dlamb

S72 - Marauder Captains
 
C - Andre Lebastard @Andre LeBastard
A - Wolf Stansson @ahockeyguy
A - Bacon @Bacon
 
S73 - Marauder Captains
 
C - Andre Lebastard @Andre LeBastard
A - Bacon @Bacon
A - Dakota Lamb @dlamb
A - Victor Grachev @KaleebtheMighty

S74 - Marauder Captains
 
C - Rara Rasputin @Victor
A - Gaspar Zakrevsky @Pythonic
A- The Blob @JorgTheGoat03
A - Chicken Wing @chikn
 
S75 - Marauder Captains
 
C - Cabe McJake @RedSus
A - Peter Louis II @CosmicStorm
A - Chicken Wing @chikn
 
S76 - Marauder Captains
 
C - Phoenix Dawson @Toast
A - Napoleon Bonaparte @CptSquall
A - Alexander The Great @Shiny

to win, yes. to get the one, and only, Christian Mingle, no.

If you want a shot at a title I have a 3rd line centre spot with your name on it in Miami! We would love to have you over there.

Okay Bana, so this is how it’ll shake down. You sign in Miami, play 3rd line C to start, we win a title, life is good? Ya?

Into the Fire: Three S73 First Gens Under the Spotlight
 
Expansion! Woo!
 
The VHL is going to be a beast this season as the classic 'expansion teams are terrible' paradigm sets in - and with exactly a quarter of the league with that designation, there are going to be some wonky scorelines come the end of the season to say the least.
 
But more relevantly, expectations for some of the S73 class members - be it for this season or their careers - are oftentimes disproportionate to their TPE or starting role in their respective teams. And since first gens are always a hot topic, why don't we start with a few of them?
 
LW Jeffrey Pines @rory, LA Stars 
 
The top first gen of S73 by TPE, winger Jeffrey Pines is coming off a 91-point season in what was one of the most successful seasons for a historically beleaguered Mexico City franchise. Indeed, of the Kings’ 275 goals last season, pines had a hand in just under a third while putting up a stellar +51 opposite fellow winger Chris Hylands. What had impressed many scouts throughout the season, however, was Pines’s commitment to playmaking and rock-solid fundamentals, as he has some of the best defense and passing technique out of any rising S73 player this past season.
 
On draft night most had expected Pines to go top five, what with his raw talent, first-gen status, and an expectation that Marshall James Frostbeard would go at the end of the first as a GM player. But VHLM front offices and Pines’s camp alike were shocked to find Pines available at eighth overall, at which point he became the first-ever selection for the Los Angeles Stars. And a franchise’s first pick presents an entirely different set of expectations and challenges: as one of the top four forwards on an expansion team, it’s entirely possible Pines will see some first-line minutes and plenty of powerplay time against players with half a dozen years of experience over him. And as a first selection, he undoubtedly has expectations of the franchise on his shoulders going forward.
 
Indeed, there’s no falling back on crushing the VHLM for Pines now; at 311 TPE, the winger’s a big boy with no option to return to his old stomping grounds. Without a storied set of true, star-level veterans to lead the way, he’s going to have to learn fast – but rory already has some managing chops under his belt and has no signs of slowing down.
 
LW Groovy Dood @bigAL , D.C. Dragons 
 
Speaking of expectations, woof. Half the VHL was shocked when the D.C. Dragons took Groovy Dood, a 258 TPE forward, as the first overall selection of S73. Now, naturally the other half wasn’t surprised with GM Enorama’s drafting strategy focused exclusively on first gens, including a specific connection to bigAL prior to draft night. But perhaps most relevantly, Dood was just barely past the 250 TPE mark that would have allowed him to stay in the minors, which puts him in the now much tougher position of playing on a star-studded D.C. lineup that fell far short of expectations last season.
 
As a user that spent his first week or two getting acclimated to the site, bigAL earned slowly.  But by mid S72, he was no stranger to the ice, managing 57 points as the first line centerman for minor league championship favorite Minnesota Storm. He falls in a mold not dissimilar to Pines: a pass-first forward with a strong emphasis on fundamentals. Indeed, the center probably has slightly worse technical skills in favor of a more diverse skillset that includes a little checking, face-offs, and an impressive ability to hold on to the puck down the ice.
 
For a player of Dood’s caliber, the expectations would typically fall around the middle of the road as far as first round selections go. He’s proven himself over the last season in spite of limited powerplay minutes, and he finds himself on a well-established roster that would allow him the mentorship of fellow centers Benny Graves and Boris the Forest (who could each be first line stars in their own rights). But what skyrockets Dood’s expectations over the course of his first three or four seasons is that status as 1OA, first gen or not: he will be the bar that all other S73 picks are judged against. Even while he sits as his team’s likely third line center, the fans in D.C. expect a lot from their relatively young franchise after the Dragons stunned their fanbase with an underwhelming eleventh-place finish.
 
C Dakota Lamb @dlamb , Warsaw Predators 
 
Let’s get back to the expansion team selections, shall we?
 
Dakota Lamb, whose agent is a self-professed VHLM Assistant Assistant Assistant General Manager reject by trade and perhaps better known for his escapades in the SBA, finds himself drafted to Warsaw with this most recent draft. And unlike our two previous picks, Lamb has the option of staying down in the minors this season – and he’ll likely be helping a star-studded Miami team take the league by storm thus upcoming season (no pun intended, Minnesota). But Lamb also finds himself in a pretty interesting position as Warsaw’s first-ever selection, and it’s a little tough to say anything about the future of their roster.
 
Indeed, one of the most glaring things about the Predators’ post-expansion roster is the presence of a soon-to-retire Hunter Hearst Helmsley and a Zeno Miniti that isn’t far behind him. But at this stage in their careers, these more veteran centermen are in very different positions – with HHH still in the prime of his career and Miniti having seen better days – that would theoretically allow Lamb to earn second line forward minutes from day one. As a result, it’ll be pretty interesting to see what GM Muffins does with Lamb’s major league eligibility over the course of his first season (even if there’s a 99% chance he stays down the entire season + playoffs).
 
Although Lamb has the pressure of being Warsaw’s first selection, I’d imagine the pressure on the young center is relatively lower compared to our first two selections. He’d sit third line at best, but most likely won’t see pro play for his first season. Obviously the expectations at the minor league level will be high – but that’s the case for any player in the first three rounds that has the option to stay down, not a perception unique to Dakota. At tenth overall, there was a player or two with less raw talent that were taken by non-expansion teams – so there may in fact be more ‘chip on his shoulder’ energy to this selection than high expectations.
 
