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tredpalo · 05-04-2025, 12:23 AM

So, where the bloody hell do I even start? I guess with an introduction? Sure, why not, it’s not like most people reading this would remember who I am, or at least I’d be VERY surprised if they did. I’m Trevor Lopez, both IRL and the fictional player. One of us is the 1st round pick for the Vancouver Whalers and later on, the Chicago Syndicate, and now a current member of the Seven Win Wonders, the Minnesota Monarchs. The other me? Well, we’ll get that. In this league, there’s plenty of separation between SHL players and their real life counterparts (unless Crazy Tomato II or Jiggle E Puff are your real names, in which case, my apologies and your parents must’ve been very creative), but with me? Believe it or not, there’s not as much a gap between the real me and the fictional me as I’d like to admit. My failures are my player’s failures, and my wins, however few, are mine as well. We’ll go over those in a few though, so settle down and buckle in because I think it’s time I introduce you to the REAL Trevor Lopez and re-introduce you to the player Trevor Lopez.

` Let’s start at the beginning. Kahri drags me into the SHL kicking and screaming, and holds a gun to my head until I create a player (this may or may not be an exaggeration of real life events, I’ll let you be the judge). Thus, Trevor Lopez, the newest upstart defensemen, is born. Step 1 has been completed, so what’s step 2? Getting drafted to the SMJHL, of course, and that means kissing SO much ass--I MEAN being a charming and friendly individual to any GM who’s kind enough to reach out, and no such GM was kinder to me than my boy Seany from the Vancouver Whalers. He takes a chance on me with the 2nd overall pick, and guess what? WE WIN A FREAKING CUP! It was an awesome time playing for the Whalers and I was blessed to be surrounded by amazing teammates and a GM who continues to be one of my closest friends in the SHL community, but not everything was sunshine and roses for the real-life me.

You see, your boy Trev is what we would call “homeless”. 4 years ago, my mom, dad and I got evicted from our home, and we’ve been jumping from dirtbag motel to motel ever since, with a little bit of sleeping in cars in-between. My mom’s handicapped, so I take it upon myself to stay home and take care of her every day while my dad goes out and works to keep a roof over our heads and hopefully, food in our stomach. Times are tough, there are days where we go without eating and some days where we sleep in our car, but we survive. It sucks, but life in general sucks so we roll with the punches. So why does this matter for the player version of Trevor? You see, in my first year with Vancouver, I screwed up a bit. When I slip into a depressive state, which happens a lot more often lately, I keep missing updates, PTs and any activity that leads to $$$ or TPE chances. As such, I started to slip in TPE earnings relative to my draft class, and it caused me to fall from being drafted 2nd overall in the SMJHL to going 5th overall by the Chicago Syndicate in the SHL. Luckily, I had a very understanding GM in Nike who was partly aware of my scenario, so when I was finally called up to Chicago, it was set to be my time to shine. Unfortunately, that’s not how it played out.

So, you all remember how I said that when I fall into a depressive state, I kinda just start tuning the world out and slipping in all my activities? That got sent into overdrive when my father got diagnosed with thyroid cancer a few months ago, a diagnosis that doctors suggest will cause him to pass within a few years at the most. It’s not something I speak publicly about all that much because….I mean, come on. If someone told you that they were broke AND homeless for 4 years with a handicapped mother and a father whose life is on a countdown, you’re either going to think they’re lying, begging for pity and/or money, or maybe a bit of both. That’s not in-fact the case. Hell, the only reason I mention it now is because I feel that Chicago and the league as a whole deserves an explanation for why my player immediately stopped progressing for the first 2 years of his SHL career, becoming deadweight on the 3rd pairing and going from former top 5 pick to out of the league in a 2 season span. It's a situation I deeply regret. I let Nike down, I let my teammates down and I caused the team to waste a valuable asset on someone that'd ultimately never do a damn thing for the team. To Nike and my teammates, I deeply apologize and I ask for your forgiveness. You deserved better. While the person was coping with the eventual death of a loved one and wanting the death of himself (again, an exaggeration. Maybe, I don’t know, I go back and forth on it but I think I’ll just leave that for a therapist to solve if I ever get money to afford one.), the player was essentially dead and more so, deadweight. As such, my contract was never renewed and I got sent to Free Agency to enter IA purgatory and never see the light of day again.

At least, that’s how it SHOULD’VE gotten. Just like how my story has yet to end, Trevor’s story decided to add one last chapter. You see, I had all but given up on my SHL career until Eddie, the then-GM of the Minnesota Monarchs DMed me a contract offer, which is ALSO how I found out I got dropped in the first place. Now, I bet you’re thinking “but Trev, if you’re giving up on the SHL, why would you play for the dumpster fire rebuild project?”. See, that’s the thing, because in all my self-pity, I reached an epiphany. I COULD keep detaching myself from the real world, OR I could keep distracting myself from the horrors of the real world while engaging in an activity with great people and a chance to be a part of something bigger. And so, I signed the contract, and guess what? WINnesota is freaking awesome! I’m a part of a team with some of the best teammates I’ve played with, and despite the admittedly tiring saga surrounding team leadership, Cord and Waters have been nothing short of amazing and I genuinely buy into their long term vision for the team. Oh yeah, it also turns out that playing on the top pairing for a rebuilding team is LOTS of fun. No expectations, but all the opportunity. There may be plenty of teams better than us, but there’s no place I’d rather be.

So yeah, that’s it, that’s my story. Did I write this because I want pity? Not really no. Did I do this to guilt people into sending me money? Nope,, although I am DEFINITELY stretching out my sentences a little to help generate that sweet sweet sweet SHL money (plz don’t be too harsh, mods, my bank accountant needs this). All I want is to be straight up and explain why the life of both Trevors has been…well, complicated. Luckily, the player version of Trevor’s story has yet to end just yet, and now, I have the pen in my hand. I think it’s time I rewrite the damn script.

(1,438 words)

jason97 · 05-04-2025, 12:31 AM

The goat

*sliceruser* · 05-04-2025, 01:50 AM

sad to lose you in Chicago but im glad you found a new home and new fun in the league, good luck in MIN trev!

Ashes · 05-04-2025, 02:04 AM

<3

Popol · 05-04-2025, 06:29 AM

Funny thing, I actually asked this same question since we were part of the same draft class and I mentioned you in a few on my media articles. I'm happy to see you are back and that things (seems?) better, good luck for the rest of your career in Minnesota!

*kahri* · 05-04-2025, 02:02 PM

you’re welcome SHL

***Seany148*** · 05-04-2025, 02:12 PM

05-04-2025, 02:02 PMkahri Wrote: you’re welcome SHL

thank you kahri and thank you trevor <3

***Nike*** · 05-04-2025, 02:39 PM

Trev, don’t ever apologize for the shit that life has put you and your family through. I hope you never feel like you let us down - because you didn’t.

You are appreciated in Chicago, no matter the way that your “player” experience turned out. You rock and deserve all the success I hope you’ll find in Minny.

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