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teztify · 07-14-2015, 11:51 PM

Fourteen seasons ago one of only two SHL GMs I had ever had was relieved of his duties. Officially, of course, he “stepped down”, but by now I think many of us know what occurred with the GM in question. Failed rebuilds, playoff droughts, and spurts of inactivity led to the promotion of a new General Manager for the Edmonton Comets/Blizzard – A GM who would, fourteen seasons later, remain the second longest serving active GM in the SHL. Interestingly, I guess, second only to the only other GM I had ever known – the iconic Damian Littleton.

In those fourteen seasons I have spent at the helm of the Edmonton Blizzard franchise, I’ve developed a love for this league that never really seemed possible way back in the dark ages of Seasons 1 through 7: back when Gabriel Fortescue was a relative unknown outside of the Winnipeg Jets locker room and the username “Teztify” was certainly not considered a Head Commissioner candidate.

I remember, quite fondly, my first off-season as a head General Manager. It wasn’t really my first experience handling most of the work. At the time I complained a lot about my season spent as a Co-GM in Edmonton; the height of Seth’s inactivity. I don’t really care to complain about what Seth did or did not do anymore, in the end it afforded me the chance to jump into a Head GM role after the disappointment of losing out on an expansion franchise after making it respectably deep into the Season 10 application process. It was that off-season in which the turnaround really began in Edmonton, a team which had – since losing JayMac as its foreman – become somewhat of a laughing stock.

Alright, a full-blown laughing stock.

The trade I always bring up when I talk about it in our locker room, or on podcasts, or what-have-you, is one that I actually organized while still the Co-GM. I had been speaking with Hamilton’s management team for an extended period of time, trying to work out a deal that would solidify us as a threat rather than a rebuilder for the first time in six seasons or so. I think it took a few hours at least, with a lot of back and forth in a chatzy, before we finally decided on a deal that involved 4th overall (which would become Rehn Miller) and some other stuff that I don’t remember going to the Steelhawks. In return we would receive Kevin LeBacon, as well as the rights to Tom Corcoran and Ronan O’Keefe. It was a huge risk – if we were unable to sign those guys, it wouldn’t be nearly as good a trade as it was, but luckily we were able to convince Corc and Stud to sign up and join our team. We later added Stevens winning defenseman Jed Mosley, whose rights we acquired from West Kendall. JayTee would become a cornerstone of our franchise and my first ever Co-GM, with whom I won my first Challenge Cup as a GM in Season 13 – after adding some core pieces in guys like Zach Dooley and Markus Dahl, who became great friends and mentors as well.

I think I used to be able to rhyme of a lot of details about moves we made from season to season, but it’s been a long time and my memory is fuzzy. That “dynasty” of S13-S16 blends together a lot in my memory, although the team we had at the start of it and the team we were left with by the end were very different. I remember guys who were huge parts of it, who I miss sharing a locker room with and playing alongside. Guys like our “big three” from the S10 draft in Michael Haan, Alexander Andrezjeck, and John Langabeer. Two guys who joined us from Calgary even before then, one of whom became our franchises greatest of all time (and one of the best friends I’ve made on this site) in Lucas Smith; the other being one who fell out of favour but still one who contributed nonetheless in Braden Carlzner. I recall finalizing an “all-in” deal that brought Smirnov Light to Edmonton in his retirement season, which eventually worked out as we won the Challenge Cup. That one was fun because I think it was made official while I was in the car driving to families house on Easter. We would later repeat this act in Season 15 with Mike Ochocinco, giving us somewhat of a reputation for breaking player curses. We had done it with Corcoran in his final season as well.

I remember having my worries about drafting one of my closest friends in Jakub Aittokallio, who has since made those doubts look silly but in fairness, all I had to go on at that time was the past history of Jaroslav Sekeras and Jarrod Kinderly – I don’t suspect many of you will know those names, nor the usernames Ovielanche or Jwowww. Then there was Vinny Chezno, who I still consider one of my best draft picks ever. We thought maybe we could bring him over from the VHL and turn him into a useful player – he became that and more, and while he played his prime out in Los Angeles and has since become a terrific player for them with his recreate, Steezy was one of my favourite teammates of all time. I remember – and will always appreciate – the loyalty I was shown by Laraque Obama. He stuck around through a tough couple of seasons before I took over, and lead us through our dynasty years as our “Captain Clutch”.

I remember how fulfilling it was to bring Teemu Nurmi back to the team after a “brief” stint away. I made the call to draft him back in Season 9, when Edmonton’s collective jimmies were most certainly ruffled by Manhattan shocking us and trading their pick to Calgary, who would go on to “steal” Lucas Smith from our grasp. I’ll never forget how surprising it was when we were finally able to settle our differences with Ivo Willems and bring him to Edmonton to win a Cup. Ivo and the Blizzard got off on the wrong foot from the very start, but I can say he became one of my favourite members once I got to know him. I recall how excited we were when we were able to bring in Willie Weber from Winnipeg, a guy who would dominate on our blueline and win a Stevens along the way.

Leading into the later part of our dynasty, some of the most fun I had stemmed from bringing in my current Co-GM in Kyle Keenan via trade once Manhattan decided to blow up their core. Keenan has been an absolute blast to work with, but has more importantly become a really trusted friend. I almost asked for JNH, too… Drafting Riko Muerto turned out to be a stroke of genius, though I know some questioned the pick. I have my scouting staff to thank for that one.

