Ricer13

I'd like to be the equipment manager if anyone is in need.

i would like to gm

Throwing my beanie in the ring

Player Information
Username: dman29
Player Name: Trey French
Recruited From: Other (I used to follow this page as a kid)
Age: 16
Position: D
Height: 73 in.
Weight: 190 lbs.
Birthplace: United States of America

Player Page
@VHLM GM

And to be clear. @Ricer13 is the GM I have the least concerns about this with. Dude has only ever been a complete professional in our interactions and he was actually a big draw for me to recreate early and rejoin Philly if I'm honest. Even though his AGMship was short-lived 😕

I discuss how amazing @Ricer13 and @McLovin are as GMs for their glorious deadline moves.
 
Timestamps: TBD
 
Shoutouts: TBD
 

I can't speak for other GMs but @Ricer13 was always asking me if I wanted to be traded or not and I'm sure he reached out to his other players about it too.

The Juice Is Loose: 
Saskatoon Wild Sign Unknown Sasky! 
 
By: Leonard Blue 
Date: February 6, 2024
 
The General Manager of the Saskatoon Wild, @Ricer13, announced to media today that the team has signed RW John J. Juice to a 1-year $1,500,000 entry-level contract.  
John J. Juice is widely described as an unknown entity. Speaking to media on the condition of anonymity, a league insider said that he didn’t know any scout worth their « salt » who had Juice on their scouting list.
 
What is known about John J. Juice is that he is a 20-year-old, 6-foot, 205 pounds, RW, hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan. Juice’s agent, @G.W. Wick said his client is « extremely motivated » by his opportunity with the Saskatoon Wild.
 
News of Juice’s signing came only hours after Saskatoon traded its star RW, Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer, to Las Vegas for the Ace’s S93 2nd and 3rd draft picks and D Masa Akimoto. Juice learned that he would be heading to the Paris of the Prairies while waiting in line for a Costco hot dog and a slice of pizza.
 
When contacted for comment, Juice said of his signing, « I’m just stoked to be playing. Going to take it one day at a time ». When asked how he planned to catch up to drafted rookies who have 100+ games on him, Juice said, « I am going to outwork them ». When asked his favourite way to score, Juice didn’t hesitate to say, « Bar down glove slide ».
 
From early reports, John J. Juice appears to be shaping into a goal-scoring winger, with most of his attributes being offense-focused. However, the hope is that he rounds out the other side of the game while continuing to hone his offensive abilities.
 
The Saskatoon Wild understands the limitations of a 1-year contract. However, the team hopes Juice shows strong development in the second half of the season, as it will help the team make decisions for the S93 draft.
 
While Juice has a mean streak on the ice, he is lighthearted and easygoing when off. When asked what he thought of Saskatoon and how he planned to spend all that money there, Juice said, «It's great here. Haven’t met anyone who hates me just for being from Regina yet. First, I will eat at Fuddruckers and then hit some dingers at the batting cages.»
 
John J. Juice is set to play his first game in the VHLM against the Halifax 21st on February 6, 2024. Where General Manager @Ricer13 will place John J. Juice in the lineup is unknown. The Wild are hoping to break a 4-game losing streak. With a win, the Wild can put a game between them and the Halifax 21st, who are also trying to get off a losing streak. 
 
Let’s wait and see if John J. Juice has, in fact, been let loose on the VHLM or if this is just another flash-in-the-pan waiver signing.  
  

Here we are trade deadline done, would be All-star games done and everyone one is now looking forward to the play-offs but before we can even really talk about the play-off we have to finish a week and half of the season sims. A lot can still change with Calgary Wranglers and Los Angeles Stars fighting over who is going to win the North American Conference. Moscow Menace can kill any chance that New York Americans have of making the play-offs as they chase down Malmo Nighthawks for the Europe Conference lead; not to mention most likely the Victory Cup. Lets not forget about Draft Lottery with a ton on the line as Vancouver Wolves, HC Davos Dynamo, Riga Reign, Warsaw Predators and Seattle Bears. New York Americans trying to stay a live and Chicago Phoenix sneaking into the Play-offs? We will talk about most of this as we try to predict another week in the VHL!!
 
 

Current Standings:
                    Standings                                        Record             Points                   Last Wk                          Prediction Last Wk                       
1.        Calgary Wranglers             35-13-4           74pts               (11-3-0)                    🔺   2nd North American Conference
2.        Los Angeles Stars             33-14-4           70pts                (4-7-2)                     🔻   1st North American Conference
3.        D.C. Dragons                       28-17-6            62pts               (6-5-3)                     🟰   3rd North American Conference
4.       Toronto Legion                    25-24-3           53pts               (8-6-0)                     🔺   5th North American Conference
5.       Chicago Phoenix                24-24-3            51pts               (8-5-1)                      🔺   6th North American Conference
6.        New York Americans       20-27-5            45pts               (2-11-1)                     🔻   4th North American Conference
7.        Vancouver Wolves            17-30-4            38pts               (3-9-2)                      🟰   7th North American Conference
8.        Seattle Bears                      12-36-4            28pts              (3-11-1)                      🟰   8th North American Conference
 
Reason: Calgary controlled their games against Los Angeles going 3-0 in the three-game set with another game set to start the week between both teams; this six-point swing in the standings is the different between Calgary claiming first in the conference rather than the predicated second. I wrote off Chicago last week; which as usually is the kiss of life as they destroyed New York this week 4-0 in the head-to-head series bring them right back into the play-off contention. New York fell apart this week thanks mainly to Chicago; with their only two wins coming in the final two days of sims. Luckily as we will get into soon New York has much easier schedule next week.
 
 
Next Weeks Predictions:
 
🟰               1.    
Huge game at the start of the week might determine who actually finish first in the conference this week as Los Angeles and Calgary face off in a single game. D.C. Dragons and Chicago Phoenix will provide the biggest games of the week with two and three games respectively. I think Calgary should handle themselves against both of those teams so should be one of the hotter teams in the league; if I am wrong, they could easily find themselves with a five hundred record at the end of the week but should be enough to keep the Wranglers ahead in the standings. Calgary continues to get solid goaltending from Merome Dilson @MexicanCow123(2.29GA, 0.934sav% & 5 SO); which has them as one of the best defensive teams in the league. Add in a top five offense lead by Randy Bobandy @AJW(26G – 41A – 67pts(10th League)) and it not hard to see why Calgary is at the top of the North American Conference.
 
 
🟰                2.    
Last week I was correct that the Stars would face their most challenging week of the season and had a losing record for the first time this season. Well, a mixed bag schedules a waits them this week with huge series against Moscow (3 games) mixed with a few back to backs with Toronto, Helsinki, London, Prague all coming to town. If they can avoid splitting these series and win the majority of them out right, they could climb back into first in the conference. The biggest game of the week might be the first game against Calgary, as it might actually determine the final standing of the week. Five players over a point per game led by the retiring group of Todd Cooke @KRZY (36G(t-2nd League) – 39A – 75pts(5th League)); Jon Webber Jr @Webberj(23G – 42A(t-10th League) – 65Pts) and Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher(20G – 37A – 57pts). Other two player above a point per game are Larry Abass Jr  @RileyL(21G – 38A -59pts) and Sunglasses Joyo @JetsGoalie101(26G – 32A – 58pts). Which all has Los Angeles as top five offensive team. While retiring Art Vandelay @Gustav remains a top five goaltender with 2.17GA(5th), 0.929sav%(3rd) and 4 Shut-outs(t-2nd). Again not hard to see why the Stars are one of the best teams in the North American conference.
 
 
🟰             3.    
This is the area that everything can and most likely will go off the rails since D.C. Dragons have a tough schedule with very important series against Toronto Legion(3 games) and Calgary Wranglers(2 games). If they can split these series and not lose them outright then I think they should stay in Third but should they lose both series I expect Toronto will jump them in the standings. It feels like a treading water week for the Dragons but we will see if they decide to fly instead!! High flying offense is led by The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath (24G – 56A(1st League) – 80pts(2nd League)); Vincent Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007(30G(10th League) – 36A – 66pts) and the retiring Jason @Jason kranz(34G(5th league) – 32A – 66pts). Defensively the Dragons are led by Mark Calaway @Beketov(17G – 44A(6th league) – 61pts(1st defense)).
 
 
🟰             4.    
Toronto Legion have a chance to at least close the gap to D.C. Dragons by the end of the week with a four game series against Vancouver Wolves; which they should win easily; two game series against LA Stars and three game series against D.C. Dragons. If they can win the games that they are supposed to and beat win the D.C. series; they might pull themselves out of the wildcard round by the end of the week. Toronto only has two players at a point per game with the team led in scoring by Jimi Jaks @ke1vi(26G – 28A – 54pts) and the other is defender Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer(9G – 44A(7th league) – 53pts(8th defense)), which really shows one of the team weakness; Goal scoring as they have the fifth worse goals for in the league tied with Seattle (junior cubs) Bears. Goals against are right in the middle of the pack, which would be a big reason the team is playing around five hundred hockey for most of the season.
 
