bluesfan55

Word just got in that Yukon Rush right winger Arnor Sigurdsson is fuming at the lack of his name being mentioned in mock drafts. The Icelander feels that he should be regarded as a first round talent. “I don’t get how players like myself, Shawnomir Jagr, Jet Jaguar, and Bert Meyers aren’t categorized as first round picks. Bert deserves it more than anyone. The dude’s put in a hell of a lot of work, as has Jet (who’s passed me in TPE). Shawn and I are both high up in our class as well, so to see players with lower TPE than us up higher in mocks rankles me. I’m not sure about the other guys, but I know how I feel and where I stand. I hope I can go up in later mocks, but to not be graded as a first rounder now is angering.” I guess we’ll see in later mocks, but it sure seems that Sigurdsson is not happy.

He doesn’t even have me in the first round. We both have the same TPE so technically we should be first rounders. This guy’s a meanie

Team Europe: Forwards Team Europe has a promising bunch of young players ready to take the world on in the next WJC. Here’s a look at their forward group. Jet Jaguar TPE: 174 Nationality: Ukranian Team: Halifax 21st Position: C Halifax forward Jet Jaguar is one of the best centers in the VHLM this season. The 6’3” 27-year-old is a crisp skater (80) and shutdown defender (78), but he excels as a playmaker. He’s put up 20 assists and 14 goals for a total of 34 points, which are solid numbers on a contender in Halifax. Jaguar was one of numerous chips traded by Philadelphia, who seem to be stocking up on draft picks for next season. Jaguar will be a top 6 forward for Team Europe, and no doubt will be a defensive presence on the ice. Maximilian Kirbsson TPE: 207 Nationality: Swedish Team: Houston Bulls Position: C The first of two capped players on Team Europe is Houston two-way forward Maximilian Kirbsson. He can do everything. Passing? Check (80). Scoring? Check (75). Skate? Check (73). Defend? Check (70). Kirby, as he’s affectionately called, can do it all. He’s been killing it for the Bulls (55 points, averaging over a point per game) and is one of the stars of Team Europe, where he’ll most likely center the first line. Kari Jurri TPE: 209 Nationality: Dutch Team: Houston Bulls Position: LW Dutch winger Kari Jurri will most likely get to play with his friend and linemate Maximilian Kirbsson on the first line. Jurri has one less point than Kirbsson (54), but is more of a scoring threat (83 scoring compared to Kirbsson’s 75). Jurri is a true sniper who adds a scoring threat to any line he plays on, and should form a great partnership on the first line with Kirbsson and Aaltonen. Mikko Aaltonen TPE: 192 Nationality: Finnish Team: Las Vegas Aces Position: RW Another player traded by Philadelphia in their quest for all of the draft picks was talented Finnish right winger Mikko Aaltonen. Aaltonen is a pure scorer like Jurri (80), but can also defend well (75). Aaltonen is scoring just over a point per game (43 points in 41 games), and will round out the first line with Jurri and Kirbsson. That’s a hell of a line right there. Arnor Sigurdsson TPE: 169 Nationality: Icelandic Team: Yukon Rush Position: RW Icelandic winger Sigurdsson has been one of a few bright spots on a struggling Yukon Rush team, with 34 points and a massive 84 hits. Look for him to be a physical presence while on the ice. Shawnomir Jagr TPE: 169 Nationality: Czech Team: Saskatoon Wild Position: RW Jagr is another pure scorer on this team (80), but can also defend well (70) and handle the puck (70). The Czech winger has scored a massive 60 points in 41 games, and is a lock for top 6 minutes. He’s arguably the best player in the VHLM not named Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and will contend for top scorer at the tournament. Anton Edvin TPE: 140 Nationality: Estonian Team: Halifax 21st Position: RW The Halifax winger came into this season as a relative unknown, but has excelled on the 21st this season. He’s scored 56 points (mainly due to his 78 scoring), and is no slouch on defense (70). Edvin is probably the best inactive on this team. Hans Gruber TPE: 125 Nationality: German Team: Saskatoon Wild Position: C Hans Gruber is a true playmaker and probably the most underrated player on this team. The German has scored 33 points on the season, with a whopping 26 assists. He’s a fine passer (70) who doesn’t forget about his defensive responsabilites (70). Gruber has all the tools to break out at this tournament. And that’s pretty much it, bar Polish winger Wlodzimierz Zajaczkowski (apologies for spelling it wrong), who’s been a solid VHL player for Calgary. Let’s go Team Europe!

