McLean Hoover

March 15, 2025 Gravenhurst Ontario. A young Ivan Grovnikov is born to his mother and father. Growing up with hockey and always putting the team first ahead of personal accomplishment. “it’s in my nature really, having two immigrant parents and no one around me who understood my accent was difficult at first. But when you hit the ice and you’re all wearing the same jersey and trying to accomplish the same goal you feel a sense of community and I cherish that.” Said Grovnikov. and it is true “Grover” as his friends call him was born in the GTA, but grew up in small town of Gravenhurst. His mother and father both being from Russia and immigrating to Canada before he was born gave him the opportunity to live the Canadian dream and play Ice Hockey which to his parents felt close to home. Although at time Grover spoke of the difficulties being “different” in small town. Some of which included not knowing anyone when everyone is very tight knit within small community but he also has this to say. “I remember plenty of times the looks you get for having an accent, it doesn’t bother you if you don’t pay attention but then you realize if you were somewhere else in the world they’d be the ones who seemed different so then it’s just an outsider complex, hockey does help close the gap for me.” Grover is not known to be a fighter but will always standup for a teammate on the ice. “last year I can remember a moment where my Right Winger went down and was slow to get back up, there was scrum happening but oddly enough the guy that hurt him was the only guy skating away from it all. That just doesn’t fly in my opinion, so I skate towards him and give him a shove. Let’s just say we get into it and to this day I’m not sure if I even hurt him too bad or not, but I do know how much it meant to my team to see me get in there without hesitation.” And as for his teammates perspective on him one had this to say. “Grover has always been a leader within our locker room whether he’s held the “C” or not, he’s never asked for captaincy or complained about minutes. I think for him he knows that an assist means he helped get a goal and scoring means he helped get an assist to one of us. He’s always more happy after games where we score.” Now for Grover, the time has come to enter the big leagues as he was waiver claimed for S99 of the VHLM by the Ottawa Lynx. “I’m hoping to stay on path to grow as a player, learning from my teammates and GM will be something important for me to continue doing in this league to ensure I grow to be a valuable VHL player later in my career so for me it’s about building the foundation to a good house at the moment. But Individually I’m hoping to just work in my conditioning, maintaining the standards I’ve always held myself to. But finally I’d say I’m most excited to experience Ottawa and its culture as I have never lived In Canadas great capital.” “it’s funny though, throughout my life it always feel like resetting in some ways. One moment I’m the captain in our youth league, then you’re a rookie in junior. You climb to be a leader there and the cycle continues. But it’s strange this time around it feels different. I’m the rookie heading into this season but eventually going from this league to the VHL will be the last climb I make for the rest of my career. I’m not sure if everyone thinks of it that way or not but I’ve always found it crazy to think about my life from start to till now.” Grover is just one of two centres at the time of this writing for the Ottawa Lynx so he will step right into an important role and hopefully be able to continue the upwards trajectory the team is aiming for. In a more light hearted note we asked Grover something completely unrelated to hockey. “If I heard you right you asked me what video games I’ve been into? For me I’d say Overwatch easy, been playing it since they released it but they added a huge update not too long ago and I’ve been vining with it a lot.” Ivan Grovnikov certainly has a lot to prove entering the league as a waiver pickup having not even been drafted this season so this season is a massive opportunity to raise his draft stock and make a name for himself in the VHLM. Only time will tell once S99 of the VHLM starts.

1. With the completion of the S98 drafts, were there any surprises or picks that really stood out to you? I definitely am just happy to say I am apart of the team, I was not apart of the draft but for me I’d definitely say that we got a good player in Komi Kamal. Without having g a first pick we still secured a solid player. 2. How do you feel about your player coming into this season and what their performance may look like? Im hoping to be a serviceable second centre as eventually when our first Centre gets taken up to the VHL I’ll be established enough to reliably be the 1st Centre. 3. What about the team; how do you think the team will do for this season? I do worry that if we aren’t having an offensive game we will get taken through the loop a bit defensively not because of our goaltender but we just lack Defensive players unlike other teams in the league. In saying that, if we are firing on all cylinders we will out score hopefully a few teams. 4. If you were the GM, what is one move that you would make before the season starts? If you had to make a move id get a D-man however if you want my opinion I wouldn’t change anything about the group as I feel we have a solid base and could surprise some teams. 5. What team do you think would be our main competition going into this season? Hamilton, hands down when you look at their roster they have a solid team and I think those games will be an uphill challenge we can hopefully conquer occasionally. 6. Would you rather save your family from a burning building or get Renegade Raider in Fortnite? Save my family from a burning building, the Fortnite hype isn’t there for me at this point. Now talk to me about some rare Overwatch skins and that’s a different story.

Hello to anyone who sees this excited for the draft and hoping to get picked up by someone

Player Information Username: McLean Hoover Player Name: Ivan Grovnikov Recruited From: Returning Age: 18 Position: C Height: 72 in. Weight: 215 lbs. Birthplace: Canada Player Page @VHLM GM

I accept the contract.

