Smarch

Player spotlight – Jake Dunzapp After joining the VHL on October 29th, @Dunzapp was introduced to the league by his agent on November 6th, 2023. The German norm goalie was immediately scooped up by the San Diego Marlins, where to date he has appeared in sixteen games for the California based VHLM team. In those sixteen games that Dunzapp has seen action in he has put up a 7-8-1 record to go along with a .881 save percentage and 3.26 goals against average. Dunzapp has been collecting welfare so far early on in his career, but has been a active participant each week so far in updating, including indulging trivia for the first time last updating week. As the only goalie on San Diego at this point, Dunzapp will have a lot of room to grow his game, and hopefully will be able to take advantage of more TPE opportunities including press conferences and VHL.com 150 works articles. We wish the young goalie prospect all the success and hope to one day see him shutting the door for a VHL franchise in the not to distant future.

1. We have won a few games thanks to @Mongoose87, more than I thought we would so that’s the high point. 2. We have the exact same records as I answer the press conference, so I would say we are equally as bad. 3. @Mongoose87 by a large margin. 4. How closely matched the top five teams in the league are. 5. Have a theme week asking for recruitment ideas. 6. Fall? The fuck is that? We are in first winter here, so it’s been normal. Second winter is usually much worse.

Recruitment ideas I would likely to start off the article with a disclaimer, as I don’t have any idea what recruiting avenues the league has looked into over the last year, so some of these ideas might already been in process or proven to not work. Recruiting on podcasts: Podcasting is the hot thing right now instead of your traditional radio, with hundreds upon hundreds of podcasts available that hit every topic in the world. An idea that I thought of would be looking up the sports podcasts around the world and reach out to see if we could hop aboard a podcast that has a decent amount of followers. Now podcasts like splitting chiclets or the Steve Dangle podcast might be outside out reach financially, something along the lines of a fast browsing podcast such as Tales with TR, might still be cheap enough to hop on board for a few advertisements throughout the hockey season and possible one in the off-season to catch those maybe with some hockey FOMO. Outside of recruiting with advertising on already established podcasts, the league should look into getting a crew together to start a weekly professional podcast discussing all things VHL, with the thought of getting the postcard noticed around the hockey world. Now of course that would take time and dedication, but this might also open up additional jobs for those around the league looking to get more involved in recruiting. Thaw next ideas are in my opinion recruitment related as with recruitment should also come retention, as a GM or member shouldn’t be held responsible for making the VHL a desired place after you sign up and create a player Retention: GMs of the VHLM and VHLE need to be held more accountable for helping with retention. They are paid a fairly decent salary in TPE, and in my opinion need to be the most active people in the teams discord locker rooms. I understand not every team is expected to compete year in and year out, but from my personal experience now twice in the league with this situation, it’s tough to put time and effort into something that you don’t get much out of to log in each day to silence in the locker room especially if your team is also doing poorly. Now I’m sure GMs are doing they best they can, but previously moderators and commissioners were able to view team locker rooms and if they still can, can help out with this task of checking in on players on teams that have inactive locker rooms. I could imagine being a new player trying to make your way in the league with no discussions in your locker room. Also if the moderators and commissioners can see a lack of effort being put forward by a GM, they need to get more involved well before the person just goes inactive. Now I understand life happens, but that’s a poor excuse for not pulling your weight when you are paid to run a team in the league. VHL hype team: Yea, you read that right, I fully believe the league needs to hire members similar to VSN employees, but this crews job is to hype up players in media spots or signatures each week. Old members and new members love seeing and reading about their players, but of course most players that aren’t leading the league in something or a member that loves to talk in discord and on the forum don’t see themselves in signature and media spots often. My suggestion here is to have as many people as necessary 4-5, and focus on a draft season each week. One week look at those in their final seasons, next week look at those who are not yet drafted into the VHL. Hopefully those putting forward an effort each week, if their player is doing well or not, the hype team can help people stay engaged in the league. Claiming capped TPE week of November 27th

