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***jaypc8237*** · 02-14-2025, 02:40 PM

When I created Lasse back in S69, it was like coming back home. I had recently went IA for 2 seasons right after my first player was supposed to break into the league, and I decided that instead of trying to play catch up for the rest of Cloutier’s career, retiring was the better option. Zeigler for me was supposed to be that player that broke me into the league, win awards, be a star, and he did that. Only one thing was missing: 2000 TPE.

Zeigler was drafted 34th Overall in the 3rd Round of the S69 SMJHL Draft to the St. Louis Scarecrows. The Scarecrows were coming off of hot season in S68, topping 35 wins with 77 points, but that didn’t matter anymore as many of the Crows star players were being called up to play in the big leagues.

“I remember walking into the arena for the first time. Once you stepped foot through the doors of the players entrance you were met with a world of history slamming you in the face. Painted along the walls were murals of legends from the past, legendary management, and 7 Four Star Cups shining bright with new polish. Once you made it to the locker room you realized you never knew what luxury was. Pool tables, fridges packed with snacks and drinks, stay in massage therapists, and many flat screen tv’s posted around the room.”

Zeigler had a decent rookie season, putting up 14 goals and 16 assists for an even 30 points on the season… with a -41 +/-. But that is to be expected on a rebuilding team that placed 14th in the league. Yet the Scarecrows got into the playoffs, putting up a good fight but losing to the Kelowna Knights in Round 1 4-2. Zeigz put up 3 Assists in the post season. The next season Zeigler was named an Assistant Captain for the Crows, yet very close replica of the season before. Zeigz put up 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points, and the team yet again placing 14th in the league. The only change this season, the Crows didn’t make playoffs.

Then it was SHL Draft time. Zeigler had a week of interviews with all of the General Managers that had the time to chat with him, and before you knew it, Draft Day was here.

“I remember sitting in the stands, names passing by and players getting picked. I was so nervous, excited, and scared all at the same time. Then I hear, “ With the 35th Pick in the Second Round of the S70 SHL Draft, the Minnesota Monarchs are proud to Select Lasse Zeigler from the St. Louis Scarecrows.” After that my memory is a bit cloggy. The extreme excitement walking up to the stage to meet the team, take photos, get interviewed, and signing stuff, it all was super hectic. But in the end, the best day of my new life.”

Season 71 was where things started to get fun. Zeigz was named Captain to start the season, and Zeigler put up 39 points in the Regular Season, 16 goals and 23 assists, and this tike the Crows placed 7th in the league, a major improvement from the season before. These playoffs their first round playoffs was against a strong Colorado Raptors team, that the Scarecrows battled tooth and nail against but ended up coming just short, losing the series in Game 7. Zeigz recorded his first ever SMJHL playoff goal, and added 4 more assists.

Season 72. The best season Lasse Zeigler has ever had. To start, the Crows were a powerhouse team, placing 3rd in the entire league. Zeigz finished with 53 points, a career high, and adding 17 goals and a whopping 36 assists. The post season was even more fun. The crows rolled easily into the finals, only to face the strong Maine Timber, who won the Four Star Cup the season before, and who won it in S73 as well. The Crows and the Timber went back and forth, all the way to Game 7 where the St. Louis Scarecrows won their first Four Star Cup since the 40’s. Then that offseason, Lasse travels to play both in the IIHF for Germany, and for Rhine in the WJC. Germany ended up winning a gold medal, and Rhine just coming up short to USA in a 5-3 loss, still taking Silver home.

After all of that, it was a mad scramble for Lasse. He had less than a week to pack up his whole life he knew in St. Louis, move to Minnesota and attend training camp on time. He did end up getting everything sorted in time, attended training camp and cut opening night roster for the start of the S73 SHL Season. Lasse had a strong rookie season, putting up 49 points, 37 of those being assists. Minnesota barely snuck into the playoffs only to get knocked out in Round 1 by the Winnipeg Aurora in 5 games.

S74, Zeigler’s sophomore season went a bit better. Scoring 20 goals and 34 assists for 54 points, yet Minnesota was getting weaker and weaker, placing 16th. Yet they managed to make it into the playoffs again, this time to get swept by the Edmonton Blizzard. The IIHF with team Germany was fun that season, winning gold again, 2 times in 3 seasons. S75 was a major disappointment for Lasse. Scoring only 15 goals and a measly 30 assists (a career low) for 45 points on a team that placed 15th in the league. That offseason Lasse requested a trade out of Minnesota.

“I gave my heart and soul to this Franchise for multiple years of my life. Minnesota will always have a soft spot in my heart, the team I was drafted by, the team I scored my first points, played my first games, did almost all of my firsts. I just feel that for myself I need a change of scenery after under performing all season, and hopefully help out Minnesota by bringing in picks that will help the rebuild.”

