Jus

Aw shucks <3 thanks boss.

The Malmo Nighthawks first season is over and while the opening portion of our season was a shocking success, the rest of our season left a lot to be desired.  In reality, the result was expected as Malmo finished outside of a playoff position.  With that being said, it was a positive year for the team that saw a lot of its players performing and still sees no shortage of young talent on its way up.  For this lengthy article, I am going to look at my first draft as the Malmo Nighthawks.  I want to take a look at the Season 66 Dispersal Draft a year later and see how the group we drafted have been doing since.
 
7th Overall – Jerry Garcia [D] – Malmo Nighthawks – 390 TPE
The purely defensive Garcia had a fairly successful campaign with the Malmo Nighthawks.  It is generally pretty challenging to play in the VHL the year after being drafted, and even more-so for a defender who provides little offense.  Defensively he proved to be rather solid on the Expansion squad with 119 hits and 145 blocked shots.  While he was a -10, this was a pretty decent plus/minus considering he was on the second worst team in the league and played top minutes as someone who doesn’t offer much offense.  He did still finish with 31 points mainly due to some decent puck-moving and will continue to look to turn into a top two-way defender down the road.  There were some excellent players at seventh overall, and Garcia projects to be one of the best and is on pace to become a tremendous top pairing defender that Malmo can count on.
 
17th Overall – Rusty Shackleford [D] – Saskatoon Wild – 305 TPE
There is something about Malmo and shutdown defenders it seems.  Rusty Shackleford is a purely defensive defenseman that hits as much as he can in the defensive zone.  His season resulted in 56 points, 162 hits and 108 blocked shots to go along with a +21 rating on the much-improved Saskatoon Wild squad.  He is improving his skating and passing as the year goes on which could make him a similar player to what Garcia projects as.  In a league where top defensive defensemen can often make a team very tough to beat come playoff time, Shackleford will be a worthy addition to a defense that already features both Basaraba Moose and Jerry Garcia.  With his abundance in practicing since the draft, he looks like an excellent pick where I got him and I couldn’t be happier that I selected him.
 
37th Overall – Nacho [C] – Halifax 21st – 205 TPE
Nacho had an excellent sophomore season in the VHLM, recording 79 points in 72 games for Halifax.  This was a steep improvement from his 45 point rookie campaign that saw him get passed over in the first couple of rounds.  Nevertheless, Nacho has showed decent improvement for much of the season but has slowed down of late.  Much of his future potential will depend on whether or not he can get back to his previous practicing, but nevertheless he still projects as a jack-of-all-trades center who can fill in on either a second or third line.  If he starts improving his work ethic he could move his way up into a first line role while in his prime and a second line center until then.  Still a decent pick where he was selected to say the least.
 
38th Overall – Juan Jaundice [G] – Saskatoon Wild – 219 TPE
Jus is one of my favourite members in the league honestly.  He’s a great dude and his personality is literally the reason I was thrilled to select him with the thirty-eighth overall pick in the VHLM Draft.  After talking to him for the first time on Discord, I immediately took him two days later in the VHL draft just based off that interaction alone.  Jus has been living a bit of a busy life lately but is slowly improving and projects to be a solid netminder down the road.  Jaundice showed vast improvement in his sophomore season jumping from 34 to 50 wins, going from a .871 save percentage to .893 and improving his GAA from 3.7 to 2.62.  His development is probably not indicative of a future Hall of Fame goaltender or anything, but in a league that seems to be moving to just needing a solid goalie to win the Continental Cup, with consistent improvement he may become a good option down the road.  Add in a great teammate and member of our locker room and you have someone I am very proud to have on Malmo.
 
47th Overall – Blake Laughton [LW] – Ottawa Lynx – 206 TPE
When I took Blake Laughton at 47th overall I was pretty surprised to see him still available at that pick.  He was about the same amount of TPE as my previous two picks, but I suppose that showcases how deep this draft was.  Laughton is a goal-scoring power forward who played a key role in Ottawa’s success this season.  The young forward recorded 41 goals, 39 assists and 261 hits in 72 games this season.  He was a consistent offensive threat and someone who played the other team incredibly physically, making him one of the hardest players to play against in the minors.  This attitude will need to stay the same in order to continue his success, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that does happen.  Since the draft, Laughton has been solid when it comes to practicing and is projected to be a future top six winger in the near future.
 
