Dangles13

A lot can change in a year. You don't think about it in the moment; you can be having a real shitty day or it can feel like the best day of your life. A year later and those emotions have faded and you are in a much different place with a different mindset. It can be so hard to just enjoy the moment with the knowledge in the back of your mind. Imagine if you will, a young Swedish hockey player just trying to break into the professional hockey racket. Imagine this young player so full of promise and potential just falling off the face of the planet only months into his career. The young pivot had what could only be classified as a disastrous rookie season split between the Yukon Rush and the Saskatoon Wild. 36 points in 73 games in and of itself is not the end of the world; being -41 in those same 73 games is worse. Only one player was worse off in that stat at -46 but Mr. Cote piled up 63 points as a defence man on a Las Vegas team that did not feature any positive players. Let it be known that the Wild featured the player with the highest plus minus in the entire league, Kriztof Mueller was an impressive +47. Many new age hockey fanatics have found that the plus/minus statistic is archaic and has no place in hockey but the simple truth is that when you are compared to teammates it paints a pretty clear picture. Otto Axelsson did not come prepared to play professional hockey. The young centre was lacking in something and it showed up not just on the ice but also during practice and team meetings. Fans are rabid and have no problem labelling young players as busts, they have no problem looking at a skinny teenager and calling him pathetic or a disgrace. If you aren't performing then you aren't seen as a human but rather a defective cog in the machine that needs to be jettisoned. Professional athletes are treated less like humans and more like a commodity; they are bid on, they are traded for and they are collected and hoarded like a prized stamp collection. What most don't see is the toll that can take on a person's mental health. Think about your own job. When you first started you were nervous, not sure if you could do it and not sure if you would fit in. Would you make it past probation? Would your boss be a dick or would he be good? How would your co-workers treat you? Now imagine being 17 and being watched by millions of people around the globe. Think you might feel a little more stressed out? Some might not even make it through the first day if they had people watching their every move. Axelsson felt this pressure and then some. Everything was new to him, he moved halfway across the world and left his family and friends behind. Otto bet on himself to make the show and that takes courage, unfortunately it didn't go the way he had hoped. Otto felt like a failure and he felt himself fall into a depression. A stigma exists where mental health is concerned. People are looked down upon as weak or flawed. Worse yet, people can see it as a choice. I don't know who would choose to feel that way but I can assure you that mental illness is not a choice. Axelsson did not seek help because he felt that he was a disgrace and like he was less of a person because of the thoughts going through his head. Thus began Otto's year long sojourn away from hockey. The GM of the WIld did not even know the young man was gone from the team until the next season rolled around. Nobody heard from him, he simply vanished. Axelsson was lost and needed to find himself and he left North America. Athletic Phonetic caught up with Otto and he gave us a very candid interview and he allowed us the chance to publish it which speaks volumes on his character. Athletic Phonetic: Thank you for sitting down with us Axelsson, this must be tough for you. Are there any topics you are uncomfortable talking about? Otto Axelsson: A few months ago I would have said yes but now I am strong. I was taught how to manage myself better and am good. AP: Why don't you give us a quick rundown on what you did this past year? OA: Uh.. well after the season ended I was broken and I needed to get out of the spotlight. I couldn't put myself together while dealing with everything that a professional athlete goes through. You don't get a lot of alone time and that makes it tough to sort through your shit. I bolted as soon as I could and travelled around the country side in Western Europe and talked to a few counsellors. I learned that many people go through what I was going through and they gave me tools to cope with it. AP: So was it the pressure of hockey or life that got to you? OA: Both. Not having my family and friends nearby really hurt me. Not having support affects everyone and that is one of the tools my therapists gave me. Always surround yourself with good people who are there for you so you can deal with the rigours of life. AP: Ok that sounds great. Are you back? Is Axelsson a player that people should take note of? OA: 110% man! I was thinking of staying back home and trying to catch on to a team in the SHL but I thought I owed it to myself to give this one more chance. AP: Are you excited about being traded to Seattle? OA: Absolutely! @Banackock, the gm of the Bears reached out to me and made me feel great. He made sure I was doing well and told me not to feel too pressured and that he would have my back with my issues. I think Seattle is going to feel like a family and the VHL better watch out for me! It is always encouraging to see a comeback story like Axelsson's. We hope that he lives up to his potential as an offensive dynamo but we are just glad he is healthy. You can bet those of us at Athletic Phonetic will be watching the young Swede's progress closely. Word Count: 1094 Claimable for weeks: Feb 12th to 18th Feb 19th to 25th

In if there is still time.

