tunedtorock

1. Now that the season has wrapped up, how do you feel about the team's performance? Was there anything that surprised or disappointed you?

Overall rather pleased with our performance.  Maybe we had a change to win the regular season but Vegas seemed to be running away with it from the beginning.  I said this before and I'll say it again, regular season no longer matters come playoffs.

2. Halifax will be facing Ottawa in round 1 of the upcoming playoffs. Who will win and how many games will it take them?

Hoping to finish it in 4, we will need to stay focused throughout the series.  Any lapse of focus will cost us.  The first two games were close, we need to keep our cool and discipline for the upcoming games.

3. These next few weeks may very well be your last with the team. How do you plan to spend them and what will you miss about playing for Halifax?

I plan on working to get points and help Halifax hoist the Founder's Cup.  3 Goals already in the playoffs and I dont plan on stopping.

4. Looking back to the beginning of this season, what were your expectations for your player and do you feel as if they have been fulfilled?

I expected to be the player Halifax needed and I believe I have achieved that.  I put up goals when it mattered but I was more focused on being the assist guy creating plays while still being helpful defensively.  I believe I did that.

5. Predict this year's finals. Who wins the cup, how many games does it take them and whom do they do it against?

Halifax v Vegas.  Halifax winning GM6.  

6. If you were in charge of making the lines for the playoffs, what would they be?

I would keep them the way they are right now.  Everything's working for us.  Maybe they need some tweeks when we hopefully play Vegas but we will see when the time comes.

+2 Matteo

+10 Matteo

Matteo

Forward

Points

+/-

15 hours ago, flyersfan1453 said:

The people of upstate NY are pretty in to hockey,

Can confirm, really got into hockey moving up here

1) The VHLM has officially announced expansion, with the new teams seeing action as early as next season! What are your thoughts on the teams they unveiled, or expansion as a whole?

Its exciting news that the VHLM has enough players add 2 additional teams!  8 teams in total will put a greater emphasis on regular season performance.  The expansion draft has the potential to even out the league overall, which again will add to the emphasis on the regular season.

2) If you were the GM for a new expansion team, what would be the first order of business?

I would look for players who will work well together offensively and defensively.  The players who are putting in the work each week.  And a veteran netminder to keep the team in the game each night.

3) Four teams have now clinched, and two are fighting for the last available playoff spot. Who takes it, Saskatoon or Yukon?

Yukon's on the W streak right now but I can see it coming down to the final game

4) Which VHL team has the best logo/design to you? Why?

Toronto Legion, its crisp and noticeable without being super busy.  Quebec is a close second.

5) When you leave the VHLM to play in the VHL, what legacy do you think you'll leave behind? How will you be remembered for your time in the minors?

I want to be remembered for consistently putting in the work each week and being the versatile player my team needed.

6) You're eligible for some free TPE if you recruit a friend and they end up sticking around; how would you pitch the VHL to an interested friend?

You'll get what you put in, and what you get out can be so rewarding knowing you're part of a team looking to be champions.

+2 Matteo

1) The World Junior Championship is finally underway; who do you think wins it all and why?

Gonna go with Canada, they are sitting in second with a game in hand as I write this.  Maybe not the strongest scorers but with a Goals Against of 10 their defensive actions will take em to the end.

2) With VHLM playoffs right around the corner, where do you see your team ending up when its all said and done?

Halifax will always aim to win it all.  We have to prove ourselves against Las Vegas to ensure that Ottawa doesn't catch us for 2nd place.

3) How do you feel about your own personal performance thus far? Do you need to step it up, or stay consistent with what you have?

I do need to step it up a little more.  I consistently get 8 TPE points a week but I want to do more.

4) What team do you think will be the biggest surprise in the last portion of this season?

I smell an unexpected upset coming in the playoffs. 

5) Where do you see yourself at this point next season? What do you hope to have accomplished by then?

I will by over 100 TPE so I plan to have a sound skater who puts up around a PPG.

6) What do you like most about the VHL? What keeps you around?

Making graphics to be honest.  There's something really fun about it to me, especially relating it to hockey.  Personal favorite so far has been "who wants that money" which featured an actual photo of myself during a beer league game.

1 hour ago, Beketov said:

Is he missing a foot or is his left foot just supposed to be in the air?

Its in the air, but the color blends a bit too much with the background.  I should have darkened it to make the distinction. 

+2 Matteo

1 hour ago, Thranduil said:

@tunedtorock Amazing! I am loving the activity I am seeing from you. Would you like me to make you a player card or something?

That'd be cool 

+2

6 hours ago, McWolf said:

nice work with the logo on both your sigs man. I have no idea how to do that haha

Thanks! I use pixlr.com. Nothing fancy but it allows for multi layer pictures which is how I get the logos on

1. How satisfied are you with your player's performance so far this season?

At the start of the season I expected more for myself, however as I did the point tasks and improved myself I saw it reflect in the games

2. What about your team, how are things going with the team? Would you run things differently?

Halifax is doing well right now, I wouldnt really change much.  Las Vegas is the only team we really haven't been able to figure out yet.