[1,116 words, claiming 7/19 and 7/26]

After a whirlwind week for the VHL's four expansion teams, the Warsaw Predators have been able to set their future about as well as one could hope considering the other factors the new teams have had to contend with. In this two part VHL.com series, we'll highlight the key players that Warsaw has been able to bring in.
 
Arthur Dayne - Center
Drafted 3rd overall in the VHL Expansion Draft
 
Dayne has come a long way since being selected in the third round of the VHL and VHLM drafts last season. He developed into a key piece for the Mexico City Kings last season, finishing second on the team in goals and third in points, and played well in a run to the cup for the upstart Kings. His ascension in his first post-draft season led Dayne to be highly targeted by Warsaw; he will spend one more season growing in the VHLM before making his presumed VHL debut in Season 74.
 
Alex Bridges - Defenseman
Drafted 11th overall in the VHL Expansion Draft
 
Bridges was the lone player that Warsaw selected to play in the VHL immediately across both drafts this offseason. A slow grower, Bridges, a former second round pick by Seattle, spent his first two post-draft seasons in the VHLM before making his pro debut for Davos last season. Now, he'll have the opportunity to prove himself as the top defenseman for a new franchise where he'll have plenty of chances to put up solid numbers.
 
DAKOTA Lamb - Center
Drafted 10th overall in the S73 VHL Draft
 
The first rookie draft pick in Warsaw Predators history, Dakota Lamb entered the VHLM as a 4th round steal for the new Miami Marauders and he was able to parlay the success of a 93-point first season into being drafted much higher by another expansion franchise. Although he plays center, like Arthur Dayne, he gives the Preds some versatility, as the team can run both players up the middle to solidify their long-term standing at the position, or one can split out wide.
 
Ajay Krishna - Goaltender
Drafted 17th overall in the S73 VHL Draft
 
Warsaw's second S73 VHL Draft pick was originally 21st overall, a pick they acquired with the 6th overall pick in the expansion draft. However, the Preds worked the phones feverishly after using their 10th overall selection on Lamb, originally trying to get back into the first round to secure Krishna. The team was ultimately able to move up from pick 21 to pick 17, the first in the second round, while also picking up 55th overall, and sending away 46th overall to make the move. That allowed the team to select Ajay Krishna, an incredibly promising goaltender-of-the-future who has moved up his stock considerably since being selected 63rd overall in the last VHLM Draft.
 
Victor Grachev - Defenseman
Drafted 24th overall in the S73 VHL Draft
 
Grachev was a late joiner to the VHLM last season, so he's lower TPE than many of the guys selected around him, but Warsaw saw a lot of promise in his early run, enough so to select him with their second supplemental 2nd round pick. Grachev was just drafted 7th overall in the VHLM draft, and he figures to be a key part to a Miami Marauders team that looks like it will roll over the VHLM this season.
 
Jeremy Lin - Right Winger
Drafted 30th overall in the S73 VHL Draft
 
Lin has been a solid and steady contributor to the Mexico City Kings since they drafted him 35th overall last season in the VHLM draft, and he immediately slots in as the top outright winger prospect in the Predators organization. He will look to take on a bigger role with the team in their quest to make it back to the VHLM Founder's Cup finals.
 
Check in for part 2 in a few hours, where we highlight Warsaw's key free agency signings!

Shite Sports News 
cacatum non-veritas
 
 
Last season, as an expansion club the Miami Marauders had no expectations ahead of their debut season in the VHLM. Neither did they have much pressure to perform. What they did have, however, thanks to the sound draft policy of the hockey clubs management team, was a collection of players with the 'right stuff'.  Just what the right stuff is, of course, is open to debate; however, you can take it as given that it contains a healthy dose of what coaches like to call intangibles.  Often in the hockey world, the word intangibles is a  euphemism for lack of skill. There is no doubt that as an expansion team, the Miami Marauders hockey club suffered from a definite lack of skill. Yet in this case, that lack of skill was overcome by that other often overused component of intangibles: attitude. In this case, we can call it the 'Miami spirit'.
 
There is an old adage that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which is an excellent parable for the Miami Marauders and the success they had in S73. How else can you explain the over achievement of this collection of players last season? At the start of their first-round playoff series against Minnesota, the Marauders had one player at or near triple figures in TPE, their opponents had six. Yet the Miami upstarts managed to take what should have been a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, before eventually succumbing in seven games.  Most Miami players that we spoke with talked of the Miami spirit or the feeling that pervaded the locker room at the time. Many stated they were simply overjoyed to have made the playoffs at all and against the odds, never mind contemplating a 3-1 series lead.
 
That the club lost the opening round 4-3, didn't even seem to put a dent in the player's feelings, sure there was disappointment at what could have been, but there was something else, a pervading sense of achievement and a coalescing of pride and accomplishment regardless of the end result. Most players and indeed many pundits felt that for Miami, the series exit could be chalked up to inexperience, after all, none of the players had been in that position before and didn't know what to expect. Playoff performance in many cases is about that collective institutional experience gained by trying and then failing, before utilising that experience gained to improve the performance next time out.
 
For the new S74 edition of the Miami Marauders, the question remains can the club from management to the playing roster inculcate their newest crop of players with that 'Miami spirit' and use that to cope with the twin obstacles that will confront the club in its upcoming sophomore season: Expectation & Pressure. The expectation to improve on last seasons performance and the pressure that comes with said expectation. 
As their Captain Andre LeBastard said in part, in a private message to the club ahead of the new season, which was leaked to Shite Sports News last night:
 
"Last season we had a tight group of players with a spirit that led us to our first-ever playoff berth in our very first season, as we met and surpassed each challenge we faced. What made most, if not all of us proud, however, was the spirit we all felt in the Locker Room. This was the Miami spirit, something no one could take away from us..."
 
To paraphrase Admiral Lord Nelson, ahead of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805: 
 
'Miami expects...'
 

With many teams coming to him before the draft, Dakota Lamb was not exactly sure where he would go. Teams like London and Calgary seemed to be the most likely spot, however there was not 1 team that Lamb could count out. He knew that he wasn't exactly the most skilled player in the draft, but his work ethic and willingness to get better he felt propelled him higher in the draft. "Late 1st round, early 2nd round", he thought to himself. But from the moment the draft started, he was nervous. He could go anywhere. Whenever a new team went on the clock, he imagined what it would be like to play for that team. He saw his newest potential teammate, Patrik Laine, go to Helsinki at 9th. And then Warsaw was on the clock.
 