Otto Axelsson Rookie Report Name: Otto Axelsson Height: 6'1" Weight: 205 Age: 19 Birth place: Falkenberg, Sweden Position: Center Otto Axelsson. The name sounds cool but it likely doesn't ring a bell for you, hey? I don't think we can really fault you there as most don't really know a whole lot about him. For the longest period of time, he wasn't known even on the scouting reports for VHL GM's and for some time was kept hidden away in Sweden, where he played for the Falkenberg Falcons. For Otto Axelsson, making the jump from the Falcons to the Victory Hockey League's minor system was pretty huge considering his recent work ethic and his player agencies reputation. While there is zero sort of negativity surrounding his player agent and he isn't disliked in the VHL world, he simply doesn't have the work ethic to help produce strong quality, reliable hockey players. The last player he represented was Asher Donovan, who ended up hanging up his skates long before his career should have been over and that was due to the fact that he wasn't made for a professional league like that. Did he have potential to play in the league and be a good player? Yes. At the start, every player holds that form - however, as time went on, his progression didn't. What we were seeing from him we are now somewhat seeing from Otto Axelsson and this could be alarming for some fans around the league, the Bears organization and fanbase and obviously, himself. Don't be alarmed though folks as he's seemingly hit some sort of stride and is now putting in the work needed to be a solid, blue chip prospect anyway. Is he a far ways away from even being considered good? Yep. But he's putting in the work and hopefully it's starting to be noticed throughout the league. Seattle GM, Blake Campbell, was quoted as saying "I'm happy to be bringing in Axelsson. We know he will be loyal to the organization and that there is upside with this specific player. Of course it's a gamble, but it's low risk for potential high reward and it's something we're willing to risk". Now, for the Bears, they simply need to sit back, wait and see what unfolds in front of them. However, while they and others around the league may know a bit about him now, we can imagine you still know very little. So, let's take a trip down Otto Axelsson's past. Younger Years He started hockey at the age of 5 and loved it the very moment he put skates on and had the stick in his hands. While he was good at the sport, he wasn't considered amazing and it wasn't until later on that people started thinking that maybe he was something special or could potentially play it as a career choice and do it for a living. Growing up, skating wasn't his strong suit and while he did put in some minor work, he wasn't going crazy like a lot of good quality players had done before him. He used the ability he had to play the game and he was fine and content with that level of hockey. Throughout his younger years, he played for the Falkenberg Silvertips and while not the best player, was always somewhere in the top 5 on the team. Minor League stats: 117 games - 23 goals, 69 assists - 92 points SEL After sometime in the minor league system, he made the jump higher - put out a solid year and eventually caught the eyes of the Falkenberg Falcon's of the Swedish Elite League. For him this was a pretty big deal because he always felt as if he was normal and while it was a dream of his to go professional, he never really was truly expecting to do