Laine

HATRIK LAINE STRIKES AGAIN!

It's so good!!!!

I love this! It's perfect!

This is something I've wanted to do for a while, and with recent events not only in the league but in my personal life, I've decided now is a great time. I'm planning on beginning the VHL's first (to my knowledge, which isn't a lot) mental health initiative. I've talked to quite a few members about helping this thing gain some traction, so I hope it is able to do that. Times are tough right now. COVID has made our lives a lot harder and mental health numbers are higher than normal. I just want to put it out there, you are not alone. If you need help, there are many members around the league who are willing to help you and a lot of resources available. I'm hoping to create a discord server that has some resources in it and where people can just talk. If you are struggling, people will listen without judgement. The best thing you can do is talk now and reach out. It seems scary, especially if it feels embarrassing to ask for help, but it is the best option for you in the long run. I'll put a few resources here that I received from @Emi. One resource is a free app called Wysa. The app allows you to talk to a friendly AI penguin who listens to your thoughts, helps you get them into order, and gives you a few simple exercises to resolve your problems. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bot.touchkin&hl=en_GB&gl=US If you do not have google play, I am sure there are similar apps available to you. Futhermore, there's a discord group ran by people who want to take care of your mental health, you can get one to one conversations with medical professionals OR just people who want to help and you can talk to them about your worries. https://discord.gg/thehaven Finally, this next resource is only for users in the UK. If you put the name of your GP surgery into this page on the NHS website it will tell you which free counselling services there are in your area. Most of the time you don't have to speak to a GP first before signing up for the services. https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/ There will be a resource board in the server. Feel free to add any resources you think will be helpful. I'm hoping this can spread around the league so people know they aren't alone in their fight. If the idea to create a server is a good one, I can start it. However, I will not moderate heavily as it will be for the community's benefit. That being said, if anything that is uploaded is deemed inappropriate, it will be removed immediately. Also, on this thread, if you have any thoughts, feel free to empty them. I want to know how people are doing and how me and others can help.

Applying

We are live here at Staples Center in Los Angeles for the cage fight of the century between Caboose and Viper! My name is Patrik Laine and I'll be your commentator for tonight. Now, for the introductions. "In the blue corner, standing 6'5, weighing 195 pounds, the King of Clobber, the Prince of Punches, CABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!" "and in the red corner, his challenger, standing 5'7, weighing 150 pounds, the Executioner, the King of Comebacks, VIPERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" "Before we do this, let's go over the ground rules.....Rule 1: No touching of the hair or face.......AND THAT'S IT." There goes the bell and we are off and running here. Caboose begins jabbing at Viper's face. Viper fights back by kicking him in the leg. Wait what is this? Viper has pulled out a table and the two of them appear to be playing Slapjack....there's a Jack for Viper.......Caboose gets one back.........Viper get the last Jack and appears to have won the game. He looks like he's had a whole dance prepared and everything....OH WAIT WHAT'S THIS? CABOOSE HAS PICKED UP THE TABLE AND HE HIT VIPER IN THE HEAD WITH IT! VIPER IS ON THE GROUND AND CABOOSE IS HITTING HIM WITH THE GROUND AND POUND! VIPER BARELY MANAGES TO ESCAPE IT! Viper gets Caboose back with a jab AND AN UPPERCUT TO THE JAW. Caboose is backing up.....wait he's grabbing a chair from his team next to the ring. He puts in the middle of the ring, now what? OH WAIT CABOOSE IS PICKING UP VIPER! HE'S SPANKING HIM! YOU CAN HEAR VIPER'S SCREAMS FROM OUTSIDE THE ARENA! THIS REMINDS ME OF WHAT JARED SPAZ DID TO ME A COUPLE SEASONS AGO! Caboose appears to be done the spanking now BUT HE CLOCKS VIPER WITH THE CHAIR AS IT SHATTERS IN HIS HAND. Viper can barely get to his feet here...this fight looks almost over. Caboose now grabs ANOTHER chair from his team, this one a bit larger. OH WAIT HE'S PUTTING IT NEXT TO VIPER. HE JUMPS UP ON IT AND DRIVES THROUGH THE PILE DRIVER! THE REF IS COUNTING......AND CABOOSE TAKES THE VICTORY! Well it was certainly an eventful fight, not sure if we will have a sequel though.........Until next time, I'm Patrik Laine signing off. (375 words) @Caboose30 @Viperxhawks19 @Spaz

HOLY SHI-

I'M NOT COMPLETELY SUCKING THIS SEASON LETS GO! (or at least not yet)

@IamMOOSE Ready to ignite the London-Helsinki rivalry?

You sure he ain't with Laine?

STANKY

Patrik Laine was reportedly missing from Helsinki Titans practice Monday morning. People both in Helsinki and around the world were unsure of his whereabouts. However, someone did manage to find him. The Finnish forward had taken a little vacation to Bermuda. He signed autographs for fans and went swimming with the locals. Witnesses were able to snap this photo of the 20 year old. "What? I needed a vacation." Laine said, while laying down on the beach, "It gets a bit boring living through the cold Helsinki winters all the time. Sometimes you just need a break." "Of course I'll be back for today's games.....Now, do you mind? You're blocking my sunlight."

