Kirby

After many weeks of speculation and countless amounts of Mock Drafts, the VHL Draft has come and gone and we finally have something to look forward to again, as the many drafted rookies look to cement their legacies in VHL folklore. A name that has been forgotten of late is that of former Houston Bulls, and now New York Americans Center Maximilian Kirbsson. An absolute star of the show in the VHLM last year, it’s surprising to see him fall so damn low. We managed to find Kirbsson roaming the streets of Manhattan, for a quik catch up: KIRBSSON: “It feels good to know I have a new home now. Come on, I couldn’t be in a better place. Frankly, I p*ssed around for a while after the season was done. It maybe affected me more than others when we bailed out of the play offs a bit prematurely. There’s no denying though, with my focus back, I’m a top 2 player coming out of this draft. It’s now down to me to prove everyone wrong again. It makes me laugh man, the short memories of people. Just watch. Watch and wait. My time will come in New York. Coach @Spade18 is a very credible dude and I’m excited to work under his tutelage. I believe I can contribute greatly for New York this season and beyond and I’m just excited to get to work man. Beyond excited. Right now though, it’s back to home searching. Anyone know someone looking to rent a neat penthouse? If you do, give me a shout. Peace out”.

1-If you got stuck in the elevator and was forced to listen to only one song, which would it be? The 1975 - Chocolate. I’m an Indy boy at heart, and this jam just sums me up... no pun intended. 2-What was your worst job? I worked in a taxi place once, man the drivers were dicks. It was like it was my fault that I gave them jobs. Come on now, go drive your car. 3-What is the best advice anyone has ever given you? Work hard play harder... wait. That didn’t quite work out did it. Oops. My dad always tells me to just stay focussed. I mean, I try right? 4-If you could live anywhere, where would it be? New York baby, I’m comin! 5-How do you treat people who annoy you for no reason? I treat everyone with the same respect I expect back. But some people can’t be helped unfortunately. 6-What does your name mean? I have no idea actually. I mean Kirbsson is because my dad is Kirby. In Sweden we add son at the end as I am his son.

It was only six weeks ago that Maximilian Kirbsson was regarded as one of the three undisputed prospects coming out of the VHLM. He had the world at his feet and could do literally no wrong. Fast forward to now, and he slid to the late 20’s in the Entry Level draft. So my question is... why? And how? Plain and simple, his lifestyle drifted to wild parties and less training sessions. When you’re 18 years old, this happens. It’s a process of trial and error and it is just a shame that it came at a time when he needed to be looking at his best to VHL scouts. So did New York really just got the true steal of the draft? I mean, it’s claimed by many, that they are the steal of the draft. But who’s claim can be stronger than Kirbsson’s, if he has indeed sorted his lifestyle out now? There is another fact that will benefit Kirbsson. New York already has two great and one good Centers. This will only benefit a kid that may need a bit of time to catch up to his fellow draftees. Kirbsson was one of the best players in the VHLM season and he almost led the Bulls to a surprise championship. He brings savvy attacking play with some of the best passing ability not only in the minors, but I’d argue he playmakes as good as most in the majors. Period. There’s no denying that there is a long road ahead for the young Swede, and whether he manages to make the cut is still yet to be seen but to see such a naturally gifted talent slide so quickly, it truly is shocking and shows just how short the general public, and the scouts memories are. So where do we see Kirbsson fitting in right now? If he can put the work in this off season then there may be a spot for him leading the third line. It’s a big if but it’s not unthinkable. The first two lines are going to be out of play for the significant future, unless something crazy happens like a wild trade or something. Hard work, and dedication, is all that will bring Kirbsson to relevance again. I mean, he did it once, right? Surely he can do it again, right? He’s already been spotted in New York, this time with his family not a girl, looking at apartments to rent in downtown. My advice to you sir, would be to stay away from the nightlife. Because it’s even more addictive in the Big Apple. So for now we wait, time will tell us if New York got the true steal of the draft. The fall of Kirbsson is no more and finally, the Prince of Sweden has a professional home. There is plenty of time now between the off season and the first game of the season so I’m sure we will get more updates along the way. Wishing you the very best of luck Maximilian, welcome to professional Hockey.

Kirbsson

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WE GOIN TK THE DECIDER BABY

Maximilian Kirbsson Forward Points Assists

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Big!!

1. In the latter half of the season now and, while Halifax and Minnesota are quite a few points ahead, there is just 4 points separating 3rd and 7th, which of those five teams (Aces, Bulls, Lynx, Rush, Wild) do you think will finish highest at the end of the season? Come on man, you know the answer to this! Well, you know my answer anyway... Bulls baby! We coming! 2. Since the last set of questions were asked, the World Juniors Rosters have been selected. What do you think about your nationalities chances at winning the tournament? I’m confident in my abilities and my countries. It’s as simple as that. We were born on the ice. And we will win on it. 3a. (If you made your World Juniors roster) Who would you consider the best player on your team? Maximilian Kirbsson. Yes, that’s me by the way. 4. Hunter Hearst Helmsley is currently leading the league in points and goals, do you think there's anyone who can stop him from leading in either come the end of the season? I feel good about my game right now and I’ve been really trending upwards recently. I’m closing the gap on him every single game so I definitely think I’ve got a shot. 5. Give a shout-out to one member of your team who has helped you out and why (maybe a member's player has helped your player perform well in the sim, a member who helped you with PT's, etc.) Kari Jurri, peace up bro. You make my life easy. Literally, I pass it, you score it; and vice versa. Brothers for life! 6. Recommend either a video game or a movie for other members to play/watch and why you'd recommend it.  I am a sucker for Madden to be honest. You can’t beat it. The new Squads mode is awesome. Me and the boys play it often after we win. If we lose it’s usually something more manic like Call of Duty. No idea why.