57th Overall – Morpheus Destructious [D] – Las Vegas Aces – 176 TPE
What has become very clear since this draft is that Morpheus Destructious was the best player available when I took him with the 57th overall pick.  Others in his round like Clements, Hafkey and Clarke are still slightly higher in overall practice hours, but none of them have out-earned Destructious since the draft.  Additionally, no one taken after the great physical behemoth has earned more overall.  Destructious is a 6”8, 250 lb monster that possesses tremendous physicality and excellent defensive credentials.  Projecting as an old-school shut down defender ala Scott Stevens during his New Jersey years, Morpheus is banking on his consistent growth and development to serve him well as he moves up the professional ranks.  While he may not be up with Malmo next season, he has grown as much as any prospect on the Nighthawks, which is quite impressive given where he was taken.  Last season saw the defender record 27 points, 337 hits and 137 blocked shots as a key member of the Las Vegas Aces.  Sadly, while Morpheus did his job each and every night, his team struggled to win which put him in a very difficult position.  The aging defender projects as a future defensive second pairing defenseman and the Nighthawks certainly cannot wait for his arrival.
 
67th Overall – Eeli Harju [C] – Mexico City Kings – 81 TPE
While Harju has not worked out (not that I expected him to as he was inactive come draft time), I do take some solace in that I only missed out on one player that is still active.  Sadly it was a player that I had looked at for both of my last two picks in Thomas Kennedy, but nevertheless it’s not the end of the world either way.  Harju likely will be a career VHLM player as will the majority of those that were left.
 
77th Overall – Finn Theismann [D] – Houston Bulls – 54 TPE
This one actually kills me because it was literally between Finn and Kennedy (who now sits at 194 TPE) and I chose Finn.  While I know a lot of people have praise for my draft, I am someone that expects perfection and the fact that I chose Theismann over Kennedy will probably haunt me for a while.  Good for Seattle though cause that was one of the biggest steals ever if he keeps it up.  Nevertheless, not the end of the world that I didn’t hit here given that it was one of the last picks of the draft.
 
Draft Grades
Jerry Garcia -> A
Rusty Shackleford -> A
Nacho -> B
Jaundice -> B
Laughton -> B+
Destructious -> A-
Harju -> F
Theismann -> F
 
All in all, I think it was an excellent first dispersal draft for Malmo and it has helped set them up for years to come.  In addition to all these picks, we also traded for Blake Gaudette who was drafted 34th overall by Davos and will be playing on the Nighthawks this season.  He looks like another good one in the same vain as a Nacho or Laughton.  If everything works out, the Nighthawks should boast much of their core from this draft and given the already young crop they drafted in the Expansion Draft, Malmo has a lot to look forward to.  Given the history of Sweden in our great league, this is a welcome notion for the newest VHL franchise.
 

What a Game! Another shutout for @Jus and a great performance by everyone. And we didn't even have to abuse an official doing it!

Rusty for mvp

Nethila Dissanayake On the Season 
Reporter: Hello everybody I am here today with Nethila Dissanayake. So Nethila how was the offseason? 
Nethila: It was great I have been practicing a lot and have been getting to know some of the new players on the team. I am very happy that I am staying with the Saskatoon Wild. 
Reporter: How was it to be named captain of the Saskatoon Wild? 
Nethila: It was great I am hoping to play well for the team and teach the new guys some tips. I am honored to be the captain of the Saskatoon Wild! 
Reporter: What do you think about the team this year? 
Nethila: It is an awesome team we got with Rusty Shackleford and Anthony  Amberback on defense and on offence we got Brian Strong, Lucas Nygren , Tormund Giantsbane and myself. Not to mention Juan Jaundice. 
Reporter: What are your goals for this season? 
 I am going for 100 points. Another goal of mine is to get the Saskatoon Wild back to the playoffs and win it all. I just need to keep what I am doing and I will reach these goals easily. 
Report: Thanks for your time Nethila 
Nethila: My pleasure  

This is why you're my permanent goalie

You're rubbing off on me. It's that stache.

