Blazzer

I'M TRYING MAN HAHAHAHAHA

First week is in the bags so here I am back with some completely incorrect predictions of what the following week might hold for all sixteen teams in the league. If you haven`t followed this series before I try to project/predict the next weeks standings; where I am usually wrong and the following week, we all point and laugh at how wrong I was the previous week.
 
North American Conference
 
Current Standings:
 
1.     Los Angeles Stars                         9 – 1 – 0                     18pts
2.      New York Americans                  7 – 4 – 0                    14pts
3.      Calgary Wranglers                      6 – 2 – 2                    14pts
4.      Chicago Phoenix                         5 – 3 – 1                      11pts
5.       D.C. Dragons                                3 – 3 – 3                      9pts
6.       Vancouver Wolves                    4 – 4 – 1                      9pts
7.       Toronto Legion                            3 – 5 – 2                      8pts
8.       Seattle Bears                               3 – 7 – 1                      7pts
 
 
Next Week Predictions:
 
🟰           1.     Los Angeles Stars
Simple cannot see the stars losing that many games based on the strength of the roster and schedule but we could see a bit of surprise should Chicago put up more of a fight than I am currently expecting as these two teams play four times this next week, add in Vancouver, Riga and Seattle. Todd Cooke @KRZY and Larry Abass Jr @RileyL continue to be the offensive duel from years past leading the Stars in scoring but it has also been consistent secondary scoring across the whole roster that has the team leading in goals for with 42 after the first week of the season. Add in strong goaltending from Art Vandelay @Gustav and Los Angeles should hold down the top spot in the North American conference.
 
 
🔺          2.      Calgary Wranglers
While Calgary has a much tougher schedule in the second week with playing most of the European top teams and huge games against New York and Los Angeles. I think they will be able to do just enough to stay/move into second in the Conference standings or could easily slip back behind New York. Scoring overall for Calgary still seems to be a bit of an issue with the seventh best offense to end the week lead by Randy Bobandy @AJW, Oreo McFleury @JB123 and Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler but the most concern aspect to date this has to be the limited offense from Skor McFleury @Alex, who came over from Malmo to provide more offense from the back-end. Early days, but an interesting development to watch over the next few weeks.  
 
 
🔻          3.     New York Americans
This week will really determine if New York early season success can be maintained through most of the season as they will face tough task this week with three games against London, two against Riga, games against Prague and Calgary. It could be a rough week or they could thrive; I am sitting on the fence with this one as I usually do, so they should at least keep pace with Calgary by the end of the week. Jasper Davis @Josh continue to show at the moment that it was no flash in the pans last season that he finished the season with 105pts as he lead the team with new acquired FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist @STZ; both currently in the top ten of scoring. Add in the surprisingly strong start to the season for Malum Maellard @frescoelmo, who was acquired from Calgary during the off-season. Bit concerning will the lack of secondary scoring at this point of the season but Rookie goaltender WWWW @rory has been more than able to hold down the net so far this season with only one questionable game so far against Los Angeles, only the best offensive team in the league.
 
 
🟰           4.     Chicago Phoenix
Could be a very tough week as they play the top team in the conference four times in the Los Angeles Stars. If they can manage to split these games with the Stars, they could actually move up the standing as high as second but I think this could be a tall ask for team that I have predicted to be around the wildcard spot for most of the season. Games against Vancouver and Seattle can soften the blow of playing the Stars. Yaroslav Trunov @qripll unsurprisingly leads the offense for the Phoenix after coming over in a trade from Malmo during the off-season. A strong start to the season from Dank Turtle @DankTurtle but overall Chicago is currently lacking a ton of offense; if it wasn`t for the strong play of Ryan Artyomov @Enorama, they would be a lot further down the standings.
 
 
🟰             5.       D.C Dragons
After a perfectly balanced week from the Dragons, I am not completely sold on this team yet but this week could go a long way to proving me wrong as D.C. face Chicago twice times this week in what should really be make or break games and Seattle for a three-game set; which D.C. needs to win if anyone is going to take them seriously. I think I am being a bit harsh on this team as they could move up as high as third if they do better then expected. Balanced offensive attack is currently lead by Jason @Jason kranz, Keegan Gamble @Keegan Gamble and The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath . On a huge positive the gamble to pay a heavy price to get a goaltender in Henry Tucker Jr @NSG so far has paid off as Tucker Jr has been a strong point for D.C. a week into the season.
 
 
🔺               6.       Toronto Legion
Defend Champions have started the same way as they really started last season, looking lost or maybe a bit uninterested but Toronto should really start to turn things around sooner than later but I am predicting another rather average week for the Legion as Toronto will play mixed bag of schedule with Europe coming a knocking with two games against Malmo, and Warsaw. Also playing Helsinki, London and Prague. Joel Castle @animal74 has been consistent in net for Toronto as expected but the high offense that Toronto was expected to employ has rather been quiet with Jimi Jaks @ke1vi and Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer leading the way. Toronto should be alright if they can get more secondary scoring.
 
 
🔻              7.     Vancouver Wolves
Who expected Vancouver to be 500 at this point of the season? Yeah, No one right!! If Los Angeles didn`t beat up on them in three straight games, Vancouver could have actually been higher in the standings and continue to play tough defensive hockey; keeping most game close. I expect this to change this week with Moscow, Toronto, New York and Los Angeles coming to town. While Vancouver will look forward to further success against Seattle(cough). Vancouver offense is being led by former Bear Ben McLaughlin @Ben mclaughlin and the lone survivor from Vancouver contending days in Liv Slater @Subject056. Rookie goaltender Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty is finding the transition to the VHL a bit tougher than expected but has still been more than serviceable for the Wolves. He will be happy when all the prospect join the roster next season fore sure!!   
 
 
🟰                8.     Seattle Bears
Expected to be near the bottom of the Conference at the start of the season and guess what? Seattle is at the bottom of the standing but that might not actually be where they finish this week as the Bears play D.C. three times, Chicago and Vancouver twice; really all games that they could win if Justin Lion @Emperor_Fun can find the form that he had last season in Vancouver and Malmo. Scoring so far for the Bears has been consistent with defender Jack The Ripper @Ripper leading the way with Steve Lattimer @pugsood. It will be an interesting week to see if the Bears have an roar left in them.
 
 
European Conference
 
Current Standings:
 
1.        Malmo Nighthawks               7 – 2- 2                        16pts
2.       Helsinki Titans                        7 – 2 – 1                        15pts
3.     Moscow Menace                    6 – 2 – 2                        14pts
4.       London United                        5 – 2 – 2                        12pts
5.       Prague Phantoms                 6 – 4 – 0                       12pts
6.        Riga Reign                               4 – 5 – 1                         9pts
7.     Warsaw Predators                   3 – 7 – 0                        6pts
8.        HC Davos Dynamo               2 – 7 – 2                         6pts
 
 
Next Week Predictions:
 
🔺          1.         Prague Phantoms
Continued inconsistency from last season but Prague is too good of a team to continue to be inconsistent, add two games against HC Davos and Moscow; Prague should have a good week so I have them moving up in the standing from 5th to 1st? Yeah, I am questioning myself as well as this could be too high but Prague should be top three in the European Conference by the end of the week if everything goes to plan. Matt Murdock @Acydburn has started slowly for the second straight season and Prague continue to relay too much on trio of John Jameson @Frank, Nikolas Kauppi @Tetricide and Fred Hampton @TownBizness. Despite some of the inconsistencies I still have faith in Prague returning to a dominate team in Europe. We will see if it is blind faith or we placed faith!!
 
 
🔺            2.      London United
Mixed bag schedule but having HC Davos for two and Warsaw for two games means they are likely to have another week with a winning schedule. Add in New York two games; which is more of test for New York rather than I think for London. London could easily be first at the end of the week but the United also have a chance to drop a few games here or there so I cannot place them ahead of Prague. London put a lot of effort of keeping the three key forwards from last season together and if it wasn`t for Leonard Triller @Triller, Molly the Cat @JCarson and Wann Kerr @VattghernCZthen I think London would have a tough time scoring. Instead, all three are currently top 10 in scoring so secondary scoring will become a focus if London is going to go deep this season. Good thing London has Jesse Teno @aimkin; who once again is playing unreal!!
 
 
🔻            3.     Malmo Nighthawks
Can you say Helsinki? These two teams are going to be sick of each other as they play each other four times in the next week and I am not favoring either one so I am assuming a split series. Maybe doing Helsinki dirty since they have won both meeting so far this season and are still looking for the sweep but that is part of the problem predicting as if I predict Helsinki to sweep Malmo than reverse it etc… So Malmo should pay around 500 hockey this week so they side back to third in the standings. Malmo is being lead in scoring by Jacob Stone @scoop as he continue to show that he was ready to become the teams lead defender and trading Skor McFleury @Alex was a good idea!! But did they really trade Skor? Reese McFleury @Spaz needs to be checked to see if he is actually in fact Skor since he has been on fire to start the season and is putting up numbers similar to Skor. Consistent scoring through the line-up and solid goaltending from Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro should keep Malmo near the top of the conference all season.
 
 
🔻            4.       Helsinki Titans
I can copy and paste part of the Malmo Nighthawks preview since these two teams play each other so much next week but Helsinki also faces Riga and Calgary twice each; which the Continental Cup finals rematch against Toronto. Add in the tough London United team and you can start to see that Helsinki will be lucky if they come away with a 500 record. Helsinki could also sweep Malmo and make me look stupid. Daryl Dixon @Ricer13 and Kronchy Kardashian @Garsh are leading the attack of the Titans offense to know ones surprise. While Rookie Grimgor Ironhide @FrostBeard is currently leading the rookie scoring race. Fuukka Rask @Jubis is once again having himself a nice little season and Helsinki is proving the run to the finals last season was no fluke.
 
 
🔻           5.     Moscow Menace
After beating up on Warsaw last week as three of the six wins came against the Predators means Moscow will need to find someone else to beat up on this week so enter Vancouver for two games and HC Davos but the rest of the schedule is tougher with two games against Prague and a mixed bag of games against teams from North American conference. It will be interesting to see how this team fairs but I have gone conservative this week as I normally do; so, Moscow falls to 5th in the standings as European Conference stays tight. Axle Gunner @Steve has pick-up right where he left off last season and continue to impress leading Moscow in scoring with Jeff Lewis @nerji and rookie Leif Reingaard @Zetterberg keeping pace in what seems to be a new found balance attack that should menace the league this season. While fellow rookie goaltender Olober Syko @Spartan is showing why so many are high of this prospect coming into the season providing solid goaltending.
 
 
🟰            6.      Riga Reign
Very tough mixed bag of schedule will either see Riga become a play-off contender or as I am predicting kill almost any chance that they might have of making the play-off this season. New York, Los Angeles and Helsinki for two game each, not to mention Calgary, Prague and Malmo. Young team that is really just starting to develop into a contender is led by old man AK92 Wit da Hoodie @hedgehog337 and not as old man Babay Shrimp @Blazzer. While I think overall they would like to see more secondary scoring especially from Rookie Eric White Jr @Mysterious_Fish but overall Riga would be comfortable allowing the team develop and maybe collecting another nice prospect through the draft. Rookie goaltender Red Panda @Lemorse7 will need to be better if Riga is going to contend for a play-off spot this season.
 
 
🟰            7.     Warsaw Predators
A lot of talk around this team and their early season struggles; well, I am sad to say that I don`t see that ending this week as Warsaw faces London and Toronto twice, with Malmo, Prague and New York as other games. It is a tough schedule and it could be a tough week for a team that is hoping to making back into the play-off hunt by seasons end. This won`t help. Warsaw needs to find more overall offense from the likes of Dogwood Maple @dogwoodmaple and Alfred Champagne @Anthique. While Rookie Thor Reingaard @N0HBDY continue putting solid numbers keeping himself amongst best rookies in the league. Veteran goaltender Clueless Wallob @DMaximus simply put needs to be way better if this team has any hope of turning their season around.
 
 
🟰           8.     HC Davos Dynamo
Rebuild is fully engaged and I was actually surprised that they won two games this week after (if I am correct) starting the season with seven straight losses. Expect a losing record again this week but with Seattle and Chicago being two games that the team might have a chance but also expect them to upset some teams as they did Helsinki and Riga at the end of last week. Lachlan Summers @kirbithan is proving that it isn`t all hills of flowers and summer all the time in Davos as Summers has struggled with a much weaker defense in front of him this season. The only remaining piece not to be sold during the off-season is leading the team in scoring; who is David Jokinen @Ahma. Hard to say anything nice about a team that has just entered a full rebuild and is in full tank mode.
 
 
 
That it for the first week review and next weeks predictions. As always tell me below in the comment section how poor my prediction are and I will make sure to read them. Either way until next week Keep the sticks on the ice and your heads up!!

Second week and I have already been told in different places that I am complete idiot and really have no clue what I am doing!! So, now with that is out of the way!! Yup, you are completely right; which is why we all enjoy reading these predictions. Either way let’s get into this week’s Review and Predictions:
 
 

Current Standings:
                          Standings                                         Record                       Points                                Last Wk                                             Prediction Last Wk.                  
1.          Los Angeles Stars                  21-2-1                     43pts                          (12-1-1)                                   🟰      1st North American Conference
2.         Calgary Wranglers                 17-5-3                    37pts                           (11-3-1)                                   🟰      2nd North American Conference
3.         D.C. Dragons                            12-9-3                    27pts                            (9-6-0)                                   🔺      5th North American Conference
4.         New York Americans             11-10-3                   25pts                            (4-6-3)                                   🔻      3rd North American Conference
5.        Toronto Legion                         11-11-2                    24pts                           (8-6-0)                                    🔺      6th North American Conference
6.       Vancouver Wolves                   11-12-1                    23pts                           (7-8-0)                                    🔺      7th North American Conference
7.        Chicago Phoenix                       9-14-1                    19pts                           (4-11-0)                                    🔻     4th North American Conference
8.        Seattle Bears                              7-16-1                    15pts                            (4-9-0)                                    🟰     8th North American Conference
 
Reason: Not bad overall as I got three of the eight correct and also determined that other could fail like New York having a tough weekend but I didn`t see D.C. Dragons making a slight run this week, or did I? Actually, I did as I assumed that D.C. could be a team to prove me wrong as they played some easier teams this week and have been award for proving me wrong by moving up into 3rd in the North American standings. The biggest surprise this week has to be the fall of Chicago but again I did predict that they could have a tough week as they played the Los Angeles Stars four times last week; maybe I should have been a bit tougher on Chicago as I tend to sit on the fence a bit too much. In the end I also didn`t see them falling that much below Vancouver at least so I would have still gotten wrong either way.
 
 
 
Next Weeks Predictions:
 
🟰          1.    
 
I just cannot see them losing that may games as Los Angeles are clearly the top team in the league at the moment having lost a whole two games. I might be doing them dirty even suggesting that might loss as much as three games this week. Yeah, I know panic!! Best offense led by six players at a point game with Todd Cooke @KRZY and Jon Webber Jr @Webberj as usual leading the way. Art Vandelay @Gustav and the best defenseman Elias Lampi @Pifferfish are leading defense to only the best in the league. Best of everything for the Stars as final march continues.
 
 
🟰         2.    
 
