Claimed: Jason Glasser - HOF Builder Article [1/2]

[Advantage 2,941]

Jason Glasser

@diamond_ace

 

Joined: Season 19
Notable Players: Lars Intranquilo, Clark Marcellin, Martin Brookside
Positions Held:  VHL GM, VHLM Commish, VHLM GM, Mag Writer, Grader

 

I have known Jason for quite some time.  We have been in several leagues together and while this was one of the first where I saw what kind of member he was, I appreciate the fact that we have gotten to experience so many different ones together.  See, Jason was like how I used to be.  When I first caught the bug to do these sim leagues, I did as many as I could and that was something Jason did too.  On top of the many football leagues I saw Jason take part in, he was also a very active contributor over in the SHL and was a GM for a significant period of time there.  

 

I think in some ways, he did take on too much at times.  He always wanted to help a league thrive and would take on big roles and eventually they do add up.  In the Victory Hockey League, he immediately set out and became a grader and VHLM GM.  For those that knew Jason, you will know how terrific of a writer he was (so terrific that he will likely correct my grammar mistakes in this article) and it was a breath of fresh air reading his articles at times.  His dedication to helping leagues grow is a big reason why he is an inductee into the Victory Hockey League Hall of Fame.  He was a tremendous VHLM GM and played a big role in a lot of members being active and staying in the league.  I remember hearing it from Jericho before I really talked to either of them all that much.  At the time I stayed pretty distant, but it was impressive what he did with the Ottawa Ice Dogs.  

 

Jason's most notable VHLM GM run was with the Ice Dogs from Season 20 to 25.  In these six seasons, Glasser led Ottawa to two Founder's Cups and he was awarded the Jack Reilly Trophy twice for his work as the top executive of the VHLM.  Jason would later take on the role of Oslo's GM in Season 43, and kept the title for three seasons.  However, his success was far less significant as he had already started distancing the league at that point and took the role to try and help retaining numbers with the league needing some more stable General Managers to help keep rookies around.

 

After Jardy's successful GM run in Calgary, Jason was given the role as his first player, Lars Intranquilo, was becoming one of their more well-developed players.  Taking on the role in Season 26, Glasser would continue with the Calgary GM spot all the way until Season 41.  This sixteen year run as General Manager is the longest single run as a General Manager in Victory Hockey League history, and while some have questioned if he stuck around too long, Glasser managed to keep the Wranglers competitive for the majority of that entire run.  Over that span, Jason won one Continental Cup and three David Knight Trophy's, which were awarded to the league's top executive.  

 

I'd be lying if I said that my entire time playing under Jason in Calgary was smooth but he generally kept a strong locker room and had a great group of guys that supported him along the way.  We helped with lines, filling in at the draft if he couldn't be there and generally were very hands-on in helping him run the Wranglers.  While for some, this may hurt his value as a top GM, he got his players involved in a way that very few General Managers feel very comfortable doing, and still found success.  

 

For some, his GM run is the reason he should be inducted.  For me, while it is certainly a great accomplishment in some respects, I feel his overall contribution to various league activities and generally consistency are the reasons he should be inducted.  He consistently put out strong articles whether on the boards or through the magazine, which he was a long-time member of.  He also graded for quite some time and was one of the more detailed and meticulous graders in the league.  He found success as a GM in both the VHLM and VHL, and still was able to contribute in other jobs like VHLM Commish and in some international tournaments as well.

 

While he never made a player that got inducted to the VHL Hall of Fame, both Marcellin and Brookside found success in the league and were under consideration at times.  Intranquilo largely disappointed in the sim despite at one time being the most developed first generation player in league history.  With that being said, Lars still managed to have a strong career defensively and physically hitting the 1000-1000 club for hits and blocked shots.

 

Jason Glasser has been a member here for nearly 40 seasons and while he is not as active as he used to be, he is still who I think of when I think of the hand that runs the Calgary Wranglers.  We used to stay up and do online poker tournaments while discussing the VHL and he always had pride when talking about that organisation and the league as a whole.  While it took some some for Jason to be inducted, it was a pleasure to be a part of the voting committee to put him in.  Jason was a strong BOG contributor for many years and while we didn't always agree, he was always diplomatic and passionate when debating his side.  I really do hope he one day returns to this league as we could use more people like Jason Glasser.  Hard working individuals who while they take too much on, still do everything they can to help a league survive.  Hats off to you Jason on finally being inducted, and I am honoured to be able to write (and soon be critiqued) your Hall of Fame article.

[DollarAndADream 3,357]

Review:

I wasn't around for any of his players before Martin Brookside, but DA was a great GM for me in Calgary when he was there. Brookside had a pretty good career all things considered, and some good success in Cologne too. DA as a GM was always open with me when I had Boychuk there, and it was good times the whole way for me. He helped me a lot in my beginning days in the VHL. Deserving guy.