Nykonax

the madlad finally did it

BladeMaiden leading her Reaper troops into battle against the Houston Bulls (S66 colourized)

BladeMaiden leading her Reaper troops into battle against the Houston Bulls (S66 colourized)

BladeMaiden leading her Reaper troops into battle against the Houston Bulls (S66 colourized)

BladeMaiden leading her Reaper troops into battle against the Houston Bulls (S66 colourized)

Imagine being from Boston. Your city is big, important, and historically relevant. You're in a crowd of some of the most passionate sports fans around. You love a good bowl of clam chowder and you find it a little bit charming that you can sometimes tell who's your neighbor by listening to the way that they talk. It's a much better existence than that dump over in New York, where the people sound funny, the Giants fans won't stop reminding you of what Eli Manning did to the Pats, and don't even get you started on their idea of pizza!
 
But what's to stop them from feeling the same sort of pride in themselves and the same sort of derision towards you? After all, you sound funny to them, the helmet catch was pretty sweet, and maybe living in a heavily Italian area has given some people a pretty good idea of how to make a pie. It's obvious to most on either side who take the time to think about it that all these things are silly, but that doesn't even stop lots of people who think it's silly to think that way from doing so regardless. I've seen this come up in the VHL time and time again over the years, which will make this a perfect intro to at least one other article I have lined up, but here it shall fit as I'm doing my best to put things in chronological order.
 
My first experience with VHL tribalism came not long after I signed up. I distinctly remember one of my very first questions in the Bulls server being related to team rivalries and who I should write articles about--which led to me writing some of the anti-Halifax pieces I alluded to in my last article--but something a little more serious than friendly rivalry between @Rin and @McWolf was more serious conflict that arose between the VHLM's two expansion franchises that season, boiled over into personal issues between members, and had effects that persisted for seasons longer than they should have.
 
Anyone who was around at the time is probably aware that I'm talking about Houston and Philadelphia and the conflict between Sonnet and inaugural Reapers GM @BladeMaiden. I'm going to stay out of anything personal related to this because I feel that isn't quite my story to tell, but I think there was a lot to sort out from the perspective of the players themselves.
 
The expansion teams in S65 had quite a bit in common that would naturally lead to competition. They were led by very active first-time GMs with one or two seasons of VHL experience, they started with similar assets, and they both featured team servers that were among the most active the league has ever had to offer. VHLM expansion then was symbolic of a whole lot more than just having more teams--the league had just started to boom, its then-largest-ever draft class had just opened the floodgates, and everyone was out to prove that they were important in this whole sea of newness. And where most teams were active and built their identities on positively representing themselves to the wider community, Houston and Philly were really active and got there by hating each other. In my almost-30 seasons in the VHL, I've never seen anything like it and I've really never seen anything close. Both teams were full of first-gens (hello to fellow S65 Bull @Grape!) and the bad thing about that, if someone chooses to manipulate it, is that first-gens are super impressionable.
 
I'm unfamiliar with how things got started in the way they did. All I know is that not long after I'd joined the team, I'd read through some really nasty exchanges on the forums, been snapped at a few times myself with not much reason, and heard a lot secondhand. Beyond just whatever GM conflict there may have been, the players were heavily involved. In Houston, we were never mobilized to join in arguments, nor were we ever told what to think (something that I don't think could have been said the same both ways. @FrostBeard has a great thread covering the Reapers' side of things that also happens to explain a lot about some of the interactions I remember having with people I'd have no reason to dislike normally). That said, we certainly had enough exposure to the situation that we knew what to think anyway and were often fueled by the need to do what we thought was necessary to defend our team. I remember being part of some Discord arguments. I remember being angry at some forum topics that should have had nothing to do with me. And you know what? It probably helped keep me active. I had people in Houston that I considered my friends and I wanted to see them treated right. I wasn't about to walk away from that situation.
 
People who played for the Reapers probably felt the same way, and though my perspective is probably biased, it seemed absolutely insane how deep that ran. I remember multiple occasions when I saw one person fighting with someone else--and within a few minutes, that amped itself up into three or four. I don't believe any of the worst offenders there are still in the league, and I also can't say I'm disappointed by that. What I am disappointed by is some of the negative fallout that caused for some. I talked to a handful of people at the time who felt that they were treated very unfairly, and I remember a particularly unpleasant experience had by one of our active first-gens that he later cited as a major reason why he left the league altogether. Were this only a GM problem, it would be one thing. But players came to believe that being part of the problem equated to being part of things in general, and some who wanted to be important got sucked too far into that.
 