Calgary will try to keep pace with Los Angeles and should have a fairly easy schedule to help this week but sadly the Wranglers are locked into second in the conference until the Stars start to loss somehow. 4th best offense is much improved from last season is being led by Randy Bobandy @AJW and Rip Wheeler @ScottyP. While defensively the Wranglers are led by Merome Dilson @MexicanCow123 and Phil Strasmore @Phil.
 
 
🟰        3.    
 
D.C. Dragons will make up a group of three teams that could go back and forth for most of the week but in the end I cannot see the Dragons losing half of their games so should be able to hold onto 3rd in the conference. 3rd best offense should keep them in most game is led by league leading points scorer; The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath and top 10 point getter Vincent Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007. Defensively the Dragons have to be concerned with 13th best defense and will look for more from Henry Tucker Jr @NSG.
 
 
🔺         4.    
 
As I mentioned about, I think we have a group of three teams in the middle of the conference so this team could be anywhere from 3rd to 5th by the end of the week but I am moving them up a single spot as the Legion had a better week then the last team in the group so assuming this continue means Toronto should do enough to move up into 4th at least. 10th Best defense isn`t helping the Legion with one of the best goalies in the league in Joel Castle @animal74 add in the inability to score with the 11th best offense and it should be no surprise that Toronto made a few trades this week bring in Steve Lattimer @pugsood to help the offense and Fraser Wallace @Hoopydog to help the defense.
 
 
🔻        5.    
 
Amazing how this team fell last week and I am predicting another tough week for New York as the Americans have a tough schedule but still should hover around the 500 mark. New York still loses as spot this week but should be able to stay very close to the Dragons and the Legion by the end of the week. Could also finish as high as 3rd if I am correct. FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist @STZ  and Jasper Davis @Josh struggled last week leading the offense to 15th in the league with the bright area being defensively ranked 2nd led by Rookie Goaltender WWWWWWWWW @rory.
 
 
🔺      6.    
 
Chicago is coming off a rough week that seen them go 4-11-0; which means Phoenix can only raise right? Well, I am predicting that with a slightly easier schedule that Chicago should maintain pace with the three teams ahead of them if they can play 500 hockey. With the 11th best defense and inability to outscore their issues at the moment it might be a tall ask.  Yaroslav Trunov @qripll is trying all he can; as he is currently tied for the league lead in points but only has the Phoenix offense ranked 10th. Similar situation on the defensive side of the puck as Ryan Artyomov @Enorama is trying to hold together the 11th ranked defense.
 
 
🔻      7.    
 
Vancouver is in complete sell mode as the Wolves completed a series of trades seeing Ben McLaughlin @Ben mclaughlin, Fraser Wallace @Hoopydog and Braeden Panarella @ThatCasual shipped to contending teams for picks. As the rebuild continues this wasn`t that unexpected but now means Vancouver remaining players are in for a tough ride; like losing a lot more games than they have so far this season. 12th best offense won`t be around much longer as Braeden Panarella @ThatCasual was Vancouver leading scorer leaving Nick Sansoe @Tipskid97 and Liv Slater @Subject056 to try to keep it respectable. Defensively Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty will need to stand on his head if he is going to keep the 14th ranked defense out of the basement.
 
 
🟰      8.    
 
The fight for last is coming and funny it is two rival teams in the Wolves versus the Bears but this time it’s not play-offs or for first in the conference but draft lottery placement. Seattle has been winning three or four games every week and I think that should continue but Seattle won`t win enough to move them out of the basement in North American conference at least this week. Offensively the Bears are not that bad ranked 8th led by Severus Targaryen @Banackock but this could change with Steve Lattimer @pugsood being sold off to Toronto. Defensively they are by far the worst team in the league with some 23 more goals against than any other team.
 
 
 
 

Current Standings:
                          Standings                                         Record                       Points                                Last Wk                                             Prediction Last Wk.                  
1.         Malmo Nighthawks                15-6-3                     33pts                           (8-4-1)                              🔺     3rd European Conference
2.        Moscow Menace                     14-7-3                     31pts                            (8-5-1)                              🔺     5th European Conference
3.        Helsinki Titans                          13-9-3                    29pts                            (6-7-2)                             🔺      6th European Conference
4.        London United                          12-8-3                    27pts                             (7-6-1)                             🔻      2nd European Conference
5.       Prague Phantoms                    12-10-2                  26pts                             (6-6-2)                             🔻      1st European Conference
6.        Riga Reign                                  11-10-2                   24pts                             (7-5-1)                              🟰      6th European Conference
7.        Warsaw Predators                  10-14-1                   21pts                              (7-7-1)                              🟰      7th European Conference
8.        HC Davos Dynamo                   7-15-3                   17pts                              (5-8-1)                             🟰       8th European Conference
 
Reason: Blame the fact that I missed the fact that Prague and Moscow would play four game series against each other this week; not to mention my predictions are based around a ten-game set not a fifteen-game set (dumb ass). Meant five more games played than I predicted but Prague going 1-3 against Moscow boosted the Menace and pushed down the Phantoms. If we switched the series this series than Prague would have been second in the standings. Instead, Moscow moves up more than expected. Moscow has now put the European Conference on notice after now beating up on Prague and Warsaw in back-to-back weeks. London United prediction is the fault of the schedule and my under-estimation of the games that would be played as London was 7-2-1 in the games that I actually predicted; would I have predicted that they would lose 4 straight games? No, but maybe 2-2 in that stretch. Either way I went 3 for 8 in the conference with Prague and London very wrong.
 
 
 
 
Next Week Predictions:
 
🟰        1.    
 
Clearly the best team in Europe right now add in what should be an easy schedule; the Nighthawks should hold onto top spot in the conference. Malmo is being led by Jacob Stone @scoop and Viktor Jensen @Advantage with a team commitment to both defence (4th in GA) and scoring (5th in GF).
 
 
🟰         2.    
 
While Moscow might have a tougher schedule, they are a good enough team to still hang onto the second place in the European Conference but could be challenged Helsinki later in the week. Axle Gunner @Steve and Left Alone @okochastar are both in the top ten of scoring, which isn`t that surprising considering Moscow has the 2nd best offense in the league. While defensively they are led by the Rookies in Olober Syko @Spartan and Leif Reingaard @Zetterberg good enough for 7th in the league at the moment.
 
 
🟰        3.    
 
Helsinki could be one of the best teams in the European conference next week with a fairly easy schedule and should put pressure on Moscow towards the back part of the week. Offensively the Titans have cooled since the first week and now sit 11th with Kronchy Kardashian @Garsh and Daryl Dixon @Ricer13 leading the way. Defensively they fair better at 6th led by Fuukka Rask @Jubisbetween the pipes.
 
 
🟰        4.    
 
After predicting this team to move up in the standing last week I am being a bit more conservative this week as the United should play around 500 hockey this week. If London isn`t lucky this week they could even start losing ground to the top three teams in the conference. With the 7th best defense led by Jesse Teno @aimkin and the 7th best offense being led by Leonard Triller @Triller, who is just outside of the top 10 in scoring.
 
 
🟰         5.    
 
Made moves this week to improve their roster after a rather disappoint week. I have lost faith in this group after my horrible prediction last week so I cannot see them playing much about 500 hockey and will continue to hang around the wildcard spot in the conference. 9th best offense team will be looking for more from John Jameson @Frank and Fred Hampton @TownBizness. Prague fairs better on the defense side of the stats at 5th led by Moritz Stauffer @GoodLeftUndone and Matt Murdock @Acydburn.
 
 
🟰        6.    
 
The young Reign team might be able to keep the pressure on Prague and London if they can play at least 500 hockey or better again this week. The 8th best defense led by Rookies Red Panda @Lemorse7 and Mina @Baozi have Riga still hanging around the wildcard but Riga will need more from the 13th ranked offense as AK92 Wit da Hoodie @hedgehog337 and Babay Shrimp @Blazzer need a bit more support on the offensive side of the puck.
 
🟰        7.    
 
What to say here, Overall, the team has struggled and I cannot see that changing. On paper the team should be challenging for at least the wildcard but that simply isn`t the case. I am predicting another tough week but if they can play at least 500 hockey they might just stay in touch of the wildcard spot. 14th best offense needs more from their younger player in Maxim Anisimov @McLovin, King Kisslinger @Kisslinger and Rookie Thor Reingaard @N0HBDY. Defensively 12th ranked defense needs more from veteran goaltender Clueless Wallob @DMaximus .
 
 
🟰        8.    
 
Locked at the bottom of the conference and cruising to the draft next season where they hope to pick a few players to help rebuild the empty cupboards. It isn`t all that bad with Lachlan Summers @kirbithan keeping the defense out of the basement at 15th. While offensively they are the worst in the league but Lorenzo Cobberson @Hendrix Cobberson is trying to retire in style with a point per game pace and David Jokinen @Ahma isn`t that far behind a point per game pace either.
 
 
 
 
 
That it for the first week review and next week’s predictions. As always tell me below in the comment section how poor my predictions are and I will make sure to read them. Either way until next week Keep the sticks on the ice and your heads up!!

@v.2
 
It’s season 60, the New York Americans are in the Continental Cup finals for the first time since their back-to-back cups in seasons 52 and 53, game 7, and the American’s come out firing on all cylinders and outshot Helsinki 34-19. However, that wasn’t enough as Helsinki would hang on for a 3-1 win with Franchise Cornerstone scoring the Cup clinching goal. Little did New York know at the time that would be their last taste of success for some time. Today we’ll be taking a look back at the 30 seasons it has been since that fateful day where the New York Americans were so close to their 8th Continental Cup. With that being said New York has had their bright spots in that stretch, but at the end of the day a combination of inconsistency and good old Simon have led to the New York Americans holding multiple records nobody wants.
 
The Early Years
Following their near victory in S60 the New York Americans were solid in S61, finishing with a 50-19-3 record, and sweeping the Quebec City Meute in the wildcard before falling short in the semi-finals in 7 games to Calgary. Following this defeat the Americans would completely rebuild, finishing 2nd last in each of the next 3 seasons, the benefit of that is that they were able to draft a very promising future core consisting of; Joseph McWolf @McWolf, Dan Wilinsky @oilmandan, Ryan Sullivan Jr @Advantage, Joel Ylonen @Esso2264, and Charles Puigdemont. Because of their very good drafting, the Nww York Americans were back in the playoffs in S65 where they were swept in the wildcard round by the Helsinki Titans. The following season the Americans were back in the playoff picture, and would again lose in the wildcard round in 6, this time to the Vancouver Wolves. But, this New York Americans’ team is young, strong and surely only getting better, right? 
 
The First Collapse
For one reason or another, the Americans decided that enough was enough and decided to sell everyone and everything they could, starting by selling McWolf to Riga, Twinger to Calgary, Ylonen to Seattle, and so on. While they did get a lot of picks and players back, with their recent momentum this seems to be a surprising move. With that being said, they did bring in Guy LeGrande @Steve to try and have a new top prospect! This didn’t save them though as they would go 20-45-7 in season 67, finishing last in the league. With this they would draft 2nd overall and took Lance Flowers @CowboyinAmerica. They would also select A Red Guy @.sniffuM, and Frederick Elmebeck @Elmebeck, in the first round among another player who we won’t talk about. Of those Flowers would make an immediate impact as they would win both top rookie and top defensive defenseman honours. In season 68 New York would miss the playoff by only 5 points while still trading away players for futures. 
 
Playoffs and Disappointment 
In the season 69 draft the Americans would take Soren Jensen @Velevra, and David O Quinn @David O'Quinn, the former of which would make the season 69 roster. Propelled by Boris the Forest @chillzone, they would make the playoffs as the 3rd seed in their conference, but would again be dispatched in the 1st round in 7 by Seattle. With this recent success in mind, New York would buy aggressively in the offseason, bringing back Joseph McWolf, and Joel Ylonen. However, New York would miss the playoffs by only 1 point, despite a solid 36-28-8 record. Following this disappointment, New York would retool, shipping out veterans and bringing in younger talent like Micheal Gary Scott @Motzaburger, and draft picks. They would also acquire John Frostbeard @FrostBeard in a trade at the midpoint of the season as the Americans made a playoff push. Ultimately, they would fall just short yet again with 80 points and a 39-31-2 record. In season 72 the New York Americans veterans in Acyd Burn @Acydburn, and Julius Freeman @rjfryman to build upon their core and with that they would get back into the playoffs as the 3rd seed, and not only that , they would manage to win a series, besting the Seattle Bears in 5, prior to another game 7 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Wranglers. In Season 73, New York would essentially run it back with the same group, and they would make the playoffs again! This time with a 43-23-6 record. Once in the playoffs, they would have a rematch against Calgary, who would again get by the American’s in game #7. Even with this success, it couldn’t continue forever, with their big names in Burn and Freeman retiring, New York would have an uphill battle to make the playoffs, and with that in mind, had a very quiet offseason. With retirements impacting their success, New York would fall well short, finishing with their first losing record in some time with a 28-37-7.
 
The Meh Seventies
Throughout the mid 70’s not a whole lot happened in New York, trades when needed, and the team’s focus shifted towards drafting and developing young players. However, their first draft pick of this new mentality would not really pan out early, despite a now infamous season 75 draft. With that being said New York hit on 3 of their 4 next draft picks with Chicken Wing @chikn, Cowboy Prout @Prout, and franchise goaltender Thadius Sales @thadthrasher! Despite a good draft, New York would be in for a long season as they finished last with a 21-42-9 record. The positive of finishing last, is you get the best odds at 1st overall, and New York would win the lottery! With the 1st overall pick in season 76, the New York American’s selected Red Lite @Tate, a franchise altering forward that would do just that as they would finish their first season with 39 goals and 80 points! Despite this infusion of offence, New York fell short with a 27-36-9 season. New York would keep the great drafting going with Zeedayno Chara @Jubis at 4th overall. In season 77, the still developing New York Americans would show signs of growth with a 28-35-9 season, but a good 241 goals for. New York did break their recent pattern of drafting and developing in season 77 though, as they traded their season 78 1st (would be 1st overall), for Kosmo Kramerev @Mongoose87. New York’s hardship would pay off in season 78 though as they would go 36-31-5 and would make the playoffs! As their drafted players began to hit their prime, and acquired a veteran presence in Latrell Mitchell @dasboot to get them over the edge. In the playoffs, New York would struggle and would not make it out of the wildcard round as the D.C. Dragons made it past them in 4. 
 
The Drought
Following their success in season 78, New York would buy again, bringing in Phoenix Dawson @Toast. Even with their core now in their prime, New York would struggle to keep things consistent and would miss the playoffs with a record that was 1 game below .500. While season 79 was disappointing, New York still had the makings of a great team and with this in mind, they bought aggressively in the season 80 offseason, bringing in all of, Luke Thornton @ThePerfectNut, Yuuto Kira Cloudera @kentakira and brought back Cowboy Prout, and at the cost of many of their future early picks. Even with all these additions to their core, the Americans would somehow miss the playoffs and only finish with a record of 32-34-6. Following this, the Americans would hit the reset button again, in large part due to many of their top players retiring, including a surprise retirement from Red Lite. Without many of their own picks, this proved difficult though as they would struggle for some time. In the season 81 offseason, New York would trade everyone, entirely for draft picks. The season 81 draft, now with a lot of picks, would go horribly wrong, as none of the players selected would play a game for the Americans, and only one would make the VHL. Their record would reflect this as they finished with a 26-40-6 record and would miss the playoffs by a wide margin. Season 82 would start off with a bit of luck for New York as they would win the draft lottery and select Vasile Lamb @dlamb 1st overall. They would also add Doug Matchett @jacobaa19 with their 3rd round pick. New York would still be in full rebuild mode in season 82, finishing with a 30-39-3 record, and 6th in their division. Following this, New York once again felt as though they were in a good position to buy and did just that, bringing in Jerome @MexicanCow123 and Tyler @Zetterberg Reinhart in a blockbuster trade! This elite talent would make an impact right away and Jerome would put up over 100 points in season 83, although in part due to being unable to keep the puck out of their own net, the Americans would finish 6th in their conference again and miss out on the playoffs. At this point New York certainly had some good pieces in place and a very solid young core even with trading Lamb away. However, New York went further towards a retool of their rebuild, bringing in Sven Eightnine @BarzalGoat, and shipping out veterans for prospects and picks at the same time. With this New York would finish 6th in their conference yet again with a 28 win season. 
 
