Theme Week , "Elsbys Early Influences Part 1"

[Spence King 387]

After getting home from Monday nights games on the first of June something just wasn’t right. Elsby had come home to his bungalow in Philly and opened up his computer just like every other night to check up on the hockey world and his buddies across the globe and how there careers are going watching game recap after recap. Spencer suffers from chronic indigestion and commonly has to deal with these symptoms; however, Monday night was MUCH more intense than usual. After taking a shower in attempt to relax, The Ambulance was at his front door shortly after

After arriving at the hospital Mr Elsby was very quickly put through Emerge and into the OR as he was diagnosed with Appendicitis requiring an Emergency appendectomy (Removing his Appendix). Within twelve hours of being at the Hospital Spencer was somehow discharged (Tested Negative For Covid lol). The first place Elsby went after surgery was to the team doctor and he begged and pleaded according to Dr.Funk (The Reapers Team Dr. #1 VHLM Dr. S71-Present). There was NO way Elsby was going to be missing a game, and he did not. The Reapers hooked Elsby up to an intravenous Saline solution to prevent dehydration and literally had a team of Nurses behind the bench exclusively for Spence. They managed to find a system to detach and reattach his IV tube in his forearm.

 

Unfortunately, Elsby attempted to play the first game before this idea. Immediately after his game Spencer was being rushed to the hospital again for the 2^nd time in 36 hours. White as snow, barely conscious, irregular heartbeat and completely disoriented. This is where Elsby was introduced to what @Jer_Lefebvre Started referring two as “The 10s” with reference to their good looks. Registered Nurses Ben Dover and Tuu Thahurty were assigned to Spencer and these two amazing young health professionals used there knowledge and personal intuition and come up with the idea of using intravenous bags to prevent dehydration during the games through attaching and reattaching Mr Elsbys tube every shift…  It was quite the sight to see and something never done before in any professional sport. When interviewed by VSN about the whole situation and his answers spoke a million words and opened eyes all across the VHL and VHLM.

“There is one reason I am here, and one reason only , that is Valtteri Vaakanainen @Jubo07. Back home in Finland I looked up to Vaak, as if he is Wayne Gretzky , or even the legendary Unassisted, Valtteri is close to 7 years older than I am so he never really knew who I was when he was already playing pro by 16. Boy did I know who he was and he was the reason I spent those extra hours shooting pucks and working out, putting  in all the extra little things and watching from his “Mamba Mentality” really sculpted the player I am today” – Elsby was quoted by VSN Analyst and had lots to say but not much air in his lungs to speak after Monday nights game

 

 Fast forward a few years when shortly after my 16^th birthday and looking into following my hero Valtteri into making the pros at 16, I received a phone call out of the blue from none other than Jubo himself. The call was about informing me about the VHL and the VHLM and how he has seen what I have too offer mentioning how well my skills would translate to this league and community. Our phone call turned into many phone calls and within 24 hours I was on my way to Mississauga to start my VHLM career playing at the same level and against my hero Valtteri, truly a dream come true. This is where my VHL story really begins. Jubo helped me and guided me so much during my first week in a foreign country and truly how to survive (Earning TPE, Welfare, Practice Facility).

After a few months of adjusting to western culture and adapting to the lifestyle of a VHLM player, Elsby was selected late in the VHLM dispersal draft by The Philadelphia Reapers. This is where I was introduced to one of my many mentors (Jubo ofcourse) @DMaximus . Dmax I can honestly say is my closest friend in the VHLM community since arriving and has been the most supportive and developed me into the captain I am today. Dmax had me on discord and will always respond and is always so understanding when real life problems get in the way (I actually did have appendicitis last week). Dmax was always so patient with me and he answered EVERY small question I had , tought me Media spots, Press Conferences, VHLM articles, How to properly use my finances to earn the most Uncapped VS Capped TPE and truly wanting to make the experience as engaging and rewarding. Dmax is did that for me exactly and boy did the efforts reap great rewards.

Dmax gave me the link to the S71 WJC Job applications and suggested I apply and give it a shot too test my feet in the waters after my recent success and buzz I had been generated (with the help of Dmax and @Banackock). As history unfolded, I was graciously given the opportunity to Manage Team Asia in the S71 WJC. This tournament is where I met some lifelong friends in my competing GMs. I cant say enough good things about the WJC tournament and how well it is run and really is an amazing tool in advancing to AGM positions. I will always remember my Frienemy Alex Letang aka @Spartan , and @McWolf @Zetterberg & @twists. I still keep in touch with them from time to time and have a Podcast in the works coming up soon where Alex letang @SPARTAN and I will be talking all about our careers and the recent WJC. Zetterberg has basically become my graphics guy and we talk on nearly a daily basis. All of these connections I have are solely because I was lucky enough to be selected by the VHL for this position.

 

Im at the 1000 word mark and I could keep going on for hours, this is just part one, Thank you all. I also wanted to give a huge shout out to @rjfryman@Acydburn @Patrik TallinderAND @JoshFor all there hard work and helping me through the learning curves and being overall great people ! I look forward to sharing the rest of my journey with you in the next edition  

Edited June 12, 2020 by Spence King

[Jubo 1,839]

Excited to have you make the jump to the Titans next season!

[Banackock 8,143]

Awesome stuff man  

[Spartan 4,531]

Podcast coming soon!!