History of the Yellowknife Wraiths

This article details the history of the Yellowknife Wraiths American football club

Origins

The Wraiths were founded as one of the inaugural teams of the National Simulation Football League, under general managers Bubba Nuck Sr. and Tyler Varga Sr. The inaugural draft brought a number of high quality players up north, including Bubba Nuck Jr., Chris Orosz, Josh Garden, Alexandre LeClair, Ricky Maddox, Dirk Cutter, Tyler Varga Jr., Clee Hardrool and Archibald Booter. Heading into the 2016 (S1) season, many pundits had Yellowknife tipped to win not only the National Simulation Football Conference (NSFC) but the Ultimus too. However, the Wraiths would only manage to finish second place in the NSFC with an 8-6 record, behind the also 8-6 Colorado Yeti. Yellowknife would then suffer early defeat, falling to the Colorado Yeti in the NSFC Championship, 13-6.

2017 brought an increased sense of optimism for the Wraiths, Orosz looked to be developing well now into his second season, Bubba Nuck Jr. had just finished his rookie season with a bang and many had tipped him for MVP in 2017 (S2), Ricky Maddox was widely considered the league's best tight end heading into 2017 (S2), and the trio of Josh Garden, Bailey Cook and Damian West made up one of the league's top receiving corps. On top of all this, the Wraiths had, with the number one pick in the 2017 Draft (S2), selected cornerback Dermot Lavelle for their new look secondary, combined with Marcus Kane and outspoken linebacker Kevin Cushing. Yellowknife also picked up backup running back Eric Kennedy, who they looked to groom as a replacement for Bubba Nuck Jr., said to be nearing a departure according to various media sources. This time however Yellowknife yet again slumped to an 8-6 record, only good enough for 2nd in the NSFC behind the 8-6 Baltimore Hawks. Yellowknife would yet again go on to suffer cold defeat, this time to the Hawks in the NSFC game. 16-14 it ended and Yellowknife began preparations for the long offseason.

The start of the Spike Crown era (2018-2019)

Following the resignation of Bubba Nuck Sr., a new general manager, Spike Crown stepped up in Yellowknife, and made some big decisions early on. The 2018 ISFL Draft (S3) saw the addition of the ever-controversial Francois Lamoreux on the new look Wraiths offensive line; to call him a draft pick that left fans divided is an understatement. The 2018 (S3) season proper began with Orosz reclaiming his spot as starting quarterback, despite the offseason rumors of a possible trade for Orange County's Mike Boss or Arizona's King Bronko. The Wraiths' receiving corps largely looked the same with Josh Garden and Bailey Cook, though Damian West was traded away to the Colorado Yeti. Kevin Cushing switched from a linebacker role to play cornerback alongside Lavelle and Cutter, while Marcus Kane dominated the safety position alongside seasoned veteran Alex Hansen. For all these changes, however, the Wraiths would slump to a franchise-worst 7-7 record, and failed to reach the playoffs. To worsen situations, cornerback Kevin Cushing had announced his intentions to leave, whilst kicker Archibald Booter revealed his retirement plans at the end of the season. As a result, Yellowknife were forced to trade for kicker Joseph Lombardi for future's sake.

2019 (S4) saw quarterback Chris Orosz involved in a sign-and-trade deal to the San Jose Sabercats, leading to offensive lineman Mat Akselsen converting to quarterback to lead the Wraiths for 2019. Eric Kennedy by this stage had surpassed Bubba Nuck Jr. in the running back depth chart and looked to impress, while Joseph Askins filled in at tight end following Ricky Maddox's move to defensive end, Josh Garden declined to re-sign with the Wraiths and instead joined current defending champions the Arizona Outlaws on a lucrative deal, while former quarterback Ethan Hunt – now known as a wide receiver Gosh Jarden – signed with the Wraiths to provide depth behind Bailey Cook. Controversial cornerback Kevin Cushing was traded to the Philadelphia Liberty leaving just Lavelle and Cutter in the cornerback corps. Yellowknife would return to the playoffs by virtue of finishing the regular season atop the NSFC for the first time, with an 8-6 record. The Wraiths then finally succeeded in winning their first ever playoff game, beating the Liberty 26-20 in the NSFC Championship game to secure a berth in Ultimus Bowl IV. They then lost to the Orange County Otters 30-23 in what was a first-ever Ultimus appearance for both teams.

