BarzalGoat

99 Yukon Rush @ Oslo Storm 100 Saskatoon Wild @ Ottawa Lynx 101 Las Vegas Aces @ Yukon Rush 102 Saskatoon Wild @ Oslo Storm

Oslo 4-2

157 Meute @ Reign 158 Bears @ Americans 159 HC Dynamo @ Titans 160 Legion @ Wranglers

169 Bears @ Meute 170 Reign @ Legion 171 Wranglers @ Americans 172 HC Dynamo @ Titans

1. It showed me that no matter how many times a player says "don't trade me" or that they want to be with a franchise forever, they could be a lying snake. You really need to develop and build trust with not only your teammates, but with fans of the team, which he should lose all of. It's important to be a human, not just a hockey playing robot who takes advantage of loyal supporters. 2. So far I enjoy the checking of the simulation results as my favorite part, as well as writing some of this stuff. I remember when I scored my first goal I had a little mini celebration before continuing to scroll, which was neat. 3. I would try to make the joining process a little more streamlined and easy to figure out. Took me a little longer than I'd like to admit to get the ball rolling on creating my player. 4. I picked the Rush because they were the first to offer me a contract. I value that, and want to be able to provide for them, even if I'm getting paid below market value. I want to take this team to the top, and we're halfway there. 5. As a team name, I like the Las Vegas Aces, it sounds cool, and makes sense. Would love to see some aces while i'm in vegas. For logo, I like the NY Americans, simple, gets the job done, looks great.

1. Unfortunately I'm pretty clumsy on skates so I've never played ice or roller. But I was the self-appointed "enforcer" for my fraternity's beer league floor hockey team recently, and was the reason that teams had to be told they couldn't jaw out the refs after a hit. 2. I'd say my player needs to work on getting pucks on net, and completing good passes. It looks like I'm winning a fair amount of face offs, holding on to the puck when I'm hit, but a few too many passes of mine are getting intercepted for my liking. 3. As an 2-way forward who's on such a successful offensive team's penalty kill, I'd definitely say offensive team. It gives me more of a niche when I'm not scoring (like right now) so that I can at least keep the other team's power play at bay. 4. I liked playing Winger because it always gave me good opportunities to let my friends score, and also to check players from the other team into the boards. I wasn't really good enough to play defense, so it was a nice fit. Also, I had to look up what shinny was, it's pickup hockey, right? 5. I hope to win the VHL equivalent of best 2-way forward one day, although I don't think that'll be too soon. It's a pretty accomplishable goal in my opinion, as most forwards seem to aim for scoring, not defense.

This week we're taking a headfirst dive into the VHLM, and namely the surging Yukon Rush. The Rush are lead by their top line of Leph Twinger, Sergei Kovalev, and Mikhail Vega, who account for a majority of this team's overall points. They are currently sitting pretty atop the standings at 55 points, 14 points ahead of the Oslo Storm, who have also played a couple more games than the boys in Yukon. At the almost halfway point of the season, it is unprecedented - I think - for a team to be running away with the lead, as they look to secure their second Founder's cup in 3 years. One would be remiss not to mention the two headed goalie tandem of Carison and Santos, who have been absolute stone walls in net for the Rush. While their high octane offense is what turns the heads, the stellar goalie and defensive play are what keep you watching. What makes them road warriors, is how they've managed to win all but one of their games away from Takhini arena. This will prove to be extra dangerous as we go into later parts of the season, where all other teams are playing catchup, and seemingly won't even have a chance to make a comeback. The Yukon Rush are a team to scout for all of the VHL GMs, as they're full of budding talents poised to have great VHL careers.

1. So far I have to say I'm impressed by the way the VHL is run. The commish gets greeted with smiles instead of boo's, which is a nice change of pace @GaryBettman. It's honestly a lot tougher to gain traction and become a better player than I thought, which is actually kind of nice. I think if I keep hitting the practice facility and earning TPE I'll be able to make my way to the top in due time. 2. Honestly I'm a little angry with how I've been performing so far. Watching the Yukon Rush first line go out there and dominate night after night without being able to contribute to team success gets frustrating. I'd personally like to see some improvement from our third and fourth liners, but for now I guess we're just doing our jobs keeping the games close. 3. You caught me red handed, I'm definitely aiming to make my VHL player similar to Barzal. The way he skates up with the puck so dominantly, and mostly facilitates such gorgeous goals, who wouldn't wanna be like Mat! Of course I have a long way to go, gotta get stronger, faster, better passer, maybe a sneaky good backhand shot? He definitely didn't have a 12 point TPE cap a week, that's all I'm saying. 4. My player likes to eat and orange before every game. Weird superstition, but you can't break some habits you've been doing for a while. Started out as a way to find a superstition, and became a regular thing. 5. I would like to play for any team in the VHL that appreciates the determination I put it. Whether that be a team which has found longterm success for a while, or a team that is just starting to make its way to the top. I value my commitment to a team more than some snakes in the NHL might, but that commitment goes two ways. That's what I'm looking for in a VHL team.

