Brandon

The VHLM draft is looming, and for 21 year old Rocco Serrano, it's an opportunity to officially start his hockey career. He knows his name will be called, it's just a matter of when, and by who. This year’s draft class is stacked, and Serrano knows he’s got the potential to make an impact, but where he fits in is still a mystery. He's got the size, the strength, and hands to succeed at this level, along with the defensive game, but he'll need to polish up on his decision making under pressure. In the meantime, Serrano has a plan. He’s teaming up with Tow Mater, the gritty right wing from the junkyard, and DAVID MOTHER FREAKING GOGGINS, to train through the summer and add a few pounds. What more motivating than hearing... "WHO'S GONNA CARRY THE BOATS" For whatever reason, each time, Tow Mater reminds Goggins that we're playing hockey and there are no boats, but something seems to be lost in translation between human and truck. This summer for Serrano is not just about getting stronger. It's about bulking up and getting more durable for the grind of a full season in the VHLM. The workouts are brutal, but Serrano’s ready for them. He’s spent too many nights lying awake to give up this opportunity now.

This goes hard. Simplicity is always harder than anything with many layers, as you expose any mistakes. Unreal jersey swap I have no idea how you did, perfect contrast and lighting. Love the background design you added, both adds a little complexity while not taking a way from the sig. Font / text design is on point. Having a hard time finding any glaring issues, black and white touch is really nice. 10/10

player store purchase doubles

Wow, that's absolutely insane. I just found the stock pack you're referring to @gorlab and it's giving me massive nostalgia. You're right, that's me! And that woulda been my stock pack I / we released on the Invisionfree VHL forums in 2008 or 2009, 17 years ago... I actually have no idea how that survived. I don't have any of those anymore. GORLAB STOCK PACK GOATED. Gonna have to try making a signature with my old stocks, for the memes

Rocco Serrano & Tow Mater in a playoff game against the Las Vegas Aces After 24 games played, 12 in the regular season, and 12 in the playoffs, Rocco Serrano is slowly getting up to speed with the VHLM game. Rocco has shown some growing pains and difficulty in the beginning, jumping into the backend of the regular season with the Philadelphia Reapers and a close, but not close enough, playoff run. Built for a defensive first playstyle, Serrano slotted into the 3rd line of the Reapers lineup, and although not dropping many points in his 12 playoff games, with 2 goals and 2 assists, Serrano finished tied for top 10 in +/- thanks to a 5 goal performance by his linemate Joseph Poole. With the Playoff run ended by Halifax, Serrano looks to the VHLM draft to see where he is taken. Time will tell where he arrives, although he wants to end up with his friend, Tow Mater, as they motivate eachother in the gym constantly.

1. Seems like we couldn't break through the strong DF stats that Halifax stacked up on in D. We also took a bunch of penalties and lost close a few games. Could have went either way, esp if we got some more scoring assitance. 2. I think so, not many ppl aging out of the team compared to others. Great look next season. 3. Gear up for the VHLM draft, curious to see where I'll land. 4. Top 6 F and top 4 D asre set. I'd say replacement Goalie longterm, and more depth @ F and D. Really strong setup for next season. 5. I think Houston wins, I'm rooting for Houston because of many OG members on that team! 6. Washington for the Ovechkin lore or Edmonton for McDavid lore

Answers: 1. Just goes to show how good both teams are. Dallas has massive depth, sometimes you can get stricken by a hot goalie / day. 2. Large TPE difference going from 150 TPE to 300TPE, also ice time goes up and you get more PP time the more TPE you get on average. 3. Good Will Hunting, nothing will ever change that for me. Questions: 1. Who are you cheering for this NHL playoffs? What matchup do you think the finals series will be? 2. How long ago did you join the VHL? What brought you, and what kept you here? 3. If you could play one sport professionally, what sports would it be? And what team / position would you play?

