dlamb

fuck u @Gaikoku-hito

fuck u @Gaikoku-hito

fuck u @Gaikoku-hito

Oslo, Norway -- The start of the season is here for the VHLE, and for first overall pick and Oslo Storm forward Antonia Bucatini, the result has been a resounding "meh." The Oslo Storm were hopeful to be near the top of the league, but through 12 games, sit in fourth place with a 6-5-1 record. Bucatini, meanwhile, does have 11 points in 12 games - but that's only due to a hat trick and four points against Bratislava, before which she was struggling.
 
It's a bit of a continuation with Bucatini's time with Houston, where there was some team success, but also the nagging feeling that she should be playing better and really assert her will.
 
"This feels good, because I haven't had too many of these feelings this season," Bucatini said after that Bratislava game. "It's been a slow start for me. I know that. And while I'm thankful to have teammates to pick me up, I wish they didn't have to."
 
Will she get going soon? Word from Oslo management is that they've started to play around with lines in recent games, with Miner VHLer even getting some time playing alongside Bucatini on the first line. It remains to be seen whether that or something else is the right combination, but Bucatini's hopeful.
 
"We just have too much talent here, and I really think it'll come together," she added. "It's a long season, 12 games is just one-sixth of the way done. And I really do think good things should be ahead for us with the Storm."

bro?

bro?

Not hard to figure out who you voted for!! LOL!
Also I love the simple but to the point comment!! LOL!!

bro?

Graphic created by @Triller
 
Welcome back to a new season in the VHL and last season we had twenty-six rookies start their careers. With a great three-way battle for the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy handed to the best overall rookie at the season end. This season we have twenty-three rookies looking to make a name for themselves and have a impact in the VHL. Here once again I will try to determine rank the Top 10 Rookies that I feel have a chance at winning this award. So, lets get one with it!!
 
 
10th
(S90) C - Eno Velvson @Nykonax

 
A bit older rookie as season 90 drafted player but in the past this has helped rookies as they have matured nicely in the VHLE and Velvson should be very similar as he has maintained a point per game pace but the biggest question mark is can this player develop as fast as the others on the list; that I am not sure but if he can maintain a pace per game like he has in other league he will move up this list and see his name at least nominated at the end of the season.  
 
 
9th
(S92) LW - Kimi Raikkonen @mattyIceman

 
Finds himself in similar situation as his team mate but much younger as season 92 draft pick so has a ton more upside, which has him placed one slot higher but lack of offensive ability at the moment has some scouts wondering if this player will stay on the list with such a strong honorable mention list. Time will tell if he has more offensive game than the scouts suggest and if he can keep up his development to stay on the list.
 
 
8th
(S92) G - Giorgiy Costanzov @Mongoose87

 
Giorgiy Costanzov is one of four goaltenders that will make the rookie debut this season but should have the biggest impact for his team as he starts the season likely sharing duties with Justin Lion @Emperor_Fun but it won`t be long before he claims the net full time. As he goes so likely does the Bears chances to make the playoff this season; no pressure for a rookie right!! I also expect to see him move up this list as the season progresses but is still a long short for the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy but that could change if Seattle remains in the hunt.
 
 
7th
(S92) D - Vlad Von Carstein @Dom

 
One of what should be a few Wolves on this list is my guess as the sixth overall pick by Vancouver could quickly move up this list but overall concern similar to Raikkonen @mattyIceman about his offensive game has scout having placed lower on the list than most would expect. Von Carstein has been a point per game player in the minors and if he gets anywhere close to those numbers as rookie in the VHL than he will rocket up this list quickly. His defensive partner might also add him depending on who is get paired with as Vancouver still have Liv Slater @Subject056 in jail after winning a few awards last season and should make whoever she is paired with better.
 
 
6th
(S92) LW - Adi Dassler @BOOM

 
Very tough ask for this rookie since Dassler was traded for last season Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy winner Grimgor Ironhide @FrostBeard so start the season on the back foot and ton of eyes judging to see if this was a correct move by the Titans. Dassler is a balanced player that slightly leans towards the offensive zone but at the moment seems to lack that wow factor; add in the fact that Dassler struggled last season in VHLE at under a point per game pace leaves most scout wondering what this player will become. Dassler does have the benefit of playing with Super-star Daryl Dixon @Ricer13, if slotted directly into Ironhide slot in the line up. Will be interesting to see if they can duplicate what Ironhide did last season or anything similar.
 