such. Entering into the Falcon's roster, he played 2 years with the team and while the first year was rather disappointing, he made some noise in the 2nd year which managed to turn some heads and grab the attention from North American teams and leagues. One, of course, being the VHL/VHLM. During his first season, he managed to only get 4 goals, 11 assists for 15 points in 36 games and to say the least, no one was expecting anything great from him. However, during the second year he found a way to up those numbers. Through the 36 games season, he largely scaled up those totals to 16 goals, 21 assists for 37 points - a hell of a lot better than before. VHLM + VHL He was drafted into the VHLM and despite showing somewhat promise at the start and in his final year of the SEL. He fell of the maps and because of this, was totally excluded from any roster for S58. He has since came back a little bit, mentioned wishing to play big and come back hard and has since had his rights and shit traded to the Seattle Bears, where surprisingly, he'll be making the jump to the big leagues this season. All eyes are on him to see if he can live up to the pressure. PROS 1. He has a good support system in Seattle. While management has been known to largely help their players in Seattle, the organization is also full of knowledgable, experienced members who are always willing to lend a hand. Lots of them are represented by strong agencies, so this is a large benefit for Otto Axelsson. 2. Loyalty is key for this agency. They had shown it before with Donaovan, who played some time with Seattle prior and showed exceptional loyalty and such with the organization. With everything going on and the amount of work Seattle is currently putting into Axelsson, we can expect a similar outcome this time around. 3. He's a versatile player, or has the potential to be. Or maybe he'll need to be. Seattle has their centres, but at the end of the day it doesn't hurt to have that extra youth coming up who can one day take over for the others as they age. Right now though, we largely expect Seattle to push him into the wings as he lands the short straw and is the weakest link in the Centre position. NO'S 1. His work ethic is almost zero up until recently. This is an issue for himself and for Seattle, however, a flame seems to be lit under his ass right now. All eyes are on him, as stated before, to what is going to happen. One must remain cautious when dealing with players like this, but we have a good feeling that a depth player is something that is almost a guarantee for him now. 2. Low stats = Shit stuff happening. Right now, he's not developed at all but Seattle is calling him up to the big leagues because they are in dire need of filling position spots but have no cap to do so. They could have elected to have a higher player, but that would have cut into their depth. For Axelsson, he has lower stats and this won't be a great thing for him heading into the season. Look for a lower statistical season offensively. 3. Low scoring, no goals? It's a NO, or a weaknesses, but more so for him than Seattle. Axelsson is capable of making things happen this season too, despite what was said above. His pass first mentality could help make things happen this season and it's mostly for the fact that a majority of players throughout the leagues and dating back prefer to shoot first and score as opposed to gain the helpers. However, it's a weakness either way looking at his player page. +8 for Axelsson

