Sudbury Wolves 2018 Offseason Thread

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djscooter

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Apr 19, 2005
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Continuing from last thread. I don't quite understand why everyone is so high on Lane. He's a 17 year old who is fairly one dimensional, and even with that he only put up 5 goals.

My stab at the starting 20(Hopefully remembering all the players this time.)

Levin - Carson - Sokolov
Valentini - Pezzetta - Murray
x - Bulitka - Tabak
Pilon - Gilhula - Pilon

x being McConville, ,Baker, Lane or Gaudreau based on their camp showings

I think given his draft pedigree they'll give Murray a chance in the top 6 to start the season and they'll see what he does with it.

Wilkie - O'Grady
Makkonen - Rhodes
Ali - Malik
Serensits

McGrath
Frappier

Regardless, I think its going to be an entertaining camp. Looking forward to watching it.
 

HockeyHell

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Jul 11, 2017
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it is not about being high on Lane . it is about picking the strongest players to have better results.
 

djscooter

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Apr 19, 2005
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it is not about being high on Lane . it is about picking the strongest players to have better results.

Which I completely agree with, but given the main comparison is Gilhula vs Lane. I don't see how Gilhula is not the clear winner. Neither one provides much offence at this point, Gilhula is a year younger, and leaps and bounds better defensively.
 

HockeyHell

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Leaps and bounds defensively? Did you watch him play last year? he was a scared rabbit who needed a year of junior b or junior a? Playing scared makes you a liability. If he shows a sniff of that this year then that should be it. Neither one had enough ice to see what they really can offer offensively but there is no place for a scared rabbit in the OHL.
 

dirty12

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Both Gihula and Lane were actually good defensive players as rookies; and, are easily among the five fastest skaters on the team. They should both be on the team. I'll go as far as saying that those two and Bulitka can be the teams 2nd best defensive trio behind Pez & Pilons; and, a scoring line by the Christmas break. They could be a fine 3rd line this season with bigger things to come the following two season.
FWIW, my pick for 4th line is Tabak, Murray, Baker. Valentini could be in for a big OA season; but is expendable as part of a trade for an impact D, imo.
 

dirty12

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Mar 6, 2015
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Carson-Levin-Sokolov
Pilon-Pezetta-Pilon
Lane-Bulitka-Gihula
Tabak-Murray-Baker

?-O'Grady
Wilkie-Rhodes
Malik-Ali
Makkonen

In play as trade bait are Valentini, McConville, Hutcheson, Roach & extra picks spread out.
I get impression that Papineau is more concerned about having his stamp on the team than winning in the next two seasons, though; so, Wilkie & Pilons are probably on the bubble. Considering Rhodes & Makkonen will be on the roster, Wilkie does not deserve that fate.
 

HockeyHell

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Jul 11, 2017
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respectfully disagree on Guilhula. I hope he proves me wrong. Putting Bulitka with Guilhula is going to force Bulitka to be a defensemen yet again. I would like to see him put with a goal scorer and watch what he can really do. You saw glimpses of it with Lane last year. Time will tell I could be off on all three of them.
 

djscooter

Registered User
Apr 19, 2005
2,870
2,769
Carson-Levin-Sokolov
Pilon-Pezetta-Pilon
Lane-Bulitka-Gihula
Tabak-Murray-Baker

?-O'Grady
Wilkie-Rhodes
Malik-Ali
Makkonen

In play as trade bait are Valentini, McConville, Hutcheson, Roach & extra picks spread out.
I get impression that Papineau is more concerned about having his stamp on the team than winning in the next two seasons, though; so, Wilkie & Pilons are probably on the bubble. Considering Rhodes & Makkonen will be on the roster, Wilkie does not deserve that fate.

Papineau is more concerned about having his stamp on the team then winning? Are you kidding me? All you've done is bash him. And unlike the previous two GMs he's shown the ability to make trades without getting bent over and taken to town. In one month he moved Sudbury from one of the team with the fewest high picks in the next three years, to one of the most. All while giving up a bad backup goalie, a player who regressed a lot last year, and a young defencemen who was refusing to play for the team.
 