A New Direction
In Season 85, New York would fully commit to a rebuild, and they would start that off by trading up in the draft for Daniel Weaver @ThePerfectNut, and they would hit on their 2nd first as well with Babay Shrimp @Blazzer. They would go onto finish 7th in their conference that season, and with that would get a higher draft pick. Prior to the draft, New York would acquire Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher in a massive trade which would see the departure of Daniel Weaver and other assets. Moving into season 86, the New York Americans would almost pull it off and make the playoffs as they would finish the season tied with Seattle for the final playoff spot in their conference, although they would lose out on ROW this did show a massive step forward. Season 87 was an interesting one for New York as they would acquire Alexandre Leduc @Lemorse7, while gathering draft stock for the future. The New York Americans would again finish in 6th, missing the playoffs by 7 points. The season 88 draft would be a big one for New York, adding Jesper Davis @Josh with their 4th overall pick, and Francesco Mancini @GioSivo, both of who would make their debut in season 89, with Davis winning the award for being the best rookie. Neither of them would miss much in season 88 as New York would finish 6th again, this time by a wider margin of 10 points. With their season 89 1st, New York would add Zyn Westwood @Sullvino 5th overall, they would then go onto add both Nezuko @Baozi, and Max Torq @Steve at the season 89 trade deadline as they would go onto MAKE THE PLAYOFFS! This would end the longest playoff drought in league history at 10 seasons. Not only would New York make the playoffs, but they would best the Los Angeles Stars in the wildcard round, and then do the unthinkable and defeat the 1st seed Seattle Bears in 6 games before being swept in the conference finals by the Vancouver Wolves. Despite this success, the Americans would stick to their plan of drafting and developing and add Xiver Zilla @jhatty8 in the season 90 draft, before missing the playoffs again in season 90 as retirements would once again derail things slightly. But, with that they won the draft lottery and selected Callum Gary Yannick Janser @Daniel Janser with the 1st overall pick, and added Rin Kagamine @Rin later in the 1st round. Currently the Americans are only 1 point out of the playoffs and have added Brandt Fuhr to hopefully get them back into the dance.
 
The New York Americans are well on the track to success with franchise pieces in place, but with some gaps left to fill, only time will tell when the 37 season long cup drought and 30 season long finals drought will come to an end. The real question here is what derailed New York all those times, one can simply chalk it up to high value draft picks not quite turning out as desired (I did not mention many of the busts), and just terrible luck with game sevens despite being the better team, Simon has definitely made things difficult for one of the VHL’s oldest franchises. It should be noted that GMs of New York have done a very good job, for the most part they made good decisions and just got dealt a very bad hand full of early retirements, what appeared to be great draft picks not panning out, and terrible sim luck.

Graphic continue to be produced and made by @leandrofg
 
 
 
Half way through the season and most of the league seems to have a clear understand of where they stand but do I understand where the team really stand? Well, Let`s look at how I did in the second week of predictions as I think I have been better this week!! While you’re here be sure to check out some of the other recent VSN articles.
 
30 Seasons of Failure, The New York Americans Story / The Man Behind It All / A Look Back - Heavenly Seven
 
North American Conference
Standings                                       Record                         PTS                           Last WK                                              Prediction Last Wk.               
1.            Los Angeles Stars                    24-10-4                  52pts                     (7-3-4)                           🟰       1st North American Conference
2.          Chicago Phoenix                      21-11-6                    48pts                     (6-7-1)                           🟰       2nd North American Conference
3.          Toronto Legion                         20-17-1                    41pts                     (8-5-1)                           🟰       3rd North American Conference
4.          Seattle Bears                            16-18-5                    37pts                    (4-9-1)                           🔺        5th North American Conference
5.          D.C. Dragons                             15-18-5                    35pts                    (5-7-2)                           🔺        6th North American Conference
6.         Calgary Wranglers                    14-17-7                     35pts                    (4-7-4)                          🔻        4th North American Conference
7.          New York Americans                16-21-2                     34pts                    (7-7-1)                           🔺        8th North American Conference
8.          Vancouver Wolves                   13-19-6                     32pts                   (4-5-5)                           🔻        7th North American Conference
 
Summary:
All the movement was at the top of the conference this week with Los Angeles moving up to take the conference lead and Toronto over taking Seattle as predicated. New York traded for a goalie and made a small run out of the basement like a kid scared by the boogieman!! I wasn`t confident about Calgary and they proved to worth the skepticism.
 
European Conference
Standings                                         Record                         PTS                           Last Wk                                            Prediction Last Wk.                
1.          Riga Reign                                  29-9-1                    59pts                     (12-3-0)                             🟰         1st Europe Conference
2.         Malmo Nighthawks                   28-9-2                    58pts                     (13-2-0)                             🔺         3rd Europe Conference
3.         HC Davos Dynamo                    24-7-7                     55pts                     (11-1-3)                             🔻         2nd Europe Conference
4.         London United                           24-9-6                     54pts                     (10-4-1)                             🟰        4th Europe Conference
5.         Helsinki Titans                          24-13-2                    50pts                      (8-5-1)                             🟰         5th Europe Conference
6.        Prague Phantoms                     21-14-3                    45pts                       (7-6-1)                             🟰        6th Europe Conference
7.         Warsaw Predators                    10-26-2                    22pts                       (4-8-2)                             🟰       7th Europe Conference
8.         Moscow Menace                       8-24-6                     22pts                       (5-8-2)                             🟰       8th Europe Conference
 
Summary:
Would have had this completely correct if I didn`t over estimate or notice the two-point difference in the standings between Malmo and HC Davos but I was a much closer than I would have even though after making last minute changes last week before posting as I had HC Davos 4th when I first wrote the predictions only to realize was being as silly bugger as I wasn`t considering their easy schedule. Helsinki and Prague look like they could be in trouble now!?!
 
 
This week’s predictions:
 
 

North American Conference
 
🟰                              1.    
 
Reason: One of the hottest teams in the North American conference and they have a four point lead in the standings over Chicago; who finally look like they have come back down to Earth. Add in the mix bag of a schedule with Vancouver(2), HC Davos(3) and Moscow(2); it should lead to similar record as last win, at least. Los Angeles continues to be score by committee with Sunglasses Joyo @JetsGoalie101 (19-37-56pts), Larry Abass Jr  @RileyL (26-28-54pts), Todd Cooke @KRZY (22-25-47pts) and Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher (14-27-41pts) all above a point per game. Only concern for Los Angeles will be the lack of a star defender but again they have rather decided to work as committee from the back-end as well with Elias Lampi @Pifferfish (10-27-37) and Jens Lekman @Bobcat (7-30-37pts) tied on points.
 
 
 
          🟰                              2.    
 
Reason: Same reason as last week as they have a seven-point lead on the chasing Toronto Legion but it will be an interest week for both of these teams as they play each other three times; giving a chance that Toronto can make up at least six points in head-to-head series. (as unlikely as it might be) add in visits by other top teams the six remaining games against team lower in the standing will be huge for the Phoenix this week starting with Vancouver and D.C.  Next week we might be talking about another drop for this team; who continues to hold the secret of the fountain of youth as Scotty Sundin  @fromtheinside (29-34-63pts) not only leads the team but the league in scoring. Legacy Gaming @Gaming Ringleader (18-28-46pts) continue to have a strong season but overall Chicago will need to find secondary scoring if they hope to stay near the top of the North American conference and do some damage in the play-offs.
 
 
 
          🟰                              3.    
 
Reason: Big week if they hope to move up the standings with Warsaw(2), New York(2) and Moscow but really the biggest games of the week are the games head-to-head against Chicago(3). I think they will need to win at least ten games if they are going to catch and pass Chicago this week. Jimi Jaks @ke1vi (21-26-47) and Mac Atlas @v.2 (21-24-45) continue to lead the attack for the Legion and Joel Castle @animal74 (2.26GA & 0.931) will need to continue to provide solid tendering if they are going to become strong contenders down the stretch; so far so good!!
 
 
 
          🔺                               4.    
 
Reason: They have a goaltender in Brandt Fuhr @Tate (2.70GA & 0.928) but more importantly he has gone 7-4-1 since being traded from Vancouver Wolves. With the strong continued play from Francesco Mancini @GioSivo (30-31-61pts) and Jasper Davis @Josh (21-40-61pts). Now add in the goaltending and New York should be heading in the right direction up the standing ahead of the other teams all playing below five hundred hockey.
 
 
 
         🔻                                 5.   
 
Reason: A few points are hard to make up when everyone is playing around five hundred hockey and so the next few placements could really go either way but I have Seattle at 5th since I think they should be slightly better than D.C. and Calgary through the week. Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan (16-30-46pts) continues his amazing run of form for the Bears and Svatopluk Puk @Otaznik(22-19-41pts) continue to be over a point-per-game player. Clueless Wallob @DMaximus (3.04GA & 0.924) has most likely been keeping the Bears higher up in the standing than they really should be and I don`t see this changing any time soon.   
 
 
 
         🔻                                 6.   
 
 Reason: Somehow, they lack scoring and simply cannot outscore any of the problems they might be having defensively. This team is confusing to me a bit since they should be able to score more with the likes of The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath (17-21-38pts) , Jason @Jason kranz (21-21-42pts) and Vincent Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007 (16-17-33pts);  even Lucas Grey @emidas (17-15-32pts) should have the ability to be around a point per game player. One would think than goaltending might be the issue but as team the Dragons have allowed the 10th least goals against in the league; so is Geoff Bezos @Quik (2.88GA & 0.920) really the issue? I let you decide that one by yourself.
 
 
 
         🔻                                 7.    
 
Reason: Scoring please!! It is crazy to think that Randy Bobandy @AJW (14-19-33pts), Sadie St-Louis @sadie (14-12-26pts) and Oreo McFleury @JB123 (16-18-34pts) simple cannot score more. If Calgary can find more scoring somehow, they might be able to save their season but at the moment I cannot see this team being that much better than an openly tanking team in Vancouver; I have even consider slotting Vancouver ahead of Calgary again this week but thought the better of it.
 
 
 
          🟰                               8.    
 
Reason: Tank is on? Vancouver traded away their goaltender in Brandt Fuhr @Tate (3.24GA & 0.916) only to use the assets to trade for Justin Lion @Emperor_Fun (2.44GA & 0.932); who has only solidified the position even further. FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist @STZ (23-21-44pts) continue to lead the team offensively and should reach all new career highs barring a season ending injury. Question here is will he improve enough to be considered for the Dustin Funk? Liv Slater @Subject056 (3-29-32pts) is also having a career season with the extra ice time allotted with the rebuilding Wolves.     
 
 
 
 
 

European Conference
 
 
 
            🟰                               1.    
 
Reason: Easy schedule continues as Riga will face Vancouver(2), Warsaw(2) and Calgary(2); sprinkle in the up-start Americans. Riga should continue to roll this week big games this week coming from two games against Prague. Riga continues to roll along thanks to scoring by committee (2nd Best in the league) lead by AK92 Wit da Hoodie @hedgehog337 (27-32-59pts) and Babay Shrimp @Blazzer (18-36-54pts) while solid performance in net by Henry Tucker Jr @NSG (2.50GA & 0.926).
 
 
 
            🟰                               2.    
 
Reason: Should be able to play above five hundred hockey this week again as one of the hottest teams the past two weeks while they do have a tougher schedule this week as they play London United three times. This series should/could determine the second overall in the European Conference but I have placed Malmo here due to the point gap between the two teams and assuming a split series. Malmo also has the best offensive team in the league in thanks to large part due to six players above a point per game in Henry Eagles @Greg_Di (26-28-54pts), Yaroslav Bogatyrev @Bojovnik(29-25-54pts), Skor McFleury @Alex (Not @Spaz) (12-41-53pts) Yaroslav Trunov @qripll (23-25-48pts), Jacob Stone @scoop (10-34-44pts and Viktor Jensen @Advantage (13-31-33pts).
 
 
 
            🔺                               3.           
 
Reason: They can move in the right direction this week but sadly I don`t see them moving up to second unless they can steal all the point from the high-flying Malmo offense in the head-to-head games this week. London should still win majority of the games this week in large part to the strong play from Jesse Teno @aimkin (1.96GA.; 0.941 & 4SO) add in the strong offensive play from Molly the Cat @JCarson (28-29-57pts), Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ (25-29-54pts) and Leonard Triller @Triller (8-43-51pts).
 
 
 
           🔻                                4.    
 
Reason: Strong schedule should see HC Davos struggle more this week to play above five hundred hockey while they shouldn`t be over taken by Helsinki or Prague; by the end of the week, they might be looking over their shoulders rather than looking ahead. Lachlan Summers @kirbithan (2.36GA & 0.930) has rounded back into form after a bit of award hangover to start the season and a bit weird to say but HC Davos needs to find some more scoring if they are going to keep pace with Malmo and Riga but I don`t think they are that concerned as Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg (27-36-63pts) leads the league in points (tied) and other two old dogs in Jake Thunder @Thunder (11-36-47pts) and Pete Mitchell @Crstats23 (16-27-43pts) continue to play like spring chickens.
 
 
 
             🟰                               5.    
 
Reason: Should continue to play just above five hundred hockey and point gaps should see them rather locked into this position. Helsinki needs a strong week to close the gap to HC Davos or they could find themselves battling the remainder of the season with Prague to see who makes the finals Wildcard placement. Helsinki really needs Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito (8-35-43pts) to re-gain the early season former. While Kronchy Kardashian @Garsh (15-25-40pts) has been more than encouraging in the past few weeks. Helsinki also needs to find another forward or two that can take some of the offensive pressure off Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877 (31-30-61pts) and Daryl Dixon @Ricer13 (18-38-56pts). Fuukka Rask @Jubis (2.40GA & 0.932) continues to have a career season but is Helsinki going to ruin it for him?
 
 
 
            🟰                                6.    
 
Reason: Five points back of the final wildcard spot (Helsinki) and they need a big week!! But I don`t think they play that much above five hundred. Leaving them in a similar situation as last week where Prague will try to close the gap to Helsinki (hope that they don`t loses any unexpected games) and fall even further out of the play-off position. John Jameson @Frank (27-26-53pts) has been less productive lately as teams seem to have been able to shut down the offensive star. Prague simply needs to find secondary scoring if they can before they fall back too much. Matt Murdock @Acydburn (2.60GA & 0.926) has been solid in the pipes and should have some of the tops team really hoping that Prague doesn`t find themselves in a wildcard spot.
 
 
 
                                        7.    
 
