Brolaski

With the VHL playoffs coming to an end, many names have shown why they are on top while others have shown why they should be. Let’s take a look back at these games and see what’s been happening across the league.
(These stats were taken from Games: 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29, and 31 of the S63 Playoffs.)
Three Stars of the Week:
✯ – Norris Stopko (CGY) – Sporting a .934 Save percentage with 225 shots saved out of 241 over the span of six games, Stopko is unstoppable. This six-season veteran is the main reason why the Calgary Wranglers even got to the finals in the first place. Not much more can be said of this Canadian giant. He’s proven time and time again that he deserves a spot in the VHL Hall of Fame, and I think no one is going to object when his name is thrown into the ballot. As retirement for this gifted goaltender looms overhead and with a young defensive core proving to be their downfall, will we see the Wranglers to give their star player some extra support in the upcoming draft, or look for a new heir to the throne?
✯✯ – Ryuu Crimson (RIG) – Behind every great goal scorer there’s a better playmaker, and that’s exactly what Ryuu Crimson is to Riga’s Edwin Preencarnacion. What a steal this kid has been for Riga, dropping all the way to the start of the second round of the S62 VHL Entry Draft. Registering 5 assists with 1 goal for a Plus/Minus of +2 in only 4 games, Ryuu is here to stay. This winger has it all; The dekes, the shot, and even the body, there isn’t much to improve on for this up and comer. One minor problem is the penalty minutes. Sitting five minutes in the box gave Mister Crimson the fourth most penalty minutes on his team in those four games. Adding 6 more penalty minutes to the rest of his playoff games gives Ryuu a total of 11 Penalty minutes in the playoff, good for third on the Riga Reign. Considering the upside of this kid, though, I feel that five penalty minutes in four games is worth 6 points.
✯✯✯ – Ryan Kastelic – It was a tough choice between Jeff Gow, Evan Lawson, and Ryan Kastelic, but in the end, I feel that Kastelic rose above the competition. Sporting 1 goal and a total of 5 points in four games, Ryan Kastelic finished the week with a +/- of 0. The Reign most likely wouldn’t have gotten to the finals if it wasn’t for players like Kastelic. With this young talent’s prolific offense, most would forget that Kastelic’s first job is that of a defender. A top penalty-killer, Kastelic blocked five shots in his four games. With a great defensive core led by Ryan Kastelic, expect the Reign to focus on offense in the upcoming draft.
 
Notable Mentions:
Jeff Gow – Posting up 3 goals and a total of 4 points in 4 games isn’t an easy task, but you wouldn’t think that when watching Gow. Posting a week-leading 27 shots on goal in just four games, this sniper makes sure the puck gets on net. With leaders like Gow and Shepard coming to the end of their career, the Riga Reign will have some offensive shoes that they will need to fill.
 
Luc-Pierre Lespineau-Lebrunette – A big name in the Meute community, Lespineau-Lebrunette let his team down in their last game against the Riga Reign. Spending 8 minutes in the sin bin is not something Quebec would like to see one of their star defenders doing. As disciplined teams like the Reign push for cup contention, brawler teams like the Meute are falling further and further down the standings. With rumors swirling of a possible trade, the question stands; Will the Quebec City Meute stick to their guns, or jump on a new wave of VHL hockey?
 
Jasper Canmore – Registering 3 points in his 6 games, Canmore is a steady point-scorer. The major problem with his play is his discipline. It might just be the “Finals Jitters” getting ahold of him but registering 22 Penalty Minutes in Calgary’s last 2 games is abysmal. With so much riding on the Wrangler’s star center, you need to stay calm and lead your team from the ice, not the box. Many fingers will be pointed at the 6’8 center when asked about the outcomes of the Calgary’s last two losses, but it’s up to the General Manager, Bushito, to decide the outcome. With Jasper’s lucrative $5,500,000 contract coming to an end this season, many will question whether the grinder deserves another big contract. With big names like Keaton Louth, Mats Johnsson, and Norris Stopko becoming an unrestricted free agent next year, the Calgary will be looking to dump some salary. Is Canmore the answer?
 
Notable Team Stats:
Team
GP
PP
PP%
PK
PK%
Calgary Wranglers
6
2/21
9.5%
20/25
80%
Riga Reign
4
6/18
33.3%
11/12
91.7%
Seattle Bears
3
1/12
8.3%
10/11
90.9%
Quebec City Meute
1
0/2
0%
3/5
60%
 
Ups and Downs:
Calgary Wranglers – Anyone would be proud of getting to the semi-finals and the Wranglers are no exception. With a solid tender between the sticks, and a veteran offensive core, the Calgary Wranglers have the building blocks to create a dynasty. With 5 contracts coming to a close, though, the Wranglers have some decisions to make. Norris Stopko, the uncontested Goalie of the Year, is going to be looking for a final one-year contract before retiring, so expect the Wranglers to pay a steep price for his services. With their top defensemen looking to retire next year as well, Calgary will have to look for some star blueliners in the upcoming entry draft.
 
Riga Reign – I expect to see the Reign making a push for the cup for years to come. The Reign have one of the best lineups the VHL have seen in the past couple of seasons, with a great defensive core to back up a fast and powerful offense. The largest problem for them is the upcoming retirement of two key players in Riga’s lineup. With Jeff Gow and Jack Shephard leaving next year, the Reign will have to give some of their prospects a trial by fire. Look to see many new faces coming into the picture after the draft as the Riga Reign look stocked, with one first rounder pick, one second, two thirds, and three fourth round picks.
 
Seattle Bears – Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the quarters likely wasn’t the bears hopes, with a solid offense and a veteran defense. It seems that the Seattle Bears went for a playoff push this year, and it didn’t pan out for them. With a second and fourth round draft pick next year, and only one prospect in their farm team, the Seattle Bears will probably look to the free agent pool to fill up their organization. A retiring Gabriel McAllister will free up more of the $7.75 million cap space the Seattle Bears have. With big names like Keaton Louth and Joseph Bassolino entering free agency, we can look for big payouts from the Bears.
 
Quebec City Meute – A team with most contracts locked down, the Quebec City Meute seem to be in decent shape for the upcoming years. The retirement of Sergei Komarov will most likely see that the Meute bring up some young blood (Look for Jorgon Weyed and Theodore Gauthier to be making debuts next season). $4.75 million in cap space could see the Meute make a push for a big-name defender, one to compliment the brash nature of Luc Pierre Lespineau Lebrunette. The Meute will need to practice discipline and penalty-killing to stay in cup contention. With a penalty kill percentage of 60% in their last game, expect some more intensive training during camp.
 
Closing Statements: 
This final week of VHL Playoff Hockey proved that the league is moving in the right direction. A fast-paced offensive game is where the league is moving, with shots in a game reaching as high as 50 to 60 shots by a single side in a single game. The talent this league is providing is top tier as well, as players are stating to come straight out of the minors to play in the big league. You have to wonder, with the recent influx of talent, if the league will begin expansion talks again. I know the fans would love to see some more teams coming into the league, but with a global audience the location has to be right. With many Oriental players finding their way to the VHL, could we expect to see an Asian team surface? There are so many opportunities and directions that the commissioner can take this league, and I feel that whichever way they decide to take it, the fans will back him up.  The Victory Hockey League has shown that they are here, and they are here to stay.
 
