The Lanny McDonalds - Movember

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Movember

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Commissioner's Classic

The first week of the RHL season matches the two commissioners against each other in an opening week event dubbed "The Commissioner's Classic" Commisioner Filion and his Keg Kings will meet Assistant Commisioner Atkinson's Brewers in the fourth installment of the Classic.

  VS 

The Commissioner's classic was born in 2003-04 as the two league creators would meet in the first week of the season and battle to a 2-2 tie. Since then, these two franchises have met in the opening week only two more times. This season sees the return of the Classic after two seasons of scheduling conflicts and it has been decided to continue this opening week tradition for years to come.

Although they tied in the first classic, Filion`s team has never lost in this legendary match-up and hold a 2-0-1 record over GM Atkinson during week one battles and appear to be on their way to maintaining their winning record. For the opener of this season, in an extended week one, the Keg Kings held a 4-2 lead at the midway point and seem to have this win locked down with a 926 save percentage, 4 goalie wins, and almost doubling the Brewers in the hits category. penalty minutes seemed to be in reach and the offensive categories were up for grabs but favored towards the Brewers offence rather than the Keg Kings truculence, who are no doubt on their way to leading the league in hits. The extended week allowed the managers to adjust their lineups at the halfway point and we saw some very bold and risky moves from both GM`s who continue to set an example for the rest of the league. These moves show the entire league how badly these teams want to win not just the Commissioner`s Classic, but the whole fucking thing!

The Brewers top goaltender Varlamov went down with an injury before seeing any regular season action and put the Brewers behind severely in the goal-tending wins category while still maintaining a respectable .926 save % despite 2 losses from Backstrom. Varlamov was placed on IR allowing the Brewers to pick up overlooked solid goaltender Mike Smith for the second half of the match-up. However, no one could have predicted Filion`s rebuttal to the Brewers move as the GM would bench both of his goaltenders for the rest of week one, on the hopes that 4 wins is enough to clinch the victory while maintaining a solid save percentage, obviously playing the odds that the Brewers goaltenders save percentage will drop this week. This move is unheard of in fantasy leagues and Filion cold be considered a genius if it works. On the other hand, statistically, but highly unlikely, the Brewers can tie or even win the goalie wins category and increase save percentage in the process...... this would no doubt put the Commissioner under a lot of criticism at the hands of the other GM's.

While the Keggers were contemplating their goalie strategy, Atkinson was looking for a way to win more than just goals and assists, although it was far out of reach, he decided to go after the hits category. Already trailing by a large amount, The Brewers inserted Michael Rupp and Brad Stuart into the line-up while sacrificing Dustin Byfuglien to waivers. The two new additions have started slow this season, but finished last season combined for 404 hits. Again, the Keg Kings had  a plan of their own, fearing that PIM was still in reach for the Brewers, the Keg Kings added Sheldon Brookbank who immediately tallied 12 PIMs in his first appearance with the team .... add that to another 17 minutes contributed by Bobby Ryan, and this can ensure the Keggers have another category locked down. 

The score currently sits at 4-2 in favour of Georgetown and I expect to stay this way for the most part. The Keggers have PIM, HITS, and Goaile Wins locked down and also enjoy a sizable lead in +/- , while the Brewers maintain a slight edge in goals and assists. Save percentage is tied but will more than likely swing over to Filion's team. If the Brewers can hold on to the offensive categories, week one will end 5-2 or possibly 4-3 if the Brewers can claim +/-. 

It looks as if the Keg Kings will remain undefeated in the Commissioner's Classic, and the news gets worse for GM Atkinson as Tavares recently experienced a concussion which will keep him out of the line up. Hopefully, for the Brewers sake, they hold on to the offensive categories to avoid a blowout, but it is not a far stretch to predict this match-up could end up 7-0 Georgetown.

