Gwdjohnson

(X2 Theme Week Bonus)
 
With the remarkable performances of the Minnesota Storm this season, many players have stood out in their remarkable group of players. No player has stood out more this season than Swiss winger Gabriel Gutzwiler, who in his second season in the VHLM has been incredibly impressive, and although it is early to tell, he could make a very strong case for the VHL Hall of Fame with how his career trajectory has gone.
 
Swiss Players in the Hall of Fame
 
I figured it would be interesting to look at prior Swiss players that made the Hall of Fame, since it is a rather obscure nationality in hockey. I could potentially be wrong, but I could count six players from Switzerland that made it into the Hall of Fame. Here they are:
 
(S1) Matthew Pogge - G (Inducted in S5)
Career Statistics
Regular Season: 276GP / 181-65-23 / 2.48GAA / .908SV% / 17SO
Playoffs: 32GP / 17-13-2 / 2.76GAA / .909SV% / 2SO
 
Pogge, the first player inducted into the HOF, is one of two goalies part of the Swiss inductees. He was fantastic in his short career, posting an astounding win record.
 
(S1) Scott Boulet - LW (Inducted in S7)
Career Statistics
Regular Season: 432 GP / 349G / 388A / 737P / +401 / 1329PIM / 772H / 3059S / 174SB / 55GWG
Playoffs: 50GP / 29G / 39A / 68P / +10 / 147PIM / 117H / 347S / 30SB / 6GWG
 
The first Swiss skater inducted into the Hall of Fame, Boulet had an incredible scoring pace, scoring 1.7 points per game over the course of his career playing for Calgary.
 
(S5) Branden Snelheid - RW (Inducted in S19)
Career Statistics (Incomplete)
432 GP / 300-361-661 / +293 / 199 PIM / 75 PPG
 
Snelheid, a two-time champion, was another winger inducted, played only 6 seasons, just like Boulet, but was likewise a major impact player deservedly enshrined in league history.
 
(S11) Leander Kaelin - RW (Inducted in S23)
Career Statistics
Regular Season: 427GP / 249G / 304A / 553P / +89 / 627PIM / 1215H / 2605SH / 37GWG
Playoffs: 29GP / 11G / 19A / 30P / +4 / 70PIM / 89H / 146SH / 2GWG
 
Kaelin made his name for being very offensively gifted while also mixing in a bruiser mentality to his elite game, laying out over 1000 hits in his relatively short career.
 
(S13) Alexander Sauve - D (Inducted in S34)
Career Statistics
Regular Season: 506GP / 190G / 417A / 607P / +124 / 886PIM / 1080H / 991SB / 1952SH / 31GWG
Playoffs: 47GP / 11G / 32A / 43P / -2 / 95PIM / 98H / 119SB / 136SH / 2GWG
 
Sauve was brilliant as an offensive defenceman, and at first glance his offensive numbers make it hard to tell that he even was a defenceman. His trophy cabinet has 13 pieces of silverware.
 
(S45) Sandro Clegane - G (Inducted in S54)
Career Statistics
Regular Season:447GP | 279W - 137L - 31OTL | 0.923 SV% | 2.04 GAA | 74 SO
Playoffs:68GP | 34W - 26L - 8OTL | 0.928 SV% | 2.33 GAA | 7 SO
 
The final of the Swiss group, Clegane put up incredible numbers as the second Swiss goalie inducted into the hall. He has 3 awards for top goaltender, a Continental Cup, and even an MVP award to his name.
 
