Elmebeck

Do you even sleep? I think all the updaters are damn awesome, and some of them are kind of "big names" around here too, but how often do we throw around @rjfryman or Julius Freeman? I'd wager not too often. So this is a small tribute to the good work - and over time - you and the other updaters are and have been providing us with (good) service. I feel like I also have to mention Velevra, McWolf, OrbitingDeath, Tagger, .sniffum, esso, tacticalhammer, Advantage and enorama (during my time here, I am sure I have missed some other actives and plenty from the past). The point I guess is to herald the unsung heroes a little bit, and how the whole league really is team work. But this to me is what VHL is also about, those steadfast guys behind the scenes that makes all this work. Like basically all of the VHLM GM's, Josh and the IT team, GustavMattias who seems to permeate the place (we're not moving away from "unknowns" to those who flaunt a bit more), Bana and all the other personalities that are too many to mention (that would be a cheap article to post though). @DMaximus who shares his on the side creations. That's all just so nice. Let me restart again with that "point" thing, maybe the point I am reaching for is that despite tired 4chan trolling by people who still live in 2005, the "slurs" recently, and all that - this is a pretty decent community and I am happy I found it.

Even if you didn't choose us let either our GM or me know if you have any questions about the league, we'll be happy to help. GM @Peace (Discord: MrZPeace#0598) AGM @Elmebeck (Discord: VerloreneSiege#9910)

12 hours @animal74 @DilIsPickle Next up @jRuutu

Team ColeMrtz F - Jake Davis F - Dan Wilinsky F - Randoms D - D - G - Team Gaudette F - Kronos Bailey F - F - D - Leph Twinger D - Joseph McWolf G - Team animal74 F - Rauno Palo F - F - D - Lance Flowers D - G - Team jRuutu F - Ryan Kastelic F - F - D - Diljohd Starload D - G - Kallis Kriketers Team Beaviss F - Hunter Hearst Helmsley F - Julian Borwinn F - Jet Jaguar D - D - G - Team Elmebeck F - Ryan Sullivan Jr F - Don Draper F - D - Smitty Werbenjagermanjenson D - G - Finn Davison Edited this many hours/days ago vvv

Helsinki 3-1

49 Prague Phantoms @ Moscow Menace 50 Calgary Wranglers @ Vancouver Wolves 51 Seattle Bears @ Helsinki Titans 52 HC Davos Dynamo @ Malmo Nighthawks

@Corco, AGM for Saskatoon Wild here, EDIT: I missed your accept post, but the offer below still stands. Whichever team you choose don't hesitate to contact us with questions about strategizing your player, how the league and TPE earning works, etc. Hope you'll have fun here! GM @Peace(Discord: MrZPeace#0598) AGM @Elmebeck (Discord: VerloreneSiege#9910)

F - Ryan Sullivan Jr D - Smitty Werbenjagermanjenson @Beaviss

The snow you describe is just like where I live in Sweden, it's only early January everything settles down a bit and you kind of can count on the weather to be stable (cold) for about 2-3 months. Half-melting snow is the worst. I spent a week that included Remembrance Day in Manchester a few years ago, it was quite the thing, poppies and all. Especially going to the pubs later in the evening, it's not only USA that has forgotten war veterans anymore.

Well deserved, but I still feel like I have to link this. (60 seconds in)

@InciteHysteria if you do stay for more than two weeks we'd love to have you in Saskatoon Wild, we're probably the favorites this season and if nothing else we'll have a grand ol' playoff run. We're somewhat stacked so can't promise max ice time from the start, but you know how it goes, it's pretty easy to work your way up in the lines on most teams.

Congrats USA! Nice playoff from the group position.

@Radcow, if you check the teams I think you will find that Saskatoon Wild is perfectly placed for an amazing season this year. So please consider us, and no matter which team you choose you're welcome to contact us via PM or through Discord with any questions that you may have. Have a chat with Peace as to minutes, 69 seems excessive as we will try to avoid overtime. GM @Peace (Discord: MrZPeace#0598) AGM @Elmebeck (Discord: VerloreneSiege#9910)

@Adil, if you check the teams I think you will find that Saskatoon Wild is perfectly placed for an amazing season this year. So please consider us, and no matter which team you choose you're welcome to contact us via PM or through Discord with any questions that you may have. GM @Peace (Discord: MrZPeace#0598) AGM @Elmebeck (Discord: VerloreneSiege#9910)

@monkeywrench15 To bounce off of Peace (Saskatoon Wild), we're looking really good this season and should even be able to keep a decent core into next season too. So if you want a good cup run and possibly two really good seasons down in VHLM we're a pretty decent team to pick.

