Mueller Disappointed in League Decision; Looking Forward to NY - Late PT [1/2]

[Advantage 2,941]

Mueller Disappointed in League Decision; Looking Forward to New York

 

It had been written in the stars that Kriztof Mueller was to play for the Cologne Express.  The young German grew up in the city and had season tickets for nine seasons before moving to North America to pursue his dream.  He had made no secret that he wanted to play for the Express and had signed an exclusive deal with them prior to his draft.  However, everything would change when the Victory Hockey League announced that they were going to contract two teams, including the Express.  A disappointed Mueller had this to say after the announcement: “It’s tough because I definitely see where the league was coming from, but I’m frustrated.  It’s infuriating to know that the team I grew up watching was killed even though they were building a bright future.  I can’t do anything about it though so I know I will have to just move on, as my dream of playing in the Victory Hockey League is not dead.”

 

Due to the decision to contract the Express, every player that was a part of the franchise got thrown into the Contraction Dispersal Draft as other teams were able to select players from the Express and the other contraction team’s roster.  Mueller, due to not officially being a member of the team yet, was informed that he would be entering the Season 58 Draft, immediately becoming one of the draft’s top prospects and an early favourite to be a top three selection.  “The choice was taken from me so now I need to hope for the best.  There are a few teams I don’t have very much interest in playing for and I have to hope that perhaps they see someone else as a better fit.  I do have my eye on a few teams though and I think I will be selected in a spot I should enjoy.”  Those were the words of Mueller’s prior to the draft, and after the results this evening we were able to see the results.

 

While Calgary passed on Mueller mainly due to some rumours that Kriztof did not have a significant amount of interest in playing in Canada, the New York Americans were pleased to select the young center to join the team.  New York, who also had the first pick in the dispersal draft, are believed to also be targeting Chase Keller, who was a mentor in the brief times Mueller got to spend around the Express.  Perhaps this connection may be exactly what Kriztof needs to become comfortable in a new setting.  After all, there is some connection with Mueller’s agency and New York.  “Yeah, it’s actually pretty cool to be selected second overall there.  I know my agent used to be a GM for the Americans and both of his Hall of Fame players were key figures for the team.  I hope to be able to fill those shoes successfully, but most of all I hope to take the success I found in the VHLM and apply it to the Americans squad."

 

For Kriztof

Edited December 13, 2017 by ADV

[DollarAndADream 3,357]

Express were a team that I never played for, so they were one that I always wanted to one day. I guess that ship has sailed. I'll always remember those Thomas O'Malley days.

[TheLastOlympian07 2,388]

Review

I am still sad over the loss of Cologne because we were building something really well there. However, while it hasn't been a great start in Davos, I do see the future as we will be having a pretty big draft coming up. Overall, this was a well written article from you ADV. Of course NYA had to get so lucky to get you and kendrick