 
🔺              5.    
For some reason it looks like I cannot give up hope that the Americans will actually play good hockey and make the play-offs. I would actually be scared of this team if they do make the play-offs since they have been very inconsistent week in and week out. New York had a tough one last week going 2-11-1; likely the worse weekly record of all teams all season. So what do they need to get back into the play-off hunt? Yup, an easy schedule; which New York should have this week with a four-game set against the Seattle Bears but mix in a few tough games against Moscow, D.C. and Prague meaning the team hopefully plays around five hundred and maybe better if they can tread water against three teams just mentioned. It is a make-or-break week for New York either you win and you are in or you lose and the season is done. Not a single player is over a point per game with FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist @STZ(24G – 25A – 49pts) leading the team offense. 36W @rory(2.07GA(1st), 0.934sav%(2nd) & 2SO(8th)) remains impressive in net and should have done enough to keep the net after the team traded for Veteran Clueless Wallob @DMaximus (3.35GA, 0.888sav% & 0SO); who continues to struggle.
 
 
🔻             6.    
Feels wrong to move this team backwards down the standing after the strong week that they just had and bashed the team last week saying that they would miss the play-offs. Fast forward a week and Chicago Phoenix have a tough task with series against Malmo(4 games) and Calgary(3 games); not to mention Moscow and Helsinki (2 games); it could be a very tough week if they cannot split so of these series. Chicago could easily be given a death blow here with 4-10-0 record if not worse if they aren`t careful. Luckily for them even if they are given the kiss of death this week; they should be within a point or two of New York entering the final week for last play-off spot. So, this week is about damage limitation for Chicago and keeping the play-off hopes alive.  Yaroslav Trunov @qripll(36G(t-2nd league) – 43A(8th league) – 79pts(3rd league))  will need to continue to led the way offensively for the Phoenix. Chicago will need a bit more from Rookies Joshua Schwarzer @Velevra(20G – 22A -42pts(4th Rookies))  and Lionel Collberg @Masu Chan( 6G – 32A – 38pts(5th Rookies)); if the team is going to make the play-offs; which is a bit unfair to ask.
 
 
🟰             7.    
Nothing to look forward too? Not true the end of the season is a week and a half away so most in Vancouver will start to see where they standing the final rankings. Why? Draft lottery odds as Vancouver is locked in a battle with HC Davos; not for Championship this time; to improve their odds by finishing second worst team in the standings.  Seattle has locked up the best odds. Let also not forget the great season that Liv Slater @Subject056(28G – 30A -    58pts) might not get a ton of credit for as they lead all defender in goals, lead the league in power play goals and second in total shots blocked. Hopefully the award committee at least throws her a bone if not an award or two at the end of the season. Rookie Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty(3.15GA, 0.921sav% & 4 S0(t-3rd)) has been very stead in the crease for the Wolves. While offensively Nick Sansoe @Tipskid97(16G – 45A – 61pts) has been over a point per game player most of the season. These three players will be thankful of the help that should come next season.
 
 
🟰             8.    
Locked into last as Seattle are ten points behind Vancouver and HC Davos so one would assume that they are set for a rebound next season, well, not so fast with a high draft pick helping to improve an already young team with Severus Targaryen @Banackock(28G – 37A -65pts) leading the way with Gustav Mattias @Berocka(9G -7A – 16pts) and Toby Kadachi @ROOKIE745(15G – 15A -30pts) making up a solid core at forward. Adding to this core will help but won`t completely turn the team around in a single season. Having two more picks in what looks like deep S94 draft will go a long way to aiding the rebuilding process. Seattle also needs to find a solution in net; which is likely Giorgiy Costanzov @Mongoose87 and build around Simons Worst Nightmare @zepheter on the blueline. Will they take a step next season? Only time will tell!!
 
 
 
 

Current Standings:
                    Standings                                        Record             Points                   Last Wk                          Prediction Last Wk                       
1.            Malmo Nighthawks        37-10-5           79pts                (10-2-2)                   🟰    1st European Conference
2.          Moscow Menace             35-13-4           74pts                (13-0-1)                   🟰   2nd European Conference
3.          Helsinki Titans                 29-17-6           64pts                (10-3-1)                   🟰    3rd European Conference
4.         Prague Phantoms           29-18-5           63pts                 (8-3-3)                   🟰    4th European Conference
5.          London United                 27-16-8           62pts                 (8-5-1)                    🟰    5th European Conference
6.         Warsaw Predators          24-24-4           52pts                (10-3-2)                   🔺   7th European Conference
7.         Riga Reign                           21-26-4           46pts                (4-10-1)                   🔻    6th European Conference
8.        HC Davos Dynamo           17-30-5           39pts                 (5-7-2)                     🟰    8th European Conference
 
Reason: Missed the fact that Warsaw had a very easy schedule last week as they beat up on teams near the bottom of the standings; Riga twice, Seattle four times, Vancouver and Davos. Add in a few surprise wins against Los Angeles and New York and you have a standing that is a bit bloated and looks more impressive than it really is. Otherwise, It was a near perfect week in the European conference for this writer.
 
Next Weeks Predictions:
 
 
🟰           1.    
Mixed bag schedule with a series against Moscow(2 games) and visit from the top two teams in the North American conference means the Hawks will have some tough hockey to play entering the play-offs. I have the Hawks staying above five hundred and actually closer to 0.700 so should have no problem holding the lead of the European conference. Viktor Jensen @Advantage(26G – 40A – 66pts) continues to fly like a Hawk leading the offense as the Hawks have five players over a point per game. Other being Yaroslav Bogatyrev @Bojovnik(24G – 35A – 59pts) and Ronald Johnson MacWallace III (23G – 31A – 55pts). While the team is lead defensively by Jacob Stone @scoop(16G – 43A(9th league) – 59pts(t-2nd defense))  and Reese McFleury @Spaz(14G – 41A – 55pts(7th defense)). Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro(2.31GA(5th), 0.926sav%(6th) & 5SO(t-1st)) continue to keep the Hawks defense in the top 3 in the league.   
 
 
🟰           2.    
Coming of an 13-0-1 week and 16 straight wins means I have nothing bad to say about this time; right!! Moscow has two tough series this week with Malmo(2 games) and Los Angeles(2 games) otherwise they should really cruise this week. Moscow also hold New York chances at making the play-off with a three-game series; which New York must win two of the three. Moscow could catch Malmo but really comes down to the head-to-head series; which I feel they split; leaving Moscow a few points behind at the end of the week. Moscow offense has been completely unstoppable since trading for retiring veteran Dogwood Maple @dogwoodmaple(12G – 14A – 26pts in 14 games with the Menace) led by the duel of Left Alone @okochastar(32G(6th league) – 41A – 73pts(6th league))  and Axle Gunner @Steve(23G – 49A(t-2nd league)  – 72pts(7th league)). Rookies in Moscow have been solid from Leif Reingaard @Zetterberg(12G – 39A – 51pts(10th league & 2nd Rookies) and Olober Syko @Spartan (2.69GA(9th), 0.923sav%(9th) & 1SO(t-9th)). It will be interesting to see if the rookies and young team can hold it together under the pressure of play-off hockey.
 
 
🔺           3.    
Games in hand and what looks to be a fairly easy schedule down the stretch with toughest games coming from series with Malmo and Los Angeles; two games each. London should win the majority of the games this week as Prague and Helsinki possible take points off each other. This should be enough for London to jump into third with half week remaining. Four players are currently at a point per game pace with Leonard Triller @Triller(26G – 39A – 65pts) leading the way while Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ(25G – 34A – 59pts) and Molly the Cat @JCarson(21G – 37A – 58pts); cat fight over second. Halvar Torbjorn @Rayzor_7(22G – 31A – 53pts) is the third player at a point per game pace.
 
 
🔻          4.    
The next two teams are interlocked in the standings, point and in my predictions this week as they face off against each other for a three-game series that will determine who finish 4th and who finish 5th this week. I am a chicken so I have split the series mean status que!! Daryl Dixon @Ricer13(31G(8th League) – 39A – 70pts(9th league)) continue to lead the offense that sits just outside the top 5. While Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito(10G – 49A(t-2nd) – 59pts(t-2nd defense))  continue to be a huge factor in the blueline for the Titans. Rookie Grimgor Ironhide @FrostBeard(30G(t-9th league) – 27A – 57pts(1st Rookies))  continues to be impressive and most likely in any other season would be the front runner for Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy, formerly known as the Bossy Trophy.
 
 
🔻            5.    
Prague has a slightly tougher schedule this week with a mix of different opponents from a three-game series against Helsinki, a two-game series against D.C. while also facing three of the top four teams in the league; so, one would think it could be a tough week, right? I don`t see it that way!! If Prague can at least split against Helsinki than the Phantoms should play right around five hundred hockey staying close to Helsinki and London; if not they will fall back but not out of the play-offs. Prague offense runs through two player in John Jameson @Frank(32G(7th League) – 46A(4th League) – 78pts(4th league)) and Nikolas Kauppi @Tetricide(34G(4th League) – 37A – 71pts(8th league)). While Moritz Stauffer @GoodLeftUndone(8G – 40A – 48pts) continue to lead the backend. Matt Murdock  @Acydburn(2.15GA(2nd), 0.936%(1st) & 3SO(t-6th)) is have a strong second half to the season and has walked himself into conversation for a few awards at the end of the season.
 
