FrostBeard

Helsinki, Finland, 27.03.2024
 
Grimgor Ironhide is speechless and angry
 
Grimgor has been asked to join a press conference to discuss his plans for the off-season, playoff performance and his opinion on cheese puffs. 
 
Hello, Mr. Ironhide, I am Jeremy Radclaw from Drawn Sports Magazine, we have heard that after Helsinki lost their playoff series against London, you decided to absolutely cut all ties with your fellow players and have not engaged with them since then - is it true?
 
...
 
Grimgor, do you think your own performance was one of the main contributing factors for the loss?
 
...
 
Grimgor Ironhide has been called out for not being able to play under real pressure, do you think you can ease that mindset and help fans reignite with next season in mind?
 
...
 
Sir, you have finally answer something, what are your plans for the off-season, do you plan to head somewhere or just spend time in Helsinki while thinking about how to tackle next seasons aspirations?
 
After a long pause, Grimgor stands up and angrily looks at every reporter wanting to ask his questions, waits a moment while the air starts to feel heavy and almost suffocating and speaks.
 
Listen ya cupcake eatin' squigg,  Grimgor does what he wants, if I want to go and pillage a village somewhere, I do that, if I want to eat a massive fruit pie every day, I do dat, if I want to go and sleep and cry in my sleep while waiting for a price to come and rescue me, I do that. Ya not da boss of me. I am not happy, terrible performance by me, I should play better so all can see my true potential. Waaaagh, I am so angry I could break you in half and eat you like a popsicle on a hot winter's day ya squigg hugger! 
 
All I want is to play some big games, get many points and be da best of da class in numbers. Dat is not hard to imagine, especially for a brainy guy like you! I have never felt this feeling - some called it pain of losing, I call it my biggest weakness, I feel so puny and weak, almost like I never existed. It is sad but it also fills me with unimaginable rage to go and make sure everyone knows how big and strong Grimgor Ironhide really is. WAAAGH!
 
Sir, before you leave, I have one more intricate question, journalist asks Grimgor as he slowly turns to them with a strong and fierce smile on their face, as if he was insulted by the weakest gobbo of Skarsniks raiding party. Do you sir know how to bake a Latvian cake? 
 
Grimgor's smile suddenly turns from having a deep and horrifying visage to a warm, welcoming, almost your had-grandmother type of a smile, warm, likable but still worrisome. 
 
"Yes, I have my recepies in my trunk, in ma room. I get it to ya when I see ya next time. Finally someone is asking real questions. It is very tough to get the dough flour to work as you don't have any dragon blood available for quick yeast activation. No matter what, be smart, get quality non powder milk."
 
WAAAAGH!

Helsinki, Finland, 27.03.2024
 
Grimgor Ironhide is speechless and angry
 
Grimgor has been asked to join a press conference to discuss his plans for the off-season, playoff performance and his opinion on cheese puffs. 
 
Hello, Mr. Ironhide, I am Jeremy Radclaw from Drawn Sports Magazine, we have heard that after Helsinki lost their playoff series against London, you decided to absolutely cut all ties with your fellow players and have not engaged with them since then - is it true?
 
...
 
Grimgor, do you think your own performance was one of the main contributing factors for the loss?
 
...
 
Grimgor Ironhide has been called out for not being able to play under real pressure, do you think you can ease that mindset and help fans reignite with next season in mind?
 
...
 
Sir, you have finally answer something, what are your plans for the off-season, do you plan to head somewhere or just spend time in Helsinki while thinking about how to tackle next seasons aspirations?
 
After a long pause, Grimgor stands up and angrily looks at every reporter wanting to ask his questions, waits a moment while the air starts to feel heavy and almost suffocating and speaks.
 
Listen ya cupcake eatin' squigg,  Grimgor does what he wants, if I want to go and pillage a village somewhere, I do that, if I want to eat a massive fruit pie every day, I do dat, if I want to go and sleep and cry in my sleep while waiting for a price to come and rescue me, I do that. Ya not da boss of me. I am not happy, terrible performance by me, I should play better so all can see my true potential. Waaaagh, I am so angry I could break you in half and eat you like a popsicle on a hot winter's day ya squigg hugger! 
 
All I want is to play some big games, get many points and be da best of da class in numbers. Dat is not hard to imagine, especially for a brainy guy like you! I have never felt this feeling - some called it pain of losing, I call it my biggest weakness, I feel so puny and weak, almost like I never existed. It is sad but it also fills me with unimaginable rage to go and make sure everyone knows how big and strong Grimgor Ironhide really is. WAAAGH!
 
Sir, before you leave, I have one more intricate question, journalist asks Grimgor as he slowly turns to them with a strong and fierce smile on their face, as if he was insulted by the weakest gobbo of Skarsniks raiding party. Do you sir know how to bake a Latvian cake? 
 
Grimgor's smile suddenly turns from having a deep and horrifying visage to a warm, welcoming, almost your had-grandmother type of a smile, warm, likable but still worrisome. 
 
"Yes, I have my recepies in my trunk, in ma room. I get it to ya when I see ya next time. Finally someone is asking real questions. It is very tough to get the dough flour to work as you don't have any dragon blood available for quick yeast activation. No matter what, be smart, get quality non powder milk."
 
WAAAAGH!

Helsinki, Finland, 27.03.2024
 
Grimgor Ironhide is speechless and angry
 
Grimgor has been asked to join a press conference to discuss his plans for the off-season, playoff performance and his opinion on cheese puffs. 
 
Hello, Mr. Ironhide, I am Jeremy Radclaw from Drawn Sports Magazine, we have heard that after Helsinki lost their playoff series against London, you decided to absolutely cut all ties with your fellow players and have not engaged with them since then - is it true?
 
...
 
Grimgor, do you think your own performance was one of the main contributing factors for the loss?
 
...
 
Grimgor Ironhide has been called out for not being able to play under real pressure, do you think you can ease that mindset and help fans reignite with next season in mind?
 
...
 
Sir, you have finally answer something, what are your plans for the off-season, do you plan to head somewhere or just spend time in Helsinki while thinking about how to tackle next seasons aspirations?
 
After a long pause, Grimgor stands up and angrily looks at every reporter wanting to ask his questions, waits a moment while the air starts to feel heavy and almost suffocating and speaks.
 
Listen ya cupcake eatin' squigg,  Grimgor does what he wants, if I want to go and pillage a village somewhere, I do that, if I want to eat a massive fruit pie every day, I do dat, if I want to go and sleep and cry in my sleep while waiting for a price to come and rescue me, I do that. Ya not da boss of me. I am not happy, terrible performance by me, I should play better so all can see my true potential. Waaaagh, I am so angry I could break you in half and eat you like a popsicle on a hot winter's day ya squigg hugger! 
 
All I want is to play some big games, get many points and be da best of da class in numbers. Dat is not hard to imagine, especially for a brainy guy like you! I have never felt this feeling - some called it pain of losing, I call it my biggest weakness, I feel so puny and weak, almost like I never existed. It is sad but it also fills me with unimaginable rage to go and make sure everyone knows how big and strong Grimgor Ironhide really is. WAAAGH!
 
Sir, before you leave, I have one more intricate question, journalist asks Grimgor as he slowly turns to them with a strong and fierce smile on their face, as if he was insulted by the weakest gobbo of Skarsniks raiding party. Do you sir know how to bake a Latvian cake? 
 
Grimgor's smile suddenly turns from having a deep and horrifying visage to a warm, welcoming, almost your had-grandmother type of a smile, warm, likable but still worrisome. 
 
