Ninetyfourgoalie 168 Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 A Grand Finale While most of the deservedly hyped Season 47 free agent class continues to get a feel for where they will be signing as the league's general managers frantically make their pitches, Jerrick Poole and Mason Richardson have found their new home in the Riga Reign. Both players were originally drafted into the VHL as defensemen in Season 40 in what was shaping up to be one of the most talented draft classes the league has ever witnessed. Richardson was selected with the second overall pick by the Cologne Express, where he won the Continental Cup in Season 42, while Poole was taken fourth by the Toronto Legion. Early on in their careers, both players appeared to be headed for stardom. However, after a few seasons, their career trajectories took markedly different turns. Richardson continued to develop into one of the better players the league has ever seen although has not been able to capture his second Continental Cup despite making the playoffs in each of his seven seasons to date. Incredibly, Richardson has yet to win any individual accolades despite his outstanding play. But, this opportunity with Riga may just provide him with this opportunity as nearly every aspect of the team's game will be run through him - both offense and defense. He is truly the most talented player on the roster here and will be looking to cap off a great career with an outstanding team and individual performance. Poole, on the other hand, has experienced disappointment in both Toronto and Stockholm and has failed to even make a Continental Cup Finals, coming closest in Season 44 where his Vikings fell to the Express in Game 7 of the European Conference Finals. It was after this season that Poole really started to stagnate in terms of his development and it began to look like the former phenom would never be able to achieve superstardom. Richardson has spent the bulk of his career with the Dynamo but was unable to secure a second cup win, which he will be seeking out here in Season 47 As both players enter their final season, they will be looking to taste victory before heading off into retirement. Richardson will look to anchor the Reign defense and power their offensive attack as the franchise looks to capitalize on the immense amount of roster turnover both throughout the league and especially in the European Conference. Poole, however, will likely remain at forward and will be a leader among the forward group with former second overall pick Bronson Faux, one that will be marked by a rare combination of physicality and skill. Of course, Hans Wingate, arguably the best goaltender in the league, will be the team's backstop as this team is all but assured to be the most difficult group to score on. The question here, however, will be whether the Reign can put the puck in the net enough to overcome a relatively mediocre offensive attack. If they can click offensively, this team will be an absolute force and very well could send Richardson and Poole out as champions. CowboyinAmerica, DollarAndADream and Toast 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowboyinAmerica 2,756 Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 Think a presumed first forward line of Pettyfer-Faux-Poole would be one of the league's better ones actually. Probably putting New York #1 for that, but we're right in the second tier (pending where Boom goes). Second line won't be as strong, but Maverick's coming on and even active bodies there are nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendrick 4,729 Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 I have won an individual accolades last season and possibly another one if the GM's don't vote with bias. I liked the right and i'm glad I messaged you before signing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DollarAndADream 3,356 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Feedback: I like the thought of Richardson and Poole as a duo. Richardson did finally win an individual award as well this season. I wanted Poole back in Toronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninetyfourgoalie 168 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 16 hours ago, DollarAndADream said: Feedback: I like the thought of Richardson and Poole as a duo. Richardson did finally win an individual award as well this season. I wanted Poole back in Toronto. Would have been really cool to come back for a final season but a cup was the top priority. Just hope it works out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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