Xflexz

“And the winner of the S91 Daisuke Kanou Trophy, for leading the Toronto Legion to their first Continental Cup in 26 seasons, Joel Castle!”
 
Shaking my head in bewilderment, I slowly get to my feet and make my way to the stage. I get high-fives and a few hugs from my Legion teammates as I cross the floor. I’m in shock, my brain racing through the last five seasons. From my first start for the Legion in S87 to our first playoff game in S90 and the thrilling series win against Vancouver to the crushing defeat at the hands of Los Angeles. Knowing of all the adversity we faced this season, the struggle to get back into the playoffs but just having that confidence in one another and using the lessons learned the last few seasons to march through each series and finally finish our comeback in Game 6 of the Final. The memory of hoisting the Cup and skating around the rink followed by my Legion brothers is bright in my mind as I accept the beautiful Kanou Trophy from the presenter.
 
Emotion welling up inside, I simply say: “Thank you. Thank you. This is a dream come true, an honor and a day I didn’t know if it would ever come but I kept working toward it anyway. Thank you to our GM Moon for assembling us together and believing in us even when the critics didn’t. Thank you to our captain, Mac Atlas, who could be up here instead of me after his incredible run and breaking the Legion single playoffs points record. Thank you to all the rest of my teammates, Jimi – you were awesome and if Mac hadn’t broken the record, you would have. Dens and Tomas, you both fought until the bitter end and now you retire as champions! Bobby and Jimmy were solid all playoffs in the back end and Burnsy came up big when needed. Our Toronto Trio of rookies, Diego, Harry, and Walter – you guys played like vets – don’t ever forget these moments. And finally, but not least, my brother in pads, Evan you helped keep me focused and loose throughout the whole playoffs. You always kept cheering us on, pushing us to be better. And not to forget, a huge thank you to our fans in Toronto and around the world who have stayed with us for the long haul and now we’ve been able to bring a Cup to TO. You guys are the best fans in the VHL and we love you all! To all the goalies I faced this season – you guys made me push myself to be the best I could be. I look forward to facing you next season.”
 
I turn shake a few hands then grab the trophy and lift it to a round of applause. As I make my way backstage, the announcer says, “This is Joel Castle’s first Kanou trophy and the first individual trophy of his career.”
 
The rest of the night is honestly a blur. There are pictures, more hugs and handshakes, poses and parties. But I can’t stop thinking about the trophy shining in the lights and what it means. Now, I have to be ready even more for next season. We are the defending champs and everyone in the VHL will be gunning for us. And it’s a great feeling. I’m ready for it.
 
 

I have been traded! Some would hate to be traded but I see it as a fun new experience and an opportunity to be a star for a new team. The goal is to play so well that people look back at it and debate who won it. I enjoyed my time in Vancouver and won the cup with them but they were having cap issues which is understandable and they needed to shed some cap. I get to start in Canada but move all the way to the other side to Toronto. I only know a little about them but I have heard they are on the rise and maybe I can help bring them into a playoff spot this coming season. My personal goals stay the same in being a shot-blocking machine. I shouldn't have many problems making friends with the goalie with my play style. Let's go Toronto!!!

I have been traded! Some would hate to be traded but I see it as a fun new experience and an opportunity to be a star for a new team. The goal is to play so well that people look back at it and debate who won it. I enjoyed my time in Vancouver and won the cup with them but they were having cap issues which is understandable and they needed to shed some cap. I get to start in Canada but move all the way to the other side to Toronto. I only know a little about them but I have heard they are on the rise and maybe I can help bring them into a playoff spot this coming season. My personal goals stay the same in being a shot-blocking machine. I shouldn't have many problems making friends with the goalie with my play style. Let's go Toronto!!!

