Dear GM's of the CMHL,

I have made a lot of announcements to you guys in the last 6.5 seasons of hockey, but today is the biggest one yet. It is with mixed emotions of sadness and joy that I announce that this will be my final season as Commissioner of the CMHL. I am extremely pleased to announce that Dave, aka lightningbolt, will be taking over as Comissioner effective March 1st, 2011.

In the summer of 2004, I was a wide-eyed 20 year old, living away from home for the first time and just looking for something fun to do. I got hooked on EA Sports NHL 2004's Dynasty mode. I loved the idea of being a GM and not just playing the game. Looking to expand on that even more, I went out in search of an online version and discovered a league that was just starting up. When I first joined the CMHL, I never in my wildest dreams realized what it would turn into. I still remember my very first trade - exchanging PMs while at work with Moll who had also just joined as the Colorado GM. The rush I felt at acquiring Pascal Leclaire for Ari Ahonen and a 3rd rounder was awesome and I was instantly hooked. By the way, Moll, I definitely won that trade ;D

In the last 6.5 years, I've put my mind, spirit and body into making this league the best on the internet, and I think we've come pretty close. So now that my life away from the CMHL is shifting in ways I never imagined, its time to realign my priorities and let someone else have a go. In the next 6 months, I will be quitting my job, traveling for 2 months, and then going back to school for 4 years to do my PhD. For those of you who have been around folks doing their PhD, you know that its an extremely time-intensive and exhausting undertaking. Unlike anything I've ever done before, it will take all of my time and I know that for those years, and likely for the years afterwards as my pursue my future career, I will never be able to commit to the CMHL like I have in the past.

So its time to let some fresh faces run the show. :D

Worry not, however, I am not leaving the CMHL entirely. Although I will be gone for the months of March and April as I walk 800 km across Northern Spain on a pilgrimage known as the Camino de Santiago, I will return in May and continue on as GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets. I'm looking forward to rejoining the ranks of the GMs, to talking trade more often, to writing more articles, and to just generally being a GM without having the responsabilities of keeping the league running. I think this will be a much better fit with my future life. I will also continue to help out the LO's by maintaining the league website and generally offering expertise when needed.

I wouldn't do this unless I was sure that the league would live on, and I am absolutely confident that it will because of the incredible LO staff that we have. Although I ran the league as a bit of a one-man show, that is not going to be Dave's mode of operation. The new LO staff will be more of a team than ever before. In future seasons, expect to see multiple simmers and a general work-sharing attitude as the CMHL lives on. I think its going to be great!

Joining Dave, of course we still have Aaron (Stajanfan) and Mikey (mikeyevil), but I would like to today announce the addition of two new LOs to the team - Jay and Gerg.

Jay has been with the CMHL since the very beginning and has a wealth of experience both as an LO and GM, and while Gerg may be fairly new to the CMHL, he has been an absolutely fantastic addition to this league. The last time I was this personally impressed with a new GM, it was a guy that today is now your new Commissioner.

Over the next month and a half, I will be transitioning all of my duties and knowledge over to the LO staff to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

But for now, please join me in welcoming the new LO group, and please allow me to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for helping me make this league the best there is over the last 6.5 years. As a GM coming up, I can't wait to make the next 6.5 years even better!

Mat (aka habsfan93)

This has also been posted on the forums for comment and discussion :)

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First, congratulations to Mat for a couple of things.  Congratulations for giving heart and soul to the CMHL the past 6+ years, and for growing it as the Commissioner into a brilliant SIM league.

I said to you earlier that I feel a little like Gary Coleman trying to fill Shaq's shoes, however when you approached me about this it was the fantastic LO group and terrific GMs that we have here that helped me accept. 

Next, seeing the man I have come to know over the past 3+ years now jump into this kind of committment in his personal life and career did not shock me at all.  I have met a lot of people in my life, from construction labourers to CEOs of Fortune 100 companies to former Presidents and political champions, and I have little doubt that you will accomplish exactly what you are working towards and forge a fantastic future for yourself.

So, I offer my hand and wish you the very best, and thank you for your efforts here and for your faith in me to be the Commissioner once you step down.

We (Aaron, Mike, Jay, Greg and myself) will continue to move the league forward in a way that helps its GMs enjoy the game even more.  Between a potential SIM upgrade next offseason and other potential tweaks you are all going to love it!

Dave

Thanks Mat for all your hard work over the last 6.5 years.  The league would not be where it is without you.  In fact, I am pretty sure it would have died.  You built this league to where it is today, and I thankyou.  With looking back at how much time I have spent on this league in the past, I can't imagine what I would have done if this league wasn't here.

I couldn't imagine the league being left in more capable hands with Dave now taking over. 

Now all you have to do Mat, is trade me Quick and Ehrhoff and we are good to go. 

Good luck to you going for your PhD, I can't even imagine.  I just only finished my Bachelor's. 

Well Mat,

I joined this league in January 07, 2006 - So just a little over 4 years and must say in my 20 yrs of experience this league is by far the best league I have ever been in.

I thank you for that and you're an inspiration for many of the young GM's here. I will enjoy the gm side of talking deals with you and want to wish you the best in your future endevors and know that you will do very well.

As for the LO's and to Dave if you need some veteran presence or need a back up simmer let me know. I now am settle in my new home and will have a lot of time to put into this wonderful league.

BEST OF LUCK MAT!!!

I'm sad to see you step down as a commisioner mathieu and hope for the best as columbus gms and I'm welcoming to our new commissioners and simply know they will make it up to their tasks.   Congradulations.