SlapshotWrangler

1. I believe they can! They have that winning pedigree so I believe they can do it in the VHLE. Let's see it happen! 2. If I had make a guess, I think it'd actually be more than this season. This season I'm pretty sure it was 10. My guess for this upcoming season is 14. 3. Going with Molly the Cat on this one. I absolutely think that it can happen with Molly. 1. IF you had to make up a new advanced stat for hockey, what can it be? Serious and joke answers are both appreciated. 2. Out of all the teams in the VHL, VHLM, VHLE, which do you think would be the most likely to do a jersey where the city name or team name is spelt out on their jersey diagonally? 3. What is your player's personal goal song?

CALGARY - Sometimes the offseason can prove to be a long wait for some players. One of those eager players is young Wranglers center Raimo Tuominen. Coming off of his rookie season- one which he was a bit underwhelming- he has been eager to ply his trade again in a second season. However, since it’s the offseason, he instead decided to join the Pro-Am once again. Raimo has been learning from his time in the VHL Pro-Am and has been getting tips from older forwards, including Wranglers legend Daniel Janser. “That was cool. I mean, sure, I got to meet him across the ice and I may have lined up some hits against him as an opponent. But I got to meet a franchise icon, play WITH him, and witness his play firsthand as a teammate. I don’t know about the others but I was a bit star struck seeing him there.” Raimo has worked on his offensive game and has looked solid so far, producing at a steady rate. He’s been looking to build some consistency, which still needs some work, but he is trying his hardest to improve himself. It is just Pro-Am but he wants to take this opportunity to develop into a player that can contribute to his team. Go Santa's Naughty Elves!

1. I got a pretty neat Calgary Flames long sleeved athletic shirt which I think looks awesome! I also feel great about my gift for my dad. 2. Raimo was a first name I wanted to use because I thought it was beautiful and I found an equally beautiful Finnish last name, Tuominen. 3. The Calgary Wranglers. I believe in the team and I want to work hard to get us there. - 1. Out of anybody on your team's roster, who would be the most likely to win Survivor? 2. What stick flex does your player use and why? 3. Your player has a VHL funko pop made of them! What are their thoughts?

GM 23 - Cologne Express vs. Vasteras Iron Eagles This is Game 5 of the Renaissance Cup. Cologne looks for a chance to clinch a championship to cap off a three-peat while Vasteras looks to stay alive in the battle for the cup. Both teams gave their all. It was a back and forth match with only one instance in which a single team scored twice consecutively. There was a difference of 2 in the shots of goal with Vasteras slightly getting the lead 31-29. The Vasteras Iron Eagles would be the first to score with Ellis Woolfenden getting the marker. That would be the only goal in the frame. Vasteras would battle hard to keep that one goal. With less than two minutes to go in the second, however, Phillip Rave would tie it up for Cologne. The Express were smelling a cup victory, all they needed was to break the tie. Three minutes into the third, a goal would come but it wasn't the Express getting the marker. The Iron Eagles got a marker from Gustav Mattias to regain the lead. The Express needed to push hard. They did. Al Land would tie it up yet again. That would be the last goal in regulation, bringing it down to a dramatic overtime. An early penalty gave the Express a chance to win it. They did. Joshua Schwarzer scored the cup winning goal for the Express.

CALGARY - The holidays have arrived and to celebrate, the Lafontaines and some of the Tuominens visiting from Finland have arrived in Calgary. Raimo Tuominen, the Wranglers’ young center, had also just come from Finland. Jacques Lafontaine, the former Wranglers goalie, was playing host. However, Jacques asked Raimo and company (as well as Jacques’ own family) to meet at the Saddledome. “This guy calls me and he is telling me that we’ll have a feast. I asked him where his house is or if there is a restaurant we should meet at and he told us to meet at the ‘Dome. So I just assume that he is going to bring us there from the ‘Dome. But then I see the parking lot; his truck is already there! We were all standing there confused; not even his family knew what he was up to.” It was a peculiar sight indeed. A group of people waiting at the empty Saddledome parking lot as everybody was enjoying a holiday break. No teams were playing. So what was the deal? “I was calling him but I received no answer. So I was a bit worried.” The worry soon subsided as a helicopter came into view and the whirring got louder as it landed. “Here we go again.”