These two teams have matched up 15 times since the creation of the RHL and Filion holds the lead with 9 wins. Atkinson lays claim to 4 wins while the two have tied twice. The all-time total score of these matchups is 53-36 in favor of Commissioner Filion. They have also met twice in the playoffs with one win going to Atkinson in the 05-06  finals 6-1, and the other to Filion 4-3 in the 08-09 semis. The all-time total score of their playoff match-ups are 9-5 in favor of Assistant Commissioner Atkinson.

Mississauga Tigers - 14 Teams in 14 Days

Day 14 - The Mississauga Tigers

General Manager: Edwin Mok

Established: 2008-09 as the de Sauga Tigers

Years Active: 3 (2008-09 to 2010-11)

Lifetime Record: 148-138-29 (.516) 325pts

14th overall in points, 7th overall in winning pct.

Best Finish: 1st (2009-10 as the de Sauga Tigers)

Worst Finish:  10th (2008-09 as the de Sauga Tigers)

Cups: 1 (2009-10 as the de Sauga Tigers)

2009-2010 Results: 1st - 82-57-15  (.581) 179pts as the de Sauga Tigers

League Records: None

Alternate Logos:

Alternate 1

Alternate 2

Throwback (de Sauga Tigers 2008-2010)

There isn't really much to say about the Mississauaga Tigers who joined the league just two seasons ago as the de Sauga Tigers, which still to this date, no one knows what the hell "de Sauga" means. Thankfully GM Mok came to his senses and named his franchise after a real city this year. Mok was originally invited in to the league to manage the Malton Muggers for owner Donnie Jaikissoon, however he was eventually granted his own franchise just prior to the draft for the 2008-09 season. GM Mok and his Tigers were not expected to do well in this league.... GM's such as GM Grover of the Colts, and GM Chudzik of the Firecats were excited to Welcome Mok to the RHL as it would ensure them better odds of not finishing last. The Tigers came out strong in 2008-09, losing only one game out of their first six to the Chinatown Jets. Chalk it up to beginners luck, because after the sixth week, every team in the league had a shot at a guaranteed win when they met the Tigers as Mok's team would lose their next five in a row and only capture 3 total wins the rest of the season. From week seven to the end of the year, the Tigers only posted 3 wins in 17 weeks ...... notably two of those wins came against the Burlington Firecats. The de Sauga Tigers finished in 10th place with a 66-81-14 record and 146 points (.453)

2009-10 was a strange year and no one could have seem this coming. drafting second ensured the Tigers would lock up Sidney Crosby, however, no one knows how Mok was able to also include Patrick Marleau and Niklas Backstrom? His team would storm into first place anchored by the best goal tending duo in the league of Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Miller, but the infamous and controversial trade at the deadline would ultimately seal the fate of the RHL Cup and its eventual home with the Tigers. GM Mok dealt Rich Peverly, Thomas Kaberle, and Mikko Koivu to the Alliston 93 Leafs for Marion Hossa and Pavel Datsyuk ..... The Tigers were about to enter the playoffs seeded first with the best offence in the RHL, they were soon to be found out to be unstoppable. The Alliston 93 Leafs were on there way to being a last place team and had no hopes of making the playoffs, how could such a one-sided trade be allowed to happen? With all of the controversy caused by the "Black Friday" trade that was vetoed just a few seasons earlier, perhaps the league GM's were hesitant to cause a protest. I am absolutely certain that the Tigers would not have one the cup without this trade as the two new forwards would combine for 18 points in the last two rounds of the playoffs. The Tigers first destroyed the Muggers 5-2 in the semis and then defeated the Firecats 6-0 in the finals. They boast a single season, which is also their lifetime playoff record, of 11-2 (.846)

Somehow this season, the Cup champions were granted the first overall pick and chose Alexander Ovechkin, however the rest of the team in no way compares to last years dynamo. I consider last years cup victory to be a combination of luck, unintentional accidents, and collusion to be the recipe for their success and do not expect them to repeat. Alex Ovechkin is not enough to keep the Mississauga Tigers, the defending Cup champions, out of last place.

INTERESTING FACT: No one knows what "de Sauga" means.