Claim week 3/3

Constanza lord of Halifax Giorgiy Constanza has been the only reason the Halifax based VHLM team currently has four wins on the season. A lost season from the start for Halifax, Constanta has put forward an effort that any hockey player would be proud of. Constanta has played in all thirty games for the 21sts this season, putting up a 4-24-2 record, which on paper looks terrible. However with 1064 shots against in those thirty games played, Constanza has been standing on his head night in and night out just to give Halifax a chance after the opening puck drop each night. With roughly 35 shots against each night, Constanza has been able to build quite a resume, being able to post an eye popping .919 save percentage and a 2.86 goals against average. While it’s highly likely Constanza won’t finish the season in Halifax, he’s been putting on quite a show for those Halifax faithful that still fill the arena every night. Not only has Giorgiy been amazing on the ice, he’s been a consistent face in a very lonely Halifax locker room, which will be great once e arrives on a team with more than two active players. While he likely won’t be considered by voters at seasons end, I would give my Mitch Higgins vote to Constanza at the conclusion of the season

1. In no particular order, Severus Targaryen, Axle Gunner, Shubham Anand. 2. I would like to try pickle ball cause I’m getting to the age where playing it is acceptable. 3. I only have one position above me at work, outside management which I tried for six months and hated, so I guess I would like to try my hand as a policy analyst to help shape the outlook at my work and for my province. Questions defense related: 1. Who will win the Sterling Labatte trophy at seasons end in the VHL. 2. Who will win the Jake Thunder trophy at seasons end in the VHLE. 3. Who will win the Ryan Sullivan trophy at season end in the VHLM.

Claim week 2/3

Waiting is the hardest part After a twelve game trial run last year in the VHLM, Riley Martin was excited to come back for a full season to see what the VHLM had to offer the youngster in terms of development. Martin put in a lot of work in the off-season to be the best player under 201 TPE he could be. Now after fourteen games with the Halifax 21st, Martin is wondering if the VHL was the right choice for his hockey career. While losing is never fun, as Halifax currently has a 1-13-0 record, Martin has noticed a very different atmosphere than he experienced last season with the Miami Marauders. After the draft, Martin was promptly invited into the Halifax locker room by the General Manager, which would be the last time Martin had any interaction with the General Manager until this past weekend, when Martin overheard the GM comment on the rough past week. Now to be fair to Halifax’s General Manager and Assistant General Manger Martin hasn’t gone into the locker room to be the most vocal player, only speaking up a handful of times, but things might have to chance to allow Martin to enjoy coming to the rink day in and day out. With only two roster players, currently active on the roster one of those changes might be shipping Martin, and goaltender. Giorgiy Constanzov to another French use to allow Halifax to fast track another rebuild. P.S. I have no issues with anyone in the LR and would never hold it against a GM or AGM if they are not able to post in the LR each week. Just east to write about and I needed points.

