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+4 Kolur Bjoernsson

+4 Kolur Bjoernsson

Let's go!

1. Reapers are picking a mascot this season, how would you narrow down the choices? The only choices that should be considered are animals in a Reapers jersey. 2. Who is your new locker room buddy, who are you saving the locker next to yours for? My locker room buddy has got to be Sunny Burst, we goalies have to stick together. 3. Do you wish we had a monochromatic color scheme like some of the other teams do? No, that's boring. 4. Worst topping to put on a pizza? Pineapple, or any other fruit (other than the tomato in the sauce). 5. How would you describe your player's persona? Quiet and very stoic 6. Team you want to beat the most this season and why? Minnesota because I've always been a little bummed that they traded me after telling me I would be the starter last season.

+4 Kolur Bjoernsson

1. Did the draft go as you expectd it to? Not quite, I was totally sure I'd go 1OA lol 2. Most exciting part of the draft for you personally? Uhhhhhhhhhhh when I found out I was coming back to Philly, obviously 3. Who do you think will be our greatest competition? I haven't looked over the rosters but I guess I'd guess Minnesota or Halifax 4. Who would you have chosen 1st OA? An Icelandic goaltender by the name of Kolur Bjoernsson 5. Have you heard of the Brand tournament before today? I've heard of it but I don't really know what it is 6. What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know? A bird called the Bassian Thrush finds food by farting, known to aim their gas excretions at leaf-litter to provoke worms to move around.

+4 Kolur Bjoernsson

1. With the VHL draft coming up very soon, what do you have to say to VHL scouts looking at your game? I'm a consistent TPE earner and see myself staying active for the long haul. 2. Were you surprised with the results of the finals for the VHL or VHLM? No, especially not the VHLM. 3. Who surprised you the most in the playoffs? (Player or team) I can't say I was too surprised by anything that went down in the playoffs. 4. What VHL team is your favorite? Who are you hoping to get drafted by? I think I'd like to be drafted by Malmo. 5. Did you pay attention to the all-star game? What was your favorite part about it? I did not. I honestly didn't even know that it was happening. 6. Do you wish there was a VHLM all-star game? If it happens in the future, what fun events would you add to it? It would be cool to have. I'm not familiar with what events are involved in the VHL ASG but it could probably just stay the same for VHLM.

+4 Kolur Bjoernsson

+4 Kolur Bjoernsson

Icelandic goaltender Kolur Bjoernsson will be available in the upcoming VHLM Dispersal Draft. There is also an expansion draft coming, but Bjoernsson's status as an undrafted player currently means he can not be taken in the expansion draft as his rights don't belong to a current VHLM team. We reached out to Kolur and asked for a statement about where he'd like to be drafted or if he even has a preference at all. He responded with the following: "I don't necessarily have a preference about which team drafts me, no. I'll be happy to suit up for any team that will give me a stable starting job, I'm just over being traded. I don't resent the GMs who traded me or the reasons for it, but playing for three different teams and living in three different cities in a single season was both physically and mentally draining for me. That being said, I love the idea of playing for a new expansion team and being the first starting goalie in a franchise's history. All of the new VHLM expansions seem like great teams to play for and I could definitely see myself playing for any of them. I'd also be more than happy to return to Philadelphia or Las Vegas if they were to decide to try and fit me back into their rosters. All in all, I'm just really excited to get drafted and find a home."

1. Aces took 2nd in the draft lottery! This spells good for the future, but what do you think about some young talent joining the team? Looks like the pick was traded away or something, but I think adding some depth to this team will be just what's needed to make Vegas serious contenders. 2. With Jubo leaving the front office, what are some parting words you'd like to say to him? Thanks for giving me a shot to start and try to make a playoff push! 3. Welcome OilManDan back to the team as the new GM! What do you think he'll do to better the team in the future? I think he'll keep adding pieces to what Jubo has started to build and this team will keep improving. 4. Of all the new expansion teams, which is your favorite? I think they're all pretty cool, but I think my favorite is probably the Marlins. 5. Who are you rooting for in the VHL and VHLM playoffs? Haven't followed it too closely, but probably Toronto and Minnesota. 6. As we enter the offseason, how are you keeping yourself in VHL shape? Trying to eat healthy and keep as active as possible.