Back to Gabriel Gutzwiler

Obviously these players don't have VHLM stats associated to them, so its hard to weigh up the start of Gutzwiler's career with his fellow countrymen, but with how his career has started folks back in Switzerland will certainly be starting to think that he, along with his likewise impressive brother Leon, could be the next big thing to hit the ice out of their nation. Gabriel Gutzwiler has an incredible 57 goals and 125 points in 67 games this season, making him likely to top 130 points. This follows a fantastic rookie season that he had with Halifax, too, where despite coming into a middle of the pack team all the way from across the ocean, he managed to top point-per-game by getting 73 points in 72 games. With first-place Minnesota looking like an odds-on cup favourite at the moment, adding a trophy to his repertoire would definitely strengthen Gabriel's HOF case. It has also been rumored that despite his remarkable season with Minnesota, New York are likely to keep Gabriel and his brother down another season with the Storm, giving him even further chance to establish a juniors legacy before seeing if he can carve out a career to put himself amongst the greats in the VHL.
 
It is obviously too early to say, and time will only tell if Gabriel Gutzwiler has the talent to join the likes of Pogge, Boulet, Snelheid, Kaelin, Sauve and Clegane to become the seventh Swiss player to be recognized amongst the greats of history, but you could definitely say as far as his juniors career has gone, its so far so good.
 
@DaftRaincloud
 
(760 words, just under 650 if you remove the copy pasted stats for the Hall of Fame players)

(X2 Theme Week Bonus)
 
With the remarkable performances of the Minnesota Storm this season, many players have stood out in their remarkable group of players. No player has stood out more this season than Swiss winger Gabriel Gutzwiler, who in his second season in the VHLM has been incredibly impressive, and although it is early to tell, he could make a very strong case for the VHL Hall of Fame with how his career trajectory has gone.
 
Swiss Players in the Hall of Fame
 
I figured it would be interesting to look at prior Swiss players that made the Hall of Fame, since it is a rather obscure nationality in hockey. I could potentially be wrong, but I could count six players from Switzerland that made it into the Hall of Fame. Here they are:
 
(S1) Matthew Pogge - G (Inducted in S5)
Career Statistics
Regular Season: 276GP / 181-65-23 / 2.48GAA / .908SV% / 17SO
Playoffs: 32GP / 17-13-2 / 2.76GAA / .909SV% / 2SO
 
Pogge, the first player inducted into the HOF, is one of two goalies part of the Swiss inductees. He was fantastic in his short career, posting an astounding win record.
 
(S1) Scott Boulet - LW (Inducted in S7)
Career Statistics
Regular Season: 432 GP / 349G / 388A / 737P / +401 / 1329PIM / 772H / 3059S / 174SB / 55GWG
Playoffs: 50GP / 29G / 39A / 68P / +10 / 147PIM / 117H / 347S / 30SB / 6GWG
 
The first Swiss skater inducted into the Hall of Fame, Boulet had an incredible scoring pace, scoring 1.7 points per game over the course of his career playing for Calgary.
 
(S5) Branden Snelheid - RW (Inducted in S19)
Career Statistics (Incomplete)
432 GP / 300-361-661 / +293 / 199 PIM / 75 PPG
 
Snelheid, a two-time champion, was another winger inducted, played only 6 seasons, just like Boulet, but was likewise a major impact player deservedly enshrined in league history.
 
(S11) Leander Kaelin - RW (Inducted in S23)
Career Statistics
Regular Season: 427GP / 249G / 304A / 553P / +89 / 627PIM / 1215H / 2605SH / 37GWG
Playoffs: 29GP / 11G / 19A / 30P / +4 / 70PIM / 89H / 146SH / 2GWG
 
Kaelin made his name for being very offensively gifted while also mixing in a bruiser mentality to his elite game, laying out over 1000 hits in his relatively short career.
 
(S13) Alexander Sauve - D (Inducted in S34)
Career Statistics
Regular Season: 506GP / 190G / 417A / 607P / +124 / 886PIM / 1080H / 991SB / 1952SH / 31GWG
Playoffs: 47GP / 11G / 32A / 43P / -2 / 95PIM / 98H / 119SB / 136SH / 2GWG
 
Sauve was brilliant as an offensive defenceman, and at first glance his offensive numbers make it hard to tell that he even was a defenceman. His trophy cabinet has 13 pieces of silverware.
 