Northernhockeyguy

Registered User
Aug 29, 2017
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I don't believe the Wolves will make the playoffs this year.

They do not have anyone on that roster that can play a defensive game. They had Dunda last year but are deciding to go with Valentini instead. Letting Dunda go was a bad move.

Now that he isn't in the lineup, who are the Wolves going to rely on as their PK/ shutdown player? It can't be Carson, the Wolves need his points, can't be Levin, Sokolov or Valentini. These three were in the top ten for worst +/- last season, and I don't think Sokolov has even been in his own end before.

The Pilon twins do not belong in the OHL. There is absolutely no upside to these two players at all. I would cut them both loose and replace them both with Evan Krassey, for toughness and Gaudreau for a mix of both. The Pilons are a hazard. What do they do besides get stupid penalties?

Lane, Gilhula and Balitka had a hard time playing regularly so there defensive game has question marks all over it.

Now that leaves the draft picks, there is no way any guy the Wolves drafted that can play that style of game.

Now defense:

The blue line is a disaster. On a good team, O' Grady is 5-6 in the lineup. On a great team, he is in the stands or doesn't make it.

Rhodes is a milk bag. Try and define him. He is not an offensive threat, he has a whopping 23 points in in 3 seasons, he isn't a defensive specialist, he is -52 in three seasons, he isn't a physical guy either, only 100+ pims in the last 3 seasons. Why Papineau would trade a 4th round pick for him is a mystery considering he could have got him for the bag that holds the pucks if he waited a bit. Or just saved the pick and looked for a 19 yr old that could do just as well.

Wilkie: He is a disaster.

McGrath: Every shooter in the league know they can blast pucks past his blocker more times than not. This is why he did not get drafted....

Cory Stillman will be interesting as coach. He has zero experience managing Jr players. So can he coach? Not sure. Moxam is no more than a Papineau yes man and has absolutely no say in anything. The trainer has as much input as he does. The new guy, if he is anything like he was in the NOJHA, will have no effect at all.

To be real here, Papineau is worse than Burgess was. Burgess was a jerk period, while Papineau is a jerk an a control freak. This guy has no experience at all. His was a very minor scout for Carolina and was one of the most hated girls hockey coaches in the city. He went from managing a Jiffy Lube to running the Wolves.

Granted, he did a good job in raping the Storm for another undefinable player in Lalonde, behind Levin the second worst pick in the history of the draft.

Players didn't want to come here because of Burgess, now, guys don't want to come here because of Papineau. That is the same reason players want out as well.

Think of this posters: According to the papers, "Matsos left because "they couldn't come to agreement on an extension". BUT, he had a year left on his contract. Smith left because of Papineau, everyone knows that.

Two days after Matsos left, magically Stillman was hired. Pretty coincidental that he was a Carolina guy. But funny things happen. But, to connect the dots, Zulich states on the radio that the first time he met Stillman was at Stillman's farm when he was planting potatoes? This was not even in June, 3 or 4 days after they "parted ways" with Matsos. This was all planned from the get go and the really sad thing is that a coach that brought the team to the playoffs, with the horrible players he had from Burgess, for the first time in forever, is gone because he couldn't come to terms on a contract for 2018-2019? Some people are just stupid....
 

Northernhockeyguy

Registered User
Aug 29, 2017
5
0
Papineau is more concerned about having his stamp on the team then winning? Are you kidding me? All you've done is bash him. And unlike the previous two GMs he's shown the ability to make trades without getting bent over and taken to town. In one month he moved Sudbury from one of the team with the fewest high picks in the next three years, to one of the most. All while giving up a bad backup goalie, a player who regressed a lot last year, and a young defencemen who was refusing to play for the team.

That statement is true...... he is a control freak and more players than has been reported have asked for trades..... why do you think Matsos and Smith are gone?
 

cub

Registered User
Apr 11, 2012
4,752
3,664
I don't believe the Wolves will make the playoffs this year.

They do not have anyone on that roster that can play a defensive game. They had Dunda last year but are deciding to go with Valentini instead. Letting Dunda go was a bad move.