not first

1. I think I saw a youtube video once of some NHL gameplay youtuber mentioning it... wish I could remember what it was but that's how I found out about the league. On a youtube video. 2. Favourite team and experience? My experience with the Calgary Wranglers as Jacques Lafontaine (and even now!) is excellent and the Wranglers have a special place in my heart. 3. It would probably have to be Spitfire. I am so glad that the Flames brought it back this season; it's just such a great song that fires me up. 1. How many assistant captains do you think a team should have max? 2. I've always asked about jersey numbers your player would wear but what's a jersey number your player would NEVER wear and why? (Not including retired numbers for franchises) 3. Out of any VHL goalie, which one do you think would score the first goalie goal if those were possible with STHS?

not me forgetting to do this for the past few days

TAMPERE - Offseason time and Raimo is hard at work back at home making sure he is ready for the next season. This season saw Raimo stumble out of the gate and inevitably have an underwhelming season. With 8 goals and 25 assists for a combined 33 points, he is determined to make sure that comes back and produces at the VHL level. “It was an exciting season… but it is one I will have to grow from. I’ve made it to the top league; it’s up to me to make sure I stay there.” Raimo has joined in on some Tappara practices while he waits for his second VHL season to begin. Obviously, he doesn’t go to every practice in order to respect their need for practice but he has made a point of staying active and not growing cold over the off-season. That’s the last thing he needs right now. “I’ll be here in Tampere for a good while to visit but I’ll be back in Calgary soon enough to get some more work in. I’m visiting my parents, friends, and other family members. I don’t want to overwork myself but I do want to be better come next season. That’s the goal.”

missed the first on but let's goooooo

1. I think it does but very minimally unless you win championships. The VHLM the least because it's mostly a developmental league where everybody is finding out their player's build. Of course, VHLM accolades are still very respectable. VHLE is a little more competitive but it's sort of the awkward middle child. 2. I would rather win three championships as an average player. I'd even take one championship over the two-time MVP and other awards. 3. I think it would be fun to have a most hits award. We need some love for our bone crushing monsters! (call it the Vinny Detroit) ---- 1. What would your thoughts be on an in-season tournament much like the one present in the NBA? (BoG's would have mass headaches haha) 2. Your player has just gotten sponsored! Who has sponsored them? 3. What is your player's go-to goal celebration?

Farewell to a Wranglers legend. I remember being your teammate and have loved being under your leadership. You were the ultimate teammate and GM but you also are a really great dude to talk with. I wish you the best of luck in everything. I know you aren't leaving the VHL but just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated you. You're a beauty, Ricer.

WASHINGTON D.C. - It was a heartbreaker for the Calgary Wranglers as their hard-fought series against the DC Dragons ended with an overtime goal in the end-all game 5. Jason would be the hero for the Dragons while the Wranglers went into the locker room frustrated. Raimo Tuominen in particular slammed his stick against the boards before heading off to the handshake line. He eventually responded to the media with a cooler head. “Our team fought hard and it was a back and forth series. It sucks that my first VHL playoff experience had to end like this. I am very disappointed with myself in the series. 1 goal in five games and a -4 plus/minus rating? Cmon, I need to be better than that. I need to be able to hold my own. Can’t excuse my performance because I’m a rookie.” Raimo then turned his head to next season as the conversation continued. “At the end of the day, we’re out. Congrats to the Dragons on a well-played series. I’m looking toward next season now. It’s gonna be a long wait but that just means I need to take it as an opportunity to improve. We have a great squad and they showed their ability to battle in this series. I need to do that too.”