1500 words, using for PT weeks: Dec 10-16, Dec 17-23, Dec 24-30
 

Great article man! Loved it! Thanks for the kind words and advice! (Seemed really professional btw so keep it up ?)

With the S64 VHLM Draft coming up, I decided to take some time with some of the up and comers of this draft to see their thoughts on the jump, their competition, and their stock heading into it. Today’s guest is a young winger by the name of Nico Sulerzyski heading into this draft as a rookie. Right now, Draft researchers have Sulerzyski as the #9 Winger and #2 Left Winger behind the young Kyson Blake. Proving his worth, Nico is projected to be the 6th Rookie Skater to be picked in this season’s draft. A prolific goal scorer, Sulerzyski is a hard-working skater who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal. I was able to sit down with him and ask him a few questions about this season’s draft.
 
How does it feel to be the #2 projected Winger in the S64 VHLM Draft?
 
“It feels great! Heading into this draft, I knew I would be coming up against some pretty big names, including guys like Kyson Blake and Pat Svoboda. I may be the #2 Left Winger, but I’m also ranked in the 20s. This year’s draft has some major talent, and I need to prove to the GMs that I have what it takes to bring their club to the next level.”
 
How do you feel you rank up with the rest of the prospects?
 
“I think that what I lack in experience, I make up for in hard work and perseverance. Just because I made it to the VHLM doesn’t mean that I’ll stay there. I know that I have to push myself each week to break the barrier set the previous week.”
 
How have you felt these last couple of weeks before the upcoming draft?
 
“Confident, and excited mostly. I’ve been preparing my whole life for this moment, so to have my name being called will feel very gratifying. I’ve been able to talk to a few General Managers and it feels like a dream come true already. I know that I have what it takes, now all that’s left is to show the world what’s in store for them.”

With the VHL playoffs coming to an end, many names have shown why they are on top while others have shown why they should be. Let’s take a look back at these games and see what’s been happening across the league.
(These stats were taken from Games: 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29, and 31 of the S63 Playoffs.)
Three Stars of the Week:
✯ – Norris Stopko (CGY) – Sporting a .934 Save percentage with 225 shots saved out of 241 over the span of six games, Stopko is unstoppable. This six-season veteran is the main reason why the Calgary Wranglers even got to the finals in the first place. Not much more can be said of this Canadian giant. He’s proven time and time again that he deserves a spot in the VHL Hall of Fame, and I think no one is going to object when his name is thrown into the ballot. As retirement for this gifted goaltender looms overhead and with a young defensive core proving to be their downfall, will we see the Wranglers to give their star player some extra support in the upcoming draft, or look for a new heir to the throne?
✯✯ – Ryuu Crimson (RIG) – Behind every great goal scorer there’s a better playmaker, and that’s exactly what Ryuu Crimson is to Riga’s Edwin Preencarnacion. What a steal this kid has been for Riga, dropping all the way to the start of the second round of the S62 VHL Entry Draft. Registering 5 assists with 1 goal for a Plus/Minus of +2 in only 4 games, Ryuu is here to stay. This winger has it all; The dekes, the shot, and even the body, there isn’t much to improve on for this up and comer. One minor problem is the penalty minutes. Sitting five minutes in the box gave Mister Crimson the fourth most penalty minutes on his team in those four games. Adding 6 more penalty minutes to the rest of his playoff games gives Ryuu a total of 11 Penalty minutes in the playoff, good for third on the Riga Reign. Considering the upside of this kid, though, I feel that five penalty minutes in four games is worth 6 points.
✯✯✯ – Ryan Kastelic – It was a tough choice between Jeff Gow, Evan Lawson, and Ryan Kastelic, but in the end, I feel that Kastelic rose above the competition. Sporting 1 goal and a total of 5 points in four games, Ryan Kastelic finished the week with a +/- of 0. The Reign most likely wouldn’t have gotten to the finals if it wasn’t for players like Kastelic. With this young talent’s prolific offense, most would forget that Kastelic’s first job is that of a defender. A top penalty-killer, Kastelic blocked five shots in his four games. With a great defensive core led by Ryan Kastelic, expect the Reign to focus on offense in the upcoming draft.
 
Notable Mentions:
Jeff Gow – Posting up 3 goals and a total of 4 points in 4 games isn’t an easy task, but you wouldn’t think that when watching Gow. Posting a week-leading 27 shots on goal in just four games, this sniper makes sure the puck gets on net. With leaders like Gow and Shepard coming to the end of their career, the Riga Reign will have some offensive shoes that they will need to fill.
 
Luc-Pierre Lespineau-Lebrunette – A big name in the Meute community, Lespineau-Lebrunette let his team down in their last game against the Riga Reign. Spending 8 minutes in the sin bin is not something Quebec would like to see one of their star defenders doing. As disciplined teams like the Reign push for cup contention, brawler teams like the Meute are falling further and further down the standings. With rumors swirling of a possible trade, the question stands; Will the Quebec City Meute stick to their guns, or jump on a new wave of VHL hockey?
 
Jasper Canmore – Registering 3 points in his 6 games, Canmore is a steady point-scorer. The major problem with his play is his discipline. It might just be the “Finals Jitters” getting ahold of him but registering 22 Penalty Minutes in Calgary’s last 2 games is abysmal. With so much riding on the Wrangler’s star center, you need to stay calm and lead your team from the ice, not the box. Many fingers will be pointed at the 6’8 center when asked about the outcomes of the Calgary’s last two losses, but it’s up to the General Manager, Bushito, to decide the outcome. With Jasper’s lucrative $5,500,000 contract coming to an end this season, many will question whether the grinder deserves another big contract. With big names like Keaton Louth, Mats Johnsson, and Norris Stopko becoming an unrestricted free agent next year, the Calgary will be looking to dump some salary. Is Canmore the answer?
 
Notable Team Stats:
Team
GP
PP
PP%
PK
PK%
Calgary Wranglers
6
2/21
9.5%
20/25
80%
Riga Reign
4
6/18
33.3%
11/12
91.7%
Seattle Bears
3
1/12
8.3%
10/11
90.9%
Quebec City Meute
1
0/2
0%
3/5
60%
 
Ups and Downs:
Calgary Wranglers – Anyone would be proud of getting to the semi-finals and the Wranglers are no exception. With a solid tender between the sticks, and a veteran offensive core, the Calgary Wranglers have the building blocks to create a dynasty. With 5 contracts coming to a close, though, the Wranglers have some decisions to make. Norris Stopko, the uncontested Goalie of the Year, is going to be looking for a final one-year contract before retiring, so expect the Wranglers to pay a steep price for his services. With their top defensemen looking to retire next year as well, Calgary will have to look for some star blueliners in the upcoming entry draft.
 
Riga Reign – I expect to see the Reign making a push for the cup for years to come. The Reign have one of the best lineups the VHL have seen in the past couple of seasons, with a great defensive core to back up a fast and powerful offense. The largest problem for them is the upcoming retirement of two key players in Riga’s lineup. With Jeff Gow and Jack Shephard leaving next year, the Reign will have to give some of their prospects a trial by fire. Look to see many new faces coming into the picture after the draft as the Riga Reign look stocked, with one first rounder pick, one second, two thirds, and three fourth round picks.
 