I have been traded! Some would hate to be traded but I see it as a fun new experience and an opportunity to be a star for a new team. The goal is to play so well that people look back at it and debate who won it. I enjoyed my time in Vancouver and won the cup with them but they were having cap issues which is understandable and they needed to shed some cap. I get to start in Canada but move all the way to the other side to Toronto. I only know a little about them but I have heard they are on the rise and maybe I can help bring them into a playoff spot this coming season. My personal goals stay the same in being a shot-blocking machine. I shouldn't have many problems making friends with the goalie with my play style. Let's go Toronto!!!

I have been traded! Some would hate to be traded but I see it as a fun new experience and an opportunity to be a star for a new team. The goal is to play so well that people look back at it and debate who won it. I enjoyed my time in Vancouver and won the cup with them but they were having cap issues which is understandable and they needed to shed some cap. I get to start in Canada but move all the way to the other side to Toronto. I only know a little about them but I have heard they are on the rise and maybe I can help bring them into a playoff spot this coming season. My personal goals stay the same in being a shot-blocking machine. I shouldn't have many problems making friends with the goalie with my play style. Let's go Toronto!!!

Another season has passed and we managed to sneak into the playoffs! I ended up having a career year once again in all offensive categories and some defensive categories. I unfortunately had 99 penalty min which I would like to see go significantly down since that is way too much for my liking. Since we made the wildcard, we got more of that sweet playoff experience and managed to win round 1 by the skin of our teeth. Unfortunately, we were bounced out in round two but put up a decent fight. We can always get back at them next season though. I had a negative plus-minus as well this season but I'm chalking that up the team scoring being down overall since I still had a career record in points. I was a hitting machine this season not only breaking my career high but I absolutely demolishing it. Going from 115 to 147 hits is quite the jump. Lets go for 200 next season

Welcome everyone,
 
This week is theme week, and the theme is Retro. In this media spot I will name the best goalie of each season between S70 and S74. I will select the best goalie per draft class.
 
S70 – Jacques Lafontaine @SlapshotBear
 
Without further a due, the best goalie of the S70 draft class is Jacques Lafontaine. Lafontaine played his entire career with the Calgary Wranglers from S70 to S76. He played 382 games for a record of 220 wins, 128 losses and 34 losses in overtime. He finished his career with a save percentage of 0.919% and an average of goals against of 2.58. Jacques won the Greg
Clegane Trophy, awarded to the goalie with the lowest GAA, in S72 and S73. I also wanted to give an honorable mention to Jaxx Hextall @ROOKIE745.
 
S71 – Stone Wolski @DollarAndADream
 
In the S71, the choice is a little bit easier since Stone Wolski is pretty much the only goalie that became a starter of this draft class. He played 478 games with the D.C. Dragons between S71 and S78 and won 232 games. His best season was without a doubt S75, because he won 4 trophies, the Greg Clegane Trophy, the Brett Slobodzian Trophy, the Aidan Shaw Trophy, and the Dustin Funk Trophy.
 
S72 – Zamboni Driver @Tape-to-Tape
 
Just like for the S71 draft class, there is only one goalie that was a starter for his entire career, and his name is Zamboni Driver. Driver played his first six seasons in the VHL with the Helsinki Titans from S73 to S78 and he finished his career with the Riga Reign in S79. He even won the Greg Clegane Trophy in S79 with Riga. Throughout his career, Zamboni Driver won 220 of the 406 games he played.
 
S73 – Jean Pierre Camus and Jacob Tonn @solas @MexicanCow123
 
I know I said I would choose only one goalie per draft class, but I could not decide between the two of them. Camus played from S73 to S80 with the Chicago Phoenix and won the Continental Cup with them in S76. In S78 and S80, he won the Aidan Shaw Trophy and in S80 Camus also won the Brett Slobodzian Trophy and the Greg Clegane Trophy. Tonn played for the Seattle Bears, the Moscow Menace and the London United during his six seasons career. He won the Continental Cup in his first season with the Bears in S73. In S76, he won the Aidan Shaw Trophy, and he finished his career by winning three consecutive Greg Clegane Trophy in S76, S77 and S78.
 
