Mike

Grading is about the quantity of things you grade not the quality of which you grade at.  I'd grade everything in a day 5.5 so it looks like I tried but they still get a 6.

With the fifth pick of the Season 36 VHL Draft the Reign are happy to select Robert Gow III

We should make swag for all teams that make the finals then the losing gear gets sent to Africa like they do for the NFL.  I know somewhere in Africa there is a village where the Bills are 4 time super bowl champions and the patriots went 19-0.

New York Americans are by far the worst team in the VHL now, in the future, in the past, and always.  FUCK NY Vasteras #9 NY #10.

New rule for Mag -1 points for those who get in late +1 points from the late people to the early people as compensation oh yea.

Yes if only you were the GM of the Dynamo with the ability to trade Chenko to Riga OH WAIT YOU WERE.

Position – Name – Talent – Potential
 
F – Xin Xei Xao – 10.0 – A
Xin Xei Xao is mythical giant Asian likely right out of the Dynasty Warrior game itself.  He is likely the most gifted offensive player out of this draft and possibly for many drafts to come.  He was second in the league with eighty-six goals scored.  What really sets Xao apart though is how physical he has been yet still able to be so effective offensively.  With 387 hits on the season it was good enough for second which also led to the second most penalty minutes.  Look for Xao in the VHL next season trying to win the Rookie of the Year award.
 
D – Godavari Yumalatopinto – 10.0 - A
The six foot eight inch 245 pound monster from Delhi has taken the VHL by storm.  At seventy-seven points he recorded more than a point per game despite being a defenseman.  The craziest part is he was fourth in shooting with a 16.11%.  A great offensive d-man prospect who could use a bit more rounding out in his own zone.  Expect Yumalatopinto to make the leap to the VHL starting in Season 36.
 
F – Robin Gow – 9.5 – A-
Robin is the son of former VHL defenseman Jim Gow.  Born in the historical Philadelphia Penslyvania he has the blue collar work ethic that Americans love to root for.  Gow is the most talented center out of the draft and a very gifted two-way player.  With the Ottawa Lynx this season he was able to put up the second most points in the league with 145 and lead the league in assists with ninety-seven.  There is no doubt that he is VHL ready and would be great as the cornerstone to build a franchise around.
 
F - Damon Tyrael – 9.0 – B
Tyrael has connections to former Dynamo goalie Satan.  That gives him a great in on a VHL path but also makes some wary of the great start he has had in the minors.  This purely offensive prospect has shown flashes of potential but came late onto the scene.  Despite playing in just sixty-eight games he was able to put up 72 points.  Currently he is a borderline second line VHL forward who needs to round out his play overall to prevent being a liability in the pros.
 
F – Robert Gow III – 8.5 – B-
Robert also has VHL pedigree background and is cousin to Robin Gow.  They both played on the Ottawa Lynx this season but Robert was outshined by the amazing season of his relative.  Scouts feel he fell through the cracks on a very talent team which is why his stats don’t necessarily translate on the ice.  He did manage to put up twenty-one points on the season a majority thirteen coming as assists.  Like his cousin he is currently known as a playmaker but might need another season in the minors to develop.
 
D - Andrey Zadorov – 8.0 – B
Zadorov is an offensive d-man and actually out produced our another of our top prospects Yumalatopinto.  Many feel though that he just doesn’t have quite the same skillset to translate into the pros though.  In seventy-two games Zadorov managed to put up 84 points.  The Russian defenseman has ties to former VHL player Brody Hodgson and many believe their careers may run in parallel.  Zadorov will likely be a solid VHL player one day but since he keeps his head down and just plays many times he gets over looked.
 
D - Phil Villeneuve – 7.5 – C+
This man is an offensive force not to be reckoned with.  After bursting onto the scene though he has appeared less interested in a professional hockey career.  Even by just going through the motions he was able to put up 102 points this season eight-five of them being assists.  If he finds his passion once again he is a top line defender otherwise he could be a life long VHLMer.
 
D - Triton Jackson – 7.5 – D-
Mr. Jackson was an early favorite to go near the top of the first round.  While he still has the talent to one day become a potential VHL pro he currently has been very lazy.  Reports say that since the VHL has relocated its headquarters he hasn’t even reported back to his minor league team.
 
