Lesieur Writes Home with Thanksgiving

[KC15 340]

Mon cher père et ma chère maman, November 26, 2019

 

It was so good to receive your latest letter and learn all the news of the family back in la belle France! Things have certainly been a whirlwind for me here in the States going all the way back to my arrival to this day.

 

As you know, I was first drafted by Mexico City of the VHLM and what a thrill that was! It was a bit of a shock to be traded midway through that first season to the Las Vegas Aces, but also made for an exciting finish to the season.

 

Mexico City ended the year in 8^th place with 67 points, but Las Vegas went on a Cup run. It ended too soon in the playoffs, but we did roll to a second place finish with a final record of 49-18-5 and 103 points. That was fun!

 

But let me get to the even better part. My GM and teammates in the VHLM were fantastic and taught me so much, but then the VHL draft came and I was thrilled to be drafted by the D.C. Dragons. They are an expansion team in only their second year of existence and they play in the nation’s capital. I’ve been trying to see all the incredible sights of the capital, but I’ve really only got the off-season for that. During the season, it’s all hockey for me, as you know.

 

Anyway, I was actually drafted by Riga, but D.C. had enough confidence in my game to make an immediate trade even before the draft had ended. Feels good to have a real VHL team feel that positive about your future.

 

Now that I’m here – wow! The GMs are great and so is the whole LR of guys. And get this – some of my best pals from the Aces came up to the Dragons with me – superstars Jeff Tates and Benny Graves and my excellent center, George Washington, too! There’s an instant comfort level having VHLM teammates go to the VHL with you and there’s that extra excitement as you share their joy as well as your own.

 

So, expansion team, right? You’d expect an absolute struggle as you work to get better, but that’s not the case at all! We have come out in the first 24 games like a house on fire! Last year in all 72 games, we only won 20. Still, respectable for an expansion team in their first year, but last place overall. This season, with only 1/3 of the games played, we already have 12 wins! We are 12-10-2 with 26 points which is good for 4^th in our conference (and a playoff spot were the season to end today) and 7^th place overall.

 

Here’s the best part – so far I’m a real contributor to the team’s success. You know how I dread being a drag on the team’s performance and my game is still far from our captain, Mikka Aaltonen’s, but I’m actually the second leading goal scorer on the team – ahead of those two incredible former Aces Tates and Graves. Graves has more points than I do and I expect them both to surpass my goal totals at some point, but I’m also determined to make them work for that!

 

I attribute my current success to my linemates. Washington and I are paired together again and I’ve added the incredible Tates on our other wing to just make it feel like the dream team from Las Vegas. Washington is just so accomplished as our captain on the line with his super clear view of the whole ice and with teams having to focus so much on Tates on right wing, I’ve been able to sneak 7 goals past opponents’ net minders.

 

Yes, it’s been an incredible year of improvement for both me and my team and as American Thanksgiving approaches, I truly am grateful to God for where I am and the opportunity to play for such great GMs, great teammates, and great fans in the District of Columbia, USA.

 

Give my love to all back home and let’s please plan for your visit here to the Untied States as soon as possible.

 

All my love – your son,

Guy