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Alex Bridges IV stood at the edge of the rink, his breath misting the cold air as the Zamboni faded into the distance. The ice stretched out in front of him, glass-smooth, just as it always was. The S98 VHL draft was only weeks away, and the weight of it all seemed to be heavier with each passing day. A generational talent, they said. Projected top 10 pick. His name had been on the lips of scouts and coaches for over a season now. But it wasn't so much what everyone else thought as much as what his family thought. His father, Alex Bridges III, had been selected #41 in the VHL. His grandfather, Alex Bridges II, had gone #59 in the same draft. And his great-grandfather, Alex Bridges, had been selected at #19 overall. The tradition was rich, a river that flowed through the generations, and Alex was meant to carry it further than anyone. But the pressure? The pressure was something he had not anticipated. He’d heard it all his life, "You’ve got it in your blood, Alex. You’ll make us proud." And while the words were comforting, they only added weight to his shoulders. How could he possibly live up to the expectations? His family had been hockey royalty, their names etched in the history of the VHL. The stakes were high, and as the draft drew nearer, so did his fear of falling short, just as he did in the VHLM draft, going at #23. The rink was empty now, apart from Alex and his coach, who bellowed orders from the other side of the ice. Alex was halfway through a practice session, one of dozens of others that had consumed his life for as long as he could remember. He did not mind the grind - he thrived on it, actually - but lately, it had felt less like practice for someday and more like practice for a moment that frightened him. His routine was the same every day: wake up early, gym, ice, repeat. The physical sessions were hard, but it was the mental side that exhausted him. His head was filled with thoughts of the draft, of all the things that might go wrong, of the possibility that he wasn't the player that everyone believed he would be. A top 10 pick was a dream, but what if it was not his dream? What if the burden of his family's tradition smothered him? "Focus, Alex," he said to himself, pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind. The scratch of skates slicing ice was the only thing he could focus on as he practiced his quick turns, his shots, his sprints. It was in these moments, when he was lost in the rhythm of the game, that everything else faded away. But in the quiet hours of the night, when he was in bed staring at the ceiling, the weight of his family's legacy returned. His father had been drafted into the VHL, true, but hadn't ever quite made the top. His grandfather had amazing potential, but he stepped away early. And his great-grandfather, well, he'd been a legend. But that was the problem: Alex's great-grandfather was a legend. Could he ever live up to that? Out on the ice, he shook those thoughts away and skated harder, faster. He couldn't do anything about the past, but he could about what lay in front of him. The VHL draft was coming, and soon his name would be called. But in that moment, as the cold wind swept across the rink, Alex knew this much for sure: wherever he got picked, he would forge his own path. The stress, the worry - they would always be present. But they did not have to define him. He was not just Alex Bridges IV. He was his own skater, his own individual, and his own legacy, which was soon to be written. With a final push, Alex skated harder, a spark of hope igniting in his chest. The draft was coming, and he would be ready. Word Count 683

Current Houston Bulls winger and S98 VHL draft prospect, Alex Bridges IV, is set to make his mark in history in the upcoming week or so during the VHL entry draft. He has conducted numerous interviews with a plethora of different teams, and has stated that he "has had a few solid interviews and enjoyed the chemistry and welcomeness some teams provided." When we asked Bridges IV which team he wanted to go to most, he would not answer - clearly PR trained. We asked if there was any teams that he did not want to go to, he answered quietly saying "nah." Bridges IV is currently one of FIVE Italian players that are in the S98 draft pool, but he ranks first amongst them all in TPE, projected to go middle-late first round if everything goes according. His great grandfather, Alex Bridges, was selected in the VHL draft at #19 back in S70. His father, Alex Bridges III, was selected at #41 in S84. Can Bridges IV break the family trend and be the first player drafted in the top 10? Stay tuned. Word Count 183

1. I think he would take a trip back to his homeland, Italy. Visit some family and eat some good food. 2. I think four nations is a lot more exciting than watching the skills competition and all star week, so yea. 3. Mine was definitely the Cars movie series. Pretty sure I watched the movie at least once a day. Ask 1. If you could choose a color, and you wouldn't ever see that color anymore (go colorblind for only that color), what color would you choose? 2. What is your dream car/truck/vehicle, and why? 3. How does your player plan to spend his offseason?

hes dangerous!

Good luck grape!

