mediocrepony

@Frozen Block

My last player, a hidden gem I would say retired 6 months ago and I've been away from the league ever since. I contemplated coming back a few times but then realised that I wouldn't have the time to earn a lot. While I can't guarantee to be a max earner (12tpe per week, with media spots), I can guarantee that I will remain active (at least earning every week, I don't know about maxing out). Before I go into the actual article, I have a few people to thank. 
Looking at my notification inbox, I realised a couple of mentions from people I talked to a lot like fishy, Gus and Jeff aka Uncle Lidia. These people have been nothing but amazing when I was developing Xin. 
 
@fishy - They always brought the fun in the Chicago LR. I also remember when they brought up the idea of having pronouns given in the server. They were the pioneer and I looked up to them for being vocal about this change. I'm hoping they're doing well and wish them nothing but the best in their career and life.
 
@Gustav - Always in my mind the degen horny police, chasing people off to horny jail. He has been extremely helpful and Xin even was Taro's teammate in multiple tourneys. Congratulations on the HOF man, so well deserved. Gustav and his build guides are a haven for all rookies so please, if u are new, reach out to him, he doesn't bite. 
 
@JeffD - He gave me my first management job in the league and it was such an honour. I technically still have AGM rights, thanks to inactive Lidia but I have stepped down. He single-handedly brought Chicago to its glory days and I couldn't be more proud of him. Jeff kept me in check when I got mad at Xin for being horrible in the first couple of seasons but now looking back, I don't know why Xin won no awards and I am mad at that now.
 
@Beaviss - I know you're out here in the VHL, somewhere hidden perhaps but i appreciate all the degen streams we got going back then. It really helped me get through some horrible covid lockdown days so thanks a lot man. I hope you and your family is doing well and all the best to you in whatever you may be doing in life right now.
 
Now fast forward to my second player, Babay Shrimp. The name originated from a degen hour game night. Everyone loved it and someone wanted my recreate to have this name so here we are. I'm looking to make a winger that prioritises passing over scoring. That meta has always been pretty much frowned upon but I do wanna see how far it can take a player. This is gonna be a pretty fun experiment! Shrimp set up with a deadly scorer on the same line would make for some crazy goal scoring ability in the major leagues. Along with the passing, I want Shrimp to be fast on the ice since making him agile will hopefully make him pretty unique as a winger in the VHL/E/M. As always, since the dawn of the VHL, defence is a very important attribute. Moreover, with Shrimp being fast, he's able to get back to the D zone and take some shots on behalf of the goalie.
 
Well the league has changed a lot too. With the STHS attributes completely changed, there's gonna be some getting used to. As usual, the portal broke down (for me)...I can't spend my TPE and someone, SOMEONE, needs to fix this (this is now addressed tho). Besides the point, the change seemed to be for the better as I heard from the others so I am all for it.
 
Well, here's the end of my very impromptu media spot about me blabbing. Shrimp has gotten a ton of offers so it's time for him to think about which team he should sign with. For now, I'll see you in...whenever I can write one of these bad boys. 
 
Word count: 682 words, claiming for week ending 17/7

I hope y'all enjoy the more than 4 TPE from this. Last one.
 
6 TPE
@Agito
@animal74
@leandrofg
@Yahtzee
 
 
5 TPE
@Eynhallow
@hedgehog337
@Lemorse7
@Otaznik
@Tate
 
 
4 TPE
@ajwllmsn
@Berocka
@Daniel Janser
@dogwoodmaple
@FrostBeard
@Gaikoku-hito
@Jason kranz
@Masu Chan
@Moon
@NSG
@qripll
@Rhynex Entertainment
@Scurvy
@UnkemptCL4PTP
 
3 TPE
@Captain nugget
@Creegan610
@Crstats23
@der meister
@Enorama
@Eso
@frescoelmo
@Gage2
@Minion
@Mongoose87
@Reno
@ShawnGlade
@Spaz
@Thunder
@Xflexz
 
2 TPE
@a_Ferk
@aimkin
@Alex
@Baby Boomer
@badcolethetitan
@Big Newff
@Brandon
@chikn
@Dabnad
@Darth Kaprizov
@Frank
@Gustav
@izaak
@JCarson
@jRuutu
@MetalToday
@MubbleFubbles
@Phil
@Shindigs
@Spartakiller2
@Stroheim
@v.2
@wcats
@xNJDevilsFanx
@youloser1337
 