 
🟰           6.    
Crazy to think Warsaw went on a heater last week but that was really down a easy schedule so welcome back to reality. Traded away most of the older players and have a rest with a younger core made up of Maxim Anisimov @McLovin(17G – 34A -51pts), Thor Reingaard @N0HBDY(17G -26A – 43pts(3rd Rookies)) and King Kisslinger @Kisslinger(12G – 22A -34pts). Warsaw will need to find a prospect or two to help rebuild the back-end but having Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan(17G – 28A – 45pts) for another two seasons should buy them much needed time. Biggest concern moving forward has to be between the pipes but that could be filled by prospect Pipo Popa @npuBeT. Either way Warsaw should play around five hundred hockey this week as the look forward to the off-season.
 
 
🟰           7.    
It could be back and forth between Riga and Warsaw over the next week as the two should match either with similar records. So, I am expecting no movement between these two teams. Riga future at the moment looks a lot brighter with Rookies Red Panda @Lemorse7(2.94GA, 0.915sav% & 0 SO), Mina @Baozi(5G – 18A – 23pts) and Eric White Jr  @Mysterious_Fish(12G -24A -36pts(7th Rookies)) adding to an already young core. Not to mention three more top prospect this off-season as they have three first round picks in the S93 draft.
 
 
🟰          8.    
Does it matter? Yeah, as mentioned Davos is fighting Vancouver for better lottery odds to improve their chances of getting a better pick during the S93 draft. So, it might surprise you that I have them playing just under five hundred hockey and should jump a head of the Vancouver Wolves in the overall standings. Yeah!! I am mean no!! If this is the case it hurts their odds but should provide some interest in the race for last. Catchy name would have been better but yeah!! Not even sure who is on the team any more other than David Jokinen @Ahma and Lachlan Summers @kirbithan. Davos rebuild really starts this off season in the S93 Draft with three first round picks and should continue through the S94 draft where Davos hopes to be a huge factor the drafts floor holding multiple picks.
 
 
That it for the first week review and next week’s predictions. As always tell me below in the comment section how poor my predictions are and I will make sure to read them. Either way until next week Keep the sticks on the ice and your heads up!!
 

Great article! 

With the VHLM Trade Deadline today, there are already a few big trades that have been agreed to by the party teams and are awaiting league approval.  Assuming everything is above board and these trades all go through, here are the most notable players on the move at the Season 92 VHLM Trade Deadline . . . so far.
 
Antonia Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica- Acquired by Houston Bulls
The Bulls roster is full.  GM @AJW has done an exceptional job of filing out the lineup with free agent acquisitions and has taken a swing for the fences with the trade deadline acquisition of Antonia Bucatini.  In this deal, Houston sends Halifax Bolor Khan @Bolor Khan, a 1st round pick for S93, and a 4th round pick for S94.  Khan is still a young player early in his development and will likely spend at least another season in the VHLM.  The 1st and 4th round picks are a steep price to pay, but for the talent coming back and the promise of the current roster, it's easy to see why AJW pulled the trigger.  Antonia Bucatini is an immense talent in the VHLM and is the current league leader with an astounding 324 shots in 52 games played.  Bucatini had 32 goals, good for 6th most in the league, and 30 assists playing for Halifax who has struggled immensely this season.  On a Bulls roster bursting with up-and-coming talent, Bucatini will have no shortage of quality complimentary players.  Don't be surprised to see Bucatini catch fire quick playing alongside the likes of Trimiskez Artav @jake and Chris Reynolds Jr. @Crstats23on Houston's top line.
 
Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer - Acquired by Las Vegas Aces
One of the VHLM's most promising rookies is headed to Las Vegas, acquired in a trade by Aces GM @McLovin with @Ricer13 of the Saskatoon Wild.  The Wild have been busy at this trade deadline dealing three of their top players and committing to building for the future.  Coming back to Saskatoon from Vegas is Masa Akimoto @Hokikeijot, a solid young defender who will be a quality VHLM defenseman next season, as well as a 2nd and 3rd round pick for S93.  Headed to Sin City is Annie Oaks, who was second on the Wild with 31 goals and 33 assists for 64 points this season.  As a RW, Oaks will likely slot into the Aces second line because Elle Aura Ashe already occupies the top RW spot.  This is a shrewd move by Las Vegas to build out their top 6 with another high-end scoring forward and they definitely look like a contender coming out of the Western Conference, currently at 2nd in the league overall.

Forum Content @frescoelmo and UghSike @UghSike - Acquired by Miami Marauders
If AJW was swinging for the fences in Houston, Miami's GM @Tetricide may have just knocked it out of the park acquiring two of Saskatoon's top players in Forum Content and UghSike.  With Forum Content currently sitting at 2nd in overall scoring with 83 points and UghSike putting up a more than respectable 46 points in 52 games, like Vegas, the Marauders have also assembled a menacing top 6 that is sure to strike fear in defenders league-wide.  The idea of Forum Content playing on the same team as Matthew Highmore @NineIQ v2 and Bilbo Teebaggins @SackButter is a tantalizing prospect.  The Marauders did need to give up a quality player in Leon Bruhmaninho @BigBruhman who had 50 points in 52 games, as well as a S93 1st rounder and a S94 2nd rounder to get the deal done.  This move does have the potential, however, to vault the Marauders up the standings and situate them among the leagues top competitors for the Founder's Cup.
 
With these moves already, it is clear that there is an arms race taking place in the VHLM with at least 5 teams believing they have a legitimate shot at winning the Founder's Cup this season.  It will be fascinating to see how it all shakes out and which trade deadline acquisition can help their team when the playoffs roll around.  
 
 
Lauren Lambert for VHL.com
Claimed for 02/11/24

Good trade @Ricer13 

This trade will help both of us

Ah man  @FabioF04Goodbye!
 
Was a fun time in Miami, but now i gotta pack my winter gear!

Thank you @Ricer13 for good times in SASK
 
Looking forward to reclaiming my point leaderboard stronghold with @Tetricide!

@Ricer13 thanks for being a great GM and @McLovinlooking forward to playing in Las Vegas

You too! Thank you for the excellent negotiations!

@McLovin Thanks for the quick an easy chats! Goodluck the rest of the season 

Woooo first trade back in the M, let’s go! 

For my Theme Week post on All-Stars, I decided to take a look back at the last half decade (Seasons 88-92) in the VHL to see which players would be the All-Star of the last Half Decade for each team. Considering the individual nature of being an All-Star, I'll focus more on individual performances in the regular season rather than team results. I'll take a look at their overall performance from S88-92, and the best season in that run. In order to come up with specific team criteria, I'm only including seasons that the player played for that team, and the player must have played at least 4 seasons for the team unless otherwise noted. S92 totals for players come at the 48 game mark of the season.
 
Calgary Wranglers
 
Player: D - Phil Strasmore
 
S88-92 Totals: 336 GP  45 G  224 A  269 PTS  671 SHT  1000 PIM  1193 HIT  697 SB  8 GWG  23 PPG
Best Season: S90 - 72 GP  13 G  47 A  60 PTS  166 SHT  201 PIM  244 HIT  170 SB  3 GWG  8 PPG
 
Why?: Strasmore had seasons that were arguably more productive offensively in the five seasons in Calgary, but S90 was the best blend of both offense and defense. The highest goal output in the five season run came that season, along with a linked high in shots and powerplay goals. S88 was a contender when Strasmore won the Jake Wylde Trophy for best defensive defenseman, but All-Star nods usually boil down to scoring, so I'll give it to the better goal year.
 
Chicago Phoenix
 
Player: C - Scotty Sundin
 
S88-92 Totals: 288 GP  153 G  195 A  348 PTS  1831 SHT  164 PIM  287 HIT  139 SB  23 GWG  33 PPG
Best Season: S91 - 72 GP  49 G  63 A  112 PTS  522 SHT  50 PIM  103 HIT  31 SB  5 GWG  12 PPG
 
Why?: Sundin was the quintessential Phoenix player of the last half decade, playing 4 full seasons from S88-91 in Chicago. Sundin won the Scotty Campbell Trophy and the Mike Szatkowski Trophy in S91, which ended up being Sundin's most productive season for Chicago. The choice for the best season for Sundin was between S90 and S91, but it wasn't much of a choice to make given how dominant that season was in S91.
 
D.C. Dragons
 
Player: D - Mark Calaway
 
S88-92 Totals: 264 GP  69 G  178 A  247 PTS  959 SHT  458 PIM  658 HIT  613 SB  11 GWG  26 PPG
Best Season: S90 - 72 GP  20 G  56 A  76 PTS  286 SHT  132 PIM  166 HIT  165 SB  4 GWG  6 PPG
 
Why?: Not much debate around the All-Star choice for Calaway's season, any time that a blueliner hits 20 goals in a season as Calaway did in S90, it's very impressive. A five season high in goals, assists, points, shots, penalty minutes, and game winning goals came in that season as well, showing an all around offensive strength. The goal total wasn't inflated by a surprise powerplay year either, further adding to the impressiveness of that season.
 
