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Simon Palat touching takes the ice for the first time as a Renegade

96 Hours Ago Simon Palat was a defenseman for the Manhattan Rage. He was on his way to the rink for his off-season work-out routine when he got the call from Daniel Merica about his future plans "What do you think you're going to do after this season? Your contract is up after all" Palat, who was sitting in traffic in downtown Manhattan for the who-knows how manyth time in the past 5 seasons took time to answer. He thought about his future, what he wanted and what would be best for not only himself but the Manhattan Rage for the future as well. After about 15 seconds of silence he said "I don't know... Are you at the rink? I want to talk to you after my workout if that's okay" Merica said he'd make it work and hung up. Palat sat in silence for the remainder of the drive, only hearing the sound of the gears in his head turning as he tried to think about what would be next. 2 seasons ago, posed with the same question from Merica he would have answered without even thinking about it "Re-Sign me, you name what I'm worth and the term!" but since then something has changed, I don't think I as his agent could put my finger on what it is, I don't think even Palat himself could put his finger on what it is. Just something had changed.

Palat arrived at the arena for the 100th+ time, he went to the workout room for the 100th plus time. He stretched, hit the weights, rode the stationary bike, and put on his equipment for the 100th plus time. As he touched the ice he came to a realization it might be time for a change. The Rage had another disappointing season, losing a hard fought playoff series to the eventual Challenge Cup Champion Steelhawks. The same fate they suffered the season before losing to the eventual Challenge Cup Wolfpack. Each loss hit Palat like a mack-truck. He is an incredibly competitive player and doesn't like to lose. The Rage locker room still felt like a family, but the on ice product was quickly starting to feel a bit stale. Palat as he continued to take shots on an empty net came to grips with what he had to do. He finished by taking a wrist shot off the crossbar, into the back of the net and headed to the showers. After taking off his equipment and changing into his street clothes, Palat headed upstairs to talk to the boss. Merica came to the door and met Palat, he shook his hand and led him to a set of chairs. The two sat down, Merica poured them a drink and they sat in silence for a moment before Merica broke the quiet.

"So, Simon, what do you want to do?" Palat looked long and hard back at Merica before saying the words that he never thought he would say "After my contract, I think that's it for me in Manhattan... I'm thankful for everything you, Nike, Mook and everyone else in the Manhattan family has done for me, but for my own good, and the good of the franchise it might be best to move on..." Merica took a sip of his drink and responded "I fully understand" Palat interjected "If you think you can get a good return for me, I am fully willing to play for another team so that Manhattan doesn't lose me for nothing" Merica took another drink and then responded "I'll put out feelers and see if there's any interest, if so then we might move you. I thank you for the honesty and the willingness to get Manhattan something back" Palat nodded and left. Palat went home and decided he was going to take the next week off to take his mind off of his future. Palat started looking for tickets to Florida to visit his brother who lives in Florida. He called his brother that night but got no response. He spent the rest of that night in quiet, trying to figure things out. His brother returned his call the next morning and Palat was finally able to take his mind off of things as he planned a week vacation to visit. He went out to dinner that night with myself, and received a text from Merica as well as from a number he didn't recognize. He did not look at the unknown text and went to Merica's which simply said "What do you think about that?" Palat was confused. He looked at the other text which was from Maxim Horvat, GM of the Texas Renegades inquiring about his interest about becoming a Renegade. Palat talked to me at dinner that night and we both got quite excited about the prospect of playing for Texas. Palat gave both Horvat and Merica the go ahead and blessing to make a deal work. Less than 24 hours later Palat was a Renegade, what felt like the world was lifted off of his shoulders. Palat breathed heavily and was excited to be able to start fresh.


Yesterday- Palat changed his plane ticket from Florida to Dallas Texas. He got off his flight with a huge smile on his face, he picked up his baggage after signing a couple autographs, and met a limo that picked him up and drove him to the Renegades Arena. Palat met Maxim Horvat who gave him a big hug and welcomed him to the franchise. A 2 year extension was finalized, and Palat talked with Horvat over their future and what Palat could expect. Palat left the meeting with a huge smile on his face and was on his way to meet up with a real-estate agent Horvat had set up to find a house.

Today- Palat left his hotel, met the equipment manager at the Renegades arena, and got his first Renegades jersey, a black practice jersey, he touches the ice and starts taking his normal routine of skating end to end, cycling the puck off the boards, corralling the rebound and putting it on net. There was an extra pep in his step, something we have not seen in Palat's step since his heroic playoffs that led the Rage to the Challenge cup. After the practice, I spoke with Palat and secured this interview. The first interview since the trade, I'm honored to be the one conducting it and hope that you as the audience enjoys it.

Hello Mr. Palat

Hello Mr Maxy


How are you holding up since the trade

In all honesty, I'm so incredibly happy that it's hard to put it into words. That's not a slight against Manhattan at all. More so praising Texas, giving thanks to Manhattan, and most of all, leaving Manhattan with something going back to them for the future. That's the most important to me. I cannot say enough great things about Manhattan, Merica, Mook, Nike, and the fans in Manhattan. I think the hardest part about saying that I was leaving was the thought of having to do so without them getting what I'd consider a fair return.


You like the return for Manhattan?