"Yes, I have my recepies in my trunk, in ma room. I get it to ya when I see ya next time. Finally someone is asking real questions. It is very tough to get the dough flour to work as you don't have any dragon blood available for quick yeast activation. No matter what, be smart, get quality non powder milk."
 
WAAAAGH!

I’m happy how these finals turned out. 
 
Would love to root against @Beketov but gotta root for @OrbitingDeath @vincentlg2007 @dustywilson22 @FrostBeard
 
TBH, would be cool for you to get one too tho @youloser1337.   Would be mission accomplished for me in some way haha

Ggs Dragons! Couldn’t have lost to a better franchise.

Let’s fucking go!
 
Hopefully the cup final in DC can go better than all my finals in Moscow did haha

D.C vs Toronto
 
The Frenchman turned out to be too much to handle for Toronto in game three, The Frenchman scored two goals within 10 seconds during the first period, a shocking moment for Toronto, but Callahan managed to get one back, 2-1 was the score after the first period. In the second period, Callaway scored for D.C, shortly after Lattimer once again got Toronto within one goal, but then it was time for The Frenchman to score again to complete their hat-trick, 4-2 after the second period. In the third period, we did not see that much action, Toronto had two powerplay opportunities, but D.C. defended well and kept Toronto's chances low. Big win for D.C, the game ended 4-2.

Howdy! 

A little late for my Theme Week submition as I do try to get them in nice and early however here we are, finally getting to it. 

When thinking about All-Star teams and all-star selections and so forth, I remember our own All-star games that (I might be imagining this) were run by Beaviss. They were an experience that I still think back to, amazing ideas, if only there was a comentating done of real quality, we could think to bring it back! 

With that in mind, I looked back at my teams that I have managed and have decided to create an all-star team from Houston Bulls, Malmo Nighthawks, Bratislava Watchmen and D.C. Dragons. To limit myself, I have decided to choose 2 players from Houston Bulls, 2 players from Malmo Nighthawks, 1 player from Bratislava Watchmen and 1 player from D.C. Dragons. After all, some of those older players do deserve a recognition. 

The All-star squad looks like this:

Forwards:
Ray Sheilds @Zetterberg () - Erik Killinger @Peace () - Jason @Jason kranz ()
Defencemen:
Khalabib Stiopic @SweetMike666 () - Condor Adrienne @OrbitingDeath ()
Goalie:
Orion D.H. Chiester Jr.  @Donno100 ()
 
And now a bit why specifically these players were selected.

Ray Sheilds - Well, those who remember the time when I was GM of Malmo Nighthawks will also remember the time when fairly unknown player from Seattle was acquired and added to Malmo Nighthawks roster. Sheilds became a star in Malmo, S83 Funk winner, one of the reasons why we won Continental cup in S75 - 28 points in 19 games played - he was our own hidden gem. I still believe acquiring Sheilds might have been my best move as a GM in all the seasons I have been at this role. A stud who managed to be well over PPG in every season with Nighthawks. 

Erik Killinger - A player that I remember picking 1st Overall in S70 draft, my last with Houston Bulls. There were many forwards that I could name but I don't think there was anyone more deserving this recognition as I don't think I have had a player join a team and be that dominant immediately ever before. His 124 point season was outshined by many players hitting that 120 point mark and some going well beyond however I still believe that S70 Houston squad was only that good because of S70 draft that brought in a superstar forward in Killinger. Also, Peace was a stellar guy in our locker room and I still consider him to be a good guy, geniune and true to his word. 

Jason - the only active player from this all-star squad. Jason has found D.C. to be his home, he has been at the core of our recent success and has become a player I know as a GM I can rely on every game. For me, it was a huge surprise as I think it was for Jason to have such a glow up in S90. Two individual awards, always team first and a person who deserves all the possible praise. A prolific goalscorer, one of the best I have ever had a chance to GM. Let's hope he can help us all to seal the deal this season with Dragons in playoffs. Cheers Jason!

Khalabib Stiopic - a name I never thought I would mention but he was our true first star in my time with Houston. He has all the team would like - active, interested, worked to make him player great but sadly after VHLM career was over went inactive. A player that for a reason was our playoff MVP when Houston won our S68 cup! Looking back at it - I do think I have had a pleasure having multiple great defencemen in VHLM under my management - Hugh Jass, Khalabib Stiopic, Frederik Elemebeck and many more, that said none of them had such an impact on any of our teams on ice as Stiopic did in S68. 

Condor Adrienne - a hall of fame player, the best defencemen of his age, an unstoppable force with Malmo in his second half of the career. I have had many amazing members under my management but only few of them really stand even close to OrbitingDeath and his player legacy. For us in Malmo, Condor was a player I know many looked up to, he was our star and the player that we knew we could count on to do great even if he himself didn't believe that too much. The best player I have ever had a chance to GM. 

Orion D.H. Chiester Jr. - once again, so many great goaltenders I have managed but Orion is the one who has an award named after them. A player I knew was at the core of our competitiveness with Beardislava, Orion was a player who you could look to when other parts of the team were not working, when you knew that the team was slacking. A 3 time award winner in his career, probably the most important name in Bratislava Watchmen VHLE history. A player I am happy to have had a chance to get and work with them to create a legacy that will be tough to beat. 

I think that is it, my All-star team! 
 

@Steve

Howdy! 

A little late for my Theme Week submition as I do try to get them in nice and early however here we are, finally getting to it. 

When thinking about All-Star teams and all-star selections and so forth, I remember our own All-star games that (I might be imagining this) were run by Beaviss. They were an experience that I still think back to, amazing ideas, if only there was a comentating done of real quality, we could think to bring it back! 

With that in mind, I looked back at my teams that I have managed and have decided to create an all-star team from Houston Bulls, Malmo Nighthawks, Bratislava Watchmen and D.C. Dragons. To limit myself, I have decided to choose 2 players from Houston Bulls, 2 players from Malmo Nighthawks, 1 player from Bratislava Watchmen and 1 player from D.C. Dragons. After all, some of those older players do deserve a recognition. 

The All-star squad looks like this:

Forwards:
Ray Sheilds @Zetterberg () - Erik Killinger @Peace () - Jason @Jason kranz ()
Defencemen:
Khalabib Stiopic @SweetMike666 () - Condor Adrienne @OrbitingDeath ()
Goalie:
Orion D.H. Chiester Jr.  @Donno100 ()
 
And now a bit why specifically these players were selected.

Ray Sheilds - Well, those who remember the time when I was GM of Malmo Nighthawks will also remember the time when fairly unknown player from Seattle was acquired and added to Malmo Nighthawks roster. Sheilds became a star in Malmo, S83 Funk winner, one of the reasons why we won Continental cup in S75 - 28 points in 19 games played - he was our own hidden gem. I still believe acquiring Sheilds might have been my best move as a GM in all the seasons I have been at this role. A stud who managed to be well over PPG in every season with Nighthawks. 

Erik Killinger - A player that I remember picking 1st Overall in S70 draft, my last with Houston Bulls. There were many forwards that I could name but I don't think there was anyone more deserving this recognition as I don't think I have had a player join a team and be that dominant immediately ever before. His 124 point season was outshined by many players hitting that 120 point mark and some going well beyond however I still believe that S70 Houston squad was only that good because of S70 draft that brought in a superstar forward in Killinger. Also, Peace was a stellar guy in our locker room and I still consider him to be a good guy, geniune and true to his word. 