1 TPE
@Carpenter74
@comrade cat
@dlamb
@Doomsday
@Greg_Di
@GrittyIsKing
@JB123
@Frozen Block
@Matt thunder
@Ricer13
@Steve
@thadthrasher
@TheNeonShaman
@Webberj

S84 marks the start a of a new era! New management, a fresh new wave of players, and a new season on the horizon. I posted up a poll for the team to vote who they thought was worthy in being in the S84 Vasteras leadership circle, and their say has been taken heavily into the decisions here. Without further ado I present to you the S84 Vasteras Iron Eagles Captains!
 
[C] Captain: Dogwood Maple (@dogwoodmaple)
We are honored to have Dogwood Maple represent Vasteras as the team captain this season! Not only was Dogwood my first draft selection in the S84 draft, he was also tied for the most votes to be a team captain. Maple's hard work on a weekly basis has made him one of the best S84 draftees period, but also one of the most underrated because of the depth of the class. A proven winner as a fresh Founder Cup champion, we look forward to having him represent the team in the locker room, and outside of it.
 
[A] Alternate Captain: Phoebe Bridgers ( @GrittyIsKing)
The reigning S83 VHLE MVP, we are so honored to have Bridgers back. There was no question Bridgers was going to make the leadership circle regardless. It is great to have Gritty back and at it, and we are hoping Bridgers can put up similar if not better numbers than last year's MVP year. Bridgers also tore up the M and was a vocal member of the Houston Bulls championship bound team while tallying 100+ points.
 
[A] Alternate Captain: Molly the Cat ( @JCarson)
Molly the Cat has quickly gotten a rep in the VHL since joining the league for S84. Molly had the most points in the VHLM playoffs and fell just short of a Founders Cup. Molly the Cat is one of, if not the most vocal member of the Iron Eagles in the locker room. There is no doubt that deserves a leadership role, and the team agreed in the voting. We are so glad to have you on Vasteras, not only for what Molly the Cat will produce, but for the much needed leadership that will be provided for the team.
 
Congratulations to Dogwood Maple, Phoebe Bridgers and Molly the Cat on joining the S84 Vasteras leadership circle! May you lead the Iron Eagles to another final, except we will change the ending this time. 😉 VASTERAS VASTERAS VASTERAS!
 

WE'RE BACK BABY! LET'S GO! NEW SEASON. NEW PLAYERS. NEW THINGS. NEW!
 
 
 
 
RESPONSES
 
THIS CLOSES ON FRIDAY AT 6PM EST OR WHEN SIMS START (VHL), whichever comes first.
 
 

i've got 17 more years mwahaa
congratulations berocka!

3 seconds could have been enough tbf

I was gonna go the other way. Ban everyone over the age of 30.

5 TPE People:
 
@Moon
@OrbitingDeath
@youloser1337
@Garsh
@samx
@BOOM
@UnkemptCL4PTP
@GrittyIsKing
@MexicanCow123
@Webberj
@dogwoodmaple
@Hogan
@MattyFired
@Eso
@Spaz
@DreMin15
@NJDevils24
@Shawner40
@DrunkMonkey23
@KnightRiley
@samthemancub
 

Review, because one of my trivia questions this week was straight-up incorrect and I’m salty about it because I missed out on 1 TPE I deserved:
 
-I don’t mind the green tint on the render at all, but it’s a little too dark to be the main point of focus. Try adjusting the light and brighten up the face and head area a little. 
 
-I’m awful at text myself, but see what you can do to improve yours. One notable thing is that all of it blends in somewhat with the rest of the picture (which is fine) while the “Phoebe” sticks way out (which would be fine on its own but in comparison to the rest of the text is a bit strange). 
 
The shape is also a bit unconventional but I’m not going to criticize that because you know what a graphic looks like and presumably you made it shaped like this on purpose. It would be perfectly doable if it were shorter, but you do you. 
 
