mattyIceman

It's been a while since I GMed a juniors tournament, yeah I'll apply.

@Gaikoku-hito

@Gaikoku-hito

When I created my first player, I wanted to keep the part of my French heritage so even if Quebec is not a country, seeing that France was one I had no choice but to create a player with a French name. 
I started with the family name first, so I thought what is iconic for this country and having a nice "ring" to it. Champagne is something that can be called that way only if it comes from the region of the same name and it represent luxury and good taste. My player role wasn't represented by that description as he was more physical than anything, but he at least got two really good season by his standards. For the first name, I wanted something French (no shit!) that would fit with the family name. It was far more harder to find than I thought at first, but a legendary character in the DC universe got my attention and here we are.
A total of nine season later, with like I said earlier some good and some really not that good seasons, it was time for the "old" Alfred Champagne to retire and invest in the alcohol industry! He got a bit lucky to be in a team that make the playoffs every season since New York will participate in the playoffs with the 3rd position in the North American Conference. In all those playoffs appearances, he got his second best performance in S89 while winning his only Continental Cup! Davos was still a powerhouse the next two seasons with winning the Victory Cup twice, but that came with the infamous curse that you can win both trophies in the same season. I'm still happy with the final result, even if I would have liked more offensive production earlier in his career.
 
With that career over and still having fun in the league, I decided to create another player! I wanted to try a different position than a winger and my player in the SHL is a goalie so i didn't wanted another one. Not sure if not being a max earner is a good idea for a center since he have to put tpe in faceoffs, so I went for defenseman. I used the same mindset for the name and went for a French one (yes again!). I found the family name first like the first time. I looked at the best defenseman who played in the NHL with a french name and Éric Desjardins is one of the few players who scored at hat trick in the Stanley Cup final, and probably the only one doing so being a defenseman. I don't really like the first name so had to find another one and the founder of the cooperative bank Desjardins (there is some outside of Quebec) is name Alphonse so everything fit perfectly. 
After creating my player, lot of people welcomed me back and to finish the season in the VHLM, I got a message from the San Diego Marlins that I also know in the SHL to offer me a contract to play a couple of games. My player did really well and with only 2 games to play , he's almost a point per game player with 9 points in 10 games!
 
I think the S94 VHLM draft is soon, so if you are a GM, just hit me up, I'm open to play anywhere!

@samx
 
and here's a smoller one if you wanted it as a sig

@Gaikoku-hito

I bet y'all missed my ramblings about which teams are the best, or which players are the best where I give heavy favoritism to the teams I'm on, ranking them higher than they rightfully should. And I'm now back and ready to be an active menace to the league once more, and absolutely disappoint you like my grandfather is of my alcoholic father. So without further ado, let's get this absolute weed filled rant about the league started. Today your supreme leader Nick is going to rank teams in the VHLM who I believe to be the top 5 contenders for a cup, based off a glance. I also want to preface that this is all surface level analysis and sensationalist writing meant to trick you into thinking it's controversial.
 
5. Philadelphia Reapers
70 gp, 29W 29L 12OTL
This team is pretty interesting to me, a completely .500 team with only 6 real players, knowing the sim gods they'll sweep Ottawa in the first round somehow.
If only this team had more real players especially considering they're managed by the legendary @Lemorse7, someone I have a lot of respect for.
He's somehow wiggled this team into a playoff position, and that's actually incredibly impressive to me. I know that I don't know much about anything at all ever, but what I do know is that the sim gods could absolutely hand this team a series and even potentially a cup.
 
4. Las Vegas Aces
70 gp, 38W 26L 6OTL
Would you look at that, we still have the old Aces logo! What a throwback, side note I remember when we were all voting on a rebrand of the Aces, good times.
I was tempted to put Vegas as the number one team on the rankings, just to piss off Ottawa and Halifax players/fans. But I would be wrong to do such a thing, even though I know we're going to win the cup with very little difficulty, considering I've sacrificed my first born child for a Vegas cup win.
This team is interesting to say the least, super star Pombo @samx leading this team to a deep run with star center Nicholas Sunderbruch Jr at his side and the amazing Chuck E Cheese the best defenseman in the league, this team should surely be a threat come playoffs. The only reason they're at number 4 is because of recent struggles, probably due to Sunderbruch unable to lay off that sticky green herb before games.
 