Burlington Firecats - 14 Teams in 14 Days

Day 13 - The Burlington Firecats

General Manager: Stefan Chudzik

Established: 2003-04 as the SC Firecats

Years Active: 8 (2003-04 to 2010-11)

Lifetime Record: 413-445-87 (.483) 913pts

6th overall in points, 12th overall in winning pct.

Best Finish: 2nd (2009-10)

Worst Finish:  12th (2005-06 as the SC Firecats)

Cups: 0

2009-2010 Results: 2nd - 82-60-12  (.571) 176pts

League Records: None

Alternate Logos:

Alternate

Throwback (S.C. Firecats 2003-2007)

The Burlington Firecats are one of the worst performing original seven franchises in the RHL, although they boast a slim single point lead over the Brewers on the all time points race, they have never won a cup and have only been in the playoffs twice. This is the least amount of playoff appearances for an "O7" team, not to mention the worst playoff record of the entire Group of Seven. Even though he made it to the finals last season to challenge for the cup, GM Chudzik holds a lifetime playoff record of .222 with only 4 playoff wins and a staggering 14 losses, winning only one single series in his entire RHL career.

2003-04 was the year the SC Firecats were born, named after the initials of the GM's name and his favorite snow machine, they stalled right away and ended their first season in 7th place after missing the playoffs with 140 points. 2005-06 was no better as the Firecats would again miss the playoffs with only 130 points and finish dead last. Chudzik's Firecats were now the only original seven team left in the league to not make a playoff appearance. 2006-07 would have the streak continue as the Firecats once again, found themselves out of the playoffs. Chudzik sat in a familiar spot, this time at number eight with just 146 points, as new expansion teams such as the Blues (now the Colts) and the Gophers (now the Mustache) were enjoying the playoffs in their very first season. with the Perogies gaining playoff experience just one season earlier, there were now 10 teams that are still a part of the RHL today that would see a playoff game before the Firecats. Something had to change ........

Chudzik renamed his team the Burlington Firecats for the 2007-08 season and started things off on the right foot, he was the winner of the draft lottery and was able to select Sidney Crosby first overall. Crosby led the Firecats to many wins, and the team managed to keep winning down the stretch even without their captain, after he missed 21 games due to a high ankle sprain. Sidney Crosby was still able to amass 72 points in just 53 games to help break the playoff drought and lift the Firecats to their first playoff appearance ever. The Cats finished with a very respectable 79-67-15 record (.537) and 173 points which would be good enough for the 3rd playoff seed...... unfortunately, the Cats were upset by the Gougers and were brutally raped 7-0. They would finish their best season yet, in 5th place. The Burlington Firecats almost did not return for the 2008-09 season after a controversial statement and a falling out with the commisioner. After 2007-08's embarrasing playoff series vs. the Gougers, an obviously frustrated Chudzik alerted the league of his intention to release all of his players to waivers during the semi finals of the playoffs. There would be no way for the league to stop such an action even though it clearly messes with the integrity of the league and its GM's ... a release of Chudzik's players would cause a mad free for all between the remaining GM's and would have drastically changed the results of the playoffs .... quick GM's would snatch up Crosby among others and no doubt march their way to the cup blowing past teams with GM's who weren't alert to the statement and watching the wire. This was stopped and the league continued as normal. In the off-season, Commisioner Filion released this statement:

"General Manger Stefan Chudzik of the Burlington Firecats - should he wish to return - left us with some strange comments near the end of our season with regards to dropping his players. As an original member he has been a loyal and fair competitor, do we bring the Firecats back?"

Filion's statement promted a response from GM Chudzik:

"I would still like to be part of next season and return as a GM. I guess I have been officially dropped and your now leaving it to a vote for my return??????I didn't realize my intent to drop all my players would create such a fuss but after I thought about it, I saw where you guys were coming from!!! My apologies!!! However my decision near the end to drop Marty Turco was justifiable as GM, needing goalies who were playing more games a week. The Stars were playing only 2 games a week in the last month so I did what I did for my team. The comment about me being punished or dropped because of that decision was unfair. As GM's we decide & control our teams & players!"

