Ricer13

I mistyped "Davos" in the title and it autocorrected to "David"...how fitting.
 
Announcing this season's captains! Normally I do a team vote, but the roster is fairly depleted so I took it upon myself to honor a few of those who have either been with us for a while or who represent the brightest parts of our future...
 
C - Tyler Walker
A - Reylynn Reinhart
A - Shawty Nananana
 
Congratulations to @Advantage, @Ricer13, and @Grape!
 

It is my pleasure in my first season as the Wranglers GM to announce the captains who will be representing Calgary this season. The captain will be retaining his title from last season and the assistants were voted on by their teammates. Congratulations....
 
C - Luke Thornton @Jtv123
A - Kosmo Kramerev @Mongoose87
A - Steve Eso @Eso

It is my pleasure in my first season as the Wranglers GM to announce the captains who will be representing Calgary this season. The captain will be retaining his title from last season and the assistants were voted on by their teammates. Congratulations....
 
C - Luke Thornton @Jtv123
A - Kosmo Kramerev @Mongoose87
A - Steve Eso @Eso

It is my pleasure in my first season as the Wranglers GM to announce the captains who will be representing Calgary this season. The captain will be retaining his title from last season and the assistants were voted on by their teammates. Congratulations....
 
C - Luke Thornton @Jtv123
A - Kosmo Kramerev @Mongoose87
A - Steve Eso @Eso

It is my pleasure in my first season as the Wranglers GM to announce the captains who will be representing Calgary this season. The captain will be retaining his title from last season and the assistants were voted on by their teammates. Congratulations....
 
C - Luke Thornton @Jtv123
A - Kosmo Kramerev @Mongoose87
A - Steve Eso @Eso

Hello, VHL! We're in the midst of an off-season that feels like an eternity, but the 77th season of the Victory Hockey League is right around the corner! But before we get to the swan song of the class of Season 70, let's take advantage of the lull in the action and take a look back at some of the big trades over the off-season. Some were major, some of them had us scratching our heads, but they all got the league talking, one way or another. 
 
It's a new season, but VSN is continuing to deliver the best media coverage in the sim sports world! Before the new season begins, take one last look at the Top 75 VHL Players in @animal74's wrap-up taking you By the Numbers! Another competitive season of VHLM hockey is ahead of us, and @fromtheinside breaks down who the top contenders are with his power rankings! @MattyIce broke down what players to look out for in the VHLM in Season 76, and what better time to look back on it than now? Lastly, @Berocka and @dasboot are back at again, reunited once again on another episode of One and a Half Aussies on VSN Australia!
 
The Top 75 VHL Players: By the Numbers | S77 VHLM Power Rankings | Season 76 Future Watch | VSN Australia
 
 
 Vancouver Wolves receive:  
 
S78 WAR 2nd
S78 SEA 3rd
S78 WAR 3rd
S79 WAR 2nd

 
 Warsaw Predators receive:
 
Venus Thightrap
 
This was the first big ripple of the off-season, and for good reason. Vancouver center Venus Thightrap, the second-highest scorer on the Wolves with 86 points, was heading to free agency, and quite possibly everyone in the VHL knew it. For whatever reason, Thightrap just didn't want to stay in Vancouver beyond her rookie contract, leading to one of, if not, the final transactions of Keaton Louth's tenure. The trade immediately became a big topic, with many VHL pundits shocked at the price Warsaw general manager Damien Walec was willing to pay just to acquire negotiating rights with the young center. Speculation was that it was for pending free agent Aloe Dear, who very quickly re-signed with the Predators, along with Lexi Glass. Warsaw's locker room seemed happy with the move, but would management be?
 
Ultimately, we all know what happened: Thightrap went to free agency, and signed with the Helsinki Titans, a rival European Conference team. Thightrap will be playing in-conference games against Warsaw, with the Predators left holding the bag after what amounted to an expensive failed opportunity to sign her. Earning an extra 2nd and 3rd round pick in both the Season 78 and 79 VHL Draft is a big win for Vancouver, regardless of what Thightrap ultimately decided to do. This era of the VHL features talent available deep into drafts, and this trade brings four picks capable of being fantastic building pieces for the currently-unannounced new Vancouver general manager. Warsaw may have ended up re-signing Dear and Glass thanks to this trade, but they lost out on the biggest prize in Venus Thightrap, with quite a price paid for it. This was definitely one last victory for Louth.
 