D - David Januzaj – 7.0 – C+
This is another sad case of a VHLM player who burst onto the scene with tremendous talent.  Out of the gates he was seen as a middle to top end first round draft pick.  He likely shares the same fate as other Season 35 Draftee Phil Villeneuve.  They both have history together and it is rumored that as one goes so does the other. 
 
D - Sami Kravinen – 6.0 – C+
Kravinen is a latecomer to the minors this season appearing in just sixty games.  He did manage to put up thirty-one solid points and has shown the potential to someday make a VHL team.  Expect him to get drafted near the end of the first round as a long term project for some team to work with.  His player agent has a negative history around the league which could potentially hurt his draft stock.
 
F - DuJuan Cook – 6.0 – D
Cook is the only other center in this draft that has shown any sort of promise.  The position is very important for any team so he will likely still get taken at the start of the second or late in the first round.  With the Oslo Storm he managed to put up fifty-one points on the season which is nothing to joke about.  He doesn’t currently seem very interested in taking his game to the next level but could be a late pick steal.

Position – Name – Talent – Potential
 
F – Xin Xei Xao – 10.0 – A
Xin Xei Xao is mythical giant Asian likely right out of the Dynasty Warrior game itself.  He is likely the most gifted offensive player out of this draft and possibly for many drafts to come.  He was second in the league with eighty-six goals scored.  What really sets Xao apart though is how physical he has been yet still able to be so effective offensively.  With 387 hits on the season it was good enough for second which also led to the second most penalty minutes.  Look for Xao in the VHL next season trying to win the Rookie of the Year award.
 
D – Godavari Yumalatopinto – 10.0 - A
The six foot eight inch 245 pound monster from Delhi has taken the VHL by storm.  At seventy-seven points he recorded more than a point per game despite being a defenseman.  The craziest part is he was fourth in shooting with a 16.11%.  A great offensive d-man prospect who could use a bit more rounding out in his own zone.  Expect Yumalatopinto to make the leap to the VHL starting in Season 36.
 
F – Robin Gow – 9.5 – A-
Robin is the son of former VHL defenseman Jim Gow.  Born in the historical Philadelphia Penslyvania he has the blue collar work ethic that Americans love to root for.  Gow is the most talented center out of the draft and a very gifted two-way player.  With the Ottawa Lynx this season he was able to put up the second most points in the league with 145 and lead the league in assists with ninety-seven.  There is no doubt that he is VHL ready and would be great as the cornerstone to build a franchise around.
 
F - Damon Tyrael – 9.0 – B
Tyrael has connections to former Dynamo goalie Satan.  That gives him a great in on a VHL path but also makes some wary of the great start he has had in the minors.  This purely offensive prospect has shown flashes of potential but came late onto the scene.  Despite playing in just sixty-eight games he was able to put up 72 points.  Currently he is a borderline second line VHL forward who needs to round out his play overall to prevent being a liability in the pros.
 
F – Robert Gow III – 8.5 – B-
Robert also has VHL pedigree background and is cousin to Robin Gow.  They both played on the Ottawa Lynx this season but Robert was outshined by the amazing season of his relative.  Scouts feel he fell through the cracks on a very talent team which is why his stats don’t necessarily translate on the ice.  He did manage to put up twenty-one points on the season a majority thirteen coming as assists.  Like his cousin he is currently known as a playmaker but might need another season in the minors to develop.
 
D - Andrey Zadorov – 8.0 – B
Zadorov is an offensive d-man and actually out produced our another of our top prospects Yumalatopinto.  Many feel though that he just doesn’t have quite the same skillset to translate into the pros though.  In seventy-two games Zadorov managed to put up 84 points.  The Russian defenseman has ties to former VHL player Brody Hodgson and many believe their careers may run in parallel.  Zadorov will likely be a solid VHL player one day but since he keeps his head down and just plays many times he gets over looked.
 
D - Phil Villeneuve – 7.5 – C+
This man is an offensive force not to be reckoned with.  After bursting onto the scene though he has appeared less interested in a professional hockey career.  Even by just going through the motions he was able to put up 102 points this season eight-five of them being assists.  If he finds his passion once again he is a top line defender otherwise he could be a life long VHLMer.
 