Reason: Should actually be one of the teams to watch this week. I know weird to say about a team that is tanking and tied for the worst record in the league but this is down to "The battle for Last" taking place this week with Calgary(4) and Moscow(3) putting the fans of the team in a awkward position to either cheer for the team to win these games or cheer them if they loses these games. Crazy also to think that Warsaw might have a better than five hundred record this week!! King Kisslinger @Kisslinger (11-11-22pts) hasn`t bounced back yet so could this be the week? Maxim Anisimov @McLovin (14-20-34pts) will also go head-to-head against Rookie of the year candidate Axle Gunner @Steve adding even more interest. 
 
 
 
                                        8.    
 
Reason: While I think they could fall back from Warsaw this week they should also be an interesting team to watch with "The battle of Last" with Warsaw but also games against Vancouver(2) and Calgary adding some interest in the games for the fan as least. Left Alone @okochastar (22-28-50pts) continues to lead the Menacing attack and Rookie of the year candidate Axle Gunner @Steve(19-20-39pts) will look to take advantage of the head-to-head series with Warsaw and Maxim Anisimov @McLovin to hopefully lay at least one hand in the Christian Stolzschweiger trophy.
 
 
 
 
Overall Thoughts:
A day or two after VSN presented 30 Seasons of Failure, The New York Americans Story ; it is actually funny that I am predicting a turnaround in fortunes in New York’s` season as they should start to climb the standings. Leading to the biggest question; am I over hyping New York’s climb? In Europe Conference I am predicting limited movement this week but this doesn`t mean the conference doesn`t have interest; actually, the opposite holds true as London United versus Malmo Nighthawks should be a great series to watch and could really affect the overall standings. Not to mention battle for Last with Warsaw Predators versus Moscow Menace. Oh, and I am forgetting about the battle for second in North American Conference between Toronto Legion and Chicago Phoenix. It should be a very interesting week to be invested in the VHL!! 
 
Come back next week to tell me how wrong I was or why not wait and tell me know below in the comment section but please like and subscribe.
 
 

@leandrofg
 
Here we go again as the Season 91 is into it first full week of meaningful games and teams try to see if all the changes made during the off season will amount to anything meaningful this season but I hear most saying that is still very early. Well; some team hope that is the case as some have started very slowly and some have simply had shockers. So without much more waffling about let’s get into reviewing the first week of the season.
 

North American Conference
 
 
1.    
Record:       8 – 0 – 2         18pts
Being led by Scotty Sundin @fromtheinside with 9 goals and 13 assist for 22pts and rookie Ryan Artyomov @Enorama in net. It has been a prefect start to the season for the Phoenix but is this really what they want when they are still in a rebuilding situation? Ranked 7th in the conference in the VSN Presents: S91 VHL Season Preview seeing the team undefeated to date in the season is a bit surprising; but when you consider two top teams have struggle so far this season means someone has been taking an advantage of the situation. Well; enter Chicago as they have beat the struggling Legion twice this season.
 
Prediction:          2nd North American Conference        🔻
Expect this team to drop at least one spot next week as they are currently too far ahead of 3rd place Seattle Bears and 4th place D.C. Dragons. It will be interesting to see if this hot start can be maintained and might led the team in making a surprise play-off appearance.
 
 
 
2.    
Record:      8 – 2 – 0           16pts
Great goaltending from Art Vandelay @Gustav and great offense as Todd Cooke @KRZY (proving it was not flash in the pants last season) has the Los Angeles Stars heading toward being the best team in the conference. They could also be the best team in the league at the moment with the best offensive number and defensive numbers; I cannot see that changing any time soon.
 
Prediction:       1st North American Conference        🔺
As Chicago Phoenix fall back slightly this week; the Stars should benefit. Add in a games head-to-head against the Phoenix and it is just a matter of time before they claim the top spot in the conference. But they do have a tough schedule that might keep them in 2nd for another week as Prague, Malmo, Toronto and Chicago should give them some stiff challenge this week.
 
 
 
3.    
Record:      6 – 4 – 0          12pts
Seattle is playing tough close hockey with 2.90 GF and 2.70 GA as Clueless Wallob @DMaximus is keeping the Bears in a lot of games. Amazing start to the season for Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan as he leads the team in goals, assist and points combined with Rookie Simons Worst Nightmare @zepheter leading the league in SB with 51. 
 
Prediction:       4th North American Conference       🔻
Expected to play around five hundred hockey most of the season and hang around in the wildcard area most of the season. They should drop back as D.C. Dragons find a bit more consistency. A head-to-head game later in the week should determine final placement between the two teams.
 
 
 
4.    
Record:      5 – 4 - 1          11pts
While adding The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath has added a bit more offensive flare for the dragons this season; the team has been a bit inconsistent losing games to Calgary, Seattle and splitting games with Chicago. Depth has been an issue as well as bit of questionable goaltending; which has led to the bit of inconsistency. As Geoff Bezos @Quik improves his consistency so should the Dragons.
 
Prediction:        3rd North American Conference        🔺
Easy schedule to start the week with Vancouver, Malmo before the schedule toughen with a lot of conference games. They have a chance to really carve a place in the standing with wins in Conference otherwise they might find themselves heading the other direction in the standings soon than later.
 
 
 
5.    
Record:      4 – 6 – 0         8pts
Rebuilding team with a losing record but hanging around where I actually have them placed. The team is being carried by three remaining players in FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist @STZ, Liv Slater @Subject056 and Brandt Fuhr  @Tate with the later providing serviceable goaltending in his final season. New additions Adison Bond @adison and Justin Adolfsen @NJDevils24 have provided consistency on the offense for a team that really should drop lower in the standings.
 
Prediction:       6th North American Conference         🔻
Hard to see Calgary catching them by the end of the week or them being passed by New York so it feels like they are right around where they should be but Toronto should start playing better and over take the Wolves at some point this week.
 
 
 
6.    
Record: 3 – 7 – 1         7pts
It is amazing that a team has no goaltender, and has one of the worst goals against in the league. But somehow is still above two other teams in the standing after the first week of the season. All wins coming from teams expected to be fighting them for last except a surprise win over the struggling Legion. Bright spot is the youth being served by Jasper Davis @Josh, Francesco Mancini @GioSivo and Tord Yvel @Trazan
 
Prediction:       7th North American Conference       🔻
Hard not to have New York last in the conference but with all the question marks around Calgary at the moment leads to me thinking that New York should stay ahead of Calgary at least for another week.
 
 
 
7.    
Record:      3 – 7 – 0         6pts
Have lost two back-up games otherwise could have been higher up the standings with at least a five hundred record but instead we are talking about a team that was viewed as one of the favorites for the Victory Cup being 7th in the conference and 13th in the league? Promising signs in the play of Mac Atlas @v.2 and Jimi Jaks @ke1vi but they need more from veterans Tomas Sogaard @Brandon and Jimmy MacElroy @Xflexz. Not letting Joel Castle @animal74 off the hook either as .917% simply isn`t good enough.
 
Prediction:        5th North American Conference        🔺
Easier schedule as struggle Wranglers come to town for two games to start the week add in games against Vancouver, and New York before becoming tougher with Prague, Los Angeles and Malmo with two huge games against D.C. to finish the week. If they manage five hundred hockey they should climb back up to at least 5th in the conference; maybe even as high as 4th depending on head-to-heads against D.C.
 
 
 
8.    
Record:      1 – 7 – 2         4pts
They cannot score and they cannot keep the puck out of the net. Surprising placement for a team that looked much better on paper than they have currently shown during the first ten games of the season. Bright spots for the team is the offensive play of defensive defenseman Malum Maellard @frescoelmo as they sit second on the team in points with 10pts (all assist) only two point back of leading Oreo McFleury @JB123; who has 12pts.
 
Prediction:        8th North American Conference        🟰
While I don`t think they are the worst team in the Conference looking at the lack of production from Randy Bobandy @AJW; a pass first defensive minded forward and Sadie St-Louis @sadie, two-way forward that leans toward defensive responsibility means it might have been unfair to expect an offensive flare from a team that is heavily defensive minded. Making it even more surprising that they cannot also keep the puck out of the net as they have received subpar goaltending so far from Merome Dilson @MexicanCow123 or is that a bit unfair? Either way they might end up holding the bottom of the conference for a while if they cannot figure out a way to score.
 
 
 
 

European Conference
 
 
 
1.    
Record:     8 – 2 – 0         16pts
Defending Champions had very little turn over last season and key members returning like John Jameson @Frank, who simply put has been dominate for Prague with 12 goals (2nd), 12 assists for 24 pts (1st). Prague was one of the best teams offensively in the first week of the season but not everything is coming up rosy as Prague needs to find some secondary scoring as Nikolas Kauppi @Tetricide is 10pts behind Jameson with 14pts.  Matt Murdock @Acydburn will look to improve his save percentage as 0.915 is rather pedestrian with a 3.09 GA; if Prague is going to contend for the Victory Cup and defend the Continental Cup.
 
Prediction:       2nd European Conference       🔻
It is a bit of a mix bag schedule for Prague with a possible big game against Riga, London, Toronto and Los Angeles. While they should win the majority of the games; it will really come down to the game against teams they are currently tied with in Riga and London to determine final standings.
 
 
 
2.    
Record:     8 – 3 – 0         16pts
Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877 is looking to keep is goal per game pace through the season as he leads Titans offense with 11 goals (3rd) with 20pts added by the Daryl Dixon @Ricer13 13 assists for 19pts  and new defender Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito 14 assist and 16 pts. But the star for the team so far has been Fuukka Rask @Jubis with his 2.43 GA and 0.930 Sav%. How long can Helsinki keep pace with the top team in the conference?
 
Prediction:        4th European Conference       🔻
Tough schedule against some of the stronger team in the league and it will be a make-or-break week in the standings for the Titians as they start with a game against London, Riga and three games against HC Davos before finishing the week softer with games against New York and Moscow. If they come out playing better than five hundred hockey than they could be higher in the standings.
 
 
 
3.    
Record:      8 – 3 – 0         16pts
Riga project is working with seven forwards and five defenders everything seems to be heading in the right direction with Sock Monkey @chikn leading the team in goals (8), AK92 Wit da Hoodie @hedgehog337 leading in assist (15) and points (22). Not to be over-shadowed Babay Shrimp @Blazzer is also in the league top 10 in scoring (20pts) and top three in the league in assist with 14. Add great goaltending from Henry Tucker Jr @NSG with 2.69 GA and 0.927 sav% and everything is coming up Riga at the moment.
 
Prediction:         3rd European Conference       🟰
Bit of a mixed bag of schedule will see Riga play a majority of the team in the conference with Malmo, Prague (2), London, Helsinki, and HC Davos. I think they have a slightly easier schedule compared to Helsinki so I am giving them the edge as I think they should play around five hundred hockey as they continue to punch above their weight early in the season.
 
 
 
4.    
Record:     7 – 2 – 2         16pts
Expected to be a top team in the league and the conference; so it was a bit surprise that they finished the first week in 4th in the conference standings. Yeah, okay they are really tied for first. Scoring is a bit of a concern at the moment with 11th best offense in the league lead by Molly the Cat @JCarson (7G – 9A – 16pts) and new comer Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ (7G – 8A – 15pts) while Leonard Triller @Triller leads in assist with 11 for 13pts. But none of that matters when you have the best defense in the league and best goaltender Jesse Teno @aimkin sporting a 1.98 GA with 0.943 sav%. This team is going to be tough to beat even with the current scoring woes.
 
Prediction:       1st European Conference      🔺
Easier schedule towards the back-end of the week but I still see this team winning more games than losing so expecting better than five hundred hockey from this team. Should continue to be either 1st or 2nd in the Conference.
 
 
 
5.    
Record:     6 – 4 – 0         12pts
David is doing as David does scoring by committee with six of the ten players over a point per game with Alfred Champagne @Anthique leading the way in goals (9) and points (18). While David Jokinen @Ahma leads the team in assist with 16 for 16 pts. Biggest concern for the team at the moment will be the play of Lachlan Summers @kirbithan as he has been rather average with 3.15 GA and 0.913 sav%. He will need to be better if HC Davos is going to stay with the top teams in the conference this season.
 
Prediction:      5th European Conference       🟰
HC Davos has beaten the team that they are supposed to beat but lose to every team that is close to the same caliber; which is a rather concerning trend in the first ten games. If this continues than expect them to beat up on Warsaw and New York but lose to Helsinki and London this week. Their standings ultimately will be determined by the head-to-head against Helsinki as they play three times; which might be enough for them to leapfrog Helsinki for 4th in the conference standing by the end of the week or not.
 
 
 
6.    
Record:     4 – 5 – 1         9pts
Henry Eagles @Greg_Di is back!! Having struggled last season adjusting to a new team, he now is back amongst the leader in the league with 19pts being aided by newly signed Yaroslav Bogatyrev @Bojovnik (7g – 8a – 15pts) and acquired Skor McFleury @Alex (3g – 13a – 16pts) but the biggest issue still seems to remain in the form of inconsistent goaltending from Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro with an ugly 4.08 GA and 0.892 sav%. Considering they have the best defense on paper you would think these numbers would be better.
 
Prediction:       6th European Conference       🟰
They continue to consistent at win one game and lose one game so I don`t think they will buck this trend any time soon so while they stay playing five hundred hockey, they won`t be able to keep pace with majority of the team a head of them. They will hope that Riga or HC Davos fall back to them or they could be looking at another long season ahead after only two weeks.
 
 
 
7.    
Record:      2 – 8 – 0         4pts
Young team that is still clearly in the rebuild stage but promising signs as young Maxim Anisimov @McLovin (5g – 6a – 11pts) leads the team along with King Kisslinger @Kisslinger (4g – 5a – 9pts) not that far behind. Add in better-than-expected goaltending from DJ Fire Dragon @Firekiss with a 3.02 GA and 0.932 sav%. They will continue to surprise a few teams this season. 
 
Prediction:       7th European Conference       
They should hover around this location all season and with so many good teams in the conference I cannot expect them move much up or down in the standings. They will race Moscow for draft placement.
 
 
 
8.    
Record:     1 – 10 – 0       2pts
While Warsaw is currently being led by the young stars; it is the old guard in Moscow that leads the way in Left Alone @okochastar (7g – 5a – 12pts) with promising rookie Axle Gunner @Steve (2g – 7a – 9pts) slight behind. They will continue to the whipping boys of the league and most likely the European Conference.
 
Prediction:        8th European Conference       
Was surprised that they even won a game until I seen that they beat Warsaw. Still a surprise but not completely unexpected. They have a long season ahead of them.
 
 
 
Final thoughts:
A couple of surprise teams higher up the standing in Chicago and Riga but last season D.C. Dragons was one of these teams; rode the hot start all the way to the play-offs so the biggest question will be Can the maintain the current form or will they fall back. Also, what the heck is happening in Calgary as they were expected to be a top team in the league, not struggling as they are. Can they turn it around or is my damming predictions the actual reality for the Wranglers this season? Holly European!!! The European Conference is going to be a blood bath with four teams currently tied for the conference lead and six of the eight team fighting for a play-off spot; expect a ton of movement week to week in this conference. It should be fun to watch through the season!!
 
Come back next week to tell me how wrong I was or why not wait and tell me know below in the comment section but please like and subscribe.