Riga Toronto Davos Seattle

Toronto 4-2

Me likey.

Recently, there’s been speculation that Yukon Rush winger Arnor Sigurdsson is related to current Kingston Mountie (and Vancouver Vandals prospect) Thor Sigurdsson. Sure, both are Icelandic athletes that are tall, imposing, and strong, but are they actually related? We contacted both Arnor and Thor, and here’s what they had to say. Arnor: “Sure, I’ve heard of Thor Sigurdsson. It’s nice to see another Icelander succeed in a sport not many Icelandic people play, but we’re not related. I’m taller and weigh more than he does, and my parents didn’t have twins. Maybe he’s a cousin or something, but I’ve honestly no idea if we are related. Most likely, we aren’t. It would be nice if we are though. The man’s a beast.” Thor: “I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ARNOR SIGURDSSON. HE IS A MERE MORTAL AND IN NO WAY IS RELATED TO ME, THOR, THE MIGHTY GOD OF THUNDER. I’M SURE HE’S A DELUSIONAL MAN WHO IS FAKING BEING ICELANDIC. ONLY TRUE VIKINGS COME FROM ÍSLAND!” So, I guess they aren’t related. Would’ve been a nice story, but ehh, looks like our fantasies will stay fantasies.

You know, I always thought I left Iceland when I was in Ottawa. It was a huge metropolitan hub for Canada. Sure, Reykjavik is a capital too, but it’s minuscule compared to Ottawa. Ottawa is just so urban and modern. They have a great nightlife scene and a really efficient transportation system. The people there are so friendly and want to see the teams succeed (especially the Lynx). I loved Ottawa. We had a nice team and got some good results last season. I thought the GMs liked me enough to draft me, but when draft day came, I realized they couldn’t. Their first pick of the draft was 27th overall, and I wasn’t going to last that long. Yukon and Minnesota had the most picks, but hadn’t contacted me about going there. So I was surprised when the Rush picked me. I had no idea where Yukon was, to be honest. I didn’t know anyone there besides Val Morozov (who was drafted there with me). So when I arrived with my girlfriend after landing in Whitehorse (It was a very complicated procedure. We had to fly to Calgary and then board another plane and fly to Whitehorse), I wasn’t sure what to expect. That’s when I realized that Whitehorse is pretty much just like home. It’s small. The population is only around 25,000, which is really tiny compared to Reykjavik (Reykjavik has a population of 123,000 and is basically the center of Iceland, as two thirds of the country’s population lives in the Capital Region), but reminds me of Akureyri, where my family had a home. Not to mention that the landscape is basically same. It’s really cold, but there’s a lot of green, and you can see the Northern Lights here, just like in Iceland. I feel as if I’ve never left Iceland (the only real differences are the languages spoken and the preferred sports). Not to mention that it’s really cozy in Whitehorse. I can walk around the streets and be a nobody, which is nice. I mean, I loved getting recognized in Ottawa, but sometimes it would get to be too much. One time after a game, I was walking back to my apartment with Walter Clements when a guy asked us to sign his girlfriend’s boobies. His words, not mine. You see, that stuff doesn’t happen in Whitehorse. The fans want you to succeed (like in Ottawa), but don’t get on you as much as other team’s fans would. They’re nice and polite. It’s like you’re part of a massive family in Yukon. The entire province is invested in the Rush. From Whitehorse to Dawson City, fans will come in to watch our home games. I love being in such a beautiful city. It’s quickly become a second home. Sure, we haven’t gotten the results that we’ve wanted, but the Rush fans will be by our sides no matter what, and I know they’ll always have our backs. Thanks for drafting me, Yukon. I love your city and hope I can stay as long as I can.

1. We are at about the third season mark. What teams are most likely going to face off in the next Founder's Cup final? I’d say Halifax and Minnesota. They’re both playing really well. 2. What is one trade you'd like your trade to do at this moment? Just trade any inactive for someone with more TPE. 3. The 3rd World Junior Championship Commissioner was just hired (congrats Frostbeard), meaning the S65 WJC is about to start. Do you think you have what it takes to represent your nation? Yes. My player is a top ten earner in his class, so he’s more than ready to play in the WJC. 4. Who are your early favourites to win some awards in the VHLM? MVP, best two-way forward, best defenseman, best goalie? MVP: has to be HHH. Goalie: maybe Chase. Denver Wolfe for best defenseman, and two way could be me but I don’t see it. 5. What's one song that you listen to before stepping on the ice, that will inevitably pump you up and get you ready for action? Either Zombie Nation or Get Hyper. 6. Describe your VHLM team's General Manager and/or Assistant to the General Manager in 3 words. discord is inactive