GM Chudzik would eventually return and was back to his losing ways as the Firecats finished 2008-09 out of the playoffs again in 11th place with 148 points.

2009-10 would be very uncharacteristic of the Firecats and eventually prove to be their best effort to date. They drafted a very balanced team and had big years from Parise and Tavares.... combined with very solid goaltending anchored by Marc-Andre Fluery, and a surprise breakout from Ilya Bryzgalov, it's no surprise the ended up in 2nd place with 176 points. The Firecats enjoyed a first round bye and had an easy time in the semi-finals knocking out the Jets 4-1...... Chudzik, after many years of frustration had done it and found his team in the finals challenging for the RHL Cup. If he was going to do it, he would need to perform a miracle, as he drew the de Sauga Tigers, who in five lifetime regular season matchups, have never been defeated by the Firecats. It was a huge hillclimb and the Firecats didn`t have the horsepower or traction for it .... the Tigers easily walked away with the cup 6-0.

Despite Chudzik`s limited success last season, We can expect that this was a one-off and he will land the Firecats out of the playoffs again this year. In a deeper, tougher league, I predict the Cats to finish 13th overall and the Moonstone Brewers will pass the Firecats on the all-time points list making the Cats officially the worst of the original seven.

INTERESTING FACT: The Burlington Firecats have the worst playoff record in RHL History. Even though they made it to the finals last season, they have only ever won a single playoff round. What is most interesting is that this very same series victory was the only time they ever won a playoff game. They were shut out in their other two playoff appearances. (7-0 by the Gougers in 2007-08 and 6-0 by the Tigers in the 2009-10 cup final)

Malton Muggers - 14 Teams in 14 Days

Day 12 - The Malton Muggers

General Manager: Donnie Jaikissoon

Established: 2008-09

Years Active: 3 (2008-09 to 2010-11)

Lifetime Record: 153-138-24 (.523) 330pts

13th overall in points, 6th overall in winning pct.

Best Finish: 3rd (2009-10)

Worst Finish:  5th (2008-09)

Cups: 0

2009-2010 Results: 3rd - 78-63-13  (.549) 169pts

League Records: None

Alternate Logos:

Alternate

The Malton Muggers entered the RHL in 2008-09 as a part of a league overhaul. The Chatham Clamhammers finished last in 2007-08, and due to other reasons, were removed from the league. The franchise was granted to to Donnie Jaikissoon and there were talks that was going to act as owner and hire Edwin Mok to manage his team. Fortunately for Jaikissoon and the league, Mok was also granted a franchise forcing Jaikissoon in to the General Manager role. No one could have predicted so much success in a short two seasons.

For 2008-09, the Muggers were not expected to make much of a splash in their league debut. However, they battled all season long and ended the year in a log jam as three teams would be tied for the last playoff spot wit 161 points. The Jets had 70 wins, the Colts had 72, so the final playoff berth would be awarded to the Muggers with 75 wins. The Malton team drew the 3rd seeded Moonstone Nordiques and were defeated in a very close 4-3 opening round match-up. The following season, the Muggers experienced a slight improvement as they finished seeded 4th with 169 points in the 2009-10 season. The first round would pit the Muggers against the Mullets and they destroyed them 6-1.... Jaikissoon would now find himself in the semi finals in his sophomore season. Unfortunately, the Muggers would go down hard to the top seeded Tigers, who were on their way to the Cup.

The man that originally wasnt interested in managing a team has really surprised the league by maintaining a constant winning record (+500) - Entering the Playoffs in 4th and 6th the past two years shows a very reserved GM who plays it safe at the draft. Admittedly, Jaikissoon was not a hockey fan prior to joining the RHL, which is an indication as to why he has done well. Drafting the stats without knowing much about the players has worked to his advantage in building solid teams. This has changed however in the past two seasons and his love for the sport has grown immensely which is why I predict the Muggers to miss the playoffs this year. I hate to do it, but if you have been reading this blog from the beginning and following my predictions, you will know that there are not any playoff spots left which forces me to pick the Muggers to finish around 12th place. This is a harder league with 14 teams and it is extremely difficult for any team to make 3 playoff appearances in a row. Jaikissoon may be able to improve this number if he can continue to draft the stats and don`t favor any particular players or teams over raw numbers .... in the RHL, this is sometimes referred to as the ``Moonstone Syndrome`` .....