Goalie fight, let's go. Center Ice. <3

Goalie fight, let's go. Center Ice. <3

Don't mess with my goalie bro.

I, for one, disagree. LET THE BLOODBATH COMMENCE.

The VHLM season has started with a wild bang. After four games, the Saskatoon Wild are the league leaders going 4-0-0, managing to beat LVA, MIS, HFX, and YUK. 
 

 
        A key contributor to their early success is the top line. Consisting of Raphael Nazarians, John Perdue, and the league leader in points with 15, Rocky LaGarza. Appearing to be flying over the ice, these three players were able to contribute a total of 12 goals in four games, 60% of their teams scoring. What makes this feat even more impressive is the fact that all three of these players are rookies to the VHLM. When asked what the key to their early success was, LaGarza replied “I’m not too sure, I think we just feel confident playing with each other. I know that if I send some dirty, between the legs backhand sauce over to Raphy [Nazarians] he’s gonna be able to finish it.” Nazarians, who was with us during the interview, chimed in with “I mean if Rocky is sending them, I’m finishing them.” The top three do have some depth support though. Lucas Nygren, center, has been a shutdown force for the Wild. Managing to have an even +/- while taking the majority of defensive zone faceoffs and leading all forwards in hits with 10.
 
        With the offense so dazzling, it’s easy to forget about the defense protecting the net. No two defenders play as dominant as Anthony Amberback and Rusty Shackleford, the respective heart and soul of their team. Amberback leads the team in hits, leads the defensemen in points and is second in PIMs. Although Shakleford has only managed one point in the four games, he is hardly invisible on the ice. Shackleford, the modern Doug Glatt, is second on the team in hits with 16 and leads the team in PIM. It seems like every hit he throws is calculated and devastating, but often puts him in the penalty box. He responded to criticism about his play style in the first game, where he racked up 13 minutes worth of penalties, with “I just wanted to make them bleed.” Apart from these two, the defense for the wild has been rather relaxed, focusing more on fundamental defensive plays and generating offense from the back end.
 
        Goalie Juan Jaundice had this to say after the four games: "I’m feeling strong, the defense is playing hard, and the offense is basically mortar striking our opponents. Fear the Wild.” Jaundice has also been playing well these past games. At this level, goalies are still developing and growing into their own, but Jaundice has seemed solid. Over the past four games he has put in the work, earning a 0.919 SV% and a GAA of 2.25. Solid play for a team with all of the weapons needed to be dominant. 
 
         The general manager, Peace, was all smiles following the end result of the fourth game. “Good games, we played great. Loving the way our top line can take over a game. And loving how our defense is playing. All we gotta do is keep the pace up, bring the offense to our opponents, and watch the win column fill up.” Overall, the Saskatoon Wild have a promising season ahead of them, and while it’s still very early, this team looks ready for anything that is thrown at it.
 
 
 
 
536 words

Excerpt taken from the Sports Column in today's issue of the Pottsville Inquirer.
 
If you have 32 hours to spare and don't mind driving about 2000 miles, you should take I-80W to I-94W, well past the Canadian border, and you will find yourself in the province of Saskatchewan. Keep going, and almost dead center in said province, you'll happen upon the sprawling city of Saskatoon. If you were so inclined to take this trek today, you'd land in the middle of said city in the middle of said province and find it buzzing with excitement and energy. The Saskatoon Wild are set to start their regular season contests tomorrow, and there is a lot to be excited about for Wild fans. But for now you may be asking yourself what does any of this matter to citizens of Pottsville, Pennsylvania? For those not in the know, the Saskatoon Wild are a team playing ice hockey in the VHLM, and our very own Juan Jaundice is their starting goalie. Yes, you've read that right. Juan has just capped off his first season in the VHLM and is set to begin his second tomorrow. On top of that, we've received word via Juan's family that he has been drafted by the newest VHL expansion team: The Malmo Nighthawks. This is very exciting news, and the young goaltender's mother, Janice, had this to say:

"Since the day Juan started taking hockey seriously that summer, we knew he'd be destined for something great. If we're being honest, he's never been the brightest bulb in the drawer. None of us are, really. But Juan? He works hard. I always told him, I'd say: 'Juan! Get that nose to the grind or I'll tan your behind!' and now it's paying off for him! Oooh, I'm just so proud of him! He is working so very hard and we know that this year, he's going to prove to himself that he belongs in the Victory Hockey League. We're all rooting for him, the whole Jaundice clan! His father had never even left Pennsylvania, let alone the country, until we went to watch Juan play. Just imagine the shock when he has to board a flight for Sweden! Oooh I can't wait!"
 
The Wild did not see their fair share of success last season, as growing pains with Juan and an inexperienced core of players led to a disappointing record of 34 wins to 33 losses. Juan was last in the league amongst goalies completing a full seventy two game season. All is not lost, though, as a fresh season brings a fresh start for the Wild and their Goaltender. The Wild look to capitalize on a large trade made mid season last year, as well as a solid draft to start this year. Juan himself has been diligent in practice and wants to make the most of this chance. His family states that they hear from him only once a week, usually Sunday evenings right after a primetime show regarding kingdoms and dragons. Janice states that he recaps them on the week's training in between discussing the episode.

When reached for comment, Juan replied "I think this is amazing, honestly. I'm living a dream and I could not be more grateful to the people around me, not only here in Saskatoon but also back home in PA. It means the world to me just to know the old Coal Region is in my corner, especially as it looks like there may be some world traveling soon!"
 
 
589 words, claiming for week ending 5/12


 

Excerpt taken from the Sports Column in today's issue of the Pottsville Inquirer.
 
If you have 32 hours to spare and don't mind driving about 2000 miles, you should take I-80W to I-94W, well past the Canadian border, and you will find yourself in the province of Saskatchewan. Keep going, and almost dead center in said province, you'll happen upon the sprawling city of Saskatoon. If you were so inclined to take this trek today, you'd land in the middle of said city in the middle of said province and find it buzzing with excitement and energy. The Saskatoon Wild are set to start their regular season contests tomorrow, and there is a lot to be excited about for Wild fans. But for now you may be asking yourself what does any of this matter to citizens of Pottsville, Pennsylvania? For those not in the know, the Saskatoon Wild are a team playing ice hockey in the VHLM, and our very own Juan Jaundice is their starting goalie. Yes, you've read that right. Juan has just capped off his first season in the VHLM and is set to begin his second tomorrow. On top of that, we've received word via Juan's family that he has been drafted by the newest VHL expansion team: The Malmo Nighthawks. This is very exciting news, and the young goaltender's mother, Janice, had this to say:

"Since the day Juan started taking hockey seriously that summer, we knew he'd be destined for something great. If we're being honest, he's never been the brightest bulb in the drawer. None of us are, really. But Juan? He works hard. I always told him, I'd say: 'Juan! Get that nose to the grind or I'll tan your behind!' and now it's paying off for him! Oooh, I'm just so proud of him! He is working so very hard and we know that this year, he's going to prove to himself that he belongs in the Victory Hockey League. We're all rooting for him, the whole Jaundice clan! His father had never even left Pennsylvania, let alone the country, until we went to watch Juan play. Just imagine the shock when he has to board a flight for Sweden! Oooh I can't wait!"
 
The Wild did not see their fair share of success last season, as growing pains with Juan and an inexperienced core of players led to a disappointing record of 34 wins to 33 losses. Juan was last in the league amongst goalies completing a full seventy two game season. All is not lost, though, as a fresh season brings a fresh start for the Wild and their Goaltender. The Wild look to capitalize on a large trade made mid season last year, as well as a solid draft to start this year. Juan himself has been diligent in practice and wants to make the most of this chance. His family states that they hear from him only once a week, usually Sunday evenings right after a primetime show regarding kingdoms and dragons. Janice states that he recaps them on the week's training in between discussing the episode.