I’m dying in the VHLM

I remember way back… I’m just messing with you @Grape. I was already on your shit list for randomly choosing Miami last year on waivers, so now onto our regular scheduled media spot. VHLE so far. We are now twelve games into the VHLE season as of writing this media spot and it’s quite a a tight race so far between five of the six VHLE franchises, as currently there is only nine points separating first and fifth place in the standings. In this weeks media spot we’ll take a look at the teams in the VHLE and how has helped them to the position they are currently in. Rome Gladiators (1st Place; 9-3): Currently in first place by only one point, Rome has had a very good start to the season. Currently the Gladiators have only three players that are scoring at a point per game pace, so they aren’t in first place due to their thirty-seven goals for, I would say the play of goaltender Dalkr Vidaesson is the reason Rome is in first at the moment. Dalkr has played in all twelve games for the Gladiators this season and has put up extremely imprecise numbers in those twelve games, putting up a .925 save percentage and a 2.42 goals against average. While those numbers are not leading the VHLM, Dalkr has played in more games than most other VHLE goalies, and once they catch up to his games played, Dalkr can look forward to seeing their name at the top of the leaderboard at that time. On the offensive side of things in Rome, evoke we did state they are being led by their world class goalie, we of course can’t ignore the current points leader in the league Nick Sansoe, who’s nineteen points in twelve games gives him the lead by one point. Sansoe is currently in his second year in the VHLE and has really upped his game from his twenty-three point performance with Istanbul in Season Eight-Nine. Rome will really need their offense and defensive players step up if they wish to continue in first place. Vasteras Iron Eagles (2nd Place; 8-3-1): Vasteras is a close second behind Rome with seventeen points in their first twelve games played this season. Vasteras is another VHLM franchise that is being led from the net out, but the difference between them and Rome is they are currently deploying a two goalie system. Karl Herzlich and Oliver Gauthier have basically split starts this year with Gauthier appearing in eight games, while Herzlich has appeared in five games. In the eight games he has appeared in Gauthier has put up a .935 save percentage and a 2.23 goals against average. Not to be outdone Herzlich has put up even better numbers in this five games, posting a .958 goals against average and a 1.33 goals against average. We also would be doing a disservice if we did not mention that Vasteras winger Ellis Woolfenden, who’s 10 goals and seven assists sit in him third place in the overall points leaders in the VHLE. While he does have a few teammates also on the list, it’s Woolfendens dual threat as a scorer and passer that is carrying the load offensively for the Iron Eagles in the first twelve games. Don’t be surprised if Vasteras overtakes Rome here in the next week as the top team in the VHLE. Bratislava Watchmen (3rd Place; 6-2-4): Coming in at the number three spot in the VHLM standings in the Bratislava Watchmen, who currently have sixteen points in their first twelve games played. Bratislava is another VHLE team that is winning despite their early season offensive woes as the team currently is minus one in point differential in their twelve games played. Bratislava is another VHLE franchise that is deploying a two goalie system with both Red Panda and W36 playing games this season. W36 who is in his second season in Bratislava leads the way with seven games played, in which he has three wins, and has posted a .947 save percentage to go along with a 1.85 goals against average. While Panda has appeared in six games, also winning three of those six, while posting a .927 and a 3.00 goals against average. While the two netminders are currently holding down the Fort for Bratislava, the offense hasn’t woken up yet, with the top offensive player in Mikko Borisyuk being the only Watchmen player currently over a point per game, posting seven goals and seven assists so far. With the team well without striking distance of first place even with the poor offensive showing so far, the Watchmen could easily be the top VHLE team if their offense come to life. Cologne Express (4th Place; 7-5): The one time VHL franchise now existing as a VHLE team, Cologne currently finds themselves just above the .500 mark with fourteen points in their first twelve games played. Cologne is different than the other VHLE teams we have discussed in this article as their offense is currently leading the way in the league with forty-eight goals scored. The team is currently lead by the teams thirtieth overall pick form the Season Eighty-Eight VHLE Entry Draft choice Anthony Simmons. Simmons currently leads the team with eight goals and ten assists, which places him second in the VHLE points race, just behind Nick Sansoe from the Role Gladiators. Simmons has been the go to man for the Express this season as he sits five points ahead the next Express player, winger Eric White, who has thirteen points in the twelve Express games this season. While the offensive output is quite a bit ahead of the next team, by seven goals, one thing holding the Express back has been the subpar play of their two goalies in their roster. Both Clark and Devon Giguere have been on the Express roster for two season now and have previously shown they can play at a high level in the league, which is likely frustrating to Express fans and management. With the season in the very early stages there is plenty of time for one of the two goalies to break from the pack and take the starting role in Cologne. Stockholm Vikings (5th Place; 4-7-1): Stockholm is currently on the outside looking in at the playoffs, which would be devastating for the VHLE team and they recently missed the playoffs in the past three VHLE seasons. Stockholm appears to have a few holes in every aspect of their roster and are currently the second worst team in the league for point differential. Stockholm was able to pick 2nd Overall in the most recent VHLE Entry draft where they selected goaltender Olober Syko, who has a little trouble adjusting to the VHLE after tearing up the VHLM with the San Diego Marlins. Syko has played in all twelve games for the Vikings this season putting up a 4-7-1 record to go along with a .917 save percentage and a 3.24 goals against average. While those numbers are not awful, Syko himself would likely say he hasn’t played up to expectations for a Second Overall draft choice. On the offense side of things for the Vikings, they are currently being led by fellow Season Ninety One draft picks Grimgor Ironside and Spanish Moon Moth. Moon Moth currently leads the team in goals with ten and points with seventeen, will Ironside is right behind him with four goals and ten assists for fourteen points. While the teams offensive output hasn’t been as bad as some of the other teams above them in the standings, they will have to push themselves to do better while their goalie gets his legs underneath him. Olso Storm (6th Place, 2-9-1): Currently the last team in the standings in the VHLE, the Oslo Storm have dug themselves quite the hole early in the season. While twelve games is hardly enough games to right the team off, Oslo will need to step up their games on many fronts to climb out of the VHLE basement. Oslo currently is the worst in the VHLE in point differential with a whopping minus twenty-one. Another dual tandem goalie team in the league, Oslo has yet to see it pay off as both goalies have stumbled out of the gate with only one win a piece. With David Slezak and Joseph Reed currently manning the blue paint in Oslo, both in their first VHLE seasons, fans in Oslo are likely hoping the rookie blues will soon go away, as both goalies proved last season in the VHLM, they are more than capable of winning. Offensively the team currently has five roster players with the same amount of points (ten), but have no players with more than five goals. While the netminders in Oslo haven’t been stellar they also need more production from their offensive players, including Season Ninety-One draftee, who was acquired after the draft from Vasteras, Rin Kagamire. If Kagamire and a few other cowards start to put things together maybe Oslo can go on a run and grab the final playoff spot at seasons end. 1,500 Words