INTERESTING FACT: In two short seasons the Muggers have always maintained a winning (+500) record. Their all time record is 153-138-24 (.523) which comprises of 2008-09`s 75-75-11 (.500) and 2009-10`s 78-63-13  (.549) - Interesting also is their winning playoff record of 11-10 (.524) despite only winning a single playoff series out of three.

Chinatown Jets - 14 Teams in 14 Days

Day 11 - The Chinatown Jets

General Manager: David Le

Established: 2003-04

Years Active: 8 (2003-04 to 2010-11)

Lifetime Record: 424-425-96 (.499) 944pts

3rd overall in points, 8th overall in winning pct.

Best Finish: 3rd 2-times (2005-06 and 2006-07)

Worst Finish:  9th (2003-04)

Cups: 0

2009-2010 Results: 4th - 72-69-13  (.510) 157pts

League Records: None

Alternate Logos:

Alternate

Alternate

David Le is an Original 7 founding member of the RHL. Mr. Le is of Vietnamese decent and wanted to have a team name that reflected his culture. There were a few names tossed around by the leagues commisioners such as, "Vietnam Jets", "Hanoi Jets", and the  "Ho-Chi-Min Jets" However, GM Le settled on the Chinatown Jets. (Vietnam was under Chinese rule for thousands of years until the people of Vietnam regained independance and broke away from China in AD 938 after their victory at the battle of Bach Dang River.) Mark your calenders for RHL week 10 when the battle of Bach Dang is re-visited as GM Le's Jets will try to defeat the Mississauga Tigers, as his ancestors did against the Chinese over a thousand years ago.

The Jets had a tough start in this league and were not expected to do well as the GM's knowledge of hockey was doubted and criticized. The Jets finished the inaugural season in second last with just 128 points. Le would never let anyone doubt his knowledge of hockey again as he would storm back, proving to be the most dedicated GM in the league and one of the most successful RHL franchises in history.

2005-06 was the first of two big years for the Jets as they battled to 5th place finish in the regular season with 152 points. They handled the Mighty Perogies with ease 4-2 and were then eliminated by the Reptech Red Wings in a close 4-3 semi final. The Chinatown Jets would claim a very respectable 3rd place, a huge improvement from their previous campaign. 

2006-07 saw an even stronger Jets team finish first overall in the regular with 188 points. Le would enjoy the first round bye before being upset by the 5th seeded Gougers 4-2 in the semis.

The Jets were in the playoffs again in 2007-08 seeded 5th with 158 points but were no match for the Lindsay Wazooz, who would be credited for bringing an end the the "Le Dynasty" as the Jets were eliminated 6-1. Le's Jets would finish 6th and would miss the playoffs the following year for the first time in 3 years.

The Chinatown Jets were back in 2009-10 as they were back into the playoffs grabbing the last seed by a very safe 7 point lead over the Gougers. They defeated the Mustache in round one 5-2 and were then defeated by the Burlington Firecats 4-1 in the semi finals. Could this be the beginning of another Dynasty? The Jets have only missed the playoffs twice and have had average playoff success, but i'm sure GM Le would tell you he would trade it all in if he could just have his name on the Cup.

GM David Le is a statistics guy and probably puts the most work into researching and scouting for the draft, next to Commissioner Filion. He is a very sly and clever GM with his ears always listening to the office chatter, his strategy is also knowing the other GM's strategies. Be careful when he talks hockey with you because you might be giving up more than you know. Excluding the 2003-04 season, Le has always drafted well and don't expect that to change this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see him jump deep early and pick someone like Nathan Horton in a higher round than he is ranked. The Jets are going to continue to build on their success and they should be in the playoffs again this year, but they are hard to predict.... I place them in the 3-5 slot.