1. I think the trend is a great idea. It helps get more people involved. 2. I would find a way to give everyone a Valentine's Gift, but still figuring out what to get..... 3. Candy Included for the whole team. 4. I think it's a real holiday. Might not be a widely celebrated holiday but a holiday never the less. 5. Surprisingly, no. 6. Arctic Monkeys - Do I wanna know? 7. Depends on who it is 8. Maybe 1-2 days in advance so users have a chance to get ideas down and ready for the week. 9. Done in advance. I like to get my tasks done the night before or on monday. Some tasks I do wait on but mostly I'm early. 10. I read quite a few that I enjoyed. Can't exactly remember which ones they were now though. 11. I just seen the theme. I like it, but if it was worth the wait is debatable. 12. I can easily do a media spot on it, but I would prefer to do a graphic on it. I have a nice idea in my head. 13.

Halfway through his third season with the Helsinki Titans, Patrik Laine has proved he is the franchise superstar that the Helsinki Titans had hoped he would be, being amongst the VHL's best in goals, assists, points and +/-. The 20 year old forward has 24 goals and 40 assists through 42 games and currently sits at a +27 on the season. Laine says his success hasn't been just himself. "You know, I have been playing good, but it all has to do with my teammates. They've been with me and there for me through it all along with Blade and Jubo. I love them and this team so much. I owe lots to them." Laine also talked about hopes and goals for the rest of the season. "64 points in 42 games to open the season was higher than anything I expected heading into this year. I hope I can hit at least 35 goals and 100 points. Definitely have some work to do but it's certainly within reach with the way I've been playing. Again, I owe it all to my teammates and the coaches. They've helped me through everything and I wouldn't be doing this good without them." (200 words)

Helsinki's top line WENT OFF!

1) Definitely the light blue and gray one. I love it when we wear those ones. 2) If you ain't having fun, you ain't living. 3) Probably....similar to Tim and Sid or Pardon the Interruption. Sports related along with plenty of hot takes and analysis. 4) Pail of Pucks 87 Flex Stick Shoulder Pads Skates Jersey 5) I've had the luxury of this in Helsinki, but keeping younger players focused and calm when they start to slump. I always get frustrated when I'm not scoring and not playing at my best and management has done a great job keeping me focused. 6) I'm gonna be honest, I haven't really read any of the Harry Potter books, so I have no idea. 7) Definitely famous actors. There are quite a few that I am a huge fan of. I've met a few of them throughout my time in the VHL. It's really cool to see them as huge a fan of you as you are of them. 8.) I was yelling during a game against Riga the other day. They were trying to fight Vaak and Rune and I stepped in front and started pushing back. Lots of yelling ensued as you can imagine. 9) Sometimes, I'll just lay down either on my bed or in a bubble bath and listen to music. I also do enjoy just sitting around with family and talking, spending time together. 10) Definitely those two European Conference Champions banners we have hanging. Motivates me to always finish the job. 11) I have a Yellow Labrador who turns 9 on Friday. He's a very good boy. 12) Jackass. That show is too funny to watch by yourself. 13) #NailedIt

Helsinki, Finland - Not much was expected of the Helsinki Titans heading into this season. They still had a very good core, but with the departures of key forwards Hiroshi Okada, Jared Spaz and many defenders, Helsinki had a lot of rookies coming into the lineup. Analysts seen the club making the playoffs, but not being the juggernaut they have been in seasons past. Defying expectations, Helsinki has surprised everyone to open the season. Ola Vikingstad has been playing like an MVP, leading the league in points on a line with veteran forward Bob Helminen and up-and-coming superstar Patrik Laine. Valtteri Vaakanainen has been a great mentor to the upcoming rookie forwards in Dan Dan, Vick Fairchild and Victor Foles on the second line. On defense, Helsinki has had it in spades. The blue line, much like previous seasons has been led by veteran Erik Summers and a defender in his prime in Spencer Elsby. Emi Rune has been a very good add for the Titans, meshing well with rookies Gustav Hjalmarsson, Kate Upton and their S76 first round pick in Gunnar Odinsson. In the crease, Zamboni Driver has been one of the league's best so far. He has a solid backup behind him in John Poremba. The team currently sits with a 19-7-0 record, good for 3rd in the European Conference and only 1 point behind the Warsaw Predators and Moscow Menace for the conference lead. Each game has been a massive team effort for them, and even in the ones they haven't won, they have barely had an off night. It is exciting to see a young roster like this defy expectations and I expect them to be among the league's best teams by the end of the season. (290 words)

Three good places per conference to put teams (imo): NA: Montreal Detroit Pittsburgh EU: Berlin Saint Petersberg Zurich

Congrats @Spence King!

better than my start last season

claiming 2nd and final week (1/31)

1) Easily more. I love to be funny and have a good time. 2) My sense of humour is unique to say the least. I laugh at many jokes, but some dark/historical jokes I always refrain from laughing at. Particularly jokes about WW1 and WW2. 3) Excellent! 5th in goals, T-1st in +/-, 1st in GWG, and Top 10 in shots and points by forwards. Proud of a strong start, but gotta keep it up. 4) All I need to say is #VikingstadForMVP @Dil 5) Definitely Dan Dan, coming into the room and playing amazing out of the gate. All the rookies have been amazing. 6) I would drop move gloves instantly. If any team decides to get rough with my Titans, Laine ain't gonna hold back. 7) Laine is Finnish. It doesn't really explain anything, but does give me home-ice advantage. 8.) Finnish style Chicken Wings. I'll eat any style, but Finnish style is SO GOOD! 9) I would bring back some Ketchup chips for everyone. I spend some of my offseason time in Winnipeg so I enjoy Ketchup chips every once in a while. 10) I enjoy the travel. It's one of the best parts of being a player. 11) Either the Sniper series or the Terminator series 12) "You have to be yourself. That's the most important thing. Just be yourself and say what you think." 13)

Laine with another trio of goals. Go Helsinki!