Warsaw is a new expansion team, who came out of nowhere. With many teams coming to Lamb weeks before the draft, it was that very day that Warsaw had come to Lamb for a pre-draft interview. He must've hit it out of the park in that interview, because the next thing Lamb knew...
 
"With the 10th overall pick in the S73 VHL Entry Draft, the Warsaw Predators are proud to select, from the Miami Marauders..."
There were so many of us. Lamb didn't expect to go before other Marauder 1st rounders such as Kosmo Kramerev, Andre LeBastard, or Wolf Stansson. However his heart was racing.
"DAKOTA LAMB!"
 
He was overjoyed. He hugged his parents and close friends, happy to be selected this high in the draft. And to a team where he can see himself doing great things, on a clean slate expansion team, just like he did with Miami. He is a Warsaw Predator loud and proud. Although he is spending this year in the VHLM again with Miami, this is the start of something great between Lamb and Warsaw.
 
Side Note: GM Muff was proud of his pick, claiming after the draft was over that his pick of "Derek Lamb" was the steal of the draft. I'll take it.

The draft is an especially exciting time in any sport, not only for the prospects but also for GMs looking for the next generational talent. This season's draft was especially exciting as we not only saw some of the best prospects go to their respective teams, but also some old faces move places in the expansion draft. As AGM of one of the four expansion teams this season, it was also an especially stressful time to get draft boards sorted out. Looking back on Warsaw's picks and players, I believe that we did quite well for our goals going into draft night. First off, we have the expansion draft. 
 
Pick 3 | Arthur Dayne | C | 
From the start of our draft board and initial scouting to see what prospects we wanted, Arthur Dayne was at the top of our board. Not only was he our consensus second-best prospect in the entire expansion draft, but he was going to be just entering his 2nd year of VHL eligibility. We thought with his 12 capped TPE/week and being such a young player he would be in his prime as our #1 C when Warsaw would be ready to compete. Last season in the VHLM Dayne was a true two-way power forward, accumulating 152 hits and 89 points. If he can continue his development and play in the big leagues, I can't think of a more worthy player to be our first ever official skater.
 
Pick 11 | Alex Bridges | D | 
Unlike Dayne, Alex Bridges is already going to be in his 4th year of VHL eligibility. Despite us wanting to build for the future, Bridges still being available at #11 was too tempting to pass on. He has already been in the bigs for a year, and his potential is more clear cut than Dayne. He has been consistently earning 10 capped TPE/week and has been steadily growing into a solid two-way defense-man. Not only should he be a great player when we are ready to compete, but he will be a clear leader and role model on the team for the first few seasons. Last season for Davos, he put up a quiet and solid rookie season with stats of 26 points, 170 hits and 90 blocked shots. With the increase of minutes and his superb potential, we expect him to be the core of our defense for many seasons to come. 
 
Now for the actual VHL draft, which we had picks 10, 21, 24, 30, 46 and 62.
 
Pick 10 | Dakota Lamb | C | 
Our first ever VHL draftee is none other than Dakota Lamb. Just like Dayne, he is another center who claims 12 capped TPE/week. On our draft boards, we had Lamb being drafted 10th overall to us. Once again, he draws similarities to Dayne with his full ice play, putting up numbers of 93 points and 125 hits in the minors last season. His superb development and potential make me feel as if he can develop into a player like Patrice Bergeron from the NHL. An all-rounder that can be trusted in any situation and is the cornerstone of any good team. When he is finally called up with Dayne, Warsaw will have a lot of physical grit and a great one-two punch at center. Overall he is the type of player that will be good no matter what.
 
Pick 17 | Ajay Krishna | G | 
Now here is a prospect that made a lot of noise coming into the league with a completely unknown agent. Fully capping each week and putting up quite respectable stats on a relatively weak Lynx team last year is Ajay Krishna. We were completely floored that Ajay fell into the second round at all, with us believing he would be snatched up at #11. In a few years, he could be one of the greatest goaltenders to play in the VHL in recent memory and the steal of the draft. Despite thinking he would fall to the 21st pick, we still traded up, concerned a team would pick him up for the pure value. A huge goaltender at 6'8, we have high hopes that he'll become a franchise goalie that can carry our team to a cup.
 
Pick 24 | Victor Grachev | D | 
Most prospects that start playing later in their careers are often doomed to never making it to the big leagues. Well, Victor Grachev is the exception to that rule. He earns around 10 capped TPE/week and is developing at a steady rate. Despite only playing 23 games in the minors leading up to the draft, he had proven himself as the real deal. We fell in love with his play-style immediately after watching him play for the first time. With most players being a shoot-first type player, you need someone to feed them the puck and facilitate plays. That is exactly what Grachev is. Not only is he a surprisingly good skater for a defense prospect, but he also has an innate vision to make the correct passes on the ice. After developing more, he can be an elite play-maker and power-play quarterback. 
 
Pick 30 | Jeremy Lin | RW | 
Our final second-round pick is Jeremy Lin. For Lin, he is more offensively orientated than most of our other prospects. He has a hell of a shot when he's fed the puck for one-timers. Earning 8 capped TPE/week, he is another solid prospect that if he continues developing should be able to make a big impact for any team in the bigs. Despite his slight troubles in the minors last season, we believe that he'll develop into a wonderful piece. He already has a shot that can match some players in the bigs, all he has to do is round out the rest of his game. He could be one of the biggest steals of the second round if he keeps up his development.
 
Note we also drafted two players in the fourth round, Ben Mills and Jack Mount. Unfortunately, these two promising prospects have already seemed to stagnate in their development. If they don't rekindle their lost potential, they may never make the bigs, as such, they aren't going to get their own, personal, written section.
Overall I believe we have all the tools necessary to become a great team in the future and should be able to make a run at the cup in a few seasons. We have definitely a strong prospect pool and base for our new team.
 
1007 words, claiming week ending July 19 and 26

Rooting for you guys !!! 

Can't wait for the season! Let's go Miami!!!!

The Season  
 
  The Miami Marauders have had a very busy off-season. Between the draft and making trades GM Kris Rice has been busy preparing his team for what could be a season that the Miami Marauders have a real shot at a title. The Marauders had a debut season that the team will never forget. They drafted their roster based on the personalities of the players rather than their skills. GM Rice saw the potential in these players and knew that he could build on something special in Miami. The Marauders started season 72 off slow as everyone expected. Rice continued to remind the players that its only temporary and that if they continued to work hard they would see the results pay off as the season progressed. The players believed in his words and they continued to work hard and he turned out to be right. Miami went from the basement of the VHLM to making it into the playoffs and pushing the regular season champs Minnesota to 7 games in a tightly contested series. Despite being eliminated the Marauders knew they had accomplished something special and were eager to get back to it the following season.
 