Seattle Bears – Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the quarters likely wasn’t the bears hopes, with a solid offense and a veteran defense. It seems that the Seattle Bears went for a playoff push this year, and it didn’t pan out for them. With a second and fourth round draft pick next year, and only one prospect in their farm team, the Seattle Bears will probably look to the free agent pool to fill up their organization. A retiring Gabriel McAllister will free up more of the $7.75 million cap space the Seattle Bears have. With big names like Keaton Louth and Joseph Bassolino entering free agency, we can look for big payouts from the Bears.
 
Quebec City Meute – A team with most contracts locked down, the Quebec City Meute seem to be in decent shape for the upcoming years. The retirement of Sergei Komarov will most likely see that the Meute bring up some young blood (Look for Jorgon Weyed and Theodore Gauthier to be making debuts next season). $4.75 million in cap space could see the Meute make a push for a big-name defender, one to compliment the brash nature of Luc Pierre Lespineau Lebrunette. The Meute will need to practice discipline and penalty-killing to stay in cup contention. With a penalty kill percentage of 60% in their last game, expect some more intensive training during camp.
 
Closing Statements: 
This final week of VHL Playoff Hockey proved that the league is moving in the right direction. A fast-paced offensive game is where the league is moving, with shots in a game reaching as high as 50 to 60 shots by a single side in a single game. The talent this league is providing is top tier as well, as players are stating to come straight out of the minors to play in the big league. You have to wonder, with the recent influx of talent, if the league will begin expansion talks again. I know the fans would love to see some more teams coming into the league, but with a global audience the location has to be right. With many Oriental players finding their way to the VHL, could we expect to see an Asian team surface? There are so many opportunities and directions that the commissioner can take this league, and I feel that whichever way they decide to take it, the fans will back him up.  The Victory Hockey League has shown that they are here, and they are here to stay.
 
1500 words, using for PT weeks: Dec 10-16, Dec 17-23, Dec 24-30
 

With the VHL playoffs coming to an end, many names have shown why they are on top while others have shown why they should be. Let’s take a look back at these games and see what’s been happening across the league.
(These stats were taken from Games: 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29, and 31 of the S63 Playoffs.)
Three Stars of the Week:
✯ – Norris Stopko (CGY) – Sporting a .934 Save percentage with 225 shots saved out of 241 over the span of six games, Stopko is unstoppable. This six-season veteran is the main reason why the Calgary Wranglers even got to the finals in the first place. Not much more can be said of this Canadian giant. He’s proven time and time again that he deserves a spot in the VHL Hall of Fame, and I think no one is going to object when his name is thrown into the ballot. As retirement for this gifted goaltender looms overhead and with a young defensive core proving to be their downfall, will we see the Wranglers to give their star player some extra support in the upcoming draft, or look for a new heir to the throne?
✯✯ – Ryuu Crimson (RIG) – Behind every great goal scorer there’s a better playmaker, and that’s exactly what Ryuu Crimson is to Riga’s Edwin Preencarnacion. What a steal this kid has been for Riga, dropping all the way to the start of the second round of the S62 VHL Entry Draft. Registering 5 assists with 1 goal for a Plus/Minus of +2 in only 4 games, Ryuu is here to stay. This winger has it all; The dekes, the shot, and even the body, there isn’t much to improve on for this up and comer. One minor problem is the penalty minutes. Sitting five minutes in the box gave Mister Crimson the fourth most penalty minutes on his team in those four games. Adding 6 more penalty minutes to the rest of his playoff games gives Ryuu a total of 11 Penalty minutes in the playoff, good for third on the Riga Reign. Considering the upside of this kid, though, I feel that five penalty minutes in four games is worth 6 points.
✯✯✯ – Ryan Kastelic – It was a tough choice between Jeff Gow, Evan Lawson, and Ryan Kastelic, but in the end, I feel that Kastelic rose above the competition. Sporting 1 goal and a total of 5 points in four games, Ryan Kastelic finished the week with a +/- of 0. The Reign most likely wouldn’t have gotten to the finals if it wasn’t for players like Kastelic. With this young talent’s prolific offense, most would forget that Kastelic’s first job is that of a defender. A top penalty-killer, Kastelic blocked five shots in his four games. With a great defensive core led by Ryan Kastelic, expect the Reign to focus on offense in the upcoming draft.
 
Notable Mentions:
Jeff Gow – Posting up 3 goals and a total of 4 points in 4 games isn’t an easy task, but you wouldn’t think that when watching Gow. Posting a week-leading 27 shots on goal in just four games, this sniper makes sure the puck gets on net. With leaders like Gow and Shepard coming to the end of their career, the Riga Reign will have some offensive shoes that they will need to fill.
 
Luc-Pierre Lespineau-Lebrunette – A big name in the Meute community, Lespineau-Lebrunette let his team down in their last game against the Riga Reign. Spending 8 minutes in the sin bin is not something Quebec would like to see one of their star defenders doing. As disciplined teams like the Reign push for cup contention, brawler teams like the Meute are falling further and further down the standings. With rumors swirling of a possible trade, the question stands; Will the Quebec City Meute stick to their guns, or jump on a new wave of VHL hockey?
 
Jasper Canmore – Registering 3 points in his 6 games, Canmore is a steady point-scorer. The major problem with his play is his discipline. It might just be the “Finals Jitters” getting ahold of him but registering 22 Penalty Minutes in Calgary’s last 2 games is abysmal. With so much riding on the Wrangler’s star center, you need to stay calm and lead your team from the ice, not the box. Many fingers will be pointed at the 6’8 center when asked about the outcomes of the Calgary’s last two losses, but it’s up to the General Manager, Bushito, to decide the outcome. With Jasper’s lucrative $5,500,000 contract coming to an end this season, many will question whether the grinder deserves another big contract. With big names like Keaton Louth, Mats Johnsson, and Norris Stopko becoming an unrestricted free agent next year, the Calgary will be looking to dump some salary. Is Canmore the answer?
 
Notable Team Stats:
Team
GP
PP
PP%
PK
PK%
Calgary Wranglers
6
2/21
9.5%
20/25
80%
Riga Reign
4
6/18
33.3%
11/12
91.7%
Seattle Bears
3
1/12
8.3%
10/11
90.9%
Quebec City Meute
1
0/2
0%
3/5
60%
 
Ups and Downs:
Calgary Wranglers – Anyone would be proud of getting to the semi-finals and the Wranglers are no exception. With a solid tender between the sticks, and a veteran offensive core, the Calgary Wranglers have the building blocks to create a dynasty. With 5 contracts coming to a close, though, the Wranglers have some decisions to make. Norris Stopko, the uncontested Goalie of the Year, is going to be looking for a final one-year contract before retiring, so expect the Wranglers to pay a steep price for his services. With their top defensemen looking to retire next year as well, Calgary will have to look for some star blueliners in the upcoming entry draft.
 