When reached for comment, Juan replied "I think this is amazing, honestly. I'm living a dream and I could not be more grateful to the people around me, not only here in Saskatoon but also back home in PA. It means the world to me just to know the old Coal Region is in my corner, especially as it looks like there may be some world traveling soon!"
 
 
589 words, claiming for week ending 5/12


 

Excerpt taken from the Sports Column in today's issue of the Pottsville Inquirer.
 
If you have 32 hours to spare and don't mind driving about 2000 miles, you should take I-80W to I-94W, well past the Canadian border, and you will find yourself in the province of Saskatchewan. Keep going, and almost dead center in said province, you'll happen upon the sprawling city of Saskatoon. If you were so inclined to take this trek today, you'd land in the middle of said city in the middle of said province and find it buzzing with excitement and energy. The Saskatoon Wild are set to start their regular season contests tomorrow, and there is a lot to be excited about for Wild fans. But for now you may be asking yourself what does any of this matter to citizens of Pottsville, Pennsylvania? For those not in the know, the Saskatoon Wild are a team playing ice hockey in the VHLM, and our very own Juan Jaundice is their starting goalie. Yes, you've read that right. Juan has just capped off his first season in the VHLM and is set to begin his second tomorrow. On top of that, we've received word via Juan's family that he has been drafted by the newest VHL expansion team: The Malmo Nighthawks. This is very exciting news, and the young goaltender's mother, Janice, had this to say:

"Since the day Juan started taking hockey seriously that summer, we knew he'd be destined for something great. If we're being honest, he's never been the brightest bulb in the drawer. None of us are, really. But Juan? He works hard. I always told him, I'd say: 'Juan! Get that nose to the grind or I'll tan your behind!' and now it's paying off for him! Oooh, I'm just so proud of him! He is working so very hard and we know that this year, he's going to prove to himself that he belongs in the Victory Hockey League. We're all rooting for him, the whole Jaundice clan! His father had never even left Pennsylvania, let alone the country, until we went to watch Juan play. Just imagine the shock when he has to board a flight for Sweden! Oooh I can't wait!"
 
The Wild did not see their fair share of success last season, as growing pains with Juan and an inexperienced core of players led to a disappointing record of 34 wins to 33 losses. Juan was last in the league amongst goalies completing a full seventy two game season. All is not lost, though, as a fresh season brings a fresh start for the Wild and their Goaltender. The Wild look to capitalize on a large trade made mid season last year, as well as a solid draft to start this year. Juan himself has been diligent in practice and wants to make the most of this chance. His family states that they hear from him only once a week, usually Sunday evenings right after a primetime show regarding kingdoms and dragons. Janice states that he recaps them on the week's training in between discussing the episode.

When reached for comment, Juan replied "I think this is amazing, honestly. I'm living a dream and I could not be more grateful to the people around me, not only here in Saskatoon but also back home in PA. It means the world to me just to know the old Coal Region is in my corner, especially as it looks like there may be some world traveling soon!"
 
 
589 words, claiming for week ending 5/12


 

Thiiiiic presser ❤️ That was so much fun, thanks for tagging me in the discord to rip me from work haha

Saskatoon, SK - The Wild held a get-together for the VHL Entry Draft last night, with team alums and draftees alike. It was a beacon of excitement following a few weeks' worth of off-season limbo. Possibly more importantly, many of the Saskatoon players already knew where they were spending next season: mostly-intact in Saskatoon, this time for a run at a title. But a couple of members - among them star forward Shawnomir Jagr and new-ish defenseman Apollo Hackett - had made the irreversible leap in declaring for the VHL. The locker room was alight with chatter: what draftees had done in their previous lives, a handful of wisdom from GM Peace on rookie contracts, how @Jus and @Oost are thicc bois, and so on.
 