The Draft
 
      The off season was a very uncertain one for the Marauders as the VHL had just expanded by another four teams. GM Rice did not know if his star players would get pulled up early to help fill roster spots or if they would be available to stay down in the VHLM to finish what they had started. Rice's first focus was the draft and he had to draft as if he was going to lose a few players. In the first round GM Rice took star centreman Kevin King. His thought behind this pick was that Kevin could replaced either of our two centres Lamb or Lebastard had one of them been taken up to the VHL for season 73 and if they didn't then King could be slotted on the wing to play along side these talented players from Miami. Next Rice drafted two defensemen in Matty Socks and Victor Grachev to prepare the team in case either Kosmo Kramerev or Wolf Stansson were to be pulled up to the VHL. He drafted so that he had contingencies in case the worst was to come for the Marauders. Miami held 3 picks in the second round as well and he brought back former winger Rocket who was originally part of the Marauders as a waiver signing. Rice was so impressed with Rocket he had to have him back on the roster. He selected winger Luke Thornton after that to add to an already deep Miami Roster. Rice traded his last second round pick to move down into the third round. Where he continued by adding depth to the roster with defensemen Eoin Byrne and forward Riley Couture who Rice then moved to Saskatoon to be reunited with her partner in crime Emi Rune. This next is where things got interesting, Rice with the 53rd pick in the draft took forward Patrik Laine. Laine who was projected to go in the first round dropped all the way to round 5 because of his claim to be moving up to the VHL for season 73. Well GM Rice had no other targets on the board so he took a chance and drafted Laine in case the impossible happened. Rice rounded out the draft with a few more depth picks and looked forward to the remainder of the off-season.
 
The Unknown
 
   GM Kris Rice then began to look at upgrading on his current roster. He began to move out some lower tpe players in order to upgrade on the wings. He acquire player Jared Willis in a deal with the Yukon Rush and moved out players Vlad Imir and Bobbie Cheechoo to create space in the line up for his star players to get enough ice time. The VHL expansion draft and VHL draft had come and gone and Rice was eager to know what the future would look like for many of Miami players who had been drafted. Lebastard was to remain with the team, Lamb, Sens and Stansson as well. This was great news for Miami but not all of the news was as good. Stud defenseman Kosmo Kramerev was given an opportunity he could not refuse in a top 4 role with the Calgary Wranglers and has left Miami to start his VHL career. Rice while disheartened by losing such a talented player was also very happy and proud that Kramerev was moving on to bigger and better things. Rice was then shocked with some incredible news, forward Patrik Laine and his VHL GM had decided that it was best or Laine's development to remain down in the VHLM for one more season. Rice along with the rest of the VHLM couldn't believe what was happening. A player who was destined for the VHL and passed over on had been sent down to help bolster an already deep Miami roster. 
 
The Future
 
      Now that the Miami roster has been set the real work begins. With the influx of so many talented players into the Miami locker room there has been some tension. Old players welcoming in new players can be tough as the old group has built such a tight bond with one another. Not everyone has handled it as seamlessly as others but as days have passed everyone seems to be gelling as they all have a common goal of winning a championship. However this task will not be an easy one, there are a few teams who took strides in the same direction as the Marauders and it will be a tough road in order to win a title in season 73. GM of the Minnesota Storm made a few deals to bolster his roster and are now looking to become regular season champs again. Saskatoon who just recently won a championship had a strong draft and returning players who are hungry to win back to back. San Diego who was in the basement all season long added a ton of depth in this past draft and are going to a problem for everyone in the VHLM to handle. Needless to say as deep and talented as the Miami Marauders are, they have a tough road ahead of them if they want to bring a title to Miami. The team is going to need to dig deep and continue to work hard all season for the results to pay off but GM Rice knows he has the right talent and personality in this locker room to get the job done.
 
Go Marauders Go!
 
WORD COUNT: 1117

Happy birthday VHL!
 
When I was 13, I remember getting an Xbox 360 for my birthday, and playing the shit out of Rock Band. Also biking around the city with my friends all the time. My friend also body checked me through my door to my room, which is still broken to this day.  

VSN Presents "VHLM Awards S72" 

What an amazing season we have seen in VHLM! Saw an introductions of the newest member of VHLM family - Miami Marauders, saw greatness in many new and upcoming player that will tear up VHL soon! Firstly, I would like to congratulate your S72 Founder's cup champions - Saskatoon Wild! What a brilliant job by GM McWolf and his AGM Doomsday who led their team to victory! Everyone from their talented players to supporters and friends - you did it, be proud of this amazing accomplishment! 

Good luck next season everyone, S73 is going to be amazing! 
 
Championship - Founder's Cup: Saskatoon Wild
 
Best Regular Season Record - Prime Minister's Cup: Minnesota Storm
 
Leading Points - Ethan Osborne Trophy: Adam Syreck Congratulations @Spade18!
 
Leading Goals - Alexander Chershenko Trophy: Ike Bennet : Congratulations @Caboose30!
 
Leading Assists - Vladimir Boomchenko Trophy:  Tyler Walker  and Alex Letang  Congratulations @Advantage and @Spartan!

Now for the individual awards! First up- Top Defenseman award, the Ryan Sullivan Trophy!
 

I'm not applying, but Laine would be a great choice ? 

Super interested! I like writing and have a lot of time before I go back school and even then I can make time for a weekly article so I'm in!

Glad you put the cowardly disclaimer at the start, otherwise I might have told you I got something you can lick.
 
In all seriousness, it looks like you know jack shit about most of the players you write about. I can't see any relevance, benefit or need for this piece.  Further, you clearly have no understanding of the term 'satire', this is not a satirical piece, in any way shape of form. So you can't claim satire, which to me leaves a poorly executed, self serving TPE grab, based on insulting people you know nothing about.
 
FYI
 
The Oxford English Dictionary defines satire thus:
 
a. A poem or (in later use) a novel, film, or other work of art which uses humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize prevailing immorality or foolishness, esp. as a form of social or political commentary. Frequently with on, of, against.
Originally distinguished from lampoon in being directed at a fault rather than at a person who has that fault, though there is now considerable overlap between the two terms.
Dude, I'm a shit writer, but at least some of my stuff can conjure a smile from time to time, this shit is just grim. 
 