 
5th
(S91) C - Theo Allard @InstantRockstar

 
I feel that Theo Allard is a bit under the radar pick and has the nice benefit of joining the defending Champions in the D.C. Dragons but again as an older rookie that struggled his first season in the VHLE putting up only 43pts about half a point per game pace until Allard bounced back with a strong second season in the VHLE instead of moving up to the VHL with the Dragons by posting 83pts season campaign. So, What player are we going to see? The offensive player that the Dragons thought the drafted at 10th overall or the VHLE player that struggled. Luckily for Allard he has benefit of joining an offensive veteran line-up that should aid him in adapting to the VHL this season.
 
 
4th
(S92) D - Guntis Gavilrovs @Girts

 
Finally the second of what I was expecting to be many of the Vancouver Wolves rookies make an appearance and this one is an interesting case since Guntis Gavilrovs is more of a defensive defenceman that has put up a point per game pace in the minors that seen Vancouver draft this giant of a defender at 7th overall in season ninety-two. Not to mention ability to throw around his 6’8” frame to punish the opposing forwards. It will be hard to judge this player since hits and shots blocked are more likely be this players main stat lines but if he can find the same touch as he had in the minors than he could easily find himself higher on this list.
 
 
3rd
(S92) RW - Riley Martin @Smarch

 
The 6’2” American forward has all the skill set to score a ton of goals as he showed last season in the VHLE scoring an impressive thirty-two. Vancouver has an interesting problem after trading for a veteran forwards but one I don`t think they hate too much in the fact that they need to try to integrate their rookies into the line-up will giving them enough ice time to continue to develop. Depending on placement within the Vancouver line-up will determine if Martin has real chance at the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy by season end. Issue might also be with Rookies taking points off each other in Vancouver or they could also lift each other up. We will see what happens.
 
 
2nd
(S92) C - George Richmond @badcolethetitan

 
Another big American at 6’6” in George Richmond ranks in at second to start the season and will look to bring his offensive tough to the VHL as similar to Riley Martin @Smarch has the skill set to score a ton of goals also scoring thirty-two last season but Richmond at the moment is more of two way power forward, which gives him a slight edge in the rankings. Not 100% sure where Richmond slot into a young and fast improving Menace team but it will likely see him start on the wing as Axle Gunner @Steve and Jarmo Ruutu @jRuutu seem to have the center positions locked down. So how will the young American transition to the wing is one of the biggest questions entering the season. Not to mention who will his line mates be? Either way clearly one of the favorites for the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy to start the season.  
 
 
1st
(S92) RW - Logan Ninefingers @Scurvy

 
A lot of eyes on Vancouver this season due to the 1st overall pick in season ninety-two all but set to break into the league with the Wolves this season but it is also coming on the back of what some might consider a down season in the VHLE with only a point per game pace after lighting up the VHLM for 152pts, yup, that isn`t a typo!! Most have a ton of expectations that Ninefingers might easily claim this trophy but he will need to find his spot in what is a much improved Vancouver line-up. Likely Ninefingers will line-up long side fellow rookies Mikko Borisyuk @Minebro and Riley Martin @Smarch to at least start the season. If this trio struggle expect them to move around the line-up to be insulated by the veteran players in Larry Abass Jr @RileyL, Left Alone @okochastar and Sunglasses Joyo @JetsGoalie101, the whole reason why Vancouver brought these players in during the off-season.
 
 
 
Honorable Mentions:
(S89) C - Mikko Borisyuk @Minebro– Vancouver Wolves
(S89) LW - Chris Sanzone @handfullofbubba – Prague Phantoms
(S92) D - Karol Lamb @dlamb – Chicago Phoenix
(S91) LW - Behrens Minion @UnknownMinion– Warsaw Predators
(S91) LW - Isaac mclflopper @sportexperts show– Helsinki Titans
(S91) RW - Bryce Woodworth @SirRupertBarnes- Chicago Phoenix
 
 
Final Thoughts:
It should be another interesting race this season and since the season has started already, I know that some of these players have had amazing starts to their rookie season and well, some have rather struggled at the start. As mentioned at the end of last season I will cover Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy race every twenty-four games or so and I expect to see another surprise player jump up and grab the award like Ironhide did last season as Ironhide moved up from 6th on my first ranking last season to finish 2nd by the end of the season but was my pick to win the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy as did the league.
 
