GM Spotlight - @LucyXpher

[ace_five_ 421]

This week I wanted to bring to light the incredible team management of Halifax 21st GM @LucyXpher. It’s no surprise that six months into being with the VHL, Lucy has taken charge of a team, and that said team has dominated. We have all seen the articles, the graphics, and the impact that she has had on the league since joining in January, culminating in the S93 Elmebeck Trophy, but the work behind the scenes to develop a powerhouse of a team over the last two seasons is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Let’s give some stats to back that statement up:

First, Halifax’s record is 109-26-9 over the last two seasons, for an astounding 75.6% win percentage. That means that the team that Lucy has managed has not only won three out of every four games but has earned 227 out of a possible 288 points in the standings. These kinds of numbers are unfathomable, to say the least. 

Next, the goal differential in the time that Lucy has been at the helm of the 21st is +216! The next highest team in that span is the Saskatoon Wild with +172. This means that not only is Halifax winning games, they are winning them in such a fashion that none of the other nine teams can even really keep up. 

The reason for this success is the team that she has built through drafting, trading, and waiver pickups. Strategic trading has put Halifax in a position to succeed both in the present and in the future. Bringing in pieces that can help the current team on the ice and in the locker room has been a skill that Lucy has executed flawlessly with players like Anthony Simmons III @Starchychaff, Meghan Dancalot @diacope, and Kendra Cavill @Firekiss; all contributing to the team in a significant manner immediately. Along with that, she has built for the future by bringing in a multitude of draft picks, with Halifax currently owning 12 picks for the S95 draft. Finally, successful pitches have brought in the likes of current leading scorer Robin Sierra @ethanjaeda, high-profile free agent Blaze Thunderstrike @eaglesfan036, and support player and clutch goal scorer Brett Weier @Quanack through free agency and waiver pickups. 

With that being said, the influence off the ice and in the locker room has been instrumental to the success of the team overall. Interacting with all players (and visitors) to the locker room has created an environment that people want to be in. Along with that, check-ins with players in a one-on-one capacity show the lengths Lucy will go to to ensure both the team and the players as individuals, have success. This culminates in the fact that during Lucy’s tenure so far, the Halifax 21st has produced 16 capped players, resulting in an impressive 11 first or second-round picks in the VHL and VHLE in S94. 

I wouldn’t say that’s even the most remarkable stat to come out of this article though. With the VHLM being a development league, with many new players joining all the time and plenty of brand new users to teach, there will always be people who don’t make it through a season, or fizzle out, or who the VHL is just not for them. These players go inactive and have to be released from their respective teams after three weeks of inactivity. Over the last two seasons, Lucy has only had to release two (2!) players! This means that with all of the people coming into the Halifax system by any means, only two of them have gone inactive with Lucy at the helm. That statistic alone should show anyone the work that has been put in in every single aspect of her position. 

 

Overall, I just wanted to spotlight someone who has put so much into this league and deserves all the respect. Lucy has been one of, if not the most influential person to me in my time here so far and I felt like that needed to be touted. 
 

(607 words)

[LucyXpher 1,433]

Thank you so much for this amazing write up and for all your kind words, it really means a lot to me!  I’ve had so much fun with VHL since I joined so none of it has felt like work, and that’s a credit to all the amazing people I’ve interacted with here— especially you @ace_five_!  You’ve been an amazing support as AGM this past season too and I know you’ll do great things as GM someday soon! Seriously, thanks for this, I really appreciate it

[AJW 2,157]

7 hours ago, ace_five_ said:

With that being said, the influence off the ice and in the locker room has been instrumental to the success of the team overall. Interacting with all players (and visitors) to the locker room has created an environment that people want to be in. Along with that, check-ins with players in a one-on-one capacity show the lengths Lucy will go to to ensure both the team and the players as individuals, have success. This culminates in the fact that during Lucy’s tenure so far, the Halifax 21st has produced 16 capped players, resulting in an impressive 11 first or second-round picks in the VHL and VHLE in S94. 

GMs of all leagues need to read this paragraph. 

 

Amazing article @ace_five_, I’m really happy for Lucy and all of the accomplishments she has had with Halifax. The future looks very bright for the 21st under Lucy’s control and that team fully deserves everything that has and will come, she works her tail off to run that ship!

[eaglesfan036 4,603]

I am barely engaged in this league any more and Lucy did a great job first reaching out to me to sign with the team and also continuing to check in to make sure I update and now I am even talking in the locker room a bit. Love the drive and dedication