Enorama

I am terrible at writing intros to this kind of thing, so I’m just going to cut to the chase: we are contracting the VHLE back to 6 teams.
 
As I’m sure a lot of you know, there has been a worrying trend of thin rosters in the VHLE, and the numbers reflect that we have a few too many roster spots for players to cover them. We anticipate that a large bounceback in the form of the sizable S90 class of recreates (when compared to S89 at least) should help breathe some life back into the locker rooms. However, we are also helping it along with contraction. After these changes, on average, we are anticipating just shy of two full lines of active players per team.
 
The unfortunate teams that will be heading into the ether are the Geneva Rush and the Istanbul Red Wolves. There was never going to be an easy decision here, but between weak branding, short history, and tangential connections to local terrorist groups, these two franchises will not be in the VHLE for S90 and moving forward. I know that not everyone will be happy, but there was no way to do this without pain somewhere along the line. 
 
However, much like the VHL in S58, we had a bit of a mismatch in terms of the rosters that make sense to remove and the franchises that make sense to remove. To that end, we are effectively full swapping roster players, prospects, and draft picks from Istanbul and Geneva to Stockholm and Vasteras, respectively. The current roster players and prospects on Stockholm and Vasteras will be released and available as free agents this off-season. The current draft picks owned by Stockholm and Vasteras will be passed or deleted as required.
 
Note: compensatory picks will be required in S91 to make this work, we will make sure everyone is made whole. The actual position of these compensatory picks is to be determined.
 
We were lucky enough to not actually need to fire anyone as GM to make this work! There has been some juggling behind the scenes, but here’s how everything shakes out:
- JB123 steps down following an absurdly strong run in Oslo
- Gaming Ringleader shifts over to GM Oslo
- Z follows his roster to Vasteras and takes over there
- Masu steps down from Istanbul in the hopes of pursuing other opportunities
- Twists keeps Stockholm and inherits Istanbul’s roster
 
That’s all for the actual contraction side of things. If you have any particular comments, questions, or concerns, please reach out to thad or I directly. My DMs are always open. 
 
Moving on to a couple of rule changes.
 
 
 
INACTIVE FREE AGENTS
 
Starting this off-season, teams will only be able to add 2 inactive free agents to their roster.This does not apply to players that go inactive mid-season or during their first three years post-draft, it only applies to the players that would have gone through the (now defunct) waivers system. 
 
Since we will only have 12 players to hand out this way each season, we will also be introducing a mini-draft, run on Discord or the forums, to allocate these players in the fairest manner possible. This draft will consist of two rounds, the first of which will be a reverse of the regular season standings while the second snakes that (i.e., equal to the regular season standings). Our current plan for this is to do rolling 12-hour clocks similar to VHFL, but we can adjust that on the fly as required. Teams are obviously allowed to pass on their pick if they do not see value in claiming an inactive free agent.
 
We’re hoping that reducing the crowd of those high TPA inactive free agents to maximum 2 per team will increase engagement for the players who remain active by freeing up more ice time, and by extension, delivering better stat lines.
 
We will be monitoring inactive free agents and their necessity over the next few seasons and will hopefully be able to remove them entirely at some point.
 
 
 
PLAYOFF FORMAT
 
In our 8-team VHLE as it stands now, 5 teams make the playoffs, with a 4-5 wildcard round before semi-finals. 
 
We don’t feel that a competitive league should have 5 of 6 teams making playoffs, so we are transitioning back to a 4 team playoff, with the matchups simply being 1-4 and 2-3. Both semi-finals and finals will remain best of 7. Tiebreakers remain unchanged. Games will be simmed 1 per day to keep as close as possible to in line with the VHL and VHLM playoff schedule.
 
 

TL;DR - Geneva and Istanbul branding deleted. Those rosters move to Stockholm and Vasteras. Current Stockholm and Vasteras rosters released. VHLE moves forward with 6 teams. Some rule changes regarding inactive FAs and playoff format to accommodate the contraction.
 
cc: @VHLE Commissioner @VHLE GM

the goat is back

Could always leave the beta symbol and then have random names. Those who have been around obviously know they're bots but for new players it might be enough to not really notice.
 
Not that I like the overall idea, I prefer new players immediately mingling with the general VHLM populace. To that end, I think the current 200 TPE cap works amazingly and the M is in a great place right now.
 
Overall, I think the VHL's size is in a good spot (could even stand to lose a couple teams honestly, as Spartan said and as I have experienced, the draft has been getting real thin) and the M's cap is in a good spot as well. That means to me that the E needs to stick around in some form (at least for now). I especially would hate doing anything after we just pushed our way through the recreate valley I was talking about.
 
