animal74

I come across lots of potential trivia questions when researching for VSN historical articles, haha.

Thanks for everything @Alex! Congrats @Pifferfish, you'll do great!

It was an extremely enjoyable career. Thanks everyone!

You take it. I'm done earning now, haha.

Congrats Moscow! You were the better team. @Spartan good job building this roster!

Game 6 tonight!

Draft scandal???

Grammar: -1 Grade: 5/6

Good luck!

Glad you're doing better and hopefully you'll continue to feel more like yourself soon! You're killing it as an updater, btw. Good luck!

Well, this is it, my last earning post for Joel Castle. The Cup Final will either end tonight or tomorrow but I’ve taken it to the extreme end. And what a ride it’s been! No matter how Simon rolls the dice tonight, it’s been a great career. November 7, 2022 I was drafted by the Toronto Legion and soon my time in the crease will end and it will be time for another to guard the Legion net. With all the amazing goalies that have played for the Legion over the years, I knew I would never be the best one, but I’m proud and grateful to have accomplished as much as I did. I never thought it would be as good as it has been. It has been an honor to stand in the blue paint, look up to the rafters and see those that have been in the same spot before me: Alex Gegeny, Aidan Shaw, Remy LeBeau, Hans Wingate, and Jaxx Hextall. To also know that many Hall-of-Famers defended the same net – Maxim Desny, Alexander Labatte, Greg Clegane, and Norris Stopko – gave me a sense of duty to perform well every night. Joel Castle finishes his Legion career with the following stats: Regular season: GP: 504 (2nd all-time Legion), W: 256 (2nd), L: 197 (2nd), OTL: 47 (2nd), SV%: 0.924 (T-8th), GAA: 2.59, SO: 28 (T-7th), SA: 16949 (1st) Playoffs: GP: 63 (1st), W: 37 (1st, T-11th VHL), L: 24 (2nd), OTL: 2, SV%: 0.927 (5th), GAA: 2.47 (5th), SO: 6 (1st, T-8th VHL), SA: 2155 (1st) One of only four goalies in VHL history to post 4 shutouts in a single post-season (Brick Wahl S39 & S42, M.T. Power S53, Jesse Teno S88, Castle S94) Accolades: S84 Founder’s Cup (Las Vegas) S85 JST Champions (Dehli Pickles) S86 WJC Silver Medal (Canada) S90 WC Gold Medal (Canada) S91 Continental Cup (Toronto), S91 Diasuke Kanou Trophy, S91 All-VHL Second Team S92 WC Bronze Medal (Canada) S94 Victory Cup (Toronto) I want to thank @Shindigs for drafting me to Las Vegas and @Moon for drafting me in the S86 draft to Toronto and allowing me to assist as AGM. I want to thank the rest of the Legion management team for being so awesome to work with: @Peace, @v.2 , @dstevensonjr. Thanks to the BUGs that have come in when I had a bad game and rode the pine at the expense of their own playing time – DJ Fire Dragon @Firekiss, Even Bihler @Eb14, Toddly Bobbly @ToddlyBobbly - it was a pleasure sharing the crease with you! Thanks to Oskar Lindbergh @Doomsday for accepting a trade to Calgary and allowing me to become the starter right away – which I think turned out good for both of us! Thanks to the rest of the “Fab Four” from the S86 Draft: Fuukka Rask @Jubis, Lachlan Summers @kirbithan and Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro. You guys pushed me to be better every day and it was honor to battle against you. And especially I wish to sincerely thank all my teammates over the years with the Las Vegas Aces, Geneva Rush and of course, Toronto Legion. You have made this journey with Joel Castle so awesome and I appreciate every one of you. I’m taking a season off but I’ll be around. I’m looking to recreate for the S97? Draft. Everyone have a great summer!

But on paper, looking at the players involved, it's not much of a mismatch...