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Calgary Seattle Riga Helsinki

1) Since it's not been too long since you've joined the league, what are thoughts on the league so far as a whole? It’s pretty fun. I’m a vet of other sim leagues, and none of them are operated like the VHL is, so it’s nice to see a change of pace. 2) Are there any areas in the league that you would like to see a change/improvement? Not really. It’s really sound as is. 3) The VHLM Newsletter launched earlier this week, did you read it and was it helpful to you? Yeah. I always read the VHLM Newsletter. It has some nice info. 4) What are your aims this season in the VHLM? Reach 30 points and 100 hits. 5) With the teams starting to take shape, who do you consider to be the favourite for the VHLM Founders Cup? At this point, probably Halifax. They’ve been pacing the league the entire season and seem to show no signs of slowing down. 6a) Is there any player on your VHL team that you're particularly looking forward to playing with when you make the VHL? (For players who were also in the VHL Draft) 6b) What do you think of your current VHLM team? (If you were selected in the VHLM Draft) I like Yukon. I think we have a nice group of guys and two knowledgeable GMs. It’s a shame we haven’t been getting the results though. 6c) If a GM were to make you an offer, what kind of player would they be getting? (If you're currently unaffiliated).

No Arnor Sigurdsson? Madness.

The Yukon Rush made a shrewd acquisition recently, signing right winger Steffen Hoing to a contract. Hoing, a Canadian winger of Dutch heritage, has shown his talent on the ice since joining the Canadian VHLM franchise. In his 6 games with the Rush, Hoing has scored 3 points (1 assist and 2 goals). Hoing is a shoot-first player (as shown by his 55 scoring). He’s taken a massive 17 shots in 6 games. Hoing has also blocked 5 shots, showing that he’s willing to put his body on the line for the Rush. Steffen Hoing could prove to be a great signing for Yukon if he keeps up his production and consistently updates. Hoing hasn’t updated since joining the league, and his TPE mark still stands at the base of 30. If Hoing keeps working on his scoring, skating, and defense, he could become a two-way threat who can both score and defend. Watch this space.

Yukon has done some shrewd business, picking up some very talented undrafted free agents and some smart picks late in the VHLM Dispersal Draft. Here’s how they have fared for the Rush (who currently sit 5th in the VHLM) this season. Clayton Park Position: G TPE: 89 Drafted 49th Overall in the S65 VHLM Dispersal Draft One of the steals of the draft (in the race along with Nethila Dissanayake and Wendy Kandee Cain) is Austrian netminder Clayton Park. Park has comfortably stepped into the starting goaltender role, after supposed starter Justin Cole was called up by the Moscow Menace. Clayton doesn’t have good stats (7-11-2 with an 0.869 save percentage and 3.77 GAA), and is very short (5’10” is real short for a goalie), but has been hoovering up TPE at a rapid rate, and should be able to claim his First-Generation Bonus soon after he passes 100 TPE. To find a starting goalie that late in the draft has been a steal for the Rush, and Park could be between the pipes for the next 2-3 seasons in Yukon. A great pickup. Grade: A Sami Van Den Dreissche Position: RW TPE: 72 Undrafted Free Agent Sami Van Den Dreissche has proved to be a great pickup as a UDFA by the Rush. Van Den Dreissche, a Belgian right winger, has been hyped up as one of the best players to not be picked, and his activity and TPE gains have been consistent. While Sami hasn’t lived up to the hype on the ice yet (2 points, both of them assists, and a -1 in 20 games), he definitely has the talent to make it. His 60 scoring is outstanding for a player of his TPE level, and while his checking is only 50, the Belgian has shown his grittier side, with 12 hits and one blocked shot. Van Den Dreissche has the talent but hasn’t shown it yet. Expect big things from the Belgium native. Grade: B+ Jack Logan Position: D TPE: 39 Drafted 40th Overall by the Rush in the S65 VHLM Dispersal Draft Jack Logan, an American defenseman, has shocked VHLM fans with his consistent and steady production. The 30-year-old rookie doesn’t have a lot of TPE (39 ain’t good) and hasn’t been a consistent updater. In fact, Logan hasn’t updated since the week of February 24. However, Logan has been a surprisingly solid producer for the Rush. He has scored 7 points (one goal and 6 assists), blocked a massive 50 shots, and has delivered 30 hits. However, he’s a -16, which is horrid for a defenseman. Logan also has 33 penalty minutes. He needs to get better discipline and find better spots on the ice. While Logan has produced both a solid point total and is willing to put his body in the way of the puck, his lack of activity isn’t good and could drive potential VHL suitors away. Grade: D Every other player that was either drafted low (Sean Dennis) or was signed as a UDFA but hasn’t updated (Brady Hinther, Ethan Andreasen, Jordan Von Hooste, Philip Huynh, Steffen Hoing) hasn’t updated, but could be shrewd pickups (especially Hoing, who’s already scored 3 points in 6 games for the Rush). I’d say that the Rush have made some solid pickups with the likes of Clayton Park and Sami Van Den Dreissche. They could be stars for the franchise as they look to make the playoffs and win the Cup. Everyone else has been middling activity and performance wise, but keep an eye on Steffen Hoing. He’s immediately produced since joining the team 6 days ago. Total Grade: B