(S45) Sandro Clegane - G (Inducted in S54)
Career Statistics
Regular Season:447GP | 279W - 137L - 31OTL | 0.923 SV% | 2.04 GAA | 74 SO
Playoffs:68GP | 34W - 26L - 8OTL | 0.928 SV% | 2.33 GAA | 7 SO
 
The final of the Swiss group, Clegane put up incredible numbers as the second Swiss goalie inducted into the hall. He has 3 awards for top goaltender, a Continental Cup, and even an MVP award to his name.
 
Back to Gabriel Gutzwiler

Obviously these players don't have VHLM stats associated to them, so its hard to weigh up the start of Gutzwiler's career with his fellow countrymen, but with how his career has started folks back in Switzerland will certainly be starting to think that he, along with his likewise impressive brother Leon, could be the next big thing to hit the ice out of their nation. Gabriel Gutzwiler has an incredible 57 goals and 125 points in 67 games this season, making him likely to top 130 points. This follows a fantastic rookie season that he had with Halifax, too, where despite coming into a middle of the pack team all the way from across the ocean, he managed to top point-per-game by getting 73 points in 72 games. With first-place Minnesota looking like an odds-on cup favourite at the moment, adding a trophy to his repertoire would definitely strengthen Gabriel's HOF case. It has also been rumored that despite his remarkable season with Minnesota, New York are likely to keep Gabriel and his brother down another season with the Storm, giving him even further chance to establish a juniors legacy before seeing if he can carve out a career to put himself amongst the greats in the VHL.
 
It is obviously too early to say, and time will only tell if Gabriel Gutzwiler has the talent to join the likes of Pogge, Boulet, Snelheid, Kaelin, Sauve and Clegane to become the seventh Swiss player to be recognized amongst the greats of history, but you could definitely say as far as his juniors career has gone, its so far so good.
 
@DaftRaincloud
 
(760 words, just under 650 if you remove the copy pasted stats for the Hall of Fame players)

Uh ohhhhhh ? 
 
I'll make sure to talk smack when the NLD rolls around

1. Gotta be Harry Kane (Soccer, Tottenham Hotspur). Total professional who gives his all every game for Spurs and has changed the team since coming up from the academy.
2. I'm 5'11, so I guess I can't complain about my height too much. I guess I could've had another inch or two just so I can hit the 6'+ mark? Oh well.
5. Great! Playing for a team so dominant is awesome, I'm just excited for what the playoffs are gonna bring, considering we've gotta be the favourites for the cup.
6. Gotta be
   1. The Boys in Minny
   2. San Diego
   3. Ottawa
All 3 are dominating this season, but San Diego has really turned it up a level and should be able to see out second place, behind us of course
7. Roque Davis or Kyl Offerson on San Diego have been incredible so they're probably the easy MVP choices. Hopefully Gabriel Gutzwiler @daftraincloud can catch them with a strong finish though!
8. Easily a toque. It's so cold here in Quebec right now I almost need to wear one in the house...

Pretty sad the way the team was made available. Never something I thought would happen. Or maybe just never something I wanted to happen. But with our growing community, at some point it's inevitable that we're faced with some tragedies.
 
That being said, I'm throwing my name in the hat. Hoping to be able to follow in the steps that Peace and Beck paved in the last couple of seasons. Big shoes to fill, for sure. 