Since those days, I’ve had a lot of fun trying to get back to that spot, trying to win my fourth Challenge Cup to put myself back on top of the leaderboards – where I know sit tied for first with the legendary L4E (whom I’ve now described as both iconic and legendary, you owe me big if you write one of these, Danny). That quest to get back to the top has allowed me to bring some awesome guys (and girls, on occasion) into our locker room. Players who I’ve met more recently, and many of whom I still play with – guys like JRT who has become an outstanding captain for our team. Like Kitras and Andy, who put their faith in our team when they had their pick of the litter, which I am incredibly grateful for. Like Marky, who is one of the most underappreciated players in the entire league. Like JP and Tylar – whom I both definitely should have mentioned somewhere before now but I didn’t. Lunaro, who I was surprised we were even able to get at 4th overall and who continues to exceed my expectations on and off the simulation ice. There is also Jon, who I was happy to bring in as a good replacement for Belial at the time, but has since become such a ridiculously good player and teammate that I still can’t believe our luck. We’ve also got a bunch of guys who are pretty new to me who I’ve enjoyed getting to know in Abo, D’Amour, Ponsen, Smirnov, etc., who represent part of our future as a franchise.

And there’s a whole lot more people I’ve crossed paths with in the last fourteen seasons who I’ve not even thought to mention. Certainly not as a slight, but because my train of thought over the last 45 minutes when I should be in bed hasn’t brought me to their story. But there’s definitely nobody I’ve had on my team that I’ve forgotten.

I don’t expect many people to read into this a lot, since it gets weirdly specific and uninteresting unless you’re part of the story, I suppose. But it’s a fun way for me to look back on what has been an incredibly fun career as the GM of the Edmonton Blizzard. A way for me to say thanks to everyone who has played on a team with me and the GMs who were willing to negotiate trades with me – some of them very quick and simple, some of them excruciatingly complex.

I’m not sure when I’ll stop being Edmonton’s GM. Maybe it will be really soon, over already. Maybe it won’t be. I’m still thinking about that. But at least, for this long, it has been some of the most fun I’ve had in my life.

Quote:Words: 1654.
This was fun, looking back and remembering different parts of what we've done here in Edmonton over the last 3 real-life years I've spent as GM. It's funny to think of all that has changed for me in the last three years and one of the constants has been the Blizzard. Odd. Anyway, sorry if this isn't interesting or if it looks like a big wall of text, more of an exercise for me personally than anything else.

FourFour · 07-14-2015, 11:55 PM

=D>

I have got to say, through my short stint in Edmonton, it was a blast with the culture the Blizzard had developed back then. You are a class GM and I was very fortunate to be on your team, even for that short amount of time.

I hope you continue to GM the Blizzard for much, much longer Smile

Tylar · 07-14-2015, 11:59 PM

Wtf. I only got one mention and you didn't even mention our wedding.... wtf is this

***HabsFanFromOntario*** · 07-15-2015, 12:08 AM

Great read, with Deener spouting off his achievements with Las Angeles, I think you had the bigger turn around with what Seth left you.

Congrats on your achievements, Tez.

Jedi · 07-15-2015, 12:14 AM

I cannot imagine a reality where you're not my GM, don't really ever want to tbh

Alucard,Apr 14 2016, 03:33 PM Wrote:May the harvest be with you, young spud.

enigmatic,Aug 26 2016, 10:05 AM Wrote:Jedi could have 1 TPE and still improve any team

First ever Norwegian IIHF Goal!!

Code:
2. Team Norway , Jackson Rodgers-Tanaka 1 (Isabella Esparza-Osvaldson, Aleksander Andrezjeck) at 5:50

Special Thanks to Count Chocula for the Hugo G sig <3

Andy · 07-15-2015, 12:32 AM

:wub: :wub:

JumpierPegasus · 07-15-2015, 12:37 AM

Okeh

Corco · 07-15-2015, 12:40 AM

worst gm in sim league history

Maxy · 07-15-2015, 12:40 AM

"F" "T" "L" are larger and bolded...

For the loss
Fuck the Law
Finger the llama

WHAT COULD IT MEAN?!

Andy · 07-15-2015, 12:42 AM

Quote:Originally posted by Maxy@Jul 14 2015, 11:40 PM
"F" "T" "L" are larger and bolded...

For the loss
Fuck the Law
Finger the llama

WHAT COULD IT MEAN?!

Fat titty licker?

Muerto · 07-15-2015, 01:07 AM

goat gm

***micool132*** · 07-15-2015, 01:09 AM

All my experiences with you have been awesome and have contributed positively to the site. Keep it up you rock!

Deenerys Targa-rene · 07-15-2015, 01:18 AM

Quote:Originally posted by HabsFanFromOntario@Jul 14 2015, 08:08 PM
Great read, with Deener spouting off his achievements with Las Angeles, I think you had the bigger turn around with what Seth left you.

Congrats on your achievements, Tez.

Wow shots fired

Thanks for that HFFO Smile

)

Great article tez

O4L · 07-15-2015, 01:33 AM

goat

"“HA HA! THIS GAME WILL NEVER END! I POSSESS THE SOUL OF EVERY GOALIE ON TEAM B!! CREW 4 LIFE!! SIGN WITH EDMONTON FOR THE CUP!!!” cackled Belial as he placed a Fedora on his head."
SMJHL Commisioner S17-S26
Calgary Dragons GM S14-S23

ORIGINSZ · 07-15-2015, 01:35 AM

Quote:Originally posted by Deener@Jul 15 2015, 12:18 AM

Wow shots fired

Thanks for that HFFO )

Great article tez

Too be fair you had a great off season, because your such a loved member(for good reason). And very respected but that one off season really helped catapult your franchise quickly.

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