Jason - the only active player from this all-star squad. Jason has found D.C. to be his home, he has been at the core of our recent success and has become a player I know as a GM I can rely on every game. For me, it was a huge surprise as I think it was for Jason to have such a glow up in S90. Two individual awards, always team first and a person who deserves all the possible praise. A prolific goalscorer, one of the best I have ever had a chance to GM. Let's hope he can help us all to seal the deal this season with Dragons in playoffs. Cheers Jason!

Khalabib Stiopic - a name I never thought I would mention but he was our true first star in my time with Houston. He has all the team would like - active, interested, worked to make him player great but sadly after VHLM career was over went inactive. A player that for a reason was our playoff MVP when Houston won our S68 cup! Looking back at it - I do think I have had a pleasure having multiple great defencemen in VHLM under my management - Hugh Jass, Khalabib Stiopic, Frederik Elemebeck and many more, that said none of them had such an impact on any of our teams on ice as Stiopic did in S68. 

Condor Adrienne - a hall of fame player, the best defencemen of his age, an unstoppable force with Malmo in his second half of the career. I have had many amazing members under my management but only few of them really stand even close to OrbitingDeath and his player legacy. For us in Malmo, Condor was a player I know many looked up to, he was our star and the player that we knew we could count on to do great even if he himself didn't believe that too much. The best player I have ever had a chance to GM. 

Orion D.H. Chiester Jr. - once again, so many great goaltenders I have managed but Orion is the one who has an award named after them. A player I knew was at the core of our competitiveness with Beardislava, Orion was a player who you could look to when other parts of the team were not working, when you knew that the team was slacking. A 3 time award winner in his career, probably the most important name in Bratislava Watchmen VHLE history. A player I am happy to have had a chance to get and work with them to create a legacy that will be tough to beat. 

I think that is it, my All-star team! 
 

Howdy! 

A little late for my Theme Week submition as I do try to get them in nice and early however here we are, finally getting to it. 

When thinking about All-Star teams and all-star selections and so forth, I remember our own All-star games that (I might be imagining this) were run by Beaviss. They were an experience that I still think back to, amazing ideas, if only there was a comentating done of real quality, we could think to bring it back! 

With that in mind, I looked back at my teams that I have managed and have decided to create an all-star team from Houston Bulls, Malmo Nighthawks, Bratislava Watchmen and D.C. Dragons. To limit myself, I have decided to choose 2 players from Houston Bulls, 2 players from Malmo Nighthawks, 1 player from Bratislava Watchmen and 1 player from D.C. Dragons. After all, some of those older players do deserve a recognition. 

The All-star squad looks like this:

Forwards:
Ray Sheilds @Zetterberg () - Erik Killinger @Peace () - Jason @Jason kranz ()
Defencemen:
Khalabib Stiopic @SweetMike666 () - Condor Adrienne @OrbitingDeath ()
Goalie:
Orion D.H. Chiester Jr.  @Donno100 ()
 
And now a bit why specifically these players were selected.

Ray Sheilds - Well, those who remember the time when I was GM of Malmo Nighthawks will also remember the time when fairly unknown player from Seattle was acquired and added to Malmo Nighthawks roster. Sheilds became a star in Malmo, S83 Funk winner, one of the reasons why we won Continental cup in S75 - 28 points in 19 games played - he was our own hidden gem. I still believe acquiring Sheilds might have been my best move as a GM in all the seasons I have been at this role. A stud who managed to be well over PPG in every season with Nighthawks. 

Erik Killinger - A player that I remember picking 1st Overall in S70 draft, my last with Houston Bulls. There were many forwards that I could name but I don't think there was anyone more deserving this recognition as I don't think I have had a player join a team and be that dominant immediately ever before. His 124 point season was outshined by many players hitting that 120 point mark and some going well beyond however I still believe that S70 Houston squad was only that good because of S70 draft that brought in a superstar forward in Killinger. Also, Peace was a stellar guy in our locker room and I still consider him to be a good guy, geniune and true to his word. 

Jason - the only active player from this all-star squad. Jason has found D.C. to be his home, he has been at the core of our recent success and has become a player I know as a GM I can rely on every game. For me, it was a huge surprise as I think it was for Jason to have such a glow up in S90. Two individual awards, always team first and a person who deserves all the possible praise. A prolific goalscorer, one of the best I have ever had a chance to GM. Let's hope he can help us all to seal the deal this season with Dragons in playoffs. Cheers Jason!

Khalabib Stiopic - a name I never thought I would mention but he was our true first star in my time with Houston. He has all the team would like - active, interested, worked to make him player great but sadly after VHLM career was over went inactive. A player that for a reason was our playoff MVP when Houston won our S68 cup! Looking back at it - I do think I have had a pleasure having multiple great defencemen in VHLM under my management - Hugh Jass, Khalabib Stiopic, Frederik Elemebeck and many more, that said none of them had such an impact on any of our teams on ice as Stiopic did in S68. 

Condor Adrienne - a hall of fame player, the best defencemen of his age, an unstoppable force with Malmo in his second half of the career. I have had many amazing members under my management but only few of them really stand even close to OrbitingDeath and his player legacy. For us in Malmo, Condor was a player I know many looked up to, he was our star and the player that we knew we could count on to do great even if he himself didn't believe that too much. The best player I have ever had a chance to GM. 

Orion D.H. Chiester Jr. - once again, so many great goaltenders I have managed but Orion is the one who has an award named after them. A player I knew was at the core of our competitiveness with Beardislava, Orion was a player who you could look to when other parts of the team were not working, when you knew that the team was slacking. A 3 time award winner in his career, probably the most important name in Bratislava Watchmen VHLE history. A player I am happy to have had a chance to get and work with them to create a legacy that will be tough to beat. 

I think that is it, my All-star team! 
 

With 34 appearances under his belt to this point in the season, Tyler Lawson -- the late signee for the Houston Bulls, has gotten enough games under his belt to solidify himself as a contributor to this team's success, and as a player who's become one to watch, as there's no doubt that there is a place for him in this league, much to the dismay of those surprised by his signing a few weeks back. In his 34 appearances, he's managed to put up 34 points in a point-per-game display - amazing for a player to come into a team and manage to mesh so well into the team and it's tactics and put up such a stellar performance. Luckily, we were able to grab an interview from the rising talent to get a few words on what he thought of his performance.
 
"Oh, well, I mean -- err, truth be told, I don't pay attention to any of that," he laughed at the notion, "I mean, it's great, don't get me wrong, but I don't keep tabs on my points or anything. I just go out there and try to score - or put a teammate in position to. It's as simple as that, really, but it does feel incredible. I'm playing very well, perhaps the best I ever have, and even though we may be a bit down on our luck, y'know having a bit of a rough patch, we're an incredible team and I have no doubt we can bounce back. I will say, it is pretty cool of you to mention that though, a point-per-game is a pretty cool statistic, just not something I'd usually, err, look at. That's awesome, though, really." 
 
Tyler gazed off to the locker room, patting the reporter on their back slightly, mouthing a small 'thanks' before quickly skating off to the locker room after a tough loss to the Ottawa Lynx. They'd let up four goals in the first, and nearly came back, netting an end-score of 4-3 but were unfortunately unable to get it done. 
 
Bottom line, it seems as if Lawson cares far less about this kind of performance, instead opting for team success as his main priority. However, with his knack for goal-scoring and putting teammates in positions to score, he will likely look to uphold his performance as the season goes on. At the moment, it seems that only time will tell as the season continues marching towards the postseason.