D - Triton Jackson – 7.5 – D-
Mr. Jackson was an early favorite to go near the top of the first round.  While he still has the talent to one day become a potential VHL pro he currently has been very lazy.  Reports say that since the VHL has relocated its headquarters he hasn’t even reported back to his minor league team.
 
D - David Januzaj – 7.0 – C+
This is another sad case of a VHLM player who burst onto the scene with tremendous talent.  Out of the gates he was seen as a middle to top end first round draft pick.  He likely shares the same fate as other Season 35 Draftee Phil Villeneuve.  They both have history together and it is rumored that as one goes so does the other. 
 
D - Sami Kravinen – 6.0 – C+
Kravinen is a latecomer to the minors this season appearing in just sixty games.  He did manage to put up thirty-one solid points and has shown the potential to someday make a VHL team.  Expect him to get drafted near the end of the first round as a long term project for some team to work with.  His player agent has a negative history around the league which could potentially hurt his draft stock.
 
F - DuJuan Cook – 6.0 – D
Cook is the only other center in this draft that has shown any sort of promise.  The position is very important for any team so he will likely still get taken at the start of the second or late in the first round.  With the Oslo Storm he managed to put up fifty-one points on the season which is nothing to joke about.  He doesn’t currently seem very interested in taking his game to the next level but could be a late pick steal.

Double post boom negro's I'm back on track first person with the article for next mag that power poll post inspired me.

Both gotta play for Riga like me.

Mag #165 NA Calgary (Mike & Lobo)
 
Current State:
 
The Calgary Wranglers are considered one of the most storied franchises in the entire VHL.  Currently at the helm is Jason Glasser, aka diamond_ace, and while he has done a great job keeping his squad competitive over the last few seasons, the rebuilding cycle will soon begin for the Wranglers.  Last season, they lost in the finals to Helsinki.  After losing goaltender Skylar Rift to Quebec via free agency, Glasser made a push in the offseason to acquire goaltender Satan and forward Alexander Chershenko, as well as depth players Kraphf Dringus and and Henrik Larsson in exchange for a first, second and third round pick.  However, the trades did not help bring another Cup to Calgary.  At the end of the season, Calgary lost Chershenko, Dringus and Satan due to retirement.  While this could have been a huge blow to the franchise, in the interest of remaining competitive, Calgary acquired some big name talent through trades.  Joining Calgary were Michal Wozniak, Alexander Labatte and a lesser known name in Lars Lessio for two first rounders, two second rounders and two third rounders.   
 
The Wranglers are off to a blazing start so far.  Their pickups have been instrumental on helping them climb atop the VHL standings.  They are currently first in the league and are getting contributions from basically everyone on the team.  Their goaltending has been outstanding; Alexander Labatte is having a bounce back season and is likely to be a frontrunner for Goaltender of the Year.  Wozniak is having a career year so far and seems like he will be the favourite to win MVP.  Wozniak, along with Rybak have been a deadly duo and do not seem to be slowing down.  Clark Marcellin is also having a great year, and seems to be the frontrunner for the Labatte trophy.  Calgary is, in my opinion, the favourite for the cup, though hardly anyone predicted them at the start of the season.  It should be an interesting battle for the Continental Cup.
 
 Top Three Prospects:
 
1) S36 – Martin Brookside – G
Brookside is the current property of the Calgary Wranglers via the GM rule due to his affiliation with Jason.  There is no question he is on his way toward becoming a decent goalie in the league and the clear favorite to take over as the future starter.
 
2) S33 – Felix Zamora – LW
Felix continues to develop at a moderate pace putting him on track to be an above average forward late in his career. He is a good fit leading a second line or filling in as the third forward on the top line.  Calgary wishes to keep him long term but it might be in their best interest to move him for future assets.

3) S34 – Simon Tremblay – LW
Tremblay is the player of notorious VHL player agent Meg.  She has a reputation of bringing in players who explode onto the scene then eventually fizzle out.  Since the VHL has restructured the league in its new headcorders Tremblay has been less motivated.  He still represents a good youthful forward prospect that could become good over time.
 