1. My heart says no we will never lose another game, but my brain says the moment I start believing we will never lose again we will, in fact, lose again...I'm gonna say yes we will lose again to play it safe.
2. Gotta be Ottawa. Teams can go on good runs, but the Lynx have been our scariest competitor this season and should be considered our main threat still.
3. I mean, never say never! It's pretty statistically unlikely that the lower down teams make a run, but with Halifax last season we pulled a series upset, and all it takes is that plus some more luck to make a unlikely Cinderella run.
5. Definitely the injury and cup. I know this is a cliche answer to give, but once you hit the playoffs the cup is all that matters. I do care about having a good regular season, but it doesn't really matter compared to getting a ring in the end.
7. Since I'm a Quebecer, probably something stereotypically French-Canadian like Pierre-Marc Dupuis. Just any typical two French-Canadian first names followed by a basic last name.
8. Goldfish for sure. Same cheesy goodness that you get from Cheezits, but way less messy. The cleanliness factor is probably what puts goldfish over the line for me though because I would say I like the taste of Cheezits more.

2/9-2/16
 
Answer 6 questions to claim 2 TPE
 
Top of the league baby! Just by a point. Will we ever lose again?
The San Diego Marlins are currently on a 6 game win streak. More worried about them or Ottawa?
Outside of the top 5 teams, do you think any of the bottom 6 have a chance to upset a cup victory?
What do you think is the best kind of pasta sauce?
Would you rather take a season ending injury (the rest of your career is unaffected) and we win the cup, or we go out in the finals but you win regular season MVP?
Out of the rest of players in the league (not on Minnesota) who do you wish was on our team?
If you could make a new player right now, what would be their name?
Cheezits or Goldfish?

It was a weird off-season for the Gutzwiler brothers, especially for Leon Gutzwiler, who had to deal with being traded for the second time in two seasons, having been dealt in a deal involving his brother Gabriel to the Minnesota Storm from the Halifax 21st. The adjustment Leon has had to make has been quite overwhelming, considering the traveling he has had to do in the short amount of time he has been in North America. First, he had to move from his home nation Switzerland all the way to Las Vegas to join the Las Vegas Aces following the VHLM Draft, which in itself is a stupidly long trip. Then, to get reunited with Gabriel, he was dealt to Halifax, meaning he had to make another long trip all the way across the continent just about a week after settling in Vegas. Halifax went well for him and Gabriel, as they put up very solid rookie seasons, but then new management came to the 21st and they wanted to shake things up. He was then dealt to Minnesota, which meant that he, at least in the company of his brother this time, had to pack his bags to travel once again across the continent, all the way to Minnesota.
 
Despite probably not being too happy with having to make the trip, Leon has now settled in very well with the Storm, who built themselves very well to make a competitive powerhouse team this season. He finds himself 17th overall in league scoring, with 25 goals and 28 assists in just 32 games on the year. Gabriel Gutzwiler has enjoyed an even more exceptional season, as he currently sits 7th overall, with 32 goals and 68 points in the same 32 game time frame. Last season, Leon put up 81 points playing for Halifax, while this season he finds himself on pace for just short of 120 points. As for Gabriel, despite Leon being better last season, he has been blowing him out of the water this season, as he is on pace for a staggering 153 points.
 
The crazy travel schedule of Leon's past two seasons have likely been a massive headache, and having been picked by the New York Americans all the way to the East in North America, he probably does not even want to think about the fact he will have to make another long plane ride to join up with yet another team. However, Leon has said it is all just part of the game, and that it has not really phased him:
 
"It is what it is. When you come to North America you have to be ready for things like this, and I was. I am happy no matter what because I get to play with Gabriel and we are both showing how good we are together. I am very excited for when I go to New York in a season or two after hopefully winning something here in Minnesota."

Gutzwiler was recently selected to be part of the Team Asia roster for the World Juniors Championship, and with the Storm being 28-4 thus far in the season, he will hope to have a cup to his name when the time comes to compete internationally.
 
@DaftRaincloud

This is awful. There are only a few people in this league that I've ever connected with to the point that we'd have hour-long conversations in DMs late at night about whatever came to mind, and Elmebeck was one of them. Though I never knew him personally, there's no way that anything he said wasn't genuine--this was a person who really cared about our league, yes, but on a much more important level, this was a person who really cared about each and every person in it. That's something that's impossible to replace.
 