As I said, I am open to dropping two teams and this off-season would be a great time to do so as two GMs are departing. Thad is busy today but we chatted briefly about it and he gave me a thumbs up. We can always revisit that in a year and see if population is still struggling.
 
@thadthrasher and others; any opinion on restricting VHLE teams to 0 or 1 inactives to trim the rosters (as well as our admin work in the off-season)?
 

Right click > copy image address
 

 
boom

@Steve

 
You should have 98 Experience for tomorrow's sim.

@Nykonax what do I keep telling you
 

on the island of saint lucia, after a hard day of smoking loud, star hockey player jebediah big ol doinks in amish made the decision to take his talents to the big city of houston. however, this decision didn't come easy for jebediah. there were many questions to be asked first. questions like, will there be any big ol doinks for him to smoke in houston? how will he get his loud? when it's nice out will anyone ever hit his line? despite all of these burning questions, the temptation of making it big in the vhl was just too much for him to pass up.
 
"im pretty excited to see what kind of loud they have in houston, i've heard lots of good things about this city."
 
jebediah has never been one to put in the most amount of effort in practice or eat healthy to keep up with his fitness, and he arrives in houston with only his equipment and big ol doinks. it will be a big step up for him, but he is confident in his abilities. the team is looking great on paper and the entire roster is looking forward to what this season will have in store for them.

Title should be "GMs do your jobs pls" smh. More anti-E propaganda.
 
Also yes, scouting the first 2-3 rounds is bare minimum (call it 30-40 picks total). I'm OK with letting it slide beyond that point. If you're picking someone at like 20th overall without speaking to them, what the hell is your job pay for? It takes two seconds to send a "hey i might draft you, thoughts?" to anyone you're considering picking up on draft day.

Title should be "GMs do your jobs pls" smh. More anti-E propaganda.
 
Also yes, scouting the first 2-3 rounds is bare minimum (call it 30-40 picks total). I'm OK with letting it slide beyond that point. If you're picking someone at like 20th overall without speaking to them, what the hell is your job pay for? It takes two seconds to send a "hey i might draft you, thoughts?" to anyone you're considering picking up on draft day.

After recent events, @MexicanCow123 informed us that he would like to step away from his duties as GM of the Geneva Rush. I want to be very clear when I say that this was his own decision, and we did not forcibly remove him nor did we ask him to resign. Cow simply felt that now was a good time to take a bit of a breather, and we respect that. 
 
That being said, that leaves us in a bit of a tough situation with our draft coming up in just two days and the season right around the corner. Thankfully, there was actually someone preparing for Geneva's draft already. Our candidate here was already planning to draft in Cow's stead and has graciously accepted to step in as interim GM for the entire S89 VHLE season as well, with an option to become permanent if he so chooses.
 
Please welcome the interim GM of the Geneva Rush:

 
 

After recent events, @MexicanCow123 informed us that he would like to step away from his duties as GM of the Geneva Rush. I want to be very clear when I say that this was his own decision, and we did not forcibly remove him nor did we ask him to resign. Cow simply felt that now was a good time to take a bit of a breather, and we respect that. 
 
That being said, that leaves us in a bit of a tough situation with our draft coming up in just two days and the season right around the corner. Thankfully, there was actually someone preparing for Geneva's draft already. Our candidate here was already planning to draft in Cow's stead and has graciously accepted to step in as interim GM for the entire S89 VHLE season as well, with an option to become permanent if he so chooses.
 
Please welcome the interim GM of the Geneva Rush:

 
 

Riga receives:
AK92 Wit da Hoodie
 
Warsaw receives:
 
S90 RIG 3rd
 
 
This trade has been accepted by all parties and is pending league approval.
 
 

As announced previously, @UnknownMinion and @Lemorse7 are stepping down from their GM posts this off-season. What's news is that @leandrofg has also requested that we transition him out of the role as well. We thank all three of them for their commitment to Bratislava, Vasteras, and Cologne.
 
Although it's sad to see them go, there's also some excitement as we welcome some new GMs to the Euro fold! Please join me in congratulating the following GMs:
 

Bratislava Watchmen:
 

Vasteras Iron Eagles:
 

Cologne Express:
 
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do!
 
Finally, as is a tendency in this league, we have a small rule violation to report. The Stockholm Vikings (@twists) missed their backup goalie minimum starts threshold. They missed the playoffs, so this had no immediate effect. However, as compensation, they must carry over those starts to Season 89. This makes their backup goalie minimum starts 10 for the season.
 