3. Houston Bulls
70 gp, 45W 21L 4OTL
The best team in the West at the moment and probably the only REAL contender from the west at this point in time, playoffs could change that, you never know.
But a team loaded with solid and superstar players on both ends of the ice, this team is a real threat entering the VHLM playoffs.
Only one defensive player under 200 TPA, and a maxxed goalie, along with wingers and centers that could very well hit 200 before the playoffs, this team is not to be trifled with.
The sheer talent on this roster, anything but a cup appearance should be considered a failure of a season, but unfortunately the sim gods could very well just say "sike" and have them swept in the first round, you truly never know. But until then I'm high on this team for sure.
 
2. Ottawa Lynx
70 gp, 49W 13L 8OTL
Some might argue that the Lynx should be the number one pick on this board, and the standings would agree with you. This team is most likely to win the cup, lets be real. Star players and some future hall of famers on this team for sure, and yet I still think that this team might just fall short of it all in the end, and for Ottawa players I surely hope that isn't the case, especially considering I have a history with this team on my last player The Red Menace, when we won the founders cup together several years ago. Any team with @Dilon it is surely a contender in my eyes (I missed you buddy). And I fear for any team that gets to face off against them in the coming days. Surely a team to look out for, probably league favorites.
 
Are you ready for number one? The best team in the league? The team I predict to win it all?
Well are you? Be honest with me, I'll know if you're lying.
I mean it, be ready for this.
 
1. LAS VEGAS ACES
SIKE I BAITED YOU! Did you really think I would ever count out this storied franchise? They have the best player to ever grace the face of the earth on the team, Nicholas Sunderbruch Jr, a center with a chip on his shoulder and a lust for competition. No team that plays the Aces will stand a chance, in fact they're going to sweep the entire playoffs, winning every game by double goal margins. I'm talking 15-1 scores, 11-0, and the sort. Vegas is a powerhouse, we've merely been tanking the last few days as a way to rest up and get ready for the playoffs, seeding doesn't matter for this brickwall of a team, all that matters is getting into the tourney and playing for the greatest trophy in minor league hockey. May god save anyone who has to face off against this team.
 
     And with that I'm going to end this newest return of Nicks Picks, I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. May your nights be amazing and I hope you find happiness. Anyways I hear my dad coming home from the bar, I need to go grab my helmet and jockstrap. Stay warm and stay icey, seacrest out.

1. I love our chances, we always have a chance to win a game no matter who we play, I truly don't feel like we're ever not in a game.
2. I'll probably find a new pregame ritual, lately been enjoying some nice pot in the locker room before games.
3. I'm not a very superstitious person, I usually just take it how I get it.
4. Home ice is obviously a big deal no matter who you are, especially with Vegas where the fans are WILD. But I feel like even if we don't lock up some sort of home ice advantage we'll still come out on top.
5. We're going to wherever we can to be honest, not a lot of places want to fully support the diet of an entire hockey team.
6. I had a Turkey sandwich with jalepeno chips on it.

Player Information
Username: Ch1l31sH3r3
Player Name: Connor McDavide
Recruited From: YouTube
Age: 18
Position: C
Height: 70 in.
Weight: 190 lbs.
Birthplace: Canada

Player Page
@VHLM GM

0Welcome back to this article series that unites sim league hockey into a super league that is theoretically plausible but practically impossible. Last week, the two thirds of the WSH in North America was sorted out and arranged. Today, the European Conference will be explored as well as my plans for the VHLE. While all the teams in Europe come entirely from the VHL, I did pull from SHL history to name many of the teams. So this does unite both leagues as much as the pervious articles in this series. With that being said, it is time to see what the Old World has for hockey clubs.
A Hop Across the Pond
 
With the worst of the work finished with the conclusion of the North American teams, It was time to deal with the eight teams of the VHL's European Conference. Those teams are listed below.
 