Riga Reign – I expect to see the Reign making a push for the cup for years to come. The Reign have one of the best lineups the VHL have seen in the past couple of seasons, with a great defensive core to back up a fast and powerful offense. The largest problem for them is the upcoming retirement of two key players in Riga’s lineup. With Jeff Gow and Jack Shephard leaving next year, the Reign will have to give some of their prospects a trial by fire. Look to see many new faces coming into the picture after the draft as the Riga Reign look stocked, with one first rounder pick, one second, two thirds, and three fourth round picks.
 
Seattle Bears – Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the quarters likely wasn’t the bears hopes, with a solid offense and a veteran defense. It seems that the Seattle Bears went for a playoff push this year, and it didn’t pan out for them. With a second and fourth round draft pick next year, and only one prospect in their farm team, the Seattle Bears will probably look to the free agent pool to fill up their organization. A retiring Gabriel McAllister will free up more of the $7.75 million cap space the Seattle Bears have. With big names like Keaton Louth and Joseph Bassolino entering free agency, we can look for big payouts from the Bears.
 
Quebec City Meute – A team with most contracts locked down, the Quebec City Meute seem to be in decent shape for the upcoming years. The retirement of Sergei Komarov will most likely see that the Meute bring up some young blood (Look for Jorgon Weyed and Theodore Gauthier to be making debuts next season). $4.75 million in cap space could see the Meute make a push for a big-name defender, one to compliment the brash nature of Luc Pierre Lespineau Lebrunette. The Meute will need to practice discipline and penalty-killing to stay in cup contention. With a penalty kill percentage of 60% in their last game, expect some more intensive training during camp.
 
Closing Statements: 
This final week of VHL Playoff Hockey proved that the league is moving in the right direction. A fast-paced offensive game is where the league is moving, with shots in a game reaching as high as 50 to 60 shots by a single side in a single game. The talent this league is providing is top tier as well, as players are stating to come straight out of the minors to play in the big league. You have to wonder, with the recent influx of talent, if the league will begin expansion talks again. I know the fans would love to see some more teams coming into the league, but with a global audience the location has to be right. With many Oriental players finding their way to the VHL, could we expect to see an Asian team surface? There are so many opportunities and directions that the commissioner can take this league, and I feel that whichever way they decide to take it, the fans will back him up.  The Victory Hockey League has shown that they are here, and they are here to stay.
 
1500 words, using for PT weeks: Dec 10-16, Dec 17-23, Dec 24-30
 

Rookie's first PT is a triple one. Keep it up, bud!

With the VHL playoffs coming to an end, many names have shown why they are on top while others have shown why they should be. Let’s take a look back at these games and see what’s been happening across the league.
(These stats were taken from Games: 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29, and 31 of the S63 Playoffs.)
Three Stars of the Week:
✯ – Norris Stopko (CGY) – Sporting a .934 Save percentage with 225 shots saved out of 241 over the span of six games, Stopko is unstoppable. This six-season veteran is the main reason why the Calgary Wranglers even got to the finals in the first place. Not much more can be said of this Canadian giant. He’s proven time and time again that he deserves a spot in the VHL Hall of Fame, and I think no one is going to object when his name is thrown into the ballot. As retirement for this gifted goaltender looms overhead and with a young defensive core proving to be their downfall, will we see the Wranglers to give their star player some extra support in the upcoming draft, or look for a new heir to the throne?
✯✯ – Ryuu Crimson (RIG) – Behind every great goal scorer there’s a better playmaker, and that’s exactly what Ryuu Crimson is to Riga’s Edwin Preencarnacion. What a steal this kid has been for Riga, dropping all the way to the start of the second round of the S62 VHL Entry Draft. Registering 5 assists with 1 goal for a Plus/Minus of +2 in only 4 games, Ryuu is here to stay. This winger has it all; The dekes, the shot, and even the body, there isn’t much to improve on for this up and comer. One minor problem is the penalty minutes. Sitting five minutes in the box gave Mister Crimson the fourth most penalty minutes on his team in those four games. Adding 6 more penalty minutes to the rest of his playoff games gives Ryuu a total of 11 Penalty minutes in the playoff, good for third on the Riga Reign. Considering the upside of this kid, though, I feel that five penalty minutes in four games is worth 6 points.
✯✯✯ – Ryan Kastelic – It was a tough choice between Jeff Gow, Evan Lawson, and Ryan Kastelic, but in the end, I feel that Kastelic rose above the competition. Sporting 1 goal and a total of 5 points in four games, Ryan Kastelic finished the week with a +/- of 0. The Reign most likely wouldn’t have gotten to the finals if it wasn’t for players like Kastelic. With this young talent’s prolific offense, most would forget that Kastelic’s first job is that of a defender. A top penalty-killer, Kastelic blocked five shots in his four games. With a great defensive core led by Ryan Kastelic, expect the Reign to focus on offense in the upcoming draft.
 
Notable Mentions:
Jeff Gow – Posting up 3 goals and a total of 4 points in 4 games isn’t an easy task, but you wouldn’t think that when watching Gow. Posting a week-leading 27 shots on goal in just four games, this sniper makes sure the puck gets on net. With leaders like Gow and Shepard coming to the end of their career, the Riga Reign will have some offensive shoes that they will need to fill.
 
Luc-Pierre Lespineau-Lebrunette – A big name in the Meute community, Lespineau-Lebrunette let his team down in their last game against the Riga Reign. Spending 8 minutes in the sin bin is not something Quebec would like to see one of their star defenders doing. As disciplined teams like the Reign push for cup contention, brawler teams like the Meute are falling further and further down the standings. With rumors swirling of a possible trade, the question stands; Will the Quebec City Meute stick to their guns, or jump on a new wave of VHL hockey?
 
Jasper Canmore – Registering 3 points in his 6 games, Canmore is a steady point-scorer. The major problem with his play is his discipline. It might just be the “Finals Jitters” getting ahold of him but registering 22 Penalty Minutes in Calgary’s last 2 games is abysmal. With so much riding on the Wrangler’s star center, you need to stay calm and lead your team from the ice, not the box. Many fingers will be pointed at the 6’8 center when asked about the outcomes of the Calgary’s last two losses, but it’s up to the General Manager, Bushito, to decide the outcome. With Jasper’s lucrative $5,500,000 contract coming to an end this season, many will question whether the grinder deserves another big contract. With big names like Keaton Louth, Mats Johnsson, and Norris Stopko becoming an unrestricted free agent next year, the Calgary will be looking to dump some salary. Is Canmore the answer?
 
Notable Team Stats:
Team
GP
PP
PP%
PK
PK%
Calgary Wranglers
6
2/21
9.5%
20/25
80%
Riga Reign
4
6/18
33.3%
11/12
91.7%
Seattle Bears
3
1/12
8.3%
10/11
90.9%
Quebec City Meute
1
0/2
0%
3/5
60%
 
Ups and Downs:
Calgary Wranglers – Anyone would be proud of getting to the semi-finals and the Wranglers are no exception. With a solid tender between the sticks, and a veteran offensive core, the Calgary Wranglers have the building blocks to create a dynasty. With 5 contracts coming to a close, though, the Wranglers have some decisions to make. Norris Stopko, the uncontested Goalie of the Year, is going to be looking for a final one-year contract before retiring, so expect the Wranglers to pay a steep price for his services. With their top defensemen looking to retire next year as well, Calgary will have to look for some star blueliners in the upcoming entry draft.
 