 
 Moscow Menace receive:
 
S77 DCD 1st
S78 DCD 2nd
S79 DCD 2nd

 
 D.C. Dragons receive: 
 
Alex Letang
 
The rebuild in Moscow kicks off, and frankly, get used to seeing their work here, as they turned out to be major players in the Season 76 off-season trade market. The D.C. Dragons have had a tradition of sorts the past few seasons of replacing a retiring high-end defenseman by trading for another, and the trend continues with their trade for Alex Letang. The Dragons have a roster capable of Cup contention, but they lacked a top defenseman, which they rectified through this trade. Letang has three seasons left before retirement, and he is under contract for two of them. Whether he decides to re-sign for one more go or chase a Cup elsewhere in his final season, D.C. has given themselves a window of competition with Letang, and won't need to worry about immediately replacing him next off-season. 
 
It's a fantastic start to the Menace's rebuild, as Alex Letang fetches them a trio of draft picks, including 10th overall in the Season 77 VHL Entry Draft. This pick would be moved in a later deal, which brought further riches to Moscow. Even then, having extra second round picks in an era of increasingly deep VHL drafts is never a bad thing. This gives Moscow two for the upcoming Season 78 draft, and three for Season 79. Whether they're used to select more prospects or as trade chips, like the Season 77 DCD 1st was, this was a quality start to the rebuild in the Motherland. 
 
D.C. pays a big price here for sure, but this is a pretty good deal for both teams. Eno Rama knows that the Dragons' window won't be open much longer, and elects to use his draft capital to add a top blue liner for their potential Cup runs. For Moscow, this is exactly what they needed to jump-start a rebuild, and they were far from done. Very fair deal for both sides here.

 
 Moscow Menace receive:
 
Bob Tristan
S77 LAS 1st (Paul Atreides)
S78 LAS 3rd
 
 Los Angeles receives:  
Roque Davis
S78 CHI 2nd
 
While Chicago, Warsaw, and London have all made the playoffs so far, Los Angeles remains the only one of the four new expansion teams to have not made the playoffs, something that general manager Josh Da Silva looks to change immediately. With the first overall pick as a major bargaining chip, Da Silva rolls the dice and decides to add a major piece in reigning Sterling Labatte Trophy winner Roque Davis to compete now with his current core. The Stars are certainly trading away a future top player, but ultimately not one that would likely be a difference-maker right away to win with their current core. Los Angeles most certainly would have gotten more value from Reylynn Reinhart, the most VHL-ready defensive prospect who the Stars could have gotten first overall, and certainly become good enough to compete before the time the current core retired. If Los Angeles can't win a Cup before Roque Davis retires following Season 78, this is very likely a move Da Silva could come to regret. 
 
For Moscow, however, it's a phenomenal development for their rebuild. They get absolute top dollar for Roque Davis with the first overall pick of the Season 77 VHL Entry Draft, which they used on center Paul Atreides. Considering that @Mr_Hatter's previous player, goaltender Raymond Bernard, spent his entire career with the Menace, it's as much of a home run as you could possibly get with the pick. You're getting a future stud at center that is practically a lock to play with Moscow for the duration of his career, which is huge. Anything that Moscow gets from Bob Tristan or the Season 78 LAS 3rd is just a bonus at this point. Unless Los Angeles manages to win a Continental Cup with Roque Davis, and even then, realistically, this is a big win for Moscow. 

 
 Riga Reign receive:
 
James Rose
S77 LDN 4th
S79 LDN 3rd
 
 London United receive: 
 
S78 RIG 1st
 
Although this trade is bigger for the future ramifications made possible for it, it was a big acquisition for a Riga team looking to accelerate their competitive window in Season 77. After grabbing General Zod from Calgary for just a third round pick, the addition of James Rose suddenly gives the Reign two veteran defensemen capable of lifting up their younger blue liners, including Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy finalist Linus Zetterstrom. For a S78 1st (which they really didn't need with their roster) and a S77 3rd, that's a very efficient strengthening of the defensive core by Benjamin Zeptenberg.
 
