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+---- Thread: *So Long and Thanks for all the Fish (/showthread.php?tid=11123)
*So Long and Thanks for all the Fish - Zoone16 - 11-25-2018
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![[Image: DRmMuzU.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/DRmMuzU.jpg)
So Long and Thanks for all the Fish[/div]
Nothing lasts forever. Many people will tell you that time and time again. Players come and go, rise and fall, begin and end. Yet our time in the game is what we make of it. This has been the case for freshly retired Alexandre LeClair. One of 12 remaining players from Season 1, the Canadian veteran wide receiver spent 11 seasons chasing the ultimate goal, going from nightmare to heartbreak before finally capturing the most coveted prize of all, the Ultimus Cup.
Starting out his journey in the Season 1 inaugural draft, LeClair was initially set to play QB for the Yellowknife Wraiths before the team opted for Chris Orosz instead. LeClair, who spent his junior days between QB & WR shifted position to accommodate the team. It was there, that LeClair realized he could very well shine in this league as a reliable, balanced route running wide receiver. Unfortunately, that position was also shared with S1 superstar, Josh Garden. LeClair ultimately left the Wraiths to join the Las Vegas expansion team, the Legion.
The Legion was a place that had no expectations to begin with, as they were an expansion team and frankly had no hopes of making the playoffs early on. It was there that LeClair was given the opportunity to shine as the primary receiver for the team. It was a trying period for all involved on the Legion, as multiple losing records season after season ultimately killed team morale. This led to LeClair demanding a trade, not realizing he could’ve used his Player Option that very season. Thus, began the 3rd chapter of his journey; LeClair was acquired by the Baltimore Hawks.
Season 5 was truly when LeClair came into his own, his build finally being fleshed out to maximize his strong points. It was also a time where the wide receiver position was labelled as 1A and 1B where he, alongside Trey Willie ravaged team defenses on a weekly basis. The team was big enough for many stars to shine, from Taylor to Willie to LeClair, Blocksdale almost had too many options. It was also in Baltimore where regression began for LeClair. At first, it wasn’t that bad, the extra TPE from being active over many seasons was removed quickly and the build held strong. 20% regression, 25% regression, 30% regression it hurt but it was manageable. A WR doesn’t have too many important attributes so it was easy to “trim the fat” so to speak. Season 9 came and time felt like it was running out for LeClair to win the Ultimus Cup. Young receivers and tight ends drafted by the Hawks would ensure that someone had to be the odd man out. With an expiring contract at the end of Season 9, the Hawks were also tempted to trade LeClair but ultimately held off as the prospect of a cup run was more enticing. The season ended in a heartbreak, as Baltimore would ultimately lose the Ultimus to the Second Line, the franchise that had moved from Vegas to New Orleans in a plot twist no one could’ve written down. LeClair’s time on the Hawks was done and had no hardware to show for it.
Season 10 was supposed to be the final year for LeClair. Both the Yeti and the Second Line had showed interest in him as a depth receiver. To join a team that was still young on the rebuild or the current Ultimus champions was not an easy decision. But the Yeti were still too young to make a serious dent on the stranglehold that the Hawks had in the NSFC. The Cup Champions on the other hand still retained most pieces of their championship run and looked poised to go for a repeat. Joining the Second Line felt familiar and yet different. There were many faces present from LeClair’s time on the Legion but overall the culture and atmosphere were a great leap forward than the misery years. Another solid season with a return to over 1000yds received gave him hope for the playoffs. In a cruel twist of fate, the team that had let him go, the Hawks would ultimately lift the cup, leaving him just at the cusp of greatness once more.
At the start of Season 11, LeClair took 45% regression. This one was particularly painful for him and it was the first time in his career that it really hurt the primary receiving stats. It was also at this point that he announced his retirement at the conclusion of this season. One final attempt at glory with a team that had been at the top of the league for a long time. Another season where 1000yds was passed. Where LeClair passed 11000 yds received in his career. Where he caught 9 more touchdowns to bring his career total to 89 receiving touchdowns plus 1 kick return TD. 90 in total. But stats are meaningless compared to finally acquiring what he was looking for. An Ultimus Cup championship ring. Perhaps it was destiny (see: sim luck) that brought the Hawks versus Second Line matchup for the 3rd time in 3 seasons or perhaps there was no other team capable of challenging these two powerhouses in that time period. At the end of the day, no one will remember the matchups, only the champions.
So, what’s next? LeClair is gone off to enjoy his retirement up north in the great Canadian wilderness. Perhaps one day we’ll see his children join the NSFL, or the SHL, or PBE, or SCOR or another sim league, who knows? So long and thanks for all the fish!
11718 Yards Received
6716 Kick Return Yards
716 Receptions
154 Games Played
90 Total Touchdowns
6 Pro Bowls
4 Teams
1 Ultimus Cup.
(I will eventually be back with another player. Stay Tuned.)
*So Long and Thanks for all the Fish - kckolbe - 11-25-2018
I never would have guessed he'd play so long, but glad he finally got that Ultimus in his final year. It's been a lovely story.
*So Long and Thanks for all the Fish - Renrut - 11-25-2018
There is no better way to say goodbye than that quote.
*So Long and Thanks for all the Fish - Zoone16 - 11-25-2018
(11-25-2018, 04:47 PM)kckolbe Wrote:I never would have guessed he'd play so long, but glad he finally got that Ultimus in his final year. It's been a lovely story.
To be quite honest, I thought I'd lowkey go inactive that season where the mass retirement occured. I just ended up trucking along and made it so far without really realizing it until it turned to S10.
*So Long and Thanks for all the Fish - iamslm22 - 11-25-2018
Fucking legend. Glad you spent your prime with us in BAL
*So Long and Thanks for all the Fish - Bayley - 11-25-2018
<3 Fantastic Career
*So Long and Thanks for all the Fish - Raven - 11-25-2018
Glad you finally got yourself a ring even if it was at the cost of us losing out on it hah. LeClair had a great career and good luck with the next dude!
*So Long and Thanks for all the Fish - Bwestfield - 11-25-2018
Incredible career. Glad you got that ring
*So Long and Thanks for all the Fish - timeconsumer - 11-25-2018
One of my favorite players