HC Davos Dynamo
 
Player: Tie between D - Jake Thunder and G - Lachlan Summers
 
S88-92 Totals (Thunder): 288 GP  61 G  294 A  355 PTS  899 SHT  698 PIM  930 HIT  675 SB  15 GWG  38 PPG
Best Season (Thunder): S88 - 72 GP  17 G  76 A  93 PTS  199 SHT  198 PIM  239 HIT  144 SB  3 GWG  12 PPG
 
S88-92 Totals (Summers): 297 GP  190-80-26  .931 SV%  2.36 GAA  21 SO  9519 SV  17949 MIN
Best Season (Summers): S90 - 64 GP  49-12-3  .938 SV%  2.06 GAA  7 SO  2015 SV
 
Why?: It was a real tossup between Thunder and Summers, with both deserving of the All-Star nod for Davos. Jake Thunder had some monster seasons on the back end for the Dynamo offensively and defensively. S88 ended up being a solid combination of both sides, winning the Alexander Beketov Trophy for leading the VHL in assists while remaining productive defensively. A full award cabinet that included 2 Victory Cups (S90, S91), a Continental Cup (S89), a Sterling Labatte Trophy (S90), a Jake Wylde Trophy (S90), a Daisuke Kanou Trophy (S89), and the previously mentioned Beketov Trophy. Thunder would be the runaway sole All-Star on most teams, but not for Davos.
 
Goaltender Lachlan Summers holds an equally impressive resume for the half decade for the Dynamo. Summers won the same Victory and Continental Cups as Thunder on those teams, and also won the Aidan Shaw Trophy, Greg Clegane Trophy, and Brett Slobodzian Trophy in the S90 choice for best season. Summers added a Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy in S88 to go with the rest of that hardware. The .938 single season save percentage is tied for the best among the All-Star goalies in this span, and the .931 overall save percentage tops the rest.
 
Helsinki Titans
 
Player: C - Daryl Dixon
 
S88-92 Totals: 336 GP  153 G  214 A  367 PTS  2098 SHT  543 PIM  1055 HIT  172 SB  17 GWG  34 PPG
Best Season: S91 - 72 GP  30 G  63 A  93 PTS  470 SHT  122 PIM  176 HIT  38 SB  3 GWG  3 PPG
 
Why?: Goal scoring is what fans come to see, and 30 goal seasons are a virtual lock for Dixon. Four straight seasons (with a fifth on the way) over 30 make for the class of the Titans, but it was the usual goal scoring with the playmaking spike in S91 that gets the All-Star nod. Career highs in multiple categories came last season for Dixon, including coming close to eclipsing the 100 point mark. Almost the entirety of the goals came at even strength, where the goals are harder to come by than on the powerplay.
 
London United
 
Player: Tie between RW - Molly the Cat and G - Jesse Teno
 
S88-92 Totals (the Cat): 335 GP  179 G  189 A  368 PTS  2138 SHT  288 PIM  692 HIT  148 SB  33 GWG  52 PPG
Best Season (the Cat): S91 - 72 GP  52 G  55 A  107 PTS  528 SHT  56 PIM  127 HIT  31 SB  12 GWG  23 PPG
 
S88-92 Totals (Teno): 301 GP  160-109-32  .929 SV%  2.36 GAA  21 SO  9424 SV  18328 MIN
Best Season (Teno): S91 - 64 GP  40-16-8  .937 SV%  2.02 GAA  6 SO  1937 SV
 
Why?: Despite winning the Continental Cup together in S88, the pair of All-Stars both put up their best season in S91. Both members of London for all five seasons, they've had spectacular individual seasons and five year runs.
 
Molly the Cat posted some of the best offensive numbers in the league in S91, with an almost equal distribution between goals and assists. Powering the goals last season were an explosion on the powerplay, notching the league's highest mark with the man advantage as the only player with more than 20 powerplay goals. Last season was the continuation of goal scoring prowess for the Cat, as the follow up to three straight seasons over 30 goals.
 
Jesse Teno posted the lowest single season goals against average of any of the goalies on this list, barely missing out on a sub 2.00 GAA. Accompanying that sparkling, league best goals against average was a league high in shutouts, and a runner up in save percentage. Teno won the Aidan Shaw and Greg Clegane Trophies in S91 as an acknowledgment of those accomplishments. Teno finished the five year run with the most minutes played among the goalies on this list.
 
Los Angeles Stars
 
Player: Tie between C - Todd Cooke and G - Art Vandelay
 
S88-92 Totals (Cooke): 336 GP  186 G  277 A  463 PTS  2086 SHT  247 PIM  479 HIT  177 SB  30 GWG  44 PPG
Best Season (Cooke): S90 - 72 GP  41 G  77 A  118 PTS  501 SHT  56 PIM  147 HIT  49 SB  7 GWG  11 PPG
 
S88-92 Totals (Vandelay): 302 GP  188-88-24  .926 SV%  2.42 GAA  23 SO  9031 SV  17941 MIN
Best Season (Vandelay): S92* - 43 GP  31-9-3  .928 SV%  2.20 GAA  4 SO  1240 SV
 
Why?: Another team with an offensive star and a stud goaltender that are too difficult to compare and choose between. Both have had amazing seasons for the Stars, and both have played the entirety of the half decade together in LA.
 
Todd Cooke has been an extremely productive scorer for all five seasons in LA, but there is a clear standout season in the five that gets the nod for best season. Cooke's S90 season included a league lead in assists and points, along with big hardware. The Mike Szatkowski Trophy, Scotty Campbell Trophy, and Alexander Beketov Trophy all landed in Cooke's Trophy Case following a spectacular S90. Cooke remains the offensive star in LA, headed for yet another 35+ goal season, the benchmark for all five seasons.
 
Art Vandelay's run of over 60 starts through the entirety of the five season span (including the pace for this season) has been the picture of consistency for Los Angeles. All five seasons above a save percentage of .920 made it difficult to choose from, but this season has the potential to be the best yet for the latex salesman. Vandelay has been the architect of many successes for the Stars, and S92 looks to be building towards career bests in wins, goals against average, save percentage, and shutouts for the aspiring marine biologist.
 
Malmo Nighthawks
 
Player: G - Ash Sparks
 
S88-92 Totals: 231 GP  123-79-26  .926 SV%  2.46 GAA  17 SO  7083 SV  13796 MIN
Best Season: S89 - 67 GP  30-26-8  .931 SV%  2.49 GAA  9 SO  2222 SV
 
Why?: Ash Sparks has had multiple solid seasons in the last four seasons to choose from for the Nighthawks, but the standout year definitely goes to S89. While the W/L record didn't reflect just how good Sparks was that season, the other statistics definitely did. Sparks finished S89 with a league high in shutouts, along with top five finishes in save percentage and goals against average among qualified goaltenders. The 9 shutouts in S89 was the most in a single season for a goalie in this half decade run.
 
Moscow Menace
 
Player: D - Fraser Wallace
 
S88-92 Totals: 288 GP  79 G  152 A  231 PTS  1206 SHT  204 PIM  362 HIT  255 SB  9 GWG  27 PPG
Best Season: S90 - 72 GP  23 G  44 A  67 PTS  382 SHT  60 PIM  115 HIT  20 SB  5 GWG  5 PPG
 
Why?: As mentioned previously, it is awfully special when a defender can put up a 20 goal season. Fraser Wallace managed 2 of them in the 4 seasons in Moscow, while almost having a third in S88. Deciding between multiple 20 goal seasons was difficult, but the edge goes to S90, as it had better totals in other statistical categories to go with it. A career high in assists, points, shots, hits, and game winning goals makes this a solid All-Star season for Wallace with the Menace.
 
New York Americans
 
Player: C - Jasper Davis
 
S88-92 Totals: 265 GP  108 G  150 A  258 PTS  1291 SHT  132 PIM  380 HIT  222 SB  11 GWG  26 PPG
Best Season: S91 - 72 GP  39 G  66 A  105 PTS  434 SHT  46 PIM  119 HIT  73 SB  3 GWG  9 PPG
 
Why?: Jasper Davis burst onto the scene for the Americans in S89, winning the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy as top rookie. With a couple of solid offensive seasons along the way in the four seasons, it was the offensive explosion in S91 that takes the All-Star honours for Davis. Eclipsing the century mark for points was a highlight, along with career highs across the board in goals, assists, points, shots, penalty minutes, and powerplay goals.

Prague Phantoms
 
Player: Tie between C - John Jameson and D - Velociraptor Greg
 
S88-92 Totals (Jameson): 336 GP  211 G  247 A  458 PTS  2278 SHT  739 PIM  1258 HIT  153 SB  39 GWG  48 PPG
Best Season (Jameson): S89 - 72 GP  50 G  64 A  114 PTS  533 SHT  72 PIM  243 HIT  39 SB  7 GWG  10 PPG
 
S88-92 Totals (Greg): 336 GP  74 G  227 A  301 PTS  1067 SHT  617 PIM  815 HIT  636 SB  14 GWG  40 PPG
Best Season (Greg): S88 - 72 GP  18 G  59 A  77 PTS  271 SHT  114 PIM  190 HIT  143 SB  4 GWG  9 PPG
 
Why?: A couple of large team based awards were won together by the two All-Stars for the Phantoms, both winning the Continental Cup in S90, and the Victory Cup in S88. A forward and a blueliner aren't very comparable head to head, and splitting the two players didn't make much sense with both of them spending the full half decade with Prague.
 
