Brandon

@leandrofg went off holy smokes

1. Honestly, with Idaho leaving I didnt expect us to be this dominant. Although I feel like the entire league regressed at the same time, which has benefitted us. Luckily our chemistry has been extremely solid, and everyone has been rolling on all cylinders. 2. It's hard to say, I think MVP might come from a different team. Although if it were anyone it would have to be Papa, he has been lights out all season, by far the best goalie in the league, and stealing one goal games for us when our shot generation against certain teams wasn't the greatest at times (Riga / Helsinki / Seattle). 3. I'm thoroughly impressed with how Sogaard has performed, although I have my linemates to thank for my point production and incoming Rookie of the Year candidate. Hopefully I can pull through for the award! 4. I think Riga will win, they have such solid firepower up front and have been the more consistent team throughout the entire season. 5. Dawn dish soap is your best friend, I'd say worst for me is actually a burn on my clothes from ironing, which is impossible to take out. In that case, I throw out the clothes unfortunately. 6. Enjoying my trip through Europe so far! Although I'm only half way and extremely exhausted. 4-5 hours of sleep per night, hot weather, and 12km average walking distance for 10 days straight takes a toll on you. Excited for the next 3 cities, but also will enjoy being a vegetable when I get home.

No worries at all, I’m more than thankful and totally understand! I’ll be in Lisbon until Monday, so not much time. I’m sure I’ll be back at some point since it’s so beautiful here, and if you ever find yourself in Vancouver let me know!

I’ve surfed before, and luckily it’s A LOT more tame right now in the summer. I’m not looking to die with 100 foot waves that’s for sure. It all depends on finding a spot that caters to the skill level you’re looking for. Especially as you head up or down the coast from the main spot your thinking about!

1. Your current GM steps down. Who would you like as their replacement? - me! I’d love to be a GM of Moscow or New York, both teams have my loyalty from experience. Although I’d never want Spartan to step down, he feels like the soul of Moscow, and has cultivated an amazing locker room culture that I’m extremely fortunate to be apart of. 2. What's your useless talent? - a stupid amount of flexibility in my shoulders, ankles, and hands 3. You can make any one bad-for-you food healthy with absolutely no changes to taste. What do you choose? - in-n-out burgers, or burgers in general. 1. As we inch closer to the playoffs, who do you think will end up winning the continental cup this season? Was it who you predicted? 2. What is or was your favourite subject in school, and why? 3. Do you have any near-death experiences?

I’m writing this on my phone, sitting in a van with a smile on my face, heading to Nazaré, Portugal to go surfing at the moment, then I’m off to Lisbon. It’s funny, being on vacation travelling through Europe, one would think that I’m not thinking about the VHL. Instead, this travelling experience has given me an even greater appreciation for what this league, and more importantly, this community, has to offer. And to say that, as someone who came back to the league precisely because of my unbelievable experience from S5 - S25, means a lot. It’s wild the connections and relationships you can make through a simple simulation league on the internet. I try to explain it to friends, but truthfully, it’s hard to put into words. I have to give a billion thanks to @leandrofg. Even though we weren’t able to meet up, he provided me with a tremendous amount of advice for my stay in Porto. Not gonna lie, I miss being in the same lockerroom as that legend, Calgary is unbelievably lucky, he is someone who you can build your franchise around, not only for his player, but more importantly for Leandro himself. Thanks to him, I was able to experience the culture of Porto through and through. Try the authentic cuisines that I wouldn’t have otherwise known to try, and visit some breathtaking places. I’ve visited 16 countries, and travelled to a good amount of cities inside each of those countries, and Porto, Portugal is easily in my top 3 cities in the world that I’ve visited. I’ll definitely be back in the next 5 years, no question.

Can we just give this guy TPE until S86

Damn, that's crazy to think. I first joined near the end of 2007 . Shoutout to all of the people like you Bek who have stuck around the entire time and made this league what it is today. Happy 15th Birthday VHL!

@v.2 Wanted to do an Avangard signature to celebrate the VHL's 15th birthday, as many people probably don't remember that HC Davos team was actually Amstel Tijgers > Avangard Omsk > Avangard Havoc > HC Davos Dynamo. It didn't take long in the rename process until the league realized that Avangard wasn't actually the location, Omsk was the location. Thus Davos was born. Was looking through the forum and found this insane jersey swap done by v2, and had to turn that into a signature, and tribute it to Josh Vestiquan.

Uncapped claim 5/5

Game 279, it was Moscow vs DC Dragons, two of the top teams in the league versing each other, but truthfully eyes were on two players in particular. Duncan Idaho @OrbitingDeath and Henri le Massif @Garsh were both neck and neck battling for one of the most grueling and physically demanding awards up for grabs, the Scott Boulet trophy. Both playing with an edge, it was only a matter of time before the ticking time bomb would go off. I'm not sure the fans knew when waking up that morning that that they would be witnessing a game of a life time. 2 minutes into the second period, while Duncan Idaho was crossing into the Moscow blueline and cutting across the ice, Henri le Massif went for a massive run on Idaho, with Idaho barely dodging it and losing the puck in the process. Idaho took exception and immediately dropped the gloves. Both players each landed a few good punches, but to the naked it eye it was pretty obviously a tie. You could tell in the air there was unfinished business, as the referee's broke up the fight fairly quickly. However, it was not more than 15 minutes later, when Duncan Idaho, out for revenge, went after le Massif behind the play, surprising le Massif and starting an absolute war of a fight. It would end with Idaho landing the final blow, skating away smiling while being handed a game misconduct. le Massif got to finish out the game, however it was apparent that the Menace couldn't keep up with the Dragons that night, ultimately losing 5-1 in an all-around team victory for DC, with 6 players having a multi-point game. After all said and done, 22 penalty minutes and a game misconduct was assessed to Duncan Idaho, and 16 minutes of penalties was given to Henri le Massif. It was a barn burner, that's for sure.