HC Davos Dynamo (Switzerland)
Helsinki Titans
London United
Malmo Nighthawks (Sweden)
Prague Phantoms
Riga Reign (Baltic States)
Warsaw Predators
 
With no team from the SHL and needing even divisions, three expansion teams were needed. A similar look back in VHL history would be enough to find worthy cities and names. The WSH European Conference is listed below.
 
Berlin Steel
HC Davos Dynamo
Helsinki Titans
London United
Madrid Thunder
Malmo Mammoths
Moscow Menace
Paris Revolution
Prague Phantoms
Riga Reign
Warsaw Predators
 
The Berlin Steel and Paris Revolution were set to be inaugural clubs in the VHLE but were swaped out at the last minute during to potential copyright issues. (more on that league later) The branding has been mainstays in the Junior Showcase Tournament, but these franchises were ment to be so much more. Including them in this expansion restores what was taken away better than if they remained a part of the VHLE. The Madrid Thunder were a short lived VHL brand that some have asked for to return. The WSH would welcome the revival of the Thunder with a logo and color to recall the Buffalo Thunder, a similarly short term brand from the SHL. Thus the teams is a perfect fusion of both leagues, which is the point of this whole project. Malmo was rebranded because of the Hamilton Steelhawks as per Rule 5. I thought about rebranding Hamilton instead, but with a name perviously attach to Colorado that I believe works better than what I thought up for Hamilton, the Malmo Mammoths were born. Thus the major clubs were completed but my work was not done yet.
 
Changing The E
 
With the finish line in site, there was only one more league to work on. The Victory Hockey League Europe is an optional middle league between the VHLM and the VHL. It started with six teams quickly expanded to eight taking two franchise from the VHLM only to later contract back down to six where it stands today. At the highest of it's power the VHLE had the following teams.
 
Bratislava Watchmen 
Cologne Express
Geneva Rush
Istanbul Red Wolves
Oslo Storm
Rome Gladiators
Stockholm Vikings 
Vasteras Iron Eagles 
 
This league like the awkward middle child that doesn't get the love of it's younger or older siblings. Because I can relate, I expanded the E to fourteen teams under the new name World Simulation Hockey Minors (WSHM). The franchise of this league are listed below.
 
WSHM 
North Division 
 
Amstel Admiraal
Cologne Express
Glasgow Highlanders
Gothenburg War Boars
Oslo Storm
Stockholm Vikings
Vasteras Iron Eagles
 
South Division
 
Bern Royals
Bratislava Watchmen
Geneva Peace Keepers
Istanbul Inferno
Rome Gladiators
Syracuse Hydras
Toledo Scorpions
 
Each of the teams locations for the new teams are franchise that did exist in the in the VHL or VHLM except for Glasgow. Speaking of Glasgow, what better way to honor Scotland's proud military history than in Scotland itself. This team is why the Ottawa Lynx kept their name. Amsterdam had a team in the VHL's inaugural season. They were the Amstel Tijgers and being based on a real team is what killed the team. But remembering Dutch's history as a great naval power and invoking the memory of the SHL's Portland Admirals while keeping the Dutch spelling in tribute to the original team results in a perfect revival of a classic club. Gothenburg, Sweden had an early and brief VHLM franchise called the Eagles. With a simple revival out of the question due to nearby Vasteras having a too similar brand, I chose a brand based on Gulinbusti, a mystical boar from Nordic myth. It also gives the three Swedish teams a land, sea, and air synergy going on. The Bern Royals were a long standing VHLM team and current JST brand that was somehow forgotten when the VHLE began. Peace Keepers were a suggestion of my own for a rebrand of the Geneva Rush. With the Rush name back in Yukon where it belongs, this solid name is a tip of the had to one of the biggest employers in Geneva, the United Nations. And we finally have the Swiss rivalry that always should have existed in the VHLE at the start. The Istanbul Red Wolves was one of contracted teams I mentioned earlier.  (The other one was the Geneva Rush) Adding an alliterated name cast off from Atlanta to produce a brand that works, given the history of fires in that city.The Toledo Scorpions are a straight revival of an early VHLM team.The Syracuse Wolfpack were a brief VHLM franchise, that unfortunately for me shared a name with the SHL's New England Wolfpack. So it was only fitting that I pulled from New England's history as the Hartford Hydras to fix this problem. This name brings to mind the great myths build around the Mediterranean Sea, of which Syracuse is a port city on.
 
