For Patrik Money, the “welcome to the big leagues moment” happened in his second game in the then NSFL. After being blown out in week 1 by the Yeti, Money and the Wraiths faced the new expansion team, the Sarasota Sailfish. Although the result was a resounding win for the Wraiths, winning 44-3, Money had no impact on the game. Moving up from the DSFL where he had 8 sacks in a 14 game season, and only starting in 11 of those games, a game with no stats at all against one of the newest and considered one of the weaker teams in the division was a difficult pill to swallow.
This was the first realization that this was playing with the best in the business. And to play with the best you have to become the best. While Money still had a less effective season than his DSFL season, redoubling his efforts meant he came out with 3 sacks and 5 TFL’s in the season, respectable for a rookie playing inside at DT. He helped propel the Yellowknife team to a league leading 11-2 win/loss ratio and was part of the number 1 rated defence of the season. Unfortunately, playoff success would once again elude Yellowknife in S22, but the efforts would pay off later down the line.
This was the first realization that this was playing with the best in the business. And to play with the best you have to become the best. While Money still had a less effective season than his DSFL season, redoubling his efforts meant he came out with 3 sacks and 5 TFL’s in the season, respectable for a rookie playing inside at DT. He helped propel the Yellowknife team to a league leading 11-2 win/loss ratio and was part of the number 1 rated defence of the season. Unfortunately, playoff success would once again elude Yellowknife in S22, but the efforts would pay off later down the line.