The picks started early in the second round, and almost didn't stop: first, Jagr at #14 to the Vancouver Wolves. A natural choice - and the Saskatoon player most likely to go first. Then, with the very next pick, Bert Meyers - a close associate of the Wild GM - to the S65 finalist Helsinki Titans. Immediately after that, Hackett with the 16th pick to the Riga Reign, and with basically no hesitation, the brand-new Nighthawks took fellow D-man and new assistant captain Rusty Shackleford. Just a round later came captain Nethi Dissanayake to the Calgary Wranglers, Edgar Tannahill to the Moscow Menace, and Anthony Amberback, who once again shares a locker room with Hackett in Latvia. GM Advantage must have had his ear to the ground in Saskatoon, as a couple of rounds later he selected goalie Juan Jaundice, who will be joining Shackleford and Wild alum/expansion pick Brian Strong in Sweden. After that, most of the Wild were content, with smiles lighting up a team formerly hamstrung by narrowly-dashed playoff hopes. Finally, there was some closure to this hectic season in Saskatoon.
 
From the back of the locker room, ecstatic new Nighthawk Rusty Shackleford could be heard: "Juan, you are my goalie for life!"
 
Tagged: @K1NG LINUS @Peace @nethi99 @TheLastOlympian07 @RunnerBert11 (gregreg but he doesn't like being tagged)
 

You ain't gon score on me, so you know. I'm paying the refs to look the other way as I truck you Center Ice  Call it VHL Blitz haha

You ain't gon score on me, so you know. I'm paying the refs to look the other way as I truck you Center Ice  Call it VHL Blitz haha

You ain't gon score on me, so you know. I'm paying the refs to look the other way as I truck you Center Ice  Call it VHL Blitz haha

Your confidence in me astounds me haha. I'm gunning for second to worst and everything after is a bonus!

My boy congrats!

Saskatoon, SK - As every VHLM GM should (hopefully) know, Apollo Hackett's going straight to the pros.
 
"It wasn't an easy decision. My GM, @Peace, has done so much for me this season getting me acclimated, and I hope that shows based on where I get drafted," Hackett said in a recent presser.
 
"I might have only played 40 games or so, but my buddies on the Wild - Juan @Jus, Nethi @nethi99, Rusty @K1NG LINUS, Emil, Anthony, and even you Ed," he said, laughing as he pointed to teammate Edgar Tannahill, "well, they're all I know, really. The VHL is intimidating. Buncha guys you hear about growing up, you know?"
 
We asked about his thoughts on the Wild next season.
 
"Peace'll have them ready. A few of us from this season end up with the Wild again, no doubt. And I hope I see a few more familiar faces in the pros in Season 67."
 
Hackett has the hopes of his family riding on him as he takes the step up; but many consider his rapid ascent a bit remniscent of his uncle's twenty years ago. When asked about his plans once going to the pros, Apollo shrugged.
 
"Hit some folks, block some shots, and get some assists, I guess. Hoping I can get some early minutes. Otherwise, sky's the limit. I'm planning on doing the wonderful city of Saskatoon proud, and hopefully you guys hear about me sooner rather than later. Maybe Rusty and I can teach forwards a lesson sooner rather than later, eh?"

Hello, and welcome back to Finding the Balance with Howie Buskiewitz, our segment that focuses on up-and-coming players that have piqued our communities interest, for better or for worse. Today we are joined by the goaltender for the Saskatoon Wild: Juan Jaundice.
 
It's been almost an entire season since we last touched based with Mr. Jaundice...
 
Howie: Juan, welcome back. Our apologies for delaying this call so many times. We had a lot of important projects in the pipeline. As you may know, the hockey season is absolutely our biggest time of year.
 
Juan: Oh not to worry, I understand that things come up. And yeah, I imagine the season would be a pretty important time for a hockey show.

H: Wonderful. So, talk to me. How do you feel right now? How did your first full season being paid to be turned into swiss cheese*ahem* Excuse me, play professional hockey turn out? 