S90 Seattle Bears Season Awards

 
ALL PLAYERS
Regular Season:
Markus Strauss Award - Most Goals
Yaroslav Bogatyrev (46) @Bojovnik
 
Hulk Hogan Award - Most Assists
Babay Shrimp (54) @Blazzer
 
Felix Peters Award - Most Points Award
Yaroslav Bogatyrev (88) @Bojovnik
 
Gabriel McMVP Award 
Yaroslav Bogatyrev @Bojovnik
 
James Lefevre Award - Most Penalty Minutes
AirRig GoodBrandSun (136) @Rhynex Entertainment
 
Karsten Olsen Award - Most Hits
Leandro Goncalves (195) @leandrofg
 
Heavyweight Belt - Most Fights
Rex Wolffe Gregor (9) @oilmandan
 
Matt Thompson Award - Most Shots Blocked
Scoish Velociraptor Maloish (155) @youloser1337
 
Timothy Brown Award - Most Game Winning Goals
Yaroslav Bogatyrev (9) @Bojovnik
 
Vyacheslav Smirnov Award - Top Rookie Award
N/A
 
Playoffs:
Rayz Funk Award - Top Playoff Performer
Babay Shrimp @Blazzer
 
DMEN
Mitch Higgins Award - Top Overall D-man
Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan
 
Maxim Kovalchuk Award - Top Offensive D-man
Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan
 
Patrice Reynaud Award - Top Defensive D-man
Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan
 
GOALIE
Jakab Holik Award - Goalie Showcase
Clueless Wallob @DMaximus
33-26-5 -- .927SV%-- 2.41GAA -- 5SO
 
 BONUS 
Spirit Bear Award - 
Randy Bobandy
 
The Spirit Bear award is chosen each off-season by the GM of the Bears. There could be a lot of reasons why a member might be chosen and each season an explanation will/might be given. It's a thank you. It's an appreciation of what you've done for Seattle or maybe through that the VHL. You're deserving! Maybe you've overcome something crazy in life or have kicked it up an extra notch in the VHL TPE earning department. It's a good award for good things that are good. So, what's the catch?
 
The winner picks a charity of their choosing (I'd like to know why IF you're comfortable with sharing) and I will donate $10! I know it isn't much, but it's something.. and I mean, think of if I would have started this in Season 49.
 
Randy Bobandy, also known by their member name as @AJW, is an absolute gem to me. He was never really part of the S67 dynasty Bears which drew a good group of us lads like Berocka, Dok, IR, Rayz, Frosty, oilmandan, etc together - but over time, with his last player and this player, he's become a VHL brother to me. He's helped huge with the team, is incredibly loyal and is always promoting activity and positive vibes in the locker room. All while tackling school and going crazy with football! The guy is awesome and is a perfect example of a Seattle Bear! Unfortunately their time with the Bears was cut short this season, but their accomplishments and efforts will never be forgotten by myself and despite them being gone, they will always be a Bear and more importantly, a VHL brother! I asked AJ, "What's a charity fund/organization that you would donate to if you could right now? and why?" over snapchat and they mentioned that they don't have any specifics and would like to help out some homeless foundation/community. Last season we went with Boyle Street in Edmonton after Tavish DeGroot (Rory)  took home the first ever Spirit Bear Award! With a quick Google search, I find that Los Angeles has the highest homeless population, along with California leading the way. With that being said, I went ahead and made a $10.40 (to help cover fees) towards the Los Angeles Mission Homeless Shelter. Thank you @AJW for everything you've done for Seattle, myself and the VHL. Though... you did leave me on read  
 

 
 
 

Credit: @leandrofg
 
 
What makes a great season? Well, I would think a great season would be one of interesting stories made up of multiple teams rather than singular team running away with the Victory Cup. While we have a short break between the end of the season and the start of the playoff; let’s look back on what made this a season to remember.
 
Let review the North American Conference first before taking a look at European Conference and how the defending Continental Cup Champions HC Davos Dynamo fared.
 

North America Conference
 
 
 
1.      Toronto Legion           
Record:     45 – 14 – 13; 103pts
Preseason Ranking:     2nd Conference & 2nd League
Season End Ranking:   1st Conference & 2nd League
 
Preseason Forwards:             1st                                            Season End Rank:         6th             
Preseason Defensive:            6th                                           Season End Rank:         2nd
Preseason Goaltending:        7th                                           Season End Rank:       t-2nd
 
Summary: With one of the best offensive teams in the league; it was a bit surprising to see the team finish with the 6th best offensive numbers but it would seem this was more down to commitment to play defense. The team was led offensively by Ronan Lavelle @Arce (40g – 50a -95pts(7th)) and Mac Atlas @v.2 (43g(8th) – 41a – 84pts) but overall had a balanced offensive attack with five players reaching the point per game mark. Toronto commitment to defensive side of the puck was led by Siyan Yasilievich @badcolethetitan (18g – 60a(t-8th) – 78pts); 10th amongst defensemen; helping the Legion to end the season with the second lowest goals allowed in the league. Aided by the strong Sophomore season of Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer (13g – 53a – 66pts).  Strong goaltending from Joel Castle @animal74 (2.29 GAA (2nd), 0.927% (4th) and 4 SO(t-7th)) was good enough for tied 2nd in the league of all goaltender playing over 36 games. They will hope strong commitment to defense will lead them deep into the playoffs.
 
 
 
2.       D.C. Dragons
Record:     47 – 19 – 6; 100pts
Preseason Ranking:        5th Conference & 11th League
Season End Ranking:      2nd Conference & 3rd League
 
Preseason Forwards:             11th                                           Season End Rank:        1st
Preseason Defensive:            9th                                            Season End Rank:          9th
Preseason Goaltending:        12th                                          Season End Rank:         6th      
 
Summary: Unexpectedly led the league in offense this season led by Jason @Jason kranz (55g(2nd) – 60a(t-8th) – 115pts(2nd)); Vincent Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007 (45g(5th) – 55a – 100pts(4th)) and Ryuji Sakamoto @der meister (16g – 77a(t-1st) – 93pts(8th & 2nd Def)). While team dominated on the offensive side, they have to be concerned slightly with the average goals against but if they can continue to outscore their problems then I don`t think they are worried that much heading into the playoffs. D.C. also finished where they were expected too in the way of goals against. With better-than-expected goaltending from Bubbles Utonium @fishy ( 0.927%(t-3rd), 2.60 GAA (7th) and 4 SO(t-7th). The Dragons hope that the better than expected goaltending and hot offense continues into the playoff after a strong regular season.
 
 
 
3.      Los Angeles Stars
Record:     48 – 21 – 3; 99pts
Preseason Ranking:        4th Conference & 9th League
Season End Ranking:      3rd Conference & 5th League
 
Preseason Forwards:             9th                                              Season End Rank:       5th
Preseason Defensive:            11th                                            Season End Rank:        5th
Preseason Goaltending:        6th                                             Season End Rank:        5th
 
Summary: Stronger than expected season but at the end of the day Los Angeles Stars must feel a bit cheated as they finished with the second most wins in the league; only behind HC Davos; the Victory Cup Champions. The better-than-expected offense was led by Todd Cooke @KRZY (41g(t-10th) – 77a(t-1st) - 118pts(1st)) aided by new comers Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher (40g – 49a – 89pts(t-10th)) and Svatopluk Puk @Otaznik (45g(t-4th)- 42a -87pts). While the defense was anchored by another new comer in Elias Lampi @Pifferfish (17g – 56a – 73pts) and top five goaltending from Art Vandelay @Gustav (0.925%(t-7th), 2.37 GAA(3rd) and 5 SO(t-4th). Let not also mention that they were leading the North American Conference at the trade deadline before falling off and sliding down the standings.
 
 
 
4.      Vancouver Wolves
Record:     45 – 21 – 6; 96pts  
Preseason Ranking:        1st Conference & 1st League
Season End Ranking:      4th Conference & 6th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                 3rd                                              Season End Rank:       3rd
Preseason Defensive:             1st                                               Season End Rank:         7th
Preseason Goaltending:         9th                                              Season End Rank:       12th
 
Summary: Slow starts for the Vancouver Wolves are starting to become a trend and this season was no different as they struggled to play decent defensive hockey; which was supposed to be the team’s bread and butter with two all-star defenders in Brian Payne @Scurvy (24g – 58a(10th) – 82pts (5th Def)) and Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito (15g – 64a(7th) – 79pts (9th def)) . Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ (41g(t-10th) – 48a – 89pts(t-10th)) would show last year’s playoff success was no flash in the pants leading the Wolves offense. The big noticeable difference from Preseason Ranking to Season End Rank was the below average goaltending the team received through the season as Brandt Fuhr @Tate (0.917%, 2.65 GAA(10th) and 6 SO(t-2nd)) compared to the rest of the league. Vancouver will need better goaltending if they have any chance at returning to the Continental Cup finals again this season.
 
 
 
5.     Seattle Bears
Record:       40 – 27 – 5; 85pts
Preseason Ranking:          3rd Conference & 4th League
Season End Ranking:        5th Conference & 8th League
 
Preseason Forwards:               7th                                              Season End Rank:       9th
Preseason Defensive:              4th                                             Season End Rank:        4th
Preseason Goaltending:            4th                                             Season End Rank:        4th
 
Summary: The Bears struggled chemistry to start the season and had a slow start but managed to make up ground during the second half of the season. The team overall struggled offensively which they tried to address at the trade deadline the added more offense in Babay Shrimp @Blazzer (5g – 14a – 19pts) since coming over from Moscow in the mid-season trade; (31g – 54a – 85pts) overall on the season.  The Bears were led by Yaroslav Bogatyrev @Bojovnik (46g(2nd) – 42a – 88pts), Randy Bobandy @AJW (31g – 53a – 84pts) and Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg (42g(9th) – 40a – 82pts) but lacked any offensive push from the back-end with Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan (15g – 42a – 57pts) as the teams to leading defenseman. Solid top five goaltending from Clueless Wallob @DMaximus (0.927%(t-4th), 2.41 GAA (5th) and 5 SO (t-4th). The Bears will hope that they can find a more balanced offensive attack as the head to the wildcard round against rivals Vancouver Wolves.
 
 
 
6.       Chicago Phoenix
Record:         34 – 34 – 4; 72pts
Preseason Ranking:          7th Conference & 14th League
Season End Ranking:        6th Conference & 11th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                13th                                           Season End Rank:       12th
Preseason Defensive:               14th                                          Season End Rank:        13th
Preseason Goaltending:           13th                                          Season End Rank:         11th
 
Summary: The team played tough hockey most of the season and just seemed to be consistent around the five hundred mark. The team was led by the usual suspects in Scotty Sundin @fromtheinside (44g(6th) – 46a- 90pts(9th)), and Bo Johansson @Shindigs (10g – 71a(t-4th) – 81pts(6th Def)) as the team starts into a rebuilding situation and the final seasons of the two veteran players. They also stayed respectable through serviceable goaltending from Karl Pedersen @JeffD (0.924%, 2.74 GAA and 5 SO(t-4th). As the team will focus on the off-season to rebuild to once again raise from the ashes. It was a better-than-expected season for the Phoenix but it feels like it wasn`t what they really needed.
 
 
 
7.      Calgary Wranglers
Record:           22 – 44 – 6; 50pts
Preseason Ranking:            6th Conference & 13th League
Season End Ranking:          7th Conference & 13th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                 15th                                         Season End Rank:         15th
Preseason Defensive:                9th                                          Season End Rank:          12th
Preseason Goaltending:            12th                                        Season End Rank:         t-7th
 
Summary: Good old fashion roundup!! This was always going to be a tough season for Calgary as the team in the middle of rebuild with a huge youth movement underway. The team was very active this season completing twelve trades bring in a combination of eighteen draft picks or prospects. The team was led this season by the highest paid player in the league Phil Strasmore @Phil (13g – 47a – 60pts), Rookie Steve Lattimer @pugsood (24g – 27a – 51pts (2nd ROTY)) and sophomore goaltender Merome Dilson @MexicanCow123 (0.928% (3rd), 2.70 GAA and 3 SO(10th)). With more youth coming and a stead presence of Phil Strasmore; Calgary has a bright future in the next few season.
 
 
 
8.       New York Americans
Record:            16 – 46 – 10; 42pts
Preseason Ranking:             8th Conference & 16th League
Season End Ranking:            8th Conference & 15th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                 16th                                         Season End Rank:          15th
Preseason Defensive:                13th                                         Season End Rank:           15th
Preseason Goaltending:            16th                                         Season End Rank:        t-14th
 
Summary: "Bad by Accident" is how it was worded in the S90 VHL Season Preview and long season it must have been for the New York Americans. Where there is darkness, there is always hope!! This is no difference in New York as youth was served this year with Jasper Davis @Josh (24g – 29a – 53pts), Francesco Mancini @GioSivo (20g – 19a – 39pts), Tord Yvel @Trazan (6g -44a – 50pts(3rd ROTY)) and Zyn Westwood  @Sullvino (16g – 21a – 37pts(8th ROTY)). Not to mention older sophomore Lorenzo Cobberson @Hendrix Cobberson (33g – 30a – 63pts). The team looks to the future with more prospects coming next season but it might take a few seasons before they are knocking on the playoff door.
 
 
 
 

European Conference
 
 
 
1.      HC Davos Dynamo
Record:           51 – 17 – 4; 106pts
Preseason Ranking:         2nd Conference & 2nd League
Season End Ranking:        1st Conference & 1st League
 
Preseason Forwards:                    8th                                             Season End Rank:        4th
Preseason Defensive:                   3rd                                            Season End Rank:         1st
Preseason Goaltending:               3rd                                            Season End Rank:         1st
 
Summary: Defending Champions show how they won the Championship last season. Coming from behind with amazing goaltending and timely scoring. Also helped by the fact that they went 8-1-1 in the final week to rip the Victory Cup from Toronto and Prague fingers. Last season was Skor McFleury @Alex(25g – 71a(t-4th) – 96pts(6th & 1st DEF)) coming out party and this season he hasn`t cooled leading HC Davos offensively. McFleury makes up a strong two headed defensive core with Jake Thunder @Thunder (14g – 72a(3rd) – 86pts(3rd Def); add in top forward James Teekirque @Mongoose87 (43g(t-7th) - 45a - 88pts) and Pete Mitchell @Crstats23 (24g – 53a – 77pts) for one of the more balanced offensive team in the league. HC Davos also has the best goalie in the VHL at the moment with Lachlan Summers @kirbithan (0.938%(1st), 2.06 GAA (1st) and 7 SO(1st); who just posted the 8th best sav% ever and the first goalie to lead all categories since S74. Only one questions remains; Can they repeat?
 
 
 
2.      Prague Phantoms
Record:               47 – 19 – 6, 100pts
Preseason Ranking:            1st Conference & 3rd League
Season End Ranking:            2nd Conference & 4th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                   2nd                                              Season End Rank:          2nd
Preseason Defensive:                  8th                                              Season End Rank:           3rd
Preseason Goaltending:              2nd                                             Season End Rank:         t-2nd
 
Summary: Can Phantoms choke? In the case of the Prague Phantoms the answer would be rather resounding yes!! 3-6-1 in the final week seen them not only lose the handle on the Victory Cup but also first in European Conference. Prague has a potent offensive forward core of John Jameson @Frank (45g(t-3rd) – 56a – 101pts(3rd)), Fred Hampton @TownBizness (40g – 58a(t-10th) – 98pts(5th)), Perry Laperriere  @KaleebtheMighty(39g – 49a – 88pts)  and Nikolas Kauppi @Tetricide (39g – 43a – 82pts); while lacking true offensive defenseman rather scoring by committee from the back-end. Matt Murdock @Acydburn (0.930%(2nd), 2.37 GAA(4th) and 3 SO(t-10th)) showed that he is a top goaltender in the league. Can Prague make a run at the Continental Cup and knock off HC Davos Dynamo?
 