For Roger McWolf and London, however, this trade was simply setting the stage for later. An earlier trade saw London send Keith Krestanovich and Nathan Perry to Calgary for a 2nd round pick in Season 79. The United were shedding salary and acquiring future assets, which made the biggest trade of the off-season possible: 

 
 Moscow Menace receive:
 
Bahram Kamkar
Kevin Malone
Maksim Yakolevsky
Philip Stein
S77 TOR 1st (Duncan Idaho)
S78 LDN 3rd

 
 London United receive:
 
Jacob Tonn
Mikko Lahtinen
S77 DCD 1st (That Dude)
 
The big one, a trade with massive ramifications for the European Conference and the VHL as a whole. After a tight race in the European Conference last season, Warsaw, Helsinki, Prague, and Riga all got even better over the off-season, while Moscow headed into a rebuild. With big names remaining to be shipped out and contention for the last playoff spot in the conference left wide open, London began shedding contracts, culminating in opening enough cap space to pull off the biggest trade of the off-season. 
 
The destination of Mikko Lahtinen for his final season had big implications for the power structure of the league, and McWolf has decided that not only is London going for that last playoff spot in the European Conference, but they're going for the Continental Cup as well. It took a steep price, but London certainly has the roster to contend right now. Lahtinen might just be here for one season, but they also acquired the Season 76 Aidan Shaw and Greg Clegane Trophy winner, Jacob Tonn, in net for his prime. At the time of print, London's depth on the blue line is suspect, so adding the consensus pick as the VHL's top goaltender is a fantastic way to address that hole in the line-up. The United also drop from the third overall pick in the Season 77 VHL Entry Draft to tenth overall as a result of the trade, but they still acquired a big center in That Dude, who has been progressing very nicely and will be on London's roster already in his first season of eligibility. He'll make a very nice fit for London's future. 
 
The big get for Moscow, obviously, is the third overall pick of the Season 77 VHL Entry Draft, which became Duncan Idaho. Hot off of his previous player, legendary Malmo Nighthawks defenseman Condor Adrienne, being enshrined in the VHL Hall of Fame, @OrbitingDeath 's latest player goes to Moscow along with first overall pick Paul Atreides, giving the Menace the top two forwards prospects of the draft class. Quite the start to the Menace's rebuild, with new general manager Euron Leonidas wasting no time in putting his mark on his team. An interesting storyline with this trade will be that of goaltender Kevin Malone, who they acquired in the trade. Malone was noticably irritated about being flipped by London after re-signing with them in the off-season, and you naturally have to wonder how he fits into Moscow's future plans. He's obviously no Jacob Tonn yet, but he does have one more season left to his career than Tonn does, which could factor nicely into Leonidas' future plans. One thing is for sure: any future contracts Malone signs will likely come standard with a no trade clause. 
 
 
The dynamic of the VHL certainly changed with several of these off-season moves, and the stage is set for Season 77 to begin on Monday! Moscow has all but removed themselves from the playoff picture this season as they look to the future, with two of their star players, Mikko Lahtinen and Jacob Tonn, looking to propel their new home, the London United, into the hunt for the Continental Cup. The Riga Reign decided to accelerate their rebuild last season, adding some veteran presences, and it was something they doubled down on over the off-season, adding two veterans on the blue line in James Rose and General Zod. The Moscow Menace also shipped two stellar defensemen to new homes, with Alex Letang heading to the D.C. Dragons and Roque Davis moving to the Los Angeles Stars after they paid a massive tab to try to bring themselves into playoff contention. Only one thing is for certain, though: the trades aren't close to being done! As the season rolls on, dreams will either be ripped away or on the cusp of realization, with further retools required. It's a long season, and anything can happen!
 
Thanks for reading, and best of luck to you and your teams this season!
 
Players Mentioned: @BladeMaiden, @Beaviss, @.sniffuM,  @Renomitsu ,  @AW13,  @Spartan, @Enorama,  @Josh, @Ricer13, @Mr_Hatter, @N0HBDY, @Matt_O, @MattyIce, @Ledge_and_Dairy, @hedgehog337, @McWolf, @Boragina, @tinafrombobsburgers, @Beketov, @MexicanCow123, @Cornholio, @OrbitingDeath , @WentzKneeFan036
 

i think velvera's still hasn't been claimed yet

In the works 😄

First, I would like to preface this article that Fonzi is a great candidate and will do Vancouver justice. He is a great member of the team, so I wish him luck. 
 
