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.