HellBillyXIII

REVIEW Nice rags to riches story, congrats on #6 overall! Well put together bio, made for an interesting read.

REVIEW Nice pedigree! Imagine all that travel and playing around the world would produce a well rounded player and person. Great bio, well formatted, thought out, and good pics.

REVIEW Good Bio. Was layed out more like a rookie profile. A guy that big that could skate this well is a thing to stop! Like the pics, its obvious you spent some time on this.

REVIEW Decent read. Paint a good picture as to how and why LaFlamme got here. Formatting is not the best, It looks rushed, but a fun story to read none the less.

Thanks! Looks like you have a center that will be up in that draft too, eh?

*This is part one of a three part weekly series A New Day Has Begun It is 5:30 AM. I was supposed to be here at 6:30 but Billy Pilgrim’s father called me this morning to let me know his son was getting an early start to the the day. It is a cold, crisp New York morning and I am sipping a coffee in a barn on the Pilgrim family farm. There are a few occupants, four horses and about a dozen goats, and one of the most rudimentary gyms I have ever seen cobbled together. Visions of Rocky Balboa training for his fight against Ivan Drago come to mind. Before I can slip too deep into the fond memories of one of my favorite movies the barn door opens and in walks Billy Pilgrim. He reaches out to me with his bear paw sized hand and grabs my own. I nearly collapse in pain from his grip. “Good morning!” he exclaims. “I just finished breakfast!” he says, as he messily eats what looks like a mutant sized turkey leg. Billy expains to me that during the off season, due to his intense training regimen, he has to eat constantly to avoid losing weight. “Six thousand five hundred calories a day! Sometimes at night if I have been too busy lifting or skating or whatever I have to eat a quart of ice cream. It sounds great, but it’s not.” Sixty five hundred calories a day, two hundred twenty five pounds, and not an ounce of fat on him. It’s hard to argue with results. “I have sparring at ten” Pilgrim states “time to get started.” And with that I was no longer present. It was just Billy Pilgrim and his ambition. Headphones in, Billy picks up one of the largest medicine balls I have ever seen. He plants his shins under black leather covered leg holsters and leans his body back onto the bench at a forty five degree decline. He starts immediately, holding the ball to his chest and doing standard sit ups. After a few sets, seperated by less than ten seconds each, he repeats the process but includes a twist in both directions at the end. Pilgrim again does a handful of sets of these and then pauses for less than a minute. Next he raises his shoulders about ninety degrees off the bench and strikes a hold, face turning red, dripping sweat in the freezing barn. Billy sizing up the tremendous lift he is about to put up As I watch Billy load weights onto the long bar placed on his squat rack it is hard to not notice how limber the big man looks. He is very lean and svelte for someone his size. He does cardio several times a week, and has more longevity than most men his size as well. He has gone through several sets with small amounts of weight, adding more every set, and now has placed an extremely intimidating amount of iron plates on the bar. Nearly five hundred pounds. The kid is eighteen years old. Pilgrim approaches the bar giving off a thousand yard stare. He has a look in his eyes I can best describe as absent. It is almost like he has let some outside force take control. What I am watching is a man who is reaching within amd dragging out something that very few possess. The super athletes, the virtuosos, the tech wizards, using a resolve we do not possess, summon a will like we will never know, and make themselves accomplish things a very select few ever could. Greatness is the outcome of the culmination of this frenzy, and I am in the thick of it. With one confident nod Billy stoops under the bar, places it on his shoulders, and with a snarl lifts it up off the rack, and he makes it look easy. Word count - 654 Claimed- week ending 2/18

New, but am very much capable of performing the task should it be explained to me exactly what youre looking for.

Breaking News! Billy Pilgrim has fired his agent, effective immediately, for failing to file his paperwork to declare for the season 59 VHL draft. “I am extremely dissapointed, I trusted him.” Pilgrim dejectedly stated.

My goals are to learn the game and hopefully enchance his skills enough to make an impact in the league. Very excited! Looking forward to getting on a team and seeing how it all works, and being with some vets who I can watch and learn from. You can expect a teamate who always has your back, and is willing to leave it all on the ice and in the gym, every day. Pregame routine is simple, music and making sure i eat/hydrate and stretch properly.

Veran, Going forward what aspect of your game will you be working the most to improve on?

