One Last Time

[Banackock 8,143]

 

Blake Campbell was once voted "Most likely to go inactive" during his reign behind the Bears bench, along with "Most likely to have no idea what they're doing". To be fair, it could have been because he was a new GM, because despite not having numerous cups after an extremely long career, it's tough to say his career wasn't a success. While some measure success in different ways, from a GM standpoint, there's a bunch of ways you can do it. He's reach success at every single level of the game. He's won championships and GMoTY awards in the VHLM and heavily dominated under Bratislava. During that time, he also brought America to within one gamer of capturing gold - thus, grabbing a silver in S46. The following world championships, he managed to somehow defeat all odds and bring home a gold medal with team Scandinavia. Literally defeating all odds and somehow pulling it off. At one point, someone was heard as to saying he couldn't be stopped. That as of late, he was one of the most winningest GM's during that span of time. He was dominant. 

 

For the VHL, he finally captured his cup. He took him seasons and seasons of effort, determination and dedications, but he finally grabbed it. He's had countless players come through the locker room doors, many critics call him out and after 700 games+ behind the Bears realm, he finally finds his way to lifting the cup over top his head. I can't imagine, after all those seasons, how light that thing felt. How amazing it was to look up and have the Continental cup be the only thing you see. It's what he dreamt of for seasons. It's what haunted him for years. It was his biggest goal and it was his dream.

 

So Blake Campbell captured a cup as a goalie for New York, during which he also collected his only Aidan Shaw. He's won the championship and GMoTY in both the VHLM and VHL as a manager and has a silver medal and gold medal to his name. Slowly, but definitely surely, he's approaching 1,000 games straight of exceptional, loyal and dedicated manager service to the Bears. You'd think it's almost time for him to say good bye to the league. Not many GM's make it this long without stepping away to take a break before making a return. In fact, we'd love to take a look and see who just is the longest tenured, one time GM... He's accomplished lots. Came across so many amazing people. Helped so many of those people along the way... So what's next?

 

Obviously another cup would be great. I'm more so taking it season by season at this point. I don't know if this will be my last, next will be my last. I don't know If I'm lasting 2 years, 4 years or another 700 games. I really don't think it will be 700 games - that's quite an amount of time, but you never know. I've enjoyed my time here and the championship runs we've had throughout my time. Obviously, one being a lot more special than the other ones. I'd love more cups. Everyone wants more and hopefully I can find that one last cup... but one thing I'd also love another shot at would be a medal. I mean, gold would be excellent, but I'd settle with Silver or even bronze so that I can complete the Gold, Silver and then officially Bronze I'd have in my hockey cave at home.

 

S60 could very well be my last time to compete in the World Cup of Hockey for the VHL. Hopefully my name will be up for consideration from the VHL and WCH commissioners. It would be a big honour to potentially represent a team internationally one last time. 

 

638 WORDS - DOUBLE WEEK - 12 TPE - MATTIAS FORSBERG