A week late, but here are the mentions and topics list. Enjoy! Host: @Pifferfish (Jorgen Lovstrom) Co-Host: @DarkSpyro (Ash Sparks) Guest: @animal74 (Joel Castle) 1:00 Welcome/Intros 2:35 Playoff Talk including Castle Sets Toronto Playoff Wins and SO Records Mentions: Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty, Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler, Catia Goncalves @cLoWn (Apologies for the mispronunciation!) 8:38 VHFL Talk Mentions: Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty, Diego Machado @Dadam30, Ash Sparks, Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler, Joel Castle 13:40 Goalie Sliders/Build Talk Mentions: Ash Sparks, Lachlan Summers @kirbithan, 17:10 More Goalie Talk: Castle/Sparks Careers, S86 Goalie Class, Potential HOFers Mentions: Pipo Popa @npuBeT, Lachlan Summers @kirbithan, Fuukka Rask @Jubis, Jesse Teno @aimkin , Art Vandelay @Gustav , Merome Dilson @MexicanCow123, Matt Murdock @Acydburn 26:28 Toronto/Malmo Connection Mentions: Artem Tretiak & Max Molholt @Molholt, Druss Deathwalker @animal74, Jimmy Spyro @DarkSpyro 28:18 animal74's VHL history/future/VSN Mentions: Ondrej Ohradka & Gunnar-Rune Rorvik @animal74, Alexander Beketov @Beketov, Josh Vestiquan & Mac Atlas & Tui Sova @v.2 Link: Top 75 VHL Players of All-Time 34:20 Portal Upgrades 35:23 Legion All-Time Projects, VHL Alumni Dream Teams 37:00 Hockey video games/Goalie goals 46:45 Jorgen Lovgren and Malmo's Future Mentions: Randy Bobandy @AJW, Gregger McKeggegger @TheNeonShaman, Reese McFleury @Spaz, Jacob Stone @scoop 48:34 Being a Defensemen Mentions: Elias Lampi @Pifferfish 52:08 VHLM Talk (Memes, Bans, S85) Mentions: GM Shawn Glade @ShawnGlade 55:00 Returning and Remembering Mentions: RIP Fredrik Elmebeck @Elmebeck, @701 GM Rylan Peace @Peace, @Arce, @Will

