Issue #6
  October 19th, 1998
 
 
 
 DRAGONS
 Real Respect
 
 "I just wanted respect. It's all I ever asked for," Real 
Paquette said, by way of introduction.
 
 No introduction was necessary. Paquette, one of the best 
defenseman in Circuit Action Sports, was explaining how his contract 
with the Renegades was terminated after last years playoff loss to 
the Bluedogs. (read Issue #2 EVIL, Inc. "Real Life, Real Revenge")
"We finished in first place overall in the regular season. I played 
as well as anybody on the team. Even my former teammates would agree 
to that. Then it happened," Real said.
 
 The Renegades beat the Killer Dwarves 6-3 in the first round 
of the playoffs. This set up a three way fight for the title on May 
5th between the Renegades, Heat and Bluedogs. Whichever team could 
beat the other two on that night would be crowned champion.
 
 It didn't happen. The first game pitted Real's team and the 
Bluedogs. Tied heading into the third period, the Renegades fell 
apart. There was very little offense from forwards Ian Foster, Joe 
Lazzara and Paul Iacurto. Ronen Nathan's goaltending left much to be 
desired. Defensive lapses by Chris Nadeau, Kamlesh Patel and Angelo 
D'Agostino hurt. And yes, Real Paquette struggled. He didn't play 
well. He didn't play well at all. The Bluedogs scored at will to 
break open a close game. The season was over.
 
 
 * * * *
 
 As was noted in Issue #2 of EVIL, Inc., a team meeting was
held in which it was decided that Kamlesh, Ronen and Real would no 
longer be Renegades. "Peter Knapp basically stood up and said that
 changes would be made. Then he said that three players would be 
replaced when the coming season started." Real said with little 
emotion. The three were Kam, Ronen and Real.
 
 "The problem wasn't with being taken off the team. Peter's the 
captain. He's got choices to make," Real stated firmly. "I knew 
there were other teams that would require my services. They know 
that I can play and that I give everything I have in each game."
 
 Real's problem was in the process, not the decision. "If Peter 
told me privately that he didn't want me on the team that would've 
been fine. But he held a meeting in which he got up in front of 
everybody and pinned the blame on me and Kam and Ronen. They can 
speak for themselves as to what they felt, but I know that I felt 
like a scapegoat." 
 
 
 * * * *
 
 During the off-season, Real hooked up with his former 
Renegade teammates Kamlesh Patel and Ronen Nathan, to form a team 
called the Dragons. "We have a lot in common, what with being shoved
off by Peter Knapp," said Real. "I look forward to returning to the 
league but more importantly, I want to play against the Renegades."
 
 "It's not about winning or losing. It's not about scoring and 
gloating. No, it's about something more important. Respect." "I did 
my very best for the Renegades and when things didn't work out I was 
assigned the blame. Like I said earlier, that didn't bother me. But 
this is a team sport. It seemed that the other players on that team 
were held blameless because they knew the captain better."
 
 Real's search for respect needn't exist. A shot blocking 
machine with excellent vision on the floor, Real is respected 
throughout the league. Had the Dragons not asked him to play, other 
captains would have jumped at the chance to obtain an elite player.
 
 The season will go on for Real. The anger at being released will 
subside. But he will never forget. "The way I was released was wrong.
I'm happy where I am, but it was still wrong." 
 
 
 
 RENEGADES
  "A Bitter Paul To Swallow"
 
 Paul Iacurto will play the remainder of the season with the 
Renegades, putting an end to what had been a volatile situation. 
It's official: Renegade captain Peter Knapp made the announcement 
on Friday, October 17th, just before the Renegades took on the 
Dragons. 
 
 For readers unfamiliar with events, Paul Iacurto walked out 
on the Renegades during the pre-season. Paul did this for two 
reasons: the Renegades poor performance in the Concordia Summer 
League, and because Captain Peter Knapp refused to meet Paul's five 
demands sent through e-mail.
 
 Due to a long term verbal agreement made just a year earlier,
Paul was forced to play for the Renegades against his wishes. He was 
promised a trade as soon as an acceptable proposal was made. Paul
 waited. The season started. He was still a Renegade. And Paul, 
despite performing his usual brand of brilliant hockey every game, 
wasn't happy. He wanted out. It didn't matter where. Just trade me, 
he pleaded. Anywhere.
 
 Peter Knapp wouldn't hear of it. Paul is a valuable commodity,
Peter was quoted as saying to one captain. Trading him will come back
to haunt us, he told a fellow Renegade. No, it's better to have a 
sad Paul, even a bitter Paul if necessary, than no Paul at all, 
Peter's theory went.
 
 It's not fair when people are forced to do things against 
their will. That is one way to look at Paul's pain. Nobody ever said 
life was fair. That is another cliched vision.
 
 Perhaps Paul should have weighed the consequences of his 
actions. He wanted a better deal with the Renegades. They had just 
lost a playoff game at Concordia in early August. Paul wasn't to 
blame. He didn't want cash. He wanted respect. Look, Paul, you're 
important to the Renegades. That is what he wanted to hear. 
That's all he wanted.
 
 So he came up with a list of demands. To many, they were 
trivial when they were reported in the pre-season edition of EVIL, 
Inc. In all probability, they were meaningless to Paul as well. 
A specific seat at a frequented pub, a request that only a certain 
wrestling company be spoken of, and being mentioned first in all 
articles concerning the Renegades. Paul's requests were a sign not 
as much of discontent, but of confusion. He wanted to be shown 
respect for what he had done for the Renegades, and what he would 
continue doing. And then there were the demands that were not made 
public. 
 
 Do Paul's demands matter? Paul was looking for a sign of 
commitment, of friendship when he made those demands. Money wasn't 
an issue. It still isn't.
 
 Paul Iacurto is playing hockey. That's the good news. Paul 
is playing for the Renegades. That is something Paul would like 
changed.