Bahaha I’m dead, sorry @Moon

1. I think it will continue, our defense is fantastic, and Papa is in-form. We have to keep up the high shot generation that we've been getting as well. 2. I think realistically it will be DC. Their star power can't be overlooked, and they've proven to be a tough matchup at times for us. 3. @moonman93 Always a positive force in the community, doing good all around. Super active, and constantly doing his best to help the league grow or come up with interesting ideas to make the league more enjoyable for everyone. Moon For President! 4. That would be great if it is possible. Whatever suits Moscow best. All of my players stuck on 1 team until their last'ish season, in which the GM traded me to get assets on my retiring player. 5. I'm surprised I'm so close to a point-per-game level, but that really comes down to my linemates and the opportunity I'm given I feel. I'm also extremely surprised that my player somehow only has 4 PIM half way through the season. No idea how the RNG gods are keeping me out of the penalty box, but I'll take it. More ice-time, and we aren't on the Penalty Kill as much! 6. In-N-Out for me all the way, wish it was in my area (although I don't because I'd be so much more unhealthy). Whenever I get the chance to get it on a trip to California, I'm there. Although I haven't tried Whataburger in Texas, which I've heard is a great challenger to In-N-Out.

I volunteer as tribute, and Apply. I can already see the manage players section of the portal as the player store updater, and it's not fun to watch the update queue number rise, especially early in the week. Might as well give me permissions to start accepting PT claims You see that screen on the right that is empty? It needs a new home.

Claim 4/5

Actual photo of Henri le Massif after game a home game in Moscow After one-third of the VHL season passing us by, the Moscow Menace seem to still be one of the strongest teams in the league. Four seasons at the top of the EU conference and losing their franchise best player in Duncan Idaho still hasn't slowed them down. 1st in Goal Differential, 1st in Goals For, 1st in Goals Against, and 2nd in Points. When looking at team scoring, it's easy to see why. With 6 players above a point per game, Moscow Menace is seeing unbelievable production from not only it's top players, but in depth players as well. There are starting to be rumors swirling around the league, questioning how it's possible that a team can be a contender for five seasons. Russia has always been a spot where sports-enhancement drugs are prevalent, so there has to be the question asked, is Moscow partaking in the Russian gas? And if so, who is the supplier? The first name that comes to mind is Henri le Massif. With the 2nd most hits in the league, reporters in the post-game were calling his physique one of a greek god, showing zero sign of wear.

1. I think we're built the right way. Spartan understands how to build a team, understands the meta, as well as how to set up strategy. Franchise #1 goalie, arguably the top defense in the league, and 2 extremely strong options at center. When your weakness is your wing depth, it's a lot easier to cover up and not be exposed. A really weak center can sometimes destroy line production in my opinion on STHS. 2. I'd say a mix of both, but I'm not one to argue. Great questions so far, it's definitely not easy to come up with on the spot. 3. Moscow Menace, DC Dragons, and Toronto Legion were my top 3 teams I was looking to get drafted by just in terms of the assets that they have. Also, DC has a ton of original members when I used to be active, which is super cool (Arce, v2, Jardy) 4. In general I could do without being a GM, and cruising through the league relaxing and enjoying my player. Although I have to say, I have a huge itch to be the GM of NYA at some point and take my crack at turning around the franchise. That franchise feel like my original team. I was the AGM and involved in moving the team from Hamilton to New York in Season 8, we were the laughing stock of the league, people would refuse to sign with us, and we were called the short bus, it was bad. I became the GM in season 10, nuked the team for an insane amount of draft picks, as well as tons of picks 2 years in the future on discount, built it from the ground up. Won Continental Cup in S13, and Victory Cup in S14. Truly, I think teams are built through the draft, and people undervalue future picks years 2 seasons out by too much. All GMs should know that draft picks are appreciating assets by the sim, and players are depreciating assets by the sim. 5. Create the first ever Stanley Cup Snowboard Stunt Movie in a terrain park, doing backflips while holding the Stanley Cup over my head. Would look great on video in the 1 out of 32 attempts of actually landing and not dying. 6. NBA Interviews with JJ Reddick. Interviews / Podcasts are so much better when the interviewer also plays the exact same sport at the highest level too. There is a mutual respect, and you can relate about your entire life. The stories and conversations that come out of the JJ Reddick podcast, you wouldn't hear with a regular podcast host.

Uncapped TPE Package 4/5 Claim

Sorry that GMing has turned from enjoyable and fun to such a negative experience. I truly hope you don't actually leave the league. We love you cow, and I still need my gambling buddy to hype up my degen bets @MexicanCow123

slow down speedracer

well that escalated quickly

Claim: Uncapped TPE Package (3/5)