J: Well. First of all, ouch...I thought I turned it around after the midway point... But yeah, it was...eye opening. At first, Cinderella Story, you know? But that wore off pretty quik. I definitely took more steps backward than forward in the beginning. I felt like I finally got my feet under me about mid way through the season, though, and I had some pretty solid performances. Too little, too late I suppose. We obviously did not make the playoffs.
 
H: In fact, you fell just short of the playoffs in your last few games, didn't you? That must have been heart wrenching. Just absolutely soul-crushing.

J: You sure like rubbing salt in wounds, don't you Mr. Howie? Though you are right, we did lose it all in the final home stretch, and it was absolutely crushing. A lot of people look to the future and search for positives and I'm trying to do that myself.

H: And what positives have you gleaned?
 
J: Well. I came into a hot league with very little formal skills, and though I was bottom of the list for the majority of the season, I held my own at times and I know I stole a few games for my team. Our offense was phenomenal and our defense really showed they have a future in this league coming soon.
 
H: Okay. So there's been some rumors about problems in the locker room, Juan. Care to elaborate?

J: I have no clue to what you are referring.

H: Well, the word around town is there has been some hostilities flaring in the Wild's locker room. Maybe some dramatics among the players?  You have nothing to say about that?
 
J: I think any issues between the players in the locker room need to stay between the players in the locker room. Grown men don't gossip, and words get twisted far too easily. That's all I have to say about that. 

H: Understood, but I'm sure the truth will come out sooner than later. 
 
J: Look Howie, the thing is that anything you've heard or anything that's been said has most likely been exaggerated beyond belief. There are no problems in this locker room. No more than any other competitive team. Sure, some tempers may flare up and sure, some stupid words are said. But at the end of the day, we're still a team. We're brothers and we have spent the majority of the last season together. You'll have clashes, but we're stronger because of it. It's all about balancing everything.

H: You missed a prime opportunity to name drop the program, Juan. But, yes. Alright, I won't pry. Clearly you are the bastion of secrets, a veritable steel trap firmly clenched and unwilling to let out even so much as a peep. Clearly. So then, let's switch gears and talk about your future plans. What does Juan do going forward? Enlighten me to what the future holds.

J: Oh geez. ...Well. The VHLM Draft is coming pretty soon, and there's been talk that a few teams have looked at me, or at least I'm on the radar somewhere for some mocks. The prospect of it alone is very exciting. That's sort of ripped me from my doldrums, you know? Again, too little too late but I've starting feeling that fire just like when I first entered the league.

H: Maybe it's a good thing we haven't touched base since then?

J: Yeah, it might have been embarrassing. I was pretty emo for a while! I kept beating myself down, which...it's not who my parents raised, you know? I'm a lot stronger than that. I definitely lost my swagger there, but it will come back, you'll see.
 
H: Oh, yes. I can hear some of that swagger now. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's good to hear that again.

J: Thanks, I think.

H: Trust me, it's a compliment. But please, continue.

J: I've really taken some extremes with training now. I've gotten with some strength and conditioning coaches for the off season, along with the team's plans for me. I think when they see me hit the ice next season, there's going to be a reckoning! I'm really excited. A lot of focus is going to go into shoring up my fundamentals, and adding some tweaks to my play. I'm also in talks with an old school goalie. You know how I love the tried and true standards of goal tending, and I aim to bring those back to trend. The best way to do that, in my opinion, is to try and learn it from one of the greats first hand!
 
H: And will you be telling us who this so-called "Great" is?

J: Another time, maybe! Nothing is set in stone, you know. Don't want to jinx anything.  But anyway, thank you so much for checking in again, Howie. I have to get going though, the gym is waiting and my trainers really make it hell when I'm late.

H: Wait...can he do that? I thought we scheduled time slots in adv- Ah. Okay. Alright, yes, thank you Juan. We'll let it slide this time. Next time, stay for the agreed upon ti-
*CLICK*
H: I-I think he hung up? Ugh...cut to commercial. This damn kid...
 
 
(1038 words, claiming for week ending 4/28 and 5/5)
 

Good lord, I could only dream to be go as high as 11th. That would be insane, and so awesome haha, but I don't see those stars aligning.

Awesome read!