John Jameson holding a streak of four straight 40 goal seasons for the Phantoms makes an easy choice for an All-Star, but should be a difficult choice for which season is the best standout. S89 rises above the rest here, as Jameson eclipsed the 50 goal mark for the only time, along with a high in assists, points, and shots. It also included personal hardware, with Jameson winning the Scotty Campbell and Scott Boulet Trophies, a testament to the dominant season that Jameson had.
 
Velociraptor Greg was a harder pick to narrow down a best season, with double digit goals and 50+ points in each season of the half decade from the blueline. I gave the edge to S88, one that held a high in goals, assists, points, and game winning goals for the half decade period. Greg has been a model of consistency on the back end for the Phantoms, both offensively and defensively. 
 
Riga Reign
 
Player: G - Henry Tucker Jr.
 
S88-92 Totals: 257 GP  155-78-20  .928 SV%  2.50 GAA  10 SO  8164 SV  15222 MIN
Best Season: S91 - 65 GP  47-12-5  .931 SV%  2.28 GAA  2 SO  1966 SV
 
Why?: Henry Tucker Jr. spent the first four seasons of the half decade with Riga, posting solid numbers in all four seasons. While all four seasons were solid, S91 ends up being the choice here for the All-Star nod, seeing the best win total, save percentage, and goals against average with the Reign. Tucker Jr. almost topped the 50 win mark, which is an exceptionally difficult threshold to break. Having a four season run where the worst save percentage is .925 is consistent and remarkable. 
 
Seattle Bears
 
Player: D - Rex Wolffe Gregor
 
S88-92 Totals: 216 GP  50 G  141 A  191 PTS  633 SHT  387 PIM  413 HIT  411 SB  7 GWG  33 PPG
Best Season: S91 - 72 GP  27 G  52 A  79 PTS  288 SHT  120 PIM  165 HIT  137 SB  6 GWG  19 PPG
 
Why?: Rex Wolffe Gregor is the only player on the list to make it while playing fewer than four seasons with their team. There is plenty of good reason for Gregor to be the nominee for the Bears, as the S91 numbers are eye-popping. Gregor neared the 30 goal mark from the blueline, which is remarkable, and almost hit 20 goals on the powerplay, which is equally remarkable. Gregor also topped the 50 assist mark, and was very close to hitting the 80 points and 300 shots totals.
 
Toronto Legion
 
Player: Tie between C - Mac Atlas and G - Joel Castle
 
S88-92 Totals (Atlas): 336 GP  164 G  150 A  314 PTS  1917 SHT  319 PIM  705 HIT  157 SB  31 GWG  31 PPG
Best Season (Atlas): S91 - 72 GP  46 G  42 A  88 PTS  539 SHT  77 PIM  186 HIT  26 SB  10 GWG  10 PPG
 
S88-92 Totals (Castle): 303 GP  141-126-34  .927 SV%  2.47 GAA  16 SO  9523 SV  18123 MIN
Best Season (Castle): S91 - 65 GP  42-21-1  .938 SV%  2.06 GAA  3 SO  1997 SV
 
Why?: Yet another team who gets a split between a forward and a goaltender, this duo won the Continental Cup together last season. Both players have spent the entire half decade with Toronto, and put up their best seasons last year on the way to the Championship.
 
Mac Atlas has been the Captain of the Legion for the last four seasons, and had his best offensive season in S91. Setting career highs almost across the board was impressive for Atlas, hitting that mark in goals, assists, points, shots, penalty minutes, hits, game winning goals, and powerplay goals. Atlas finished among the league leaders in multiple categories, and was an easy choice to go with for the Legion skaters.
 
Joel Castle has had multiple strong seasons in net, but S91 is the clear runaway for the best. A league best save percentage and the second best goals against average made this an easy choice, and Castle ended up being runner up in the top goaltender category. The .938 save percentage was tied for the best single season mark for the goalies on this list, earning Castle his reputation as a brick wall.
 
Vancouver Wolves
 
Player: G - Brandt Fuhr
 
S88-92 Totals: 64 GP  49-12-3  .938 SV%  2.06 GAA  7 SO  2015 SV  12743 MIN
Best Season: S89 - 65 GP  40-22-2  .922 SV%  2.63 GAA  4 SO  1969 SV
 
Why?: Fuhr spent the first four seasons of the half decade with the Wolves, and was a consistent backstop throughout that run. S89 was the choice for the All-Star season, setting a high in wins for that period with 40, and a best goals against average with 2.63. Fuhr finished that run with a .921 save percentage total for that time with the Wolves, and was a solid presence in net throughout.

Warsaw Predators
 
Player: D - Doug Britton
 
S88-92 Totals: 336 GP  38 G  158 A  196 PTS  581 SHT  574 PIM  819 HIT  691 SB  5 GWG  18 PPG
Best Season: S90 - 72 GP  12 G  35 A  47 PTS  152 SHT  134 PIM  226 HIT  181 SB  2 GWG  5 PPG
 
Why?: Britton had multiple solid seasons for the Preds throughout the entire half decade, but there was one season where it all came together offensively and defensively. S90 saw a high in goals, penalty minutes, hits, shot blocks, and game winning goals for Britton. The middle of the run saw three straight seasons over 30 assists and 40 points, leaving Britton as the model of consistency for Warsaw on the blueline.
 
 

Theme week is upon us and that means my player, Logan Ninefingers gets some much-needed TPE before the jump to the show.   I wanted to talk about the All-Stars that populated the league when my first gen player, Brian Payne joined the league.  It was at a time when Payne was in his rookie season, and I watched the vets with super high TPE light up the box scores night in and night out.  So for this theme I thought I’d try to make the perfect all-star team for S83.
 
CENTER:
At the center position there were some beauties lighting up the league.  I am not sure if this was the meta change or not but there were some huge numbers being put up.  
 
My first pick at center for this season would be Calgary’s Saku Kotkakoivu @DollarAndADream.  He had 59g 63a= 122points leading the league and was point leader.  In later seasons his production dipped a bit but still was a beast scoring 678 points in 574 games.  
 
Pick two would have to go to Paul Atreidas @Mr_Hatter from Toronto.  61goals 59assists= 120 points. The first overall pick in S77.  While small he was never short on numbers. He loved to shoot the puck and amassed an amazing 3600 shots in his career.  In S83 he helped lead Moscow to a dominant season
 
Right Wing:
The pick for right wing was equally hard but would have to go with Alex Johnston @Alexfrom Riga.  Alongside fellow right wing Anze Miklavz  he scored 58g 55a=113. Big and gritty AJ could hit, pass, and score so while the league was stacked with great wingers,  I had to go with him.
 
Honorable mentions at RW:
Duncan Idaho @OrbitingDeath
Vasile Lamb @dlamb
Anze Miklavz @ke1vi
 
Left Wing:
For left wing I had to go with the #2 overall pick int eh S77 draft, Reylynn Reinhart @Ricer13.  RR’s point totals really jumped In the latter part of the career.  A 56 goal scorer in S82, in S83 RR scored 45g 54a for 99 pts. RR could hit too and had size to score those ugly goals.  An easy pick for S83 all-star. 
 
Honorable mentions:
Kyle Peace (Tor) @Peace
Zach Kisslinger II @Kisslinger
Brendan Marner @MetalToday
 
Defense: 
Ok now for my favorite position and there are some serious legends that played that season to include two that scored over 30 goals and weren’t even the point leaders. 
 
While I think that the top ten-point leaders on defense could easily be on this list I picked Jerome Reinhart @MexicanCow123.  He scored a crazy 35goals and 69 assists (104).  Now he was a minus 15 that season on a New York team that didn’t make the playoffs.  I think this makes this pick for an all-star in that even on a struggling club he put up some amazing numbers. 
 
To pair with JR I picked Riga’s monster Dman, Battre Sandstrom @Acydburn. The Sterling Labatte Trophy winner that seasons he scored 28 goals 76 assists for 104 points.  17 of his 28 goals came on the power play and he added 256 hits and 129 blocked shots showing just why he won the trophy for best defenseman.  
 
Honorable mention:
Aurelien Moreau (TOR) @Frank   Point leader that season. 
Hard Markinson (MOS) @STZ
Tom Eagles (LDN) @Greg_Di
Hari Singh Nalwa (WAR) @Dil
Bo Johansson (Rookie) @Shindigs
 
Goalie: 
Again, some great goalies to pick from by was easily Xavier Booberry @CowboyinAmerica.  XB went OFF this season with 40 wins 18 losses with a league leading 1.92 GAA and 10 shutouts!  Yes, 10!  In S83 he won the Brett Slobodzian, Aidan Shaw Trophy, and Greg Clegane Trophy. 
 
Honorable Mentions:
Tobias Reinhart @Spaz
Em Em Flex @oilmandan
Oskar Lindbergh @Doomsday
Brandt Fuhr @Tate
 
610

This man really got rid of waiver pitches and asked to be waiver pitched smh

Disgusting 

Note beforehand: I selected players for this based on appropriate ratings, not stats - so it's entirely possible some of the players here are not having all-star calibre seasons, or players who deserve to be at the all-star game were not selected. Also, I made sure every team had at least one player in the skills comp, and the results were determined relatively randomly with some consideration given to the appropriate ratings... I didn't use any kind of script or anything for this. It's all just made up.
 
