Elmebeck

Hey,
 
I just wanted to take a quik moment and thank you all for reaching out to me. Means a lot to me, and this was a difficult choice at the end as I had quite a few teams to select that sounded like promising places to play at. Any player would be lucky to play on many of these teams and I cannot wait to see all of you out on the ice.
 
With that said..

Aston Martin arrives in Davos
July 9, 2019
 
It's been just about a week since the Davos Dynamo Hockey Club selected center Aston Martin with their fourth overall selection and today he arrived in Davos for the first time. Dynamo fans were gathered at the airport waiting for Martin to step off his plane and met him with loud cheers and roars, welcoming him to his new home. The former Ottawa Lynx standout stayed at the airport for over an hour signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. Local Davos news crew grabbed a couple fans after the madness subdued for a quik interview.
 
Miscellaneous Fan #1
 
Miscellaneous Fan #2
 

Downey Ready to Prove Doubters Wrong
 
Mississauga, ON – New Mississauga Hounds defenseman Jeff Downey is coming into the S67 VHLM season with a chip on his shoulder. The high school standout defenseman came into the VHLM dispersal draft with high expectations on his draft position but fell all the way to the 4th round, being taken 35th overall.
 
‘I was really expecting more out of this draft. I had spoken to a few general managers prior to the draft and had high hopes that I would be drafted fairly high. Even though I was new to the league shortly before the draft I had proven I was committed in the training room and had attended a few league meetings already. I guess I’ll just need to prove all the teams that passed on me wrong.’ Downey said when interviewed after the draft.
 
Being picked by the Hounds has provided Downey with an interesting situation. He will no doubt be heavily relied on by the Hounds and will have all of the opportunity in the world for ice time. If Jeff can capitalize on this opportunity his dropping in the VHLM draft could greatly benefit his stock in the VHL draft.

After almost a month and a half of silence, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced today that have finally completed their investigation into the VHL. Although no official date was given, they are expected to release a report of the findings from their investigation to the public very soon. What began as an investigation of an individual player’s bet against his own team quickly ballooned into a wide ranging investigation encompassing the functioning of the VHL and then grew even larger after allegations of performance-enhancing drugs being distributed by the VHL were levied by a former employee.
 
Predictions about the content of the report run the entire gamut from the VHL’s complete exoneration of the VHL to such severe penalties being levied that the VHL would have to fold and multiple board members serving time in a federal prison.
 
Legal scholar and Yale professor of law, Dr. Vincent Ortiz thinks the fact the FBI announced that their investigation has concluded is a good sign for the VHL. “If they were going to arrest someone, they would have done it prior to the announcement. If I were part of the VHL management, I would be breathing a sigh of relief.”
 
VHL fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the report. The next season is scheduled to begin in the next day or two. VHL superfan David Cundiff said, “The sooner they release this report the better. I think everyone just wants this to be over with. It’s been a cloud hanging over the VHL for all of last season. Release the report and let’s get back to focusing on what’s most important, hockey.”

Two tough games, two tough losses. With a team-worst -3 to start off the season, @HenrikZoiderberg assembled his other teammates  who had posted negatives and organized an "optional" bag skate at 5 AM today. Among the attendees were Bears veteran Joel Ylonen @Esso2264 and fellow rookie Scott Greene @DoktorFunk. Drills ran for roughly two hours, with equally exhausted coaching staff running line drills, suicide sprints, hard stops, point turns, and skate until you puke exercises. If the skill ceiling hadn't been developed, the least the team could do would to have the league's best conditioning.
 
A surprising attendee was the player some have considered a washout due to attitude reasons, Thomas Kennedy @Walter Fizz. Perhaps this reformation project is finally beginning to show signs of the potential Bana has seen in him since he was drafted in S66:

 
A surprised janitor arrived at 7 AM to the lights on, and several young players laid out on the ice, panting heavily. Many were rolling on their sides, clutching their legs in agony, trying to avoid piles of last night's supper puddled across the ice.
 
Ylonen:

 

 
Zoiderberg lead the vomit cleanup and ice maintenance duties following the skate before gingerly returning the rink keys to GM @Banackock, then returned to the locker room to continue his studies on the finer points of servant leadership.
 

 
It was going to take a long time for this team to break through, but the potential for a cup win was there. He could taste it.

The VHL is fucking crazy these days. There was a simpler time once where you could easily keep track of the off-season moves, split the contenders from the pretenders, and just kind of neatly make sense of it all. These days, with insane amounts of trades, ridiculously deep drafts where you don't even need 1st or 2nd round picks to still restock your talent pool, we have a situation where teams change on a whim season to season and everyone can literally beat anyone else.
 