To all those positively affected by him, in real life and otherwise, let us carry the good he brought us with us into our own lives and pay it forward. My best wishes go to his family and friends during this difficult time.

MINOR VHLM ANNOUNCEMENT
 
Furthering,
 
The VHLM has put a halt on all trades and free agent signings (not waivers..) for a period of 24 hours from this post out of respect and silence for our fellow GM and league member who will be missed around the boards. It's a weird day in the VHL that I'm unsure has happened often (or maybe at all for the VHL). It's something we do not plan for or ever really expect to see or hear or come about. It's hard to react to just because its so.. mind numbing. It's good to see the community come together to celebrate a good man that the league has lost. 
 
If anyone needs an ear and wants to talk, my PM lines and Discord are always open as well. This extends from this situation to any form of future situation you may face in life.  
 

 
 

It was a weird off-season for the Gutzwiler brothers, especially for Leon Gutzwiler, who had to deal with being traded for the second time in two seasons, having been dealt in a deal involving his brother Gabriel to the Minnesota Storm from the Halifax 21st. The adjustment Leon has had to make has been quite overwhelming, considering the traveling he has had to do in the short amount of time he has been in North America. First, he had to move from his home nation Switzerland all the way to Las Vegas to join the Las Vegas Aces following the VHLM Draft, which in itself is a stupidly long trip. Then, to get reunited with Gabriel, he was dealt to Halifax, meaning he had to make another long trip all the way across the continent just about a week after settling in Vegas. Halifax went well for him and Gabriel, as they put up very solid rookie seasons, but then new management came to the 21st and they wanted to shake things up. He was then dealt to Minnesota, which meant that he, at least in the company of his brother this time, had to pack his bags to travel once again across the continent, all the way to Minnesota.
 
Despite probably not being too happy with having to make the trip, Leon has now settled in very well with the Storm, who built themselves very well to make a competitive powerhouse team this season. He finds himself 17th overall in league scoring, with 25 goals and 28 assists in just 32 games on the year. Gabriel Gutzwiler has enjoyed an even more exceptional season, as he currently sits 7th overall, with 32 goals and 68 points in the same 32 game time frame. Last season, Leon put up 81 points playing for Halifax, while this season he finds himself on pace for just short of 120 points. As for Gabriel, despite Leon being better last season, he has been blowing him out of the water this season, as he is on pace for a staggering 153 points.
 
The crazy travel schedule of Leon's past two seasons have likely been a massive headache, and having been picked by the New York Americans all the way to the East in North America, he probably does not even want to think about the fact he will have to make another long plane ride to join up with yet another team. However, Leon has said it is all just part of the game, and that it has not really phased him:
 
"It is what it is. When you come to North America you have to be ready for things like this, and I was. I am happy no matter what because I get to play with Gabriel and we are both showing how good we are together. I am very excited for when I go to New York in a season or two after hopefully winning something here in Minnesota."

Gutzwiler was recently selected to be part of the Team Asia roster for the World Juniors Championship, and with the Storm being 28-4 thus far in the season, he will hope to have a cup to his name when the time comes to compete internationally.
 
@DaftRaincloud

This is not a joke.

This morning -- at roughly 2:32 AM Mountain -- Elmbeck's brother got in touch with me to announce some very unfortunate news: one of our members has passed away. Fredrik (Elmebeck's real name) passed away late Friday night, early Saturday morning. I get the honor of announcing this to the community he enjoyed -- a hockey community that brings people together -- and salute the memories and friends he made. Hockey is a sport that connects individuals, and those of us who got to know him a little will remember him.

Elmebeck and I shared a lot of stories during our time together in Saskatoon, and I will always be jealous of his nature life. I won't share personal stories, and I won't share the details of his death, but if you wish to contact his brother you can do so by clicking this tag: @Magnus Nilsson. Please do not spam Magnus, as both he and his family are mourning the loss of a family member. 
 