The struggling rookie center for the Yukon Rush on the transition to the VHL, playing on a successful team without much personal success, and how watching John Tavares be a snake has impacted his outlook on hockey.

I am #9 on the sheet #1 in your heart

Dan Montgomery Position: C Age: 21 Height: 6'0" Weight: 195 Jersey #: 9 Hometown: Garden City, NY College Team: Bowling Green State University NHL Comparables: Jay Beagle, Casey Cizikas Description Dan Montgomery is a 21 year old center hailing from beautiful Long Island, NY where he grew up watching the relics of one of the greatest hockey dynasties in history at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum around the corner. His favorite player growing up was the great Michael Peca, former captain of the New York Islanders, and definitely one of the greatest players to ever wear #23 in American sports named Michael. Dan grew into his body late in his high school career, so while he ended with many single season points and assists records in his high school and county, he didn’t get much recognition from Juniors programs or Universities, except for Bowling Green. His parents pushed hard for him to get into an Ivy League hockey program, feeling that hockey wasn’t a sustainable profession, and that Dan wouldn’t be able to make a living on skates. While Harvard was his first choice, when he didn’t get in, he decided to go to the more hockey oriented Bowling Green State University, where in his Junior season he led them to a Frozen Four. After that season, Dan decided to take his talents to the VHL to better hone his skills as a future hockey superstar. Strengths Dan is a good puck moving centerman, who fancies himself a faceoff specialist. While scoring goals is nice, there’s nothing Dan likes as much as setting his teammates up for a beautiful goal to really set the tone in a game. His ability to weave the puck through the defensive zone after a faceoff win is what sets him apart from his contemporaries, and what his teammates appreciate when they check their stat sheets at the end of the game. While he’s able to get into the crease and use his frame to screen the goalie and deflect shots pretty well, he still prefers to skate around defenders and play a more finesse style. He’s a very gritty overall player, willing to do what it takes to earn the W, and if that means shot blocking or holding onto the puck 1 extra second even if it means getting hit, he’s happy to oblige. In the VHL currently, this slots him as a valuable role player, but watch out in the future as these strengths continue to develop. Weaknesses The biggest flaw in Dan’s game to date would be his shot, which for a center leaves a little to be desired. Of course he can score with an empty net on a one timer, but his slapshot won’t always find the “toy department” as Butch Goring would say, making those skill goals hard to come by. To improve on this he’s been spending lots of time in the gym on strength and speed as to get more open opportunities. Another weakness Dan may have is his inexperience in big game situations. He’s a young player, even for the VHLM, meaning that he may make the wrong pass at times, or simply just get muscled off the puck by a bigger stronger player.

Titans @ Reign Americans @ HC Dynamo Legion @ Meute Bears @ Wranglers

1. Honestly, this year I hope to be a role player on the Founder's cup champion team. I know it's a lot to ask but with guys like Twinger in the locker room, I feel we have a real good shot at it, especially if me and some of the young guys can start or keep producing at these levels. 2. I think scouts can look at my game right now and compare me to maybe a Jay Beagle kind of player. I'm good in the faceoff circle, I play a good role for a good team, and don't look to do anything too flashy. It's all about the team W, my points will come later. 3. I would say the Americans if I had to pick one right now. I was recruited into the VHL by their GM, and it seems like they've really got something going as of late. 5. This season you should look for me to start contributing more on the fast break, and on clean passes. I really want to help set my teammates up to succeed, and there's nothing better than a good team W at the end of the day.

I'll definitely take that into account, thanks!

Player Name: Dan MontgomeryVHL Team: Yukon RushCash you have: 1milPurchase Name: The First GenerationCost of Purchase: 500kCash Left: 500k

My first shot at one of these, wish I knew photoshop or something.

48 HC Dynamo @ Bears 49 Reign @ Meute 50 HC Dynamo @ Titans 51 Bears @ Wranglers

5-2 Wranglers

Maybe I'll save that for the next one, who goes Juniors instead of College!

I'd love to join the Rush! Let's get this thing started!

I used to have a pipe dream of being a sports writer, so I'd write in this kinda style a lot a couple years ago. Really, it's a lot of fun.