konstantin mulligan

Arnor Sigurdsson has flashed his massive potential as a power forward during his first full season in the VHLM. The 6'4" Icelandic right winger for the Yukon Rush has showed his physicality and power for the Rush so far as evidenced by his 40 hits in 20 games (an average of 2 per game). He's also shown his scoring ability with 13 points (8 of them goals) in 20 games. Sigurdsson isn't afraid to put his body on the line, with 7 shots blocked (good for a winger). However, the Icelander is a -9. He hasn't been in the right place at the right time. Also, his discipline is a major concern. Arnor has racked up 20 penalty minutes, including a penalty for goalie interference 16 seconds into his first VHLM game for the Rush. After struggling with the Ottawa Lynx last year, Sigurdsson has shown immense promise with Yukon, and could be a possible first rounder in the next VHL Draft.

holy shit i never realized you could do vhl.com articles off to do one now

Tristan Iseult Elias Dahlberg @TMI

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Vancouver New York Seattle Riga

‘Tis the truth also can we not forget how much of a steal Clayton Park has been? The guy’s been hoovering up TPE.

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Vegas Vancouver New York Riga

I woke up before our first game of the season in a cold sweat. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I was going to be a top 6 forward on a team with playoff hopes after coming over from Iceland and only impressing as a physical player in my 15+ games with the Ottawa Lynx last season. I looked around my hotel room in Houston. My roommate and close friend Sami Van Den Dreissche was sound asleep in his pajamas, which were adorned with Belgian flags. You see, Sami and I don’t come from conventional hockey countries. Sure, there was a Belgian drafted in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft, but other than that, there’s never really been a really good Belgian player. It’s the same for Iceland. Yes, there’s a VHL Hall of Famer from Iceland in Grimm Jonsson, but no other Icelander has really succeeded in North America. That’s why Sami and I are so close. We want to prove that our prospective countries aren’t just flashes in the pan. To prove that Iceland and Belgium could really have staying power as hockey countries. We’re very different players. I’m a power forward, who’s strong, a good checker, and a solid scorer. Sami is also a scorer, but he’s more of a finesse player, who can skate and puck handle well. He’s got a mean streak though. Val Morozov was chirping him during practice the other day, and the next time he had the puck, Sami absolutely flattened him out. He’s one of the most underrated checkers I’ve ever seen. Sami and I got dressed and went out to practice in the small rink next to our hotel. It was just us there. I’d seen some news recently that Minnesota had signed an Icelandic goalie. It was nice to see, and on the way there, I was talking to Sami about how it really seemed that the Icelandic hockey scene was gaining attention. He listened, but looked sad. I asked him why. “Well, I’m the first Belgian to make the VHLM at all. A center named Kieran declared two seasons ago but never made a team. It’s just me at the moment.” We entered the rink and began working on our shots. There was a lot of vulgar chirping involved that I’m not gonna mention (not getting a suspension). Sami and I were ready. We walked back, giggling like little kids, and played VHL 66 (of course we played as Yukon) until it was game time. We got in our tuxes and walked to the Bulls’ arena in central Houston. It’s safe to say that both of us played nervous. Even though we won 6-5 against a really solid Bulls team, we struggled. I committed two minor penalties (including one 16 seconds into the game for goalie interference) and only registered one hit. Sami put up a big fat goose egg on the scoresheet besides being a +1. Sami and I both knew it would be a tough season, and we’re prepared for the season. We know no matter what we do, we’ll be together, whether as roommates or teammates. It’s time for us to put our names out there as top prospects for the draft. @TsarPeter