Swift Current Outlaws

The Outlaws are a professional hockey team based out of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. They are members of Tier 1 of the GHL.
==Franchise History==
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===The early years (seasons 6-13)===
The Outlaws hockey club was founded in season 6 as part of a bring ex-cons back into society-program. Soon it became clear that the ex-cons were crappy hockey players and the team was sold to a new owner, the "Terrasskioskens Vänner" group of investors. Their first move was to hire Nikita Chrustjov as the new GM. Through a series of trades and FA signings Chrustjov acquired key players like forwards Dick Culkin, Ali Drehmer and Abraham Zoltek, defenseman Syvatoslav Fomin and goaltender Nicholas Brodtmann, and turned the Outlaws from a recreational beer league club to a professional hockey club.
The Outlaws steamrolled the opposition in their first full GHL season and promoted to tier 3 after registering a 35-2-1 regular season record and a stunning 6-1-0 playoff run.
In the off-season Chrustjov signed free agent forwards Ariel Laumeyer, Loyd Wattles and Joacim Burdge. The trio would carry the team to two consecutive 1st place finnishes in league 53, a league championship and promotion to tier 2, after a spirited playoff final series against arch enemies Koala Infestation. Game 1 of the series became historic as it was decided in quadruple OT. Ariel Laumeyer, who scored the game winner on a breakaway, was named Playoff MVP.
The team spent four seasons in league 16, tier 2. After a tough struggle to stay in the league in their first season, the Outlaws later became a top team with the addition of goal scoring wingers Rico Aharonof and Swift Current-native Shane Slyton, goalie Granville Shindle and stud defenceman Isidor Gromov. In season 13 Chrustjov traded for PP specialist Bradly Swindler (who scored the 1000th goal in franchise history), and signed famous defender Hung Maddaloni plus another PP specialist in Daren Duman. These moves put the team over the top, and they entered the season 13 playoffs as the #1 seed.
In a tight first round matchup against rivals The Great White North Hosers Isidor Gromov delivered a nasty hit on GWNH superstar and league 16 scoring leader Zakarias Deyarmin, who left the game and the series on a stretcher. The hit, which was condemned by the entire GHL community, only rendered a 2 minute minor and the Outlaws could go on to win the series. The Outlaws swept McLaren in the second round and defeated Team of Svipdag 2-1 in the finals, a series mostly remembered for sloppy defensive play and questionable goaltending.
GM Chrustjov and the Outlaws had finally reached their goal, promotion to tier 1.
===Playing with the big boys (seasons 14-20)===
The Outlaws quickly established themselves as a solid tier 1 team, making it into the playoffs 3 times in their 4 first seasons. It was, however, obvious that the team lacked the depth to take on the very best GHL teams with payrolls in the 180-200 million dollar range, and they failed to win a single playoff game during this time.
The Outlaws had managed to keep most of their core intact since the promotion to tier 1, all while adding important pieces like defensive beasts Claud Ascol and Miika Hibley. Team management knew that this would not last forever though, due to aging key players and increasing salary demands taking its toll on team finances. Team captain Loyd Wattles decided to retire at the end of season 17, but GM Chrustjov could still ice a very competitive squad the next season.
When season 18 playoffs started, everyone knew this was probably the last chance for the team to reach success with their current group of players. In the first round the Outlaws managed to upset powerhouse The Slapping Studs 2-1, and they were ready for a second round battle against 5th seed Koren. Despite a heroic effort the team fell short and lost the series 2-1.
The club lost key defenceman Claud Ascol to free agency before the start of season 19, but the Outlaws played fairly well and were involved in a very tight three-team battle for the last two playoff spots. In game 38 the two other teams played each other. The Outlaws had won their last game and would make the playoffs if one of these two other teams would win their game in regulation. Of course, no one did. The game went to OT and the extra point awarded caused the Outlaws to miss the playoffs.
The economy of the club suffered as a result of not making the playoffs and GM Chrustjov had to let his best player, and franchise all-time point leader, Ariel Laumeyer go in the off-season, along with veteran winger Ali Drehmer. The Outlaws entered season 20 with a roster lacking quality scorers and the team would win only 12 games. The saga had come to an end. The Outlaws were facing demotion to tier 2.A lot of players, including Daren Duman, Shane Slyton, shut-down center Mario Novitske and grinding veteran defenceman Erick Pospicil left the team as a result.
===Back in tier 2 (seasons 21-22)===
After the demotion to tier 2 and the following exodus, GM Nikita Chrustjov had to ask team owners to take out a loan just so he could sign enough scrubs to ice a full roster. Luckily PP scorers Bradly Swindler, Bryon Silagy and playmaking center Quinn Zumot had stayed with the team, and together they formed a formidable line which made tier 2 defenses look stupid on a nightly basis. GM Chrustjov also picked up Slovakian PP ace Kusner Desbiens from Poron Ponkaus 2 to provide some secondary scoring. On the blueline, captain Gromov and Finnsh puck-mover Miika Hibley were still there. In net, Felipe Stellfox had taken the starter job from old man Shindle.