Name: Joel Castle Position: Goaltender Number: 74 Height: 5’ 10” Weight: 185 lbs Birthdate: 05/17/2003 Hometown: Victoria, BC Nationality: Canada When one thinks of snow and ice, the moderate clime of beautiful Vancouver Island off the west coast of British Columbia doesn’t immediately come to mind if at all. But was does come to mind is an active lifestyle and that is one thing that Ian and Ruth Castle of Langford, BC, instilled in their children, daughter Autumn and son Joel, from a young age. Whether it was biking, hiking, swimming, tennis, soccer, or golf, the Castle family always seemed to be outside. Joel especially liked to be near the water whether it was swimming in a crystal clear lake, skipping rocks along a river or boating on the Pacific Ocean. But during the winter, young Joel would watch hockey on TV with his dad, an avid Vancouver Canucks fan, and occasionally go to a Victoria Grizzlies game (the local BCHL junior team). Joel instantly loved the sport and begged to play. And so Ian enrolled his enthusiastic son in the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey League. Due to his small stature and lack of skating ability, Joel was eventually asked by his coaches to try being a goalie. Joel didn’t care – he was thrilled to just play. With his all-around athleticism and a growing underlying competitive streak, Joel quickly developed an adeptness at the position and made it his personal mission to stop every shot that came toward him. Unfortunately, his drive and determination did not lead to a lot of team success early on although his team did win one tournament in his U-11 season and his performance led to him being named tournament MVP. Between the excitement of the Canucks’ West Coast Express, live junior games, and later the introduction of the WHL’s Victoria Royals, he developed a deep passion for the game and consumed a steady diet of hockey. He honed in on smaller goalies like himself to watch their style and learn how they made themselves appear big in the net. He especially connected with Royals’ netminders Coleman Vollrath and Griffen Outhouse and even had a chance to meet them a few times. In the NHL, he tried to emulate shorter goaltenders such as Jaroslav Halak and Juuse Saros and would eventually wear Saros’ number 74. Joel’s passion for the game bled into his family as well. His sister, Autumn, also caught the hockey bug and decided to try playing goalie shortly after she saw how much fun her brother was having. In their early years, they even split the goaltending duties on the same team a few times. Wanting to be better able to help train his crease-patrolling children, Ian Castle took up recreational hockey and he would spend free days shooting balls and pucks on his goalie duo – outside if it was nice and in the basement in times of rain. Ruth Castle was a constant in the stands, cheering for Joel and Autumn as often as possible. Young Joel Castle playing with the Victoria Cougars When Joel was then drafted by the Prince Alberta Raiders in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, this strong family bond was stronger than his love for hockey and made it too hard for him to move to a different province so he decided look for further opportunities closer to home and eventually stayed at home, signing with the Victoria Cougars of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. He played sparingly with the Cougars between 2018-2020, but did win a league championship with them and they lost in the Cyclone Taylor Cup final for the British Columbia Provincial Junior B Hockey Championship. Despite not getting any playing time in these championship runs, he soaked in the experience and saw the determination and sacrifice it took to win. Then the COVID pandemic went into full blown lockdown and leagues of all sports were either severely restricted or canceling much of their seasons. Not seeing much of an opportunity with his hometown BCHL Victoria Grizzlies, he inquired around for other Island teams looking for goaltending help and found a potential fit with the Cowichan Valley Capitals in Duncan, only an hour north of his home. But it unfortunately didn’t go well. Both he and the Capitals struggled over the next couple of seasons but between the league shortening their season and him fighting COVID the next season, he only played in 18 games total and managed a 4-11 record. He was not invited back for a third season. Feeling like he had yet to play his best hockey and not wanting to regret not trying one more time even after so many unfortunate seasons, he started looking around at lesser-known options, even outside of North America. His family supported his decision to attempt one more season and so he worked harder than ever in a renewed effort to continue his hockey career. Joel was contacted by a representative of the Animal Sport Agency who said their Canadian scouts had noticed him and felt, as he did, that he had much to offer a team. The rep said that he knew of a team in Las Vegas that could use a goaltender like him for a backup role with potential for a future contract. After meeting with the Las Vegas Aces management, Joel and his family were excited for this new opportunity to join the defending champions of the VHLM. He signed as a free agent and won all five of his starts and then helped the Aces win their second Founder’s Cup in as many seasons. The Aces would then officially draft him in the off-season and he became their starter for S85. After a great regular season that saw him win 41 games – more wins than he had collected in the last few years combined – Castle and the Aces lost in the Founder’s Cup final. He was then drafted by the VHL’s Toronto Legion 13th overall in the S86 Draft and that's when the real story began… Credit: @Moon Teams: S84-S85 Las Vegas Aces (VHLM) S86 Geneva Rush (VHLE - defunct) S87-S94 Toronto Legion (VHL) Accolades: S84 Founder’s Cup (Las Vegas) S85 JST Champions (Dehli Pickles) S86 WJC Silver Medal (Canada) S90 WC Gold Medal (Canada) S91 Continental Cup (Toronto), S91 Diasuke Kanou Trophy, S91 All-VHL Second Team S92 WC Bronze Medal (Canada) S94 Victory Cup (Toronto)

Amazing that it's been 17 years! Happy birthday, VHL! You're the best!!