S74 – Markus Emerson Jr @Xflexz
 
The S74 draft class was for sure the most difficult to decide, but my choice is Markus Emerson Jr. Emerson Jr played all his 230 games with the Vancouver Wolves between S76 and S80 and won 128 of them. In S80, he had the best season of his career and led his team to the Continental Cup. Honorable mention to Doug Dimmadome @Esso2264 and Vsevolod Askarov @Gooningitup.
 
Thanks everyone for reading and just a reminder that this is my opinion, so you don’t have to agree. However, if you don’t agree with me, then you are wrong, sorry.

Last season we finished with the best record in the entire league. Myself and the team had high hopes of going back to back and creating a dynasty. Unfortunately, the sim gods did not smile upon us and we were knocked out in the first round. I ended the season with a career-high in all categories so at least some good came out of it all. Now that this season has started I am somehow on the top in scoring even when I've intentionally made myself the most defensive defenseman I could possible make. If this keeps up I will be winning some awards and once again breaking all my career stat lines. Im not complaining its rather amusing when something like this happens since it really should have a near-zero percent chance of happening. Im sure it'll all even out at the end of the season but I still believe I can out perform last season by a decent amount!

Nearly finished with this season! It is my sophomore year and I managed to avoid the famous sophomore slump. With nine games left to go in the season over already broke every single individual stat record from last season! Last season I scored zero goals so breaking that was a given. The team is also much better this season so my assist and plus-minus greatly benefited from that as well. Also, we won the cup last season so saying we're much better this season is insane. I've taken significantly fewer penalties which is a big thing for me. Can't be playing A-plus defense if in the box and forcing our team to kill a penalty. I've hit just slightly more people and blog quite a bit more shots. All a part of my grand plan to be a defensive defenseman. We are also in first place by a healthy amount and It's looking like a second cup is in our future!

Nearly finished with this season! It is my sophomore year and I managed to avoid the famous sophomore slump. With nine games left to go in the season over already broke every single individual stat record from last season! Last season I scored zero goals so breaking that was a given. The team is also much better this season so my assist and plus-minus greatly benefited from that as well. Also, we won the cup last season so saying we're much better this season is insane. I've taken significantly fewer penalties which is a big thing for me. Can't be playing A-plus defense if in the box and forcing our team to kill a penalty. I've hit just slightly more people and blog quite a bit more shots. All a part of my grand plan to be a defensive defenseman. We are also in first place by a healthy amount and It's looking like a second cup is in our future!

Nearly finished with this season! It is my sophomore year and I managed to avoid the famous sophomore slump. With nine games left to go in the season over already broke every single individual stat record from last season! Last season I scored zero goals so breaking that was a given. The team is also much better this season so my assist and plus-minus greatly benefited from that as well. Also, we won the cup last season so saying we're much better this season is insane. I've taken significantly fewer penalties which is a big thing for me. Can't be playing A-plus defense if in the box and forcing our team to kill a penalty. I've hit just slightly more people and blog quite a bit more shots. All a part of my grand plan to be a defensive defenseman. We are also in first place by a healthy amount and It's looking like a second cup is in our future!

Juan Ceson has had a great run. He has thoroughly enjoyed his time with the team and he has also really enjoyed the casinos. However, he just does not have enough time in his life to do everything. Something had to go and was not going to be the casinos. Juan's poke-checking school has already been left in the capable hands of his former teammate Jimmy (@Xflexz) and the Juan Ceson Complex (formerly known as Mandalay Bay) is being run by dragons and their owner RC (@Arce). Juan's Bot School is being run by CBBE and Juan's fan club is run by both Juan's Fan Club Manager and his assistant @TopTiddee2. Juan is currently juggling many other things as well such as being King of Sweden and running Ikea, managing Ivan's career and of course, finding people to think of new ideas for the Juan Ceson Co. After his experiences with Jason (@Jason) last season and after moving far, far away from any major casinos, Juan has decided to retire from GMing in the VHL Pro-Am competition. The money he made from the team did not even begin to cover the gambling costs he had to spend to get through running it. He hopes everyone will understand and he wishes the best of luck to the new GMs.