Despite a glaring lack of depth on both offense and defense the Outlaws were still a serious contender for the league 9 championship. The team finished season 21 in second place with a 31-6-1 record but suffered a disappointing loss to the Homerun Batters in the second round of the playoffs.
The following season, season 22, GM Nikita Chrustjov added some much needed depth to the roster and as the two top teams from the season before were no longer in the league, the Outlaws could cruise through the regular season with 35 wins and only one loss in regulation. In the playoffs the team did not lose a single game on their way to victory. The Swift Current Outlaws were back in the top league of the GHL once again.
However, Nikita Chrustjov has been heavily criticized for not taking the time in league 9 to do a proper rebuild. The key players are old, the defense is suspect and there is nothing to write home about in terms of prospects. The window of opportunity is smaller this time around. In fact, if the Outlaws can't make some noise this season, look for them to be headed back to tier 2 soon.
===Captaincy===
Season 6-7: Truman Brissette
Season 8: Jayson Orobona
Season 9-17: Loyd Wattles
Season 18-: Isidor Gromov
===Head Coaches===
Season 6-14: Abram Skeen
Season 15-: Mstislav Danilov
===Retired Numbers===
#86
Worn by legendary defenseman Syvatoslav Fomin. Syvatoslav was a veteran leader on the young Outlaws team that won the league 877 playoffs in season 7. Before the start of season 8 he was traded, and two seasons later he was kicked out of the GHL for having repeatedly abused officials. A few years later he died in a tractor accident on his parents' farm outside of Krasnoyarsk in Siberia.
==Season-by-season record==
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Season 	League	GP 	W 	L 	OTL	Pts	GF 	GA 	Finish	Playoffs 	
Season 6 	877:4 	2 	2 	0 	0 	4 	8 	4 	18th 	Missed the playoffs 	
Season 7 	877:4 	38 	35 	2 	1 	71 	187 	45 	1st 	Champions (2-1 vs. SlapShock) 	
Season 8 	53:3 	38 	27 	9 	2 	56 	118 	80 	1st 	Lost in Semifinals, 1-2 (Suicides) 	
Season 9 	53:3 	38 	33 	5 	0 	66 	145 	55 	1st 	Champions (2-0 vs Koala Infestation) 	
Season 10	16:2 	38 	21 	15 	2 	44 	106 	75 	9th 	Missed the playoffs 	
Season 11	16:2 	38 	24 	9 	5 	53 	137 	78 	7th 	Lost in Quarterfinals, 0-2 (PSU Icers) 	
Season 12	16:2 	38 	29 	8 	1 	59 	184 	67 	2nd 	Lost in Semifinals, 1-2 (I Am Jacks Hockey Team) 	
Season 13	16:2 	38 	34 	4 	0 	68 	186 	47 	1st 	Champions (2-1 vs Team of Svipdag) 	
Season 14	1 	38 	24 	10 	4 	52 	121 	70 	6th 	Lost in Quarterfinals, 0-2 (Kentucky Thoroughblades) 	
Season 15	1 	38 	20 	16 	2 	42 	118 	94 	9th 	Missed the playoffs 	
Season 16	1 	38 	24 	13 	1 	49 	137 	75 	7th 	Lost in Quarterfinals, 0-2 (Simon Gagne for Cy Young)	
Season 17	1 	38 	23 	12 	3 	49 	102 	75 	7th 	Lost in Quarterfinals, 0-2 (The Slapping Studs) 	
Season 18	1 	38 	25 	9 	4 	54 	126 	66 	6th 	Lost in Semifinals, 1-2 (Koren) 	
Season 19	1 	38 	20 	10 	8 	48 	119 	90 	9th 	Missed the playoffs 	
Season 20	1 	38 	12 	19 	7 	31 	84 	116 	16th 	Demoted to Tier 2 	
Season 21	9:2 	38 	31 	6 	1 	63 	178 	50 	2nd 	Lost in Semifinals, 0-2 (Homerun Batters) 	
Season 22	9:2 	38 	35 	1 	2 	72 	208 	50 	1st 	Champions (2-0 vs Windsor Spitfires) 	
Totals (including playoffs)	 	667	454	166	47 	 	2452	1288	 	 	
==Record book==
===All-time leaders===
Points 	645	Ariel Laumeyer (457 gp)
Goals 	248	Bradly Swindler (379 gp)
Assists 	400	Ariel Laumeyer (457 gp)
Games played 	638	Octavio Bliler
Penalty minutes	700	Isidor Gromov (462 gp)
===Season leaders===
Playoffs not included.