Conclusion
 
I am thankful the the SHL has a rich history of team name to pull from. It made my life a whole lot easier especiallyin this part of the project. I would like to personally thank the individuals in both leagues who archive this history. It truly makes projects like this possible. Up next week is the full revised list of all the team in this project as it stands. But that might not be the conclusion of this series after all. With two expansion teams in the WSHJ and three in the WSH, I could do six team divisions within conferences in both leagues. So I did just that. I will be set to explain both the expansion franchises and the new divisions in part 5 of this series. But with that, this article is at an end. Let's get a conversation going about the project so far so I can make changes for next week. I appreciate you for taking the time to read these ravings of a madman. Goodbye until next week. Cheers.
 

We love NTCs in Moscow

I was having some free time, so just for the fun of it I decided to browse the portal. I noticed that it is not as common for players to have the "NTC" in their contract. Most teams have a couple of players with the clause on their current deal, and some teams have none, so it is fair to say that the majority of players in VHL at the moment do not have an NTC on their contract. I started to wonder why is that. Over the years I have learned that general managers appreciate when a player commits to the team and works towards the common goals. And in my opinion, nothing says I am interested in staying more than a NTC.
 
I think one big reason behind the lack of NTCs is the fact that general managers are too nice. They are out there helping and being good people. If your general manager approaches you and says there have been few offers for you or the season is not going well, so you might be traded, it is a given that the general manager then tries to find a nice place for you. That is wrong and a shame. Where is the fear of getting traded to a bad team? It does not exist, because it has become acceptable for general managers to be our friends. We should hate our general manager, we should be afraid of our general manager. When you are traded, you should hear about it on the forum first. Or ideally, you would not have to worry about it as you have that NTC on your contract.
 
Another reason is the lack of competition. It has become acceptable for teams to tank and suck. It is widely accepted as part of the experience to have teams rebuilding. On the surface, that is how it is in every sport, but in most sports, the level of competition is still more fierce. VHL simply has too many teams and not enough active players. The general managers are forced to be nice because the pool of actives is so small. When teams in VHL tank and suck, they are not even trying to compete and make deals. I think that is because welfare players are too good. It is too easy to build a solid player with welfare. Active players should be fought over, the should be hunted. Welfare players in return should be terrible. The league plays a big part in that, but the real enablers are the general managers and them being too nice. The general managers are out there understanding when they should be making threats and promises about the player getting traded out if they don't make that graphic or media spot next week. 
 
If you ask me, the league should drop a few teams, welfare should be made weaker, and like in Jason Bourne, before any general manager is accepted into the program they should be forced to fire a welfare player. I think through those steps VHL would have more passion and character. More importantly, the users in VHL would learn valuable lessons about thinking a few steps ahead and never describing who is or is not in the room with them when standing in front of a window.
 
 

Interesting take.
 
I'll add that GMs put their team together the way they want and coaches should be feared.  We don't have coaches though.  GM puts the roster together and the coach has to make do if he wants to keep his job or keep a positive reputation. 
 
Also, NTCs seem to be more reserved for elite talent, and with the Cap based on tpe and not market value, GMs can't save cap by offering NTCs, unless there's team/player options.  There's no actual mechanic for Salary vs Contract Conditions/Obligations.
 