1. tbh I don't really follow other teams close enough to know what we are getting so when it comes to trades I'm lost until a few weeks in
2. Get lucky and have a few players turn it on again like myself
3. Very interesting seeing a captain traded but gms have bigger brains than I
4. I think a decision has to be made if we are competing for a cup this season or in 2 seasons then decided what we want from there
5. Itll be close. I cant say for sure either way
6. My brain melted reading that... I have no idea

It is finally here!   The start of season 86 and teams are off to some great, some bad, and some surprising starts.  That being said I wanted to talk for about 500 words of some interesting and some not interesting things around the league thus far.
 
PRAGUE PHANTOMS

First, not really a surprising thing but the Prague Phantoms have come out firing!   After some great off-season moves the Phantoms have two players in the #1 spot for point scoring with Saku Kotkakoivu and Nils Godlander each tied with 27 points and defenseman, Erlanzt Jokinen in the #8 spot with 22 points.  There are going to be a force in the European conference.
 
WARSAW PREDS:

The S84 champs had a tough second round defeat in the last year’s playoffs after having an amazing regular season record.  The off season saw the team lose two of their three defensemen and their GM.  New GM  @N0HBDY came in and made a few moves to add some defense to replace Tavish DeGroot (SEATTLE) and Hari Singh Nalwa (LONDON) @Dil.  
 
Despite losing a couple of high TPE defenders the Preds have come out hot and are currently in second place in EU behind Prague. Their offense is dangerous with three in the top ten in scoring so far – Brendan Marner 24 pts, Girts Galvins 23 points, and Zach Kisslinger II 22 points. 
 
This team has a lot of tools to make another playoff run.  
 
VINNY DETROIT: @dasboot
It’s that time of year that I acknowledge Detroit’s nasty play and his quest to break either the single season PIM record (356) or career hits (2769).  Both are difficult, but I like the nasty play style of Detroit and always hope that Payne and Detroit can get a fight together as they are usually #1 and #2 in PIM totals every season.  He’s off to a good start and in 14 games he already has 78 hits and 47 PIMS.
 
TOP DEFENSMEN:
Earlier this off-season I made a hopeful prediction that defenseman, Jerome Reinhart would win the scoring title this year.  So far, I am way off but the season is still early, and I expect Reinhart to be at the top of the league by the end of season.  Other defensemen have been putting up huge numbers and there are some familiar names in there.  
 
Erlantz Jokinen (PRG)- 22 points @jRuutu
Jake Thunder (DAV) – 19 points.  @Thunder
Tavish DeGroot (SEA)- 18 points @rory
Bo Johansson (CHI) – 18 points.  @Shindigs
 
ROOKIE SHOTOUT
 
I’d like to make a quick rookie shoutout to Vancouver Wolves 6-05inch Dman Jimmy MacElroy @Xflexz.  A later S84 draft pick is in top 10 in scoring with 10 assists, 20 hits, and 18 SB.  A pass first Defensmen he has won championships in the VHLM with Las Vegas and even was the S84 Vladimir Boomchenko Trophy winner for most assist in a season (74).  Obviously former LVA GM SHINDIGS provided some insight to the studs build and I look forward to watching MacElroy grow in to an all-around beast defenseman.  
 
 
 

1. Playoffs for sure and see what happens after that
2. Slow starts only make for hot finishes
3. Not sure. Pretty new to the team so dont know everyone yet
4. Uh me ofc Jimmy. 
5. My first season here so unsure
6. A heart

@Xflexz

After spending two seasons in the VHLM and one season in the VHLE I managed two cups. Id say that's pretty good. I was close to going three for three in cups but fell just short in the VHLE season. This off season feels longer than the previous off seasons. I dont know if its a week longer which could be the case but it has that feeling that its dragging along. I am pretty excited to start my journey and expect to have a decent season. One of my goals this season is to win the rookie of the year award. I am a bit of a trophy collector I must say. As far as my training I am still heavily focused on being the top defensive player in the league. Blocking shots, racking up hits, and keeping the other team out of our defensive zone as much as I possibly can.