 
 
3.    Riga Reign
Record:                 39 – 25 – 8, 86pts
Preseason Ranking:          6th Conference & 10th League
Season End Ranking:         3rd Conference & 7th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                   4th                                               Season End Rank:         8th
Preseason Defensive:                 15th                                              Season End Rank:         10th
Preseason Goaltending:              8th                                               Season End Rank:          9th
 
Summary: Roar!! Look what the Lion brought in!! Huge move to secure a third defender at the deadline have improved the overall defense. Impressively Riga has a very balanced attack with seven of the nine players on the roster at a point per game; lead by Sadie St-Louis @sadie (41g(10th) – 46a – 87pt) and their two defenseman Brian Kowalski @Wheaties (31g – 49a – 80pts(t-7th Def)) and James Marino @Adrest245 (13g – 67a(6th) – 80pts(t-7th)). While Riga will need to tighten up defensively in the playoffs if they have any chance of going far and they will need strong goaltending from Henry Tucker Jr @NSG (0.925%(t-7th), 2.57 GAA(8th) and 1 SO). Have they improved enough to make a deep playoff run?    
 
 
 
4.     Helsinki Titans
Record:                     35 – 29 – 8, 78pts
Preseason Ranking:           5th Conference & 8th League
Season End Ranking:         4th Conference & 9th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                   6th                                                 Season End Rank:        7th
Preseason Defensive:                 12th                                                Season End Rank:        11th
Preseason Goaltending:              5th                                                 Season End Rank:        13th
 
Summary: The raise of the Titans? Weakness all year was the team defense but that was fixed when they traded for Hammar Voss @BOOM (31g – 53a – 84pts(4th Def); and (17g – 32a – 49pts) since joining Helsinki.  It finally gave them an offensive defenseman that could move the puck to high flying forwards of Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877 (40g – 41a – 81pts) and Daryl Dixon @Ricer13(33g – 45a – 78pts). Helsinki could be that team that upsets during the playoffs but they will need Fuukka Rask @Jubis (0.918%(12th), 2.81 GAA(13th) & 4 SO(t-7th)) to be better than he has most of the season. Helsinki will be an interesting team to watch as they are also one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs with 8-1-1 record; matching that of Riga & Davos in the final week.
 
 
 
5.     London United
Record:                  35 – 33 – 4, 74pts
Preseason Ranking:              4th Conference & 7th League
Season End Ranking:          5th Conference & 10th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                   10th                                                  Season End Rank:        11th
Preseason Defensive:                   5th                                                  Season End Rank:          6th
Preseason Goaltending:               1st                                                   Season End Rank:       t-7th 
 
Summary: Are they United? Overall, the team struggled to score this season and put a ton of pressure on the defense and goaltending. Which was somewhat expected but they have snuck into the playoff and will let the dice roll. The United were led this season by Leonard Triller @Triller (35g -47a – 82pts) and Molly the Cat @JCarson (39g -38a – 77pts). London success was heavily dependent on Jesse Teno @aimkin (0.925%(t-7th), 2.49 GAA(7th) and 6 SO(t-2nd)), he cracked but didn`t break. Can Teno carry this team deep into the playoffs?
 
 
 
6.     Malmo Nighthawks
Record:                    28 – 33 – 11; 67pts
Preseason Ranking:               3rd Conference & 6th League
Season End Ranking:           6th Conference & 12th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                     5th                                                    Season End Rank:       13th
Preseason Defensive:                    2nd                                                   Season End Rank:        8th
Preseason Goaltending:                11th                                                   Season End Rank:       10th
 
Summary: For every dark night; the day is brighter!! When the season started, I projected a strong Nighthawks team would contend for playoff and maybe even push Prague and HC Davos but in the end the team lacked Chemistry, goal scoring, an offensive defenseman and a goaltender that could hold the fort. Henry Eagles @Greg_Di (28g – 30a -58pts) and Daniel Weaver @ThePerfectNut (29g – 30a – 59pts) will look for bounce back season while Viktor Jensen @Advantage(18g -42a – 60pts) will try to continue to improve on career highs on the offensive side for the Nighthawks. Jacob Stone @scoop (11g -32a – 43pts) will try to develop into that offensive defenseman.  Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro (0.921% (11th), 2.48 GAA (6th) and 2 SO) needs to make another step to help hold down the crease. Expect Malmo to bounce back next season with motivated players after what has been a disappointing season.
 
 
 
7.    Moscow Menace
Record:                     29 – 40 – 3; 61pts
Preseason Ranking:              7th Conference & 12th League
Season End Ranking:            7th Conference & 13th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                     12th                                                  Season End Rank:       10th
Preseason Defensive:                     7th                                                   Season End Rank:       14th
Preseason Goaltending:                15th                                                  Season End Rank:        16th
 
Summary: Once a Menace; always a Menace!! Rebuild has begun and the league will likely enjoy kicking the Menace as they are down after being a dominate team for most of the 80`s. They continued to add prospects and picks at the trade deadline with trading away Hammar Voss @BOOM and Babay Shrimp @Blazzer leaving the offense to be carried by Left Alone @okochastar (27g – 45a – 72pts) and Fraser Wallace @Hoopydog (23g – 44a – 67pts) while the youth is being served by Jeff Lewis @nerji (27g – 39a – 67pts (3rd ROTY)). Sam Tombstone @samthemancub (0.914%(16th), 3.19 GAA(16th) and 3 SO) was thrown to the VHL (wolves) but proved to be a serviceable tender for a team rebuilding. Moscow Menace are two or three years away as they have just started the rebuild process but they will be back being a Menace sooner than later!!
 
 
 
8.     Warsaw Predators
Record:                      15 – 49 – 8; 38pts
Preseason Ranking:               8th Conference & 16th League
Season End Ranking:             8th Conference & 16th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                      16th                                                   Season End Rank:        16th
Preseason Defensive:                     13th                                                   Season End Rank:        16th
Preseason Goaltending:                 16th                                                   Season End Rank:        15th
 
Summary: Prospect Predators are coming!! Warsaw has a ton of prospect on the way next season lead by Maxim Anisimov (STO) @McLovin, and King Kisslinger (ROM) @Kisslinger with the other prospect still a year or two away. Warsaw also holds seven picks in this year’s draft and will hope that they win the draft lottery. Warsaw was led this season by Tater Tottingham @Trunkxolotl (22g – 26a – 48pts) and Doug Britton @Doug Britton (12g – 35a -47pts); both of whom should be return next season for the Predators. Lifelong Warsaw Predator Wumbo @Fire Fletcher (0.918%(t-12th), 3.40 GAA(16th) & 0 SO) hung his skates up at the end of the season and will be remember for the large role he played in the S84 Continental Cup and S85 Victory Cup; also leaving as the franchise leader in GP, Wins, Losses, OTL, and Saves.
 
 
 
Overall, View of the season:
It was season of a lot of movement with teams trading position right up until the last day of the regular season. In the end HC Davos Dynamo wins their first Victory Cup since S37; which I might add they lost in the finals. Crazy good season from a bunch of players like Todd Cooke leading the league points, Jason leading the high-flying D.C. Dragons and the league with 55 goals, even a defenseman in Hammar Voss scored 31 goals this season (not a career high might I add) and crazy Dustin Funk worthy season from Ryuji Sakamoto. Not to forget Lachlan Summers great season with 8th best sav% ever and the first goalie to lead all categories since S74.
 
 
 
Now we turn our attention to the VHL Playoff and Continental Cup. Who will win? Anyone guesses at this point.

@Blazzer FIRST POINT! FIRST GOAL! 
 
Seattle had a big day today with the roster moves and responded with 2 dubs

This is not what I advised on! I feel cheated. 
 
Good trade, hope you crush it @Blazzer

Seattle needed a winger upgrade. Hopefully this helps push us forward now! 
 
 
@Spartan tbf, today was slightly easier. Nice change.
 
@Blazzer said it on discord! Welcome. I'm pumped.  
 
@Tbeez99 have fun in MOS!  
 
 

@Blazzer Much love, glad we finally got you into Moscow after years of knowing you. Wishing you the best of luck the rest of the season, maybe our paths will cross again 🤞
 
@Tbeez99 Welcome back to Moscow! A little over 10 seasons since we had Kyle Glass with us in the late S70's, happy to have you here the rest of the way  
 
Cheers on the chats @Banackock. Not always easy, but we make it work!  

Las Vegas Press Conference
Week ending 3/9
 
1. Mclovin has brought his entire family on to the LVA hype train. How are we feeling everyone?
2. We are heading in the right track for this season. Do you have any words for our GM?
3. Name 3 of your favourite fast food chains rn
4. Rumour has it that a big corporation is selling all of their assets and buildings which they got from the Las Vegas Aces team. What's the first thing you're gonna buy?
5. What are your comments on your current player's performance?
6. What did u spend on with your first paycheck?

The new season is on the horizon, and while there is still some movement across the rosters, most are pretty much set for the start. There was a fair bit of turnover in the front offices in the M, with the league introducing four new GMs to take over some teams, with a bit of a blend of experience, in both actual management, and the VHL in general. We had a fairly interesting draft, with one of the more stacked goaltending prospect pools in recent memory, all but guaranteeing the IA goalie rule to be suspended for this season (hopefully indefinitely). With all that being said, let’s evaluate how each team looks jumping into season 90.

10. Ottawa Lynx

FD Ranking: 10th (0.167)
Goaltender Ranking: 9th (81 TPA)
Biggest Need: Defenseman
 
The Lynx were hit with a major wave of inactivity over the offseason, losing most of their would-be returning roster, and only coming into the draft with 2 players on the roster. There was also a bit of a scramble nearing the draft getting pick compliant which came down to the wire and cost them some depth picks both in this draft and in future ones. While they were able to restock a bit in the forward position, their defense position is very weak, which is out of character for Ottawa, who usually heavily targets the blue line in the draft. As of now, they only have one defenseman on the roster. While the one D system has shown some success before, it isn’t something you’d want to bank on. Ultimately, this season will come down to how they play on the defensive side of the ice, with having one of the lowest TPA goaltenders as well as a thin blue line.
 
9. Houston Bulls

FD Ranking: 9th (0.286)
Goaltender Ranking: 8th (108 TPA)
Biggest Need: Defenseman
 
Houston came into this draft with iirc zero returning players and came out with a strong forward group, ranked fourth in the league. Because of their situation, they were only able to focus on one position, completely neglecting their blue line. They do have the perfect amount of skaters that, if willing, they could put two of their forwards on the blue line to at least help on that side of the puck, although that would not be ideal. Houston has historically been able to create strong offensive forwards and I feel that this season will be no different. Their success will rely upon what they do to address their lack of defensemen. 
 
8. Philadelphia Reapers

FD Ranking: 8th (0.422)
Goaltender Ranking: 6th (135 TPA)
Biggest Need: Defenseman
 
Philadelphia was able to roster arguably the best team for two seasons straight and will be paying the price for that this season, with a large fall from the top. Their roster pretty much had to be completely rebuilt from the ground up and now appear to be much weaker than previous seasons. With only one blue liner on their roster and a pretty thin forward group, they appear to be very similar to Ottawa, albeit a bit further down in development, and in that sense will not be particularly competitive. There is also a bit of a controversial player on their roster, having brought in Dylan, famous for his Juan Ceson player and, after the rule change, pretty much retiring after every season without really doing much. It hurts a bit to have to roster and play a person who more than likely will claim very little and recreate at the end of the season, or possibly even halfway through, but if that’s what he wants to do, so be it. As for the team, waivers will really be the only chance this team can put up a fight.
 
7. Halifax 21st

FD Ranking: 3rd (0.639)
Goaltender Ranking: 10th (0 TPA)
Biggest Need: Goaltender
 
Halifax is arguably a team that should be ranked much higher, near the top of the league. They boast the second best forward group and while they only have one defenseman, that defenseman is one of the few capped blue liners in the league and Halifax is more than able to make the one defenseman system work. They had a really strong draft and from the looks of it, this appeared to be the Halifax team to finally make a push and actually win something. The issue, however, is in net. Last season, their goaltender went inactive, and while during the season you can retain an inactive goaltender so long as you drafted them, the next season is deemed a clean slate and you need to acquire a new tendy. No problem, they did so in the draft. Sure they aren’t at starter level yet, but they should be serviceable enough, right? Well, they would’ve, but for whatever reason they retired. Now the team is stuck with an empty net one day before the season starts. Luckily, there are a ton of backup goalies on teams that I feel that teams would be more than willing to move. It just hurts to have to give up assets on something you thought you had secure. As of now, this is where they sit. If they do make a trade and acquire a goaltender, they’ll jump up.
 
6. Las Vegas Aces

FD Ranking: 7th (0.489)
Goaltender Ranking: 3rd (157 TPA)
Biggest Need: Forward
 
Vegas was one of the few teams that were able to solidify their blue line at the start of the season, having a decently deep and strong blue line. Their forward group is decent enough, although they aren’t very far along in development, which drags them down to eighth in the league in regards to that position. Overall, the team is decently well-rounded and while I don’t see them as being one of the top teams in the league, so long as development and activity go well they should be a decent middle team this season.
 
5. San Diego Marlins

FD Ranking: 6th (0.519)
Goaltender Ranking: 4th (155 TPA)
Biggest Need: Forward
 
San Diego had a bit of a slow start to this season’s draft, but still went out and made some strong acquisitions and have built a rather strong team. They’ve gone up and gathered up all the Reingaards in the league as well as a couple other players. Defense and goaltending is solid, but like Vegas, their forwards need a bit of development to go from that competitive level to actual contender.
 
4. Miami Marauders

FD Ranking: 5th (0.531)
Goaltender Ranking: 5th (143 TPA)
Biggest Need: Forward
 
Miami is yet another team pretty similar to San Diego and Las Vegas. Strong defensemen and goaltending, weaker at forwards but still decent depth-wise. Their defense does lack the depth that the other two teams have, but the high TPA of their players makes up for that. Just like those other two teams, additions or strong growth will be needed to really push them to contender level.
 
3. Mississauga Hounds

FD Ranking: 2nd (0.647)
Goaltender Ranking: 2nd (169 TPA)
Biggest Need: Defenseman
 
Mississauga is one of the few teams that will jump out the gate and be near the top of the league for at least the first half of the season. The majority of their players are well along their development, most being well over halfway to the cap. As of now the only question mark on their team is on the blue line, with one of their two defenders being a new create who has yet to apply their TPE. That usually is a bad sign but they haven’t been around for long enough for that to be relatively concerning, but something to keep an eye on at least. 
 
2. Saskatoon Wild

FD Ranking: 4th (0.618)
Goaltender Ranking: 1st (199 TPA)
Biggest Need: Forward
 
Saskatoon (somewhat selfishly) hoarded an absolute truckload of picks and because of that was able to draft and put together the biggest roster in the league, with 9 forwards, 4 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders. Defensively and in goal, they are already at an elite level and will absolutely bully teams early on. Forward wise, they are a bit more scattered developmentally, with most players being somewhere in the 100s but a few being below the three digit mark. While those players do bring the rating down a touch, so long as they develop, this team has the potential to be the top team in the league.
 