Therefore, I an awarding you a never before awarded 1.0/10 for this piece of puerile journalism. 
 
It's not even funny. Fuck you.
 
 
 

When you can get Dakota and Derek as a package deal for one pick, you can't pass on that opportunity.

Great read. I found it interesting from the start. There was enough detail in the article that you could actually picture it happening. The one issue I had with the
article was each sentence seem to have been cut off on the right side most likely an issue with the borders. Otherwise, great work and good
luck in the VHL.
 P.S. Great Name-Dakota Lamb.
 
8/10

Darren Lamb: “not that weird”

This thread will be a bittersweet celebration of the life of the VHL institution known as "BUST OR LICK". It is with a heavy heart, much soul-searching, and great sadness that I must announce the retirement of the series.
 
The VHL is meant for fun and enjoyment. Articles like this, even when made with good intentions, may turn someone off from the VHL and that just doesn't sit right with me.
 
For anyone drafted in round 1 of seasons 69 to present and labelled a BUST, I truly do apologize if I offended you with my words. I was wrong. You have the potential in you to excel, have success, and prosper as a person. When i cruely and unfairly labelled you a BUST, there was a glimmer growing inside you. That glimmer was the LICK you were always meant to be.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With that being said...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
As always, this is a satirical piece of media. I mean no ill-offence to anybody and it's all just in good fun. This draft is gonna be nasty though. The one thing I will say with 100% seriousness is that Dan Baillie Jr. should have been a top 3 pick. Honorary LICK status to that man.
 
 
 つ ◕_◕ ༽つ BUST OR LICK - S73 VHL ENTRY DRAFT ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
 
 
 
1. Groovy Dood - @bigAL. His name is ringing out in the VHL streets, I will give him that. He seems to be co-signed by some big name VHLers and already seems to have infiltrated at least one VHL clique as a newcomer. 1st overall has never been a bust in BoL history iirc, and despite being a first gen, bigAL's name seems to hold enough weight for me to at least keep the tradition going and crowning our second LICK of the article. I like his Simpsons avatar too.
 
2. Tyler Walker - Legendary VHL member without a doubt. He seems to have roared back after some time (months of inactivity). Not sure if he's still a discord mod or what, but he seems to be grabbing VHL by the balls again............................................. Except Ryan Sullivan Jr. was a bust, and the fact that @Advantage is a decent guy who is trying to get his life right, I would not be surprised if he makes the mature decision and cuts out the toxic growth that is sim league addiction from said life. I told you this draft was gonna be nasty. BUST for Tyler Walker. 
 
3.  Micah Adrienne - A celebrated first genner that had Enorama and Esso nutting in their pants during the draft stream about how Beaviss got such a deal. No offence to @Poptart. Played with him on Moscow IIRC. His last goalie was a good solid player, but let's face it folks, anything Beaviss is associated with is going to be a bust for me. Their other first round pick is a way worse BUST than Micah Adrienne, but there's no way this gets a lick from me.
 
4.  Jordan Tonn - I don't mind @MexicanCow123 in discord but from my perspective his activity has dropped off significantly (maybe he's a VHLM GM or AGM since there's 50 of those now and is more active there) but he ain't on during degen hours in general chat on discord, so he don't exist to me. His last player was a bust for all intents and purposes, and retired early iirc. Better luck to him on this 2nd gen player but this, without question, screams BUST.
 
5.  John Merrick - I commented during the draft that I hadn't even heard of this player before. I checked his profile page and saw it was @Steve with a recreate. Now, I respect Steve and think he is an underrated graphics guy in any league he's active in, but to keep it 100, last VHL player was a bust, he clearly had some kind of falling out with VHL, or maybe a love affair with another sim that drew him away, and he's old. Should hopefully be a contributing player, but he ain't that loveable for me to call him anything but a BUST.
 
6. Grekkark Gryfalcon - Had to look this guy up. I believe @Sharkstrong is a big deal in some other sim league, and surprisingly his last player, Elasmobranch Fish, has some name recognition and I think was a decent sim player. Looks like he used to even run the rigged Lottery too. I don't know much about this member, despite him being active on VHL for almost 2 years. Again, contributing player, but he need to introduce himself and tell me about his hobbies and interests if he wants to get a LICK. Are you silly? Sim player name could also use some work, shit sounds like a bootleg Harry Potter. BUST.
 
7. :chi: Jean Pierre Camus - Graphics god makes an appearance here in BUST or LICK. @solas is a very capable VHLer, has history of HoFers and All-Star players, and is a sig god on the site. Seeing as he's a graphics guy, I'd like to use his entry to tag our fearless leader @Beaviss and ask why none of the expansion teams have emotes yet?  You guys planned these shits in secret for 4 months, ignoring the community's input and ideas, and you guys couldn't even take the 3 minutes to scale down the logos for emotes and upload them? Hate to be a negative member, but Blues fucked it up yet again. solas for me has like an 80% chance of full activity / max capping, and despite wanting to get my bust numbers up bad, I cannot in good faith give a fellow graphics god anything but LICK status. May he be the next MVP goalie of the league.
 
8. :la: Jeffrey Pines - Interesting pick from Josh here. I've definitely heard and seen the name @rory around before. Site post count looking right, I don't want to call him a graphics guy yet because his graphics still need work, but if Josh saw something in him, that is a good co-sign in my eyes. @Josh you couldn't take 2 minutes to make and upload a damn emote for your own expansion team? smmfh. BUST and the player name is on some 'Timothy Brown' types of bland.
 
9.  Patrik Laine - Sneaky pick by Jubo07 here at 9 and I think he gets good value with the pick. I've seen this @PatrikLaine guy zippin around all over the site, seems like he can do a basic graphic and does writing too many. Seems to have an unhealthy obsession with Patrik Laine though. Literally every text entry field this guy could get his hands on he wrote 'Patrik Laine' in. No offence to him, Jubo runs a nice system and he could become something, but giving this guy anything besides BUST a would be out of character for me.
 
10. :war: Dakota Lamb - Very active on discord. Has impressed me with his graphics. Seems to be muff's main man for his team setup. Has all the makings of a lick here honestly. Him and his EHM friends are a little weird and piss me off sometimes though. @dlamb seems to be the least offensive of the bunch. Hate to give away a lick but thanks to the expanded first round size, I have one more to let off and this guy did enough on discord and with graphics to earn it from me. LICK picked up by GM Muffinski.
 