I think it's as even a trade as you can make... Basically it worked out in my mind like Goody = 2 first rounders, Myself+Krivo= Knight which is entirely fair and sets up Texas to compete, while still being able to retool with their picks in this draft and next, and Manhattan to be in great shape in the future.


Didn't look at it that way, that's interesting. Was it just Texas that you were excited to go to? Or was it just the prospect of starting fresh?

It was a combination of the two. I really liked Texas since Deener took over, he's made all the right moves and I have a lot of faith in him as GM, he's done a fantastic job of getting value for assets that won't be here after this season, and maximizing his future by bringing in those who will play for seasons to come like myself and Nike. If I was to go to any team, I had 5 in my head that I could see myself staying long term, they were the and Any one of those if they traded for me, I would have no issue signing an extension, I'm glad that happened and after spending the last day getting to know my teammates, I don't see myself leaving Texas anytime in the near future at all...


That's good to hear as your agent, it's nice to build a relationship with your GM's and stay on good terms with them... Do you think you'll sign an extension with them post your current 3 year term.

Unless something drastically changes, I could see myself as a Renegade until I hang up my skates.


Interesting. Now less about the future, and more about the immediate future, you've talked to Deener about your place on the team, in his initial post it was thought that you would be playing 2nd line defense much like you did in Manhattan, any word on who your linemate will be?


Well actually, there lies a bit of an announcement, I will be moving back to forward for this season! It's my natural position and the one I had my best season in the league as. As it stands now, it looks like I will be playing on the wing, with Maxim Horvat and also recently acquired Niklas Stryker.... I have to say that has me excited.


Wow, that's quite an announcement. One last question for now, then I'll turn the floor over to the press for you. Texas has a bit of a reputation as being very "Cliquish" and hard to fit in, I know you've only been there a short time, but would you like to comment on that?


Yeah, I am one who was quite guilty of calling Texas cliquish. and on the outside I'd say that's what it looks like, but on the inside it's quite the opposite. There are 2 people (Actually more, but 2 mainly) who absolutely despise me on that team, despite that, the team has been nothing but civil, the locker room has been accommodating, and the conversation is less like a high school girl lunch table (Like the preconceived notion) and more like a group of friends meeting up at a bar. It's quite nice to see and something I feel comfortable as a part of. I love what I've seen from the Renegades and see why they have such a loyal core.


(1811 words)

Feel free to ask any other questions if you have any about me becoming a forward again, or how I'm liking Texas or otherwise. I could use the money

Originally posted by Allen+Aug 10 2015, 08:02 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1' id='QUOTE-WRAP'><tr><td>QUOTE (Allen @ Aug 10 2015, 08:02 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Texas seems to have gone from rebuilding to contending overnight. They also have a slew of prospects and picks in the pipeline. Was the long-term viability of the team something that attracted you here as well?

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I think it had a lot to do with Deener stepping up and showing that he was willing to take risks and do what it takes to win. He's done some amazing things already and bringing in 3 1000TPE players in one trade is not something that happens often, especially with such a great group of youngsters already on the roster who are patiently waiting for their chance. Texas is in a STUPENDOUS spot moving forward and it definitely was something that attracted me.

<!--QuoteBegin-Deener@Aug 10 2015, 08:22 PM
AWESOME article!

How would you say you differ as a forward than as a defenseman?

Deener has made it clear that if you're not willing to work hard there's no space for you on this team, for all his players. Does that motivate you or frighten you?[/quote]

Thank you sir!

I don't think there's much difference in my play, I have been a responsible defensive player my entire career, I started as a forward so it's my natural position, I have the shot, the speed and the puck handling, honestly it was tougher to focus more on stopping goals than putting them in the back of the net. Being able to go back to what I do best is going to be like riding a bike.

Please, that motivates me. He doesn't even need to say that. All he had to say was "Deener is on the team" and I will be motivated to one up that S'O'B one way or another. Goes back to our junior days and I damn sure am not going to let him get the upper hand now! But in all honesty, Deener is the type of guy who will motivate you, even if you don't want to be motivated. I could say F... Screw it I'm not ever updating again! and after one talk with Deener be writing a 2000 word article and doing PT's.... Actually, that's kinda what's happened here :ph34r:

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Thank you to My boys @Merica and @Ragnar for the lovely sigs!

Texas seems to have gone from rebuilding to contending overnight. They also have a slew of prospects and picks in the pipeline. Was the long-term viability of the team something that attracted you here as well?

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Originally posted by Allen@Aug 10 2015, 08:02 PM
Texas seems to have gone from rebuilding to contending overnight. They also have a slew of prospects and picks in the pipeline. Was the long-term viability of the team something that attracted you here as well?

Thank you for the question!!! Answered!

Thank you to My boys @Merica and @Ragnar for the lovely sigs!

AWESOME article!

How would you say you differ as a forward than as a defenseman?

Deener has made it clear that if you're not willing to work hard there's no space for you on this team, for all his players. Does that motivate you or frighten you?

28 is old you fucking moron

Originally posted by Deener@Aug 10 2015, 08:22 PM
AWESOME article!

How would you say you differ as a forward than as a defenseman?

Deener has made it clear that if you're not willing to work hard there's no space for you on this team, for all his players. Does that motivate you or frighten you?

Thanks for the questions!

Answered!!!

Thank you to My boys @Merica and @Ragnar for the lovely sigs!