Now that he isn't in the lineup, who are the Wolves going to rely on as their PK/ shutdown player? It can't be Carson, the Wolves need his points, can't be Levin, Sokolov or Valentini. These three were in the top ten for worst +/- last season, and I don't think Sokolov has even been in his own end before.

The Pilon twins do not belong in the OHL. There is absolutely no upside to these two players at all. I would cut them both loose and replace them both with Evan Krassey, for toughness and Gaudreau for a mix of both. The Pilons are a hazard. What do they do besides get stupid penalties?

Lane, Gilhula and Balitka had a hard time playing regularly so there defensive game has question marks all over it.

Now that leaves the draft picks, there is no way any guy the Wolves drafted that can play that style of game.

Now defense:

The blue line is a disaster. On a good team, O' Grady is 5-6 in the lineup. On a great team, he is in the stands or doesn't make it.

Rhodes is a milk bag. Try and define him. He is not an offensive threat, he has a whopping 23 points in in 3 seasons, he isn't a defensive specialist, he is -52 in three seasons, he isn't a physical guy either, only 100+ pims in the last 3 seasons. Why Papineau would trade a 4th round pick for him is a mystery considering he could have got him for the bag that holds the pucks if he waited a bit. Or just saved the pick and looked for a 19 yr old that could do just as well.

Wilkie: He is a disaster.

McGrath: Every shooter in the league know they can blast pucks past his blocker more times than not. This is why he did not get drafted....

Cory Stillman will be interesting as coach. He has zero experience managing Jr players. So can he coach? Not sure. Moxam is no more than a Papineau yes man and has absolutely no say in anything. The trainer has as much input as he does. The new guy, if he is anything like he was in the NOJHA, will have no effect at all.

To be real here, Papineau is worse than Burgess was. Burgess was a jerk period, while Papineau is a jerk an a control freak. This guy has no experience at all. His was a very minor scout for Carolina and was one of the most hated girls hockey coaches in the city. He went from managing a Jiffy Lube to running the Wolves.

Granted, he did a good job in raping the Storm for another undefinable player in Lalonde, behind Levin the second worst pick in the history of the draft.

Players didn't want to come here because of Burgess, now, guys don't want to come here because of Papineau. That is the same reason players want out as well.

Think of this posters: According to the papers, "Matsos left because "they couldn't come to agreement on an extension". BUT, he had a year left on his contract. Smith left because of Papineau, everyone knows that.

Two days after Matsos left, magically Stillman was hired. Pretty coincidental that he was a Carolina guy. But funny things happen. But, to connect the dots, Zulich states on the radio that the first time he met Stillman was at Stillman's farm when he was planting potatoes? This was not even in June, 3 or 4 days after they "parted ways" with Matsos. This was all planned from the get go and the really sad thing is that a coach that brought the team to the playoffs, with the horrible players he had from Burgess, for the first time in forever, is gone because he couldn't come to terms on a contract for 2018-2019? Some people are just stupid....

Interesting first post. :)
 

Northernhockeyguy

Registered User
Aug 29, 2017
5
0
respectfully disagree on Guilhula. I hope he proves me wrong. Putting Bulitka with Guilhula is going to force Bulitka to be a defensemen yet again. I would like to see him put with a goal scorer and watch what he can really do. You saw glimpses of it with Lane last year. Time will tell I could be off on all three of them.

These players are both as soft..... they will be ineffective as can be..... The majority of players that are going to be counted on are too soft, scared of their own shadows. Valentini is the same way. Hit him once, and he is done.....
 

I Loveallsports

I'm a optimist not a optometrist
Apr 13, 2010
5,037
3,937
I don't believe the Wolves will make the playoffs this year.

They do not have anyone on that roster that can play a defensive game. They had Dunda last year but are deciding to go with Valentini instead. Letting Dunda go was a bad move.

Now that he isn't in the lineup, who are the Wolves going to rely on as their PK/ shutdown player? It can't be Carson, the Wolves need his points, can't be Levin, Sokolov or Valentini. These three were in the top ten for worst +/- last season, and I don't think Sokolov has even been in his own end before.