1. Nikita Kucherov, hopefully I can compare myself to him after I get more assists though. 2. Jared Spurgeon I think is still underrated. 3. Pregame meal of steak and then a nap. Take public transit when I can to the arena as well. Questions: 1. How are you feeling about your players season so far? 2. How are you feeling about your teams chances at making the playoffs this season. 3. Do you think you’ll retire early or go the full career length with your player?

Halifax is who we thought they were The VHLM started this past week and the Halifax 21st finally won a game and are no longer in the basement on the overall standings for the VHLM. With only eight games played so far this season, not all is lost for the Halifax based VHLM team, but with only two active roster players currently on the team, things likely won’t get any easier. One thing that isn’t helping the cause in Halifax is the poor play of the Third Overall pick from the most recent VHLM Dispersal Draft, Riley Martin who has only put up four goals and two assists in the eight games Halifax has played despite playing the majority of the minutes for the team. One bright spot for Halifax is the play of their Thirteenth Overall pick from the S91 VHLM Dispersal draft goaltender Giorgiy Costanzov. So far in the eight games he has played in, Costsnzov has put up a .914 save percentage and a 3.13 goals against average, which is outstanding for a one win team with no players listed as defenseman on the roster. If Halifax wins even close to ten games this season, it will definitely be because of the play of Costanzov.

1. We’ll hopefully we can pick up some players soon or we might be in for a long season unfortunately. 2. I was hoping to be a PPG player but will settle for a founders cup, if not PPG. 3. Ottawa 4. I would just like to go to a competitive team with a good LR. 5. I was unable to answer the door this year so I’ll go with the my first Halloween outfit my 3 day old was wearing was the best. 6. Yes, I grew up with the old school huge neck guards

Claiming week 4/4

Maybe I was thanking no body, cause I didn’t play well? Hmm P.S. Thank you to you

WJC Comes To An End Earlier today the VHLs World Junior Hockey Championships came to an end with the gold and bronze medal games taking place. When the dust all settled it was Team Europe who would take home the gold medal after a thrilling 4-2 win over Team Canada. After a back and forth first period that saw the teams exchange two goals apiece, it was a powerplay goal just over two minutes into the third period that sealed the deal for Team Europe as Raimo Tuominen potted his first goal in the elimination rounds of the tournament. Both Team Europe and Team Canada finished the Round Robin with an identical 7-3 record and both teams also ended the Round Robin with twenty-eight goals against, so it was no surprise to those following the tournament that they met in a highly anticipated gold medal game. In the other medal game that took place today Team Asia came out victorious against Team USA. Team Asia won the game 3-2 with the winning goal taking place at the 19:15 mark of the second period when Simons Worst Nightmare put home their first goal of the elimination round. We would also like to thank @Nobody for the hard work of putting on the tournament this season!