@VHLE GM let this be a reminder that you need to have 8 goalie starts from someone other than your starting goaltender each season. 
 
Happy Eing!

As announced previously, @UnknownMinion and @Lemorse7 are stepping down from their GM posts this off-season. What's news is that @leandrofg has also requested that we transition him out of the role as well. We thank all three of them for their commitment to Bratislava, Vasteras, and Cologne.
 
Although it's sad to see them go, there's also some excitement as we welcome some new GMs to the Euro fold! Please join me in congratulating the following GMs:
 

Bratislava Watchmen:
 

Vasteras Iron Eagles:
 

Cologne Express:
 
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do!
 
Finally, as is a tendency in this league, we have a small rule violation to report. The Stockholm Vikings (@twists) missed their backup goalie minimum starts threshold. They missed the playoffs, so this had no immediate effect. However, as compensation, they must carry over those starts to Season 89. This makes their backup goalie minimum starts 10 for the season.
 
@VHLE GM let this be a reminder that you need to have 8 goalie starts from someone other than your starting goaltender each season. 
 
Happy Eing!

As announced previously, @UnknownMinion and @Lemorse7 are stepping down from their GM posts this off-season. What's news is that @leandrofg has also requested that we transition him out of the role as well. We thank all three of them for their commitment to Bratislava, Vasteras, and Cologne.
 
Although it's sad to see them go, there's also some excitement as we welcome some new GMs to the Euro fold! Please join me in congratulating the following GMs:
 

Bratislava Watchmen:
 

Vasteras Iron Eagles:
 

Cologne Express:
 
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do!
 
Finally, as is a tendency in this league, we have a small rule violation to report. The Stockholm Vikings (@twists) missed their backup goalie minimum starts threshold. They missed the playoffs, so this had no immediate effect. However, as compensation, they must carry over those starts to Season 89. This makes their backup goalie minimum starts 10 for the season.
 
@VHLE GM let this be a reminder that you need to have 8 goalie starts from someone other than your starting goaltender each season. 
 
Happy Eing!

As announced previously, @UnknownMinion and @Lemorse7 are stepping down from their GM posts this off-season. What's news is that @leandrofg has also requested that we transition him out of the role as well. We thank all three of them for their commitment to Bratislava, Vasteras, and Cologne.
 
Although it's sad to see them go, there's also some excitement as we welcome some new GMs to the Euro fold! Please join me in congratulating the following GMs:
 

Bratislava Watchmen:
 

Vasteras Iron Eagles:
 

Cologne Express:
 
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do!
 
Finally, as is a tendency in this league, we have a small rule violation to report. The Stockholm Vikings (@twists) missed their backup goalie minimum starts threshold. They missed the playoffs, so this had no immediate effect. However, as compensation, they must carry over those starts to Season 89. This makes their backup goalie minimum starts 10 for the season.
 
@VHLE GM let this be a reminder that you need to have 8 goalie starts from someone other than your starting goaltender each season. 
 
Happy Eing!

As announced previously, @UnknownMinion and @Lemorse7 are stepping down from their GM posts this off-season. What's news is that @leandrofg has also requested that we transition him out of the role as well. We thank all three of them for their commitment to Bratislava, Vasteras, and Cologne.
 
Although it's sad to see them go, there's also some excitement as we welcome some new GMs to the Euro fold! Please join me in congratulating the following GMs:
 

Bratislava Watchmen:
 

Vasteras Iron Eagles:
 

Cologne Express:
 
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do!
 
Finally, as is a tendency in this league, we have a small rule violation to report. The Stockholm Vikings (@twists) missed their backup goalie minimum starts threshold. They missed the playoffs, so this had no immediate effect. However, as compensation, they must carry over those starts to Season 89. This makes their backup goalie minimum starts 10 for the season.
 
@VHLE GM let this be a reminder that you need to have 8 goalie starts from someone other than your starting goaltender each season. 
 
Happy Eing!

As announced previously, @UnknownMinion and @Lemorse7 are stepping down from their GM posts this off-season. What's news is that @leandrofg has also requested that we transition him out of the role as well. We thank all three of them for their commitment to Bratislava, Vasteras, and Cologne.
 
Although it's sad to see them go, there's also some excitement as we welcome some new GMs to the Euro fold! Please join me in congratulating the following GMs:
 

Bratislava Watchmen:
 

Vasteras Iron Eagles:
 

Cologne Express:
 
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do!
 
Finally, as is a tendency in this league, we have a small rule violation to report. The Stockholm Vikings (@twists) missed their backup goalie minimum starts threshold. They missed the playoffs, so this had no immediate effect. However, as compensation, they must carry over those starts to Season 89. This makes their backup goalie minimum starts 10 for the season.
 