The Pilon twins do not belong in the OHL. There is absolutely no upside to these two players at all. I would cut them both loose and replace them both with Evan Krassey, for toughness and Gaudreau for a mix of both. The Pilons are a hazard. What do they do besides get stupid penalties?

Lane, Gilhula and Balitka had a hard time playing regularly so there defensive game has question marks all over it.

Now that leaves the draft picks, there is no way any guy the Wolves drafted that can play that style of game.

Now defense:

The blue line is a disaster. On a good team, O' Grady is 5-6 in the lineup. On a great team, he is in the stands or doesn't make it.

Rhodes is a milk bag. Try and define him. He is not an offensive threat, he has a whopping 23 points in in 3 seasons, he isn't a defensive specialist, he is -52 in three seasons, he isn't a physical guy either, only 100+ pims in the last 3 seasons. Why Papineau would trade a 4th round pick for him is a mystery considering he could have got him for the bag that holds the pucks if he waited a bit. Or just saved the pick and looked for a 19 yr old that could do just as well.

Wilkie: He is a disaster.

McGrath: Every shooter in the league know they can blast pucks past his blocker more times than not. This is why he did not get drafted....

Cory Stillman will be interesting as coach. He has zero experience managing Jr players. So can he coach? Not sure. Moxam is no more than a Papineau yes man and has absolutely no say in anything. The trainer has as much input as he does. The new guy, if he is anything like he was in the NOJHA, will have no effect at all.

To be real here, Papineau is worse than Burgess was. Burgess was a jerk period, while Papineau is a jerk an a control freak. This guy has no experience at all. His was a very minor scout for Carolina and was one of the most hated girls hockey coaches in the city. He went from managing a Jiffy Lube to running the Wolves.

Granted, he did a good job in raping the Storm for another undefinable player in Lalonde, behind Levin the second worst pick in the history of the draft.

Players didn't want to come here because of Burgess, now, guys don't want to come here because of Papineau. That is the same reason players want out as well.

Think of this posters: According to the papers, "Matsos left because "they couldn't come to agreement on an extension". BUT, he had a year left on his contract. Smith left because of Papineau, everyone knows that.

Two days after Matsos left, magically Stillman was hired. Pretty coincidental that he was a Carolina guy. But funny things happen. But, to connect the dots, Zulich states on the radio that the first time he met Stillman was at Stillman's farm when he was planting potatoes? This was not even in June, 3 or 4 days after they "parted ways" with Matsos. This was all planned from the get go and the really sad thing is that a coach that brought the team to the playoffs, with the horrible players he had from Burgess, for the first time in forever, is gone because he couldn't come to terms on a contract for 2018-2019? Some people are just stupid....

Was looking for positives in your post. Still looking.
 

I Loveallsports

I'm a optimist not a optometrist
Apr 13, 2010
5,037
3,937
Carson-Levin-Sokolov
Pilon-Pezetta-Pilon
Lane-Bulitka-Gihula
Tabak-Murray-Baker

?-O'Grady
Wilkie-Rhodes
Malik-Ali
Makkonen

In play as trade bait are Valentini, McConville, Hutcheson, Roach & extra picks spread out.
I get impression that Papineau is more concerned about having his stamp on the team than winning in the next two seasons, though; so, Wilkie & Pilons are probably on the bubble. Considering Rhodes & Makkonen will be on the roster, Wilkie does not deserve that fate.

Why would you think they about Papineau. How is it s negative clearing out space for the younger kids and what GM wants to lose. Especially being a local.
 

dirty12

Registered User
Mar 6, 2015
8,965
3,636
Papineau is more concerned about having his stamp on the team then winning? Are you kidding me? All you've done is bash him. And unlike the previous two GMs he's shown the ability to make trades without getting bent over and taken to town. In one month he moved Sudbury from one of the team with the fewest high picks in the next three years, to one of the most. All while giving up a bad backup goalie, a player who regressed a lot last year, and a young defencemen who was refusing to play for the team.