Because I need to give a score for this to count apparently: 7/10. It’s coming along fine, just keep at it. 

the right to an abortion is a human right, not just a woman's right

I've been fuming. It's a staggering collapse of democracy when 6 people can make whatever ruling they want regardless of what the American people want. A Republican hasn't won the popular vote for President since 1988 and yet 6 of 9 justices are Republicans, 4 of whom have lied under oath during their bearings about this. This nation is well on it's way to becoming a theocratic police State. I'm ready to burn it down.

Your mom was pretty upset as I understand it.

Very American to get upset about not being able to kill babies. 
 

I am so sorry you, and anyone else who will be impacted by this has to go through this. I myself am very angry, and I have been since they leaked this a few weeks ago. This is not progress, this is what you call regression. I have always looked at it as even if you personally would not get an abortion, why would you not support someone's right to if they need it? It is not impacting your life in the slightest. I fear for my daughter's future and what she may have to grow up in. I feel so deeply for my wife. Even though we are in the Northeast and our states will still allow abortions, it gives no peace of mind. I can't believe we are still in 2022 and still fighting social issues like this. An old, backwards way of thinking is what this is. I do not understand how these people do not understand this doesn't stop abortion, it makes them more dangerous and makes people more desperate. If you, or anyone here is in need to talk, my DMs are always open. You are not alone, and many feel the same way you do fishy and rightfully so.

hi vhl,
 
i really want to talk about the overturning of roe v wade and gen chat is not the place for it. so here i am
 
roe v wade was a case that legalized the right to abortion in the united states. the supreme court has overturned this ruling, which means that states are now allowed to ban abortions
 
i ... don't even know how to describe what i'm feeling. i'm angry and really, really scared. the ruling effectively said that they're going to try to go after other rulings of similar import (e.g., legalizing same-sex marriages and relationships, contraceptives, etc.).
 
as a queer person with a uterus it's so scary to watch as the people who are supposed to protecting me are actively stripping me of rights right now, and people are.. happy about it? i'm 23 years old, and i feel like there's no hope for me to gain any rights in this country, let alone even maintain them. it's horrifying
 
i saw the ruling this morning and i had no idea what to do with myself. i can't call my parents, who are both anti-abortion and certainly not avid supporters same-sex marriages and relationships or contraceptives. my friends are at work, my partner on vacation, and i just felt so trapped. it's terrible
 
so yeah, i'm opening up this space for other people to be pissed and scared

My wife's a pediatrician who also does a lot of public health work in maternal and child health. And being in Minneapolis, she gets a lot of people from the Dakotas in particular because healthcare protection for women's and reproductive health there has already been stripped to the bone. This ruling will ratchet that up to 11. And for many people who can't easily drive 4 hours just to see a doctor who can legally see you, especially the heavy indigenous population out there, they're absolutely fucked. It's an instant public health crisis for absolutely no good reason (or less charitably, shitty fringe evangelical reasons), in the middle of a completely separate ongoing pandemic.
 
Realize: Today's ruling won't prevent abortions. Today's ruling will prevent safe abortions, where people can see actual doctors and learn the options that are best for them. All the Supreme Court is doing is limiting help that can be given to people who really need it in the most vulnerable times of their lives.
 
I'm glad you were able to get out being pissed and scared, being pissed and scared right now is we should be. But I do take some comfort in seeing just how many people realize this is bullshit.
 
(North Dakota's only abortion provider in Fargo had already made moves to set up shop across state lines in Minnesota in anticipation, but they haven't completed the move yet. If anyone wants to help, here's their Twitter with more info.)

Hello everyone, and welcome to the Season 83 VHLE Awards!
 
This season saw a definite shift from the previous focus on offense displayed in the league’s first three years to much more defensive results as teams allowed less than 200 goals against for the first time - a feat accomplished by five of the league’s eight teams. This lack of offense was also mirrored by record numbers put up by some of the goaltending fraternity. Also, a fourth consecutive new champion was crowned in another playoff upset.
 
Without further delay, let’s get to the awards, both statistical and those being voted upon by the VHLE GMs. First up, the statistical awards. 
 
