Goodbye Pavel!

HEADLINE SPORTS (ON) - Guelph

In what was another sad day for Reapers fans nation wide, today the Reapers announced the continuation of their rebuild efforts. Gone is original Reaper Pavel Kubina. Kubina was the Reapers first ever player in their expansion year, their lone selection in the dispersal draft which came before the entry draft and before the expansion draft. The original Reaper had played in every season with the franchise, entering his 8th year as a pro when Guelph opened its doors for the first time. Despite a long career already in place, his best years were by far in Guelph. In his six years here, he set new single season marks in goals (17 in RHL 16), assists (43 last season), points (54 also last season), plus minus (plus 46 in RHL 16 and beat it again this past year with a plus 64) as well as Power play goals (6 this past year). He recorded 5 straight 30 plus point seasons as a Reaper, a new record for Reaper defensemen. Kubina had 213 career points as a Reaper, making him 1st all time for Guelph defensemen and 4th all time for all Reapers. He also had 463 PIMs as a Reaper, making him 1st all time in that category. The truth is, it is hard pressed to find a Reapers Career category that Kubina's name is not at or near the top of. From games played (360 - 1st) to GWG (10 - 3rd) to points to playoff points, Kubina was a Reaper leader through and through. For milestones, Kubina had his 300th career point this past year with Guelph, and leaves the team one goal shy of his 100 career goal milestone.



Kubina was a part of six straight playoffs in Guelph, experiencing a title run in RHL 15 and making it to the Kings Cup Finals this past year before losing a heartbreaking 7th game to the three peating champion Rovers. Kubina notched 14 playoff goals and 44 playoff points in his six playoff runs with the Reapers, placing him 2nd all time in Reaper Playoff points. Sadly both his consecutive Reaper Playoff appearances and consecutive Reaper playoff point streaks will be ended not by his decline in performance, but by a trade.

The beneficiaries of this deal, the Thundercats, look to make Kubina a PP quarterback this season. Known for his hard accurate shot, Kubina is likely to light the lamp regularly in the Cats lineup.

Coming back to Guelph in the deal was young Danish forward Frans Nielsen. Nielsen has yet to debut in the RHL, but it is believed he will make the Reapers lineup this year and showcase his slick hands. Still it does not feel the same.

"Pavs will be missed," said Radim Vrbata, long time teammate and friend of Kubina's. "In the dressing room he was a natural leader and on the ice a diligent warrior. Still this is a business and we must move on."

"It was a difficult trade to do," GM Gandour admitted, "as hard as any I have made in my career. Kubina was a part of this team since its inception, and today it feels like we are losing a piece of the franchise. That said, it was clear to upper management that rebuilding was the track to be on, and Kubina was on the last year of his contract, making close to 2.5 million. To clear that off our books, and to get a young asset like Frans back made a lot of sense. Most offers for Kubina had involved taking back salary which we were against. We looked at our roster, and tried to determine which pieces were least integral to icing a contending team. It is sad to admit for a player who has bled for this team so much, fought so hard, but Kubina was entering this season as our 5th or 6th best dman. With the highest salary of anyone aside from Hossa, that made him hard to keep. We feel confident in the depth we have on D still, and look to make one or two other moves."

Reporting for your Reapers, who I hardly recognize anymore

Sal Trachan