I’m very happy at the start of the season our team didn’t have a great start, we were worried our all in approach was going to be a failure. Looking at it now we are one of the favourites to take this and we plan to push that moving forward. personally I would’ve liked to see more progress for my career as a player but everything is improved just not as immensely as I had hoped im hoping we take vasteras in the playoffs truthfully, I think Vegas, Colorado or Tampa has the best shots at adding another one they are all past champions in the last 5 years and haven’t lost the ability to win imo as far as maybe unexpected maybe Dallas? im unsure how to stop that I think we just need to shake things up if we find ourselves in a rut probably movies or video games tbh, easier to digest and I’ve always felt they tell better stories to books but that’s for me.

1. I feel like we a solid team going into the playoff season. 2. I think it comes down to a couple of points difference either for or against us it’s a toss up. 3. I believe he certainly does and is the best d man we got. 4. picking up max players makes us even more of a threat to teams hopes of winning. 5. never expect anything, I’d like to make it deep into the playoffs and obviously win. 6. I actually never heard of the song until I read it, gave it a listen and pretty good to be honest.

1. I feel like we could’ve done better starting but things have turned around quick for us and we’re sitting with a winning record. 2. penalties are easily our worst enemy with our team taking easily the most in the league. 3.I am content because I have a positive record. 4. if they can keep it up of course that’s huge for us a team to have a stacked D core. 5. usually workouts and relaxation consists of video games and hiking. 6. I think we have a great chance to win personally we have a good group of guys. Anyone within that top 4 are good too.

With the start of the VHLE season beginning tonight. McLean Hoover sat down with us to discuss his upcoming goals and other aspirations heading into this monumental season for him and the rest of the Rome Gladiators. ”for us as a team it’s so important that we continue to all work together but also put that individual effort in. We as a team had success last season in a vast amount of ways but for us to truly be champions it’s about myself, king Kisslinger and other guys all taking huge steps.” Hoover explained that the team staff and management also sees the importance of taking those steps as this is a season they want to see success as well. “I know that for Baby Boomer and GioSivo they want us to thrive, they hope to see us as winners this season and I think we really have a team that can accomplish that goal.” when asked about his individual goals for this growth Hoover explained, “I need to become an all around player, no more just scoring goals and getting points I know I can do that, now it’s about not letting the others guys light the lamp on us when my lines out there and a lot of that comes down to me.” “I also think it’s important for me to take the time and have those chats with my team more, you get so focused on what’s in front of you, you don’t take the time to check on your mates always.” Hoover spoke Highly of the team and the staff, “We are a good group I think, I think everyone gets along well in our locker room and we all have similar aspirations so it’s a good group mindset between all of us. Over this off-season management picked up @Zach Kisslinger which was a huge thing for me personally having a longtime friend be apart of this journey is special to me.” When talking about last season, “ We always want to win, every team, every player, every coach and GM they all want to win. You don’t win every series or every game but I think Rome puts in the work to change things around quick to right wrongs.” A couple of game have been played this season Hoover had this to say about them. “We are currently 2-2 so we didn’t get the results we hoped for right away, but there has been some changes made already in the lines. Personally I had a personal win being the 1st star of the game. Me and King Kisslinger are line mates which is also just exciting we played when we were younger before the VHLM even so to be here together is quite the thing for us.” Will the Gladiators have the season they want? Only time will tell if this team is a competitive team for the playoffs. But with Hoover and so much other talent on this roster it should be interesting. Till Next Time. -H.

1. What do you think of the new league format going from 8 to 6 teams? I think it means more meaningful games all the time, not being able to slip or we lose the chance to compete later in the season. 2. Do you have any goals for your player? I’m hoping to build a more defensive side to my player and keep pucks out more often. 3. What are you most looking forward to this season? Being able to continue growing and work with new teammates we acquired this draft 4. Do you have any concerns with the roster? A goalie upgrade or some more defensive builds. 5. What are your expectations for the team? Hopefully getting into that top three in the division 6. What is your favorite Italian dish? Fettuccine.

I accept and am excited for the upcoming season!

If I thought that this was for next week and posted an article for the theme week. Can I claim the capped TPE as a media spot next week, but claim the uncapped this week under doubles week still?