Riga Reign – I expect to see the Reign making a push for the cup for years to come. The Reign have one of the best lineups the VHL have seen in the past couple of seasons, with a great defensive core to back up a fast and powerful offense. The largest problem for them is the upcoming retirement of two key players in Riga’s lineup. With Jeff Gow and Jack Shephard leaving next year, the Reign will have to give some of their prospects a trial by fire. Look to see many new faces coming into the picture after the draft as the Riga Reign look stocked, with one first rounder pick, one second, two thirds, and three fourth round picks.
 
Seattle Bears – Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the quarters likely wasn’t the bears hopes, with a solid offense and a veteran defense. It seems that the Seattle Bears went for a playoff push this year, and it didn’t pan out for them. With a second and fourth round draft pick next year, and only one prospect in their farm team, the Seattle Bears will probably look to the free agent pool to fill up their organization. A retiring Gabriel McAllister will free up more of the $7.75 million cap space the Seattle Bears have. With big names like Keaton Louth and Joseph Bassolino entering free agency, we can look for big payouts from the Bears.
 
Quebec City Meute – A team with most contracts locked down, the Quebec City Meute seem to be in decent shape for the upcoming years. The retirement of Sergei Komarov will most likely see that the Meute bring up some young blood (Look for Jorgon Weyed and Theodore Gauthier to be making debuts next season). $4.75 million in cap space could see the Meute make a push for a big-name defender, one to compliment the brash nature of Luc Pierre Lespineau Lebrunette. The Meute will need to practice discipline and penalty-killing to stay in cup contention. With a penalty kill percentage of 60% in their last game, expect some more intensive training during camp.
 
Closing Statements: 
This final week of VHL Playoff Hockey proved that the league is moving in the right direction. A fast-paced offensive game is where the league is moving, with shots in a game reaching as high as 50 to 60 shots by a single side in a single game. The talent this league is providing is top tier as well, as players are stating to come straight out of the minors to play in the big league. You have to wonder, with the recent influx of talent, if the league will begin expansion talks again. I know the fans would love to see some more teams coming into the league, but with a global audience the location has to be right. With many Oriental players finding their way to the VHL, could we expect to see an Asian team surface? There are so many opportunities and directions that the commissioner can take this league, and I feel that whichever way they decide to take it, the fans will back him up.  The Victory Hockey League has shown that they are here, and they are here to stay.
 
1500 words, using for PT weeks: Dec 10-16, Dec 17-23, Dec 24-30
 

With the VHL playoffs coming to an end, many names have shown why they are on top while others have shown why they should be. Let’s take a look back at these games and see what’s been happening across the league.
(These stats were taken from Games: 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29, and 31 of the S63 Playoffs.)
Three Stars of the Week:
✯ – Norris Stopko (CGY) – Sporting a .934 Save percentage with 225 shots saved out of 241 over the span of six games, Stopko is unstoppable. This six-season veteran is the main reason why the Calgary Wranglers even got to the finals in the first place. Not much more can be said of this Canadian giant. He’s proven time and time again that he deserves a spot in the VHL Hall of Fame, and I think no one is going to object when his name is thrown into the ballot. As retirement for this gifted goaltender looms overhead and with a young defensive core proving to be their downfall, will we see the Wranglers to give their star player some extra support in the upcoming draft, or look for a new heir to the throne?
✯✯ – Ryuu Crimson (RIG) – Behind every great goal scorer there’s a better playmaker, and that’s exactly what Ryuu Crimson is to Riga’s Edwin Preencarnacion. What a steal this kid has been for Riga, dropping all the way to the start of the second round of the S62 VHL Entry Draft. Registering 5 assists with 1 goal for a Plus/Minus of +2 in only 4 games, Ryuu is here to stay. This winger has it all; The dekes, the shot, and even the body, there isn’t much to improve on for this up and comer. One minor problem is the penalty minutes. Sitting five minutes in the box gave Mister Crimson the fourth most penalty minutes on his team in those four games. Adding 6 more penalty minutes to the rest of his playoff games gives Ryuu a total of 11 Penalty minutes in the playoff, good for third on the Riga Reign. Considering the upside of this kid, though, I feel that five penalty minutes in four games is worth 6 points.
✯✯✯ – Ryan Kastelic – It was a tough choice between Jeff Gow, Evan Lawson, and Ryan Kastelic, but in the end, I feel that Kastelic rose above the competition. Sporting 1 goal and a total of 5 points in four games, Ryan Kastelic finished the week with a +/- of 0. The Reign most likely wouldn’t have gotten to the finals if it wasn’t for players like Kastelic. With this young talent’s prolific offense, most would forget that Kastelic’s first job is that of a defender. A top penalty-killer, Kastelic blocked five shots in his four games. With a great defensive core led by Ryan Kastelic, expect the Reign to focus on offense in the upcoming draft.
 
Notable Mentions:
Jeff Gow – Posting up 3 goals and a total of 4 points in 4 games isn’t an easy task, but you wouldn’t think that when watching Gow. Posting a week-leading 27 shots on goal in just four games, this sniper makes sure the puck gets on net. With leaders like Gow and Shepard coming to the end of their career, the Riga Reign will have some offensive shoes that they will need to fill.
 
Luc-Pierre Lespineau-Lebrunette – A big name in the Meute community, Lespineau-Lebrunette let his team down in their last game against the Riga Reign. Spending 8 minutes in the sin bin is not something Quebec would like to see one of their star defenders doing. As disciplined teams like the Reign push for cup contention, brawler teams like the Meute are falling further and further down the standings. With rumors swirling of a possible trade, the question stands; Will the Quebec City Meute stick to their guns, or jump on a new wave of VHL hockey?
 
Jasper Canmore – Registering 3 points in his 6 games, Canmore is a steady point-scorer. The major problem with his play is his discipline. It might just be the “Finals Jitters” getting ahold of him but registering 22 Penalty Minutes in Calgary’s last 2 games is abysmal. With so much riding on the Wrangler’s star center, you need to stay calm and lead your team from the ice, not the box. Many fingers will be pointed at the 6’8 center when asked about the outcomes of the Calgary’s last two losses, but it’s up to the General Manager, Bushito, to decide the outcome. With Jasper’s lucrative $5,500,000 contract coming to an end this season, many will question whether the grinder deserves another big contract. With big names like Keaton Louth, Mats Johnsson, and Norris Stopko becoming an unrestricted free agent next year, the Calgary will be looking to dump some salary. Is Canmore the answer?
 
Notable Team Stats:
Team
GP
PP
PP%
PK
PK%
Calgary Wranglers
6
2/21
9.5%
20/25
80%
Riga Reign
4
6/18
33.3%
11/12
91.7%
Seattle Bears
3
1/12
8.3%
10/11
90.9%
Quebec City Meute
1
0/2
0%
3/5
60%
 
Ups and Downs:
Calgary Wranglers – Anyone would be proud of getting to the semi-finals and the Wranglers are no exception. With a solid tender between the sticks, and a veteran offensive core, the Calgary Wranglers have the building blocks to create a dynasty. With 5 contracts coming to a close, though, the Wranglers have some decisions to make. Norris Stopko, the uncontested Goalie of the Year, is going to be looking for a final one-year contract before retiring, so expect the Wranglers to pay a steep price for his services. With their top defensemen looking to retire next year as well, Calgary will have to look for some star blueliners in the upcoming entry draft.
 