The Season 59 VHL draft has come and gone, and Billy Pilgrim, the eighteen year old American defenseman, has found himself without a team. “I thought I would wind up somewhere” Pilgrim stated when asked about the snub “But there is not much you can do about it now.” Getting that call on draft day was a long shot for the young prospect, but that doesn’t mean being passed over is any easier. “I thought I had done enough to prove myself, I was hoping someone would take a flier on me, give me the chance.” When asked why he felt he was not drafted Billy acknowledged he has a lot of room for improvement “I know I have a lot to work, need to improve every aspect of my game to compete In this league at the level I want to.” “This has really humbled me in a way, I gladly accept the challenge of proving myself to be worthy of a spot on a VHL in the upcoming months. I am so motivated, and I will be working harder than ever.” Pilgrim told reporters outside of his training facility. Billy also has some words of warning for VHL gm’s. “One team will draft me eventually, and I will make every other team in the league regret that it was not them.” word count - 223 claimed week ending 2/18

Count me in

Pictured above: Billys chilhood home Humble Beginnings Although he was born in the scenic countryside of rural Rochester, New York, Billy Pilgrims’ roots were planted firmly in the deep south. For as far back as anyone can track the Pilgrim family inhabited unknown parts of the Appalachian Mountains. For that same amount of time the Pilgrim clan were known to be some of the rowdiest, and most talented, moonshiners east of the Mississippi. Listless and unmotivated, no doubt due to sitting on the remainder of his families prohibition era fortune, Billys father, William Pilgrim II, often found himself in trouble with the law. Despite this he captured the heart of Lucille, a radish farmers daughter and Billys eventual mother, and they married at the ripe old age of fourteen. Things were always tumultuous, as William often went deep into the hooch, but one rainy night things went all wrong for the Pilgrim family. A Federal Marshall, acting on an anonymous tip, encroached on Williams property and engaged with him in a gunfight. Ultimately William was left unharmed, but the Marshall was not so lucky. Facing charges of murdering a federal agent William gathered his wife and belongings and escaped to Rochester, New York. Once in New York William swore off the hooch for good, and set about to right his life. He used his fortune to invest in several businesses and soon after fathered his 1st, and only, child. He had a son named Billy Pilgrim. Billy was a large baby, and from a very young age put on abnormal showings of strength for a child his age and size. When Billy was a toddler William would often sit in front of the TV in the living room, Billy in his lap, and watch the New York Rangers play. The sounds of bone crunching hits and crowds cheering seemed to sooth Billy, and William came to love the game of hockey. As soon as he was the required age of four Billy was signed up at the local hockey rink to play in the youth league. It was evident immediately that Billy was going to be a very special player. A Star In the Making As soon as Billy stepped onto the ice it was clear he was far superior to his peers. Billy could skate better, handle the puck better, and understood the game better than the other children. He immediately took Makingto playing defense, and found great pride in thwarting his opponents best efforts. At the age of six Billy was recruited to play for his first travel team, the Rochester Red Wings, where he would be playing with kids nine and ten years old. Despite Lucille’s initial objections Billy was allowed to join the team, and he excelled right away. Billy played his way all across the North East with the Red Wings, dominating his much older opponents all along the way, until he was thirteen years old. At that time Billy was extended an official invitation to try out for The Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. It was widely expected by all that Billy would find his way into the major juniors sooner rather than later, but nobody expected him to be given an opportunity to try out at just thirteen. It was so unlikely that amongst league circles it was generally thought that Windsor simply extended the invite to the promising prospect to get him familiar with the coaching staff and city to make the team an easier sell during the recruiting process in the future. It came as a great surprise to nearly everyone, perhaps even Billy, when the Spitfires formally offered a roster spot to the thirteen year old defenseman. To the Juniors Billys first season started out quiet. He rarely saw the ice, mostly when the game was already decided, and averaged just over four minutes a game. Over the last third of the season, however, Billy saw his playing time increase to over eleven minutes a game and was able to become a solid contributor. Billy finished the season with four assists and a plus/minus rating of minus one, which placed him squarely in the middle of his team. The Spitfires failed to make the playoffs, but improved vastly on the previous seasons effort. Coming into his second season an inch taller and nearly fifteen pounds heavier Pilgrim was catching up to the rest of his league mates physically, and it showed. He established himself as an aggressive force of sorts, even playing his way onto the second string penalty kill squad. For the second year in a row he played all sixty eight games, and greatly improved in all aspects of his game. Billy averaged about fifteen minutes per game and tallied two goals and eleven assists. Sometimes skating on the second pairing of defenseman, Billy played a significant role in improving Windsors record for the second straight year, getting them just one seeding shy of making the playoffs. The Ascension It was between his second and third seasons with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL that Billy underwent a rigorous weight training strength program, paired with and insanely strict diet, and completely changed the trajectory of his career. He showed up to preseason check ins weighing one hundred ninety five pounds at six feet tall. He looked the part of a grown man, and not a fifteen year old child. Billy earned a top spot on the Spitfires defense, averaging twenty two minutes a game. He began using his size to enforce his will on opponents, shutting down other teams top threats every night. For the third season in a row Pilgrim played all sixty eight games, scored 4 goals and 26 assists, and helped lead his team to the OHL playoffs. Billy finished third for Defenseman of the Year honors, quite the feat for the unpolished young player. During the offseason leading into his fourth season Billy spent three months in Sweden training with Nicklas Lidstrom and the Swedish National Team coaching staff. He returned to Windsor to be named assistant captain. The hard work payed off, as Billy had developed into a complete shutdown defenseman. He tallied three goals and thirty two assists while averaging twenty four minutes a game. Despite being just old enough to drive Billy won Most Outstanding OHL Defenseman of the Year honors, CHL Defenseman of the Year honors, and finished 2nd in voting for CHL player of the year honors. He led the Spitfires to an OHL championship but they went on to lose in the Memorial Cup Semi-Finals. Billy was named to the Memorial Cup All Star Team. Billys fifth, and final, season in the OHL was a masterpiece. He had shown up for the season clocking in at six foot, two inches and weighing in at two hundred and ten pounds. A true physical specimen. Billy was named team captain and led his squad to a second OHL championship and then a Memorial Cup Championship. This season Billy scored six goals forty assists while averaging twenty five minutes a game. He swept the individual award, including OHL Most Outstanding Defenseman, OHL Most Valuable Player, CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman, CHL Most Valuable Player, CHL Most Outstanding Captain, Memorial Cup Most Valuable Player, and was named to the Memorial Cup All Star Team. At seasons end Billy declared he would be pursuing a career professionally, and would be heading to the VHL. While he says he will miss his team and his friends, he says he can not pass up the financial opportunity. 1,261 words claimed week of 2/12-2/18

