StamkosFan

1. What are your plans for the offseason? 2. What are your thoughts on the expansion? 3. What type of player do you want to be at the peak of your development? 4. Who do you foresee taking a big step forward in VHL next year, if anyone? 5. Who do you see as your NHL comparable? 6. How much physicality do you want to bring to your game? 7. If you could change one thing in your career so far, what would it be? 8. What do you think is the key to being successful in the VHL? 9. Who is your least favorite team in the VHL? 10. What is one thing that the VHL as a league could improve, in your opinion?

Pat Svoboda and Davos Planning for the Future Davos right wing Pat Svoboda practices stickhandling drills at the team's summer training facility. After what can only be described as a tumultuous season, things have finally settled down for Pat Svoboda. He just bought a new apartment in Davos, Switzerland, and he must only cross over Germany, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea to arrive at his childhood home in Sweden. Canada brought his new family together and started his VHLM and VHL careers there, but at the end of the day, Europe will always be more like home to him. It shows in his confidence on the ice, his newfound poise with the media, and his happy countenance caught on camera. Svoboda is ready to start a new chapter in his career, and he knows that that starts with setting goals. "I didn't get the 20 goal season I wanted this year, but next year, I'm definitely doing it. I want to get at least 10 points on the power play, because special teams need to click. I think I want to become more of a passer, maybe get 40 points so I can have a sort of split total between goals and assists instead of only shooting. I need to diversify my game to take it to the VHL level, that's what I've learned this year, and I'm going to take that lesson to better myself," said Pat Svoboda. As for his new team, Davos struggled yet again, finishing last in the league, trailing the 7th place New York Americans by 20 points; Davos only got 38 points on the year, which was certainly disappointing. They will try to turn it around next year, with new talent incoming from a deep draft, and two top 5 picks from the S64 draft in Elias Dahlberg and Pat Svoboda. There was a steep learning curve for both Dahlberg and Svoboda, but with a year of seasoning under their belts, they should have stronger performances next year. Elite top six forwards aren't made overnight, so there will have to be some patience with the duo. "Well, obviously the outcome is less than ideal, but I trust that we will get some great new faces in the draft. We are rebuilding, and our GM knows it, he's committed to it, not in denial. People forget that our guys are very young still, so it's not an accurate portrayal of how good we'll be three seasons down the line," said Pat Svoboda. "Dahlberg had a great rookie year, half a point per game in his first year in a tough league, so just imagine how good he's going to be. As for me, there was a lot of distraction in the background for me, so I don't think I was playing at one hundred percent, I think I can do a lot better. Next year, everyone will see why I was picked fifth overall and why Davos would give up a first round pick for me. Just give it some time, and Davos will be contending for the Continental Cup."

In the excitement of the new VHL and VHLM expansion franchises, the relocation of the Quebec City Meute for the upcoming season has gone somewhat under the radar comparatively. The longstanding VHL club is moving away from its francophone identity and heading to Vancouver, British Columbia, changed from the French team name to the simple Vancouver Wolves, a move that was hinted to Quebec players slightly before the initial announcement. There is not a huge French-speaking crowd in the VHL, so this move makes perfect sense with the majority of the VHL demographics being English-speaking. Many VHL members hail from British Columbia, so this move should definitely appeal to some of them, and it'll be the province's first VHL club. A British Columbian club has been highly requested for awhile, so many folks are elated to hear the news. This should definitely draw more fans and bigger crowds, and should help the franchise to leave its poor, infamous Continental Cup Finals record in the past. The Quebec logo will remain the same as it was before the move, as will its management, still being lead by GM Beaviss; it marks a new chapter as they seek to leave a new legacy in a new city, but they certainly will not forget their Quebecois heritage.

1) Do you feel that today's game is still favorable to enforcers/tough guys like you? Why or why not? 2) How do your coaches feel about the amount of penalty minutes you've gotten? 3) How do you feel about VHL expansion? 4) What areas of your game do you want to grow in the future? 5) Would you ever hesitate to take on an opponent in a fight, especially one that has a size advantage on you?