11. Kosmo Kramerev - A couple things jump out at me about this prospect. @Mongoose87 is an intriguing username, and I was born in 87 so maybe he's an old shit like me. Also I noticed his player is Ukrainian just like Jet Jaguar and all my old players. Seems to be running a comedy angle with Kramer as his render, I don't hate it. Unfortunately he was drafted by Calgary, and much like his new GM, he will see himself named a BUST and hopefully like his GM, he can use it as motivation to go on and become a fringe VHL superstar. 
 
12. :lon: Alec Volchenkov - A returning first genner looking to have more success with his second player. I did have some good times with @SirRupertBarnes when he was in S66 draft class with me. We played Junior together iirc and were both drafted to Moscow. Victor actually preferred this guy to me, which is ridiculous both then and now, but his last player got drafted 5 spots before  Jet Jaguar. Jet Jaguar went on to be a HoF and the best forward of S66 draft class. SirRuperBarnes went totally inactive. Sorry Barnes, hope you have a better go of it this time, but Volchenkov clearly getting a BUST here. @McWolf and @Sonnet don't either of you have site powers? Could it have killed you to make forum emotes for the expansion teams? 
 
13.  Wolf Stansson - Unsure if Victor or eaglesfan pick here. I know there was a player within the last ~5 seasons named Wolf Stansson Jr. but I think this @ahockeyguy is a different person. Username is so basic it's comical and I love how he's still rocking the default avatar image on the forum and has an absolutely massively sized signature with some crude graphic editing on it. Looks like he somehow won his S72 VHL Fantasy group, so maybe he's got the touch... Hopefully he makes it work and somebody makes him a better avatar/sig, but pick 13 shouldn't even be a first rounder and the Cardinal of the Kremlin can't be lick hitting every draft. BUST in my humble opinion.
 
14.  Shawn Glade III - Horrific pick by Beaviss here. This guy both voted for Shane Mars in S66 ROTY and then got fired from DAV for gross incompetence. It took Gustav seasons to clean up his mess and get DAV to the playoffs again. If there was something lower than a BUST in this article gimmick, I would give it to him. I'm not even going to give him the respect of tagging him. Jaguar 4 S66 ROTY and fuck Shawn Glade III and all his players past and present. @Beaviss how tf is the Vancouver emote still using the text shortcode que? Wow. Just wow. BUST but worse.
 
15.  Andre Lebastard - Yeah we're getting late in the article here. Don't have much to say about this guy. It definitely looks like he puts effort into his articles/media, and has little graphic elements included which is nice. Seems pretty dedicated for his VHLM career. Hopefully he can drag Prague out of the dumpster and lead them to success. Obviously going down in BoL history as a BUST though. Only way you're getting a lick after like pick 10 is if you're a commish. Sorry about that @Andre LeBastard good luck in your career.
 
16.  Marshall James Frostbeard - One of the most well-liked members on VHL. Always friendly and professional. Latvia produces some great members for sim hockey and @FrostBeard is no exception, rising the VHL ranks quickly and looks to be primed for a successful GM career. This really should be a lick in all honesty, but we've come so far in the article and I'm tired. John Frostbeard got a taste of some cups but had his career cut short (GM job-related, but still). Frostbeard is a lovely guy who contributes to the VHL community, but i've already fucked everybody else off with busts, so Frosty, hate to say it bud, but MJ Frostbeard is going down as a BUST for me.
 
 
 
There you have it folks, another seasonal instalment of your favourite member's favourite article series. Not sure why everyone was going hog wild over this draft class, because I honestly don't see it. I think this is one of the worst drafts in BUST or LICK history, but I'm too lazy to go stat digging through the other articles. I think we had 3 licks and 13 busts in the first round. S73 will be remembered as an average draft class.
 
Salute round 2 LICKS Dan Baillie Jr. and pride of India Ajay Krishna. Thanks to some questionable GM decisions causing you to slip to the second round, you will both be omitted from the lick record books.
 
 
 
Thanks for reading and see you next season.

S73 VHL DRAFT: FIRST ROUND REVIEW
 
By: Patrik Laine
 
Now, after reading @Advantage's mock draft article, I would be lying if I said I wasn't extremely impressed by what he did, so I had a thought. Why don't I do something like his, but with the actual draft board? I decided it would be good to display my thoughts and have some talk in the comments about the draft so thanks to @Advantage for inspiring this article.
 
Even though I was a part of this draft class, I will be completely unbias about every pick and talk about it from my point of view.
 
I will be showing the same thing as Advantage did, but also showing how far they rose or fell. Now without further ado, let us begin!
 
NOTE: TPE Totals will be the one that appears on the draft board, but AVG will remain the same from the previous list made by Advantage. Teams have been updated as well after the VHLM draft.
 
----------------
 
ROUND 1

 
1. D.C Dragons select C/LW Groovy Dood (Minnesota, 257 TPE, 12.0 Average) @bigAL
Remained in the same spot as mock
 
I think DC knew what they were doing here. Dood doesn't have the highest TPE in the draft class, but his activity will be a big role in DC. Dood recorded 57 points in 72 games with Minnesota last year, but only 9 goals. He is more of playmaker though, known for his silky smooth hands and terrific defensive play. He also recorded 88 hits and 3 shot blocks. Not exactly dying to get in front of shots but is willing to throw his body around out on the ice. I think DC will get a good player out of Dood but time will tell.
 

 
2. Malmo Nighthawks select D Tyler Walker (Saskatoon, 348 TPE, 11.0 AVG) @Advantage
Remained in the same spot as mock
 
With DC in need of forward help, Malmo gets arguably the best defender in the draft with Tyler Walker. Walker is known for his incredible defensive ability and great skating. He put up terrific offensive numbers, with 21 goals and a lead-leading 94 assists for 115 points in 72 games along with 60 hits and 101 shot blocks. He has to be the most pro-ready player out of this draft class along with Frostbeard and I see him being a contender for Rookie of the Year next season in the VHL.
 

 
3. Vancouver Wolves select D Micah Adrienne (Las Vegas, 322 TPE, 12.0 AVG) @Poptart
Remained in the same spot as mock
 
Walker may be the most pro-ready defender, but Adrienne is right behind him as the best pure shutdown defender in this draft. Despite him playing pure lockdown, he put up a point per game last season with the Las Vegas Aces, scoring 72 points in 72 games and tacking on an incredible 250 hits and 104 blocked shots in that timeframe. Vancouver gets a really good player at 3 without really having to move and I think Adrienne will be a big player for the Wolves going forward.
 