+4 Kolur Bjoernsson

1) Having made the playoffs in the 5th position, are you pleased with Vegas' performance this season? I've only been here for a short time but I'm fairly pleased with how we've played since I've been here. Making the playoffs is certainly something to be proud of. 2) Our first round opponent will be the Yukon Rush (best of 3 series), what are your expectations? I expect us to sweep the series, but I think we'll definitely at least win even if it takes three games. 3) Aside from Vegas, who has your attention in the playoffs? Minnesota, they are stacked and are a very tough team to beat. 4) What are you most looking to improve on this off-season? Everything. I need to keep getting better all-around. 5) Based on your pre-season outlook are you pleased with your season? I came into the league late and honestly expected to be a backup all season, so I'm pleased with how many starts I was able to make and am proud of the wins I've gotten since being traded here to Vegas. 6) What are you most looking forward to in season 66? Stability. I have played on three different teams this season and it has made settling into the league a bit difficult. I'm excited to get drafted and hopefully be the go-to starter for someone all season.

Kolur Bjoernnson Goaltender

After starting over twenty games for the Philadelphia Reapers and losing them all, Icelandic goalie Kolur Bjoernsson finally won his first game as a professional hockey goalie as a member of the Las Vegas Aces. The Aces received Bjoernsson in a trade from Philadelphia in hopes that he could overtake Luke Derion as the starter heading into the playoffs. Before any of this, however, he was the backup goalie for the Minnesota Storm (who would eventually trade him to Philadelphia). After taking over the starting job in Las Vegas and losing his first game, Bjoernsson found himself facing the Minnesota Storm. Minnesota has been a powerhouse all season, lighting Bjoernsson up when he was playing in Philadelphia. In this game, Minnesota found themselves suffering major goalie problems. Wendy Kandee Cane, who was traded to Minnesota in the same deal that sent Bjoernsson to Philly, started for Minnesota and gave up five goals in just twelve shots. Cain was pulled with a 0.583 save percentage and Divaani Sohva entered the game. Sohva posted a 0.667 save percentage, allowing three goals on nine shots. Meanwhile, the former Minnesota goalie made 18 saves for Las Vegas on his way to a 0.857 save percentage and his first career win.

This is awesome! Thanks!

+10 Kolur Bjoernsson

(707 words) As we begin to near the end of the regular season, many fans and players are looking ahead to the upcoming VHLM and VHL entry drafts for Season 66. VHLM clubs are looking for upcoming amateur talent and current undrafted rookies to help bolster their rosters for next season. At the same time, VHL teams are waiting for the opportunity to swoop in and lay claim to the top VHLM rookies. In some cases, a player will be available for both the VHLM entry draft and the VHL entry draft this offseason. One such player is Icelandic goaltender Kolur Bjoernsson. Bjoernsson came into the league late, missing the Season 65 VHLM entry draft and signing as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Storm. As an undrafted free agent, he will now be available for selection in this season's VHLM draft. Despite being undrafted, he is still a VHLM rookie this season and will therefore also be available in the VHL entry draft. We recently sat down with Kolur for an interview to discuss his season so far and his availability in each of the upcoming drafts. Our questions will be shown below in bold lettering and Kolur's responses will be shown in "quotes." You've had a busy season, including two trades and therefore playing on three different teams. Has this been difficult for you as you try to settle into the league and try to develop your career? "It has definitely been interesting, but nothing I can't handle. I moved to the US from Iceland at a relatively young age so I'm used to moving around and living in temporary arrangements. It's also been a good opportunity for me to experience some new places and explore the country a bit more. It has been weird having to keep adjusting to different teams and fitting in with different groups of players and management. But I knew coming into the season that I would just be in Minnesota temporarily since I will be available in the next draft. The trades weren't exactly expected, but I've been able to adjust to everything so far." You were traded from the Minnesota Storm to the Philadelphia Reapers, and then from the Reapers to the Las Vegas Aces. Where did you fit into each of these rosters and do you see any of them taking you in the draft? "Well in Minnesota I was just the backup, which is exactly what I was expecting for this season. Divaani Sohva is a good goalie and it was a good experience to back him up and learn from him in practice each week I was there. They are a strong team so I wasn't too surprised when they dealt me for some more talent to shore up their chances for a championship. Philadelphia is going into a rebuild and grabbed me from Minny to be the starter. It was a good situation to get some starts and not have a ton of pressure to succeed at a high level. Really allowed me to start learning this league and what it means to be a starter. It's a bit of a different situation now in Vegas. I'm backing Derion up for now, but might be able to work my way up to get some starts later on. We're hoping to make a playoff run so it could definitely be fun to be able to start some games during that run. I think we'll probably have to wait to see how I progress for the rest of this season to know if any of these teams will draft me. It'll also depend on if any of the better goalies on their rosters get called up to the VHL." Are there any particular teams you'd prefer to be selected by in either draft? "I enjoyed living in Philly so I wouldn't mind another shot with Reapers. I'm also enjoying Vegas and I think the rest of the season here will be a good experience, so I would happy to be drafted by the Aces as well. I haven't thought much about VHL teams, but I know being apart of a new expansion would be really cool. Malmo would be a cool place to go to for sure."