1) Are you worried about the surplus of players at the goalie position affecting your career? 2) What has been the highlight of your VHLM experience/career so far? 3) How is the locker room environment in Ottawa? 4) How do you feel about the two new VHLM expansion teams? 5) Are you looking forward to the S65 Entry Draft? What VHL teams do you like?

VHL Expansion: A Review The VHL's newest franchise hails from the heart of Russia. It was hotly debated whether or not VHL should have expansion at all, seeing as how few teams not named Riga have enough players to ice a third line, but the VHL pressed on anyways, insisting a recent influx of new members would take care of the numerical discrepancies. VHL has not expanded from the eight team format in over thirty seasons, so it is no surprise that the news was not met with all positive reception. Its ninth team would be the Moscow Menace, with the continued goal of turning the VHL into a truly international league. Russia has terse relations and a difficult history with its Western counterparts, namely the United States, so there could definitely be an immediate rivalry between this new club, and Seattle and New York. Some players have already griped in the past about the lengthy flights across oceans, especially from Seattle to Helsinki and vice versa, so this new franchise should make the already lengthy flight times longer. VHL has not had a Russian franchise since Season 10, and there must've been valid and logistical reasons for this. The general manager of the Moscow Menace will be Victor, a storied figure in VHL history who has held management roles in the past, but has not GMed a club in over 25 seasons. Victor's first task as general manager will be making selections in the expansion draft, which will occur before the S65 Entry Draft. The teams he will be selecting from may protect seven players in addition to their GM's player. Moscow will be able to select one player from each franchise that is left unprotected, so GMs are at risk of losing valid assets for nothing. The only way to avoid having a player snatched away from a club is if a team protects seven players and has no active players under contract for the upcoming season available, Moscow will select an inactive and receive a 3rd round pick in any of the next three draft along with their selection. The next task will be the entry draft, in which a random lottery will determine where Moscow picks; anywhere between the 4th pick and the 9th pick is a possibility. And after that, it's off to the regular season, where Moscow will test its mettle against the other VHL clubs. It remains to be seen how they will fare against the competition, but they will have an uphill battle; the playoff format will not be changed in spite of the new team, so the odds to make the playoffs are even narrower than they were before. It may be a few seasons before Moscow can give the powerhouse franchises a run for their money. It will certainly be a busy offseason, with a lot of players worried about being on the protection lists and being carted off to a new destination. Being selected in an expansion draft will certainly drop the draftees morale, as they may feel as though their previous clubs did not value them, so Moscow will also have the unenviable task of soothing bruised egos and assembling the new roster behind the team identity.

S64 $20 Donation ID:4263-1424-3938-0274 Doubles Week (Using for Week of 1/27) Doubles Week (Using for Week of 2/10) 5 Uncapped (Using for Week of 1/27) $1 mil for store cash @Josh.

Traded very recently from the Quebec City Meute after being the fifth overall pick and a season mired in controversy, Svoboda arrived at the rink to appear in his second match up with Davos against his former team. This was only two games ago, and the 5-1 defeat certainly stings, but Svoboda made sure to pitch in on Davos lone goal, registering a power play assist in the third, only his third assist of the season. Svoboda was not just the secondary assist, not a luck factor for merely touching the puck, but the primary assist on Piotr Jerwa's goal. The Swedish rookie right winger showed quick decision making with a fake shot, only to tap it cross ice to Jerwa, who hammered it home into the gaping net. Tristian Iseult never stood a chance against such a deceptive move, and Svoboda embraced his teammates with a proud grin on his face. "I am a shoot-first player, but I'm not as one-dimensional as everyone thinks. I have every tool that a team could need, and I'm constantly working on all areas of my game. It's always good to get a point of any kind, but primary assists show that I'm not just a goal scorer," said Pat Svoboda.