Riga Reign – I expect to see the Reign making a push for the cup for years to come. The Reign have one of the best lineups the VHL have seen in the past couple of seasons, with a great defensive core to back up a fast and powerful offense. The largest problem for them is the upcoming retirement of two key players in Riga’s lineup. With Jeff Gow and Jack Shephard leaving next year, the Reign will have to give some of their prospects a trial by fire. Look to see many new faces coming into the picture after the draft as the Riga Reign look stocked, with one first rounder pick, one second, two thirds, and three fourth round picks.
 
Seattle Bears – Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the quarters likely wasn’t the bears hopes, with a solid offense and a veteran defense. It seems that the Seattle Bears went for a playoff push this year, and it didn’t pan out for them. With a second and fourth round draft pick next year, and only one prospect in their farm team, the Seattle Bears will probably look to the free agent pool to fill up their organization. A retiring Gabriel McAllister will free up more of the $7.75 million cap space the Seattle Bears have. With big names like Keaton Louth and Joseph Bassolino entering free agency, we can look for big payouts from the Bears.
 
Quebec City Meute – A team with most contracts locked down, the Quebec City Meute seem to be in decent shape for the upcoming years. The retirement of Sergei Komarov will most likely see that the Meute bring up some young blood (Look for Jorgon Weyed and Theodore Gauthier to be making debuts next season). $4.75 million in cap space could see the Meute make a push for a big-name defender, one to compliment the brash nature of Luc Pierre Lespineau Lebrunette. The Meute will need to practice discipline and penalty-killing to stay in cup contention. With a penalty kill percentage of 60% in their last game, expect some more intensive training during camp.
 
Closing Statements: 
This final week of VHL Playoff Hockey proved that the league is moving in the right direction. A fast-paced offensive game is where the league is moving, with shots in a game reaching as high as 50 to 60 shots by a single side in a single game. The talent this league is providing is top tier as well, as players are stating to come straight out of the minors to play in the big league. You have to wonder, with the recent influx of talent, if the league will begin expansion talks again. I know the fans would love to see some more teams coming into the league, but with a global audience the location has to be right. With many Oriental players finding their way to the VHL, could we expect to see an Asian team surface? There are so many opportunities and directions that the commissioner can take this league, and I feel that whichever way they decide to take it, the fans will back him up.  The Victory Hockey League has shown that they are here, and they are here to stay.
 
1500 words, using for PT weeks: Dec 10-16, Dec 17-23, Dec 24-30
 

With the VHL playoffs coming to an end, many names have shown why they are on top while others have shown why they should be. Let’s take a look back at these games and see what’s been happening across the league.
(These stats were taken from Games: 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29, and 31 of the S63 Playoffs.)
Three Stars of the Week:
✯ – Norris Stopko (CGY) – Sporting a .934 Save percentage with 225 shots saved out of 241 over the span of six games, Stopko is unstoppable. This six-season veteran is the main reason why the Calgary Wranglers even got to the finals in the first place. Not much more can be said of this Canadian giant. He’s proven time and time again that he deserves a spot in the VHL Hall of Fame, and I think no one is going to object when his name is thrown into the ballot. As retirement for this gifted goaltender looms overhead and with a young defensive core proving to be their downfall, will we see the Wranglers to give their star player some extra support in the upcoming draft, or look for a new heir to the throne?
✯✯ – Ryuu Crimson (RIG) – Behind every great goal scorer there’s a better playmaker, and that’s exactly what Ryuu Crimson is to Riga’s Edwin Preencarnacion. What a steal this kid has been for Riga, dropping all the way to the start of the second round of the S62 VHL Entry Draft. Registering 5 assists with 1 goal for a Plus/Minus of +2 in only 4 games, Ryuu is here to stay. This winger has it all; The dekes, the shot, and even the body, there isn’t much to improve on for this up and comer. One minor problem is the penalty minutes. Sitting five minutes in the box gave Mister Crimson the fourth most penalty minutes on his team in those four games. Adding 6 more penalty minutes to the rest of his playoff games gives Ryuu a total of 11 Penalty minutes in the playoff, good for third on the Riga Reign. Considering the upside of this kid, though, I feel that five penalty minutes in four games is worth 6 points.
✯✯✯ – Ryan Kastelic – It was a tough choice between Jeff Gow, Evan Lawson, and Ryan Kastelic, but in the end, I feel that Kastelic rose above the competition. Sporting 1 goal and a total of 5 points in four games, Ryan Kastelic finished the week with a +/- of 0. The Reign most likely wouldn’t have gotten to the finals if it wasn’t for players like Kastelic. With this young talent’s prolific offense, most would forget that Kastelic’s first job is that of a defender. A top penalty-killer, Kastelic blocked five shots in his four games. With a great defensive core led by Ryan Kastelic, expect the Reign to focus on offense in the upcoming draft.
 
Notable Mentions:
Jeff Gow – Posting up 3 goals and a total of 4 points in 4 games isn’t an easy task, but you wouldn’t think that when watching Gow. Posting a week-leading 27 shots on goal in just four games, this sniper makes sure the puck gets on net. With leaders like Gow and Shepard coming to the end of their career, the Riga Reign will have some offensive shoes that they will need to fill.
 
Luc-Pierre Lespineau-Lebrunette – A big name in the Meute community, Lespineau-Lebrunette let his team down in their last game against the Riga Reign. Spending 8 minutes in the sin bin is not something Quebec would like to see one of their star defenders doing. As disciplined teams like the Reign push for cup contention, brawler teams like the Meute are falling further and further down the standings. With rumors swirling of a possible trade, the question stands; Will the Quebec City Meute stick to their guns, or jump on a new wave of VHL hockey?
 
Jasper Canmore – Registering 3 points in his 6 games, Canmore is a steady point-scorer. The major problem with his play is his discipline. It might just be the “Finals Jitters” getting ahold of him but registering 22 Penalty Minutes in Calgary’s last 2 games is abysmal. With so much riding on the Wrangler’s star center, you need to stay calm and lead your team from the ice, not the box. Many fingers will be pointed at the 6’8 center when asked about the outcomes of the Calgary’s last two losses, but it’s up to the General Manager, Bushito, to decide the outcome. With Jasper’s lucrative $5,500,000 contract coming to an end this season, many will question whether the grinder deserves another big contract. With big names like Keaton Louth, Mats Johnsson, and Norris Stopko becoming an unrestricted free agent next year, the Calgary will be looking to dump some salary. Is Canmore the answer?
 