---
 
DC: Welcome to Los Angeles for the VHL All-Star Skills Competition! I'm Dan Callaghan for VSN and with me today is Landon Fairhaven. With players from each of the VHL's 16 teams in attendance competing for the All-Star Cup, testing their skills in a variety of different competitions, let's get right into the fun times!
LF: First up, we have the Hardest Shot competition. Competitors will get two attempts each and only the best will count. One point will go to the team with the winning player and one point will go to the overall winning team.
 
Your competitors for the Hardest Shot are:
John Jameson (Prague) @Frank-- 97 ST, 89 SC, 6'3 215
Wann Kerr (London) @VattghernCZ -- 99 ST, 88 SC, 5'9 189
Todd Cooke (Los Angeles) @KRZY-- 99 ST, 89 SC, 6'6 190
Jimi Jaks (Toronto) @ke1vi -- 99 ST, 90 SC, 6'0 190
 
ATTEMPT 1:
John Jameson 96.4 MPH / Wann Kerr 97.2 MPH
Todd Cooke 99.7 MPH / Jimi Jaks 81.4 MPH
 
DC: Well, Landon, three pretty good efforts there and then it looked like Jimi Jaks didn't get much on their attempt, but fortunately, they will all get another crack at it.
LF: Todd Cooke is probably the favourite in this event and got a pretty good blast off there! They'll be tough to beat. They're so strong and that 6'6 frame can really get a lot of leverage to rip a puck. Let's see what happens.
 
ATTEMPT 2:
John Jameson 98.5 MPH / Wann Kerr 95.4 MPH
Todd Cooke 100.1 MPH / Jimi Jaks 99.2 MPH
FINAL RESULTS:
John Jameson 98.5 MPH / Wann Kerr 97.2 MPH / EU Total: 195.7 MPH
Todd Cooke 100.1 MPH / Jimi Jaks 99.2 MPH / NA Total: 199.3 MPH
 
DC: You called it Landon - Todd Cooke comes through and even gives us a triple-digit blast. And his teammate Jimi Jaks is going to come in second here after a much better shot! That puts the North American Conference up 2-0 after the first event.
 
Next up, we've got the Accuracy Shooting competition! Players will shoot until they hit all 4 targets. One point will go to the team with the winning player and one point to the overall winning team.
 
Your competitors for Accuracy Shooting are:
Molly the Cat (London) @JCarson -- 92 SC, 91 WS
Nikolas Kauppi (Prague) @Tetricide -- 88 SC, 90 WS
EU Conference Passer: Babay Shrimp (Riga) @Blazzer (91 PA)

Jason (DC) @Jason kranz -- 90 SC, 91 WS
Napoleon Dynamite (Los Angeles) @thadthrasher -- 88 SC, 93 WS)
NA Conference Passer: Randy Bobandy (Calgary) @AJW (89 PA)
 
RESULTS:
Molly the Cat: 4 for 4, 9.1 seconds
Nikolas Kauppi: 4 for 6, 15.5 seconds
EU Total: 8 for 10, 24.6 seconds
 
Jason: 4 for 5, 13.2 seconds
Napoleon Dynamite: 4 for 6, 14.2 seconds
NA Total: 8 for 11, 27.4 seconds
 
LF: Molly the Cat shows off the quick release on their wrist shot AND their deadly accuracy with a very impressive 4 for 4, and in just 9.1 seconds - a fantastic performance!
DC: The EU ties up the Skills Comp as they grab the team point for this one, too. It was a good performance by Jason here but this one shot here, their fourth attempt, just barely misses the target and rings the iron.
LF: It keeps things interesting though! 2-2 after two events. There are a lot of young fans in here right now having a great time, meeting the players and getting a competitive event. That's what it's all about!
DC: Well, now we shift our attention to the Fastest Skater competition! This one's a real fan favourite. Each player will get two attempts with only their best lap counting. As with the other events, one point goes to the team with the winning player and one to the overall winning team.
 
Let's meet the competitors for the Fastest Skater:
Jacob Stone (Malmo) @scoop-- 92 SK, 6'6 222
Daryl Dixon (Helsinki) @Ricer13 -- 90 SK, 5'10 170
Liv Slater (Vancouver) @Subject056 -- 88 SK, 5'9 148
The Frenchman (DC) @OrbitingDeath -- 90 SK, 5'11 170
 
ATTEMPT 1:
Jacob Stone: 17.206 seconds / Daryl Dixon: 14.069 seconds
Liv Slater: 14.401 seconds / The Frenchman: 15.209 seconds
 
DC: Jacob Stone might be the guy with the best top-end speed here but had some trouble with one of the corners and couldn't get it back together. Daryl Dixon had a lightning-quick lap with a real competitive time and it looked like The Frenchman just didn't get up to speed in time, they're capable of better, but let's see how this second run goes!
 
ATTEMPT 2:
Jacob Stone: 14.854 seconds / Daryl Dixon: 14.312 seconds
Liv Slater: 14.188 seconds / The Frenchman: 14.552 seconds
FINAL RESULTS:
Jacob Stone: 14.854 seconds / Daryl Dixon: 14.069 seconds / EU Total: 28.923 seconds
Liv Slater: 14.188 seconds / The Frenchman: 14.552 seconds / NA Total: 28.740 seconds
 
LF: Well, that was exciting! All four players really flew around the rink on that one. Three of them improved on their times.
DC: But ultimately nobody touches Daryl Dixon's first lap here! 14.069 is an excellent time. Liv Slater gave it a really good run, their acceleration and agility was clearly on display. The team score is very close here but it looks like the NA will take that point, countering the point Dixon gets for the EU.
LF: So we have a 3-3 tie! But now we get to the real good part...
DC: It's time for the Shootout competition! Each player will take two shootout attempts on the opposing netminder. One point is awarded for each goal scored!
 
Let's meet the players:
AK92 Wit da Hoodie (Riga) @hedgehog337 -- 94 PH, 78 PS
Left Alone (Moscow) @okochastar -- 90 PH, 80 PS
Alfred Champagne (Warsaw) @Anthique -- 88 PH, 78 PS
EU Goaltender: Fuukka Rask (Helsinki) @Jubis -- 64 PS
 
Skor McFleury (Calgary) @Alex -- 94 PH, 78 PS
Severus Targaryen (Seattle) @Banackock -- 85 PH, 74 PS
Mac Atlas (Toronto) @v.2  -- 92 PH, 80 PS
NA Goaltender: Art Vandelay (Los Angeles) @Gustav  -- 55 PS
 
DC: Coming in for their first attempt it's the VHL's current leading scorer, AK92 Wit da Hoodie.
LF: 30 goals and 62 points in 39 games so far this year, those are stunning numbers. You know they can put the puck in the net.
DC: A lovely little forehand-backhand move there and Vandelay is caught out of position! Chalk up a goal for the EU there!
And trying to match that now will be Skor McFleury of the Calgary Wranglers. McFleury comes in with speed and a flurry of moves!
LF: I see what you did there.
DC: He puts it past Rask and our score is now 4-4! Back to the EU Conference's turn, it's Left Alone. He skates in, toe drag, a great little move but Vandelay stones him! An excellent blocker save from Vandelay!
LF: So the North American Conference will have a chance to take the lead here. Severus Targaryen, second-year pro from the Seattle Bears will take the shot.
DC: It looks like he bobbles the puck here a bit picking it up but makes a nice recovery, walks in, takes the puck to the backhand but puts it wide.
LF: Rask gave him no room there, he tracked the puck really well all the way across. Targaryen was looking for whatever little space was there but there wasn't any.
DC: Alfred Champagne, the Warsaw representative here, will get a chance now. He skates in, fires a quick shot but it looks like Vandelay was ready for that one all the way.
Now we have Mac Atlas to take the shot. He's got Rask on his heels as he comes in fast, takes a shot and oh my! He scores! That shot couldn't have been placed any better.
LF: No chance for the goalie there, that's why Atlas has back-to-back 40-goal seasons.
DC: North America has a 5-4 lead here. We'll go in reverse order for the second try, so it's right back to Atlas. He's got the moves this time! Takes it out wide, comes back in, backhand-forehand-backhand and a lovely finish - that's two magnificent goals from Atlas. That one's really got the crowd going.
LF: And North America has a 6-4 edge. Champagne is back out to try to narrow the gap.
DC: Ohhhh and he wires it off the crossbar! A more promising effort than the first one but Champagne can't quite bulge the twine. It's a chance for the North American team to take a stranglehold here and Targaryen comes back out.
Targaryen comes in quick and - oh! Would you look at that, he tries to go between the legs and that would've been something magical but Rask wasn't fooled.
LF: A good job by Rask of staying in position with the fancy move happening right in front of him.
DC: Left Alone, driving out wide to the left side of the ice and now he slows it down as he cuts back in, fires and scores!
LF: Alone catches Vandelay here by changing the angle and beats him low blocker with a well-placed wrister. The lead is back down to one, it's 6-5 for North America.
DC: Skor McFleury coming back in here. Flying out wide, now cutting all the way back across the circles and he slides the puck through Rask!
LF: McFleury is so smooth out there, not hard to tell why he's one of the best defensemen in the league. He probably would've had a chance in the Fastest Skater and he put that speed to good use there, really put Rask in a bad spot.
DC: AK92 Wit da Hoodie is hoping to keep the lead at one before we get into the Breakaway Relay. He pulls up at the dots and tries a slapshot! And it works! Oh, the fans love that. He caught Vandelay off guard by going for the slapper there.
LF: And it was a heck of a shot, too! What a rocket.
DC: So with that, we have a 7-6 score in the skills comp. And we've got one final event to decide it all! It's the 3-on-0 Breakaway Relay. Teams of 2 forwards and 1 defenseman will take three 3-on-0 attempts against the opposing netminder, with one point awarded for each goal scored.
 