Otto Axelsson Bio - We hail from Sweden. Ah, alas, another Swede entering into the great VHL community. It seems as though the Swede's which cross path with the Victory Hockey League come off as a special breed. While they tend to be naturally gifted hockey players with the smoothest of hands and skating, they also tend to be really incredible people. For Otto Axelsson, he honestly could follow this stereotype any greater than he already has. For him, he was born in Falkenberg, Sweden, the beautiful city which is located on the mouth of the Atran river. What this meant for people who resided in or around the city was that there was ample amount of opportunity - whether you chose to be a farmer and work the land, a fisherman and work the river or almost anything else your heart desired in Falkenberg. For Otto's parents, both of them were fortunate enough to come from fishing families, and when marrying one another, they managed to collect a large sum from both sides of their families to start up their own fishing business. While this sum of money wasn't huge - and they did already have a significant amount saved up, it helped them get their name out, buy a few boats and hire a loyal, reliable crew. They worked the waters, catching fish, providing food for the city and an economy to the city and country of Sweden. Typically at years end, they made a good enough chunk of change to live more than comfortably and were able to give their kids and family the love which they had always desired to. Growing up for young Axelsson maybe wasn't always easy, but it wasn't truly that difficult either. He lived the normal life of any kid really around the world - playing, laughing, going to school and getting into all the trouble that all little boys tend to get into from time to time. The only difference was that he was a fisherman's child and not just a fisherman's, but one whom owned a company. This meant, along with being a child and living his childhood how he should, he got to spend some days and weekends out on the boat, with his parents and other crew workers, working the sea and learning all about determination and how hard work pays off. Whether it was the allowance he earned by helping out - which let him buy whatever he chose to do, or buy eating the fish he caught that day that was now sitting on the supper table - his parents made sure to teach each of the children at a young age what responsibility was and that if you work hard, it may seem hard, but life becomes easy. Now that we've brought her up a couple times and you're likely left wondering, aside from the two parents, he also had a younger side whose name was Elsa. Without going into it too creepily, because of course - she's his sister, but she had a beauty like no other. Your typical blue eyed, blonde hair Swede girl that would turn the heads of any man walking by. Yet, despite the looks and stereotype that often goes along with them, she could probably kick your ass and was more often than not found out helping her parents on the boats too. For them, they each attended the same school and were only a single year apart in age. They attended one of the many schools there and just like their parents taught them about life, they instilled the idea into their schooling as well. The harder you work, the more opportunity that will come your way. The harder you work now, they better you will be in the future and of course, despite it being a family thing, none of them planned to head off into their futures on a fishing boat. Elsa wished to be a nurse, or a doctor, or at the age 7 a princess with pink hair and more gems and diamonds than you could count. For Otto, he wanted to be a hockey player and how could you not? Growing up in a country with the likes of the Sedin brothers (lol), Forsberg, Sundin and so on, the list goes on for a child to idolize and wish to become a legendary hockey player playing in one of the bigger leagues. However, unlike these guys, his eyes were set on the Victory Hockey League. While the NHL was attractive, he really liked the fact that the VHL explored outside of the North American continent and at one point was very interested in playing for the Stockholm Vikings. As they aged and school and their lived continued, they each pushed one another to pursue their goals. Sooner than later, they were both entering into high school, both donors students and working towards their dreams. On the outside of things, Elsa was working on extra programs to further her studies and better her chances at getting into one of the stronger schools. For Otto, he was trying his best to collect any and every scholarship and university scouts eyes while he played for the Falkenberg Falcons. During his high school years (3), he played in all of the 3 seasons which were 24 games each as a fiery winger. Each year he highly impressed his teammates, friends, family and other schools teams. He even caught the eye of a few minor league teams throughout Sweden who, of course, were a little higher than his current high school team. In the 72 games, he had 33 goals, 49 assists, which was good for 82 points. He was team captain for 2 of those seasons. As soon as you could say blink, and/or cheese to the camera on both of their special days, they were graduated and heading off to school. They made it a plan, they've stuck together this far, they'll continue to do so as they both headed off to the University of Stockholm - with Elsa chasing a doctorate program for medicine and psychology and her brother in the hockey program with business management on the side. 2 years later though and plans change. Otto got a phone call from VHLM scouts saying they want him to come and have the chance to show them what he had. Of course this being his dream, he said good bye to his family, boarded a plane and is now planning for the Seattle Bears in the VHL (well, he was drafted into the league and has yet to play, but that's a story for another time). His sister is still furthering her education and doing extremely well at it, and his parents have made enough money to buy out the house and save enough that they plan to retire in the next year so they can enjoy their family, take vacations and watch young Otto play in the VHL. +10 for Otto Axelsson