1) What are your thoughts on the upcoming expansion draft? 2) How have you liked playing for Riga? 3) Which of your teammates have you bonded with the most? 4) How do you think you have grown as a player since being drafted? 5) Where do you see yourself going in the future?

I'm back again lmao 1) What do you think of being teammates with Pat Svoboda again? 2) Are you glad to be protected in the expansion draft? 3) Are you worried about losing teammates in the expansion draft? 4) Do you think VHL is ready to sustain growth? 5) Where do you see Davos two seasons down the road?

Riga Quebec Helsinki Calgary

Riga 3-2

Pat Svoboda Traded to HC Davos Svoboda rests after partaking in strenuous skating exercises in his first practice with his new club. Few VHL players have been in the public eye this season more than Pat Svoboda, who had asked for a trade in no uncertain terms, nearly missed the start of the season due to a contract holdout, and recently skipped practice. After skipping practice, rather than deliberate whether to admonish Svoboda and whether to dress him in their next match, Quebec moved Svoboda to HC Davos for Toronto's first round pick and Quebec's third round pick. Upon learning the news, the Swede immediately flew out to his new city and showed up to practice early, exchanging warm words with the coaching staff and general manager, who had come to watch his new acquisition. The right winger had new energy and an extra jump to his step, flying around the ice in laps and keeping up with prestigious prospect Elias Dahlberg. The prospect of Dahlberg and Svoboda eventually lining up together is an intriguing option that could result in a fast-paced, high-scoring line when they reach the peak of their development. After being shipped to Davos, Svoboda's status on the ice will be similar to what it was in Quebec, as he is starting on the second line and should be receiving a similar amount of minutes per game. But hopefully, his stat line will turn around due to a boost in morale; he could certainly afford to rebuild his confidence after many poor outings this season in a different uniform. As a recent fifth overall pick, Svoboda should not be disregarded at this early stage of his career, as he is a new face and still has plenty of potential in store for the future. Some pundits are speculating that he could rebound in his sophomore season and reach the 20 goal mark that he had hoped to hit this year. If he reaches those numbers in such a short time frame, the trade could definitely be viewed as a win for Davos. "I'm very excited to be heading to Davos and so thankful to their administration for working tirelessly to bring me here. I'm glad that Quebec at last decided to honor my wishes and that I'll be able to turn over a new leaf; we've finally written the final chapter of that dramatic saga. I'm glad to be given a chance with a new team and I will be sure to play to the best of my abilities, so that Davos will never regret this deal. I believe that there's a bright future ahead of this team, and I'm looking forward to being a part of it and playing a role in their ascension to victory," said Pat Svoboda. "I think I'm going to get along splendidly with my new teammates and the management here, they all give off great vibes and have such enthusiasm for the game and the club. This was the perfect place for me to end up, and if everything is as I have seen so far, I would be happy to spend the duration of my career here."

1) I bet Elias Dahlberg (you) gets the trophy, he's had a great year and gotten ample opportunity with Davos. He seems really happy and into the game, and is putting up solid numbers; 16 goals so far and his assists total isn't far behind. 2) Definitely Instagram, Facebook just collects your data and is really outdated, and Twitter is basically a place for people to immaturely argue while tossing around half-baked political opinions that don't make factual sense. 3) Well obviously the situation in Quebec has been less than ideal, and we aren't as big of competitors as I was told we were, which was justification for my lowball contract. Right now I'm not sold on much here. 4) Well, it's long past now but I prepared for the first games by doing a lot of drills and working hard on conditioning, as well as going over the playbook and eating as healthy of a diet as possible. Lots of protein for sure so I keep my muscles. 5) Intimidated? Most certainly not, I know that eventually things will turn around and I can do better. Everyone was a rookie once, so there's nothing to be afraid of or to feel threatened by. I'm just excited to get past this entry deal. 6) I think Seattle and Riga square off in the finals, which will be a fiercely fought battle, but Seattle will narrowly edge the Reign despite trailing slightly in the standings and oddmakers giving the slight edge to Riga. Seattle's gonna win the Cup.