INTERESTING FACTS: The Chinatown Jets have never been in a RHL final despite been to the playoffs 4 times and the semi-finals 3 times. Never has a  team been so close to the finals so many times and never had a shot to challenge for the Cup. The Jets have a playoff record of 16-22 (.421) and are tied for third with the Brewers for most playoff games played.

Peterborough Mullets - 14 Teams in 14 Days

Day 10 - The Peterborough Mullets

General Manager: Shane Scanlan

Established: 2003-04 as The Mullets

Years Active: 8 (2003-04 to 2010-11)

Lifetime Record: 413-423-109 (.495) 935pts

4th overall in points, 9th overall in winning pct.

Best Finish: 3rd (2003-04 as the Mullets)

Worst Finish: 12th (2008-09)

Cups: 0

2009-2010 Results: 5th - 77-65-12  (.539) 166pts

League Records: None

Alternate Logos:

Throwback (2003-2007)

Alternate

The Peterborough Mullets are an Original 7 franchise that have always remained in Peterborough, ON even though they did not add "Peterborough" to their name officially in 2005-06. The Mullets are 4th overall in the all time points race and are quietly ........ well...... remaining quiet. They have never finished better than third place and typically finish somewhere in the 5th to 10th spot. They have made the playoffs three times and have been quite unsuccessful when they have with just a .333 winning percentage. GM Scanlan steadily flies under the radar by never being bad enough or good enough to be noticed. The Mullets are mediocre at best, and their claim to fame in the RHL is continually being a thorn in Commissioner Filion's side. Their ongoing fued and rivalry is well known around the league.

2003-04 would be the best season for the Mullets. They finished the regular season in 4th place with 156 points and a plus .500 record. They defeated the 5th place Nordiques 3-2 in the opening round and were knocked out by the Gougers in the semis, finishing in 3rd for the year. Not only was this the Mullets best season, but also their best playoff performance as they would never win a playoff series again. The franchise would return from the lockout and experience a downward slide for the next four years.

In 2005-06, the Mullets began their tumble down the Kentucky waterfall, as this season would be the first of four, where they would finish worse each year than the previous. They finished 3rd in the regular season with 172 points but were eliminated by the 6th seeded Barrie Nordiques and ended up finishing in 6th.

GM Scanlan's Mullets then missed the playoffs three years in a row as they finished 7th in 2006-07, 10th in 2007-08, and 12th in 2008-09.

The Mullets experienced a slight resurgence in 2009-10 as they were back in the playoffs with a 5th place finish, but would exit in the first round at the hand of the Malton Muggers losing 6-1.

The Mullets mediocrity can be attributed to their unwillingness to take chances. He is a very active GM who does well on draft day. Scanlan is also active on the free agent market and in trade talks, but very rarely pulls the trigger on a deal. To be successful this season, he will have to take some risks and pick a potential sleeper or two at the draft, or maybe even make a trade that ......... well, maybe just make a trade. Some of you may be thinking that i'm not the one to give a GM advice on taking chances, because admittedly, my poor lifetime record speaks for itself. However, the year I did take those chance I got my name on the Cup, so before you think about saying something, first check if you also have your name on it? Expect the Mullets to draft safe again this year and sneak in to the playoffs in the 6th or 7th spot, however, their playoff success will depend on what they do at the deadline. Perhaps they can even finish higher in the regular season if they take some chances on draft day. Don't look forward to it, because Scanlan manages his team like he plays poker, always playing safe. But in this league you cant have a good hand early and lean on your opponents for the rest of the season, anything can happen in the playoffs. Sometimes you just have to go All In!

INTERESTING FACT: Despite a quite successful campaign in 2003-04, the Mullets set a record of futility in the second week that will never be broken. They managed to go -19 in a single week of play, a number that seems impossible.