The Frenchman has accepted a Signing Offer from D.C.:

S93: $5,000,000

S94: $5,000,000

VHL All-Star Selection Idea
 

 
Location
 
To start us off, we'd have to find a place to hold this years all-star game, and what better place than to hold it in Los Angeles! The Stars currently hold the best record in the league, at 29-7-2, making them the host for the upcoming all-star game. I feel like if there were to be an event, the top seeded team in the entire league would always host the event, so this year it would be the stars. If there were a tiebreaker between the top seeded teams at the time decided for the location, you could just go based off of the usual tiebreaker rules to figure out who would be the host. 
 
Format
 
Now, to get into the format. We would basically have the NA Conference vs the EU Conference, as that's the easiest way to divide up the teams in my eyes. Each roster would have 6 forwards, 4 defenseman, and 2 goalies. You would end up playing two games, one with each goalie so that the goalies both get to play in a game. The way rosters would be decided is each team sends a single player at 1st, which would then be 8 skaters for each conference. That would then leave 4 extra players for each conference, where I believe the top 2 seeded teams in each conference should get a 2nd player. This would then make it so each roster now has 10 players out of the required 12, so in this instance, the Los Angeles Stars and Calgary Wranglers get two players instead of one, same with the Malmo Nighthawks and Moscow Menace. The remaining 2 players for each conference would be decided on a fan vote, where the fans would elect who they would want to send to the all-star game. Again, it would cap out at 6 forwards, 4 defenseman, and 2 goalies, so you couldn't send for example 3 goalies or 7 forwards to make the roster ineligible. I feel like this is a great way to reward the top teams, as they get to send another player, while on top of that the community gets to feel involved as they get to send their favorite player potentially to the all-star game.
 
Selections
 
Now the best part, the selections. I will actually try my best to come up with some sort of mock all-star game rosters, but again, at this point, some teams have 39 games played while others have 40. For the fan vote, I'll just throw in whoever I would end up voting for. Without further adieu, lets get underway:
 
NA Conference All-Star Selections
 

 
C - Todd Cooke - 28G 25A 53P +22 - 39GP - @KRZY
 
Todd Cooke is having an impressive season, having easily over a point-per-game for the best team in the league. A superstar centerman for Los Angeles and a big part of why they're winning, it would be an obvious choice to send Cooke to the all-star game. They are 5th in points and 2nd in goals, a great shooter than can leave the fans stunned, it would be a fantastic addition to Team NA.
 
LW - Larry Abass Jr - 12G 32A 44P +26 - 39GP - @RileyL
 
The second player I decided to go with is Larry Abass Jr. They are currently second on their team in points only behind Todd Cooke and seem to the playmaker for Todd Cooke. They have 32 assists and the best +/- on the team, with an impressive 124 hits. Abass Jr seems to be a physical playmaker that goes into the corners to help dig the puck out, to only then find Cooke for the finish. A great all around addition for Team NA at the end of the day.
 

 
G - Merome Dilson - 25-10-4 .937 2.14, 5 shutouts - 39GP - @MexicanCow123
 
Merome Dilson is one of the top goaltenders in the entire league, not just NA. They've helped turn Calgary around, as last season was not the best season for Calgary fans. An impressive goaltender who is having a career high and doesn't seem to be stopping would be a huge addition between the pipes for Team NA.
 
 D - Skor McFleury - 12G 27A 39P +16 - 40GP - @Alex
 
As both Calgary and Los Angeles get a second player, adding a solid defenseman in Skor McFleury is a no brainer. They currently are almost a point-per-game for Calgary and are 7th in scoring this season. An impressive skater with an accurate shot and just an all-around complete player will help solidify the blue line for Team NA.
 

 
C - The Frenchman - 16G 40A 56P +12 - 39GP - @OrbitingDeath
 
The Frenchman is almost a perfect no-brainer. They're an elite playmaker who can set up any goal scorer in the league, with the most assists in the league. They would fit perfectly with Todd Cooke, who can fire the puck from almost anywhere and find a way to score. A dynamic duo would get huge for Team NA and these two might just be it.
 

 
G - WWWWWWW (not typing whole name) - 18-17-4 .940 1.91, 2 shutouts - 39GP - @rory
 
The second goalie on this list is Rory's player. WWWWWWW has had an absolute crazy season, where he's single handedly helping the New York Americans get to a playoff spot. This guy is literally like prime Hasek, trying to carry his team to the playoffs, and he easily deserves a spot on Team NA.
 

 
D - Bobby Bob - 7G 27A 34P -1 - 40GP - @Baby Boomer
 
This is when things are going to get a little hard to decide players, but I decided with Bobby Bob. Toronto has been struggling this season, and it's either between Jimi Jaks or Bobby Bob to make the team, but I went with Bobby Bob. Currently, the team already has two good centers, and they need another defenseman to help round out the first pairing, so I decided to go with Bobby Bob. He is quietly having a good season with Jimi Jaks, where they're really the only players getting anything done on the team at the moment.
 

 
RW - Yaroslav Trunov - 24G 32A 56P +5 - 39GP - @qripll
 
Just like WWWWWWW, this one is a no brainer. Trunov has been having an exceptional season for the Phoenix, finding himself tied for 2nd in points, only behind AK92 Wit Da Hoodie. He is an elite player all around and having him apart of the roster would be huge for Team NA. It seems that every season Chicago has one player that just decides to have an MVP-like season, and Trunov was the player this year.
 

 
D - Liv Slater - 18G 22A 40P -22 - 39GP - @Subject056
 
Our third defenseman on our list, I believe Slater would be the choice for Vancouver. Slater is over a point-per-game on a rebuilding Vancouver roster that is struggling this season, but was expected. Despite the -22, they're a young defenseman who can be very solid on that second pairing, including 116 hits and 111 shot blocks. They might be able to bring that grit and physicality to Team NA for the all-star game.
 

 
C - Severus Targaryen - 23G 27A 50P -12 - @Banackock
 
Our last player to make the team before the "fan vote" would commence would be Severus Targaryen. There really isn't much to say about Seattle, as they're going through a rebuild, but it's fairly obvious that Targaryen is their best player, and is carrying them. The youngest player to this point added to the roster and they would get some great experience playing with and against the best players in the league. A potential future all-star in the making. Targaryen would be a great add for Team NAs forward depth.
 
Team NA "fan vote" extras
 
Normally, this is where the fans would vote for players, but for reasons, obviously the fans aren't "voting" here, so I'll be filling out the roster with who I think deserves the remaining spots.
 

 
D - Mark Calaway - 14G 29A 43P +17 - 39GP - @Beketov
 
The first player to get in would be Mark Calaway in my eyes. On multiple other teams, he would easily be the first choice, however, the Frenchman is currently overshadowing him and his fantastic season. Regardless, Calaway is one of the best defenseman in NA and is having a career year. It seems D.C. finally has a dynamic duo in Calaway and the Frenchman going this season, and they could finally be a contender for the playoffs. A great addition to help round out the D core and an easy choice.
 

 
C - Jimi Jaks - 18G 24A 42P +10 - 40GP - @ke1vi
 
A potential questionable addition in the last spot over the likes of Vincent Laroche-Gagnier, who is having a much better season. However, I'm going for Jimi Jaks as he's having an exceptional season on a team that is struggling all over the place. Not only is he a +10 on a team that is below .500, he is over a point per game, where the rest of his team is struggling to meet that mark. I feel like on a better team, Jimi Jaks would have much better stats, but I decided to slide him in as the last forward for Team NA.
 