 
4. Seattle Bears (from Prague) select G Jacob Tonn (Mississauga, 334 TPE, 12.0 AVG) @MexicanCow123
Remained in the same spot as mock
 
This is a steal of a pick here for Seattle if things go according to plan. Seattle will need a new starter in a few years with Rayz Funk set to hang up the skates soon and Tonn is the perfect replacement for Funk. Tonn doesn't exactly have the best statistics but is a great goalie never the less, with great rebound control and smart with his glove and block helped him win 45 out of 72 starts in Mississauga in S72. I think if Seattle can set up a team around him, he will be a X-Factor for a cup run in a few seasons.
 
 
 
5. Toronto Legion select C John Merrick (Mexico City, 250 TPE, 12.0 AVG) @Steve
Moved up 3 spots (8 to 5)
 
Toronto gets a good VHL-Ready forward here at the 5th spot. Merrick didn't play a lot in the VHLM, only playing 26 games in the league for Mexico but put up 16 points and in 18 games in the playoffs had 10 points. He is known for a good shot, defensive ability, skating and great hands. He needs to continue to work on his faceoffs but I think he will be a great player for Toronto down the line. I see him later in his career being a first line forward.
 

 
6. Malmo Nighthawks (from Davos) select G Grekkark Gyrfalcon (Saskatoon, 282 TPE, 12.0 AVG) @Sharkstrong
Remained in the same spot as mock
 
With their second pick in the top 10 and with Jacob Tonn off the board, Malmo snags their franchise goalie in Grekkark Gyrfalcon. Gyrfalcon was great in S72, winning 37 out of his 51 starts in Saskatchewan and recording 7 shutouts. In the playoffs, he was fantastic, going 12-4-2 and leading the Wild to a Founder's Cup victory. Gyrfalcon has great rebound control, glove and blocker control and is very agile in net. He will be a big part of the future of the Nighthawks.
 

 
7. Chicago Phoenix select G Jean Pierre Camus (Yukon, 265 TPE, 12.0 AVG) @solas
Remained in same spot as mock
 
With the first pick in franchise history, Chicago nabs their first franchise goalie. With a huge 6'8 frame and great glove and blocker skills, Camus looks like the future in net for the Phoenix through their first few seasons and beyond. He needs to improve his skating and other aspects of his game, but those can easily be worked out and I think he will be a great pick for Chicago looking back on this draft.
 

 
8. Los Angeles Stars select LW Jeffrey Pines (Mexico City, 274 TPE, 12.0 AVG) @rory
Falls 3 spots (5 to ?
 
LA opts to go with a forward for their first pick. Pines was anticipated to go at 5 to Toronto but fell down three spots before LA scooped him up at 8th overall. Pines is the best defensive winger in the draft and also has a great shot, hands and skating ability. If he develops into a top tier forward, this can end up as a steal for LA very quickly. I expect him to show something in his rookie year after scoring 91 points in 72 games last season and leading Mexico City all the way to the Founder's Cup Finals.
 

 
9. Helsinki Titans select RW Patrik Laine (Miami, 214 TPE, 11.5 AVG) @PatrikLaine
Moved up 2 spots (11 to 9)
 
The funny thing about Laine is that he didn't appear in the top 2 rounds until the trade deadline. Laine came out of nowhere and had 59 points in 58 games with the Houston Bulls last season. He is known for his great shot, defensive IQ and silk hands. Off the ice, he is known for his personality and is a great guy in the locker room. Helsinki may need to change his style to be more physical with his 6 foot 5 inch frame being perfect to battle in the corner, but right now he will staying the VHLM. I expect him to be a big player for the Miami Marauders this season.
 

 
10. Warsaw Predators select C Dakota Lamb (Miami, 226 TPE, 12.0 AVG) @dlamb
Moved up 5 spots (15 to 10)
 
Warsaw gets a possible franchise centrepiece in Lamb. Lamb had 93 points in 72 games last season for the Miami Marauders and helped them make the playoffs in their inaugural season. He will stay in Miami this season playing alongside another first-round pick in Patrik Laine. Lamb has a great shot, defensive ability and is an excellent skater. If he pans out for Warsaw, this would be a great pick for the 10th spot in the draft.
 

 
11. Calgary Wranglers (from London) select D Kosmo Kramerev (Miami, 234 TPE, 10.25 AVG) @Mongoose87
Remained in same spot as mock
 
Many signs pointed to Laine falling into Calgary at 12, but Calgary played it safe and traded to 11th. Laine was chosen as you remember, so they get another solid player in Kramerev. Kramerev was an absolute force in the VHLM last season, recording 106 points, 94 hits and 142 shot blocks through 72 games last season. He has a booming slapshot, great defensive ability and IQ along with his great skating ability makes for dangerous results.
 

 
12. London United (from Seattle via Prague via Calgary) select C Alex Volchenkov (Saskatoon, 214 TPE, 11.5 AVG) @SirRupertBarnes
Moved up 5 spots (17 to 12)
 
London dropped down a pick and still got the guy they wanted in Volchenkov. Volchenkov is a great passer, despite only putting up 15 points in 60 games last year with Saskatoon. He also has great hands, great skating and is a great defensive forward. He may be small at only 6 feet, but does a good job protecting the puck down low. This may turn into a late first steal for London, but he wasn't projected to go until round 2. Time will tell.
 

 
13. Moscow Menace select D Wolf Stansson (Miami, 226 TPE, 12.0 AVG) @ahockeyguy
Fell 5 spots (8 to 13)
 
Stansson is a solid pick at this range. An absolute catalyst for Miami last season, he recorded 30 goals, 53 assists and 83 points in 72 games. Yes, you heard that right. 30 goals as a defenseman! For comparison, Patrik Laine who went on the board where many people predicted Stansson would go, had only 27 goals last season. Stansson also recorded 133 hits and 138 shot blocks adding to already impressive numbers. He could turn into the best defensive prospect in this draft if Moscow can coach him right.
 

 
14. Vancouver Wolves (from New York) select D Shawn Glade III (Mississauga, 239 TPE, 6.0 AVG) @ShawnGlade
Fell 4 Spots (10 to 14)
 
Here is where we start to see the top defensemen come off the board. Glade had a great season in Mississauga last year, recording 83 points, 21 hits and 69 shot blocks in 72 games. Armed with great defensive IQ and ability, along with a lethal slapshot, excellent skating and puck handling, Glade can be an X-Factor for the Wolves if things go right.
 

