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Halifax adds Experience in MacKinnon


Thranduil

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WEDNESDAY - The all-time leader in Halifax points, Nathan MacKinnon got in contact with Aran Thranduil, the assistant general manager of his old team after spending over half of a season at defending NCAA state champion Regis University in Denver, Colorado, with whom he committed to, after spending 3 seasons in the VHLM with Halifax and failing to make Helsinki's roster for S65. MacKinnon told Thranduil that he had been having a hard time fitting in in Denver and had an interest in making a return to the VHLM for the remaining 20 games of the season. This was great news for Halifax, who, while trying to maintain the VHLM's top spot, have struggled lately. Halifax GM Anthony Rogers took one day to negotiate a new deal with the long-time VHLM star while MacKinnon booked a flight back to Halifax.

 

THURSDAY - MacKinnon signed off on the deal, first thing in the morning and called Rogers and Thranduil to let them know. Halifax management through an overnight party with team owner Shawn Glade and captain Dimitri Volosenkov that started at 3:00 PM and lasted until 11:30 AM the next day.

"We are obviously very excited to have a player of his caliber and experience join the team once again," said an excited Anthony Rogers, through a very thick French accent, "It isn't every day that you see your franchise points leader return from college and I think he has potential to add a lot of depth to our squad and carry us to the finals once again. This season is huge for us and we need as much help as we can get if we hope to pull off another good cup run."

 

After putting up 46 points in S62 as a rookie with the new expansion team, Halifax 21st, MacKinnon came back the following season as the 1C for the team. That season, he led a weakened Halifax roster to an unexpected third place finish, coming off the season with 114 points, good for second in the league. Halifax ultimately fell short in a seven game semi-finals, but MacKinnon and the rest of the S63 team put forward a good effort. In S64, MacKinnon didn't have as much pressure to perform with Halifax being very deep and played on the third line, mentoring newer players along. Even with limited minutes, playing in the shadows of big stars such as Diljodh Starload, John Madden, Hunter Hearst Helsley, Bolt Vanderhuge, Elasmobranch Fish and Shane Mars, MacKinnon still managed to put up almost 90 points, fourth on the team, whilst helping Halifax cruise to a second place finish.

 

The team beat Ottawa in 6 games, advancing to the finals, where after losing the first 3 games, they almost mounted a comeback, winning the next 2, but ultimately Las Vegas prevailed and so the stacked team from Halifax was exasperated. The top 3 scorers, Starload, Vanderhuge and Madden as well as Fish and Bald Guy headed to the VHL, while Shane Mars, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Matteo and Viktor Kozlov were all sent away via dispersal draft, but perhaps the two most notable departures were those of Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Flipachyev. Flipachyev held the team record for career goals scored with Halifax and MacKinnon for career points, assists and virtually every other major category. Both had spent 3 seasons with the team, amassing over 200 points each and it was sad for the staff and players to see them leave for college. Little did GM Anthony Rogers and AGM Aran Thranduil know at the time, but this would not be the last time they saw their star forward.

 

SATURDAY - MacKinnon will make his season debut for Halifax tonight, starting on the third line with Blake Gaudette and Nacho. Fans are excited to see how their old poster-boy will mesh with the new-age lineup that Halifax has assembled. One thing is for certain. Halifax's lineup looks a lot stronger with MacKinnon on it and their cup hopes are about as real as ever. As the 21st make their way through the last leg of the season, MacKinnon can't wait to start making an impact for his team again.

 

(694 Words)

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