McGryer through 10

[Fradin99 96]

In his first ten games at the VHL level, Rookie Alternate Captain Fradin McGryer has shouldered his way into the roster. Starting on the second pairing, the rookie defender has amounted seven points. Now this won't be a record pace or get him past rookie of the year frontrunner Jeff Lewis of Moscow who sits four points ahead of him. But given the rebuild Calgary is currently starting, playing this year strong despite the odds against his club could send a positive message to the rest of his locker room, management, and free agents of the following offseason. This rookie doesn't plan to keep his head down through a clear cut rebuild nor will he sit in the dark and let his first season go to waste.

McGryer has amassed twenty-five hits, eighteen blocked shots, and ten penalty minutes. His PIMs, have all come over his last four games. Possibly pointing to his hot headed history in the lower leagues returning and becoming a highlight once more. This is a talented defensive defender, but Calgary certainly knew of his temper before the draft and likely planned on it putting butts in seats. With him wearing a letter behind Captain Phil Strasmore, whom is also no angel on the ice, Calgary's mission is seeming to come to light on relying on hard hits and lengthy penalty box sittings to keep fans interested. 

Frontrunning Calgary's point leaders, McGryer shares the top spot with fellow rookie Steve Lattimer, and Captain Phil Strasmore. The Boston native shared some insight into playing with Calgary's new Captain following his game with Toronto today. "...He's like the cool uncle, you know? He's all jokes, smiles, and loves to take you to random restaurants no one's heard of. But on the ice he gets that competitive side, where you have to treat him entirely differently so you don't mess up the fishing trip. I might be reaching too far into personal experience there, but that's just the best I can put it. Every night we step on that ice and there's no talks of 'tanking' or the like. We step on ready for battle and none of us want to let Philly down." Between Lattimer, Dilson, and McGryer it is becoming highly apparent just how good the development team is in Calgary. Their most recent success as an honorable mention, Vincent Leroche-Gagnier.

The Wranglers had shipped off the bulk of their core following the retirement of Daniel Janser. With a plethora of picks in these next two drafts, this gives players like McGryer time to flourish and be ready to compliment the high level, young talent that Calgary is no doubt planning to infuse into their roster as fast as they can. Goaltender Merome Dilson has been playing well above expectations with this stripped Wranglers core, boasting a .935 with two shutouts already (One more than last season), Calgary did very well to keep him signed through Season 92. And with Captain Strasmore out there clearly keeping his team focused, this should be one of  the quicker rebuilds in not only the franchise's, but the league's history. 

519 words for 8/27

Edited August 28, 2023 by Fradin99

[Arce 755]