Mac and Trunov, my legendary asia duo

ASIAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

love this! great work Cowboy.

Alex Bridges IV was recently interviewed on the Houston Bulls, and his future with the team next season. We asked Bridges IV where he saw himself on the team next season, and he stated that he was planning on being their first line right winger due to the fact that Cash Carti, his current teammate who fills that void will be heading to the VHL. We also asked Bridges IV on how he felt about his upcoming season and how his stat line was going to look. Bridges answered saying he planned to be over a PPG for the upcoming season and wanted to be the voice and face of the team very soon. This would mean doubling his point production in a big jump from last season. Bridges IV has been known to be a man of his word though, so I wouldn't quite count it out. Finally we asked Bridges IV on what he meant as being the voice of the team, and what that may entail. Bridges IV stated that the locker room was quite dull this season, and he felt that he was really one of the only people that was consistently active and pursuing an active locker room for most of the season. He told us he hopes that will change next season - as he will continue to be a voice in the locker room, and hopes others will join in with him. Word Count 238

At the start of the season, or at least around it, I set five main goals I wanted to see my player hit or surpass in order for me to consider this a successful season. I haven't been religiously following these goals, so I wanted to look back and see how I did. I know there's at least one or two that I haven't hit yet because they haven't came up yet, so I'll just analyze those and give the chances of them happening. Starting off, playing in the WJC tournament for Team Europe. Obviously this hasn't happened yet, so I cant really confirm or deny if I did make the roster or not. I can analyze where I rank amongst European right wingers though, and assume if I am going to make it or not. Here are players that I assume are going to be taken over me for my position: Luc Moreau, CJ Daniels, and Filip Zinek. These are not just right wingers, because Filip Zinek is a left winger. This means there is a 50% chance I get taken for RW, and 75% chance I get taken for LW. Overall, pretty good odds to surpass this goal i'd say. Even if I don't make it for Europe, I sure as hell will for world. Secondly, I wanted to achieve the goal of having a solid stat line of .35 points per game in this upcoming season. My season definitely started off slow, and I was hovering around the .35 mark until almost the midway point of the season. There was a stretch of 5-6 games where I had like 8 points though, which definitely helped my case. My player finished with 38 points in 76 games, which means we had .5 points per game exactly! So far, its looking like were two for two on our goals, and Alex is crushing any expectations or precedents his Dad set for him. Next up, I wanted to be ranked top 8 in S98 prospects. At the time I was sitting at #12 and this was definitely considered a challenge. I also stated that I'd be even more content if I made it to the top seven and secured myself as a high pick for the upcoming VHL draft. Regardless, im currently placed at the seven spot. Believe it or not, after this update I submit, im only going to be around 3 TPE off the 6 spot too. I definitely passed this goal, which was a tough one. So far were looking at three for three! Fourth, we have making playoffs and then, win at least one series. I played for the Houston Bulls this season. Although we fell short of the cup that I was personally expecting to go on a run for, we fell short and couldn't quite get it done. We did indeed make the playoffs, and ended up beating the Ottawa Lynx round one by a series score of 4-1, before falling to the Halifax 21st shortly after, 4-2. Overall, I succeeded at what I set myself to do, even though I'm not truly content with how it ended. And finally were here, the fifth and final goal I set for my player: start next season at 265 TPE or higher. Now I know this season isn't over so I can't confirm if I do hit this, but I can once again, guess. I currently write this on a Sunday at 9 am and will be writing my VHL.com article after this to cap me out for the week. This means that by tomorrow, I'll be sitting at 251 TPE. With training camp coming out in the next week or so, by the end of next week I'm guessing ill sit at ~275 TPE. Regardless, I'll hit 265 TPE next week with or without training camp, so we go five for five. Overall, Bridges IV has definitely exceeded my expectations for the season, and I'm proud of myself for being able to come back to the league after being absent for so long and make such a solid player, definitely my best. Word Count 687

why not run it back? im in!

1. No, I was hoping for both teams to lose and at the end of the game the commissioner quits his job because the league was poorly ran this season officiating wise. 2. Hopefully all, but ultimately whatever moves us on is what im aiming for. 3. The Buffalo Sabres, theyre a constant underdog. Really terrible. I dont even know. 4. My player has no money, im dirt poor. #homeless #paymejacob. 5. You know it - Alex Bridges III and Alex Bridges! He comes from a long line of JRs. 6. Get this - spork. The perfect mix of both. Huge, massive, greatly long.

