Shaggy Tipton, Assistant to the General Manager

[FTK 49]

ASSISTANT TO THE GENERAL MANAGER

 

SHAGGY TIPTON

 

 

With a vacant Assistant General Manager position remaining open in the VHL, Shaggy Tipton applied for the job. Being inexperienced in terms of management, Helsinki's front office approached his application with cautious optimism, knowing the potential a former player could bring to management. Tipton himself had a career shortened by injuries and a lack of dedication to the Sport, but repurposed himself by becoming a mentor to many young European skaters entering the upcoming drafts. This attracted the attention of some smaller front offices across Europe, mainly small and loosely organized leagues. Tipton was not interested in joining these leagues however, and decided instead to pursue a career in the VHL in a management position.

 

Some would have judged Tipton's stubborn refusal to take lower jobs as too prideful, as positional openings in the VHL were rare, even in their lower leagues. By chance Tipton had been in Europe when the Helsinki Titans announced they were looking for an Assistant General Manager. Unexperienced, but willing to learn the trade, Tipton eagerly applied for the position of Assistant General Manager. Helsinki's General Manager was not known for hiring unexperienced candidates, but Tipton's eagerness and willing to learn helped him ease into the idea of hiring a first time Management staff member. After days of deliberation, Tipton was announced to have been given the position of Assistant to the General Manager. While this was a position below the applied Assistant General Manager, it was a clear pathway into the position and management in general for Tipton. 

 

Tipton's skills were advertised as a capable scout, specializing in Defensemen given that was his position of choice during his career years in the VHL. This continues one of the most interesting careers in VHL history, being a two-time Defensive award winner, from being the first in the European League to receive Defensive Recognition in the inaugural season, to a dominant Ryan Sullivan season in the Minors. Being the first Undrafted player to make a VHL roster, and an All-Rookie team at that. While it is a shame that Tipton's playing days were cut short, he can look forward to the prospect of a long career in Management, a career with more longevity for sure.