Answers: 1. I would take the pass and allow the goalie to take the shooter head on. 2. I’m not much of a shoot first person, but I feel there is nothing better than a nice snap shot from the high circle. 3. Pass first, which likely won’t work, but why not try. Questions: 1) With the VHLM draft upcoming, where do you see the top goalie Giorgiy Costanza will go? 2) Who will be the worst team in the VHL next season? 3) Whats your favourite VHL moment to date?

Claiming Week 3/4

I see what you did here

Answers: 1. Davos vs Toronto 2. Honestly I didn’t vote, as someone who joined at the trade deadline I didn’t feel it was appropriate to vote for something I wasn’t knowledgeable about other than looking at year end stats. 3. No, it’s hard enough to have a quality player for the short time you have, it’s hard enough for those non top earners. Questions: 1. What trophy would you rename if given the change and why? 2. What player that retired this season has the best HOF chance? 3. Whats your personal goals this upcoming season?

Miami Falls Short After a thrilling playoff push, that saw Miami beat two teams that finished higher in the regular season, Las Vegas and San Diego, Miami eventually fell in the seventh and final game in the Founder Cup series against the Mississauga Hounds. Miami saw a lot of their roster players step up in the 20 games the Marauders played in the VHLM playoffs. One player that didn’t step up as much as they expected was Miami forward Riley Martin. Unconfirmed reports coming out of Miami state that Martin was a little too vocal in the Marauders locker-room after the team lost 6-1 to San Diego in game four of the VHLM Semi-Finals. Game five saw major line changes for the Marauders, including Martins name being absent from the 5 on 5 lines. From game five of the semi-finals until the end of the Founders Cup, Martin saw on average 10.52 minutes of ice-time, below is a break-down of the ice-time Martin saw each game. Semi-Finals Game 5: 8:37 Semi-Finals Game 6: 10:29 Semi-Finals Game 7: 12:01 Founders Cup Game 1: 6:40 Founders Cup Game 2: 8:37 Founders Cup Game 3: 24:00 Founders Cup Game 4: 8:41 Founders Cup Game 5: 10:23 Founders Cup Game 6: 5:53 Founders Cup Game 7: 9:53 As you can see above, things looked like they might have turned around in game three of the Founders Cup, with Martin seeing 24 minutes of ice-time, while also putting up 2 assists in the game. When the next day came and the line ups were presented for Miami, it was noticed that Martin again was only listed in the powerplay lines and as an extra forward. With Martin heading to the VHLM draft in a few weeks’ time, one has to wonder if a VHLM franchise will be looking into the possible cause of Martins lack of playing time

Claiming Week 2/4

Transaction ID 5069-7959-6603-9796 Doubles Week 5 Uncapped TPE $1M Player Store

All aboard the Slezak Train The Miami Marauders currently find themselves gearing up for game five of the VHLM Founders Cup, against the second-best regular season team, Mississauga Hounds. While the team has found timely scoring in the three-playoff series they have been in, in all honestly the Marauders would not be in the position they are if not for the play of goaltender David Slezak. Slezak has played in all seventeen playoff games the Marauders have played in Season Ninety, winning ten of those seventeen games he has started. Slezak has also put up some pretty eye-popping numbers, as he currently sits second in safe percentage in the playoffs (.912), behind Jose Avocado who played only five games in the playoffs. Slezak has also put up the third best goals against average in the playoffs, putting up a 2.47 GAA, while also leading the goalies in the playoffs with two shutouts. With those amazing numbers being put up by Slezak, one has to wonder If Miami is able to pull off the upset, will the VHLM see its second consecutive goalie taking home the Skyler Rift trophy at the conclusion of the season?

1. I would have to say D.C. While they lost to a team right behind them in the standings, the fact they lost in 4 straight was a surprise to me. 2. Two words. Short- bus. 3. The fact my Dad thought those movies were good movies. Questions: 1. Who do you think will go 1st Overall in the VHL upcoming draft. 2. Who do you think will go 1st Overall in the VHLE upcoming draft. 3. Who do you think will go 1st Overall in the VHLM upcoming draft.