It was also a shame that it led me to think negatively of some people who played for the Reapers (Frost is one example, but I can think of others) who weren't even part of the problem. I'm sure that some people also associated me negatively with the Bulls. And there was no reason why that should have been the case--former S65 Reapers like @McLovin and fellow Buffalo expat @DMaximus  are people I genuinely like and people who I've never seen trying to fight anyone. But that sort of thing was hard to see in the moment when I saw others who I won't name coming after my GM and teammates simply for existing. It's something that I never hope to see again in the VHL and it's a problem that I'm glad to say our current group of GMs never has. It also happened to be something that was on my mind quite a bit in my first VHL season, enough so that there has to be some way that it shaped my course as a member. I think it made me realize early on that GMs are only human and that not every person I met online is worth my time and effort in stressing about. But do you know what else I learned? I had enough fun anyway that I learned that that's OK.
 
 
 
Read my other articles for the full Gustav experience:
#1: Lightning Glory Gonna Be My Name

Gonna keep it short here. You may seen or not my April 1st post in here where I was messing around on stepping down and thing. 
 
Except this was a hint, not joke. Following this season I'm no longer a Riga Reign GM. The reason is pretty basic, nothing left in the tank. My involvement in sim leagues is on the way to non existent at this point. And as Riga is close to competing again, there is a need of a way more energetic GM who can make this happen. I'm fairly sure that this time my interest won't come back the same way it did couple of times before. But it was fun times regardless, especially when I was on my prime. Just wish I had more cups lol (here is the part where I'll blame Simon for one last time). So yeah, nothing much else to say. Thanks everyone for the fish and good luck! 
 
P.S. don't show this thread to Bana, cause he bout to have a heart attack from happiness  

every student union does it

So hello everyone, I like to keep my topics here usually VHL related but I need to break character for a moment to announce something that’s happened very recently to me.
 
All small handful of members knew what I’ve been going through the past 2 weeks. That is, I’ve been running for my American university’s student government vice president position (as a freshman). The pain staking 2 weeks of campaigning, repeating each presentation time after time to different groups, $600 in expenses, and countless nights of rough sleep…paid off. 
 
I’m beyond thrilled to announce that I will be my university’s next student government vice president. There were about 900 votes cast, and my ticket won by 8 votes. Now these results are unofficial but I as of now do not suspect that the outcome will change .
 
i don’t know how it will impact my involvement here, I still hold the VHL very close a dear to my heart as it’s been a crutch the past 3.5 years for me. Thank you everyone for just reading this little rant but I’m beyond ecstatic right now.

didnt this guy scam like @Enorama out of a graphics card a few years ago or something... no idea how he even became a blue in the first place. absolute incompetence by Badketov to hire this fraud. Gorlab would've never let this happen.....

was somewhere on my shortlist of things to do in university! little TOO math-heavy for my taste but still fascinating from the outside!

does being an actuary count, aka math for insurance pricing, it's thrilling. but have a co-op for it this summer

ANOTHER @Velevra VHL.COM BANGER 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥

Phoenix Keep Lighting the Lamp

The Chicago Phoenix have lit the lamp in the early stages of the VHL season, leading the league in goals scored after just 10 games. Despite the small sample size, their offensive performance has not only impressed fans but also raised hopes for a successful campaign.


 
The Phoenix have scored 43 goals so far with the Moscow Menace behind them with 39 (in 11 games) and the Prague Phantoms with 37.


 
Spearheading their scoring attack is a combination of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, with each line contributing to the team's offensive output. Players like Yaroslav Trunov, Lionel Collberg, Joshua Schwarzer, and Legacy Gaming have been instrumental in leading the charge, showcasing their scoring touch and playmaking abilities.


 
While leading the league in goals scored is undoubtedly an encouraging sign for the Phoenix, there is still work to be done as the season progresses. Maintaining consistency and avoiding offensive droughts will be crucial for Chicago as they aim to solidify their position in the standings and make a push for the playoffs.

Congratulations to everyone selected to represent Canada this season! 