@VHLE GM let this be a reminder that you need to have 8 goalie starts from someone other than your starting goaltender each season. 
 
Happy Eing!

As announced previously, @UnknownMinion and @Lemorse7 are stepping down from their GM posts this off-season. What's news is that @leandrofg has also requested that we transition him out of the role as well. We thank all three of them for their commitment to Bratislava, Vasteras, and Cologne.
 
Although it's sad to see them go, there's also some excitement as we welcome some new GMs to the Euro fold! Please join me in congratulating the following GMs:
 

Bratislava Watchmen:
 

Vasteras Iron Eagles:
 

Cologne Express:
 
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do!
 
Finally, as is a tendency in this league, we have a small rule violation to report. The Stockholm Vikings (@twists) missed their backup goalie minimum starts threshold. They missed the playoffs, so this had no immediate effect. However, as compensation, they must carry over those starts to Season 89. This makes their backup goalie minimum starts 10 for the season.
 
@VHLE GM let this be a reminder that you need to have 8 goalie starts from someone other than your starting goaltender each season. 
 
Happy Eing!

As announced previously, @UnknownMinion and @Lemorse7 are stepping down from their GM posts this off-season. What's news is that @leandrofg has also requested that we transition him out of the role as well. We thank all three of them for their commitment to Bratislava, Vasteras, and Cologne.
 
Although it's sad to see them go, there's also some excitement as we welcome some new GMs to the Euro fold! Please join me in congratulating the following GMs:
 

Bratislava Watchmen:
 

Vasteras Iron Eagles:
 

Cologne Express:
 
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do!
 
Finally, as is a tendency in this league, we have a small rule violation to report. The Stockholm Vikings (@twists) missed their backup goalie minimum starts threshold. They missed the playoffs, so this had no immediate effect. However, as compensation, they must carry over those starts to Season 89. This makes their backup goalie minimum starts 10 for the season.
 
@VHLE GM let this be a reminder that you need to have 8 goalie starts from someone other than your starting goaltender each season. 
 
Happy Eing!

As announced previously, @UnknownMinion and @Lemorse7 are stepping down from their GM posts this off-season. What's news is that @leandrofg has also requested that we transition him out of the role as well. We thank all three of them for their commitment to Bratislava, Vasteras, and Cologne.
 
Although it's sad to see them go, there's also some excitement as we welcome some new GMs to the Euro fold! Please join me in congratulating the following GMs:
 

Bratislava Watchmen:
 

Vasteras Iron Eagles:
 

Cologne Express:
 
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do!
 
Finally, as is a tendency in this league, we have a small rule violation to report. The Stockholm Vikings (@twists) missed their backup goalie minimum starts threshold. They missed the playoffs, so this had no immediate effect. However, as compensation, they must carry over those starts to Season 89. This makes their backup goalie minimum starts 10 for the season.
 
@VHLE GM let this be a reminder that you need to have 8 goalie starts from someone other than your starting goaltender each season. 
 
Happy Eing!

(in no specific order - I just went down the TPE list and picked the first cool people I saw)
 
1. @Doomsday
Dooms is about to lap me in TPE which isn't cool but other than that I like him. No matter what sim league I go to, he's always a friendly guy there and I can't think of anything bad I've ever heard about him. For someone who has been in sims for over a decade, that's not an easy feat.
 
2. @Enorama
I feel like I've done a lot of sim stuff with Eno but when I try to think of specific examples my mind goes blank. He might've been my GM at one time, he's good at graphics and I like talking to him about that, and he seems like a chill person in general. Plus, he created the best SBA player of all time whose name I cannot spell.
 
3. @Moon
Moon is a great guy and all my interactions with him have been great. I think I coached him on my SBA or SBDL team but my memory is a little fuzzy there. I also like how he is passionate about graphics and always works hard to improve himself, which is the most valuable quality in design imo.

Player Information
Username: Enorama
Player Name: Ryan Artyomov
Recruited From: Returning
Age: 17
Position: G
Height: 80 in.
Weight: 250 lbs.
Birthplace: Russia

Player Page
@VHLM GM

Player Information
Username: Enorama
Player Name: Ryan Artyomov
Recruited From: Returning
Age: 17
Position: G
Height: 80 in.
Weight: 250 lbs.
Birthplace: Russia

Player Page
@VHLM GM

Player Information
Username: Enorama
Player Name: Ryan Artyomov
Recruited From: Returning
Age: 17
Position: G
Height: 80 in.
Weight: 250 lbs.
Birthplace: Russia

Player Page
@VHLM GM