After announcing his entry into the season 60 vhl draft in social media Billy Pilgrim is now fielding questions. Ask away folks

What do you look for when considering drafting or signing a new player?

How do you feel about where you are as a player, skill wise?

What was the most difficult part of the game for you starting out?

Any relation to Sergei?! (One of my all time favorites, and probably my favorite athlete to watch of all time.)

Ha yes indeed it is

Late last Thursday I had the opportunity to sit down with up and coming defenseman Billy Pilgrim. Upon arriving a couple hours late Billy apologized, explaining that he was training. Taking note of the 18 year olds’ massive frame I have no doubt he was telling the truth. Pilgrim is a unique player, possessing a feel for the game that many big men lack, he has been a dominant force at every level hes played. We had a short time to sit and talk, but the young mans love amd enthusiasm for the game was infectious. If nothing else, Pilgrims’ all out play style and respect for the game will make him an instant fan favorite where ever he winds up for the upcoming season. Pictured Above: Billy Pilgrim Stretching some chains. (HellbillyXIII) Billy, You are about to realize your lifelong dream of playing pro hockey, how does it feel? (Billy Pilgrim) Oh man, it hasn’t even sunk in yet. Im just really diggin into this offseason training. I have been boxing, yoga, dry land and on ice training, weights...every day. It’s been awesome. (H13) Boxing, eh? What made you decide to do that? (BP) Ha, well, I’m an agitator. Figure I can’t just depend on my size anymore. These guys are all big. (H13) It’s clear motivation is not an issue for you, what keeps you going as hard as you are? (BP) Mostly I just love hockey and want to do it forever. Win a lot of championships. Also, I live in my car, so I kind of want to change that too. It’s not easy living in a car, but I have a pretty sweet set up man. A shower, kitchen, no bathroom, but there is a place to sleep. That’s important. Pictured Above: Billys’ home (H13) Ok. It’s draft night, where are you and what are you doing? (BP) I am probably hangin’ with the boys, at one of their places, following the draft on line or TV if it’s on. (H13) Right on, what changes have you, or are going to, make as far as your approach to hockey now? (BP) Not a whole lot as far as actual hockey stuff goes, I’ve always been putting in a lot of time on that. The big difference now will be the cardio and weight training. All these guys are super athletes, the best of the best. I really depend on my size and strength, I need to be able to stand my ground out there, and to do it for the entire game. But really though, it’s all I do now. i just have more time to devote to it. Everything I do, from the time I wake up until i go to sleep is done with the mindset “I am making myself a better hockey player, right now.” (H13) That’s great! I have to say I am a big fan of yours, and I am really excited to see you play at this level. I think you have a bright future ahead of you. Thank you for sitting down with me today, amd best of luck. (BP) Aw hey thanks Hellbilly, this was fun. Word count 528 To be used week of 2/5-2/11