EU Conference All-Star Selections
 

 
D - Jacob Stone  - 14G 32A 46P +7 - 40GP - @scoop
 
The first selection for the EU Team would be Jacob Stone. An obvious selection from Malmo, as they've been the best defenseman in the league up to this point, and a huge part of Malmo's success this season. Malmo's D core is exceptional this season and easily the best in the league, where his partner Reese McFleury might be joining him on this list as well. A great defenseman with passing ability and an all-around complete game would be a huge addition for Team EU as they'll look to have a strong first pairing.
 
D - Reese McFleury - 12G 31A 43P +22 - 40GP - @Spaz
 
Another obvious addition as we'll just be taking the first pairing from Malmo to be a pairing on Team EU. Just like Jacob Stone, they're basically an exact carbon copy of Stone, just slightly worse. However, that doesn't mean he isn't capable of being one of the best defenseman in the league, including his +22, which is very good for a defenseman at this point in the season. The D lineup for Team EU is already looking very strong and having two players that have played together on a team is great chemistry wise.
 

 
C - Axle Gunner - 18G 30A 48P -3 - 40GP - @Steve
 
For Moscow, we'll be sending a pair of forwards to join Team EU, with Axle Gunner being the first one. Gunner is the playmaker for Moscow, having 30 assists on the season and having over a point-per-game. Moscow has heavily overperformed this season, as not many people imagined them doing this well, but there's no complaints coming from Moscow, that's for sure. Gunner will be a fantastic addition as a young centerman who just like Targaryen, can gain some extra experience from the all-star game.
 
LW - Left Alone - 23G 25A 48P -8 - 40GP - @okochastar
 
As for the second player coming from Moscow, we'll be going with his partner, Left Alone. Left Alone seems to be the goal scorer for this team, as they lead the team in goals with 23 on the season. They also can pass the puck, with 25 assists, so they seem to be able to do it all. The only thing they really lack is physicality, but they have great discipline, only taking a single penalty on the season. Another duo that will be joining Team EU as their chemistry is already looking better than Team NA.
 

 
RW - Leonard Triller - 23G 32A 55P +18 - 39GP - @Triller
 
Leonard Triller is an easy addition to the forward core, as they are currently 4th in the league in points, with great stats all around. London quietly has been a very good team this season, and Triller is a big part of it with the season they are having. Just an all-around complete player will be joining Team EU and they are looking deadly across the board so far.
 

 
C - Daryl Dixon - 22G 29A 51P +9 - 40GP - @Ricer13
 
Dixon is currently on pace for another great season, trying to follow up his career high last season of 93 points. Regardless, Dixon is the heart of the Helsinki offense, where they seem to be involved in everything offensively. The next closest forward on the team in points is Grimgor Ironhide with 39, as he already has a 11 point lead on his forward group. Regardless, Dixon is a great add to Team EU as they look to stack their team even more.
 

 
C - John Jameson - 20G 31A 51P +19 - 40GP - @Frank
 
The more and more we go down the list, the more and more you realize that EU is stacked with talent. Jameson is an amazing forward who like the rest on this list, are just a complete player showing no holes. All these players unlike with Team NA can fit into any scenario and thrive, which I feel like is very important for an all-star game event. The only downside for Jameson could be the fact that he somehow has 144 penalty minutes, so this guy is going to go out there and probably drop the gloves at the event.
 

 
LW - AK92 Wit da Hoodie - 30G 32A 62P +7 - 39GP - @hedgehog337
 
A current front runner for multiple awards is AK92 Wit da Hoodie, Team EUs best player. Riga this season has been alright, but they probably would've liked to have a better season, but regardless, AK92 is steamrolling the competition. Only 39 games in, he's 10 points away from being a point-per-game, and also has a 6 point lead on the 2nd place in points. An obvious add and someone who is head and shoulders above everyone else will be a difficult task for Team NA to handle.
 

 
D - Rex Wolffe Gregor - 13G 23A 36P -14 - 40GP - @oilmandan
 
Maybe not the most ideal defenseman on the list, but a defenseman who is just below a point-per-game is still a solid add for Team EU. They currently have a strong first pairing who can play top minutes, so a bit of a weaker D core isn't the end of the world, especially since their forward core is stacked. Gregor has been having a decent season for Warsaw who has struggled offensively, being second on the team in points as a defenseman. Nevertheless, a solid add for Team EU on the backend.
 

 
D - David Jokinen - 15G 24A 39P -14 - 40GP - @Ahma
 
There's really not much to say for Davos, as they are tanking for first overall to most likely pick @CowboyinAmerica. Jokinen has been having a great season on a team that sucks, so they for sure deserve a spot in the all-star game.
 
Team EU "fan vote" extras
 

 
G - Matt Murdock - 15-14-3 .935 2.17, 2 shutouts - 32GP - @Acydburn
 
The first goaltender on this list, we'll be going with Matt Murdock. Murdock has been having a great season for Prague, dropping a .935 and a 2.17, impressive numbers for a goaltender. They are looking to have a career high this season currently, as their highest sv% in previous years was a .931 in S87 with Moscow. A great add for Team EU as they'll need solid goaltending.
 

 
G - Fuuka Rask - 17-13-6 .933 2.31, 1 shutout - 37GP - @Jubis
 
Another very solid goaltender and the second on the list is Fuuka Rask. Just like Murdock, Rask has been having a great season and is looking to have a career year, where his previous best was a .925 sv% last season with Helsinki. Both these goalies are having career years and it would make sense to have them on the team to help backstop the crease for Team EU.
 
Final Rosters:
 
Team North America:
 
C - Todd Cooke
LW - Larry Abass Jr
 C - The Frenchman
 RW - Yaroslav Trunov
 C - Severus Targaryen
 C - Jimi Jaks
 
 D - Skor McFleury
 D - Bobby Bob
 D - Liv Slater
 D - Mark Calaway
 
 G - Merome Dilson
 G - WWWWWWW
 
Team Europe:
 
C - Axle Gunner
LW - Left Alone
 RW - Leonard Triller
 C - Daryl Dixon
 C - John Jameson
 LW - AK92 Wit da Hoodie
 
D - Jacob Stone
D - Reese McFleury
 D - Rex Wolffe Gregor
 D - David Jokinen
 
 G - Matt Murdock
 G - Fuuka Rask
 
Conclusion
 
Well that rounds up the article! This took a while to make, but pretty happy with the result and the theme week as it's always fun to write a huge article. Do you guys like the format for choosing the teams? Who would you vote in if you had the choice for EU or NA as the final two? Regardless, was a bunch of fun to write and had a blast doing so.
 
2000+ words, around 2500 without duplicate names

Cavalry... Wildorc boar boyz...

Note: This was originally ment as a VSN article last season that never got finished in time. While the information on this article is outdated, the interesting topic and effort put in on my part merits publishing this article even in a state never ment to be seen. Enjoy!
 
I believe that I mentioned in a pervious article a common quote amoung us scouts. "It doesn't matter where a prospect comes from.If they love hockey, they will have a home in the VHL." Indeed a simple search through the record of active VHL players is enought to see many players who stand alone as the only representative of their nation. They range from grizzled vets approaching retirement to prospects who are trying to break into the league. It is time to tell the stories of players who carry a nation.
 
What better place to start than with the centers. Starting out for the first these young guns is a obvious player for an article. This member of the S90 draft class is famous for being the first hockey player from his country to sign up for VHL play. That player is Xiver Zilla. The Maltese-American,while born on the Mediterranean island,was raised in just as unlikely hockey market that is Atlanta, Georgia. All joking aside, it was in Atlanta that he fell in love with the game that would lead to playing college hockey for Northeastern University and eventually join the San Diego Marlins.Currently Xiver is amoung the point leaders for Vasteras Iron Eagles while waiting for his promotion to the New York Americans. Malta has a bright young star who should carry the flag for many years to come.
 
