point, dropping from 1st in the league to barely in 4th. It was incredibly frustrating to him, he didn't blame anyone for it, just was frustrated in general. Though with his time in Rome coming to an end, he knows he still has a bright future ahead of him in New York.

Word Count: 401