1. Mexico City Kings

FD Ranking: 1st (0.719)
Goaltender Ranking: 7th (132 TPA)
Biggest Need: Forward
 
Mexico City comes into this season with the majority of their roster already in the 100s TPAwise  and makes them arguably the most developed roster in the league as of now. Coming out of the gate and pretty much throughout the entire season, this team will be near the top of the standings. The only concern I really have for this team is in forward depth. With three forwards, what happens if they don’t click as a line? If they can’t produce together, the team will struggle. Also, what happens if one goes IA? It is not unusual for a team to lose a player or multiple due to inactivity. Losing any forwards without increasing the depth will be catastrophic for a Mexico City team that looks to compete.
 
(1558 Words)

My VHL Off-Season
S90
 
The S90 VHL off-season has been great with my player being in 3 drafts, the fun tournaments and more. Well I will be going over this amazing off-season in this media spot. We will start off with what my player did.

Eric White Jr. of the San Diego Marlins had just been a part of the S89 Founder’s Cup championship team and was in the middle of playing in the Junior Showcase Tournament for the Brigade. Eric White Jr. picked up eight goals and six assists in the 30 game regular season and in the playoffs the Brigade lost to the Rush in seven games in the first round but White Jr. got four goals and three assists in those games. In the midst of all of that White Jr. was getting draft interviews from teams in the M, E and the VHL. The Pro-Am tournament happened and White Jr. knew he had to get into the list of participants. The Bayern Munich Fish were lucky enough to get White Jr. but he wasn’t much help. He was flipping through the 2nd and 3rd line during the regular season and only picked up two points in the 40 game regular season, and those two points were assists. White Jr. did not perform well in the bronze medal round getting zero points in four games.

The draft week was a very busy week for White Jr. as he was in all three drafts. The VHL draft was first and White Jr. got seven draft interviews but the lucky team to get the high 2nd round prospect was the D.C. Dragons with the 20th pick in the draft. White Jr. was ecstatic to be drafted in the 2nd round. D.C. are very happy that they drafted White Jr. and they are just waiting for him to get to the VHL.

The VHLE draft was next and with him being projected to be a 3rd round draft pick that meant he was going to Vastras to play for the Eagles. Well anyone who thought that would be wrong as White Jr. was picked in the 4th round by the Cologne Express. White Jr. was the 24th pick in that draft and all parties were very happy about that selection. Cologne’s team mascot and the best mascot in all of the VHL leagues Henry the Dog was very happy about that being the teams 2nd pick of the draft.

There is still one more draft and that is the VHLM draft. White Jr. was definitely projected to be a very high pick in that draft and well here is what happened. “With the 8th pick in the VHLM Dispersal Draft the San Diego Marlins are proud to select Eric White Jr.” That is correct White Jr. went back to the Marlins and is now looking for a 2nd championship and a back to back.


I didn’t just have a player to deal with, I was also a GM during the off-season. I was the GM of the Brigade in the JST and the GM of the Bayern Munich Fish in the Pro-Am, so I was lucky to be able to draft my own player in both of those drafts.

Being a GM isn’t the easiest thing in the VHL but it is definitely fun. In the JST I was the GM for the Brigade and was paired with an experienced AGM in the VHL @McWolf It took me a few days to do my scouting but then it was JST draft day. My first pick that day was Raimo Tuominen and I always had back to back picks which sucked at first but it got better since I was able to make 2 picks at the same time. I was unable to get a few players that I wanted but it worked out in the end. Once I made my lines I just had to wait for the season to start. Throughout the season I had to make a few changes to the lines and strategies but overall it worked out ok. The Brigade finished the season 2nd in the league with a record of 18-9-3 and I had to start focusing on the playoffs. Going up against the Yukon Rush I knew the series would be close but sadly the Brigade lost in seven games in a devastating 3-2 loss in game seven. I couldn’t have been happier of what my team accomplished during the JST as they did all they could every game.

I asked @McWolf a few questions and they were, How did you enjoy being my AGM in the JST? And, What was it like being an AGM for me? His answer to those were:

"I liked being an AGM to help the new players get started in the league. I also like helping you get your first management experience. I thought you were good, talking with the players a lot in the locker room, and in DMs on the forum for those not on Discord. I appreciated that."



In the Pro-Am it was very similar as I had to scout, draft, make lines, fix lines throughout the season but this time I decided to make captains and I chose my AGM. I was one of the few teams to get an AGM but it was really helpful. I let the team vote for captains and they voted for: Landon Wolanin to be the captain and Sjin. and Rick Grimes to be the assistant captains. The Fish finished 2nd overall at the end of the regular season and lost in 5 games to the Houston heat and we now had to fight for 3rd place. The Bayern Munich Fish played for bronze and swept the Vancouver Peacooks to take 3rd place.


I also asked my AGM @dylanjj37 the same questions of: How did you enjoy being my AGM in the Pro-Am? And, What was it like being an AGM for me? His answer to those were:
“I loved being your AGM. We made a great team and I really enjoyed it.”

“The best thing about being AGM for you was that you knew what you wanted and you tried your hardest to get it. It's easy to be an AGM when you have such a great GM to work with.”
 

It doesn't end there. The Warsaw Predators GM @N0HBDY interviewed my player Eric White Jr. about possibly drafting him but then he asked if I wanted to be his AGM for this upcoming season and further. This happened two days before the VHL draft but it didn’t change my answer as I still said yes and became the AGM of the VHL’s Warsaw Predators. He taught me all about how to be an official GM/AGM in the VHL/E/M and then it was draft day. That day was very busy since my player was in the draft and I was possibly going to have to make some picks. He let me make some picks but he told me who he wanted to draft so that I could get some experience about being a GM/AGM on draft day. He also told me to give out some ELC’s and those were great learning experiences.

I asked him: What made you ask me to be your AGM?
“Being a commissioner in the JST I get to see a lot more behind the scenes than pretty much everyone else. I've never had much of an AGM I've really used since most of the team's I inherited were more or less inactive so I kinda just chilled and ran stuff by myself more or less. This time around with Warsaw after my last AGM was unresponsive to me and we had a decent amount of draft picks and I possibly wasn't going to be around retaining those guys would be key in bringing the franchise back and so I thought why not try to get someone for once when I get around to it. Come draft scouting/interviews, Mysterious Fish, super active guy in the JST, possibly someone I could make my disciple and teach him the ropes. So I shot my shot for the hell of it, didn't interview anyone else before that, and all of a sudden I got myself an agm!”



Well this was definitely a busy off-season for me in the VHL community so I figured I would share it with you all. I can’t wait for the start of S90 and being able to play for the San Diego Marlins again, being the AGM for the Warsaw Predators, grinding tpe for the future seasons and most of all having fun while doing it. Enjoy S90 on whatever team in whatever level you are GMing in or your player is playing in!

1502 words (1506 if you include title/subtitle) Claim tpe for 3 weeks

Well damn, this season's team looks a lot different than last season's. I've mentioned it here and there, but making the decision to pull the trigger on a rebuild was pretty difficult - especially knowing that we could have kept all of our veterans and made one last push before we lost most of the team to retirement and FA. However, the organization has the opportunity to level set after 9 straight seasons of extremely strong performances - and 35 awards coming to the team and our players.
 
As we enter the S90's, like we did entering the S80's, it's time to feature a new generation of players who will lead us into the future. We've got a couple familiar faces left on the team, so we've got a nice mix of new and old players making up our leadership team.
 
First Alternate - Nils Andersson - @Viper
 
Typically, I assign captaincy and alternates based on tenure with the team or overall experience in their careers. Viper and Andersson buck that trend, but for very good reason. For those unfamiliar with Viper, he's had a pretty lengthy history of inconsistency with players and a reputation of fizzling out early in his players' careers. When we drafted Andersson back in S88, Viper and I had some chats about how we'd approach this player and how we could keep him going, regardless of any obstacles in his way. Now entering his third VHL season, Viper is poised to have his highest TPE player ever, and has become a great voice to have in the LR and with our advisors. He's learned from mistakes in the past and has showed a lot of maturity since I first met him three years ago, and I'm very confident in giving him an 'A' here in Moscow.
 
Second Alternate - Babay Shrimp - @Blazzer
 
A new face to the team, but a player and user who have already settled into the locker room quite comfortably. There was no shortage of suitors for Babay Shrimp this offseason, and despite Moscow's status as a rebuilding team, Blazzer was more than happy to join us for at least a season and be part of our organization and contribute to our culture. A veteran player who will be able to guide the young forwards on our team, we expect big things from Shrimp on and off the ice this season!
 
Captain - Hammar Voss - @BOOM
 
A long time alternate captain for four seasons now, Hammar Voss takes a step beyond simply being the best defenseman in the VHL, to becoming the Moscow captain. I suppose we're buying into the meme here that Moscow captains always end up off the team the following season since Voss is retiring after this season, but it might have been the easiest captain decision I've made as a GM. Boom is involved in our LR in all aspects, whether it's providing our players with gorgeous sigs, helping to guide our team plans, posting boobs or just chatting with folks, he's been one of my favorite acquisitions to the team outside the draft. I hope we can send a future HOFer off with a great final season!
 
Congrats to all named to the leadership team!
 
 MOSCOW MOSCOW MOSCOW

I'm switching up the style of how I've done these recap/grading pieces in the past. I used to just grade the first round, but I'm going to grade on a team by team basis this season so that I can look at a team's moves and picks as a whole and shout out more folks who were selected this draft. I will also try and keep it brief (edit, I failed), with less emphasis on formatting and making it look pretty.
 
Also as a disclaimer, I'm usually pretty pessimistic vs being optimistic. So if you want to feel better about your grades, bump it up a sign I guess. Like B+ to A-, or C- to C. Take it with a grain of salt though I'm just writing some shit for fun. I'm not an expert, clearly. Nothing here is personal.
 
North American Conference

Calgary Wranglers - @Ricer13 
 
The Wranglers entered the offseason seemingly looking to unload a couple roster players to both shed cap and open up space for some of their imminent call-ups, but ended up jettisoning their entire roster entirely. What was initially meant to be a slight reshuffling turned into a fairly all-encompassing overhaul. Despite the NA looking weak, CGY decided to simply go with their youth across the board. In the draft, CGY traded up from 8th to 6th, giving up a second rounder to select Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler, a winger from the Houston Bulls. Tuominen will be expected to slot into a top line role, and the offensively minded Finnish player should slide into the role well pending some development. Outside of Tuominen, Calgary's next picks weren't until the 3rd and 4th round where Pierre Ennis @DeciBell4, Destroyer @slangdestroyer and Josh goat @Josh is cool will be longshots to make the roster. Deciding to rebuild but only having 1 pick in the first 2 rounds of a draft class of this caliber is a little concerning though, and might indicate a longer term path to contending unless Calgary decides to buy players in a season in the near future.
 
Grade: B-
 
 
Chicago Phoenix - @badcolethetitan 
 
Chicago's predicament entering this offseason may be one of the worst ever involving GM transitions. New GM @badcolethetitan was left with minimal roster pieces outside recently drafted defenseman Liv Slater @Subject056 who was soon shipped off to Vancouver prior to the draft for two 1st round picks. Assets otherwise were quite limited, with just their own first round pick in S90 with no other picks until the third round. With their first though, Chicago took Ryan Artyomov @Enorama, kicking off a brutal rebuild with a must-have franchise cornerstone in net. The Phoenix will hope to build around Artyomov in future drafts, but the process will certainly be slow and arduous. With their remaining depth picks, the Phoenix selected Amir Redzic @Slav_Sloth  and Henri Dahl @Henri Dahl who will both take a few seasons to get to the VHL, and Owen Williams @Iknoweverythingaboutsports who might have a longer and more difficult path to reach the VHL without more consistency. There's really not much Chicago could have done differently, outside leveraging 3rd overall to acquire a larger package of picks in the S90/S91 drafts. 
 
Grade: B+
 
 
D.C. Dragons - @FrostBeard 
 
The Dragons appear to be speeding up their rebuild and putting their foot on the proverbial pedal this season. The team seems comfortable with Bubbles Utonium @fishy in net and a stout defense corps that has been built over the course of a couple seasons now. Metric-befuddling Ryuji Sakamoto @der meister was brought in to provide additional defensive capabilities along with a veteran voice in the group, while forwards Vince Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007 and Jason @Jason kranz were brought in via trade to provide an instant spark to an otherwise middling forward group. D.C. traded away 4th overall after seemingly missing out on their top target in Ryan Artyomov, opting to have faith in their team. For the future, Eric White Jr @Mysterious_Fish and Eno Velvson @Nykonax were brought int, with both expecting to be VHL-ready within 1-2 seasons. Later in the draft, projects Trey Daniels @Tdan04, Jean-Marc Lemieux @Gorth, Vladimir Kozlov @vladbatton and Donny dickems @Bakerk19 were added, all of whom appear to be longshots to make the VHL roster. Oscar Thurn @neksli was selected in the late 4th, but appears to have foregone hopes of a VHL career. While D.C. made solid grabs in the 2nd round, it's questionable if they really should have rushed into contending in the NA conference despite few other teams seeming to make that push. But with Vancouver, Seattle and Toronto looming large over the conference, D.C. may have been served better by simply taking the best player available at 4oa and letting the rebuilding process play out patiently - with the hopes of acquiring a true franchise goalie in S91 or via trade. Their season will largely be graded as to how they perform with a late career goalie in net with no replacement on the horizon.
 
Grade: B-
 
 
Los Angeles Stars - @InstantRockstar 
 
Simply put, the Stars are stuck in the mud. The Stars made one selection in the third round of the S90 draft, selecting Kodie Curran @Battlepopcorn who projects to take at least 3-4 seasons before being VHL ready. However, they went out and paid a massive price for young defenseman Elias Lampi @Pifferfish who the Seattle Bears appeared to be ready to move on from for cap purposes. Just one week out from the season, the Stars seem to be stuck between making a serious push to compete with the top teams, and kicking off a rebuild with the remaining stars that can fetch decent value on the team. With the timing of other selling teams such as Calgary and Moscow, most contenders are essentially ready for the regular season. LA's season will largely hinge on being able to maintain a playoff spot through the season and hoping that midseason trades for players on underperforming teams will result in a potential playoff run.
 
Grade: C-
 
 
New York Americans - @thadthrasher 
 
New York might be a bit more of a headscratcher than the LA Stars. While the Stars boast some competent stars to compete this season to some degree, New York....simply let their key FAs walk away elsewhere. Both Babay Shrimp @Blazzer and Geoff Bezos @Quik surprisingly tested FA, and Shrimp even signed elsewhere promptly. Now with no goalie left on their roster, New York simply has no direction. Veterans Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher and Svatopluk Pul @Otaznik may be able to carry an otherwise young offense, but rookie Tord Yvel @Trazan is all alone on defense. With 13th overall courtesy of a surprisingly pleasant playoff run in S89, New York was gifted Xiver Zilla @jhatty8 whom most expected to be a top 6 or 7 selection in the draft. Zilla will likely be able to form a solid 1C/2C duo with Jasper Davis @Josh in the long run, but will likely play on a wing until Dynamite leaves the organization. New York also selected goalie WW...etc. @rory, which will be interesting to see play out as the agency has been generally disgruntled by the organization in the past, especially after how the Americans hostaged Travish DeGroot from LA back in the early 80's. If WW is happy with New York and extends beyond their ELC, it'll be a solid selection. Otherwise the Americans may only have lucked into Zilla and will have to hope that late round selections Stinky @taylorherd and Alexei Shirokov @Alexei can find their way onto the main roster. With no future for their defense and goaltending uncertainty, it's been a nightmare of an offseason for the S89 postseason darlings.