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#KirbssonComingHomeParty ??????

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Boommmmm

The Houston Bulls are on a tear right now and part of the problem for opposing teams is controlling Swedish maestro Maximilian Kirbsson. It’s been a week or so since we caught up to him so here he is talking about his teams recent upturn in performances: ”It feels good now that we are winning again. We are finding holes in the oppositions defenses and we are starting to exploit teams. Its nice to have crept into the top points leaderboard for the VHLM but honestly it’s largely irrelevant to me. I’d happily be at the bottom end if it meant my team is winning. I think going forward it’s about winning more games and keeping steady. We are doing great things right now and I think it’s part to do with the coaching, part the locker room atmosphere, but also the fans man. The fans are what make us get out there and smash game after game. Thank you Houston. We will provide for you. I promise! I had a young kid come up to me after one of the games this week and he said he’s been a fan since he could even remember. It did make me laugh, I didn’t wanna break it to him that we are a new franchise team. He seemed so happy. So I signed his hat, gave him a glove, and went on my way. It’s that sort of stuff, the connection we already have with this great city, that makes it all so real.”

+4 Kirbsson

Let’s. GO!

It’s been a week or so since we last caught up with Houston hotshot Maximilian Kirbsson. He joins us now to discuss the teams progress as we near the half way stage of the season, as well as his individual performances so far: KIRBSSON: “Things are picking up for us. We are starting to play really solid, tough defense and teams are having trouble breaking us down. Coach always tells us: if you don’t concede, you usually don’t lose. So yeah, we are going with that motto at the moment. Im really confident in our chances this year, at least of making the post season. As a unit we are like a band of brothers. It doesn’t matter what line you are on, what your playing time is, it’s irrelevant. Yeah the boys in the second line have really upped there games. It’s awesome to see. I think a lot of teams fear us right now, and I don’t blame them. It feels good to be second on the team for points. Jurri obviously had such an electric start to the season, but I think he feels me in his rear view mirror now. ** Kirbsson smiles, as if it’s only a bit of banter ** Life’s good. And hey, I look brown right? It’s sun tan. Us Swedes don’t have that luxury very often.”

Lots of travelling this week so no time unfortunately. +4 Kirbsson

Fun fact, I used to live in a town about 15 minutes from Vasteras!

BULLS BABY

The Bulls have started off their VHLM season with a so-so run of games. We managed to have a quik chat with star Center, Maximilian Kirbsson, about how he feels he’s playing so far: ”It’s all okay right now. I gotta say, shout out to my bro Kari (Jurri)... the man is making my life a heck of a lot easier and I know my team mates feel the same way. He can’t miss at the moment. It’s crazy impressive because prior to this season he kind of went under the radar. He’s legit man. Real legit. Im feeling great though. I’m leading the team in Assists which was one of my aims prior to the season starting and I’m also up there when it comes to scoring too. I just want us to win a few more games now. It was always going to be a process. I keep saying the same statement: “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, but it’s true. It’s so true. We are taking the right steps early. Coach has us working on lots of good stuff and I’m super confident that we will be turning the ship around real soon. The fans in Houston want a winning hockey team... well guess what, so do we guys. And it will happy. Just stay patient and I promise you we will make you lose your shit with happiness.”

Hello and welcome to the debut episode of Bulls Wire, a feature where we will break down the Houston Bulls stats leaders through as many weeks as we are in the season! Without further ado, let’s get this show on the road! Points Take a bow Kari Jurri, through the first five games you have been absolutely LETHAL! With 11 points total, Jurri is leading the team by a whole 3 points from Maximilian Kirbsson. The majority of his points have been goals however he also does he bit with assists. It will be interesting to see if he is leading as the season progresses but through five games he’s simply been lights out. Here’s hoping he continues his onslaught as the Bulls will continue to win games for as long as he is playing like this! Jurri is currently tied 3rd in points in the whole VHLM, only two points behind HHH. Goals Well, no wondering on this one, it’s that man again Kari Jurri and it’s not even close. Not even remotely close. He’s currently sitting at 7 goals (through five games!!) and his closest team mate is that man again, Maximilian Kirbsson. These two are really setting it alight together so far. The chemistry that they have developed offensively in such a short space of time is impressive, to say the least. We can’t really expect anyone else to be close to Jurri so far, and why? He’s the leading goal scorer in the entire VHLM so far! Yes, it’s only early days but who cares, Jurri is on fire. Assists Every Bonnie, needs a Clyde. Step up, Maximilian Kirbsson. Kirbsson is currently leading the team in Assists with 5, but it’s definitely pleasing to see that the whole team is chipping in with assists. Milan Griffin, Beau Buefordsson and Kari Jurri all sit just behind on 4 assists and in all fairness the majority of the team are doing their bit, which is so pleasing to see! Hits It’s not all about offense, okay!! Viktor Kozlov and Fylo Gibbles both are in the top 10 for hits, which is a testament to the physicality that the Bulls turn up and play with. I fully expect Kozlov to be at, or near the top of this by the end of the season. He’s an absolute mountain of a man and opposing teams are genuinely scared of him when he takes to the ice. Like seriously, they are scared. Blocks Jerry Garcia blocks shots. Like every shot. That’s why he sits in the top 10 VHLM wide for blocks. Keep plugging away Garcia and you’re going to be on the radar of most of the VHL teams as a great defense man! Saves Shoutout to Owen May, you unsung hero you! He’s the only goalie that has had a shut out, so that’s also on the defense too. You guys rule. .846 save percentage isn’t no way near the best in the league but this boy is a grinder and I have full confidence that May will come to play soon, real soon!

Brick Wahl @Eudaldkp

Carlos Puigdemont @Plate