How Shubham Anand was FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY at the S89 VHLE Draft

[Will3 465]

I have told this story one too many times. But I shall do so again mainly because it fits the theme week so perfectly. Draft day is suppose to be a happy time where you celebrate a new beginning especially if you know for sure that that you will be apart of the the leage you are being selected for the coming season. That  would no be the case for Shubham Anand in the S89 VHLE Entry Draft. The snub would be the starting point for a wild story still being written today.

 

Going into the S89 VHLE Draft, Shubham Anand had a lot to feel good about. The Indian winger finished a fantastic rookie season in the VHLM with the San Diego Marlins and was recently drafted in the first round by the Calgary Wranglers. Despite little to no communication from ant VHLE team management, Shubham believed himself to be a late first or early second round pick in the then eight team league. Looking back, the fact that a star player soon to be in the leage was largely ignored should have been sign to come. Because after the first and second rounds passed, Shubham Anand was still waiting for his name to be called.  It wouldn't be until the 21st pick, the middle of the third round, that Shubham's long wait would be over. To show how bad of a snub this actually is take for example Joseph Reed. The Saskatoon netminder was selected 16th pick in the same draft. He has yet to play a game in the VHLE. That is likely to change next season, but it is still not the immediate production Shubham has brought to the E.

 

Needless to say the collective vote of no confidence in his hockey skill made made the normally calm man angry. His Hello Europe article reads more like a threat than an introduction. Adding to his misery, he was selected by the Vasteras Iron Eagles, a sinking ship of a franchise just trying to stay afloat. At least he would play with fellow Marlin and Wranglers prospect Fradin McGryer. And he would for four games before McGryer was traded to the Geneva Rush with no warning. This trade, the tough adjustment to life in Sweden, and the consistent losses would erode Shubham's relationship with Iron Eagles' management, until close to the S89 Trade Deadline, Shubham would himself be traded to the Geneva Rush. Admittedly he would produce the same number of points for both teams that season,but for the first time as a player in the VHLE, Shubham felt good. He even decided to stay with the Rush for the next season. But near the end of S89, the league made an announcement that would make everyone question whether or not Shubham would keep his word and stay in the E for one season more or be called up to a rebuilding Wranglers team. The VHLE would be going through a long needed reduction down to six teams. The Iron Eagles team that had struggled to survive was finally put out of it's misery. Two other clubs would relocate and rebrand to replace the fallen franchises. And guess who the Geneva Rush was slated to replace.

 

Remarkably, Shubham would keep his word and would become the captain of of the reborn Iron Eagles. In spite of everything that has happened, the Iron Eagles fans would respond with a standing ovation on Opening Night. Now the joke in on the VHLE. The Iron Eagles are easily the best team in the E and Shubham Anand is the favorite to lift the Renaissance Cup this season. It took time and effort to turn a brutal snub into stunning success.