As the off-season drew to a close, I tried to make sense of the goings-on in the league and to my shock identified the following:
 
Only two current members of the Vancouver Wolves, Beau Louth and Rauno Palo, played for the franchise when it was still in Quebec. That's despite, as a reminder, Quebec still had a VHL franchise in S64 – TWO SEASONS AGO.
In a similar vein, the Riga Reign won the Continental Cup in S63 and have remained competitive ever since, finishing second in the regular season for three straight years and again amongst the cup favourites going into S67. Only 3 players remain on the Reign roster from that S63 triumph however – Edwin Preencarnacion, Ryan Kastelic, and Kallis Kriketers.
 
That level of turnover is mind-boggling but makes sense when you consider both Vancouver and Riga wanted to extend their contending cycles by going hard on the S66 and S67 draft classes. However it is pretty much unparalleled in VHL history. And while you have some teams taking the traditional rebuilding route, such as Seattle fireselling to grab all of the S67 picks, you've also got Davos, who, having barely entered their competitive phase in S66, promptly blew up the team and pivoted to a younger core as well.
 
It's good fun but fuck is it hard to keep up.

KnightTime #1012

 
 Welcome back to another edition of KnightTime Podcast! I'm your host, Phil Knight. Today we answer questions @Tate. and @DMaximus gets some airtime! Enjoy this edition!    KnightTime Podcast Questions Thread   Songs: California - Blink 182   This is a division of KnightTime Radio.    Run Time: 29 minutes

KnightTime #1011

 
 Welcome back to another edition of KnightTime Podcast! I'm your host, Phil Knight. Today we look answer questions from @gorlab & @Tate.  Enjoy this edition!    KnightTime Podcast Questions Thread   Songs: Where The Streets Have No Name - U2   This is a division of KnightTime Radio.    Run Time: 31 minutes

@Foehammer you can not go wrong with Houston Bulls. @FrostBeard is a great GM and you would be a perfect fit (reply to his message  )

Hello there @Foehammer and welcome to VHL!
 
I am GM of Houston Bulls and we are ready to compete for the playoffs with quality players and a core of exiting players! We want you to be a part of it! Currently, for Andrew Leonard, we can have a role on the 3rd line! I truly hope you will decide to join Houston as I believe you will fit right in with us!
 
I would strongly suggest for you to wait some time for other teams to get their offers too!
 
If you do want to join us, just quote this message and say "Accepted" or anything other of you so please.
 
In the end, no matter which team you choose, I wish you good luck in VHL and hope you will have an amazing time!
 
GM FrostBeard

Thank you for adding me, feels good
 
One quik note, I believe I've been on the league for 8 years, not 10 as I joined when I was 14 in my freshmen year of high school. I'm now a college graduate so I've kind of grown with this league. 
 
Also, congrats quik!

As is League tradition, every off-season the VHL presents it's Hall of Fame induction. This season, and for at least the next 2 seasons, the Board of Governors has decided that only one Player will be inducted, as opposed to the traditional 2 inductions each season. This season we also welcome another builder into our ranks, one that has been waiting a long time to enter this hall.
 

D - Mats Johnsson, S57, S57-64 
@Quik
RS: 576GP, 134G, 469A, 603P, +191, 608PIM, 984HIT, 1046SB, 22GW
PO: 72GP, 19G, 68A, 87P, +20, 148PIM, 173HIT, 171SB, 4GW
 
S61 Alexander Valiq Trophy (Top Offensive Defenceman)
S62 Jake Wylde Trophy (Top Defensive Defenceman)
S63 Sterling Labatte Trophy (Top Overall Defenceman)
S63 Jake Wylde Trophy (Top Defensive Defenceman)
Two Continental Cups (S59, S62)
First Team All-VHL (S62, S63) 
Second Team All-VHL (S64)
 
Without Norris Stopko's first ballot Hall of Fame last season this likely would have happened sooner, but the BOG was quick to react and make sure that Mats Johnsson wasn't passed up again. His beginnings were humble after being drafted by the soon to be defunct Stockholm Vikings and his first few seasons were nothing spectacular but they did not slow Johnsson down for future success, both in the regular season and in the playoffs; the latter of which he made 6 seasons in a row on route to two continental cups in S59 and S62. Johnsson was always a defence first type of player winning the Wylde trophy twice and nearly eclipsing 1000 hits on his career. As an extra bonus, Johnsson holds the current record for practice hours of any player. After all that effort it's certain that he has earned time to rest and sit alongside the greats that are before him in the VHL Hall of Fame.
 