Here are the Breakaway Relay lineups!
Yaroslav Bogatyrev (Malmo) @Bojovnik-- 85 SK, 87 PH, 69 PA, 89 SC
Leonard Triller (London) @Triller-- 91 SK, 94 PH, 94 PA, 83 SC
Pierre Emile Bouchard (Helsinki) @Gaikoku-hito -- 84 SK, 91 PH, 85 PA, 87 SC
EU Goaltender: Lachlan Summers (Davos) @kirbithan
 
Francesco Mancini (New York) @GioSivo -- 87 SK, 86 PH, 91 PA, 86 SC
Yaroslav Trunov (Chicago) @qripll -- 80 SK, 88 PH, 67 PA, 85 SC
Mark Calaway (DC) @Beketov -- 87 SK, 90 PH, 68 PA, 90 SC
NA Goaltender: Merome Dilson (Calgary) @MexicanCow123
 
DC: And here we go! Triller picks the puck up at centre for Europe and he comes in fast! Pass to Bouchard, who one-touches it back to Triller, and oh my! He pulls Dilson out of position beautifully and sends a magnificant feed to Bogatyrev. That's a tap-in for Big Boga and our skills comp is tied.
LF: Triller led the league in assists last year and he's one of the most crafty players in a league where shooters get a lot of the attention. That right there is what a great playmaker can do!
DC: Mark Calaway moves the puck ahead to Trunov here and the NA team is in on Lachlan Summers. Trunov passes off to Mancini, he throws it back to Calaway who fakes a shot, passes back to Trunov, but the pass is a bit off and bounces away from Trunov, an unfortunate break there.
It looks like the EU is sticking with what's working as Triller picks the puck up with speed and flies over the line. Throws on the breaks and gives the puck to Bogatyrev, he sends it back to Bouchard and Bouchard rips the shot home! Suddenly, Europe has taken the lead!
LF: Nothing like a good back-and-forth competition!
DC: This time Mancini will run the play for North America. He fakes a shot and passes to Trunov who hesitates, drops it back for Calaway and he lets a rocket go! It's off the post and into the back of the net!
LF: Calaway is one of those guys with a great shot from the back end and he shows it off there. No defending that one!
DC: So, the teams are tied and we have one attempt each left.
LF: Oh, the drama! You know, it's just a skills competition but these guys are competitors. They don't want to lose, especially when it gets to the end and it's this close.
DC: Triller with a little razzle-dazzle as he puts on a spin move as he picks the puck up! He passes it to Bouchard, to Bogatyrev, back to Bouchard and back to Triller for the finish! Brilliant passing and the European Conference goes up 9-8!
LF: That right there is why a 3-on-0 is a goalie's worst nightmare. There's nothing Dilson can do about that. I talked about that Calaway shot earlier being impossible to defend, but this play here is just another level entirely.
DC: It's a must-score situation for the NA trio and Trunov picks the puck up. He runs a little give-and-go with Calaway, moves it over to Mancini. Mancini tries a move and OH NO! He lifts it just a shade over the net! Mancini had Summers beat but gets a bit too much on it.
LF: That was an excellent move and Summers here goes for the poke check, Mancini just gets around him, this probably should be a goal but he just got a little too excited there and skies it! What a finish.
DC: That's a tough one for Mancini, but at the end of the day, this event was for the fans and hey, they got their money's worth! A dazzling display of skills from the VHL's most talented players and a thrilling scoreline overall. Congrats to Team Europe for ultimately grabbing the 9-8 win - we hope you enjoyed the show!
 
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2484 words so claiming for the next 4 weeks

VHL All-Star Selection Idea
 

 
Location
 
To start us off, we'd have to find a place to hold this years all-star game, and what better place than to hold it in Los Angeles! The Stars currently hold the best record in the league, at 29-7-2, making them the host for the upcoming all-star game. I feel like if there were to be an event, the top seeded team in the entire league would always host the event, so this year it would be the stars. If there were a tiebreaker between the top seeded teams at the time decided for the location, you could just go based off of the usual tiebreaker rules to figure out who would be the host. 
 
Format
 
Now, to get into the format. We would basically have the NA Conference vs the EU Conference, as that's the easiest way to divide up the teams in my eyes. Each roster would have 6 forwards, 4 defenseman, and 2 goalies. You would end up playing two games, one with each goalie so that the goalies both get to play in a game. The way rosters would be decided is each team sends a single player at 1st, which would then be 8 skaters for each conference. That would then leave 4 extra players for each conference, where I believe the top 2 seeded teams in each conference should get a 2nd player. This would then make it so each roster now has 10 players out of the required 12, so in this instance, the Los Angeles Stars and Calgary Wranglers get two players instead of one, same with the Malmo Nighthawks and Moscow Menace. The remaining 2 players for each conference would be decided on a fan vote, where the fans would elect who they would want to send to the all-star game. Again, it would cap out at 6 forwards, 4 defenseman, and 2 goalies, so you couldn't send for example 3 goalies or 7 forwards to make the roster ineligible. I feel like this is a great way to reward the top teams, as they get to send another player, while on top of that the community gets to feel involved as they get to send their favorite player potentially to the all-star game.
 
Selections
 
Now the best part, the selections. I will actually try my best to come up with some sort of mock all-star game rosters, but again, at this point, some teams have 39 games played while others have 40. For the fan vote, I'll just throw in whoever I would end up voting for. Without further adieu, lets get underway:
 
NA Conference All-Star Selections
 

 
C - Todd Cooke - 28G 25A 53P +22 - 39GP - @KRZY
 
Todd Cooke is having an impressive season, having easily over a point-per-game for the best team in the league. A superstar centerman for Los Angeles and a big part of why they're winning, it would be an obvious choice to send Cooke to the all-star game. They are 5th in points and 2nd in goals, a great shooter than can leave the fans stunned, it would be a fantastic addition to Team NA.
 
LW - Larry Abass Jr - 12G 32A 44P +26 - 39GP - @RileyL
 
The second player I decided to go with is Larry Abass Jr. They are currently second on their team in points only behind Todd Cooke and seem to the playmaker for Todd Cooke. They have 32 assists and the best +/- on the team, with an impressive 124 hits. Abass Jr seems to be a physical playmaker that goes into the corners to help dig the puck out, to only then find Cooke for the finish. A great all around addition for Team NA at the end of the day.
 

 
G - Merome Dilson - 25-10-4 .937 2.14, 5 shutouts - 39GP - @MexicanCow123
 
Merome Dilson is one of the top goaltenders in the entire league, not just NA. They've helped turn Calgary around, as last season was not the best season for Calgary fans. An impressive goaltender who is having a career high and doesn't seem to be stopping would be a huge addition between the pipes for Team NA.
 
 D - Skor McFleury - 12G 27A 39P +16 - 40GP - @Alex
 
As both Calgary and Los Angeles get a second player, adding a solid defenseman in Skor McFleury is a no brainer. They currently are almost a point-per-game for Calgary and are 7th in scoring this season. An impressive skater with an accurate shot and just an all-around complete player will help solidify the blue line for Team NA.
 

 
C - The Frenchman - 16G 40A 56P +12 - 39GP - @OrbitingDeath
 
The Frenchman is almost a perfect no-brainer. They're an elite playmaker who can set up any goal scorer in the league, with the most assists in the league. They would fit perfectly with Todd Cooke, who can fire the puck from almost anywhere and find a way to score. A dynamic duo would get huge for Team NA and these two might just be it.
 

 
G - WWWWWWW (not typing whole name) - 18-17-4 .940 1.91, 2 shutouts - 39GP - @rory
 
The second goalie on this list is Rory's player. WWWWWWW has had an absolute crazy season, where he's single handedly helping the New York Americans get to a playoff spot. This guy is literally like prime Hasek, trying to carry his team to the playoffs, and he easily deserves a spot on Team NA.
 

 
D - Bobby Bob - 7G 27A 34P -1 - 40GP - @Baby Boomer
 
This is when things are going to get a little hard to decide players, but I decided with Bobby Bob. Toronto has been struggling this season, and it's either between Jimi Jaks or Bobby Bob to make the team, but I went with Bobby Bob. Currently, the team already has two good centers, and they need another defenseman to help round out the first pairing, so I decided to go with Bobby Bob. He is quietly having a good season with Jimi Jaks, where they're really the only players getting anything done on the team at the moment.
 

 
RW - Yaroslav Trunov - 24G 32A 56P +5 - 39GP - @qripll
 
Just like WWWWWWW, this one is a no brainer. Trunov has been having an exceptional season for the Phoenix, finding himself tied for 2nd in points, only behind AK92 Wit Da Hoodie. He is an elite player all around and having him apart of the roster would be huge for Team NA. It seems that every season Chicago has one player that just decides to have an MVP-like season, and Trunov was the player this year.
 

