Unsung Heroes - GMs Enorama and McWolf

[KC15 340]

When it comes to identifying unsung heroes in the VHL I do not need to look any further than my own GMs @Enorama and @McWolf That is – if they are considered unsung at this point, but I don’t see them getting the accolades they deserve. And it is quite clear why they might not. The lead one of the VHL’s two newest expansion teams, the D.C. Dragons, and that team is only in its second year of existence. Not many 2^nd year teams garner a lot of publicity and hooplah.

 

But let’s look at what they have done. In their first year, the Dragons compiled a record of 20-49-3 for a total of 43 points. Certainly not going to turn any heads or make eventual Cup winners quake in their skates, but not abysmal for a collection of expansion picks and rookies. But what have they done this year – their second in the league?

 

D.C. has already skated to a 23-33-5 record and 51 total points with only 61 games played. 3 more wins, 16 less losses, and 8 more total points with 11 games left to be played.

 

Let’s look at this another way to see the incredible accomplishment that is. If we projected out to the end of the season, the GM duo will have led their fledgling team to a 35% increase in wins (27) and an approximate 40% increase in points (60). In addition, they will have brought goals against down from 262 in S68 to 203 in S69 for a 22.5% reduction in teams lighting the Dragons’ goal lamp.

 

Enorama and McWolf have done this through smart drafting. Not all of their rookies are burning up the league with goals scored, but as a group they are playing incredibly better defense and things will only improve from here. Who have they drafted and added to the team this year? Only the 140+ VHLM point producers Benny Graves and Jeff Tates – as well as their Las Vegas Ace teammates George Washington and Guy Lesieur. Add to this the crucial signing of Piotr Jerwa and you can readily see why these GMs are enjoying such success.

 

But it is not all about going out and getting new talent as crucial as that is. You also have to retain great players. The Dragons’ captain, Mikko Aaltonen, is the 3^rd highest goal scorer in the entire VHL. Defenseman Luciano Valentino is another standout on this young team. Both are happy to remain on the Dragons even though they could both enjoy more immediate success on a number of other teams. The reason for this is simple. Enorama and McWolf set such a great tone in the LR. It is a blast to hang out with your fellow Dragons and the GMs have created an upbeat, encouraging atmosphere where we all believe that D.C. will show it’s best face to the league and begin winning ways in the very near future.

 

Indeed, though it is being done very quietly – behind the screen of a sub-30 win season – Enorama and McWolf  are truly unsung heroes in the VHL.

World Series (best of 7)

[McWolf 3,116]

not sure Eno and I really qualify as unsung heroes anymore, though we are rookie GMs and have yet to prove our worth on that level. But thanks for the kind words, you're not too bad yourself!

[KC15 340]

Yes, being new to the league I wasn’t sure myself, but I took in a “as GMs” sense.