3. The Las Vegas Aces seem to have separated themselves from the rest of the teams. Do you think they can keep it up until the end?

I think they will sustain through the regular season but anything can happen come playoffs.

4. What other player in the league do you hate to play against?

Haven't played long enough to really have a grudge match yet but who ever hits me the most because I'm made of glass.  Is there a away to see that?

5. Besides hockey, obviously, what other sports do you like to play casually or watch?

I play paintball when the weathers warmer.  I played for my college team and play D4 nationally which is cool.
 

6. If you had the power to relocate a VHLM team, where would you put it and what would you name it?

Long Island Rough Riders (T.Roosevelt reference)

+2 Matteo

MATTEO

Age: 27

Height: 5’ 10”

Weight: 185 lbs

Team: Halifax 21^st

Hometown: Buffalo, NY

Matteo was born into hockey.  His parents were huge fans of the sport and this translated into hockey becoming a major role in Matteo’s life.  While neither of his parents were big time hockey players they set him up for success as long as he was driven.  And driven he was.  Matteo wanted to be on the ice every waking moment.  When he wasn’t practicing he was watching his favorite players trying to absorb all he could.  This all made him a top line skater throughout his life but he wasn’t quite ready for the big leagues yet.  After some stellar performance in the top leagues around the world it’s time for him to take on the top of the top, the VHL.  He get his start in season 64 of the VHLM with Halifax 21^st , a well known team looking to use Matteo’s talent to hoist the Founder's Cup .

Strength

Positioning:  Matteo knows where to be on the ice at all times.  In the offensive zone look for him to keep his feet moving and free himself up.  On defense he will cover the point but knows when to move to the puck.  During the breakout Matteo will go wide to open the ice for his linemates to set up the offensive play. 

Discipline:  Matteo has been playing this game his whole life.  He’s watched every type of player and knows who he wants to be.  And that’s a clean straightforward guy.  Everything he does off the ice is to make sure that when he hits the ice he is doing everything he can do give his team a scoring opportunity.  He’ll keep it clean though, he hates giving the other team an advantage.  His actions are precise, almost robotic at times.  Like this is the only thing he knows how to do.  Some teams are looking for that, some aren’t.  He’ll find where he fits in.

Quick Shot:  Travolta called, he wants his title back.  This kids wristers are so greasy its amazing hits mitts stay on.  Snaps so quick snapchat sued.  You can visit Eichel in Boomtown all you want, this guy’s the mayor of Snap City.  

Weakness

Creativity:  The downside to this guy’s discipline is how predictable he can be.  His 1 on 1 with defenders has room for improvement.  You’ll see him setting up a dump and chase more often than most because when he tries to puck handle around the defense he’ll turn the puck over too easily. 

Size:  Matteo has a fire in him, but reality is reality, he’s just not that big of a guy compared to the other guys on ice.  He’s got no problem going to the boards but he can get muscled off the puck easily.  You tell the guy to hit the gym during the offseason but you’ll find him at the rink with a stick and puck in hand. 

Team Chemistry:  While his colleagues may be partying it up downtown or chipping some hicks at the produce stand Matteo tends to stay late at practice on the ice or catches the night’s game at home.  He’s got no problem inviting his teammates over but to some his nose to the grindstone attitude can be off-putting.  This can affect his on ice performance when his linemates and him aren’t on the same page.  He’ll take some time to get use to but he will be rewarding when given the right environment. 

The rookies teaming up to get that third goal! Wish we won this game but we beat Vegas the other time we played them right?

+2 Matteo

1. With the New Season looming what are your plans for your character? Any goals for the season stat wise?

I plan on working on being the best player for my team. Ive found that doesnt mean being the goalscorer but rather setting up the plays. I will be focused on passing and positioning along with skating.

2. The Recruitment Team is working hard to make the VHL a better place. What changes would you make if any?

I saw a video on what to do as a new player. It was helpful but seemed to be a little outdated. I would update that video, especially for us who are visual learners.

3. Have you gone on the leagues discord channel yet? If so what are your thoughts? If you haven't why not? (Discord Link)

I am in the leagues discord (tunedtorick). I am not really big into discord because I am new to using it, however everyone has been rather helpful when I asked questions.

 

4. What team do you play for? Where in the standings do you think they will end up?

Halifax 21st. Will do everything it takes for us to finish top 3

5. Are you aware of the Recruit a Friend Program? Would you suggest the VHL to friends or family? (Recruit a Friend Link)

I am aware of the Recuit a Friend Program which gains extra TPE when your friends reach 200? I may be quoting that wrong. I am seeing if any of my friends would be interested in this.
 

6. What teams in the VHL do you think have the best shot at winning the cup? What team would you want to play for? (VHL TEAMS)

I have to be bias and say Halifax 21st but I will say why. The amount of commitment and dedication I'm seeing at the start of the season is showing that we are committed to this to the very end.  Looking forward to this season!