The Start: Dan Montgomery was born to Greg and Lisa Montgomery in quaint Garden City, NY, home of the New York Islanders. While his 2 older brothers fancied themselves baseball players, and even spent some time in the minor leagues there, Dan always had the passion and drive for hockey. While his parents recognized his athletic gifts, they wanted him to follow in his older brother's footsteps as a baseball player, something they family knew. Eventually, wearing his parent's down, he was able to make his way to his High School's starting lineup, and the rest is history. Dan loved watching the Islanders, even though they hadn't been good for his entire adult life. Watching the Islanders perceiver through the tough times, and literally not win a playoff game for the first 18 years of his life, taught him a lot about what hockey meant to not only players, the fans, by him personally. His goal was set to one day play in the NHL, but the road there is long, and started in the backyard, shooting wristers. High School: See the problem with Dan was never the intangibles, he's gritty, puts in the work, hustles, but as a 15 year old: he just wasn't big enough for hockey. At a meek 5'4" 145, Montgomery didn't belong on the ice with high school level talent, and the coach recognized that. In typical gritty fashion, Montgomery wasn't going to let the coach cut him, and was happy to play on the practice squad. Just from being around the team, he was able to gain valuable experience, work on his skating -his most outstanding trait- and even put on a few pounds of muscles. Come sophomore year, he had grown to almost his height and weight now, and immediately took over at second line center duty, due to a lack of senior players. He was able to take a strong leadership role, and come the beginning of sophomore year had earned the "A" from his coach. He would go on to lead the County in assists, the conference in points, and earn 2nd team All-State honors at center. Going into his senior year he had finally earned the favor of a few scouts, most prominently Bowling Green, and more importantly, earned the "C" from his coach, as he told him he would 4 years earlier as an undersized, gritty freshman. Here he is below with his team after losing the State Championship semi-final game in high school. Dan would graduate as an All-State center, with the school record for points, goals, and assists, in a season as well as the state record for assists in a season. His number 9 was retired by the team this past year, in a very emotional ceremony for all. Juniors or College: While Dan's real dream was to focus on hockey full time and play in the Junior's league, he just simply didn't receive any attention from the local leagues. His plans would have to take him up north, or out west, and he simply didn't want to move out there at this point in his career. He saw Juniors as a means to getting to the VHL, whereas he could also get an education by attending college. While his personal hero, Islanders player and Calder winner Matt Barzal played for his favorite WHL team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, his parents didn't understand the value of playing hockey in Seattle. Both of his parents were teachers, and saw this as a great opportunity to get an education, in case this whole hockey thing didn't work out for him (though it looks pretty good right now). With his parent's approval, he decided relatively quickly to make his next step college. College: Going into the college decision process, Dan wasn't really offered scholarships at many frozen four contenders. The only real contender that offered him a scholarship, was Bowling Green University in Ohio, a little far from home. With his dream, a suitcase, and his pads, he packed up and spent 3 years at Bowling Green, accumulating numbers that put him in the top of that program's history. None of this would never have been possible to an undersized skater, who told his coach he was going to be the captain on the first day of try outs freshman year, where he didn't even make the team. Here's a picture of the team celebrating after Montgomery's game winning goal to propel Bowling Green to their first frozen four appearance since 1990. He received all-conference honors both his sophomore and junior year, while leading his team in points and assists. He was also named MVP of the conference tournament, an honor that a Bowling Green hockey player hadn't received in a long time. Today: Montgomery decided, with a heavy heart, that a frozen four appearance at Bowling Green, as well as numerous personal accolades, was all he needed to accomplish, and looks forward to taking his talents to the VHL. He's a hard worker, who is willing to put in the time to improve himself, and become the best pro he can be. He looks to improve upon his skating, and passing abilities, so that he may continue to find success in the same way he did in college, and high school before that. The road to the VHL wasn't easy for Dan, but he's ready to show the world he belongs there, one week, day, and one practice at a time. He will continue to wear his signature number 9, as he has since he started, and looks forward to repping not only Bowling Green, but Garden City, on the next level. As the third line center for the Yukon Rush, he looks to bring strong, quality minutes to the back of the lineup. Its a tough road ahead, but he's ready to brave it. Look for him to contribute good face off technique, strong passing and skating, and the occasional goal. At this point he really won't dazzle you, but he's a well rounded enough player to keep the franchise happy with their centers at the moment.

NYI fan, and of course a Barzal fan. Trying to get the lay of the land at the moment. Planning on writing myself a bio/rookie profile so that I could maybe get added to a team. Any tips/tricks that a beginner should know?

+4

Player InformationUsername: BarzalGoatFull Name: Dan MontgomeryPosition: CAge: 21Handedness: Right Recruited By/From: Spade18 r/NewYorkIslandersWould you like an experienced member to mentor you? yesPlayer AttributesTotal Points Earned: 30CK = Checking: 42FG = Fighting: 40DI = Discipline: 40SK = Skating: 50ST = Strength: 40PH = Puck Handling: 45FO = Face Offs: 40PA = Passing: 45SC = Scoring: 44DF = Defense: 44PS = Penalty Shot: 40EX = Experience: 40LD = Leadership: 40OtherJersey Number: 9Height (inches): 72Weight (lbs.): 195Birthplace: Garden City, NYAwardsCareer StatsPlayer MovementPast Players