Wow, this reminds me of peak 2010 VHL signature style. I LOVE IT. SO hard to achieve a light sig that is both clean and texturized. Focal point is spot on, nailed it with the text and coloring around the signature. Love the invert you have on the text and the subtle green soft brush you have. This is one of those sigs where you knew the perfect time to stop. Easily 10/10.

GG's fellas

Review: Nah you cooked with this one. Love the chromatic aberration effect you've got across the whole signature, and the dissolve / glitch effects you've got. That exact style I'm trying to figure out how to apply to mine. Focal point is perfect, Text is layered and chosen well in font & positioning, even added blur / sharpen on specific points. Extremely detailed and well done, way harder than expected to create this extremely dirty effect while also keeping it clean and the focus clear. honestly I think this is a 10/10.

Review: Great work! Really creative usage of colors wit the pink and blue that comes together very well. You've established a strong focal point, multi-render, and the back is a SICK jersey change. Great choice of colors on the text, just overall consistent across. Good usage of stock photos and textures to create layers as well. Unique sig that I never really see. 9/10

Answers: 1. I do, although I find myself catching up if my team isn't in the playoffs at all. Aka, I may miss a day of checking sims, etc. Otherwise, I'll be seeing both sides each day. 2. In my opinion the wildcard teams are the only ones that are considered 'upsets' to me, as the D2vsD3 is so close. I don't predict any Wildcards winning, although I think the most likely are the Canadiens given how hot they've been. But the Caps are so strong. 3. I'm finding the person who passed me the puck and going full speed into him Questions: 1. Who do you predict is going to win the VHL & VHLM playoffs? 2. Did this season go as expected for you? If so, why, and if not why? 3. Who are you rooting for in the NHL playoffs as your team?

someone teach me how to properly do text my god

@C-Breeze https://vhlportal.com/game/VHLM/98/Playoffs/VHLM98-PLF-16.html Wild, I didn't even realize that was a preview limitation. If you pull up the full game box score and scroll to the bottom, you'll see it went to 4OT and the goal was @ 7min by Jay Sikes!

EARLY DAYS Rocco Serrano’s story starts in Boston, Massachusetts, where he spent his childhood inside his family’s pizza shop. His parents, Giovanni and Rosa, worked long hours to keep the shop running, while little Rocco was right there with them, learning how to make pizzas, answer calls, and help with deliveries. While most kids his age were outside running around and playing video games, Rocco was learning the value of true hard work. But he didn't care, because he was around family. Truly, hockey was always in the back of Rocco's mind. Growing up in Boston, a city with a rich hockey history, Rocco couldn’t help but be drawn to the game. He started skating at a young age and was soon playing in local youth leagues. Hockey was his true passion, and as the rink slowly became his second home.... his love for the game would only grow stronger. By the time Rocco entered high school at St. Sebastian’s, he was playing on the varsity hockey team, but balancing hockey with the responsibilities at the family pizza shop became even harder. He was no longer just a player; he was a key contributor to the team, and the stakes were getting higher. But back at the shop, his parents were depending on him more than ever. Countless nights were spent finishing practice and heading straight to the shop for a few more hours of work. “There were days I felt completely drained. I had school, practice, and then work. But this was my destiny.” Rocco said. Despite all the attention he was getting from scouts, Rocco never lost sight of what was important. His family’s pizza shop was always a priority, and he made sure to help out after practice. “It wasn’t always easy, but I wanted to be there for my parents,” Rocco says. “They put so much into the shop, and I wanted to help out whenever I could.” COLLEGE When it came time to decide on college, Rocco decided to stick close to home to help around the shop. Luckily for him, one of the best hockey programs in the country was across the street. With Boston College was just a short drive away from home, and it was the perfect place for him to continue his hockey career. After joining the Eagles hockey program, was where his true talent started to shine through. Between early morning practices, games, schoolwork, and the pizza shop, Rocco was constantly busy. At that point, it was apart of his life. Although it meant giving up some social opportunities and experiences in the process, he didn't regret a thing. While at Boston College, Rocco found his role as a reliable forward. He's never been the flashiest player, but from day one he made sure to focus on the little things. Winning puck battles along the boards, blocking shots, backchecking with consistency, and playing a gritty style. It wasn’t always about scoring goals. For Rocco, it was about contributing to the team in any way he could. After graduating from Boston College, Rocco knew it was time to take the next step in his hockey career, to the VHLM. “It was a hard decision but I knew it was time to go. After so many years helping out at the shop. I had to make this move, for me and for my family.” Rocco mentioned. VHLM While flying high and using his size advantage in the college game, joining the Reapers has come with some adjustments. A raw talent, that needs refinement, but with time it can be visualized. For now, he will be playing in a shutdown role and trying to lay a strong foundation on the 3rd line leading into the playoff push. The Founders Cup chase is more than just about hockey for Rocco, it's proving himself that he deserves to be here to himself, to the kid working in a family pizza shop dreaming of playing professional hockey. It's about joining a high flying team, and enjoying the experience. All of the existing players are what got the Reapers to where it is today, now it's up to everyone to finish the work. "There are higher hopes for the VHL. But for now, my focus is on what's right in front of me. Week by week, day by day." Rocco said in a closing interview statement. FUTURE But deep down, Rocco knows that his ultimate dream lies ahead. As a kid growing up watching Tomas Sogaard, the star Left Wing for the Moscow Menace and Toronto Legion, he always imagined what it would be like to step onto the ice in the VHL. The VHL is the pinnacle of professional hockey, that's where the best are, and that's where the best want to be. When Rocco described his dreams of playing hockey, it was never the VHLM, it was always the VHL.