S94 Toronto Legion Team Awards A disappointing first round exit in the S93 playoffs spurned the Legion to throw in all the chips to make one last run in goaltender Joel Castle’s final season. Cap issues led them to lose Morgan Rice to free agency and deal Steve Lattimer for defenseman Nils Andersson. They also traded for winger James MacAvoy and called up rookie blueliner Gul Dukat. The end result was the league’s highest-scoring offense and best record for the Legion’s first Victory Cup since S67! Toronto’s surge was led by more career years for the Legion’s top four scorers (Jimi Jaks, Diego Machado, Mac Atlas, Bobby Bob) as they became the first foursome to all score 100 or more points on the same team in 12 seasons. But the fun didn’t stop there. Mac Atlas and Jimi Jaks finished the season 3rd and T-5th all-time on the Legion’s career goal scoring list and 4th and 5th on the career points list respectively. Bobby Bob ended the season 7th all-time in assists and 4th all-time for career points by a defenseman. Goaltender Joel Castle finishes his regular season career as the Legion’s all-time leader in shots against and saves, 2nd all-time in games played, wins, loses and OTLs. Here are some of the individual highlights: - Jimi Jaks led the league in goals (62), points (131), plus/minus (55), game-winning goals (15) and hat tricks (T-1st with 4) and was 2nd in shots (614) and 7th in assists (69) all career-highs. - Diego Machado was 2nd in the league in points (124), 4th in assists (73), T-5th in goals (51) and plus/minus (51), T-3rd in power play goals (13), and T-4th in hat tricks (3) all career-highs - Mac Atlas set career-highs with 54 goals (4th in the VHL) and 112 points (6th), 13 PPG (T-3rd) while his 578 shots were 4th in the league and 8 GWG T-10th - Harry Callahan led the league in shots (634) and set a career-high with 39 goals - Bobby Bob’s 92 assists (T-2nd highest total by a Legion defenseman) led the league and 111 points (4th highest total) was T-7th and led all defensemen. He aslo tied for the league-lead in power play assists (25) - Gul Dukat led all rookies in plus/minus (46 – 8th in the league) and finished 7th among rookie scoring (52 points - 2nd among rookie defensemen) - Walter Fitzroy Jr was T-5th in the league in plus/minus (51) and set career-highs in goals (14) and shots (174) - Joel Castle’s career-high 43 wins were T-2nd in the league as were his 5 assists Statistical Leaders: Goals: Jimi Jaks 62 Assists: Bobby Bob 92 Points: Jimi Jaks 131 +/-: Jimi Jaks 55 PIM: Gul Dukat 104 Hits: Jimi Jaks, Mac Atlas 209 Shots: Harry Callahan 634 Shots Blocked: Bobby Bob 135 PPG: Mac Atlas, Diego Machado 13 GWG: Jimi Jaks 15 Fights: Mac Atlas 3 Wins: Joel Castle 43 GAA: Toddly Bobbly 2.13 SV%: Joel Castle 0.921 SO: Joel Castle 3 Here are the S94 Team Awards as voted by the Toronto players and management: Best Defenseman Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer What a season for Bobby Bob! The Canadian had one of the greatest seasons by a defenseman in Toronto history, leading the league in assists (92) and all defensemen in points (111), totals that hadn’t been seen since Aurelien Moreau’s similar numbers in S83. It was the fourth season in a row he led the Legion in assists, one of only a handful of players to do so. He also led the Legion in ice time, PPA, and PPP, and the team blueline in goals, shots, blocked shots, PPG, and GWG. Rookie of the Year Gul Dukat, D @MSouthworth Despite being a rookie, Dukat’s impact was felt at both ends of the ice. They finished 2nd among rookie defensemen scoring with 52 points (7th in VHL rookie scoring), was 8th in the league in plus/minus (46) and led the Legion in PIM (104) and was 2nd in blocked shots (132). A great start to hopefully a long and successful career! Unsung Hero Diego Machado @Dadam30 It’s hard to be considered unsung when you are second in the league in scoring but perhaps it was because Machado wasn’t expected to so thoroughly smash his career numbers from S93. He was Top-5 in six VHL offensive categories and consistent all year. Most Energetic Harry Callahan @dstevensonjr Callahan’s boundless energy and enthusiasm carries over from the ice to the locker room to his AGM duties. He led the team in shot (634) and was third in hits (175). This is his fourth consecutive Most Energetic Award. Most Gentlemanly Kobe Johnson @Vkobe-v In his final season, Kobe Johnson continued his steady ways, being the least-penalized Legion player with only 6 PIM while scoring a career-high 15 goals and 3 GWG. Most Valuable Player Jimi Jaks @ke1vi The league’s leading goal-scorer and point-getter on the highest-scoring team. Need we say more? Legionary of the Year Harry Callahan @dstevensonjr Taking on the AGM role and being the life of the locker room with his stats-sharing and encouragement has Callahan earning his fourth consecutive Legionary of the Year Award. 3-Stars Award Diego Machado @Dadam30 There were very few games in which Machado did not have a significant impact leading the Legion with 12 2nd-Star selections and was one behind Jaks with 25 total selections. Machado beat out Jaks by only 10 points and Atlas by 20 (who was actually tied for first in the league with 15 1st-Star selections) Full 3-Star standings below: Player 1st 2nd 3rd Star Points Total Stars Diego Machado 10 12 3 570 25 Jimi Jaks 11 8 7 560 26 Mac Atlas 15 2 6 550 23 Harry Callahan 2 10 5 310 17 Bobby Bob 3 4 8 250 15 Joel Castle 3 5 4 230 12 Nils Andersson 2 1 1 90 4 Gul Dukat 1 1 3 80 5 Walter Fitzroy Jr 0 2 3 70 5 Toddly Bobbly 1 1 1 60 3 James MacAoy 0 2 1 50 3 Kobe Johnson 1 0 1 40 2 Congratulations to all the award winners!