Friday February 17th One of the biggest things that makes hockey interesting is the many versions of a rivalry you can have. you have the team versus team rivalry, the rivalry you get to be called the best goal scorer or biggest hitter in the league. But often missed is the rivalry of fellow teammates fighting to be considered the best on the team. Some of hockeys greatest rivalry’s can be seen between teammates who both put on absolute shows for the fans to be the “goat” of their team. It’s no different in the VHLM. That is the case for the Mississauga Hounds and forwards Hannibal Barca and Jarkko Laakkonen. Barca who in 48 games played has 80 points, was on a tear in the league for leading scorer putting up numbers anytime would dream to see. But over the last 16 games, Laakkonen took it upon himself to change the narrative. Having multiple 6+ point nights and even had a night with 6 pure goals. With 48 games played Laakkonen leads the Hounds with 89 points putting him 5th overall across the League. but there’s even more than just two players involved in this battle, as both Steve Lattimer, and Austin Goulet sit above the 70 point mark showing no signs of stopping either. the big 4 of the Hounds have stayed competitive not only against their opponents but pushing a friendly competition against themselves to keep the pace going. up and comers of the Hounds know next season they will have the mantle of living up to Laakkonen, Barca, Goulet, and Lattimer but for rookies, odegaard, Hoover, and B they know they have big shoes to fill next season. Hoover said in an interview, “I think the one thing about this season as a first year player is seeing the great example my teammates have shown me, these guys don’t mess around when it comes game time and they certainly have a lot going for them between themselves, everyone dreams of being the best player in the NHL and they definitely go out everyday on the ice to make it known they are the best player on their team, especially when they have the talent to do it. And I think every one of those top 4 guys has it in them to make it happen.” the Hounds find themselves not only eclipsing their last season results but this season they have a in the mix to go into the playoffs and make a big run at taking home the championship title. Mexico City and the Ottawa Lynx are that stand in the teams way. Only the final game of the season will tell where these players end the friendly rivalry between themselves, and where the Hounds with sit on the leaderboards as a whole. MH.

Friday February 17th One of the biggest things that makes hockey interesting is the many versions of a rivalry you can have. you have the team versus team rivalry, the rivalry you get to be called the best goal scorer or biggest hitter in the league. But often missed is the rivalry of fellow teammates fighting to be considered the best on the team. Some of hockeys greatest rivalry’s can be seen between teammates who both put on absolute shows for the fans to be the “goat” of their team. It’s no different in the VHLM. That is the case for the Mississauga Hounds and forwards Hannibal Barca and Jarkko Laakkonen. Barca who in 48 games played has 80 points, was on a tear in the league for leading scorer putting up numbers anytime would dream to see. But over the last 16 games, Laakkonen took it upon himself to change the narrative. Having multiple 6+ point nights and even had a night with 6 pure goals. With 48 games played Laakkonen leads the Hounds with 89 points putting him 5th overall across the League. but there’s even more than just two players involved in this battle, as both Steve Lattimer, and Austin Goulet sit above the 70 point mark showing no signs of stopping either. the big 4 of the Hounds have stayed competitive not only against their opponents but pushing a friendly competition against themselves to keep the pace going. up and comers of the Hounds know next season they will have the mantle of living up to Laakkonen, Barca, Goulet, and Lattimer but for rookies, odegaard, Hoover, and B they know they have big shoes to fill next season. Hoover said in an interview, “I think the one thing about this season as a first year player is seeing the great example my teammates have shown me, these guys don’t mess around when it comes game time and they certainly have a lot going for them between themselves, everyone dreams of being the best player in the NHL and they definitely go out everyday on the ice to make it known they are the best player on their team, especially when they have the talent to do it. And I think every one of those top 4 guys has it in them to make it happen.” the Hounds find themselves not only eclipsing their last season results but this season they have a in the mix to go into the playoffs and make a big run at taking home the championship title. Mexico City and the Ottawa Lynx are that stand in the teams way. Only the final game of the season will tell where these players end the friendly rivalry between themselves, and where the Hounds with sit on the leaderboards as a whole. MH.

Friday February 17th One of the biggest things that makes hockey interesting is the many versions of a rivalry you can have. you have the team versus team rivalry, the rivalry you get to be called the best goal scorer or biggest hitter in the league. But often missed is the rivalry of fellow teammates fighting to be considered the best on the team. Some of hockeys greatest rivalry’s can be seen between teammates who both put on absolute shows for the fans to be the “goat” of their team. It’s no different in the VHLM. That is the case for the Mississauga Hounds and forwards Hannibal Barca and Jarkko Laakkonen. Barca who in 48 games played has 80 points, was on a tear in the league for leading scorer putting up numbers anytime would dream to see. But over the last 16 games, Laakkonen took it upon himself to change the narrative. Having multiple 6+ point nights and even had a night with 6 pure goals. With 48 games played Laakkonen leads the Hounds with 89 points putting him 5th overall across the League. but there’s even more than just two players involved in this battle, as both Steve Lattimer, and Austin Goulet sit above the 70 point mark showing no signs of stopping either. the big 4 of the Hounds have stayed competitive not only against their opponents but pushing a friendly competition against themselves to keep the pace going. up and comers of the Hounds know next season they will have the mantle of living up to Laakkonen, Barca, Goulet, and Lattimer but for rookies, odegaard, Hoover, and B they know they have big shoes to fill next season. Hoover said in an interview, “I think the one thing about this season as a first year player is seeing the great example my teammates have shown me, these guys don’t mess around when it comes game time and they certainly have a lot going for them between themselves, everyone dreams of being the best player in the NHL and they definitely go out everyday on the ice to make it known they are the best player on their team, especially when they have the talent to do it. And I think every one of those top 4 guys has it in them to make it happen.” the Hounds find themselves not only eclipsing their last season results but this season they have a in the mix to go into the playoffs and make a big run at taking home the championship title. Mexico City and the Ottawa Lynx are that stand in the teams way. Only the final game of the season will tell where these players end the friendly rivalry between themselves, and where the Hounds with sit on the leaderboards as a whole. MH.