1. Counter Strike & League of Legends. Both of those games have been in and out of my life for the past ~15 years. 2. 91 3. Probably dark blue / yellow. But more blue. Think Buffalo home jersey but a darker blue kinda like this ------ 1. If you could go anywhere in the world for 1 week right at this very moment, where would you go? 2. What has been your favorite storyline from this season in the VHL or VHLM? 3. What is your favorite sports team, and why?

When Rocco Serrano made the jump to the VHLM and joined the Philadelphia Reapers, his biggest concern was whether he’d disrupt the chemistry of a hot team. The last thing he wanted was to come in and bring down a squad that had been firing on all cylinders. Well, six games into his career, and it’s safe to say that fear hasn’t materialized. In fact, Serrano’s new team is still in fact thriving. As the S98 season heads into its final stretch, with only six games left, Philadelphia sits comfortably atop the Eastern Conference. Over the past six games, the Reapers have gone 4-2, only falling to Houston and Las Vegas. Philadelphia is holding strong, and Serrano is fitting in nicely with the squad. In his first six games in the VHLM, Serrano has already made his presence felt. Serrano has tallied three points, with 18 shots on goal, and has posted a +1 rating. While those numbers may seem modest on the surface, they speak to a player who’s already adapting well to the speed and style of the league. With flashes of talent that made him a standout prospect, it will be important to find his consistency quick as the Reapers head into the playoffs.