Grade: F
 
 
Seattle Bears - @Banackock 
 
The Bears have continued to operate in their typical offseason manner of fielding offers on all players to see what the market has interest in, then trading away mid-career players for assets while spending a portion of those assets on later stage career players to replace them. This off-season saw Elias Lampi @Pifferfish and Daniel Weaver @ThePerfectNut heading out of town to be replaced by Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg  and AirRig GoodBrandSun @Rhynex Entertainment. Star goalie Clueless Wallob @DMaximus  was also acquired from the rebuilding Moscow Menace after a panic trade for pending UFA G Karl Pedersen @JeffD. In the draft, Seattle sat pat and selected center Severus Targaryen @Banackock who has close ties to team management and Simons Worst Nightmare in the second round, who projects to be a pure defensive defenseman with a 2 season window to make the VHL roster. In the third, Seattle selected Jaja Dingdong Jr @Jaja Dingdong who may shape up into a depth defenseman over a few seasons, along with Factor Lee who also shows potential if he can remain consistent over the next few seasons. Jakub Izacky was selected in the 4th and the agency has a history of fluttering out in the VHL, but maybe Seattle's management can develop the player well enough to get him to the pro roster. As of now, Seattle still hasn't completed their roster with $3 million in cap space, so another move or two will be expected.

Grade: A-
 
 
Toronto Legion - @Moon 
 
I made a joke the other day that if I had a penny for every time Toronto traded a large pick package for veteran Moscow superstars, I'd have two pennies. It's not a lot, but it is amusing that it's occurred twice. GM @Moon seems prepared to flip the switch on this Legion squad, and aggressively pursued superstars Ronan Lavelle @Arce and Tomas Sogaard @Brandon from Moscow and paid a high price of a 1st + two 2nds. The duo will join stars Mac Atlas @v.2  and FA signing Siyan Yasilievich @badcolethetitan with the hopes that this will be the season for a deep playoff run in Toronto. With 2nd overall, Toronto chose to stay in that slot instead of trading down, and selected defenseman Walter Fitzroy Jr, a player whose agency is very close with the GM. A bit of a puzzling move since most draft pundits expected that Fitzroy would be available a bit later in the first, and rumors swirled that other teams were offering hefty packages to trade up for the top three pick. Later in the draft, Toronto selected Harjen Van Araken @VaderTheTater who is still very raw, but may still be able to make the VHL given some guidance and development. This season will largely be graded off of their results - with Lavelle and Yasilievich both planning to retire this season, the window is open for just this one season pending future moves. Will the assets given up be too much for a one season prayer?
 
Grade: B
 
 
Vancouver Wolves - @Frank 
 
GM Frank Chadwick @Frank has never been afraid to be aggressive, and it's probably one of my favorite traits of his. He was aggressive early in the offseason, acquiring Girts Galvins' @Girts rights from Warsaw for a late future 2nd, and then fixed their cap woes by sending Henry Eagles @Greg_Di to the Malmo Nighthawks for a hefty package involving S92 MAL 1st. After a few days of fiddling around with cheap defensemen, Vancouver did the near impossible and convinced Chicago to trade away their sole promising roster player in Liv Slater @Subject056 for two firsts (including the one received in the Eagles trade). While initially the price seemed steep, Vancouver essentially traded a fraction of the Eagles return along with their own 91 1st (likely bottom 4) for a very young defenseman with a lot of potential who fits within their cap situation. In an ideal world, Slater will replace Pierre Emile Bouchard as he faces retirement in the near future. VAN made no selections in the S90 draft, and have limited capital in the future. Goaltender Brandt Fuhr is getting long in the tooth and the team only has S89 goalie Clark as a prospect. Will he be able to replace Fuhr within 2 seasons?
 
Grade: A-
 
 
European Conference
 
HC Davos Dynamo - @Alex 
 
The Dynamo are fresh off a Continental Cup win, which means they realistically could go back to being a dumpster fire with no criticism. The price to compete is your future assets, and Davos simply had no picks in the S90 draft. However, Davos went out in search of some cheap depth to fill out their forward core with Halvar Torbjorn @Rayzor_7, DB III @wcats and Vasile Lamb @dlamb. The defense is still their strongest point with Jake Thunder @Thunder and Skor McFleury @Alex and star netminder Lachlan Summers @kirbithan, but it remains to be seen if their forward group is strong enough to win games with just depth and no high-end individuals.

Grade: B+
 
 
Helsinki Titans - @samx 
 
The Titans are under new management for the first time in eons, with former AGM @samx now selected to lead the team into the future. The team had a stroke of luck to begin the new GM's tenure, as HSK won the 1st overall selection via the S90 draft lottery. YaBoi Oven @Doomsday was the consensus top selection, and he'll soon make his debut to join Kronchy Kardashian as stalwarts on the blue line. With Fuukka Rask @Jubis in his prime, Helsinki went out and bought Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877 from the rebuilding Wranglers, presumably to try and make a push this season while they still have some players on ELCs. The future is still bright however, as Helsinki managed to add talented forwards Bruise Banner @ctots and Alexandre Crosby @hockeyis66 at the end of the 1st round and beginning of the 2nd, along with defenseman Tommy Sleeves @dasboot. They rounded off their draft with Barry McOckiner @LanerDUST and Gremlis Lielais @Anomalijs who will take at least 3+ seasons to make the VHL. Overall though, HSK has some hope for both the present in the future through a deep pick pool in the next two drafts and solid prospects on the way. Whether HSK was truly ready to compete this season remains to be seen.
 
Grade: A-
 
 
London United - @jacobcarson877 
 
Rumblings around the league were that the recently dethroned VHL Champions, the London United, would enter a rebuild of sorts after star defenseman Siyan Yasilievich was heading into FA. However, London proceeded to do the opposite, instead acquiring Deron Nesbitt @AW13 from Moscow along with FA defenseman Jack Jeckler @Uncommon. The United made just one draft pick in S90, selecting Shinoa Hiiragi @shinoa in the 4th round who likely will never join the VHL. It's an interesting offseason for the United who simply didn't have assets to work with as a contending team, but they seem to be content with their roster featuring stars Molly the Cat @JCarson and The Board Game Clue on Skates @MubbleFubbles. Although the team was completely anemic offensively last season, maybe a new season and some development will allow the United offense to break out and surge beyond the wild card round. However, the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Acquiring Nesbitt to replace Siyan simply may not be enough to make a meaningful difference.
 
Grade: C+
 
 
Malmo Nighthawks - @KaleebtheMighty 
 
Malmo had an interesting draft night. At 6oa, the team delayed for quite a while, taking up nearly their entire time allotment before a trade was made with Calgary to trade down from 6 to 8, netting a 2nd rounder along the way. Once at 8, the team traded down again with Moscow, picking up a 3rd rounder to drop from 8 to 9. At 9, they finally selected Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish @hylands whose agency the organization is very familiar with. After the agency struggled to develop players in the past, the hope is that Jebediah will snap out of that funk and be able to step in to a large role on the Nighthawks' defense. However, their defense might be the strongest part of their team, with youngsters Jacob Stone @scoop and Reese McFleury @Spaz already showing promise alongside the veterans in the group who are also just in the middle of their careers. Prospect Big B @Bigb33 also appears on the cusp of making their pro roster, making the selection of yet another defenseman in the S90 1st round a bit confusing. Fortunately for Malmo, they were aggressive in acquiring Daniel Weaver @ThePerfectNut and Henry Eagles @Greg_Di to jumpstart their contending phase, but the organization now has no picks left for the next 2 seasons. There'll be a lot of pressure on the skaters in Malmo to make the moves worth it, as Ash Sparks still has a lot to prove despite a strong first season as full-time starter. It's a large gamble for Malmo, but fortunately they have the prospect pool to maintain their competitive window for a while - it'll all depend on if they can manage their cap and roster slots as well.
 
Grade: B-
 
 
Moscow Menace - @Spartan  
 
The Menace made the questionable decision this off-season to completely gut their team into pieces, shipping away nearly every single quality veteran on their team despite being able to retain all of their core pieces. From a Victory Cup and a playoff appearance to a full rebuild seems questionable, but GM Euron Leonidas @Spartan  seems confident in the youth on the team and happy with the return they received for all of their pieces. After a flurry of trades, some even during the draft, Moscow ended up with picks 4, 8, 12 and 21 where Axle Gunner @Steve and Jarmo Ruutu @jRuutu were selected to be the future center duo of the Menace. Defensemen Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage @Grape and Didier Verhault @FTK  were also selected with the hopes of stepping up to replace the retiring Hammar Voss @BOOM and the depleted defense corps. While the Menace seem set at forwards for the future and have some defensemen in place, the big question mark remains their plans in net for the future, with only veteran goalie Sam Tombstone in the organization.
 
Grade: A
 
 
Prague Phantoms - @Acydburn 
 
To me, Prague's had a pretty quiet offseason. Not much news has circulated from their organization, and their only trade was for young defenseman Admir Bala @Tyler from Davos. In the draft, the Phantoms doubled down on defense, selecting Conference Prince-de-Galles @UnkemptCL4PTP, adding a pure defensive defenseman to the organization historically known for building teams around defense. With defensemen Faith Hope love @MMFLEX and Velociraptor Greg @samx beginning to regress, it makes sense to bring in some young defensemen. However, with multiple aged forwards, and a bit of an uninspiring prospect pool, Prague selected controversial center Aurora Skylight @Bedirhan in the 2nd round. While the young center is talented, questions arise around character and the ability to remain focused on hockey and developing skills. Later in the second, Prague also added Liam Oinas @ojje who will take a few seasons to reach the VHL, and longer term projects in Stefan Nikolaev @Is_thatok and Yves Lafleur @Habs fan. Prague is sporting an identical look to their roster last season, but the hopes will be that their playoff run will be much deeper.
 
Grade: B-
 
 
Riga Reign - @hedgehog337 
 
For a competitive team, Riga had a surprising number of picks in the first two rounds with 5 total, including 7th and 10th overall. In the first round, Riga selected forwards Catia Goncalves @cLoWn and Martin Kemp @leafsman who will likely take a season or two to join one of the best up and coming forward cores in the league. However, that forward group is already in their prime, with some veterans already on the cusp of regressing. Defensively, both Brian Kowalski and James Marino seem to be prepared to play 30+ minutes every game, but with their age, their effectiveness may wane. Despite the shallow defense depth in both their pro roster and prospect pool, Riga selected three more forwards in the second round in Afonya Romanov @DontCallMeCarson, Sebastian Thunder @Matt thunder and Oden Bell @WhiskyJack. Jussi Jokinenegg @HearnNation67 was selected in the third round, also a forward. The only defensemen drafted was Kenneth Heymann @Kenny in the 4th round, who looks to have already quit the sport of hockey entirely. While Riga might have the best forward group in the league right now, their defensive depth or lack thereof will certainly sink them barring a miracle. With 3 million in cap, there's room to find a defenseman now or wait until the trade deadline for retained salary. But it looks to be a struggle for the organization who neglected positions of need to go for the best players available during the draft.
 
Grade: C
 
 
Warsaw Predators - @N0HBDY 
 
God, I've written so much and I want to be done. Warsaw fucking stinks, just like Chicago. The sole bright spots might be Tim Riggins @Jayhawk and recently acquired defenseman Tater Tottingham @Trunkxolotl, who realistically should be traded to a contender for more assets than the 2nd Warsaw paid to save Toronto from cap trouble. In the S90 draft though, Warsaw selected great value in the first round, adding Maxim Anisimov @McLovin and King Kisslinger @Kisslinger to begin rebuilding the forward group. Jorji Costova @Hybrid1486, Joseph Jec @Joseph Jec, Jigglejawns @.sniffuM, Joseph Dubois @Dubois, Andrew Cobberson @BrandyAndy, Michael Ovechskin @penguinb19 and Joe Blow @ES29 will have to be heavily developed by the organization if they're to make a significant impact for the team in the future. Fortunately Warsaw owns their own 1st round picks for the future, and have a decent stockpile of 2nd round picks. It remains to be seen if those 2nds will provide any value in these shallow classes however.
 
Grade: B+
 
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The jersey number of Juan Ceson is being retired by the Las Vegas Aces. Ceson is the All-Time Aces record holder for 
 
 
Games Played: 531
Points: 291
Hits: 1691
Shots Blocked: 897
Shots on Goal: 776
Penalty Minutes: 702
Playoff Games Played: 66
Playoff Hits: 210
Playoff Shots Blocked: 93
Playoff Penalty Minutes: 125
 
 
Ceson was and still is an all-time leader of this team, having been a part of the Golden Age of the Aces from S83-85, contributing to two Founder's Cup Championships, and still to this day helping management achieve what he's always stood for, winning. The accomplishments, achievements and prestige of Ceson cannot be condensed into a mere few words, but if I were to, it would be "Juan Ceson Forever." It's one of the greatest honors of my young GMing career to be the one to put this great mans number into our rafters forever.
 
Thank you, Juan Ceson

Congrats to all that got hired! Especially the one and only @McLovin 

Yep, you heard that right! We are now hiring not the three GMs we advertised roles for before, but four GMs after the poaching of @samx by the evil Blue overlords.
 
Once again, we'd like to thank @Blazzer, @AJW, @Pifferfish and @samx for their time spent as GMs for LVA, Houston, Philly, and Mexico City, respectively.
 
With that being said, we've got a whole bunch of new (and old) faces to welcome to the VHLM. Please congratulate the following:
 
Las Vegas - @McLovin
Philadelphia - @Lemorse7
Houston - @STZ
Mexico City - @Otis Boudreaux Jr
 
Excited to have a fantastic mix of veterans and first gens to add to the VHLM team! Looking forward to seeing the great job you all do!

Live from Juan Ceson Arena, this is Radio Las Vegas, with your host, Marcus Svedberg. A special episode is here, so let's get into it!
 
General Manager @Blazzer has announced she is resigning from the position of GM of the Aces, and it comes at a time where the Aces are looking towards the future to get out of the rut they've been in for the last couple seasons. Taking a look back at the career of Blazzer, sure the numbers don't stand out, but the dedication and passion for the team cannot be denied. Despite tough seasons ever since she took over, she worked day in and day out to get a team together to be competitive, and that alone is to be commended. The care for the players she's shown has proven to this writer that the Aces, win or lose, were going to come to the arena with a will to win, and that's thanks to the leadership that she provides from the front office. With her resigning, it's a tough guess as to who will take over. Favorite at the moment to be named next GM is current AGM of the team, Ben Hafkey @McLovin, who looks to continue his work in management in a more amplified role. Having served as AGM in Helsinki from S70 to 73, and multiple Gold Medal wins at the WJC, Blazzers apprentice aims to take what he has learned and take it to the next level. Her previous AGM, @Viper has already made a name for himself in Saskatoon with a commendable rookie GM season. Hafkey has announced that he intends to offer Blazzer the role he filled should she want to come back to the team. Whether this happens or not, and whether he actually becomes GM are up in the air. As it stands though, the future of the Aces hangs in the decision the Commissioners make in the coming days.
 
Frank Sinatra is up next, reminding us that you're never really alone, under a Blue Moon
 
 

Thank you guys for the amazing time. Wishing all the best to all the applicants 

Thank you guys for the amazing time. Wishing all the best to all the applicants