Rest In Peace, 
Elmebeck!
 
 

2. One of the aforementioned moves brought @McWolf back home to the Americans, how do you feel about his addition to the squad?
McWolf is a veteran member who should bring us a huge boost on the blueline. Looking forward to him joining the team.
 
3. Young guns Ristenen (@Maasa) and the Gutzwiler brothers (@Gwdjohnson & @DaftRaincloud) join the squad as well via the VHL Draft. How do we feel about the rookie additions?
A couple of familiar names there that I'm happy to have join the team! Hoping they can find good success in the VHL. 
 
4. Although you never really know with our lord Simon, we look poised to make a run at the cup this season. How far do you think we'll go?
We had a hard fought series with the cup champions so I don't see why we can't win the cup this season. 
 
 

Franchise Hockey Manager 6 a lot of people are working hard on preparing it and making it work.

I'm shocked by the outcome of this series. We out shot and out chanced almost every game, except for the disastrous game 4. Credit to Halifax for playing a very strong series. To my Reaper family, thank you for a great season! We'll come back stronger next year!

Good series!
 
HUGE upset for the 21st! We put our trust in @ROOKIE745 and it all paid off in the end! @BigBallerFromDownUnder with 13 points in six games, and @Gwdjohnson added another 11 to carry us through. Solid contributions from @Doomsday, @LefLop and @DaftRaincloud definitely helped along the way. Also had some great defensive play from @Lockdown Defense.
 

As the 69th regular season for the Victory Hockey League Minors draws to a close, the Halifax 21st have managed to clinch a playoff spot, sealing a 5th placed finish with a game left in the season. The two players at the forefront of their good fortune are Ben Storm and Liam Rooney, who both managed to hit the 100 point mark, but a pair of rookies sitting right below them on the scoring sheet have made their presence known too despite not quite getting the same spotlight: the Swiss siblings Leon and Gabriel Gutzwiler.
 
Gabriel Gutzwiler, a winger, was drafted by Halifax and went immediately into the team from there, but Halifax were determined to have both these brothers linking up just like they did playing in Switzerland, so they traded a small package of picks to acquire younger brother Leon. It has paid off in spades to have both brothers at the club and playing on a line together, as they currently sit 3rd (Leon) and 4th (Gabriel) in team scoring, as well as 2nd (Gabriel) and 3rd (Leon) in team goals. Overall in the league, their impressive outputs put them 31st (Leon) and 33rd (Gabriel) in league scoring, and they are really establishing themselves as threats to opposition that will likely be even more dominant as a pairing next season.
 
Leon has 33 goals and 46 assists this season, giving him an incredible rookie season output of 79 points in 70 games at the moment. He leads the team in faceoffs taken, so despite having a worse faceoff output than #1 center Rooney, he is still being relied on to shoulder big responsibility at center, and he also leads the team in shots on goal, averaging a whopping just over four shots per game. However, as it always has been for them as children, Leon prefers to be the setup man for Gabriel, who likes to be the one putting the chances away. Despite the shots difference between Leon and Gabriel, the former has more assists due to his preference of finding his brother in open space on the wing to create chances.
 
As for Gabriel Gutzwiler, his output has been fantastic too, having a perfectly balanced 35 goals and assists for 70 points in 71 games, also sporting an efficient shooting percentage of 13.41%. His plus/minus is a very impressive +52, behind only star defenceman Boheem Bismarck (+53) for best on the team. With Leon providing him consistent support from center, Gabriel has been thriving in getting chances, and has been making good of them. Gabriel is tied for the team lead in the goal scoring categories of: game winning goals (5), game tying goals (2) and hat tricks (2), clearly establishing himself in the league as a fantastic marksman on the wing with a great eye for goal.
 