Welcome back everyone, here we go with series three of the burning bridges series! I don't mean to be self centered with this one, but these articles are mainly things that interest ME, and that I share and do research on for people that also may be interested. I do try and keep it equal, but im going to do a recap on the S98 class - also known as the upcoming VHL draft class. Sorry if this doesn't interest you, I'm glad if it does though. I also won't be claiming this one for TPE, so im gonna do what I want with it lol. Anyways, here's how im thinking of doing it. First off, rank the top 15 players by TPE. Then, rank the top 7 forwards by points. Lastly, I will rank the top 5 defenseman based on overall play, and top 2 goalies off the same things as well. Starting off, the top 15 players, by TPE. 1. Tony Bob (G) - 300 TPE 2. Cardinal Copia (RW) - 288 TPE 3. Gingy (C) - 259 TPE 4. Agustin Martinez (RW) - 249 TPE 5. Zak Trokker (LW) - 249 TPE 6. Peter Venkman (D) - 234 TPE 7. Alex Bridges IV (RW) - 233 TPE 8. Tina Hughes (D) - 225 TPE 9. Sidney Sheppard (C) - 222 TPE 10. Bazooka Joe (D) - 187 TPE 11. Ryan Mantzz (RW) - 185 TPE 12. MacGregor Walcott (LW) - 154 TPE 13. Lorenzo Mancini (LW) - 151 TPE 14. Remain Six Meters Back From Me (D) - 149 TPE 15. Jakub Kovar (LW) - 137 TPE - Next up, we have the top 7 forwards, based on points. 1. Agustin Martinez - 56 PTS 2. Gingy - 53 PTS 3. Sidney Sheppard - 40 PTS 4. Alex Bridges IV - 38 PTS 5. Fortnite Moneygang - 37 PTS 6. Jakub Kovar - 36 PTS 7. MacGregor Walcott - 32 PTS - Second to last, we haveeeee... top 5 defenseman, based on overall play. 1. Bazooka Joe - 50 PTS, 204 HITS, 137 SB 2. Maximillion Pegasus - 34 PTS, 126 HITS, 107 SB 3. Remain Six Meters Back From Me - 26 PTS, 123 HITS, 108 SB 4. Peter Venkman - 35 PTS, 57 HITS, 123 SB 5. Tina Hughes - 25 PTS, 110 HITS, 46 SB - Finally, we have the top 2 goalies, also based on overall play. 1. Tony Bob - 91.9% SV, 33 WINS, 7 SO, 2.1 GAA 2. Kim Chi - 90.3% SV, 8 WINS, 2 SO, 1.77 GAA - The Collection Series 1 - Point Leaders Series 2 - Leading Defenseman in Points

So far, Alex Bridges IV has only spoke with one VHL team about the upcoming draft. He has publicly voiced his concern and is worried hes gonna fall in the draft again. Bridges IV was selected in the 3rd round of the VHLM entry draft, he currently ranked higher then everyone else selected in the 3rd round (except for one - will beat him out this upcoming week) TPE wise. He is also ranked higher then 50% of the players selected in the 2nd round - and 30% of the 1st round players! He had no idea on why he fell so far, but he wanted to prove it was a mistake. He is currently ranked #6 TPE wise in the S98 draft class, which leaves him with the following teams in his pick range (picks 4-8) ((im just predicting picks)) (((and the odds they pick me))): 4. Helsinki Titans [] (9%) 5. Prague Phantoms [] (14%) 6. DC Dragons [] (12%) 7. New York Americans [] (19%) 8. New York Americans [] (17%) (Based off team need and quality at position, as well as how far they'd be reaching - just a guess). Word Count: 186

1. Clearly wasnt me lol. Wins a win regardless - big dubs. 2. Im looking forward to Valentines day, I enjoyed all the days off in January though. 3. The feeling of relief after doing something is always better then the feeling of guilt when you dont do it. 4. I enjoy the Joe Rogan podcast, good convo gets brought up often, especially with an interesting guest. 5. Why not split em? See who wants it more in playoffs and just ride the hot hand! 6. Well we beat the Lynx 4-1, and San Diego is down 3-2 to Las Vegas, so I cant complain about where were at right now.