Vote
Mats Johnsson - 7/10
Ay Ay Ron - 3/10
Tyson Kohler - 0/13
Jakab Holik - 0/13
Astrid Moon - 0/13
Keaton Louth - 0/13
 

@Positivefan036
 
Many of you likely saw the article eagles wrote a few weeks ago about being inducted into the hall as a builder. Sometimes it just takes a bit of a spark to make people realize that theres been an oversight. Known more commonly by his original name of Eaglesfan, this member contributed greatly to the league since joining over 10 years ago if my memory serves correctly on the date. From being an active grader and BOG participant to one of the longest serving and greatest VHLM Commisioners the league has ever known eagles as served the VHL well. While he has taken a bit of a step back in recent years that does nothing to devalue what he has historically offered to the league. Consider this an oversight corrected as Eaglesfan joins the Hall of Fame as a builder.
 
Congratulations to both on their induction into the Victory Hockey League Hall of Fame!

Stars in the Making | A Look at VHLM’s Fresh Faces
In recent days and weeks, we have seen some new faces join the VHLM. Some through the S67 VHLM Dispersal Draft and some through VHLM free agency, as they entered the league after the draft. The Season 68 Draft crop seems to be a very strong one headlined by defensemen Connor Adrienne, Lance Flowers and Wolf Stansson Jr. We’ll be covering the class, the VHLM and the top prospects throughout the season on VSN, but today we shift our focus to some of the fresh faces of the VHLM. After rigorously scouring the S68 class, I have identified a handful of new players that have caught my eye early on. These players all declared for the draft just days before it took place or signed with the VHLM after; these could be stars in the making.
 
Luciano Valentino – D – Halifax 21st @Kekzkrieg
VHLM Drafted: 53rd Overall
Joined: 7/2/19
TPE: 128
 
The first player on my list is a defenseman drafted by Halifax in the late rounds, Luciano Valentino. The Italian-born defenseman has really burst on to the scene in his first week in the VHLM. The 6’3 defenseman is primarily a defensive-minded defenseman.  In his Italian junior hockey league, he was seen as one of the more sound defensive defenseman in the league. He uses his big body to be a presence in the defensive zone, including blocking shots. Valentino is also a very good skater and passer; he is built for the VHLM game. He’ll likely see second-pairing minutes to start the season for Halifax, but this is a player to keep tabs on as the season progresses. This is my Lincoln Tate-esque riser to keep an eye on.
 
 
Raymond Bernard – G – Ottawa Lynx @Mr_Hatter
VHLM Drafted: 40th Overall
Joined: 7/2/19
TPE: 76
 
The only goalie that made this initial list was Ottawa Lynx draft pick, Raymond Bernard. Ottawa picked Bernard with the 40th overall pick and I expect this to look like a value pick when we reflect back on this draft. In the pre-draft interview process, Bernard reportedly performed very well and was spoke highly of by VHLM executives. His biggest asset, which really sticks out when you watch him, is his reaction time. It’s likely due to his great athletic ability, but he can react to a quik deflection in the slot with ease. He makes it look easy. There’s a good chance we see Bernard as the day one starter for Ottawa.
 
 
Willie Dredge – RW – Yukon Rush @sjs88speed
Signed with Yukon
Joined: 7/8/19
TPE: 50 
 
The player that has the freshest face on this list is Willie Dredge, a winger who signed with Yukon just a couple days ago. There are three main things Dredge brings to the table: speed, speed and speed. He possesses tremendous footspeed, acceleration and edgework. The question for Dredge moving forward is, can the mitts match the feet? His pick skills and scoring ability, at this point in his career, are slightly lacking behind his skating ability. I do believe like he will continue to work on those aspects of his game and develop them. The former Massachusetts high school hockey standout, will have to adjust to the VHLM game, but he has all the tools to be an impact player in this league. I see Dredge stepping into a Top-6 role for Yukon at the back half of the season.
 
Owen Nolan – RW – Halifax 21st @studentized
VHLM Drafted: 64th Overall
Joined:  7/2/19
TPE:  67
 
Another Halifax late round draft pick enters the fold as an under the radar player to watch. Nolan is a relatively raw player out of Belfast, Ireland. He played junior hockey there until the age of 15, quickly rising above his peers to become one of the top prospects of the nation. He provides a mix of natural goal scoring talent and a big-bodied power forward. I think he will develop one of the more lethal shots in this draft class and maybe in the entire VHLM this season. He’ll be a presence in front of the net as well. I’m not sure Nolan has the high, high upside of some of the other players on this list, but given where he was drafted in the VHLM Draft I think he could be a steal.
 