Not even half an hour after publishing a story on Pat Svoboda failing to report to the Quebec City Meute's practice, the right winger himself phoned the reporter on the story and decided to voice his opinions in an exclusive statement. "I was just fed up with everything, I know it was a bad idea but I couldn't make myself get out of bed. I'll be at the game unless my coaches want to sit me over this, I mean if I don't show I don't get my contract money, and I definitely don't want that. Not that I get paid anything even in the ballpark of what other rookies and top six forwards make. It's been an all-around bad season, and I am literally counting the days til it's over. As for the speculation that I'm returning to Sweden, I have nothing to say about that other than it sounds really good right about now. I could use a little taste of home and I miss being in my territory lighting up the league. Things were better at home. I miss it dearly, and I definitely missed it less back in Ottawa than I do in my present situation," said Pat Svoboda.

Pat Svoboda: Cold Again Pat Svoboda scores one of his two goals in the last 15 games. Just when it looked like things might turn around for rookie right winger Pat Svoboda, his numbers are back in the trenches. In the last 15 games, he has registered just 2 goals and no assists, and his shooting percentage has ticked down. It seems like the hopes of salvaging the season are out the window for good; in fact; it is difficult to even find a silver lining for the Swedish forward, whose inaugural season has been plagued by off-ice tension and hardships. Svoboda's frustrations finally seemed to reach a breaking point as he did not show at this morning's skate, and his coaches are incensed by his absence. His teammates have also been talking smack about his attitude in the locker room according to sources, and have made some underhanded jabs at the Swede in statements to the media. "He called in 5 minutes after practice started, said that he didn't feel like coming down to the rink, and hung up. This kind of behavior is absolutely unprofessional and unwarranted; we're extremely disappointed in him, and we're considering disciplinary actions," said an anonymous member of the Quebec coaching staff. "He was a fifth overall pick, but he's not putting up numbers and he doesn't seem motivated at all to put in the work. He's just barely doing the minimum for training even when he does show up, and we're completely aware that he keeps talking about other teams in the media. We're very displeased with him and hope that he gets his act together. This whole thing reeks of a publicity stunt, and we will not tolerate this nonsense within our organization. We take matters like these very seriously, and he will get a strong rebuke at the least, in no uncertain terms." But Svoboda must not be too concerned, as reports surfaced in the media that he is contemplating a return to Sweden in the offseason and go to the SHL; in fact, he probably would've done so sooner if he wasn't under pressure to stay in North America since his wife is a lifetime Canadian resident. With the playoffs nearing, Quebec cannot afford to have Svoboda sitting out games or even boycotting the playoffs. They need all hands on deck and need Svoboda to get his head in the game. The Swede has shown to all 42 of the Meute's games so far, so it is possible that getting some space from the team for a day clears his head and he arrives ready to go at the next match. Will the staff brush it under the rug after such a clear violation of their team standards and pretend as though nothing happened? That remains to be seen. Svoboda has been quiet to the media as well, so all that there is to go on is the information that insiders have leaked and disclosed to the press. Hopefully, his side of the story will be available soon, as he could not be immediately reached for comment and his agent declined to discuss the matter.

Riga Seattle Quebec Helsinki

Riga 3-1

Europe

Pat Svoboda was nominated to play for Team Europe and is expected to be paired on Line 1 with Elias Dahlberg and Joel Ylonen. Dahlberg, like Svoboda, is a Swedish winger, so hopefully the duo will have immediate chemistry. Svoboda is also buddies with Ylonen off the ice, so they should be familiar with each other as well. "I wish we had a more regional team here at the WJC but I understand that Sweden doesn't have enough players for a full representation, so I'm excited to be named nonetheless. I haven't done great in the VHL, so this is an excellent chance for me to get lighter competition and get my mojo back, show the world what I'm made of. I think playing with such skilled guy will help me put up some good numbers and be comfortable on the ice. Obviously, my linemates on the team are two very talented guys who were taken very highly in the recent draft, above my draft position even, so we have the prestige factor going for us for sure with three top-5 picks being put together. I think we have a chance to dominate and to hopefully win the entire tournament, and I hope to play a major role in our success."