Points 	81 	Loyd Wattles 	Season 13
 	81 	Bryon Silagy 	Season 21
Goals 	47 	Bradly Swindler 	Season 21
Assists 	52 	Dick Culkin 	Season 7
Plus/minus 	+49 	Octavio Bliler 	Season 22
Penalty minutes 	62 	Isidor Gromov 	Season 14, 15, 18
Points by defenseman 	37 	Miika Hibley 	Season 21
SV% (starters only) 	93.8% 	Felipe Stellfox 	Season 21
Tier 1 - Points 	65 	Ariel Laumeyer 	Season 18
Tier 1 - Goals 	30 	Daren Duman 	Season 14
Tier 1 - Assists 	41 	Ariel Laumeyer 	Season 18
Tier 1 - Points by d-man	32 	Claud Ascol 	Season 15
Tier 1 - Plus/minus 	+28 	Ariel Laumeyer 	Season 16
 	Shane Slyton	Season 16 	
Tier 1 - SV% (starters) 	92.0% 	Granville Shindle	Season 14
==Current Roster==
Goaltenders	Goaltenders	Goaltenders 	Goaltenders	Goaltenders	Goaltenders	Goaltenders 	Goaltenders
# 	 	 	Age 	Catches 	Acquired 	Place of Birth 	OA rating
0 	 	Felipe Stellfox	31 	R 	Season 13 	Fraser Lake, British Columbia	98
6 	 	Joesph Carvill 	24 	R 	Season 21 	Wesleyville, Newfoundland 	94
Defensemen	Defensemen	Defensemen 	Defensemen	Defensemen	Defensemen	Defensemen 	Defensemen
# 	 	 	Age 	Hand 	Acquired 	Place of Birth 	OA rating
16 	 	Roberto Desiderio	23 	L 	Season 22 	Barriefield, Ontario 	82
32 	 	Isidor Gromov C 	37 	R 	Season 10 	Grozny, Chechnya 	94
34 	 	Minh Wickert 	25 	R 	Season 18 	Niverville, Manitoba 	74
68 	 	Paul Mccalman 	30 	R 	Season 23 	Saint-Chrysostome, Quebec	87
79 	 	Ruben Guzzetta 	22 	R 	Season 22 	Goderich, Ontario 	70
82 	 	Michel Camba 	32 	R 	Season 19 	River John, Nova Scotia 	92
85 	 	Collin Joos 	34 	R 	Season 8 	Klamath Falls, Oregon 	82
98 	 	Octavio Bliler 	34 	L 	Season 7 	Neguac, New Brunswick 	90
Forwards	Forwards	Forwards 	Forwards	Forwards	Forwards	Forwards 	Forwards 	Forwards
# 	 	 	Position	Age 	Hand 	Acquired 	Place of Birth 	OA rating
2 	 	Frankie Claggett 	LW 	31 	L 	Season 21	Saint-Roch-de-L'Achigan, Quebec	91
27 	 	Michel Serpa 	RW 	19 	R 	Season 23	Langford, British Colombia 	65
29 	 	Rosendo Grega 	LW 	22 	L 	Season 21	Deep River, Ontario 	80
39 	 	Rico Mart 	C 	39 	R 	Season 6 	Alamagorda, New Mexico 	90
46 	 	Bryon Silagy A 	C 	35 	L 	Season 18	Cape Dorset, Nunavut 	110
54 	 	Quinn Zumot A 	C/RW 	34 	R 	Season 11	Knowlton, Quebec 	99
56 	 	Charley Abaloz 	RW 	30 	R 	Season 22	Detroit, Michigan 	94
57 	 	Chase Epifano 	C 	26 	R 	Season 22	Princeville, Quebec 	87
58 	 	Wayne Condi 	LW 	31 	R 	Season 23	Mascouche, Quebec 	99
65 	 	Bradly Swindler 	C 	36 	L 	Season 13	Tupelo, Mississippi 	99
73 	 	Jerrell Brancazio	LW 	28 	L 	Season 18	Vernon, British Columbia 	93
76 	 	Reynaldo Jump 	C 	26 	L 	Season 17	Wiarton, Ontario 	93
78 	 	Napoleon Glay 	RW 	36 	R 	Season 23	Georgetown, Ontario 	95
83 	 	Julian Chrispen 	RW 	28 	R 	Season 22	Ahmic Harbour, Ontario 	89
87 	 	Kusner Desbiens 	LW 	31 	R 	Season 21	Bratislava, Slovakia 	102
Staff	Staff	Staff 	Staff 	Staff	Staff	Staff 	Staff 	Staff
# 	 	 	Position 	Age 	Hand 	Acquired 	Place of Birth 	OA rating
 	 	Nikita Chrustjov	GM 	115 	 	Season 6 	Kalinovka, Russia	
 	 	Mstislav Danilov	Head Coach	56 	 	Season 15	Samara, Russia 	98
Category:Teams
Category:Canadian GHL Teams
Category: Tier 1 Teams