 
Micha Sage – LW – Ottawa Lynx   @AcousticKazoo
VHLM Drafted: 32nd Overall
Joined: 6/27/19 
TPE: 99 TPE
 
The highest 67 draft pick in this article is Micha Sage, a winger drafted to the Ottawa Lynx by first-year GM Acyd Burn. Sage hails from Ontario and is described by scouts as a power-forward that has an innate ability to put the puck in the net. He plays a smart game, knows how to find the soft spots in the defense and possesses a pretty deadly shot. He will need to bulk up a little bit to be a power forward force in the VHLM, but that is something the Ottawa trainers will focus on early on. The Lynx do have some veteran wingers on the roster right now with Hunter Wagner and Michael Rasmussen, but Sage is impressive and can make a pretty immediate impact.
 
 
 
 

Accepted.

I feel so mean just choosing one with the other offers up too. What decided it was 2nd line minutes and the logo.  

Welcome to the VHL, Elmebeck! We're happy to have you. You should have received a PM with some more detailed information, but to get started quickly you will want to head over to the "How to Create a Player" topic. That topic will offer you detailed information about how to use the VHL Portal to create your player and get you started. We also highly recommend joining the VHL Discord where there is a channel dedicated to helping new members with any questions that they may have about the league or improving their player.
 
Once your player is made VHLM General Managers will be in touch with you about joining their teams. In the meantime, please feel free to ask any questions you have here or in your create-a-player thread. We're happy to have you in the community and we hope you stick around! 

Ok so first I want to ensure you that your starting stats don't define whom you are as a player. You will be getting loads of places to get more TPE and you can put them into many other things. Ill be honest after your first season your player will look 1000% different anyway so its just fun to start where ever at first. As far as offers go you have the opportunity to choose any one of them for this season. At the end of this season, there will be the S68 VHL draft where you will be drafted to one of the many VHL teams. If you are below the 200 TPE threshold you will also be in the VHLM draft where you can be drafted to one of the VHLM teams. So this is a time where you get to see whom has spots and where you want to go. Honestly look at the teams and see how they stack. If you plan on crushing it, it doesn't really matter where you end up since they will take care of you. There are really no wrong answers. Each team offering you a contact offer the same salary so really it's just ice-time and locker room that is different. If you accept in this chat you will be offered an official one in the portal.

Welcome @Elmebeck , Some of the other GM's may throw you some offers to join there team. I am the GM of the Ottawa Lynx we made it all the way to the finals last season but could not win the cup. I am currently looking for defense to help round out the team. Currently we have spots open on the third line with the ability to move up to higher profile roles if you stay active! I believe you could be a crucial piece to us winning a cup this season. 
 
If you would like to become a part of the Ottawa Lynx quote this and say accepted!

Welcome to the league @Elmebeck! I am the Las Vegas Aces GM. The Aces need more players this upcoming season and we would love to have you! I can offer second pairing defense minutes, as well as powerplay AND penalty kill time! That has potential to become first line minutes if you stay active. We would love to see you in green and white this upcoming season! If you are interested, quote this offer and say "Accept"
 
-Matt_O

@Elmebeck Welcome to the league! How did you hear about us? I'm here if you have any question about the league or the process you are going through. Hit me up if you need any help.

Heya @Elmebeck! My name's Cody and I'm the AGM of the Yukon Rush.... a team with a pretty stacked defensive core already, but one that could always use another member given at the moment, we don't have the strongest of goalie tandems (were hoping this will change soon as well, we've got interested in a couple FA's like yourself!). Now, most people won't ask you this, but what kind of build are you going for with your d-man? If you'd be open to it, we could use you as a "specialist", either being a key feature on our Power Play as a purely offensive guy or maybe you'd rather be a shutdown guy, focusing on being a elite Penalty Killer?  It's easier to start off a build with a set goal, then flesh out other parts later, hence why I asked.... and I think that either or would be a good fit in Yukon. So.... waddaya say? If you go ahead and accept my offer, @Josh. will get you hooked up with the rest of all things Yukon. 

Hello there @Elmebeck and welcome to VHL!
 
I am GM of Houston Bulls and we are ready to compete for the playoffs with quality players and a core of exiting players! We want you to be a part of it! Currently, for Frederik Elmebeck, we can have a role on the 2nd line and have high minutes! I truly hope you will decide to join Houston as I believe you will fit right in with us!
 
I would strongly suggest for you to wait some time for other teams to get their offers too!
 
If you do want to join us, just quote this message and say "Accepted" or anything other of you so please.
 
In the end, no matter which team you choose, I wish you good luck in VHL and hope you will have an amazing time!
 
GM FrostBeard

Welcome Elmebeck, good to see you have created your player. Feel free to ask around if you have any questions and enjoy your stay here.