So who will win the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy this season?

Is this not the exact reason for this post, is that it can and was accepted for TPE? 

Congrats to all 👏

Eastside Hockey Manager

Currently rocking with Vitamin D3, Magnesium, and 5-HTP, just stopped with Ashwagandha

Flying over the Atlantic to start my career in the VHL Europe league I was very nervous. When I got to Oslo, Norway and my lodging for my Europe career it finally set in that I made it up a level in the journey to the VHL. Once I arrived, the staff for the Storm helped get me situated as well as showed me the facilities as well as places of interest around the area. I had made sure to come early so I could explore Oslo more to get a lay of the area and just enjoy.
 
Going into the offseason from VHL Minors, I worked on shoring up my defensive skills as well as puck handling. I did a lot of skating around the rink trying to get better at my motions so I can adjust on the fly better during a game. I also did some strength training to help take hits and keep the puck in my possession so I can keep the play going for the team.
 
I have no expectations for this season, my goal is to learn as much as possible from my teammates and other players in the league. I had a good season in VHL Minors, and I do want to continue it but I understand that this isn’t the minors anymore and the talent level is even better.  I would like to average at least half a point a game this season, maybe even get enough to finish top 5 in points for all defensemen. Even if I don’t achieve those as long as I learn and keep improving my game and myself the season will be a success in my book.
 
For the team, we have a talented group of players anchored by the #1 pick of the VHL draft Antonia Bucatini. Antonia Bucatini as well as Chris Reynolds Jr and Miner vHLer, a great leader in the locker room, join me from the VHL Minors from the team I was on, Houston Bulls. I believe the talented group of players the Storm has assembled will work well together and we can get the Storm back to the VHL Europe playoffs and hopefully a chance for the championship. In my mind if we give it our all then we can’t be ashamed of however the season goes.
 
I am excited to play against my fellow teammates in VHL Minors as well. On top of that I and two other defensemen have entered a little rivalry on who will score the most points this season between the three of us. Lucy Leitner (@LucyXpher), Gul Dukat (@MSouthworth), and I decided that we will rank each other in Hits, Shots Blocked, and Points. Whoever has the best average ranking will be declared the Top Amigo of the Trio.

It is almost time to get ready and have some fun. Going to be a great season.

@youloser1337 and I only true believers in WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! (idk who that WWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWW guy is)

Why don’t we call all awards “popularity contest 1” etc etc 

@youloser1337 and I only true believers in WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! (idk who that WWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWW guy is)

S93 VHLE Power Rankings
 
It’s going to be a big season for the VHLE. Following a very successful recruitment drive that saw a bunch of new players enter the VHLM at the start of last season, VHLE GMs had to be licking their chops at the upcoming draft and all the players that would be joining their teams. And indeed, those dreams came to fruition - with an 11 round draft that saw 200+ TPE players being selected as late as the sixth round, meaning there’s going to be a whole lot of talent in the league this season. I’d even argue this may be the most talent the VHLE has seen in many seasons, with most teams able to field at least two full lines, and often lines of active players.
 
But for the six-team VHLE where four teams make the playoffs, who’s at the top and who’s fighting to sneak into that final playoff spot? It’s perhaps tougher to determine in the VHLE, where there isn’t as much spread between the TPE levels, and player builds are starting to take shape in a greater way than the VHLM. With so much potential parity this season, it would be a fool’s errand to try and predict what’s going to happen this season.
 
Luckily, I’m just that fool. Here’s one person’s power rankings to start the VHLE season. Right now, I see two real tiers between the bottom two teams and the top four teams, but that’s subject to change with all of these teams so close. In particular, I think there’s going to be a few teams that look really good to start the season, but others will rise as those young S93 draftees continue to train and grow as players throughout the year.
 
As always, assume I know nothing and these won’t be the final standings, unless I’ve chosen your team to win, then I’m an oracle that you can trust with zero hesitation. Everybody likes when you say good things about them after all.
 
(For another view, also see @Noodle Enjoyer's excellent rankings posted yesterday. I wrote most of this on Thursday, my apologies for any duplication.)
 