Notable Team Stats:
Team
GP
PP
PP%
PK
PK%
Calgary Wranglers
6
2/21
9.5%
20/25
80%
Riga Reign
4
6/18
33.3%
11/12
91.7%
Seattle Bears
3
1/12
8.3%
10/11
90.9%
Quebec City Meute
1
0/2
0%
3/5
60%
 
Ups and Downs:
Calgary Wranglers – Anyone would be proud of getting to the semi-finals and the Wranglers are no exception. With a solid tender between the sticks, and a veteran offensive core, the Calgary Wranglers have the building blocks to create a dynasty. With 5 contracts coming to a close, though, the Wranglers have some decisions to make. Norris Stopko, the uncontested Goalie of the Year, is going to be looking for a final one-year contract before retiring, so expect the Wranglers to pay a steep price for his services. With their top defensemen looking to retire next year as well, Calgary will have to look for some star blueliners in the upcoming entry draft.
 
Riga Reign – I expect to see the Reign making a push for the cup for years to come. The Reign have one of the best lineups the VHL have seen in the past couple of seasons, with a great defensive core to back up a fast and powerful offense. The largest problem for them is the upcoming retirement of two key players in Riga’s lineup. With Jeff Gow and Jack Shephard leaving next year, the Reign will have to give some of their prospects a trial by fire. Look to see many new faces coming into the picture after the draft as the Riga Reign look stocked, with one first rounder pick, one second, two thirds, and three fourth round picks.
 
Seattle Bears – Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the quarters likely wasn’t the bears hopes, with a solid offense and a veteran defense. It seems that the Seattle Bears went for a playoff push this year, and it didn’t pan out for them. With a second and fourth round draft pick next year, and only one prospect in their farm team, the Seattle Bears will probably look to the free agent pool to fill up their organization. A retiring Gabriel McAllister will free up more of the $7.75 million cap space the Seattle Bears have. With big names like Keaton Louth and Joseph Bassolino entering free agency, we can look for big payouts from the Bears.
 
Quebec City Meute – A team with most contracts locked down, the Quebec City Meute seem to be in decent shape for the upcoming years. The retirement of Sergei Komarov will most likely see that the Meute bring up some young blood (Look for Jorgon Weyed and Theodore Gauthier to be making debuts next season). $4.75 million in cap space could see the Meute make a push for a big-name defender, one to compliment the brash nature of Luc Pierre Lespineau Lebrunette. The Meute will need to practice discipline and penalty-killing to stay in cup contention. With a penalty kill percentage of 60% in their last game, expect some more intensive training during camp.
 
Closing Statements: 
This final week of VHL Playoff Hockey proved that the league is moving in the right direction. A fast-paced offensive game is where the league is moving, with shots in a game reaching as high as 50 to 60 shots by a single side in a single game. The talent this league is providing is top tier as well, as players are stating to come straight out of the minors to play in the big league. You have to wonder, with the recent influx of talent, if the league will begin expansion talks again. I know the fans would love to see some more teams coming into the league, but with a global audience the location has to be right. With many Oriental players finding their way to the VHL, could we expect to see an Asian team surface? There are so many opportunities and directions that the commissioner can take this league, and I feel that whichever way they decide to take it, the fans will back him up.  The Victory Hockey League has shown that they are here, and they are here to stay.
 
1500 words, using for PT weeks: Dec 10-16, Dec 17-23, Dec 24-30
 

Hey! What's up, I'm guessing that this has been suggested already but I wanted to bring it up again and hopefully provide a different view.
 
I want to start by explaining than in the SBA (our Basketball affiliate) you get TPE for commenting on sim threads within 24hr from when they were posted. I feel like it gives the forum so much life that it could really be of some use in the VHL. You can do it three times throughout the week and you earn 1 TPE for each time, obviously this can be tweaked but I find it to be a very neat idea, the forum feels more alive IMO and it is also a relatively easy going way to earn TPE (whenever I do reviewing here I want to kym).
 
I would also like to implement some sort of reward for "role-playing", let me explain because with the recent stuff going with @BladeMaiden that sounds very sexual lmao. By role-playing I mean forging your player life, his friends, his enemies, league rilvalries, and somewhat find a way to reward the system. That would be more complicated but it could work as a media spot where you basically do a write-up of a story that is not too far-fetched and it can involve other parties. 
 
Also, articles barely get any attention, it feels somewhat bad to post a 1k word media spot and not even get an answer. If we could implement something that would work like reviewing but with a thoughtful comment about the media spot  that would be cool, I feel like it would be a nice addition too.
 
Anyway, let me know what you think!
 
 
 

With the VHL playoffs coming to an end, many names have shown why they are on top while others have shown why they should be. Let’s take a look back at these games and see what’s been happening across the league.
(These stats were taken from Games: 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29, and 31 of the S63 Playoffs.)
Three Stars of the Week:
✯ – Norris Stopko (CGY) – Sporting a .934 Save percentage with 225 shots saved out of 241 over the span of six games, Stopko is unstoppable. This six-season veteran is the main reason why the Calgary Wranglers even got to the finals in the first place. Not much more can be said of this Canadian giant. He’s proven time and time again that he deserves a spot in the VHL Hall of Fame, and I think no one is going to object when his name is thrown into the ballot. As retirement for this gifted goaltender looms overhead and with a young defensive core proving to be their downfall, will we see the Wranglers to give their star player some extra support in the upcoming draft, or look for a new heir to the throne?
✯✯ – Ryuu Crimson (RIG) – Behind every great goal scorer there’s a better playmaker, and that’s exactly what Ryuu Crimson is to Riga’s Edwin Preencarnacion. What a steal this kid has been for Riga, dropping all the way to the start of the second round of the S62 VHL Entry Draft. Registering 5 assists with 1 goal for a Plus/Minus of +2 in only 4 games, Ryuu is here to stay. This winger has it all; The dekes, the shot, and even the body, there isn’t much to improve on for this up and comer. One minor problem is the penalty minutes. Sitting five minutes in the box gave Mister Crimson the fourth most penalty minutes on his team in those four games. Adding 6 more penalty minutes to the rest of his playoff games gives Ryuu a total of 11 Penalty minutes in the playoff, good for third on the Riga Reign. Considering the upside of this kid, though, I feel that five penalty minutes in four games is worth 6 points.
✯✯✯ – Ryan Kastelic – It was a tough choice between Jeff Gow, Evan Lawson, and Ryan Kastelic, but in the end, I feel that Kastelic rose above the competition. Sporting 1 goal and a total of 5 points in four games, Ryan Kastelic finished the week with a +/- of 0. The Reign most likely wouldn’t have gotten to the finals if it wasn’t for players like Kastelic. With this young talent’s prolific offense, most would forget that Kastelic’s first job is that of a defender. A top penalty-killer, Kastelic blocked five shots in his four games. With a great defensive core led by Ryan Kastelic, expect the Reign to focus on offense in the upcoming draft.
 
Notable Mentions:
Jeff Gow – Posting up 3 goals and a total of 4 points in 4 games isn’t an easy task, but you wouldn’t think that when watching Gow. Posting a week-leading 27 shots on goal in just four games, this sniper makes sure the puck gets on net. With leaders like Gow and Shepard coming to the end of their career, the Riga Reign will have some offensive shoes that they will need to fill.
 
Luc-Pierre Lespineau-Lebrunette – A big name in the Meute community, Lespineau-Lebrunette let his team down in their last game against the Riga Reign. Spending 8 minutes in the sin bin is not something Quebec would like to see one of their star defenders doing. As disciplined teams like the Reign push for cup contention, brawler teams like the Meute are falling further and further down the standings. With rumors swirling of a possible trade, the question stands; Will the Quebec City Meute stick to their guns, or jump on a new wave of VHL hockey?
 