After spending two seasons in the VHLM and one season in the VHLE I managed two cups. Id say that's pretty good. I was close to going three for three in cups but fell just short in the VHLE season. This off season feels longer than the previous off seasons. I dont know if its a week longer which could be the case but it has that feeling that its dragging along. I am pretty excited to start my journey and expect to have a decent season. One of my goals this season is to win the rookie of the year award. I am a bit of a trophy collector I must say. As far as my training I am still heavily focused on being the top defensive player in the league. Blocking shots, racking up hits, and keeping the other team out of our defensive zone as much as I possibly can.

1. Very good indeed
2. Obv me  I am the goat of defenseman
3. I don't usually pay attention to FA signings tbh
4. Be ready to start that grind
5. It was excitement since I went to a team I wanted to
6. They draft always active players

1. The nightmare before christmas
2. No
3. lol love potion
4. I never made one 
5. Yeah why not
6. a coffin

As is the case with most teams around the holiday season, the Vancouver Wolves decided to give back to the community by sending a few of the players to the local Children Hospital. The team had selected the three rookies on the team would be the honored member to represent the team at the Hospital this Halloween.
 
 
All seemed normal as the three rookies went room to room dress in their costumes until the lights in the hallway on the third floor started to flicker and then they went dark. Leaving the three rookies in a room with only the lights of machines to light their way. Then came a whisper,” Don`t let them die!! Don`t let them die!!” All three players looked around concerned rushing over their faces but not willing to admit they were all on edge now.
 
 
Then seeming out of now where across the door darted a figure, it seemed like a mouse? Quickly followed by another; was that a cat? Then a quick flash of light and a hooded figure with hand out reached, wearing a robe covering his face and scythe was standing in the doorway with a thin hint of fog or smoke rolling around his feet. With his out reached hand he pointed to the three rookies and whispered,” Don`t let them die!! Don`t let them die!!”. Another flash of light and the hooded figure was gone.
 
 
Again, the mouse like figure darted across the door but paused for a quick moment in the door way and whispered, “Don`t let me die!! Don`t let me die!!” Quickly chased out of the door way by what the three assumed was the cat figure again. Then a huge Flash, the flash of light almost blinding the three rookies but they could make two figures shadow figures of what seemed to be the cat & the mouse. The cat jumped on the mouse and pulled head off the mouse with a quick biting motion caused a red liquid to spray into the room from the door followed quickly by darkness once again.
 
 
Once again, a quick flash of light and the hooded figure in the robe and scythe was standing in the door again. He turned and looked at the mess of the red splatter shook his head and once again pointed at the three rookies whispering,” Don`t let them die!! Don`t let them die!!” Again, another flash of light and the hooded figure was gone.
 
 
The light started to flicker once again and off in the distance a tall six-foot four figure stood in the hallway wearing a dark dirt covered jacket with his back turned to the room. Then seeming out of nowhere the figure turned around and had with the flickering light moved closer to the door becoming more visible to all in the room. He was wearing a goalie mask and over his shoulder he was caring a machete. As he moved closer to the door with every flash of light concealing his movements, he raised his machete ready for an attack when flash; a bright gold light seemed to come out of nowhere. Here was a spear stuck in the door frame of the hospital room door, which made everyone inside jump back in start at the unexpected object.
 
 
In the background behind the masked figure stood like a Greek god of a man wearing a gold helm with red cape, red skirt welding a golden sword and a golden shield. He raised his sword and started pounding the shield. Every time the sword struck the shield it caused the lights to flicker and with a yell,” No Retreat!! No Surrender!! That is Spartan law!!” He charged head long into the masked figure and more red liquid squirted into the room as the two figures clashed in the hallway. Then without warning the lights went out again and when they returned the hooded figure was back in the door way. Everyone expecting him to repeat his phrase of don`t let them die!! But he just shook his head and lowered his eye to the floor. Then he could be heard whispering, “I told you don`t let them die!!” then a pause. Again, he whispered," I guess it your turn now!” No sooner did he finish the statement did the light go out again and then a large bang came from the room and from the bed where once the kid had laid jumped a large figure of a werewolf. Causing everyone in the room to scream and fall to the floor.
 