No, bashing Papineau is not all I've done. I like that he has his own coaches in place. That should lead to some stability. I am ok with Rhodes as a depth D, no higher than four if Wilkie is three. I do not like Makkonen as anything more than a #7 D. The picks for Lalonde are good, if a D is brought in.
I do not see a reason that this team should be regressing with two #1 picks (98) that are likely OAs & five picks in first three rounds plus a G (99).
Stating Papineau needs to needs to fix D to mesh with the forwards and goalie is not bashing. If he embarks on a fourth rebuild since 2007 because he wants his own team, I will be dissapointed
 

I Loveallsports

I'm a optimist not a optometrist
Apr 13, 2010
5,037
3,937
Thank you? That was about a line up I like, not bashing the GM

Correct he does have impact on the lineup. He should hes the GM. Its his hockey team. Cause at the end it falls back on him. Fine line between winning and developing. Let him do what he thinks is right and roast him if he fails.
 

cub

Registered User
Apr 11, 2012
4,752
3,664
Thank you? That was about a line up I like, not bashing the GM

i feel you are bashing Papineau. So far all his moves have been beneficial for the Wolves, i'm sure he is not done yet. I know you liked BB, which majority didn't. You also liked Gihula over Moskal, and Giroux will see what happens there.
 

dirty12

Registered User
Mar 6, 2015
8,965
3,636
i feel you are bashing Papineau. So far all his moves have been beneficial for the Wolves, i'm sure he is not done yet. I know you liked BB, which majority didn't. You also liked Gihula over Moskal, and Giroux will see what happens there.

Not quite Cub. I liked Giroux, I liked Moskal more. I had never seen Gihula; but since he was rated about ten spots higher on scouting list(s), I defended the concensus. Liking Branch had nothing to do with wanting anything other than to let him see his team (and BS picks) go through its cycle.
If we're going down that route...Lalonde would be on the team. Picks are nice, no question; but the team needs a D to mesh with the current F and G. I simply don't want to see a rebuilding team for at least two seasons. All Papineau (has) to do is replace Lalonde
 

cub

Registered User
Apr 11, 2012
4,752
3,664
Not quite Cub. I liked Giroux, I liked Moskal more. I had never seen Gihula; but since he was rated about ten spots higher on scouting list(s), I defended the concensus. Liking Branch had nothing to do with wanting anything other than to let him see his team (and BS picks) go through its cycle.
If we're going down that route...Lalonde would be on the team. Picks are nice, no question; but the team needs a D to mesh with the current F and G. I simply don't want to see a rebuilding team for at least two seasons. All Papineau (has) to do is replace Lalonde

Lalonde would be on the team? Are you insuiating its because of Papineau he is not on team?

Getting a 99 or 2000 D is not easy because quality young defenceman are hard to find and teams do not want to part with them. I'm sure Papineau has been looking at getting one, it may take more time. So don't make it sound easy to get a stud young D.

So you never saw Gihula? and defended that pick by BB over Giroux and Moskal, don't always go by draft list, if you go back on many of them a lot of them are out of whack, make your own observation instead of relying on a draft list.
 

dirty12

Registered User
Mar 6, 2015
8,965
3,636
Lalonde would be on the team? Are you insuiating its because of Papineau he is not on team?

Getting a 99 or 2000 D is not easy because quality young defenceman are hard to find and teams do not want to part with them. I'm sure Papineau has been looking at getting one, it may take more time. So don't make it sound easy to get a stud young D.

So you never saw Gihula? and defended that pick by BB over Giroux and Moskal, don't always go by draft list, if you go back on many of them a lot of them are out of whack, make your own observation instead of relying on a draft list.

I know replacing Lalonde is not easy; hence, the picks. A comparable replacement does have to be found though. A '2000, '99, or '98. The D as is, is not good enough this year or next.
You have to rely on scouting lists for priority draft because you and I did not make several trips to see all the minor midgets. So, you claim you saw Gihula 1/2 dozen times? Twice? Once?
 

WolvesAndWings

Wherever I go, the strawman follows
Mar 18, 2017
2,543
3,047
Damn, how'd everything get so negative all of a sudden? Missing the playoffs is unlikely IMO...I think we're still better than all 4 teams we finished ahead of last year, at the very least. Maybe close with Barrie.
 

Wolfman Jack

Registered User
Jan 19, 2009
3,185
2,382
I don't believe the Wolves will make the playoffs this year.

