Minor league, major drama
I wasn't going to post an entry until the CHL President's Cup Finals were over and the match-up for the Stanley Cup Finals was set. (I'm hoping for an Anaheim/Ottawa match-up, but those octopi-loving Redwings may pull it out. If Anaheim wins their series, I'm a Ducks fan. If the Redwings win, I'm a Senators fan.)
But the events of the last few days in Mudbugs' land have launched a whole new set of thoughts.
Today Mudbugs' captain Dan Wildfong was named as the new coach of the recently returned Brahmas. The Brahmas will now play in North Richland Hills, Texas, just north of Fort Worth. Fonger will take Mudbugs' veteran Forbes MacPherson with him as "Forbie" becomes the Brahmas' assistant coach. Just thinking about the hockey statistics of either one of these formidable players is enough to give one pause. The stats of the two of them together should be enough to make the rest of the CHL anticipate a revitalized, rejuvinated Brahmas team. Add top-notch goalie (and former Mudbug) David Cacciola--who single-handedly resurrected the New Mexico Scorpions this past season--into the mix, and you've got the makings of a very dangerous opponent. And I, for one, am totally excited about the prospects for the return of the I-20 rivalry.
I can't begin to say enough about what Dan did for hockey or for his involvement in our community. Everyone who has even remotely followed the Mudbugs knows his name and reputation (on and off the ice). I'm very sad to see him leave; his absence will be nearly impossible to fill. I'm happy for him, though, as he certainly deserves the chance to prove himself as a coach. After all, he was voted--by his peers, mind you--the CHL's Best Leader the last two seasons. Forbes MacPherson was a quieter (but no less influential) role model, one whom the younger players called "Uncle Forbie". So many of the rookie players I spoke to over the last four years told me that they learned so much from him. And David Cacciola is a promising young goalie in the vein of Ken Carroll. Brahmas fans have got to like how their new team looks so far.
So, to Dan and Forbes, thank you so much for all that you gave to us. You are irreplaceable. Good luck and blessings as you start a new chapter in your lives. And it's going to be lots of fun to see how the off-season plays out and even more fun going to the Bugs/Brahmas games come October.
But the events of the last few days in Mudbugs' land have launched a whole new set of thoughts.
Today Mudbugs' captain Dan Wildfong was named as the new coach of the recently returned Brahmas. The Brahmas will now play in North Richland Hills, Texas, just north of Fort Worth. Fonger will take Mudbugs' veteran Forbes MacPherson with him as "Forbie" becomes the Brahmas' assistant coach. Just thinking about the hockey statistics of either one of these formidable players is enough to give one pause. The stats of the two of them together should be enough to make the rest of the CHL anticipate a revitalized, rejuvinated Brahmas team. Add top-notch goalie (and former Mudbug) David Cacciola--who single-handedly resurrected the New Mexico Scorpions this past season--into the mix, and you've got the makings of a very dangerous opponent. And I, for one, am totally excited about the prospects for the return of the I-20 rivalry.
I can't begin to say enough about what Dan did for hockey or for his involvement in our community. Everyone who has even remotely followed the Mudbugs knows his name and reputation (on and off the ice). I'm very sad to see him leave; his absence will be nearly impossible to fill. I'm happy for him, though, as he certainly deserves the chance to prove himself as a coach. After all, he was voted--by his peers, mind you--the CHL's Best Leader the last two seasons. Forbes MacPherson was a quieter (but no less influential) role model, one whom the younger players called "Uncle Forbie". So many of the rookie players I spoke to over the last four years told me that they learned so much from him. And David Cacciola is a promising young goalie in the vein of Ken Carroll. Brahmas fans have got to like how their new team looks so far.
So, to Dan and Forbes, thank you so much for all that you gave to us. You are irreplaceable. Good luck and blessings as you start a new chapter in your lives. And it's going to be lots of fun to see how the off-season plays out and even more fun going to the Bugs/Brahmas games come October.
posted by HeidiB at 10:08 PM
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