 
D - Liv Slater - 18G 22A 40P -22 - 39GP - @Subject056
 
Our third defenseman on our list, I believe Slater would be the choice for Vancouver. Slater is over a point-per-game on a rebuilding Vancouver roster that is struggling this season, but was expected. Despite the -22, they're a young defenseman who can be very solid on that second pairing, including 116 hits and 111 shot blocks. They might be able to bring that grit and physicality to Team NA for the all-star game.
 

 
C - Severus Targaryen - 23G 27A 50P -12 - @Banackock
 
Our last player to make the team before the "fan vote" would commence would be Severus Targaryen. There really isn't much to say about Seattle, as they're going through a rebuild, but it's fairly obvious that Targaryen is their best player, and is carrying them. The youngest player to this point added to the roster and they would get some great experience playing with and against the best players in the league. A potential future all-star in the making. Targaryen would be a great add for Team NAs forward depth.
 
Team NA "fan vote" extras
 
Normally, this is where the fans would vote for players, but for reasons, obviously the fans aren't "voting" here, so I'll be filling out the roster with who I think deserves the remaining spots.
 

 
D - Mark Calaway - 14G 29A 43P +17 - 39GP - @Beketov
 
The first player to get in would be Mark Calaway in my eyes. On multiple other teams, he would easily be the first choice, however, the Frenchman is currently overshadowing him and his fantastic season. Regardless, Calaway is one of the best defenseman in NA and is having a career year. It seems D.C. finally has a dynamic duo in Calaway and the Frenchman going this season, and they could finally be a contender for the playoffs. A great addition to help round out the D core and an easy choice.
 

 
C - Jimi Jaks - 18G 24A 42P +10 - 40GP - @ke1vi
 
A potential questionable addition in the last spot over the likes of Vincent Laroche-Gagnier, who is having a much better season. However, I'm going for Jimi Jaks as he's having an exceptional season on a team that is struggling all over the place. Not only is he a +10 on a team that is below .500, he is over a point per game, where the rest of his team is struggling to meet that mark. I feel like on a better team, Jimi Jaks would have much better stats, but I decided to slide him in as the last forward for Team NA.
 
EU Conference All-Star Selections
 

 
D - Jacob Stone  - 14G 32A 46P +7 - 40GP - @scoop
 
The first selection for the EU Team would be Jacob Stone. An obvious selection from Malmo, as they've been the best defenseman in the league up to this point, and a huge part of Malmo's success this season. Malmo's D core is exceptional this season and easily the best in the league, where his partner Reese McFleury might be joining him on this list as well. A great defenseman with passing ability and an all-around complete game would be a huge addition for Team EU as they'll look to have a strong first pairing.
 
D - Reese McFleury - 12G 31A 43P +22 - 40GP - @Spaz
 
Another obvious addition as we'll just be taking the first pairing from Malmo to be a pairing on Team EU. Just like Jacob Stone, they're basically an exact carbon copy of Stone, just slightly worse. However, that doesn't mean he isn't capable of being one of the best defenseman in the league, including his +22, which is very good for a defenseman at this point in the season. The D lineup for Team EU is already looking very strong and having two players that have played together on a team is great chemistry wise.
 

 
C - Axle Gunner - 18G 30A 48P -3 - 40GP - @Steve
 
For Moscow, we'll be sending a pair of forwards to join Team EU, with Axle Gunner being the first one. Gunner is the playmaker for Moscow, having 30 assists on the season and having over a point-per-game. Moscow has heavily overperformed this season, as not many people imagined them doing this well, but there's no complaints coming from Moscow, that's for sure. Gunner will be a fantastic addition as a young centerman who just like Targaryen, can gain some extra experience from the all-star game.
 
LW - Left Alone - 23G 25A 48P -8 - 40GP - @okochastar
 
As for the second player coming from Moscow, we'll be going with his partner, Left Alone. Left Alone seems to be the goal scorer for this team, as they lead the team in goals with 23 on the season. They also can pass the puck, with 25 assists, so they seem to be able to do it all. The only thing they really lack is physicality, but they have great discipline, only taking a single penalty on the season. Another duo that will be joining Team EU as their chemistry is already looking better than Team NA.
 

 
RW - Leonard Triller - 23G 32A 55P +18 - 39GP - @Triller
 
Leonard Triller is an easy addition to the forward core, as they are currently 4th in the league in points, with great stats all around. London quietly has been a very good team this season, and Triller is a big part of it with the season they are having. Just an all-around complete player will be joining Team EU and they are looking deadly across the board so far.
 

 
C - Daryl Dixon - 22G 29A 51P +9 - 40GP - @Ricer13
 
Dixon is currently on pace for another great season, trying to follow up his career high last season of 93 points. Regardless, Dixon is the heart of the Helsinki offense, where they seem to be involved in everything offensively. The next closest forward on the team in points is Grimgor Ironhide with 39, as he already has a 11 point lead on his forward group. Regardless, Dixon is a great add to Team EU as they look to stack their team even more.
 

 
C - John Jameson - 20G 31A 51P +19 - 40GP - @Frank
 
The more and more we go down the list, the more and more you realize that EU is stacked with talent. Jameson is an amazing forward who like the rest on this list, are just a complete player showing no holes. All these players unlike with Team NA can fit into any scenario and thrive, which I feel like is very important for an all-star game event. The only downside for Jameson could be the fact that he somehow has 144 penalty minutes, so this guy is going to go out there and probably drop the gloves at the event.
 

 
LW - AK92 Wit da Hoodie - 30G 32A 62P +7 - 39GP - @hedgehog337
 
A current front runner for multiple awards is AK92 Wit da Hoodie, Team EUs best player. Riga this season has been alright, but they probably would've liked to have a better season, but regardless, AK92 is steamrolling the competition. Only 39 games in, he's 10 points away from being a point-per-game, and also has a 6 point lead on the 2nd place in points. An obvious add and someone who is head and shoulders above everyone else will be a difficult task for Team NA to handle.
 

 
D - Rex Wolffe Gregor - 13G 23A 36P -14 - 40GP - @oilmandan
 
Maybe not the most ideal defenseman on the list, but a defenseman who is just below a point-per-game is still a solid add for Team EU. They currently have a strong first pairing who can play top minutes, so a bit of a weaker D core isn't the end of the world, especially since their forward core is stacked. Gregor has been having a decent season for Warsaw who has struggled offensively, being second on the team in points as a defenseman. Nevertheless, a solid add for Team EU on the backend.
 

 
D - David Jokinen - 15G 24A 39P -14 - 40GP - @Ahma
 
There's really not much to say for Davos, as they are tanking for first overall to most likely pick @CowboyinAmerica. Jokinen has been having a great season on a team that sucks, so they for sure deserve a spot in the all-star game.
 
Team EU "fan vote" extras
 

 
G - Matt Murdock - 15-14-3 .935 2.17, 2 shutouts - 32GP - @Acydburn
 
The first goaltender on this list, we'll be going with Matt Murdock. Murdock has been having a great season for Prague, dropping a .935 and a 2.17, impressive numbers for a goaltender. They are looking to have a career high this season currently, as their highest sv% in previous years was a .931 in S87 with Moscow. A great add for Team EU as they'll need solid goaltending.
 

 
G - Fuuka Rask - 17-13-6 .933 2.31, 1 shutout - 37GP - @Jubis
 
Another very solid goaltender and the second on the list is Fuuka Rask. Just like Murdock, Rask has been having a great season and is looking to have a career year, where his previous best was a .925 sv% last season with Helsinki. Both these goalies are having career years and it would make sense to have them on the team to help backstop the crease for Team EU.
 
Final Rosters:
 
Team North America:
 
C - Todd Cooke
LW - Larry Abass Jr
 C - The Frenchman
 RW - Yaroslav Trunov
 C - Severus Targaryen
 C - Jimi Jaks
 
 D - Skor McFleury
 D - Bobby Bob
 D - Liv Slater
 D - Mark Calaway
 
 G - Merome Dilson
 G - WWWWWWW
 
Team Europe:
 
C - Axle Gunner
LW - Left Alone
 RW - Leonard Triller
 C - Daryl Dixon
 C - John Jameson
 LW - AK92 Wit da Hoodie
 
D - Jacob Stone
D - Reese McFleury
 D - Rex Wolffe Gregor
 D - David Jokinen
 
 G - Matt Murdock
 G - Fuuka Rask
 
Conclusion
 
Well that rounds up the article! This took a while to make, but pretty happy with the result and the theme week as it's always fun to write a huge article. Do you guys like the format for choosing the teams? Who would you vote in if you had the choice for EU or NA as the final two? Regardless, was a bunch of fun to write and had a blast doing so.
 
2000+ words, around 2500 without duplicate names

Philly Reapers Press Conference week ending Feb 4 2023
 
1. Why do you think @Ricer13 decided to ditch us for less green pastures?
 
2. What is your favorite hybrid attribute?
 
3. Allstar week is upon us… Who do you think should be Phillys Allstar?
 
4. How much love does a Lovstrom Love if a Lovstrom could love?
 
5. What is your go-to breakfast?
 
6. What are your predictions for Philly the following season?