Forwards
                              LW - Isaac mclflopper @sportexperts show
                LW - Dwight shcrute @Jamomayo
                      LW - Matthew Highmore @NineIQ v2
      C - Eno Velvson @Nykonax
                      C - Alexandros Mograine @sliceruser
            C - Jacob Smith Jr @jacobaa19
                              RW - Bryce Woodworth @SirRupertBarnes
            RW - Nathan Ecker @Nathan_8
RW - Oliver Loo @Peiffy

Defense
D - DBIV @wcats
                       D - Billy Joel @thegoatofhockey
                     D - Carson Tripp @Cartripp14
          D - Toby Cook @KRZY

Goalies
         G - Toddly Bobbly @ToddlyBobbly
G - Herald Benson @Benson
 Feel Free to join the discord here: https://discord.gg/xqPRvg3W

@ColeMrtz @handfullofbubba @Nykonax @Enraged @Scurvy @Minebro @AColdCanadian @axtron @dlamb @Dom @npuBeT @rory 
 

I will not stand for this Discipline slander, don't lump it in with Leadership

idk seems like rin has a pretty decent argument. She has points on 40% of Oslo goals vs. Bennets 32%, has only 4 less goals, but also 20 more hits and 150 more SB's. So not much less offensive production with insane defensive numbers.

Think the only argument is whether she deserves it cause his team sucks and numbers are artificially inflated, but she blocked 8.7% of shots against her team, while Bennet blocked 6.1% against.

I think its close for sure

idk seems like rin has a pretty decent argument. She has points on 40% of Oslo goals vs. Bennets 32%, has only 4 less goals, but also 20 more hits and 150 more SB's. So not much less offensive production with insane defensive numbers.

Think the only argument is whether she deserves it cause his team sucks and numbers are artificially inflated, but she blocked 8.7% of shots against her team, while Bennet blocked 6.1% against.

I think its close for sure

She 😠

Also 100% in favour of this, would be an amazing way for GMs to interact with the league!

Thank you i appreciate it, hit two weeks today!

bobby bumhole my goat
 
also didnt @Matt_Oadvertise in pornhub comments

One week done ✅! Super easy week with honestly little temptations! Working hard to improve myself has become my new addiction!

Hello VHL,
 
This post serves as my announcement of my resignation from Recruitment, GM of the New York Americans, Board of Governors, and as one of the VHLE Commissioners. Allow me a moment to explain:
 
On October 8th, 2020, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands. I was working part-time and earning my Master's degree while living in a world that was dictated by COVID. I saw an advertisement on one of Thrash94's videos for the VHL and I quickly joined. I came in eager to learn, eager to earn, and eager to make Hall of Fame-worthy players. I dove headfirst into the VHL community and loved every minute of it. Eventually, I applied to be a GM for Team USA in the WJC and since then I've managed in one way or another. I became a GM for the San Diego Marlins, then the Stockholm Vikings, and finally the New York Americans. In all of that, I helped manage various off-season tournaments as well. That escalated to me taking a position on the Recruitment Team, and being asked to work as a Commissioner for the VHLE, which I happily accepted.
 
While all of that was going on, my personal life and career were taking off. My wife became pregnant, we moved back to our home state, and our family grew. I finished my Master's, and started working full-time, and the time that I had to devote to the league dwindled more and more over time. This year though has been a tipping point. As some of you know, my mother struggled with addiction my whole life, and in April that struggle caught up to her and she passed. Then, my wife and I endured the hardship of losing two children through miscarriage. Those events led us to grow much closer, and it made me realize just how precious the time I have with my family is. It's only here temporarily, and it can vanish in the blink of an eye.
 
Those hard moments were, well, hard. But, there have been so many good things to happen in my life this year, most of them revolving around increased work responsibilities. While I love my work, I don't have the luxury of a job that runs 9-5 and is off on the weekends, so the free time I do get is rather limited and decreases more and more. 
 
All of that being said, I want you to know that I am not making this decision because I'm burnt out, nor because I've lost interest in the VHL. It comes down to the fact that I just don't have the time I used to when I first started, and I can't devote the way I want to the thing that I seem to be lacking. 
 
My goal, at this time, is to finish out my career with Dynamite and then...well, who knows? Maybe I'll take a season or two off completely and lurk every once in a while, or maybe I'll make another player and ride the pension/welfare train for a while. I don't know. What I do know is that I'm thankful for the time I've had here, and for the friends I've made.