The other young center who is carrying their country comes from a little country.This is Phillip Rave. His mother is one the 40,000 individuals that call Lichtenstein home. He would be raised in the micro European nation where he developed a love for skiing. Failing to qualify for the Olympic in that event would be a major turning point. He would get back to skating, join an Austrian semi-pro hockey league, and eventually follow Xiver Zilla example and play for the Marlins where he is today. He may have missed his chance at Olympic glory but he can still make his nation proud as he carries the flag into the VHL.
 
Moving in to left wing, there is a good mix of experience and youth at this position. Bringing that experience is a grizzled veteran on his way to retirement. This player is Hockley Mann. He claims to be from Tuvalu, alought  exactly how one of the around 11,000 people that call the South Pacific Island home ended up playing ice hockey is a mystery. Perhaps the archive is incomplete or this random place is a joke at my expense. What is recorded is that Hockley started play with Miami Marauders where he would win the Ethan Osborne Trophy in S83. The member of the S82 draft class would would spend two seasons in the VHLE for Bratislava and Cologne. Hockley Mann would make his VHL debut with New York for one season before spending another lone season with Helsinki before speeding two seasons in Malmo. Currently, Hockley is spending his final season with the Vancouver Wolves looking to leave the game on top. We will have to wait and see if Hockley can carry his nation to a championship.
 
The other left winger is a much younger, comes from a part of the world about as opposite from the South Pacific as can be, and is a bit monstrous. Grimgor Ironhide is a black orc straight out the Warhamner 40K universe who ended up on Heard Island and McDonald Islands, a remote and uninhabited Anartic Islands belonging to Australia. How he got to civilization and why he decided to play VHL hockey is a complete mystery. What is clearly known is that Grimgor is currently having a fantastic season for the Mississauga Hounds. With over one hundred points just over halfway into s90, Grimgor is looking like a top prospect going into the S91 VHL Draft. He caries his flag well even if he is carrying it alone.
 
Sliding across to right winger and there is another young S91 prospect looking to carry their nation with aplomb. Ant R Sap comes from Guadeloupe, a French controlled archipelago of just under 400,000 inhabitants. Again I have no information on how or why a random person from a Caribbean island decided to play VHL hockey. Perhaps I am not ment to know. Perhaps chasing the mystery is better that solving the mystery. but Back to Ant because he has been solid as a member of Philadelphia Reapers. Ant isn't that last ice hockey player on this article to come from tropical Caribbean. Perhaps the story of the invasive snowbird settling in the Caribbean are true.
 
Speaking of the Caribbean, that is where the next right winger comes from. Macdonalds BigMac was born in Trinidad and Tobago the most southern of the Caribbean Islands. His family was poor but watching some kids play street hockey got him interested in the sport. That interest turned into playing for various rec and traveling teams with a move to Florida helping out his development. He would join the local VHLM team, the Miami Marauders, for a solid S87. He has spent his last three seasons in the VHLE, two with Istanbul then moved with the team to Stockholm for the current season.The Toronto Legion prospect has been steady and consistent with his development and will are him nation proud when he makes the VHL.
 
On to the blueliners where the last of the Caribbean crew can be found. Deron Nesbitt is listed as hailing from Saint Kitts a small island with just under 35,000 people. Yet again I have no information on Deron's live per VHL.There is a substantial career to review. He started his career in Mexico City in S81 Was draft to Ottawa in the S82 VHLM Draft. His VHL Draft came in S83 and that season was spent in the VHLE with Cologne. He would be called up to Helsinki were he would stay for two seasons before being shipped to six different teams in seven seasons. In that stretch he has played for,Davos, Seattle, Toronto, Prague, Moscow and London, where he is today. The tragic thing is the Deron has been on the the last two Victory Cup winning teams but has not tasted the Continental Cup. Hopefully he can get that championship before he is forced to retire from carrying his nation everywhere next season.
 
The other defender on this article is significantly younger from the pervious player and hails from Europe. Admir Bala was born in Bern,Switzerland to a pair of Albanian athletes. Having the athletic abilities of his parents and loving SC Bern, it was only a matter of time before he was playing for the Swiss National League side. But the VHLM came calling and Admir would join the Halifax 21st on waivers in S85.He would be drafted in the VHLM draft by Saskatoon the next season before being traded to San Diego where he would spend the rest of that season, winning the Founder's Cup,  and all of the next season. S88 would see promoted to the VHLE and the Oslo Storm. He would win the Renaissance Cup that season and would spend one more season with the Storm in the E. S90, the current season, see Admir in his first VHL season with the Prague Phantoms. Can he win the Continental Cup this season and complete the rare achievement of winning championships at every level of play two years apart from each other. It is an successful way to carry a nation, I suppose.
 
Time to round out this article with a look at every teams favorite player, the goaltenders. Clueless Wallob's home is listed as Bhutan, a mountainous South Asian country between India and China. Yet again I am clueless as to how this wallob got to the VHLM in the first place. Starting with what is known, Wallob joined the San Diego Marlins during on waivers during S82 and would stick with them after being selected by the Marlins 2nd overall in the VHLM draft. His VHL Draft season would see him spend his only season in the VHLE with the Geneva Rush. The next season would see Wallob called up to the Prague Phantoms where he would spend the next four seasons.Trades in S89 and S90 would see him traded to Moscow and Seattle, respectively. Much like Deron Nesbitt, Wallob has been on the last two Victory Cup winning teams with no Continental Cup. He is even the most recent recipient of the Aidan Shaw Trophy and the Greg Clegane Trophy with no championship to his name. He still has some time left to carry his nation to the top of the mountain.
 
Finally on to the last player featured on this article. Henry Tucker Jr claims Cocos Islands,  a small archipelago in the Indian Ocean controlled by Australia. Unlike Grimgor's home there is a settlement of under 600 people living on these islands. For a final time, the lack of any pre VHL records vexes me. What is on record is that Henry would join Halifax of waivers in S83 before being selected 1st overall by Mexico City in the S84 VHLM Draft. His VHL Draft season would Henry up in the VHLE for the Oslo Storm. in his most successful season to date,He would help lead the Storm to a Renaissance Cup championship and He would receive the Florida Man Trophy for his efforts. Afterwards he was called up to Riga where he remains five seasons later. Henry has been a consistent goaltender and has carved out a good career for himself. He has indeed carried his country well.
 
And the long road finally reached it's endpoint. What has been learned a cross this journey. Top talent can come from anywhere in the world. Even places where humans are rare or nonexistent can produce iconic hockey players. While many of the stores of how these players are lost to time, what they have achieved and where they have tread should be remembered, so that children of the locations can continue to carry their county into the future. For VSN 
Scouting this is Will3 signing off
 

@Members
 
Better late than never right? I promise we didn't forget about the holiday prize raffle! The draw will be taking place Sunday, January 28th, around 7pm EST. As previously mentioned the prize pool consists of 14 prizes spread over 4 tiers.
 
Tier 1 - 5 Winners
5 uncapped TPE
 
Tier 2 - 5 Winners
$15 donation equivalent (IE you get the reward choice of a $15 donation without donating, can be claimed even if you have donated this season.)
 