Jasper Canmore – Registering 3 points in his 6 games, Canmore is a steady point-scorer. The major problem with his play is his discipline. It might just be the “Finals Jitters” getting ahold of him but registering 22 Penalty Minutes in Calgary’s last 2 games is abysmal. With so much riding on the Wrangler’s star center, you need to stay calm and lead your team from the ice, not the box. Many fingers will be pointed at the 6’8 center when asked about the outcomes of the Calgary’s last two losses, but it’s up to the General Manager, Bushito, to decide the outcome. With Jasper’s lucrative $5,500,000 contract coming to an end this season, many will question whether the grinder deserves another big contract. With big names like Keaton Louth, Mats Johnsson, and Norris Stopko becoming an unrestricted free agent next year, the Calgary will be looking to dump some salary. Is Canmore the answer?
 
Notable Team Stats:
Team
GP
PP
PP%
PK
PK%
Calgary Wranglers
6
2/21
9.5%
20/25
80%
Riga Reign
4
6/18
33.3%
11/12
91.7%
Seattle Bears
3
1/12
8.3%
10/11
90.9%
Quebec City Meute
1
0/2
0%
3/5
60%
 
Ups and Downs:
Calgary Wranglers – Anyone would be proud of getting to the semi-finals and the Wranglers are no exception. With a solid tender between the sticks, and a veteran offensive core, the Calgary Wranglers have the building blocks to create a dynasty. With 5 contracts coming to a close, though, the Wranglers have some decisions to make. Norris Stopko, the uncontested Goalie of the Year, is going to be looking for a final one-year contract before retiring, so expect the Wranglers to pay a steep price for his services. With their top defensemen looking to retire next year as well, Calgary will have to look for some star blueliners in the upcoming entry draft.
 
Riga Reign – I expect to see the Reign making a push for the cup for years to come. The Reign have one of the best lineups the VHL have seen in the past couple of seasons, with a great defensive core to back up a fast and powerful offense. The largest problem for them is the upcoming retirement of two key players in Riga’s lineup. With Jeff Gow and Jack Shephard leaving next year, the Reign will have to give some of their prospects a trial by fire. Look to see many new faces coming into the picture after the draft as the Riga Reign look stocked, with one first rounder pick, one second, two thirds, and three fourth round picks.
 
Seattle Bears – Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the quarters likely wasn’t the bears hopes, with a solid offense and a veteran defense. It seems that the Seattle Bears went for a playoff push this year, and it didn’t pan out for them. With a second and fourth round draft pick next year, and only one prospect in their farm team, the Seattle Bears will probably look to the free agent pool to fill up their organization. A retiring Gabriel McAllister will free up more of the $7.75 million cap space the Seattle Bears have. With big names like Keaton Louth and Joseph Bassolino entering free agency, we can look for big payouts from the Bears.
 
Quebec City Meute – A team with most contracts locked down, the Quebec City Meute seem to be in decent shape for the upcoming years. The retirement of Sergei Komarov will most likely see that the Meute bring up some young blood (Look for Jorgon Weyed and Theodore Gauthier to be making debuts next season). $4.75 million in cap space could see the Meute make a push for a big-name defender, one to compliment the brash nature of Luc Pierre Lespineau Lebrunette. The Meute will need to practice discipline and penalty-killing to stay in cup contention. With a penalty kill percentage of 60% in their last game, expect some more intensive training during camp.
 
Closing Statements: 
This final week of VHL Playoff Hockey proved that the league is moving in the right direction. A fast-paced offensive game is where the league is moving, with shots in a game reaching as high as 50 to 60 shots by a single side in a single game. The talent this league is providing is top tier as well, as players are stating to come straight out of the minors to play in the big league. You have to wonder, with the recent influx of talent, if the league will begin expansion talks again. I know the fans would love to see some more teams coming into the league, but with a global audience the location has to be right. With many Oriental players finding their way to the VHL, could we expect to see an Asian team surface? There are so many opportunities and directions that the commissioner can take this league, and I feel that whichever way they decide to take it, the fans will back him up.  The Victory Hockey League has shown that they are here, and they are here to stay.
 
1500 words, using for PT weeks: Dec 10-16, Dec 17-23, Dec 24-30
 

Name: Nico Sulerzyski
Height: 6’1
Weight: 205 lbs.
Handedness: Right
Birth Place: Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.
Jersey Number: 77

 
Nico Sulerzyski is a name you might have heard buzzing around recently. A sharp shot and a personality to boot, many see a bright future for this Florida native. Going into his junior year in college captaining his Harvard Crimson, Sulerzyski is looking to cut his college life short and will look to further his standings at the professional level. With his recent birthday passing, many GMs might lower the Now-20 year old’s draft stock: Bad choice for those that do. Let’s look at this young player’s report.
 
STRENGTHS:
Shooting – Sulerzyski is a natural-born goal scorer. Never one afraid to shoot, Sulerzyski’s shooting percentage might give some coaches a scare. Nico isn’t afraid of getting the puck on net and is at his best in a fast-paced, rebounding offense. With the speed and power he gives the puck off his blade, Sulerzyski is a perfect pick for teams in need of a purebred sniper.
Skating – Watching this winger play in person is truly an exhilarating experience. Nico’s top speed isn’t the fastest, but his explosiveness is something you can’t teach. At only 20 years old, his speed is something he can perfect. The raw physicality this kid exhibits is something that can’t be taught. Expect to see many icings called off with this winger getting in behind the larger defensemen.
Temper – Nico seems to be a pretty disciplined player at first glance, and I think his Temper has a lot to do with it. He’s rarely seen getting into unnecessary fights but will still stick up for his teammates when needed. Last year posting only 14 penalty minutes in 82 games, Sulerzyski is a reliable winger when it comes to sin bin excursions.
 
WEAKNESSES:
Defending – Nico Sulerzyski is not your man if you’re looking for penalty kill expertise. Known to be a full forward, you can easily see that Nico focused his training on the offensive aspects of his game. While you will see him on the back check, know that you’re getting offense when you pick Sulerzyski. Some extreme conditioning will be needed to give this kid a better ground on defending.
Faceoffs – I don’t think Nico has ever centered a line, and his faceoffs are proof. Sulerzyski sported a 7.7 FO%, winning just one of thirteen faceoffs taken. Thankfully, I don’t believe you would pick this kid if you were looking for a faceoff taker, as he probably won’t be heading any penalty kill lines in the near future. Definitely something to be worked on; Don’t expect much from him in that department.
Strength – I don’t personally find this an extreme weakness in his case, but I think many will disagree with how the league is evolving. At 205 pounds, Nico can stay on his feet for a decent hit but could do with more muscle on him. Prepare to see more takeaways and less hits from 77’s play.
 
CLOSING STATEMENTS:
Shots, shots, and more shots. That’s what you’ll get with Sulerzyski. He isn’t the most physical or versatile when it comes to types of play, but he’ll prove his worth. His play on offense reminds me of a Jarvis Baldwin, and I think that’s the type of ceiling you could expect to see from this prolific, young winger.