There has been some criticism of the 'togetherness' of the Gutzwiler brothers, as it does not seem to be a coincidence that the third members of their line finds points hard to come by, but it's hard to blame the inseparable Swiss brothers when you consider how much of a winning formula they always have been when playing together, and they truly have established themselves as stars in the making in their rookie campaigns.
 
(548 words, doubles week theme)

After coming over from Switzerland following his drafting by the Las Vegas Aces last summer, Leon Gutzwiler has found his time to be easy in the VHLM, but not with the team that drafted him.
 
Gutzwiler was dealt to the Halifax 21st not long after being taken, due to interest from the Halifax GM in having both Gutzwiler brothers, as they took older brother Gabriel Gutzwiler earlier in the round. The trade cost the 21st a 2nd and 4th, and expectations will be high for Leon, however playing with his brother who he grew up with and played hockey with his entire life should help him immensely.
 
Leon has started off very well in the VHLM as a rookie, putting up 15 goals and 19 assists in 41 games at center, as him and Gabriel have linked up quite well in North America already, and are a big factor in the 21st being as high as 5th place thus far in the standings. Time will tell if Halifax has made the right decision in committing to the Gutzwiler brothers for the time that the Swiss pair will spend in juniors, but so far it is looking good for them.
 
(199 words)

Thanks for the quick and easy trade talks @fonziGG, @Gwdjohnson thanks for your brief time in Vegas!

With the S69 VHLM Draft drawing to a close, we at VHL.com will have a look at their draft class from tonights rounds.
 
4th Overall: Mikko Lahtinen 
-A fast center with a great scoring touch, in an abbreviated S68 in the VHLM Lahtinen put up 16 points in 27 games, as well as 2 points in the playoffs, playing with Mississauga.
 
21st Overall: Leon Gutzwiler
-A young two-way forward from Switzerland who specializes in playing smart and using his deadly release, Gutzwiler will be playing his first games in North America this season.
 
38th Overall: Colin Moore
-A tough winger who doesn't let himself get pushed around, Moore will be an energy add to the Aces depth for this season.
 
44th Overall: Igor Trice 
-A raw forward still developing his all-around game, Trice had a brief cameo appearance for 6 playoff games for San Diego last season.
 
53rd Overall: Scott McGoo 
-The Italian goalie is likely brought in late to potentially play a backup role this season.
 
54th Overall: Raimond Jimenez 
-A 16 year-old roster filler with room for improvement, Jimenez will also be a depth piece in Vegas.
 
55th Overall: Jesse Jordan 
-Another roster filler, as Vegas use their late picks to round up potential depth options rather than passing.
 
In rounds 6 and 7, Vegas selected more depth options / potential late gems in Felix Arvid (C),  Pornelius Hubert (C), Garrett Bates (RW), Matt Jones (RW), and Ian Valcimond (LW). 
 
All in all, a solid-looking draft in which many pieces were added to the Vegas squad. Let's see how it turns out!
 
(263 words)

"With the 21st overall pick, the Las Vegas Aces are proud to select...from Switzerland--"
 
Leon Gutzwiler knew what was coming. After his brother Gabriel had gone 17th to the Halifax 21st's earlier in the round, Leon knew that there were no alternative options from Switzerland that would be selected here. And sure enough...
 
"Leon Gutzwiler"
 
Sure enough, it was Leon's time to go up to the stage and accept his jersey, handshakes and smiles with members of the Las Vegas organization. Having spoken at length before this draft about his desire to link up with his brother at a team, there were some doubts about his commitment now that they are sure to be split up. We at VHL.com spoke to him for an interview while the rest of round two played out.
 
Q: So Leon, you've gone 21st overall in the VHLM draft, and will be packing your bags and heading to the beautiful city of Las Vegas! How do you feel?
 
LG: I am feeling pretty good! I have not been in North America very long, but I know Las Vegas is a very popular and fun city, so I hope to do well here.
 
Q: Obviously, you made it no secret that you held a strong desire to be able to play with your brother Gabriel in the minors. Are you disappointed or upset at all that it has not played out that way in the end?
 