 
Renaissance Cup
 Bratislava Watchmen 

Despite being third in the regular season standings, the Bratislava Watchmen would not be denied. After falling behind 3-1 to the Instanbul Red Wolves in the first round, the Watchmen stormed back to win Game 7 in overtime to book a trip to their first ever Finals facing the top team, the Vasteras Iron Eagles. They then lost Game 1 of the Finals before winning four straight to beat top Vasteras for the franchise’s first Renaissance Cup! Congratulations to the Watchmen as well as GM @FrostBeard
 
 
Top Regular Season Team
 Vasteras Iron Eagles 
 
The Iron Eagles dominated the league in S83 and set VHLE records for wins (54), points (111), and goals against (160). They were 10 wins and 20 points ahead of the next closest team in both categories and hoped their precision would lead to the franchise’s second Renaissance Cup. Alas, the trend of the top team not winning the Cup continued as the Iron Eagles fell to Bratislava in five games. Congratulations to GM @Dil for building such a competitive roster, and to the players for their performances.
 
Leader in Goals
 Bob Chicoine, Geneva Rush 
42 goals
@PoignardLeclerc11
 
Leaders in Assists
 Eldon Escobar, Geneva Rush 
  Jake Thunder, Oslo Storm 
67 assists
@TeeJay11 @Thunder
 
Leader in Points
 Eldon Escobar, Geneva Rush   
95 points
@TeeJay11
 
Lowest GAA
 Red Gaming, Vasteras Iron Eagles 
2.01 GAA
@Lilpfigher
 
With the statistical awards out of the way, let's move on to the awards voted on by the VHLE General Managers... First up, Top Defenseman!

Playoff MVP
 
The Playoff MVP this season was a unanimous choice as not only were they the playoff goals (6),  points (15) and shots (106) leader, it was the timing of the goals that made him so valuable to the eventual Cup winners. His two game-winners came in Bratislava’s first two wins to keep them in the first series against Instabul. The first came in double-overtime in Game 2 to tie the series 1-1. The second game-winner was scored early in the third period of Game 5 to turn the momentum in the Watchmen’s favor still down 3-2. The MVP also scored the first goal and threw 14 shots on net in the pivotal Game 7 to help push Bratislava to the overtime victory. In the Finals, they poured in 2-5-7 in five games including assisting on the last two game-winners to ensure Bratislava took home the Cup. No one was more clutch.  
 
 Congratulations, with 8 votes, to Alf Larsson, your Playoff MVP of Season 83! 
@ng1291
 
 
Next up, Regular Season MVP!
 

Thank you everyone for your patience with our technical difficulties. I hope you enjoyed the Awards Show tonight! Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to the Commissioners and GMs who work so hard to make the VHLE a success! This is animal74 on behalf of VSN saying thank you and good night. Take care, everyone!

Top Executive
 
The VHLE is like the middle child. They don’t get babied like the VHLM but they also don’t get the brand new clothes and shiny things first like the VHL. This makes managing a VHLE team a unique experience, one that requires patience, shrewdness, and knowing when to strike while the iron is hot. Speaking of iron, the Iron Eagles did just that, after missing the playoffs the past two seasons, they gathered talent and experience, became the league’s best team and made it to the Finals for the second time. Unfortunately, they lost the Cup but set records along the way.  
 
Congratulations, with 5 votes, to @Dil , your Top Executive of Season 83! 
 
Runners Up: @FrostBeard  (2), @KaleebtheMighty , Instanbul (1)
 

Regular Season MVP
 
This is always a super close vote and this season may be one of the closest as many players put forth valiant efforts to lead their teams to victory. In this case, the S83 MVP led the VHLE’s top team in scoring with 87 good for third in the league. They led the Iron Eagles in goals, assists and points and had 14 more points than the next closest teammate, the second-most of any team. 
 
  Congratulations, with 3 votes, to Phoebe Bridgers, your Regular Season MVP of Season 83! 
@GrittyIsKing
 
Runners Up: Eldon Escobar (2), Orion D H Chiester IX (2), Jake Thunder (1)
 
Finally, Top Executive!
 

User @Jack Johnson has been suspended indefinitely due to violation of the VHL Code of Conduct pending final investigation of conduct.
 
1.1 User has violated COC purpose of building an inclusive and welcoming community. Including admittance of baiting of arguments. 
 
1.5 User has incited and posted malicious/baiting comments with the intention to antagonize.
 
User has been restricted from posting on the forum and received a TPE ban until further notice.