 
Then light started to flicker again in the hallway, but somehow differently this time and you could clearly hear,” Thunder, Thunder, Thunder, Thunder!!” of the song Thunderstruck. Then two figures appeared in the door way and continued to lyrics to Thunderstruck with a huge finishing of “You`ve been Thunderstruck!!” and the light came back on. With all the character in the room the werewolf and our singers starting to laugh. It was @JB123 Nathan Powers dressed up as Brain Johnson of AC/DC alongside him was @Tape-to-Tape Wattson Power as Angus Young.
 
 
Then another figure entered the room this of @kelvi Anze Miklavz dress as Will Ferrell as the expert animal handler holding three new costumes for the three rookies. Laughing all the way and stated,”That was fun!! Now put these costumes on as we have more children to visit as team.” He handed the Thunderstruck rookies each a costume that seemed to be of the See no evil, hear no evil Monkeys and stating, “I am your handler for the rest of the day. Hopefully none of you had any accidents as these costumes are rented and need to be returned. Plus, we don`t need you to smell like the monkeys!! LOL!!”
 
 
Then one by one all the figures returned to the room; the mouse & cat were Tom & Jerry. In those costumes stood @Gaikoku-hito Pierre Emile Bouchard as Tom and @a_Ferk Biggie Cheese as Jerry. The grim reaper was next and as he pulled his hood back you can see a huge grin from the face of @Lemorse7 Alexandre Leduc. Then Jason the figure wearing the goalie mask with the god like man as masked figure pulled back the mask it was clearly going to be @Tate Brandt Fuhr and the god like Spartan was clearly @Spartan Nico Pearce.
 
 
Then to everyone surprise one of the rookies stated,” Well we are all here then so who is that in the werewolf costume?” With a big chuckle and smile that could be seen across the Pacific Ocean, the werewolf unmasked himself reviling his identity as none other than the team’s General Manager @Frank as he stated “Happy Halloween Wolves!!”
 
 
The team all together now and with the rookies all dress as monkeys with @kelvi Anze controlling the crazy antics went room to room visiting the remaining children handling out candy, autographs, jerseys and even game tickets. “What where is Riddles?” asked one of the members of the team. Then all of sudden the team could hear crazy laughing coming from down the hallway. They all turned looked at each other and started laughing themselves. My guess is this won`t be a Halloween forgotten by the three rookies any time soon. 
 
 
 
 

Happy Halloween from the Vancouver Wolves!!
 
 
 
1123 words Claiming Nov 6th & 13th
  
 

1. Not making it to the finals is always rough but it gives us a goal for next season
2. 9, would be a 10 if we won the cup but making it to the playoffs and bringing it to 7 is a great thing
3. We just made it 7 games in round 1 and are only getting better. Next season is the year
4. Ill be coming in to replace a defensive spot so that's safe but as far as the other spots it depends how the off season goes in filling them
5. Probably not but something might come up
6. A evil puppy

So its been a min since I've done one of theses. A quick talk about the regular season first. I played very well and am very very happy with my individual performance. I am also happy with the team overall performance as well. We are a defense first team which leans straight into my goals. As of writing this we are in the semi finals of the playoffs. The series is currently 3-2 for us and we can wrap it up tomorrow and take ourselves to the cup finals. We are most likely playing Oslo who finished first so that finals matchup is going to be pretty rough for us but we can do it. If we do manage to win this VHLE finals it would be my third cup in three years since I won the VHLM cup back to back last season with the aces. Im very excited for the rest of this season and am looking forward to my time in Vancouver!