Tier 3 - 3 Winners
Video Game of your choice (up to a max of $90 CAD, on any system)
 
Tier 4 - 1 Winner
Nintendo Switch (OLED) console OR an NHL Jersey of the winner's choice.
 
The draw will be streamed to my twitch channel which can be found here: https://twitch.tv/beketov_vhl
 
The draw will be at random and the number of entries you have is based on the number of 12 days of Christmas threads you responded to. Everyone who responded to at least 1 day has at least 1 entry and everyone, staff included, are allowed to win. As usual if you win something and would prefer to receive the prize from the tier below you can do that. Additionally we will not exchange any prize for cash value but a difference in prize that costs the same or less can be negotiated under certain circumstances.
 
Good luck to everyone and I’ll see you all for the draw on Saturday!

Player Information
Username: eaglesfan036
Player Name: Blaze Thunderstrike
Recruited From: Returning
Age: 19
Position: D
Height: 72 in.
Weight: 195 lbs.
Birthplace: Sweden

Player Page
@VHLM GM

This took me way too long, I tried to use a render each member used at one point. Please put that on player pages. Inspired by this reddit post I saw earlier.
 
Pretty interesting that every team has at least one MVP, but I guess it's been almost 20 seasons since the last expansion. TOR/MAL/RIG are the only teams without MVPs in the 16-team era.

is my rookie season not good enough for u?

First week is in the bags so here I am back with some completely incorrect predictions of what the following week might hold for all sixteen teams in the league. If you haven`t followed this series before I try to project/predict the next weeks standings; where I am usually wrong and the following week, we all point and laugh at how wrong I was the previous week.
 
North American Conference
 
Current Standings:
 
1.     Los Angeles Stars                         9 – 1 – 0                     18pts
2.      New York Americans                  7 – 4 – 0                    14pts
3.      Calgary Wranglers                      6 – 2 – 2                    14pts
4.      Chicago Phoenix                         5 – 3 – 1                      11pts
5.       D.C. Dragons                                3 – 3 – 3                      9pts
6.       Vancouver Wolves                    4 – 4 – 1                      9pts
7.       Toronto Legion                            3 – 5 – 2                      8pts
8.       Seattle Bears                               3 – 7 – 1                      7pts
 
 
Next Week Predictions:
 
🟰           1.     Los Angeles Stars
Simple cannot see the stars losing that many games based on the strength of the roster and schedule but we could see a bit of surprise should Chicago put up more of a fight than I am currently expecting as these two teams play four times this next week, add in Vancouver, Riga and Seattle. Todd Cooke @KRZY and Larry Abass Jr @RileyL continue to be the offensive duel from years past leading the Stars in scoring but it has also been consistent secondary scoring across the whole roster that has the team leading in goals for with 42 after the first week of the season. Add in strong goaltending from Art Vandelay @Gustav and Los Angeles should hold down the top spot in the North American conference.
 
 
🔺          2.      Calgary Wranglers
While Calgary has a much tougher schedule in the second week with playing most of the European top teams and huge games against New York and Los Angeles. I think they will be able to do just enough to stay/move into second in the Conference standings or could easily slip back behind New York. Scoring overall for Calgary still seems to be a bit of an issue with the seventh best offense to end the week lead by Randy Bobandy @AJW, Oreo McFleury @JB123 and Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler but the most concern aspect to date this has to be the limited offense from Skor McFleury @Alex, who came over from Malmo to provide more offense from the back-end. Early days, but an interesting development to watch over the next few weeks.  
 
 
🔻          3.     New York Americans
This week will really determine if New York early season success can be maintained through most of the season as they will face tough task this week with three games against London, two against Riga, games against Prague and Calgary. It could be a rough week or they could thrive; I am sitting on the fence with this one as I usually do, so they should at least keep pace with Calgary by the end of the week. Jasper Davis @Josh continue to show at the moment that it was no flash in the pans last season that he finished the season with 105pts as he lead the team with new acquired FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist @STZ; both currently in the top ten of scoring. Add in the surprisingly strong start to the season for Malum Maellard @frescoelmo, who was acquired from Calgary during the off-season. Bit concerning will the lack of secondary scoring at this point of the season but Rookie goaltender WWWW @rory has been more than able to hold down the net so far this season with only one questionable game so far against Los Angeles, only the best offensive team in the league.
 
 
🟰           4.     Chicago Phoenix
Could be a very tough week as they play the top team in the conference four times in the Los Angeles Stars. If they can manage to split these games with the Stars, they could actually move up the standing as high as second but I think this could be a tall ask for team that I have predicted to be around the wildcard spot for most of the season. Games against Vancouver and Seattle can soften the blow of playing the Stars. Yaroslav Trunov @qripll unsurprisingly leads the offense for the Phoenix after coming over in a trade from Malmo during the off-season. A strong start to the season from Dank Turtle @DankTurtle but overall Chicago is currently lacking a ton of offense; if it wasn`t for the strong play of Ryan Artyomov @Enorama, they would be a lot further down the standings.
 
 
🟰             5.       D.C Dragons
After a perfectly balanced week from the Dragons, I am not completely sold on this team yet but this week could go a long way to proving me wrong as D.C. face Chicago twice times this week in what should really be make or break games and Seattle for a three-game set; which D.C. needs to win if anyone is going to take them seriously. I think I am being a bit harsh on this team as they could move up as high as third if they do better then expected. Balanced offensive attack is currently lead by Jason @Jason kranz, Keegan Gamble @Keegan Gamble and The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath . On a huge positive the gamble to pay a heavy price to get a goaltender in Henry Tucker Jr @NSG so far has paid off as Tucker Jr has been a strong point for D.C. a week into the season.
 
 
🔺               6.       Toronto Legion
Defend Champions have started the same way as they really started last season, looking lost or maybe a bit uninterested but Toronto should really start to turn things around sooner than later but I am predicting another rather average week for the Legion as Toronto will play mixed bag of schedule with Europe coming a knocking with two games against Malmo, and Warsaw. Also playing Helsinki, London and Prague. Joel Castle @animal74 has been consistent in net for Toronto as expected but the high offense that Toronto was expected to employ has rather been quiet with Jimi Jaks @ke1vi and Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer leading the way. Toronto should be alright if they can get more secondary scoring.
 
 
🔻              7.     Vancouver Wolves
Who expected Vancouver to be 500 at this point of the season? Yeah, No one right!! If Los Angeles didn`t beat up on them in three straight games, Vancouver could have actually been higher in the standings and continue to play tough defensive hockey; keeping most game close. I expect this to change this week with Moscow, Toronto, New York and Los Angeles coming to town. While Vancouver will look forward to further success against Seattle(cough). Vancouver offense is being led by former Bear Ben McLaughlin @Ben mclaughlin and the lone survivor from Vancouver contending days in Liv Slater @Subject056. Rookie goaltender Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty is finding the transition to the VHL a bit tougher than expected but has still been more than serviceable for the Wolves. He will be happy when all the prospect join the roster next season fore sure!!   
 
 
🟰                8.     Seattle Bears
Expected to be near the bottom of the Conference at the start of the season and guess what? Seattle is at the bottom of the standing but that might not actually be where they finish this week as the Bears play D.C. three times, Chicago and Vancouver twice; really all games that they could win if Justin Lion @Emperor_Fun can find the form that he had last season in Vancouver and Malmo. Scoring so far for the Bears has been consistent with defender Jack The Ripper @Ripper leading the way with Steve Lattimer @pugsood. It will be an interesting week to see if the Bears have an roar left in them.
 
