Quik HOF Article

[Victor 11,043]

Matt Bailey - @Quik

 

Joined: July 21, 2007
Positions Held: VHL Commissioner, VHL General Manager, Board of Governors

 

It's something of an unwritten custom that a member's Builder article is written by someone who had been in the VHL longer than them. But how can that be done for someone who joined the league the day it opened its doors back in 2007? I suppose my being here for 90% of Quik's time in the league should be just enough to do him justice.

 

Quik's time in the VHL can be split into two very distinct halves – his original stint from day one to around S20 and then his current comeback which started with Mats Johnsson joining the S57 draft. There were a handful of appearances and players in between, the most notable probably being S34 draftee Matteo Gallo, a depth forward on the S36 Continental Cup winners in Davos. However, while Gallo may have been one of my best draft picks in my tenure as Davos GM (what that means for my drafting, or lack thereof, as Davos GM is a separate subject entirely), I think we can safely assume Quik was not immortalised in the VHL Hall of Fame as a Builder as a result of his solid work as a second-liner for the Dynamo.

 

On the contrary, it's almost a bit peculiar that Quik wasn't inducted by that point already. He's probably quite fortunate in that regard, else he would have ended up in a position akin to Beketov's whose Builder article makes no mention of his time as VHL commissioner as it was published before he got promoted to the role, but it is still odd and perhaps an oversight on the HOF voters' part. By the time he effectively left the league in the early 20s, Quik had already ticked many of the boxes we now see as “requirements” for a Builder induction. Three straight Hall of Famers in Matthew Pogge, Branden Snelheid, and Matt Bailey, the name that has since become synonymous with Quik, and a very active role around the league for a few years, probably dabbling in the GFX grader role because who didn't back then, already made a strong case even back then. On top of that, Quik was GM of Helsinki for a few seasons, taking over a struggling franchise as soon as Bailey was drafted first overall to them in S12 and leading it to the championship by S15, winning a top GM trophy along the way. If he had in fact bowed out of the league for good after Bailey retired with another cup in S19, it would have been a strong legacy to look back on already.

 

Quik's return made sure of an induction however, quite emphatically. It's quite possibly the most eye-catching comeback by any old member in VHL history, who generally keep a low profile upon their return and don't take on any big roles in the league, preferring to rest on past laurels. Quik, on the other hand, despite being away for nearly a decade and coming back to a literally dying league, burst out of the gates and within a few seasons was in the Board of Governors suggesting changes, back in the Titans GM hot seat (another cup would beckon, 50 seasons after his first), and ultimately becoming one of the VHL's Commissioners. The league went on a bit of a rollercoaster ride during Quik's absence, from expansion to 10 teams back down to contraction by the time he came back, but it's gone from strength to strength under his leadership, now expanding to an unthinkable 16 VHL franchises.

 

It's rare for an original member to be anything more than a story retold to new generations of VHLers, but in Quik, many new members have seen first hand his commitment to the league and a at times frightening level of organisation. So long as he doesn't disappear on any more unannounced hiatuses, we will be fortunate to have Quik's steady hand guiding/leading by committee the VHL ship, in the healthiest state it has been in years.

[Quik 4,113]

 

@Victor

[Devise 4,475]

Totally have to agree with Vic, it was easily the most eye catching comeback from an old member. Quik is a huge reason (obviously as Commish) that we have the portal, a huge reason we are so structured. I vividly recall him entering the BoG during a time of toxicity and stagnation around the league, just due to lower numbers and how in fighting and drama between the members was just sucking joy for people around the board. He approached me and much of the other committed behind the scenes people here and I'd argue was a big catalyst for us collectively getting our ass in gear. Seriously @Quik as was stated in the article long overdue for a number of reasons, congrats sir! 

[Beketov 9,140]

3 hours ago, Victor said:

He's probably quite fortunate in that regard, else he would have ended up in a position akin to Beketov's whose Builder article makes no mention of his time as VHL commissioner as it was published before he got promoted to the role

That should really be updated once we catch up, as should @tfong’s article.

[bigAL 2,176]

Wow. Just, wow. Thanks for everything Quik. Sounds like S73 wouldn’t have happened without your hard work over the past many, many moons. 

[Rhynex Entertainment 487]

Wow! This is some incredible footprints to follow @Quik! Excellent article. As someone new to VHL, these are the news that I try to find. People to look up to and learn from. This is what I call great community building all for the game we love! 10/10