 
15. Prague Phantoms (from Calgary) select C Andre LeBastard (Miami, 228 TPE, 10.25 AVG) @Andre LeBastard
Fell 1 spot (14 to 15)
 
GIven that this is a late first round pick, the Phantoms get a lot of value from LeBastard. The playmaking centre had 22 goals and 54 assists last season. Good for 76 points along with 105 hits and 36 shot blocks. LeBastard is armed with great hands, playmaking ability, faceoff skill and defensive IQ making for a challenge planning for him every game. If Prague can get a lot from LeBastard, this could end up being a steal.
 

 
16. Malmo Nighthawks (from Riga) select Marshall James Frostbeard (Mississauga, 345 TPE, 12.0 AVG) @FrostBeard
Remained in same spot as mock
 
The obvious choice for Malmo, as Frostbeard is the selected player of the general manager. MJF had a great season last year, recording 39 goals, 87 points, 259 hits and 18 blocked shots. Put him up there with Walker and Gyrfalcon and Malmo came of this first round like bandits on paper. Time will tell, but it expect Frostbeard to be a franchise piece for Malmo moving forward.
 
------------------
 
Conclusion:
The first round was really exciting. We seen a few trades take place before draft day. We seen a few players jump like Laine, Volchenkov and Merrick, but quite a few players dropped like Glade III, Stansson and Pines. This isn't all of it though. The true way to evaluate a draft is when the class is all retired and we can take a look back and do a redraft a few years down the road to see what happens. It will certain be an exciting time for franchises like Malmo and Vancouver, who have made moves to solidify their rosters with multiple first rounders, but also for the expansion teams, who got quality players to start their franchise with.
 
(2040 words, 10951 characters written by @PatrikLaine)
 
 
PS: If anyone wants to do the second or third rounds, feel free to.
 
 
 

With many teams coming to him before the draft, Dakota Lamb was not exactly sure where he would go. Teams like London and Calgary seemed to be the most likely spot, however there was not 1 team that Lamb could count out. He knew that he wasn't exactly the most skilled player in the draft, but his work ethic and willingness to get better he felt propelled him higher in the draft. "Late 1st round, early 2nd round", he thought to himself. But from the moment the draft started, he was nervous. He could go anywhere. Whenever a new team went on the clock, he imagined what it would be like to play for that team. He saw his newest potential teammate, Patrik Laine, go to Helsinki at 9th. And then Warsaw was on the clock.
 
Warsaw is a new expansion team, who came out of nowhere. With many teams coming to Lamb weeks before the draft, it was that very day that Warsaw had come to Lamb for a pre-draft interview. He must've hit it out of the park in that interview, because the next thing Lamb knew...
 
"With the 10th overall pick in the S73 VHL Entry Draft, the Warsaw Predators are proud to select, from the Miami Marauders..."
There were so many of us. Lamb didn't expect to go before other Marauder 1st rounders such as Kosmo Kramerev, Andre LeBastard, or Wolf Stansson. However his heart was racing.
"DAKOTA LAMB!"
 
He was overjoyed. He hugged his parents and close friends, happy to be selected this high in the draft. And to a team where he can see himself doing great things, on a clean slate expansion team, just like he did with Miami. He is a Warsaw Predator loud and proud. Although he is spending this year in the VHLM again with Miami, this is the start of something great between Lamb and Warsaw.
 
Side Note: GM Muff was proud of his pick, claiming after the draft was over that his pick of "Derek Lamb" was the steal of the draft. I'll take it.

With many teams coming to him before the draft, Dakota Lamb was not exactly sure where he would go. Teams like London and Calgary seemed to be the most likely spot, however there was not 1 team that Lamb could count out. He knew that he wasn't exactly the most skilled player in the draft, but his work ethic and willingness to get better he felt propelled him higher in the draft. "Late 1st round, early 2nd round", he thought to himself. But from the moment the draft started, he was nervous. He could go anywhere. Whenever a new team went on the clock, he imagined what it would be like to play for that team. He saw his newest potential teammate, Patrik Laine, go to Helsinki at 9th. And then Warsaw was on the clock.
 
Warsaw is a new expansion team, who came out of nowhere. With many teams coming to Lamb weeks before the draft, it was that very day that Warsaw had come to Lamb for a pre-draft interview. He must've hit it out of the park in that interview, because the next thing Lamb knew...
 
"With the 10th overall pick in the S73 VHL Entry Draft, the Warsaw Predators are proud to select, from the Miami Marauders..."
There were so many of us. Lamb didn't expect to go before other Marauder 1st rounders such as Kosmo Kramerev, Andre LeBastard, or Wolf Stansson. However his heart was racing.
"DAKOTA LAMB!"
 
He was overjoyed. He hugged his parents and close friends, happy to be selected this high in the draft. And to a team where he can see himself doing great things, on a clean slate expansion team, just like he did with Miami. He is a Warsaw Predator loud and proud. Although he is spending this year in the VHLM again with Miami, this is the start of something great between Lamb and Warsaw.
 
Side Note: GM Muff was proud of his pick, claiming after the draft was over that his pick of "Derek Lamb" was the steal of the draft. I'll take it.

With many teams coming to him before the draft, Dakota Lamb was not exactly sure where he would go. Teams like London and Calgary seemed to be the most likely spot, however there was not 1 team that Lamb could count out. He knew that he wasn't exactly the most skilled player in the draft, but his work ethic and willingness to get better he felt propelled him higher in the draft. "Late 1st round, early 2nd round", he thought to himself. But from the moment the draft started, he was nervous. He could go anywhere. Whenever a new team went on the clock, he imagined what it would be like to play for that team. He saw his newest potential teammate, Patrik Laine, go to Helsinki at 9th. And then Warsaw was on the clock.
 
Warsaw is a new expansion team, who came out of nowhere. With many teams coming to Lamb weeks before the draft, it was that very day that Warsaw had come to Lamb for a pre-draft interview. He must've hit it out of the park in that interview, because the next thing Lamb knew...
 
"With the 10th overall pick in the S73 VHL Entry Draft, the Warsaw Predators are proud to select, from the Miami Marauders..."
There were so many of us. Lamb didn't expect to go before other Marauder 1st rounders such as Kosmo Kramerev, Andre LeBastard, or Wolf Stansson. However his heart was racing.
"DAKOTA LAMB!"
 
He was overjoyed. He hugged his parents and close friends, happy to be selected this high in the draft. And to a team where he can see himself doing great things, on a clean slate expansion team, just like he did with Miami. He is a Warsaw Predator loud and proud. Although he is spending this year in the VHLM again with Miami, this is the start of something great between Lamb and Warsaw.
 
Side Note: GM Muff was proud of his pick, claiming after the draft was over that his pick of "Derek Lamb" was the steal of the draft. I'll take it.