Rocco Serrano Left Wing | Boston, USA | 6’3” | 205 lbs Pros Defense: Rocco Serrano's greatest strength is his defensive positioning. When he is on the ice, you know he isn't losing his man, or making a bad neutral zone giveaway. He’s the type of player you can rely on when the game is on the line and you need someone to step up and shut down the opposition. As a young skater, defense is usually the last thing that prospects understand, so it's quite refreshing to see the reverse. Rocco's ability to read the play and stay one step ahead of the attackers makes him a real asset. It's one of Rocco's goals to be a #1 man on the PK. Puck Handling: Rocco’s hands are smooth, and while he's not flashy, his stickhandling is smart. He’s not out there trying to make highlight-reel moves every shift, but he’s got a real ability to protect the puck in tight spaces and transition quickly up the ice. Due to his unique mix of size, puck handling, and speed, Rocco moves through traffic with ease. As a big bodied winger, this sets him amongst the strongest wingers in the class. Skating / Engine: Rocco's skating is solid. With long, smooth, and strong strides, he can pick up serious speed in the transition game. Due to his poise, and ability to chase down the puck. More importantly, Rocco has the kind of motor that doesn’t quit. Whether it’s hustling back on the backcheck or getting low to win puck battles, he plays with a relentless energy that makes him a pain for opposing players. Weakness Passing: While Rocco can move the puck well enough to get out of tight spots and transition strongly up the ice, his passing is still a work in progress. Rocco struggles to make the best first pass out of the neutral zone, and often tries to make a backdoor play when their is no need to. Sometimes this results in a bit of a one-and-done mentality in the offensive end, where he gets it out of danger but doesn't always link up well with the forwards. As his confidence grows and he starts to trust his teammates more, this will likely improve. Shooting: As far as the offensive side goes, Rocco isn’t someone you expect to light the lamp regularly. He's got an extremely hard shot, but lacks the accuracy to put be a 50 goal scorer in the league currently. He's got a uniquely hard slapshot, but his body type serves him better down low. It will depend how the powerplay coach wants to utilize Rocco, but there is potential for him to be a real threat with time. Consistency: Like many young players, Rocco can be inconsistent at times. While his defensive game is pretty steady, he’ll have moments where he looks a little out of sync offensively, whether it’s misjudging a passing opportunity or trying to do too much with the puck. This is to be expected for someone still adjusting to higher levels of play, but it’s something he’ll need to clean up as he gains more experience.

Transaction ID: 41L25891EH211291N Doubles Week - claiming 4/13 5 Uncapped - claiming 4/13 $1M player store cash - claiming 4/13

Only 24 hours ago, Rocco Serrano was working at his family’s pizza shop, spinning pizza dough and spreading out pepperoni slices while playing hockey for Boston College. It wasn't until the Philadelphia Reapers came knocking on his doorstep to take the step up from the college level and leap into the VHLM. A strong, on-the-puck winger with defensive acumen, the Reapers will be gaining a young yet well-positioned asset on the third line to finish their exceptionally strong season. Heading into the playoffs, the extra body will hopefully round out their penalty kill and provide valuable depth to the team. While Serrano excelled in college as a goal scorer, his true talent lies in his defense. He's not the kind of player who waits for the game to come to him—he takes charge on both ends of the ice. With the Reapers’ offensive firepower already clicking, his focus will be on making sure he isn’t a liability. There’s no room for mistakes when you’re trying to make a run for a championship, and Serrano is stepping into a role that demands reliability and consistency. His defensive game is what will make him stand out, as he looks to add depth to the penalty kill and provide crucial support in the defensive zone. The transition from Boston College to the VHLM is a huge leap, but Serrano is no stranger to challenges. Growing up in the shadow of the family pizza shop, he learned the value of hard work and perseverance early on. Whether it was working long shifts or perfecting his game on the ice, Serrano knows what it takes to earn his spot. And now, he’s earned the chance to prove himself with the Reapers as they make their push toward the playoffs.

1. Great entrance into the team, I'm jumping onto a rocket ship. The legend of Alto Red being #2 in scoring right now is wild. I'd love to know his curve and workout routine 2. Our 2 young defenders Mia Miller and Rolf Jakob MacWallace. They already look extremely polished for their age on the backend 3. Don't touch a thing, slot me and Mater into line 3 and keep our best players playing great. I think we can win the cup, our depth will be upgrading fast come playoff time. 4. Kyle Evans, #1 in the league. Having him with Alto Red, I bet they would be 1.3x points 5. I'll have to say 1 VHL cup only because that is so hard to get, lots of players don't get one. Although 3 in a row would be one of the most exciting times that it would be hard to pass that up at the same time 6. Toby Bob, he's held it down the whole time. Legend in net, the goalie you want come playoffs!

Thanks everyone, glad to be back! Been pretty busy, but this place always feels like home