It's obvious what you have to talk about, same questions (more or less) that I offered to Tate. 1. The draft, initial impressions? It kind of broke expectations at pick 3 and 253 TPE Okada slid down to 9th. 2. Some trades are probably still going on, but looking at the teams what are your predictions for the season? 3. Most improved team? 4. Most weakened team compared to last season? 5. Malmö isn't really looking anemic in any way, but perhaps could use a few more players? Where's the weaknesses and strengths, what need to be improved for this or next season?

1. We just completed our draft - what advice or tips do you have for our incoming rookies? I guess a few of them are kind of veterans. But generally, make sure to have fun, and ask questions - we have a lof of experience and knowledgeable people on the team. 2. Aleksander Rodriguez left our team for Malmo this offseason - what parting words or wishes do you have for him? Good luck, sad that he can't be a part of our cup runs that I am certain will happen with in a season or two. 3. Our co-captain Guy LaGrande won Most Improved Player last season - what leap do you expect from him next season? I believe he has a good chance to top all defenders in points this season. 4. What does New York have to work on this offseason to push into the playoffs? Even more depth perhaps. The lines and players we have are looking good, but to extend depth a bit more can only be helpful. 5. Our young star Lance Flowers won both Rookie of the Year and Top Defensive Defenseman last season - were you surprised? Perhaps at the second title, which is very impressive. Rookie of the Year is as impressive but not as surprising. 6. What are your personal goals for next season? Get my baseline attributes in order so that I can be truly effective on the blueline both offensively and defensively. I am hoping most of that will be in place by mid-season and also have a plan for end of season and the playoffs.

Helsinki has more forgiving fans than Islanders.

OK

Scandinavia has a pretty good offence, probably one of the best 1st lines; but the d-line is on the weak side compared to the other three mentioned (though, since I am in it we'll play over our ability, of course).

So I was planning on making a podcast but with video... as it stands I haven't made a podcast at all. But I thought it would be a waste to not at least share this. Maybe in the future this will become a video podcast with some cheesy 80's graphics in neon. Behold Elmebeck (Lidström) to the Americans' (Vancouver Canucks) goal horn! https://streamable.com/d9kqb

+4

Elmebeck was skating late at night, bribing one of the staff to lend him the keys to Madison Square Garden. Only a few spotlights were on, the light playing and waving along the ice just as his hair, free from a helmet. "Old ice vibe", he thought as he slapped one of the crossbar from the blueline. This reminded him of growing up, skating for fun, feeling the speed, power, wind... and not having to compete. For the love of the game. Nothing else could be said to be behind it. Due to a move last week he had lost some critical practices that he had to make up for now. He turned sharp at the goal line, pretending to be an offensive defenceman in the disguise of Kovalev, fake passed and buried it in the cross section. Gliding towards the center of the rink, stick and hands resting on his knees he looked up and took in the magnificence of skating in Madison Square Garden alone, and the supreme luck to have been drafted to New York Americans. He picked up another puck, the slapshot echoed in the stadium as it floated in the air towards the crease. DING! SCORE!

1. The Americans scraped the bottom of the lottery, walking away with the 4th and 12th overall picks of the S69 draft. Who would you be most excited to see join the squad? There are a few ex-Houston and ex-/current players I have helped manage in Saskatoon this draft, of course it would be fun if some of them ended up in New York. 2. The S69 FA pool is incredibly deep this year, with a lot of big names becoming available at the end of the season. Who’s the best on the market? I don't know all names and it's a bit much work to see who is active, but despite his weirdly distributed attributes Morpheus Destructious played well for me in the WJC and amassed less penalty minutes than expected. 3. Last season we just barely lost the battle against Toronto for the playoffs. With new assets on the horizon, where do you expect us to place this coming season? Top five is not at all unreasonable, but perhaps a lofty goal; but I think we can do it. Playoffs should not be in jeopardy at any rate. 4. With such an expansive FA market, a lot of teams are going to have to take a hit to their rosters. Who do you think fares the worst? Just looking at it, Davos. 5. Prospects Ryo Yamazuki II @Donno100, Aamon Grim @aCrypticPancake and Jaxon Walker @hewasajazzman have all jumped up to the VHL level during the off-season with our team. How do you expect them to do in their inaugural seasons? It's relatively hard to do well from the start, but New York is a young team so they will probably get a bit more minutes on ice than if they played for a top tier team. They should do reasonable. 6. Who do you consider to be your biggest rival in the VHL, whether it be a team or individual player? Looking at last season we were in that group with Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Moscow. Personally I believe Davis will drop a bit with their aging roster. So I would like to say Seattle is who we should compete with, get up in that top three to five bracket for next season.