He was traded to the Texas Renegades that offseason.

“Tex, Tex, Tex. There is too much to say about Texas. For me it felt like a homecoming. The team welcomed me with wide open, warm arms, and so did the management. I felt like I was heard, respected, and part of the team culture as soon as I stepped in the building. Every game I remember playing in Texas, the arena’s atmosphere was like none you have ever felt before. The barns were packed full of die hard fans every night no matter what, and the energy was insane. It was definitely something I used to push myself to try and be the best player on the ice.”

Lasse finished Season 76 with a career high in all goals (30) assists (41), and points (71), and Texas finished 4th in the league and winning their division title. Lasse also made his first ever SHL All-Star Appearance. It was a hell of a season, but it doesn’t stop there. Round 1 was a breeze, but Round 2 against the Winnipeg Aurora was the real test. It was a gritty battle, but Texas just couldn’t overcome the overpowering Aurora, and lost in 6. Lasse played 13 games, and recorded 14 points. Season 77 came fast afterwards, and it was a record season. Lasse posted 39 goals and 57 assists for a whopping 96 points on a Texas team that was yet again at the top of the standings, winning their division and placing 3rd in the league. Playoffs….. a touchy subject for S77. Zeigler played good, playing 23 games, scoring 7 goals and 25 assists for 33 points.

“I remember very little about any of the rounds before the Finals. Blew through most of the teams, and continued on. We ended up going 3-1 on the New England Wolfpack, before something happened. I can’t tell you what, or how, or anything really. NEW came out with a fire, a desire to win unlike any I have ever seen, and well… we just crumbled. We lost 3 straight losing the Series in Game 7, and the Challenge Cup. The worst part about it was that we were so close, close enough I could smell it, and we downright screwed it up worse than you could have ever imagined.”

“Is that the reason you left Texas that offseason, being traded to the Toronto North Stars?”

“No, not at all. I was completely set on trying again with Texas, going for another run at the cup, this time having that very important playoff experience. But sometimes things happen that are just out of your control. Hockey is a business. The SHL is a Business.”

That offseason Lasse became a North Star, adding to a group of solid players. Season 78 Toronto was a good team, placing 8th in the standings, and placing 2nd in the division behind the New England Wolfpack. Playoffs started against the Buffalo Stampede, where Toronto met their match and lost in Game 7 of the 1st Round. Zeigler had an amazing season, breaking 92 points and making his second SHL All-Star appearance. Season 79 was a nearly identical season, Lasse topping up 91 points with Toronto placing 7th in the League, yet again getting knocked out in the 1st Round by the Buffalo Stampede, this time in 6 games.

Season 80 was a season to remember. With a Cap Penalty of 10 million dollars, Toronto was made to cut some players, and it hurt the team greatly. Toronto placed 14th in the league that season. Then miracles happened. Toronto started tearing up the playoffs, going into Round 1 against the New England Wolfpack where they were the heavy favorite to lose, ended up beating in 5 games. Round 2 was against the Philadelphia Forge, a team that had 25 more Regular Season Points than Toronto. But that didn’t stop Toronto. They beat the Forge in 7 games. Then the Conference Finals come around, and everyone is at the point of, ‘Can they do it again?’ Unfortunately, no they could not. They played the Tampe Bay Barricuda, bringing them to game 7 but couldn’t get the job done.

That offseason Lasse Zeigler announced his retirement from the SHL.

“With a solemn heart I announce today that my skates will be hung up for good in the SHL. With the Toronto North Stars now entering a full rebuild, I see no better time than to finally rest. The last 12 years of my life have been some of the best, but the hardest. Constant training wears down the body much more than you think, and I truly believe retiring at a younger age to preserve your health for the future is better. Its time to settle down, and have a life and a family. Maybe one day I will be back though, as a coach or even a scout. Time will tell. Till then, farewell!”

Thank you to all the people that created amazing graphics for me for Zeigler!

@enigmatic, @sulovilen, @Ragnar and many others

***Anthique*** · 02-14-2025, 03:01 PM

Short career, but had some amazing season along the way and great playoffs performances!
Hope you will be able to reproduce those seasons with BAL and play more than 8 seasons in the SHL.

Little note: We did not lose 4 in a row in the S77 playoffs, it was 3-1 they won game 3 Wink

***jaypc8237*** · 02-14-2025, 03:04 PM

02-14-2025, 03:01 PMAnthique Wrote: Short career, but had some amazing season along the way and great playoffs performances!
Hope you will be able to reproduce those seasons with BAL and play more than 8 seasons in the SHL.

Little note: We did not lose 4 in a row in the S77 playoffs, it was 3-1 they won game 3

Fixed haha! BAL will be fun for sure!