1 -  I have high hopes for all of the players we just drafted, to be honest. I think he definitely has future number 1 center potential.
 
2 - Being a second generation player 😛
 
3 - Sky's the limit. As long as Zach keeps training hard, he can be a huge piece for this franchise.
 
4 - There's a lot, honestly. I'd like to hear from @GrittyIsKingmore often, though.
 
5 - As a staunch non-discorder...nope.
 
6 - I think Klose's run was borderline legendary. 5 straight cup finals appearances with 3 different teams is pretty impressive. If Karnage hadn't been scarfing up all the Best Two-Way Forward awards, Klose would have been in the HoF.

Last season was a heartbreaker for me. How could we start so hot, and continue to play great, only to have a playoff run that not even the Maple Leafs could match?
 

 
Be that as it may, we're back! We are building on last season's experience. Hot or not, we're going to win the last two games we play. 
 
First of all, I'd like to thank the WJC Commissioners, @Ricer13 and @fonziGG, for the opportunity to be a part of this tournament again. You've been far too kind and I'm incredibly grateful!
 
And guess what!? Kurt Janser, @Daniel Janser, is back too as the Assistant to the Regional Manager General Manager! But we have more news for you! Young Padawan, @Anthique, is joining us as the Assistant to the Assistant General Manager!
 

 
🇪🇺 Now to the selections! 🇪🇺
 
From the Ottawa Lynx, by the way of France... Jean Mercier, @Is_thatok! 🇫🇷
From the Saskatoon Wild, by the way of Germany... Basileus Jute, @Matt thunder! 🇩🇪
 
From the Vasteras Iron Eagles, by the way of Switzerland... Janet Snakehole, @MattBake12! 🇨🇭
From the Vasteras Iron Eagles, by the way of Switzerland... Marcel Janser, @Morcar80! 🇨🇭
From the Bratislava Watchmen, by the way of Sweden... Harry Hagel, @jasplunds! 🇸🇪
From the Bratislava Watchmen, by the way of Norway... Baxter Arcanum, @ctots! 🇳🇴
From the Las Vegas Aces, by the way of Finland... Velociraptor Greg, @samx! 🇫🇮
 
From the Vasteras Iron Eagles, by the way of Portugal... Leandro Goncalves, @leandrofg! 🇵🇹
From the Istanbul Red Wolves, by the way of Sweden... Calen McKay, @Kendrick! 🇸🇪
From the San Diego Marlins, by the way of the United Kingdom... Fraser Wallace, @Hoopydog! 🇬🇧
 
From the Istanbul Red Wolves, by the way of Denmark... Tomas Sogaard, @Brandon! 🇩🇰
From the Stockholm Vikings, by the way of Austria... PJ Daniels, @xNJDevilsFanx! 🇦🇹
From the Vasteras Iron Eagles, by the way of the Netherlands... Phoebe Bridgers, @GrittyIsKing! 🇳🇱
 
From the Bratislava Watchmen, by the way of Sweden... Alf Larsson, @ng1291! 🇸🇪
From the Istanbul Red Wolves, by the way of Italy... Noodles Marconi, @Eynhallow! 🇮🇹
From the San Diego Marlins, by the way of Slovakia... Svatopluk Puk, @Otaznik! 🇸🇰
 
Congratulation to all of you who were selected! You're most certainly a worthy and deserving bunch. I'm counting on you to avenge last season's team and bring that gold medal home! 🥇
 
Now, last season it was easy to select the captains, as many were returning. This season, though, only two of our players were involved last season, therefore only the captain and one alternate will be chosen, leaving the other two alternate spots open for you to vote.
 
Without further ado, S83 WJC Team Europe's captain is...
 
Tomas Sogaard, @Brandon! 🇩🇰
 

 
The other returning player and first alternate is...
 
Leandro Goncalves, @leandrofg! 🇵🇹
 

 
 
 Please join the WJC Discord and I'll do my best to assign a role to you as soon as I can - you can DM me at the same username, leandrofg.
Let's create that great Locker Room vibe - 'cause I know our captain will be mad if we don't!
 
➡️ Link here: WJC Discord ⬅️
 
Now let's have some fun!