LG: A little bit, I would say. Me and Gabe have a great connection on and off the ice, and it is too bad that we are split up in the league, but it was always going to be hard to keep us together. I will still do the best I can, anyway.
 
Q: Do you feel your motivation could be hurt at all by your separation? It really seems like your play styles meshed perfectly when you two tore it up in Switzerland; do you think it will be harder to reach that same level of production in another continent without Gabriel around?
 
LG: I don't think so, no. It will be a big adjustment for both of us to learn to play without each other, but I think we can both adapt well and be good for our separate teams.
 
Q: What would you say are your main strengths that you can bring to the table for the Aces, and what do the fans have to be excited about for the one Gutzwiler brother that they landed?
 
LG: I would say my two big strengths are my positioning and my shooting. Gabriel and I are both players who like to think about the shot before the pass, and we are both good on the forecheck and tracking back into our zone. I always want to improve my complete game, and I want to be a center that kind of does everything. I want to be good on faceoffs, good at controlling and stealing the puck, and getting points. That is where I see my value.
 
Q: Well that should wrap it up, we will let you talk about the draft with Gabe and the rest of the Gutzwiler family now. Thanks.
 
Leon stepped away from the interview and went back to his family in the stands with a smile, although he did have a bit of a defeated look about him. Only time will tell how the Gutzwilers play on separate teams, but Leon assures they will be just fine.
 
(582 words)

@Gwdjohnson

@Gwdjohnson You da bomb, baby. 

Today for VHL.com, we've spoken to soon-to-be VHLM draftee Leon Gutzwiler to find out what the promising Swiss center sees in the VHLM franchises based on design.
 
1. Halifax 21st
 
I like the design! The ship reminds me of the Anchorage Armada of the SMJHL, a team from the Simulation Hockey League forum that I am a huge fan of, and Halifax is a nice place for a hockey team.
 
2. Houston Bulls
 
I think this logo goes a little overboard, and I've never been a huge fan of bulls as logos for teams, personally. This logo just seems a little corny to me, but I guess they're doing something right looking at the standings!
 
3. Las Vegas Aces
 
Big fan! Obviously there's no anti-casino policies for this league, so Aces was a no-brainer for a Vegas team. Logo looks nice and clean and the colours mesh well in my opinion.
 
4. Mexico City Kings
 
This logo is a bit strange overall from my perspective, but I do really like it. Something about it is just really intimidating, maybe the intense red surrounding the king, holding the team name in your face for you to gaze upon.
 
5. Minnesota Storm
 
Meh. Pretty unremarkable overall to me. It's pretty simplistic and avoids being too flashy, which I can respect.
 
6. Mississauga Hounds
 
Wow that's a grumpy-looking dog. I don't find the dog part of the logo to be anything special, but the logo colours make me think their jerseys probably look great. I love that blue in it.
 
7. Ottawa Lynx
 
Not a huge fan of this one. It looks overall just pretty bland and lacking bite and personality. 
 
8. Philadelphia Reapers
 
I really like this logo. The colours for the ominous reaper dude are pretty nice, and the touch of red on his scythe makes it look really aesthetically nice. Bet they have some fire jerseys too.
 
9. San Diego Marlins
 
Although marlins don't really scream 'hockey' to me at all as far as animals go, this logo looks really nice and clean, with a great colour scheme that blends well.
 
10. Saskatoon Wild
 
I find this one has a bit of the same issue as the Ottawa one, but I'm a sucker for blue in logos so this one is better in my eyes. 
 
11. Yukon Rush
 
Normally I'm not huge on logos revolving around a single letter, but man I love the colour scheme on this one. It all ties together very well.
 
415 words
 
(OK I went way over the minimum count with this but I'll take it lmao)

Hell yeah brother let's get it.
 
Gonna be gunning for as good as I can get.