It all started about ten years ago.  The talk.  The new and very different type of hockey talk.  It wasn't the usual discussion and back and forth banter about who's team was better.  It was something I had never heard before.  Something I had no idea of or had any idea how to contribute to.  Family gatherings, parties and Saturday nights in the basement drinking, these conversations became more and more frequent.  Most of these conversations usually had me exiting with ''You're stupid Tchegus, both those players suck.'' or ''You guys are nerds.''.  I didn't get it then but this was my introduction to the world of fantasy sports.

 

With three of the six original GM's of the NHFL (Michael Hayman-cousin, Kris Heil-cousin and Jamie Tchegus-eventually marries a cousin) someway or another related to my wife's family, attending family events (and if you know that family there are a lot of events) the fantasy talk became the focal point between the group with me on the outside.  Soon followed another addition from the family to the NHFL (Marty Quinlan-married a cousin) and I now had nothing to contribute to their conversations.  Constant business between four GM's and I was the bum on the street corner that talks to himself.  With a no better use of the phrase, I found myself ''sitting on the bench''.  This had to change.  As I sat there I was actually listening, learning and absorbing the nerdisms of what was soon and unknowingly about to take over a big part of my life.  PUT ME IN COACH!

 

Although I didn't loose my fantasy cherry to hockey, I finally entered the world of fantasy sports by joining the exclusive football league run by the previously mentioned Marty Quinlan, the eight-team MFL.  A few months later, and a lot of time spent learning how this game actually works, I joined a six team hockey pool.  If you're gonna do it you might as well jump in head first.  An instant infatuation took over my life for the eight months that year.  Watching as much hockey and football as I could.  Reading as much hockey and football news as I could.  Waking up in the morning and opening up the computer to see how my teams did the night before.  I was hooked.  I was full blown committed.  I now saw what those ''nerds'' had been talking about for the last three years.  I now was one of those nerds.  I embraced it and did what every rookie GM want and dreams about.  A second place finish in the MFL and a first place finish in my hockey league.  With a start like that I was in for life.

 

Seven years later and a few more trophies in the case, the most treasured to date being my 2014 MFL Championship, I finally got the question.  ''If I can get enough guys on board, would you join the NHFL as an expansion GM?''.  Would I?  How couldn't I?  I've already lived just on the outside of this league for so long.  I need to be in this league.  The weekend of the 10th Anniversary draft and the expansion discussion/vote was a very anxious weekend for me.  Already knowing more than half of the now ten GM's I knew there was a good chance but what about the others?  How are these GM's going to react to an outsider?  Someone they've never met.  Why include this unknown into this league that has grown and flourished over the past ten years?  Because that's what successful leagues do.  Grow their product.  The vote prevailed and I got the call.  ''You're in!  Welcome to the NHFL!''.  Monday morning I got my first trade call as a GM of the NHFL.  After hanging up the phone I thought to myself ''What have I got myself into?''.

 

With expansion rules and guidelines set after the 2017 10th Anniversary season completer, I was officially introduced into the NHFL.  Texts and chat boards quickly heated up and it was time for business.  Wheeling and dealing in the expansion trade window, just as the Vegas Knights had just done in their inaugural season, was like nothing else I had experienced in fantasy sports.  Making my first trades to create what is now known as the Wilsonvillains HC.   This was real.  Fantasy sports is one thing but the NHFL is second to none.  I very quickly found out the truth to the league slogan.  

 

So far, this has been a great experience as an expansion GM into the NHFL.  With just days until the 2018 NHFL draft the suspense is building and  I know I still have a lot to learn.  League wide player values, IR plus spots, farm teams and a whole bunch of other ins and outs not normally used in the average hockey league.  But this is not your average league.  This is the NHFL and WE GO HARD!

 

 Am I overwhelmed?  Maybe.  Am I intimidated?  Never.  Am I excited?  Definitely.