+2 Otto Axelsson

Lol I am on Seattle teams in 3 separate hockey leagues.

I'm confused.

+2 Otto Axelsson

Otto Axelsson Points Faceoff Wins

When I grow up I want to be Kriztof Mueller.

Too little to late

Playing less than half the game now but I get to experience winning!

It was late Tuesday evening and I was on my way home from the rink after a gruelling practice. Sitting at a red light in my truck and flipping through the stations looking for something that passes as music. Something makes me stop on a station where two guys are arguing about a hockey player. "He just doesn't have the passion to make it in North America. He's too thin and weak and by this time next year he will be back in Sweden" . says the first guy. The second man fires back "he has vision and while he might be thin now he has the frame to put on muscle, he's still a kid for god's sake". Instincts tell me this is about me again and my anger starts to rise, not a good combo when I'm driving but I stupidly decide to listen to these assholes tear me to shreds. The two men go on for ten minutes and they even manage to make some good points before the question gets asked. "Should the Rush trade him"? I quickly turn the radio off as I have had enough of these trade rumours. I am in North America to play hockey, I don't care what city it is. I talked to my manager before and he told me that he was going to shop me only to come back and say that I was going to stay. I was young and could be a part of the rebuild. I get home and pass out thanks to the bag skate that coach had us do; I would have been up all night pissed off at the world otherwise. The next day I sleep in a bit because it's our day off and we are supposed to unwind. I clean my house and do some shopping and run some errands; it feels good to be able to do my own shit once in a while when I'm home. I decide I will treat myself to a nice home cooked dinner and start whipping up some hash and crack a bottle of red. I turn on the television for background noise and find a game between Saskatoon and Las Vegas. I believe it is never a bad thing to watch your opponents play and I love hockey. I am halfway through washing my dishes when I hear something that sets my heart racing "Yukon and Saskatoon have a deal in place that will send Axelsson and McDragon over for picks". I panic and frantically search for my phone and look for missed messages; I have no missed calls and only a text from my mother. I call my manager and it goes right to voicemail so I hang up and try reaching McDragon. After a few rings he answers "Dude where the fuck are you? Our plane leaves in an hour and you need to get your ass to the airport". I race to the bedroom to grab my emergency travel bag and answer him "Uhh.. nobody fucking told me we got traded, I just saw it on the tv... fuck fuck fuck. I am on my way, don't let them leave". I speed across town to get to the airport and I hope like hell that I didn't cause accidents. I get on the plane and Dragon is sitting there with a big grin on his face. "You must have flown here Otto. You made it in 10 minutes, I am impressed" I sit down and I am noticeably winded "How can that dick not call me to tell me he is trading me? I spoke to him last week and he said I was staying. Never mind, I don't give a shit. Let's just get to Saskatoon and play hockey".

Ah yes, always a flip side.

Yukon Ottawa Oslo

3-1

I guess this is goodbye!

I expect more from you sir

Las Vegas Aces Oslo Storm Yukon Rush

Vegas 6-1

The first fourteen games of the season have been played. The Rush have managed to win a very impressive three of those while managing a minus twenty-two goal differential. You can't have an epic Cinderella story if you are a top team and this really speaks to the ability and foresight of general manager. @TheLastOlympian07 The struggles of the season run parallel to the struggles of rookie first line centre, Otto Axelsson. The young Swede is logging big minutes; almost 29 minutes a game puts Axelsson twelfth overall in the league and fifth among forwards. Canmore, Ball, Klopfenstein and Morozov are all scoring at over a point per game rate unlike shitty Axelsson who has only ten points in his fourteen contests. Yukon needs more out of the pivot if they hope to have any success this season. Rumours are swirling that Shawn Muller has already demanded that coaches reduce Otto's minutes and role with the team until he learns how to play proper hockey. Earlier in the season there were rumours that Axelsson was being shopped to other teams as he didn't figure into the teams long term plans. Where there is smoke there is fire, if this rocky relationship doesn't get patched up quick then it is possible we could see Axelsson packing his bags. Axelsson isn't the only player who has a strained relationship with the current management team. Rookie defender Dragon McDragon @JardyB10 was overheard calling Muller a buffoon and saying he wouldn't be surprised if players started demanding trades. The Rush are young and rebuilding and can ill afford to mismanage their assets. A fire-sale would have to see plenty of young players or picks coming back; personally I would target strong locker room leaders to calm the young players. Otto is minus eleven in his games and perhaps a reduction in minutes would give him more opportunity to figure out his game. It is not uncommon for young players to struggle on the defensive side of the puck and being thrust into a prominent role likely doesn't help with that development curve. Axelsson needs to focus on many faucets if he wants to make a name for himself in the VHL. Otto has a very weak shot and this causes him to often ignore it and force bad passes; 25 shots is less than all top four defence-men on the team. Axelsson does have one talent that appears to be pro-ready. Sporting a 50.88% in the face off dot has Otto at fifth in the league and giving his team the puck more often than not off of draws. As the Swedish skater packs on muscle and learns better techniques this number should only climb. Face-off specialists always find jobs in hockey, whether on the power play or penalty kill they find ways to contribute to their teams success. Can the Rush turn the season around? Will Shawn Muller run the team into the ground? How many rookies will jump ship if given the chance? Is their a leader on the roster who can help bring the team together? I guess we will find out as the days turn into weeks.

We should have a lockout tbh.

Nope. League is shut down.

I like winning stuff.

45 faceoffs taken? I'm going to arms the size of oak trees after this season.