--------------------------------------------
 
Dear Diary... 
 
I am absolutely frustrated. Imagine spending many hours doing scouting, looking at trades, preparing the team because you are an Interim GM only to have the rug ripped out from under you. I had no intention of being a GM in this league in the VHL, that is why I didn't even post in the thread about that. However, Vancouver meant a lot to me. @Beaviss gave a shot to Finn Davison, and then went and picked me higher than I probably should have gone. I love that team - they were close to me. So, I went for it. I spent so much time planning what the future would hold, talking trades, even looking at extensions and talking about those to find out I didn't get the position. Why bother? Why did I bother applying? It was pretty clear that the Blues had their ideal candidate in mind, and it was not me. For whatever reason, and that's fine. Why allow me to make trades? Why allow me to do anything if you knew it was not going to be me. At the point that I am so upset about something that it impacts my IRL because that's how much I wanted this. I had a plan, I was ready to go with it, but I don't even get a message back from the blues. I get a measly 10 questions in my forum DM to answer. That was the interview. I've never really interacted much with the blues here before, so who knows what I could bring? I feel that I wasted my time. I was even told by multiple people that typically AGMs have a good shot at getting the job (which they should). I knew what Beavs was thinking. I knew what the plan was. Frustrating. I wasted my time doing scouting, drafting, getting the entire plan, it has nothing more than a feel of disappointment and that I wasted my time. 
 
Fonzi did offer me the AGM job again, but I did turn it down. The only reason I took the AGM job was to help the team, to learn everything I could to be a GM of this team. When the opportunity presented itself, I wasn't even in the running. They knew they wanted fonzi (again, great candidate, not upset about the choice). I wish I knew before. I wouldn't have made trades or even tried to plan it out when it would have not been my choice. I wouldn't even have applied. I don't see me applying for another position, I don't see myself applying for any GM job, because why would it matter? They already have who they want on a shortlist anyway and if I can't get it when I am the current AGM and acting GM, why would I even apply again? What does the future hold for me? That's a good question, I do not have the answer to. Will I keep updating here knowing I will always be disappointed? I wish I could tell you that answer. I give 100% to what I do, and if I cannot give 100%, what the hell is the point? I'll always be upset, disappointed, and frustrated, so maybe it is best I just move on. 
 
I am probably on the block currently for this reason, which I don't blame fonzi. At worst case, I am a 855 TPE defenseman that can help your team. I don't know what the plan is for my player. 
 
Thank you for reading. I spent some time thinking about what to write. I don't even care how many words this is because I doubt I will claim anyway. I don't care if you see me as a complainer or whiny bitch. You can think what you want. I needed to get this out for my experience as this meant a lot to me. I appreciate you reading. 
 

 

Never had a doubt! Congrats @Zetterberg

@Domg5 We are done

BELIEVE IN YOSELF
 
F - Aloe Dear

There has been monumental change in Calgary this offseason; From a roster that includes 7 new players to a revamped discord locker room, it has definitely been an adjustment period for the team under its new management. However, what remains untouched is the irrefutable pride that is felt from top to bottom in this organization. General Manager @Ricer13 just concluded his first VHL draft, which comprised three draft picks. In this article, we will take a closer look at the three selected players and their outlook for the upcoming VHL/M season.
 
D - Rolf Fizzlebeef Jr @TacticalHammer  
For the second straight season, Calgary opted for a defenseman with their top pick. At 7th overall, they selected Las Vegas’ Rolf Fizzlebeef Jr. This is an exciting pick for the franchise, as Fizzlebeef can step up and immediately make an impact with the big club. He is a steady two-way force on the blueline, and can be relied upon in any situation. After a 57 point campaign with the Aces in S76, the Canadian blueliner will round out the top four for the Wranglers this season; This unit also contains Kosmo Kramerev, Tom Eagles, and the recently extended Cowboy Prout.
 
On top of the immediate impacts that come with this selection, let me put things into perspective for the long run. Rolf Fizzlebeef Jr is one of only seven S77 players to have never missed one capped TPE since creating, and that would suggest that his growth is easily sustainable over the long run.
 