Also, you didn't talk about ELCs.  Maybe they're too long?  They account for roughly 1/3rd of a player's career, unlike NHL standards it's more like 1/5th (roughly) of a player career.
 
Interesting read!

@tcookie

This is based off of the time I bought the Las Vegas Aces and moved them to Quebec City. I made this version in French: 

Albeit I don't speak French let alone Quebecois French (ok je parle un peu але моя українська краща. ухххххх слухайте Ana Lua Caiano на Spotify, її музика чудова) so if it translates weirdly my apologies. 
 
idk why i talk so formally on here its really not that serious 😭😭😭😭

  There's Lore I guess? There was an Expansion Draft, but I was too lazy to see how ACTUAL VHL(E/M) expansion drafts work so I just went based off of vibes.

  
QUEBEC TALONS ROSTER - VHL VERSION:
Connor Simard (Halifax 21st) 
Maple Dogwood (Halifax 21st) 
Cole Stermer (Houston Bulls) 
Johnny Tsunami (Houston Bulls)
Nikita Yolishev (Las Vegas Aces)
Eugene Ryanheart (Las Vegas Aces)
Dakota Nachbaur (Mexico City Kings) 
Isaak Robinson (Miami Marauders)
Aiden Paige (Miami Marauders) 
Taylor Swift (Mississauga Hounds) 
Matteo Stefano (Mississauga Hounds) 
Marek Nowaczyk (Ottawa Lynx)
Jillian Woods (Ottawa Lynx)
Staroseltsev Mikhail (Philadelphia Reapers) 
Magni Jinn (Philadelphia Reapers) 
Keith Perry (San Diego Marlins) 
Kevin Johnathen (San Diego Marlins) 
Austin Goulet lll (Saskatoon Wild) 

So. Yeah.

For a future article:

Watch this boy. The Mighty Ice Wizard will answer these questions.
 
1 - Hey folks I'm the new Assistant to McLovin and it's a pleasure to be here.  I'll take some time to get to know you fine people!  Has your season gone as you had thought so far?
I've exceeded expectations on a personal level greatly. Sixteen consecutive shutouts; setting a new league record (me when I lie)
 
2 - The playoff race is pretty tight at the minute in our division, do you think we can take on our competition?
Yeah. Wait what? Oh you mean in a game?
 
3 - Do you have more of a sweet tooth or prefer salty snacks?
Salty. Like potato chips. Mmm yummy.
 
4 - We have a lot of home games to play down the stretch.  Do you like to spend some time on the strip doing Vegas strip things?
I'm way too locked in for that tbh. Catch me reading like a book or something.
 
5 - When you get to the big leagues, what's the first thing you're splurging on when you get your first paycheck?
I don't want to go to the big leagues. Scary. 
 
6 - Are you a fan of line juggling when there's struggling?  Or do you prefer to stick to a stable lineup?
I'm usually on the bench anyways. I'm basically like an assistant coach at this point.

April 15 - 21
 
1 - Hey folks I'm the new Assistant to McLovin and it's a pleasure to be here.  I'll take some time to get to know you fine people!  Has your season gone as you had thought so far?
2 - The playoff race is pretty tight at the minute in our division, do you think we can take on our competition?
3 - Do you have more of a sweet tooth or prefer salty snacks?
4 - We have a lot of home games to play down the stretch.  Do you like to spend some time on the strip doing Vegas strip things?
5 - When you get to the big leagues, what's the first thing you're splurging on when you get your first paycheck?
6 - Are you a fan of line juggling when there's struggling?  Or do you prefer to stick to a stable lineup?
 
Players:
@Mech hi @jesse115 @Gorth @NickSunderbruch @Joel Main @samx @bjackson54 @Connor Mclaughling @Hokikeijot @eaglesfan036 @a_Ferk @Firekiss @DaddyFizz
 
Staff:
@McLovin