Game 194 - Vasteras Iron Eagles vs. Stockholm Vikings It's the battle of Sweden here in the VHLE. Vasteras is currently the top dog in the Europe league and Stockholm is in the bottom half. In the opening period, at exactly 7 and a half minutes, Vasteras scored on the power play courtesy of Eno Velvson. That would be the only tally of the period. Special teams would continue to be the story as Callum Gary Yannick Janser scored on the power play just past the 2 minute mark to extend the Iron Eagles lead. However, also on the power play, Stockholm would cut the lead in half courtesy of Spanish Moon Moth's 40th. The rest of the period would go by with no other goals but in the last period Spanish Moon Moth would score yet again to tie it up. Going into post-regulation, the Stockholm Vikings would look to complete the comeback. They would be successful in the shootout as Alexandre Crosby would get the winning tally in the 7th round of the shootout.

1. Yes, we will. I believe strongly in this squad and I do believe that we'll be able to fight our way in. 2. I'm going with Rip Wheeler but it's awesome to see Maellard developing into a great two-way D-man. Maellard also leads our team in SBs and is second in hits. 3. A whole bunch of new personnel (myself included) and still trying to find out who clicks best with who. We've been experimenting/figuring out who we are for a most of the season. No shame in it. 4. Leandro. It's natural and it's an awesome choice. I love having both Leandro and Ricer in management. 5. The community is awesome and it's really cool how we can build so many fun narratives and have so much fun with a sim hockey league. 6. N/A. I was considering trying some others but I don't really have the time for it. If I had the time though, it seems like it'd be super fun!

CALGARY - There are a few games left in the regular season. Raimo has experienced a rookie season full of ups and downs. Maybe he wasn’t as consistent as he had hoped. Maybe he could have buried more chances. But what has been done has been done and now it is up to Raimo to make the most of the last few games of his rookie season in order to contribute to the Wranglers’ final push to the playoffs. Clinging on to a playoff spot will prove to be a test for this interesting Wranglers’ team. “It’s the final stretch of the regular season. We’re all going to put in hard work and chip in to make sure that we can be in the postseason at the end of it all. I’ve been a bit disappointed in my rookie season but that cannot be my mindset right now. Since we’re in a tight race, I need to make sure I can get to the top of my game as I am right now. Seeing that I’m the team’s second center, I need to make sure that I remain a solid second option in the middle. I’ll be honest, I’ve been watching Randy a lot from the bench. I can learn and have been learning so much from him. Now I just need to be consistent with it.”

1. I feel good about our squad and I am okay with seeing things play out. We have done solidly so far and we have a lot of potential as a team. 2. I have no idea. However, I can tell you that I am very excited to see what that might be. (My guess would be rebrand/GM???) 3. I would love to see them give money to Doctors Without Borders. 4. Maybe some more merch? Only real issue would be I wonder how many people would be interested. 5. I definitely enjoy the Christmas holidays; the family time is the most important to me and I also love being able to skate on the ODR with friends and fam. 6. My favourite holiday would probably have to be thanksgiving because I am a glutton.

CALGARY - Finding a groove is what Raimo Tuominen needs to do as the season nears its end. He has had flashes of excellent play throughout the season and has had the benefit of being a part of a great forward group. Regardless, Raimo has been streaky at best and offensively silent at worst. He has also been okay defensively but has not really excelled in either aspect of the game yet. Raimo intends on continuing to focus on his defensive development but also looks to improve his puck handling skills so that he can help his linemates and the d-men at the points to retain possession. “It’s been interesting. There are some days where I am able to mesh with the rest of the team and help get some offense going. Other days though nothing I seem to do works. It’s a real problem and I really hope to get consistent soon. I’ve been given a great opportunity to play alongside some awesome linemates but at this point, I need to be able to contribute somehow too. Whether defensively or offensively. Right now, I’m doing decently at both but I need to excel at one or the other if not both.”