 6. Bratislava Watchmen
 
The Watchmen were a juggernaut last season, winning eight of their nine playoff games en route to the title. The unfortunate nature of the VHLE, though, is that having a talented team probably means A. a lot of your players are headed to the VHL, and B. you probably mortgaged some of your future to get those talented players. Thus is the case for the Watchmen, who didn’t pick in this year’s VHLE Draft until pick 29 and thus got no players expected to play in the VHLE this season. As a result the roster is a bit bare, with only three forwards, two defensemen and a goalie, all of which being S91 or older. The only capped player in Luke Glendenning is a face-off and defense specialist as well, meaning this team may struggle to score from the jump. Bratislava fans will get to bask in their championship for a while, which is good, because there might not be much to cheer about on the ice this season.
 
 5. Stockholm Vikings
 
The other team that I’d expect to be rebuilding a bit this season, the Vikings have a much fuller roster than the Watchmen do, but perhaps the same level of immediate star talent. The Vikings’ top two picks, defenseman WWumbo and goalie Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen, are players with a lot of potential, but also likely to be playing in the VHLE for each of the next two seasons. Outside of them, I’m expecting a big jump from potential first liners Dan jr and Nico Belique in their second seasons in Stockholm following last season’s 49 and 40 point affair, respectively. Former first round VHL Draft pick Wayne Shotzky will also probably get some good run in his first VHLE season. But still, the firepower to keep up with the top of the VHLE isn’t quite there yet. Just wait for another season of growth from these players, because this was a team that was constructed with next season rather than this season in mind. They’re absolutely already my pick to be one of, if not the top of, the Season 94 contenders.
 
🇻🇦 4. Rome Gladiators
 
If Bratislava and Stockholm are in their own tier this season, I think there’s a significant step up to the top four. And the only reason that have Rome in the four slot is youth. There’s a lot of talent here from recent draft picks, with Nathan Ecker, Steve French, Tyler Lawson (who’s playing up), Vanuza Kolesinska, and Gul Dukat all showing a ton of potential to be real impact players at some point this season. But that last clause is the rub: Even if I could see all of those players being close to their full VHLE potential by the time the playoffs roll around, they all still have some room to grow during the season to get there. With Miroslav their most seasoned player in terms of practice, will that put Rome too far behind the standings eight ball to keep pace with the top VHLE teams? Perhaps, but even if that’s the case, this one team I would certainly not want to play in the playoffs once all that growth hits. This will be a very different team on Game 72 than it will be on Game 1.
 
 3. Cologne Express
 
There’s a lot to like about the Cologne team. Returning goalie Clark and incoming forward BjorkaBjorn BjornaBjorkson bring a VHLE pedigree of success that is rather rare at this level. Newcomers like Annie Oaks, Forum Content and the playing up Maverick Goncalves bring a lot of offensive firepower. And, of course, a team that made the finals last season and had won three straight titles before that knows how to have playoff success. But if I’m picking nits near the top end of the VHLE, do they have top-end talent to be able to compete early and often? Similar to my argument for Rome, Oaks, Content and Goncalves will be great, but also it’ll take a bit of time to get to the top levels of VHLE talent. I’m a bit worried about a defensive corps with a VHLM-level second line. And though Clark is the most talented goalie in the VHLE right now, I think others will catch him by the time we get into the season. It’s never smart to bet against the Express, as VHL Fantasy Zone players have learned in recent seasons, but for now I have them with a bit of room left to grow.
 
 2. Oslo Storm
 
Following last season’s last place finish, the cupboard was pretty bare for Oslo in terms of VHLE-ready talent. But a lot can change over the course of an offseason. In come a whole hoard of players from the VHLM, including first overall pick Antonia Bucatini, fellow wingers UghSike, Chris Reynolds Jr and Miner VHLer, and defenseman Benjamin Abeduct. Talented forwards in Jussi Jokinenegg (57 points last season), Olumide Anderson (30 points last season), and liam oinas (56 points last season) are hoping to take another step forward, especially as Jokinenegg and Anderson are likely to graduate to the VHL next season. And David Slezak, entering his third season in Oslo, is set to get a full season with a talented roster for the first time. Plus, there’s the Great One Wayne Gretzky lurking as an X-Factor to any team. It’s a whole lot of disparate pieces, and the pressure is on Oslo to win this season. But with some specialist players (VHLer’s Leadership focus, Abenduct’s pure defense) will the lines be able to gel? That’s a puzzle that the coaching staff will be trying to put together from day one.
 
