The Fradin - Shubham Exception

[Will3 423]

"If a team acquires Fradin McGryer, that team must pick up Shubham Anand shortly". This unofficial rule seams to have bound two very different hockey players together as they rise through the VHL hockey world togther. These two have remained togther throughout trades and drafts and on teams both good and bad. Now that the duo have reached the summit and are finally set to play VHL hockey togther, the time has come to review their journey together in the chaotic world of the VHL pyramid.

 

It all started in early in S88 in San Diego. Fradin and Shubham were just two waiver players from very different backgrounds. Fradin was raised in Boston, where hockey is an institution. Shubham was raised in New Delhi, where ice hockey is a strange game. Fradin played college hockey. Shubham played in an upstart amateur league. Fradin was a gritty gone defender. Shubham was a skill foward. Yet both chose to enter the VHL pyramid on the Marlins roster. Fradin would help Shubham adjust to life in the United States. Shubham would introduce elements of his culture to Fradin. As different as the two were, they become friends. The newfound friends would have a great first season in San Diego, culminating ina deep playoff run that would mark the end of their time in the VHLM.

The S89 Workd Junior Tournament is where the first major twist happens. Fradin the proud American that he is, expected to make the Team USA roster. When it was announced that he would was on the Team Asia roster, he refused to play in the tournament. Shubham was asked to comment on his former teammate. He stated that  while he understood his friends decision, he was disappointed that they would not play together for potentially the last time ever. Little to Shubham know that this wish would change everything. The S89 VHL Draft came and Fradin would be drafted fourth overall by the Calgary Wranglers.  Shubham was happy for his friend but would be in for a surprise when eleven picks later, he would be drafted by the Wranglers. In the long term they would play together. It would take the VHLE Draft to decide the short term. Sure enough Fradin would be a high pick and while Shubham would have to wait significantly longer to hear his name called but would end up on the same team. Seems like the duo would spend their whole careers together.

 

Unfortunately the boys were drafted to the Vasteras Iron Eagles. The S89 version of this VHLE team  was dysfunctional organization that was replaced by season's end. In another shocking twist Fradin would be traded two games into the season to the Geneva Rush where he flourished. Shubham would play ok as the team slowly fell apart. It would be around the trade deadline where Shubham would finally freed from the sinking ship and his rescuers would be the Geneva Rush. Shubham would continue his ok play but was so much happier to play with his friend again on a much better team. S90 would see another parting of the ways as Fradin decide to start his VHL career, while Shubham chose to stay in the VHLE for the futher development of his game and to help as the Rush replace the Iron Eagles's team that drafted both of them. Both of them would be good for their respective teams. As S91 approached The Wranglers would run into cap problems that would see Fradin traded to the Riga Reign. Only a day later, like clockwork the soon to be promoted Shubham Anand was traded to Riga as well. That is where things currently stand today.

 

Professional sports are not supposed to work like this. It is a heartless business that sees teammates split apart no matter how they feel about each other. To see Fradin McGryer and Shubham Anand stay together on the exact same five teams throughout so much chaos is remarkable. We will see if the duo can continue to stick together as the seasons pass. Their strong bond has proven to be the exception to the rules that govern others and has become a rule unto itself.