Spooky ghosts era (2020-2022)

2020 was headlined by a trade that saw Phillipe Carter head to Yellowknife after the Las Vegas Legion retirement scandal. He would link up alongside Lavelle at corner, with Cutter providing depth. Jayce Tuck was then traded to Yellowknife from Arizona despite an ongoing investigation into possible performance enhancing drugs use. He would later be suspended for all of 2020 (S5) and would not play another snap until the 2021 (S6) season. Egor Medved attempted to break into the Yellowknife team, but only managed to play in 6 games this year, although he did block a punt attempt. 2017's third overall draft pick, Blaster Blade joined the Wraiths alongside Fuego Wozy, being traded from the Yeti to shore up the Wraiths defensive line. Cameron Taylor was also picked up in the 2020 Draft (S5). The Wraiths would then go on to have their greatest season in franchise history to date, winning the NSFC with a 10-4 record, and easily defeating Baltimore in the NSFC Championship game 37-21. Despite claiming their second NSFC title, the Wraiths again could not overcome the Orange County Otters in the Ultimus Bowl, slumping to a 26-15 defeat in Ultimus Bowl V as the Otters secured their second consecutive title.

2021 saw Mat Akselsen at his peak alongside Eric Kennedy at runningback. Egor Medved finally broke into the wraiths staring defensive line, Jayce Tuck played his first game in a Yellowknife Wraiths jersey whilst Fuego Wozy returned for a second season. Kicker Forfeit was picked up in the 2021 ISFL Draft (S6) following Joseph Lombardi's trade and retirement soon after. Yellowknife struggled during the regular season and slumped to a 7-6-1 record, which was still good enough for 2nd in the NSFC, though they would then suffer their third loss in five NSFC Championship games, losing 31-21 to the Philadelphia Liberty, thus ending their playoff run.

Eric Kennedy began 2022 (S7) with a position change from runningback to wide receiver, with rookie Robby Rainey headlining the runningback spot. Runningback turned linebacker Boss Tweed was traded to Yellowknife from Colorado prior to the beginning of the season, and he would cement himself in the Yellowknife linebacking corps alongside Luke Tiernan and William Ridley. Arbin Asipi Jr. was also traded to form arguably the strongest Yellowknife team in franchise history. The Wraiths would go on to obtain the best ever NSFL regular season record, an impressive 13-1, before shockingly losing the NSFC Championship 40-31 to the Philadelphia Liberty.

Wraiths dynasty? (2023-present)

2023 (S8) saw Robby Rainey starting at runningback, backed up by Borro Gore. Akselsen returned for his sixth consecutive season as Wraiths starting quarterback. Glenn McPoyal started at tight end with Franklin Harris Jr. backing him up. Bailey Cook, Eric Kennedy and Johnny Rocket rounded up the receiving corps. Lavelle, Carter and Zhang were cornerbacks, while Micah Hendrix was traded from the Philadelphia Liberty to Yellowknife to link up with an aging Boss Tweed and rookie Chad Pennington at linebacker. Rookie defensive lineman Zach Skinner linked up with Gustav Rodriguez at defensive tackle with Jayce Tuck and Ricky Maddox filling out either side of the defensive line. Clee Hardrool, Cameron Taylor, and Marcus Kane completed the secondary, with Forfeit supplying kicking and punting duties yet again. Yellowknife raced to an 11-3 record in the NSFC, whilst Baltimore and Philadelphia both ended on a 7-7 record. Yellowknife dispatched the aging Baltimore side 38-24 to claim yet another NSFC title before facing playoff underdogs New Orleans in Ultimus Bowl VIII. The Wraiths finally put the curse to bed, defeating the New Orleans Second Line 24-13 to claim their first ever Ultimus title in franchise history.