S50 World Cup General Managers Announced!

[FacePuncher 1,343]

 

Hello everyone, and welcome to what will surely be another exciting World Cup! Every nation is still in preparation mode, but that prep starts with the GM. All 6 nations have announced who will be setting their team rosters and coordinating practices. So without further ado, let's get to it!

 

Sam Helberg ( @Streetlight ) -New York Americans GM S17-S18, S22-S29 -Ottawa Lynx GM S40 -Yukon Rush GM S31 -Bern Royals GM S14-S16 -S24 and S25 David Knight Trophy winner -S31 Founders' Cup Champion -S31 Jack Reilly Trophy winner  

Sam Hellberg is held in very high regards by his colleagues. With 16 years of experience, he is no stranger to the job, and he has 3 top GM awards and a Founders' Cup title to show for it. This will be his first taste of World Cup action, however, and he will be tasked with helping out a struggling United States, who finished deal last in the S48 World Cup. Can he bring the US back to the podium, or will the rebuild continue?

    Mitch Higgins ( @Higgins ) -Helsinki Titans GM S30-S36 -Seattle Bears GM S43 -Oslo Storm GM S25-S29 -Team Canada GM S26, S28, S46, S48 -S34 and S43 Continental Cup Champion -S32 and S34 David Knight Trophy winner -S29 Founders' Cup Champion -S29 Jack Reilly Trophy winner -S26 Silver Medal winner -S48 Bronze Medal winner

 

The only word you can use to describe Mitch Higgins is "Legendary". He was good enough as a player to have an award named after him, and 3 championships and 3 top GM awards highlight his also illustrious GM career. Now entering his 5th World Cup, and 3rd straight with Team Canada, he looks to improve on S48's bronze medal.

  Otto Kallio ( @Gunner )  

Not every GM on this list is a veteran. New Finnish manager Otto Kallio was a surprise pick for the Mercs this year, but really they shouldn't have been surprised. Team Mercenaries makes it an effort to hire new GMs, doing so in 4 of its 5 seasons of eligibility. With a surprise bronze medal showing in S46, and a run in S48 that once saw them in first place, Kallio will be expected to continue this success.

  Phil Knight ( @Phil )  

Phil Knight may not be the most experienced GM, but he is a household name. He has shown off his great knowledge of the VHL on The Phil Knight Show, and he impressed people so much that powerhouse Team Europe named his as their GM. It's hard to say that a silver medal was disappointing, but after 2 straight golds Europe was expecting #3. It will be Phil Knight's job to bring gold back to Europe.

  Blake Campbell ( @Banackock ) -Seattle Bears GM S49-present -Bratislava Watchmen GM S44-S48 -Team USA GM S43 -Team Scandinavia GM S48 -S47 and S48 Founders' Cup Champion -S44, S47, and S48 Jack Reilly Trophy winner -S43 Silver Medal winner -S48 Gold Medal winner  

Blake Campbell is a young GM, but boy has he found success in his short career so far. In just 7 years he has already won 2 championships and 3 top GM awards. The expectations for Team Scandinavia were low in S48, but after Campbell led them to a gold medal last year, fans will be looking for a repeat.

  Steve Smeall ( @Toast ) -Riga Reign GM S45-present -Brampton Blades GM S30, S32-S38 -Team USA GM S28 -Team Europe GM S43 -S28 Bronze Medal winner -S43 Gold Medal winner  

In S28, when an unknown, untested GM named Steve Smeall won a bronze medal for team USA, he became a hot commodity in the VHL, GMing 14 seasons since. Three World Cups ago Smeall won a gold medal with Europe, now he will try to win his third medal in as many World Cup appearances. Team World only has one bronze medal to their name, can Smeall change that?

 

Now that the GMs have been selected, all we have to do now is wait for them to set their rosters. Stay tuned for more articles and wonderful festivities for the S50 World Cup!

[Higgins 3,617]

Kyle Dubas picture is very fitting

[Banackock 7,671]

Who is @Higgins?

[Will 4,604]

 COMMISH  

ADwyer87 (@ADwyer87)

 

[FacePuncher 1,343]

1 minute ago, Draper said:

 COMMISH  

ADwyer87 (@ADwyer87)

 

[Devise 4,475]

I told you he was a perfect candidate @Draper

 

This was a good fun write up, glad to see the tone taken when @Phil ran things is still alive and well. On another note Team Merc may be dangerous this time out.....

[Advantage 2,770]

8 hours ago, ADwyer87 said:

    Blake Campbell ( @Banackock ) -Seattle Bears GM S49-present -Bratislava Watchmen GM S44-S48 -Team USA GM S43 -Team Scandinavia GM S48 -S47 and S48 Founders' Cup Champion -S44, S47, and S48 Jack Reilly Trophy winner -S43 Silver Medal winner -S48 Gold Medal winner  

Blake Campbell is a young GM, but boy has he found success in his short career so far. In just 7 years he has already won 2 championships and 3 top GM awards. The expectations for Team Scandinavia were low in S48, but after Campbell led them to a gold medal last year, fans will be looking for a repeat.

   

VHLM right?

[FacePuncher 1,343]

15 minutes ago, Advantage said:

VHLM right?

Yeah, 5 years in the VHLM, 2 in the VHL

[DollarAndADream 3,356]

GET HYPE!!

[FacePuncher 1,343]

1 hour ago, DollarAndADream said:

GET HYPE!!