TacticalHammer’s last player, Roll Fizzlebeef, was a Wrangler for five seasons. He amassed 1113 TPE and 433 points in that career, and will look to top those numbers with his new player. Here’s to hoping that this run in Calgary will be even more successful than the last!
 
D - Joe Madison @Brewins15 
Following a 14th overall selection from the Wranglers, Joe Madison would go on to be chosen 5th overall by Mississauga in the VHLM Dispersal Draft. Madison will look to improve on his 21 points in S76 as he slots into the Hounds top four right away. 
 
It is no secret as to why Brewins15 and Joe Madison are such a hot commodity in the draft for any VHL/M team. Madison is a steady TPE earner who has averaged 10.25 TPE per week since creating, and he has a solid build as well. He is sure to be an important part of the team’s defense after a development season in S77. Brewins15 is also a fine member who leaves a positive footprint everywhere she goes. She was already in Calgary’s locker room prior to being drafted there, because when Ricer wanted to spark life and conversation into his new team’s locker room, she was the first one he called upon.
 
Also the AGM in Los Angeles, Brewins15 is a fantastic addition to this organization considering everything she does. Calgary is ecstatic to have this player and member, and they will hopefully achieve great things together.
 
RW - Russell Dixon @Rjdixon01 
With their only pick outside the first round, the Wranglers took American winger Russell Dixon. Ricer was familiar with Dixon from his time as GM in Miami and knew he would be a worthwhile pickup.
 
The 37th overall pick has a very balanced build, with many attributes hovering around the 50-53 mark. If he keeps earning TPE consistently through portal claims and press conferences — and perhaps even more through other mediums — Dixon will provide Miami with crucial secondary scoring in a competing season. He will be playing for tinafrombobsburgers in Miami, who is their AGM and additionally a member of the Wranglers squad with his player. Not to be forgotten, Wranglers prospect ClapbombsRUs will also be in between the pipes for the Marauders. It is safe to say that Calgary will have a close eye on the team this season, even ignoring the obvious ties from Ricer’s tenure there.
 
Russell Dixon may need a season or two of accruing TPE before he joins the big leagues, but he is definitely a really exciting name to keep an eye on in the future. The Wranglers truly believe that they have struck gold with this pick, and they have a ton of confidence in the young winger.
 

 
Calgary is poised for greatness in the coming seasons, and this draft is just building the foundation upon which they will do so. I wish all of these players the utmost success in S77, and I hope you all enjoyed reading this article!

Wait we won the bronze? Wtf haha

@ClapbombsRus

@ToastIt was an absolute pleasure to have you during the last couples seasons of my tenure in Miami. I am happy that Miami was able to breath life into your player and yourself as a member of this league. I wish you nothing but the best for you and your player except when you’re playing Calgary of course.

@ToastIt was an absolute pleasure to have you during the last couples seasons of my tenure in Miami. I am happy that Miami was able to breath life into your player and yourself as a member of this league. I wish you nothing but the best for you and your player except when you’re playing Calgary of course.

Wait we won the bronze? Wtf haha

Wait we won the bronze? Wtf haha

Wait we won the bronze? Wtf haha

Wait we won the bronze? Wtf haha

GOLD MEDAL

Team Europe
GM: Patrik Laine
Captains:
C - Gunnar Odinsson @BOOM
A - Battre Sandstrom @Acydburn
A - Paul Atreides @Mr_Hatter
A - Duncan Idaho @OrbitingDeath

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
    SILVER MEDAL 

Team Asia
GM: Kaleeb the Mighty
Captains:
C - Frank Funk Jr. @Rayzor_7
A - Jared Carter @JardyB10
A - Logan Moore @drewowo
A - Javad Kamkar @Parriyah9374

     
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
   
    BRONZE MEDAL 

Team World
GM: Darius Marimoto
Captains:
C - Napoleon Bonaparte
A - Reylynn Reinhart @Ricer13
A - Olof Samuelsson

MIAMI!!!

F - Jungkok @leafsman

I'm not taking a forward and I'll be gone for the next ~24 hours, so I'm going to go ahead and pick.
D - Chicken Wing
G - Jean Pierre Camus
 
@leafsman