2 unassigned: billy pilgrim

Ok, quick question, ive done the rookie profile thing, worth a max of 8 points, so when do i find out if ive actually been granted the points. Am I informed or do i just assume the points after completing the task? Thanks Yes sir! Huge vonnegut fan.

Billy Pilgrim, Pictured above at age 15 D - Billy Pilgrim #13 6’2”, 221 LBS Born Rochester, NY Right Handed Billy Pilgrim was born in upstate New York and began playing hockey as a very young child. He showed an aptitude for playing defense at a very young age, when most kids just want to score goals. At the age of thirteen Pilgrim was recruited to play in the QMJHL, where he gained notoriety for his odd practice of eating steaks between shifts. It has been said Pilgrim eats over 3 pounds of beef every game, and therein lies the root of his ridiculous power. Although Pilgrims real passion, and would be career of choice, is bear wrestling, as he turns 18 and enters adulthood he has decided to pursue a career in hockey as a means to support his many, many children. PROS Awareness- The most impressive aspect of Pilgrims game is his awareness and off puck play. He has a knack for always being in the right spot at the right time, which often times makes up for his mediocre agility and burst. His hockey IQ makes him one of the best young penalty killers to enter the league in a long time. He uses his mental acuity and massive frame to clog up passing lanes and to force advancing puck carriers to the outside. Has an ability to get under opposing players skin often times drawing penalties stemming from frustration. Pilgrim plays with an unwavering mental focus and is always ready to go. Physical Presence- With a size and strength more commonly seen with NFL linebackers Pilgrim dominates his opponents physically. Stories abound of how Billy, around ages 6-7, would prank his parents by carrying the family fridge, food and all, outside to the backyard and other places it did not belong. Pilgrim is a force in front of his own net, manhandling the wingers and never letting them get comfortable. It has been said Pilgrim has never once lost a battle for a loose puck and is amongst the most feared players ever when fighting it out along the boards. It is common for Pilgrim to deliver hits so violently his victims soil themselves upon impact. He has a massive slapshot, albeit not the most accurate. Penalty Kill- One of the most important aspects of hockey is the ability to shut down the opposing teams power play. This is something Pilgrim excels at. He is excellent at clogging passing lanes, blocking shots, and disrupting the other team. His size allows him to knock opponents off the puck easily. CONS Athleticism- Despite possessing good top end speed Pilgrim struggles moving laterally and lacks the explosive burst most elite defenders have. His mediocre agility leaves him vulnerable in one on one situations against shiftier opponents, as he tends to depend on his wingspan and strength. Puck Handling- Pilgrim is no threat with the puck. He is a good passer, fortunately, since passing is very much his preferred method of moving the puck up ice. His stickhandling is clunky and he lacks touch, but does a decent job of using his large body to keep defenders off the puck. Over Aggresive- One glaring issue with Pilgrims style of play is his penchant for going for the big hit when simply taking the defenders body off the puck would suffice. It is in Pilgrims nature to head hunt, and he has been beaten before when over pursuing or going in for the kill shot. He will take some penalties due to his style of play, and sometimes can be goaded into taking retalitory penalties. Pilgrim enters the league a raw prospect with tons of potential. He has all the physical traits and the hockey IQ to succeed at this level, should he manage to put it all together he may well become one of the top defenders in the league.

Yeah i registered, not until after i made this post though ?