Milton Mustache - 14 Teams in 14 Days

Day 9 - The Milton Mustache

General Manager: Ben Hazelwood

Established: 2006-07 as the Georgetown Gophers

Years Active: 5 (2006-07 to 2010-11)

Lifetime Record: 317-244-76 (.557) 710pts

8th overall in points, 1st overall in winning pct.

Best Finish: 2nd (2007-08 as the Georgetown Gophers)

Worst Finish: 6th 2-times (2008-09 and 2009-10)

Cups: 0

2009-2010 Results: 6th - 77-58-19  (.562) 173pts

League Records: None

Alternate Logos:

Alternate

Georgetown Gophers (2006 to 2008)

The Milton Mustache are the team to beat in the Westport Division, they have the best regular season record in the RHL. GM Hazelwood's franchise currently sits atop the league with the best all time winning percentage with a .557 which is good enough for 710 points. The Mustache are 8th in the points race which is the best among all teams that are not a part of the "Original 7" - The Stache trail the Nordiques by only 202 points but have played two fewer seasons then the legendary group of seven. Hazelwood's Mustache have never finished lower than 5th in the regular season and have captured the 2nd place seed on two occasions. (both as the Gophers) Because of their astounding regular season success, they have never missed the playoffs, however, they have experienced an early first round exit every year except one, when they made it to the finals. Their 12-20 playoff record is an embarrassing .375 and have only been able to win one single round in 4 consecutive playoff appearances. The Stache have one of the worst playoff records in the RHL, they are accompanied in the basement of the playoffs by such teams as the Colts (.167) Firecats (.222) and the Mullets (.333)

GM Hazelwood was granted a franchise for the 2006-07 season. Playing out of Georgetown as the Gophers, they had a very successful year and tied the commissioner's Red Wings for second place with 184 points. The Gophers received a bye in the first round and were easily defeated 5-2 by the Wings in the semis. This would only be the beginning of their playoff misery and the first of many times that Hazelwood would prematurely evacuate.

In 2007-08, the Gophers had a very successful season again, finishing again, in second place with 180 points. His team would again, enjoy a first round bye and draw the Gougers in the semis. The Gophers narrowly defeated the the Gougers and would find themselves in the finals. Their semi-final victory would be their first and last series win ever in the RHL playoffs. Hazelwood was beat soundly 4-2 in the finals by The Perogies.

The franchise was moved and started the 2008-09 season as the Milton Mustache, The Stache finished 5th in the regular season and were defeated in the first round 3-2 by the Alliston 93 Leafs, the very same team that Hazelwood endorsed for a spot in the league only a year earlier. The Mustache ended in 6th.

They finished a little better in 2009-10 in third with 173 points, but again were eliminated in round one, this time by the China Town Jets 5-2. For the second time in 2 years, the Mustache finished 6th.

Hazelwood has been criticized by other GM's for his disregard for the value of a defense man. He rarely uses high round selections for defenders and is known to draft a very offensive dominated team of high profile snipers and play-makers. This strategy leaves not much to choose from late in the draft and therefore ends up taking chances on young prospect defense man before they breakout. Shea Weber is a great example of a top defender in the league that was property of th Gophers for two seasons before he began posting any numbers. The Mustache offense has proven effective for strong regular season finishes, but these are the type of players that wind down during the RHL playoffs that co-incides with the last few weeks of the NHL season. Although this team building strategy is quite different that the Red Wings, the Mustache too, have a problem to solve. Hazelwood will need to find a way to either draft a team that can take him to the playoffs and then also have playoff success. OR - he will have to stick to his formula and then make some moves at the deadline. I expect the latter and Hazelwood will draft as usual with offensive superstars..... the real test of this manager is to see if he can have some playoff success this year. There is no doubt that he will make the playoffs for the 5th straight year, but it is up to him to decide if he wants to win a series.

INTERESTING FACT: Because of recent comments, GM Hazelwood is the subject of controversy leading up to the draft, and has the commissioners questioning his dedication. Based on his previous years success** however, there is no doubt he has been dedicated and will have to prove to the league that his continued dedication should not be questioned.

** "success" does not include playoffs.