1. Do you feel like other teams play you extra tough because the Aces are defending champions? I've only played a couple of games here for the Aces so far, but it does seem like other teams are especially to determined to do well against us. 2. Who do you feel most comfortable playing against on the ice? Haven't played them yet since the trade but I think I'll be comfortable against Philadelphia. They are rebuilding so it should be a chance for some wins, and it will be fun to play against my former teammates. 3. What city is your favorite to play an away game at? Well it was always fun to play away games here in Vegas but now that I live here I think it will be pretty fun to get to play in Philly again. 4. Who, other than the Aces of course, has the best fans in the VHL or VHLM? I've noticed while playing in Halifax that they always have a packed arena. They are a strong team and the fans are a big part of that. 5. While sitting relatively in the middle of the standings, are you comfortable with how the team is playing or are you concerned about possibly missing playoffs? I think we're playing well enough right now. For me, I'll continue to feel more comfortable the longer I'm here. I think we have the talent to make a run. 6. Do you think you're playing better than you were earlier in the season? If not, how do you get yourself back to your early season form? If yes, how are you continuing to better yourself? I think I've slowly been making improvements throughout the course of the season. It's been tricky with the two trades, but as I settle in and get more comfortable with my role I think I will continue to get better.

After starting his VHLM career by signing as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Storm and then being traded part way through the season to the Philadelphia Reapers, Icelandic rookie goaltender Kolur Bjoernsson was traded once again today just before the deadline. After starting 23 games for the Reapers, Bjoernsson will now serve as Luke Derion's backup on the Las Vegas Aces. While he enjoyed the opportunity to start and play a lot of hockey, he is still excited about now once again being on a team that is looking to make a run for the championship. In addition to all of this going on, Kolur Bjoernsson can't help but focus his mind on the upcoming VHL and VHLM entry drafts. Because he was never drafted into the VHLM, he will be available this offseason after serving on three different rosters this season. Bjoernsson is hoping for some stability following the draft so that he can start to really develop his career. In addition to the VHLM draft, his VHLM rookie status makes him eligible for the VHL entry draft as well. Given the somewhat strange season he has had and the not so good stats he has posted, he is unsure where he might sit on VHL draft boards. Nonetheless, he is hoping he has shown enough potential that someone will take a shot at him. Bjoernsson hopes to make something of his time left in Las Vegas and earn a solid spot on a VHLM roster, to then develop into an elite VHL goalie.

Kolur Bjoernsson +4

Europe

After starting the season as the backup goalie for the Minnesota Storm, VHLM rookie Kolur Bjoernsson was traded to the Philadelphia Reapers in the deal that sent Wendy Kandee Cain to Minnesota. During his time in Minnesota, Bjoernsson saw the ice just once after Divaani Sohva let six goals in after facing fifteen shots. In his VHLM debut that night, the Icelander faced ten shots and stopped each one of them. Now, Bjoernsson finds himself as the starter for the Reapers. In his eleven starts so far, he has faced a total of 408 shots for an average of 37.1 shots per game. With an extremely depleted team in front of him and shots flying at him nonstop, Bjoernsson has still managed to post a respectable (for the situation) 0.859 save percentage. He has made as many as fifty saves in a single game, putting everything he has into each game to show teams the potential he may have in the future. Signing with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent this season, Bjoernsson will be available for selection this offseason in the upcoming VHLM draft. In addition to his new life on the ice, Kolur has also been adjusting to living in Philadelphia. He has settled into an apartment and has started exploring the city to distract himself from the... interesting... season he's having. He's enjoyed his time but is trying not to get attached to the city, knowing he could be drafted to a different team this offseason.

1. Are you excited for the WJC? I suppose so. I don't think I'll be participating but it will be fun to follow and see who comes out on top. 2. Who are you rooting for and why? Team Europe because that's who I hope to suit up for in the future. 3. Do you sing your country's national anthem or just mouth the words? I usually sing it, but sometimes like to just listen and take it in. 4. Would you ever burn a flag if you knew you wouldn't get caught? No, never. I don't think I could ever show that much disrespect towards a nation. 5. You just got a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, what did you do? Probably chirped someone in the form of a Letterkenny quote. 6. What is your fav task to gain tpe and why? I like writing VHL.com articles and the idea of media spots, because it would be fun to try and be creative. I really enjoyed the rookie profile also. However, it's hard for me to find time for that sort of thung and I'm also just not a creative person.