Favorite Spirit Player of All Time

[donjohnson]

Sounds like kingpin rigged it

I like all the guys in the top 10...I'd move Trocheck down a couple and Dix up (for sure above Harrison) but other than that I agree with the consensus.

[bpfox]

If I may, I would like to make a few observations about the "final list". First, let me say that any list of favorite players is a good list as long as the person offering the list is honest with themselves. So please do not be offended at my observations. Like everyone's personal list of favorites, this will just be some observations I have looking at the the "final list". I keep putting that in quotes because you know as well as I do that there can never be a "final list".

Now on to the observations:

The first thing I noticed is that half of the names on the list were not draft picks of the Spirit. That observation might be a little misleading since only three on the list came to Saginaw via the trade route. Eddie Pasquale, Thomas Harrison and Ryan McDonough. The other two not drafter are Tyler Murovich (free agent signing) and Steve Dix (came from North Bay)

Secondly I find it interesting that the best player to ever wear a Spirit Jersey (Brandon Saad) and the current "fan favorite player" (Jake Paterson) are not even listed.

I also find it interesting that Brandon Saad, a player that could have been traded last season but request the team not do that is not on the list, but a slightly less talented player who not only asked for a trade, but asked specifically to be traded to Plymouth not only made the list, but shows up as the number 4 favorite.

Again these are things that I find interesting. I'm not being critical of the list. All of the players listed deserve to be there. It is at best a very difficult task to narrow it down to just 10. I don't think I could do it so I guess that's why I haven't.

Just some things to think about.

[spiritfan8]

I think everyone made it pretty clear that these lists were very subjective. But I have to ask, why does it matter whether the Spirit drafted the player, traded for him, or signed him via free agency? If he played here, he played here.
As for Jake---I personally made it a point not to vote for any active Spirit player. Two years from now, there's an excellent chance his name is on my list.
Saad is without question the best player to wear a Spirit jersey, at least in the one full season he played for the Spirit. It took him two full seasons to decide to come here, and while I respect that it was his choice to make, that figured into my vote.
Vincent Trocheck, on the other hand, was here for 3 1/2 years, and reported when he was drafted. I don't know that he specifically asked to be traded to Plymouth, so I'll have to take your word for it on that one. But watching him grow and improve, on and off the ice, in the extensive time he was here also figured into my vote.
Like I said, no one made any secret of the fact that these were favorites, not best. And it was a lot tougher than I figured to narrow it down to 10!

[IGive1]

No votes for Micheal Kantor. wow.

[bpfox]

May 3, 2013 11:06:16 GMT -5 spiritfan8 said:

I think everyone made it pretty clear that these lists were very subjective. But I have to ask, why does it matter whether the Spirit drafted the player, traded for him, or signed him via free agency? If he played here, he played here.
As for Jake---I personally made it a point not to vote for any active Spirit player. Two years from now, there's an excellent chance his name is on my list.
Saad is without question the best player to wear a Spirit jersey, at least in the one full season he played for the Spirit. It took him two full seasons to decide to come here, and while I respect that it was his choice to make, that figured into my vote.
Vincent Trocheck, on the other hand, was here for 3 1/2 years, and reported when he was drafted. I don't know that he specifically asked to be traded to Plymouth, so I'll have to take your word for it on that one. But watching him grow and improve, on and off the ice, in the extensive time he was here also figured into my vote.
Like I said, no one made any secret of the fact that these were favorites, not best. And it was a lot tougher than I figured to narrow it down to 10!

A couple of points if I may. I never said it mattered how a player came to suit up for the Spirit. In fact, I don't recall even thinking it. I was simply pointing out that I found it interesting for all of the talk we have around these parts about the make up of future teams. Especially this time a year when the new recruits have come to town and talk turns to what the make up of next year's team might be, fully half of those players listed on the fan favorites list arrived here by means other than the draft.

While I appreciate you giving further details as to how you arrived at your choices, it really wasn't necessary. I was very careful not to be critical of one persons choices. After all, you, and only you, can arrive at a list of your favorites.

As for Vince Trochek asking for the trade to Plymouth, you don't have to take my word for it. Take his. He is the one that said it at the time of the trade. That's where I got it from.

[spiritfan8]

I wasn't doubting you, bp--you are much more knowlegable on player matters than me. I just didn't know it. I assume that deal sprang from playing on a line with Hartman at the WJC....And I wasn't defending my choices--unnecessary, as you said. Merely commenting on my thought process.

IGive--you should have made a list and voted for him. I'll admit it--I forgot him, and he's a guy I very well might have included had I remembered.

[bpfox]

Spiritfan8, hows this for a little tidbit. Sometimes, as I said before, a player will end up here in various ways. Look for a player to be here next season who is actually an unspoken part of the Vince Trocheck trade.

A couple of teaser hints. His name was talked about as part of the original trade rumors. My guess is the trade, which can't be announced until June, will have a couple of those picks Plymouth gave up for Trocheck going back to Plymouth to complete the deal. For those who follow Twitter, some of the Spirit players are including him in their tweets. They know, I know and soon you will know. Just a little off season fun.

[spiritfan8]

I believe this one I already know. (For once) But thanks for the tip. If my info is correct, this London-like deal will make me happier about the Trocheck trade.

[bpfox]

Me too!