1) My favorite teammate has to be Beau Louth, because I get to play with him and he's super talented; he's leading our team in points. He has 34 points in 27 games at the highest level, so I have mad respect for him. 2) It was pretty crummy, I remember feeling total disappointment with New York didn't pick. McWolf got my hopes up with that mock draft article and it was like it all came crashing down at that moment. 3) I want to develop a more rounded game, but I still want to stay a sniper and be a goal scoring leader. Maybe I'll eventually use my size to my advantage and start hitting, but for now I like staying out of the sin bin. 1) I think my player is really underwhelming, and I wish he would perform better. I want to see more goals scored, but hopefully I'll put up a good showing at the WJC here. 2) I was having a lot of fun until very recently, but all in all I think it's a nice, small community. I think the VHL portal is a very distinctive feature and very convenient to have, that's what stands out about the league to me. 3) I hope to go to Davos or New York one day, but I'll have to wait a long time to be free; it's a shame draftees have to stay with their drafted team for half of their career.

Pat Svoboda demonstrates his puck handling skills during team warmups. After a dismal start to the VHL season with Quebec, registering 3 goals and no assists in the first 15 games, rookie right winger Pat Svoboda has been striving to improve his stat line over the last 12 games. He has added 3 more goals to his tally, and garnered 2 assists, but in spite of making the numbers appear less desperate, they are still quite underwhelming and a far cry from his prior expectations. Svoboda is seeing ample ice time, as he is a fixture on line two, nestled beside Beau Louth and Jorgon Weyed, so a lack of minutes is certainly not the culprit. His shooting percentage is a respectable 12%, but with only 50 shots on goal, that does not translate to many tallies, which is why Svoboda's coaches are encouraging him to shoot the puck more. In the VHLM, he had 136 shots in 46 games; while they are different levels of competition, he may want to try to replicate that volume of shooting if he intends to find the net more often. Only one of his goals was at a key time, as he is listed as having only one game winning goal. He seems to be performing decently on the man advantage though, as half of his goals for the season are power play goals; sniping from the faceoff dot seems to be working out at the professional level. He certainly needs to contribute offensively, as he has only 1 hit and 3 shots blocked, so he certainly is not pitching in on the physical or defensive side of the game. On the plus side, his lack of physicality means that he has not taken any penalty minutes this year, which is something his coaches must appreciate. And while his defensive abilities are never lauded, he must not be a total liability in his own zone, as he has a plus seven in the plus/minus column. While plus/minus is not considered a very important stat, it can indicate that he has a positive impact on the ice beyond what is seen on the scoresheet. "Well, I'm not very pleased with just about anything, but I'm trying to carry on, trying to salvage my season. With all the off-ice drama, it's been hard to focus on adjusting to the big league game. I'm going to just try to shoot the puck more, and if I continue not to be able to get shots off, maybe I'll actually have to start passing. Assists aren't as fun as goals, but at least they make your points total look better. It's almost at the point though, where I have to give up on making this season look good, and just wait to give it another go next year. I don't think anyone is giving up on me long term, but you just have to write this off as a bad year and pretend it didn't happen. If you think about it, I'm hoping a lot of things change and are better next year, so this is just something else to add to the ever-lengthening list," said Pat Svoboda.

87 Helsinki Titans @ New York Americans 88 Toronto Legion @ Riga Reign 89 Calgary Wranglers @ Quebec City Meute 90 Seattle Bears @ HC Davos Dynamo

New York 3-2