Best of 3 now. Yikes.

First 60-goal scorer in 13 seasons and highest point total in 14. No contest.

1. We have to limit their chances and not have any defensive lapses. Our special teams have to play really well and of course, Castle has to stop more pucks than the other guy. 2. Yeah, I saw it way back. I'll probably see the new one at some point. 3. Well, sure, if we don't win! Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage with Moscow is having a great playoffs and others on their team are too. Riga's Red Panda is also playing really well and will have a shot if they advance. 4. Nope. Taking a season to rejuvenate IRL and then recreate for the S96(?) draft. 5. I'm thinking Riga can close it out tonight. 6. Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Good series Bears! @Jubis, was a pleasure to battle you one last time!

Thanks for having me on my first podcast! It was a blast!

Good series Van! Castle is now the Legion all-time leader in playoff wins.

1. While the Wolves had three 30-goal scorers during the regular season, I think their defense is what we have to worry about. Calaway, Slater, Alone, and Gavilrovs can all generate offense from the backend and shoot the puck. We have to keep an eye out for those four pinching in. 2. Trained more. Worked on quickness and flexibility. There are no guarantees in the playoffs. Need to keep working. 3. That I didn't completely suck during my last season! Had my best individual record - career-high in wins and career-low in regulation losses and I finished strong in time for the playoffs. 4. Jennifer Morrison 5. That's fantastic and means we've created a winning culture that attracts talent and makes them want to stay long-term. Great for the continued success of the franchise! 6. BBQ chicken and I'm one of the crazy ones that loves pineapple on pizza!

As the final buzzer sounded to end the Legion’s final regular season game, a 6-2 victory against the Los Angeles Stars, Toronto goaltender Joel Castle lifted his head and raised his stick in salute to the retired jerseys hanging in the rafters and one in particular - #39 Remy LeBeau @Green – who he had just passed in his last game with his 256th win for second all-time among Toronto goalies and 38th all-time in the VHL. Castle finishes his storied regular season career among the top in most Toronto goaltending categories: Shots Against: 16949 (1st) Saves: 15646 (1st) Games Played: 504 (2nd, T-22nd all-time VHL) Wins: 256 (2nd, 38th all-time) Losses: 197 (2nd, 17th all-time) Overtime/Shootout Losses: 47 (2nd, T-9th all-time) Goals Against: 1293 (3rd) Save Percentage: 0.924 (5th among Toronto Goalies with 100 GP, Top-30 all-time) Shutouts: 28 (T-7th) Goals Against Average: 2.59 (8th among Toronto Goalies 100 GP) The Legion are one of the favorites heading into the playoffs after winning the franchise’s 12th Victory Cup and first since S67. Castle only needs a series win (four wins) to become the Legion’s all-time leader in playoff wins. “It’s hard to believe for a 94-year-old franchise with so many Hall of Fame goalies,” said Castle in the post-game scrum. “But if we take care of business and focus on our ultimate goal, then everything else will come together. We’ll enjoy this right now but then it’s go time, baby!”