 
European Conference
 
Current Standings:
 
1.        Malmo Nighthawks               7 – 2- 2                        16pts
2.       Helsinki Titans                        7 – 2 – 1                        15pts
3.     Moscow Menace                    6 – 2 – 2                        14pts
4.       London United                        5 – 2 – 2                        12pts
5.       Prague Phantoms                 6 – 4 – 0                       12pts
6.        Riga Reign                               4 – 5 – 1                         9pts
7.     Warsaw Predators                   3 – 7 – 0                        6pts
8.        HC Davos Dynamo               2 – 7 – 2                         6pts
 
 
Next Week Predictions:
 
🔺          1.         Prague Phantoms
Continued inconsistency from last season but Prague is too good of a team to continue to be inconsistent, add two games against HC Davos and Moscow; Prague should have a good week so I have them moving up in the standing from 5th to 1st? Yeah, I am questioning myself as well as this could be too high but Prague should be top three in the European Conference by the end of the week if everything goes to plan. Matt Murdock @Acydburn has started slowly for the second straight season and Prague continue to relay too much on trio of John Jameson @Frank, Nikolas Kauppi @Tetricide and Fred Hampton @TownBizness. Despite some of the inconsistencies I still have faith in Prague returning to a dominate team in Europe. We will see if it is blind faith or we placed faith!!
 
 
🔺            2.      London United
Mixed bag schedule but having HC Davos for two and Warsaw for two games means they are likely to have another week with a winning schedule. Add in New York two games; which is more of test for New York rather than I think for London. London could easily be first at the end of the week but the United also have a chance to drop a few games here or there so I cannot place them ahead of Prague. London put a lot of effort of keeping the three key forwards from last season together and if it wasn`t for Leonard Triller @Triller, Molly the Cat @JCarson and Wann Kerr @VattghernCZthen I think London would have a tough time scoring. Instead, all three are currently top 10 in scoring so secondary scoring will become a focus if London is going to go deep this season. Good thing London has Jesse Teno @aimkin; who once again is playing unreal!!
 
 
🔻            3.     Malmo Nighthawks
Can you say Helsinki? These two teams are going to be sick of each other as they play each other four times in the next week and I am not favoring either one so I am assuming a split series. Maybe doing Helsinki dirty since they have won both meeting so far this season and are still looking for the sweep but that is part of the problem predicting as if I predict Helsinki to sweep Malmo than reverse it etc… So Malmo should pay around 500 hockey this week so they side back to third in the standings. Malmo is being lead in scoring by Jacob Stone @scoop as he continue to show that he was ready to become the teams lead defender and trading Skor McFleury @Alex was a good idea!! But did they really trade Skor? Reese McFleury @Spaz needs to be checked to see if he is actually in fact Skor since he has been on fire to start the season and is putting up numbers similar to Skor. Consistent scoring through the line-up and solid goaltending from Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro should keep Malmo near the top of the conference all season.
 
 
🔻            4.       Helsinki Titans
I can copy and paste part of the Malmo Nighthawks preview since these two teams play each other so much next week but Helsinki also faces Riga and Calgary twice each; which the Continental Cup finals rematch against Toronto. Add in the tough London United team and you can start to see that Helsinki will be lucky if they come away with a 500 record. Helsinki could also sweep Malmo and make me look stupid. Daryl Dixon @Ricer13 and Kronchy Kardashian @Garsh are leading the attack of the Titans offense to know ones surprise. While Rookie Grimgor Ironhide @FrostBeard is currently leading the rookie scoring race. Fuukka Rask @Jubis is once again having himself a nice little season and Helsinki is proving the run to the finals last season was no fluke.
 
 
🔻           5.     Moscow Menace
After beating up on Warsaw last week as three of the six wins came against the Predators means Moscow will need to find someone else to beat up on this week so enter Vancouver for two games and HC Davos but the rest of the schedule is tougher with two games against Prague and a mixed bag of games against teams from North American conference. It will be interesting to see how this team fairs but I have gone conservative this week as I normally do; so, Moscow falls to 5th in the standings as European Conference stays tight. Axle Gunner @Steve has pick-up right where he left off last season and continue to impress leading Moscow in scoring with Jeff Lewis @nerji and rookie Leif Reingaard @Zetterberg keeping pace in what seems to be a new found balance attack that should menace the league this season. While fellow rookie goaltender Olober Syko @Spartan is showing why so many are high of this prospect coming into the season providing solid goaltending.
 
 
🟰            6.      Riga Reign
Very tough mixed bag of schedule will either see Riga become a play-off contender or as I am predicting kill almost any chance that they might have of making the play-off this season. New York, Los Angeles and Helsinki for two game each, not to mention Calgary, Prague and Malmo. Young team that is really just starting to develop into a contender is led by old man AK92 Wit da Hoodie @hedgehog337 and not as old man Babay Shrimp @Blazzer. While I think overall they would like to see more secondary scoring especially from Rookie Eric White Jr @Mysterious_Fish but overall Riga would be comfortable allowing the team develop and maybe collecting another nice prospect through the draft. Rookie goaltender Red Panda @Lemorse7 will need to be better if Riga is going to contend for a play-off spot this season.
 
 
🟰            7.     Warsaw Predators
A lot of talk around this team and their early season struggles; well, I am sad to say that I don`t see that ending this week as Warsaw faces London and Toronto twice, with Malmo, Prague and New York as other games. It is a tough schedule and it could be a tough week for a team that is hoping to making back into the play-off hunt by seasons end. This won`t help. Warsaw needs to find more overall offense from the likes of Dogwood Maple @dogwoodmaple and Alfred Champagne @Anthique. While Rookie Thor Reingaard @N0HBDY continue putting solid numbers keeping himself amongst best rookies in the league. Veteran goaltender Clueless Wallob @DMaximus simply put needs to be way better if this team has any hope of turning their season around.
 
 
🟰           8.     HC Davos Dynamo
Rebuild is fully engaged and I was actually surprised that they won two games this week after (if I am correct) starting the season with seven straight losses. Expect a losing record again this week but with Seattle and Chicago being two games that the team might have a chance but also expect them to upset some teams as they did Helsinki and Riga at the end of last week. Lachlan Summers @kirbithan is proving that it isn`t all hills of flowers and summer all the time in Davos as Summers has struggled with a much weaker defense in front of him this season. The only remaining piece not to be sold during the off-season is leading the team in scoring; who is David Jokinen @Ahma. Hard to say anything nice about a team that has just entered a full rebuild and is in full tank mode.
 
 
 
That it for the first week review and next weeks predictions. As always tell me below in the comment section how poor my prediction are and I will make sure to read them. Either way until next week Keep the sticks on the ice and your heads up!!

D.C. DRAGONS PRESS CONFERENCE 
New season, another playoff push?
Answer 3 for 1 TPE, Answer 6 for 2
 
1. GM Frostbeard recently said that he believes D.C. Dragons have the roster to contend for the 1st place in NA, what are you thoughts about that?
2. Team Captain VLG was recently seen discussing future plans with tabloid magazine journalists - as your teammate, has he told anyone about his future plans?
3. D.C. Dragons recently made a trade and acquired a starter goaltender from Riga, do you think that will help our team finally be considered true contenders?
4. Mark Calaway is strongly considered to be one of the best defencemen going into S93, how influential will he be for D.C Dragons this season?
5. What are your individual expectations going into S93?
6. Recently Ben Laas in an off-season press conference said that the hidden jem going into S93 for D.C. Dragons is Keegan Gamble, do you agree with that statement?

But do you believe in Santa?