They do not have anyone on that roster that can play a defensive game. They had Dunda last year but are deciding to go with Valentini instead. Letting Dunda go was a bad move.

Now that he isn't in the lineup, who are the Wolves going to rely on as their PK/ shutdown player? It can't be Carson, the Wolves need his points, can't be Levin, Sokolov or Valentini. These three were in the top ten for worst +/- last season, and I don't think Sokolov has even been in his own end before.

The Pilon twins do not belong in the OHL. There is absolutely no upside to these two players at all. I would cut them both loose and replace them both with Evan Krassey, for toughness and Gaudreau for a mix of both. The Pilons are a hazard. What do they do besides get stupid penalties?

Lane, Gilhula and Balitka had a hard time playing regularly so there defensive game has question marks all over it.

Now that leaves the draft picks, there is no way any guy the Wolves drafted that can play that style of game.

Now defense:

The blue line is a disaster. On a good team, O' Grady is 5-6 in the lineup. On a great team, he is in the stands or doesn't make it.

Rhodes is a milk bag. Try and define him. He is not an offensive threat, he has a whopping 23 points in in 3 seasons, he isn't a defensive specialist, he is -52 in three seasons, he isn't a physical guy either, only 100+ pims in the last 3 seasons. Why Papineau would trade a 4th round pick for him is a mystery considering he could have got him for the bag that holds the pucks if he waited a bit. Or just saved the pick and looked for a 19 yr old that could do just as well.

Wilkie: He is a disaster.

McGrath: Every shooter in the league know they can blast pucks past his blocker more times than not. This is why he did not get drafted....

Cory Stillman will be interesting as coach. He has zero experience managing Jr players. So can he coach? Not sure. Moxam is no more than a Papineau yes man and has absolutely no say in anything. The trainer has as much input as he does. The new guy, if he is anything like he was in the NOJHA, will have no effect at all.

To be real here, Papineau is worse than Burgess was. Burgess was a jerk period, while Papineau is a jerk an a control freak. This guy has no experience at all. His was a very minor scout for Carolina and was one of the most hated girls hockey coaches in the city. He went from managing a Jiffy Lube to running the Wolves.

Granted, he did a good job in raping the Storm for another undefinable player in Lalonde, behind Levin the second worst pick in the history of the draft.

Players didn't want to come here because of Burgess, now, guys don't want to come here because of Papineau. That is the same reason players want out as well.

Think of this posters: According to the papers, "Matsos left because "they couldn't come to agreement on an extension". BUT, he had a year left on his contract. Smith left because of Papineau, everyone knows that.

Two days after Matsos left, magically Stillman was hired. Pretty coincidental that he was a Carolina guy. But funny things happen. But, to connect the dots, Zulich states on the radio that the first time he met Stillman was at Stillman's farm when he was planting potatoes? This was not even in June, 3 or 4 days after they "parted ways" with Matsos. This was all planned from the get go and the really sad thing is that a coach that brought the team to the playoffs, with the horrible players he had from Burgess, for the first time in forever, is gone because he couldn't come to terms on a contract for 2018-2019? Some people are just stupid....


Sounds like a really bitter person. Almost like sour grapes. So it appears to me it is someone who has had a not so good experience with the organization in some capacity. i.e.. player, parent, relative, friend heck even girl or boy friend.

But the most important thing you forgot to mention is that the other 19 teams in the league all have similar stories about someone. So if you do this summary for Sudbury you might as well start one on every teams page. Cause it seems to me Sudbury isn't the only team with some sort of dysfunction in its coaching or team management. I think I just read something about players like Lodnia wanting out, Rippon with Kitchener, Bittmen last season, Proner, etc... If you want to talk coaching and management well every team board has something wrong within management and coaching. I also read an article about Lindsay Hofford a well known coach in the OHL, and other leagues that has had some brush ups lately. So IMO your long winded post is all hatred for an organization that had some connection to you and the relationship went sour. End of story. Get over it and move on. Life is full of ups and downs but its how you deal with it that will make you a better person. Unfortunately you didn't take the high road. There is something to be said about integrity.

WJ
 
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