Future Outlook:

Calgary is planning on using Brookside, Tremblay, Zamora, and Salmon as the foundation to retool rather than rebuild.  The bold strategy could result in a quick turn around for Calgary or a big mistake resulting in an extended period of mediocrity.  Personally since their next first round pick isn’t until Season 37 I feel they should go into a full on rebuild.  Their core is going to be too old by the time they are able to get their own draft picks developed.
 
In Season 36 the Wranglers may still be in the playoffs despite how bare their cupboards are.  Seattle and New York are not looking great at the moment which could force a weak Calgary team into the post-season.  Expect a 3 team race of bad teams where the best of the three worst make the final spot likely being the Wranglers.
 
A quick re-tooling is actually going to take several seasons without a Season 36 draft pick and only one Season 37 pick.  A full on rebuild will take some time as well since the team only has 3 potential prospects to trade away.  I think dark times are on the horizon for Calgary don’t expect them to make it back to a cup till Season 41.

#164
Windows of Opportunities - Part 2
 
Last week we found out that 60% of all playoff runs last just one or two seasons.  Only 29% of the Continental Cup wins came from those appearances though.  Essentially we have proved that forcing your team out of a rebuild to win a cup isn’t very effective.  Today we will find the most successful playoff run number and the average number of consecutive seasons spent in the playoffs.
 
The average length of a VHL playoff run is 2.63 seasons.  That number isn’t surprising considering how often a team only makes the playoffs for just one or two seasons.  Let’s round that up to a full three seasons and see how effective teams were at winning the cup then.  Of the eight times a team has made the playoffs for exactly three seasons every single team won the cup at least once.  The exact results of the eight occurrences (24 games) have resulted in ten Continental Cups.  That is a success rate of 42% also counting for 20% of all cup victories.
 
At this point you may be thinking of course a team who makes the playoffs three consecutive times has a higher success rate than a team who only makes it two.  You’d also think a team with two consecutive seasons in the playoffs has a higher success rate over a team who only makes the playoffs once.  I’d probably think that too at least more opportunities to win the more times you make the playoffs.
 
However of the five times that a team has made it to four consecutive playoff appearances no team has won two cups.  A mere 20% success rate for those teams accounting for 8% of all cup wins.  In fact the higher prolonged teams in general seem to have less success.  Twice we have seen five season playoff runs both resulted in just one cup a piece another 20% success rate.
 
Seattle is the only team with exactly six consecutive playoff appearances which resulted in just one win 17%.  The only team ever with a really long playoff run that resulted in multiple cup wins was the Davos Dynamo S19-S25 where they won three cups.  We all know how the perennial favorite New York Americans run went winning just one cup.
 
Before we reflect on what we’ve learn we must be fair and state that these statistics do not include the recent expansion teams.  We are also only using data from Season 1 through Season 33.  I do feel though that we have learned some important things and the data backs up those trends.
 
One and two season playoff runs are premature a team forces a cup run and is usually unsuccessful.  Longer than three seasons a team is putting off a rebuild by fielding teams that aren’t quite there resulting in losing as well.  Teams that go for three seasons exactly win at a higher percentage and rebound quicker by using remaining assets in their prime.

Old Town Riga     The Riga Reign had a complete and total firesale this off-season leaving no stone unturned as the team was shipped off.  Miles Larsson, Michal Wozniak, and Malcom Spud to name a few of the many players that will be playing for new teams this season.  After reaching the playoffs for four consecutive appearances and coming away with one Continental Cup Championship the Reign have many dark seasons to come.  The one light at the end of the tunnel is the warming glow of six first round draft choices over the next two drafts.  The picks will be added to Season Thirty-Four 1st Round Selection Edwin Encarnacion.  The injured baseball player turned VHLM superstar is already on his way to become the next great defenseman in the league.  The team also has rights to Mike Szatkowski Jr. son of VHL Hall of Famer Mike Szatkowski.  With Encarnacion, Szatkowski Jr., and 6 other first round picks Riga will be looking to create a sustained dynasty that exceeds the success of their most recent run.  In addition to the 6 first round picks Riga also has four additional second round picks over the next two seasons.