1. Vasteras Iron Eagles
 
The Iron Eagles have not won a Renaissance Cup since the very first VHLE season, where a goalie with a particularly handsome agency (Doomsday, ofc) helped lead the team to victory. But now may be the time for a second. With two of the first four picks in the draft, the Iron Eagles were able to bolster their offense with Gianfranco Del Rocco and Lucy Leitner. Two rounds later, they added Yermolai Nabokov, then followed that up with the first two goalies taken in this year’s VHL Draft: Jorgen Lovstrom and Ondrej Vencko. They join a roster that is absolutely loaded - seriously, just look at the number of bodies, with 10 forwards alone. That’s a lot for management to juggle, but it’s a wealth of riches mostly, with forwards like Crosby, Dufour, Smith Jr and Bell all in the upper half of VHLE talent level. Acquiring defenseman Sunset Moth was also a very shrewd move, especially as he’s returned to practice. The main question: Can the two-headed monster of Lovstrom and Vencko get up to speed quickly enough in stopping the top-end VHLE talent? Both acquitted themselves well in the VHLM, but the VHLE is a different beast. If so though, the Iron Eagles certainly have the talent all over the roster to make a run at the King’s Cup, then the Renaissance Cup after that.
 

Congrats to all 👏

Not even for scouting, I think this REALLY helps new member onboarding. 

Not even for scouting, I think this REALLY helps new member onboarding. 

Congrats to all 👏

Antonia Bucatini, in Europe Once Again
 
When Antonia Bucatini moved to North America to play in the VHLM, it was the biggest move of her life. Born and raised in Italy, she had traveled around Southern Europe and the Mediterranean to play in junior tournaments, sure, but she didn’t know what to expect in beginning her professional career.
 
As it turned out, Halifax was like another world. On the water just like her native Rome, sure, but different culturally in every way. Halifax wasn’t particularly prone to late afternoon meals, to late night travels on a vespa, to exploring different cultures with a heavy tourist season. Not bad at all, Bucatini would say, just different.
 
Then after a late season trade, Houston was a different animal altogether. She was used to the heat, sure, but not necessarily the humidity. The sprawl of Houston also proved to be a barrier - for someone who loves walking down to the corner to get a coffee, unless she was right downtown, the massive highways and the need to drive everywhere seemed like a different world.
 
But now, Bucatini is returning to Europe. Sure, Oslo isn’t Rome, not by a long shot. The Norwegian city is colder, its inhabitants more staid, the level of play on the ice higher in the VHLE than the VHLM. Even with those caveats, though, Bucatini believes coming to the Storm is somewhat like home.
 
“The past season of my life was all hockey, all the time, which has its positives and negatives,” Bucatini said. “I loved my teammates, the play and the fans. But I don’t know that I necessarily fell in love with the cities, if that makes sense. I always had in my head that this would be a one-season thing, so it felt like there was always some distance.”
 
It was noted by the press and fans alike that, soon after the season ended, Bucatini absconded back to Europe and the beaches of Italy - with fellow Italian player Gianfranco Del Rocco, no less. Now, following the VHLE Draft, she is back on the continent full-time. Granted, Oslo is likely to be a one season thing for Bucatini as well. However, following Oslo will be Davos - another cold-weather European city, with fans that love their hockey and a whole host of things to do and people to see. Sure, it may not be near loved ones located in Rome (or perhaps Vasteras?), but those are a shorter flight away as well.
 
Walking into the practice facility for training camp for the first time as a member of the Storm, Bucatini said she felt at peace for the first time in a while. She sees Norway and Switzerland becoming a new home that she can get used to, as she adjusts to the new rigors of the VHLE, and following it, the VHL.
 
“I thought becoming a professional in the first place was tough, but it doesn’t get any easier from here. What can really help my play on the ice, though, is being a bit more settled off the ice,” Bucatini said. “But now I’m close to friends and family. My future VHL home is a short bit away. And my personal life is starting to blossom in ways that I never had given much thought to. I think this is going to be a good season for me, in all ways. Oslo: Bring it on.”
 

Shameless plug, relevant: