Eso

@Eso we appreciate you coming into Seattle, and embracing us like you did. It was a lot of fun having you around when you were around. We got to send them in now, just made more sense for us to utilize TPE spent on the winter.
 
@Webberj I privately messaged you, but excited to add you to the team in the locker room. Your build is exactly what we’re looking for and I think you’re gonna have a lot of fun on the team this season. Signing a contract and start some magic!
 
 

Here we are finally posting it despite having already scored 5 goals ! 
 

S88 Calgary Wranglers season awards 

 
Another season is now in the books. After a phenomenal run to the cup, the Wranglers had a season full of ups and down ultimately falling in the semi finals to the Seattle Bears ( 🤮). Overall, I wouldn't consider this season a bad one. Calgary had some problems, mostly at the start, but the team fought through them and bounced back. The roster didn't change a lot from S87 to S88 with the only change being Marcel Janser. Maybe a single change, but still a meaningful one. For the upcoming s89, we already know that the team will change a lot after losing the likes of @Doomsday, @RileyLand @Eso. For the 2nd season in a row, I will be writing the media spot to get those sweet TPE, but all the winners were chosen by the legendary gm of the Wranglers @Ricer13. Without further ado let's get started !
 
 Most Valuable Wrangler 
Oskar Lindbergh
Ending not only his Wrangler tenure but also his career as a whole, @Doomsdayisn't leaving without a legacy behind. He has a 100% MVP rate as a Wranglers that's impressive! It's not the only impressive thing about Lindbergh's career, but for now, let's focus on S88. In the regular season, the netminder had a very honorable .924% and a 2.75 GAA with only 1 shutout. The playoff is where Lindbergh outplayed all the levels he's ever reached. In 11 games he had, listen carefully, a .941 save % !!!!!!! The rest of his statline include a 2.01 GAA and 2 shutouts. Safe to say Lindbergh wasn't close to being washed when the time to unlace his pads came.  In his 2 season here Oskar really made his presence felt in the LR and losing him will be tough for us. 
 
 
 The Sheriff's Badge 
Vincent Laroche-Gagnier
 
Hey! I know that guy. The sheriff's badge is given to the player who has shown the most leadership. In a locker room full of leaders the one who ultimately receives the badge is @vincentlg2007. It's always funny to give ourselves an award lmao  but once again I repeat Ricer choose the awards! It's a very awesome price to win that's for sure and as mentionned, in a LR full of leaders it's tough to only choose one even for the ones without letters and being the one chosen is flattering. So the reason why I won it was because of my activity level always growing, my high earning ( writting this will help with that lol) and finally, my desire to always get better. I'd like to take the spotlight here to announce 2 things 1) @Banackockbeware me, I just got my bear hunting license and I plan to use it fully on your team. 2) In S89, it's 30 goals or nothing for VLG.
 
 
 Top Shelf Award 
  Landon Wolanin & Leandro Goncalves
Last season,  @jacobcarson877 won his first Top Shelf Award given to the Wranglers player who scored the most goals in the season. Well this season, someone else wins his first Top shelf award, it's @leandrofg, yes leanfrog himself! This doesn't mean Wolanin didn't go back to back! We do have a tie for the most goals ladies and gentlemens ! Both of the S83 forward starting with L  have scored 42 goals this season making them tied for 5th in the league ! 2/3 of the Wranglers feared trio proved once again why they're considered beasts.  
 
 
 Rybak Trophy 
Daniel Janser & Landon Wolanin
 
Certified first ballot hall of famer @Daniel Janser wins yet again the Rybak trophy given to the Wrangler with the most points this season. Once again, @jacobcarson877 decided to come in and make a tie smh. All jokes aside, both the mens had fantastic season. Ending the season tied 5th for points both have a pretty good rally of 93 points. It's always a pleasure to see Daniel Janser on the ice and even close to the end he is still playing some brilliant hockey. Wolanin will be happy that he doesn't have a 99 points season again even tho he probably wishes he did, will the 100 point mark finally become a reality for Landon next season ?
 
 
 
 Last Line Award 
AirRig Gudbrandson
 
Going back to back to back to back on the award this season we have @Rhynex Entertainment bringing home the award for top defenseman. While there were 2 very strong choices the pick ultimately ended up being AirRig Gudbranson. With a total of 65 points he might have less points but his defensive game on the other hand had a step up. 152 shots blocked, 127 hits two very impressive stats for the S83 canadian defenseman. There's one question on everyone's lips tho: Will AirRig Gudbrandson continue gatekeeping the award in S89 or will someone else win it ? Gudbrandson is obviously not past his prime and seeing him win his 5th last line award in a row wouldn't surprise anyone
 
 
 Jubis Memorial Trophy 
 Landon Wolanin
 
The jubis memorial trophy is given to the member of the organisation who demonstrates the most potential for long term success. Well, @jacobcarson877isn't only based on long term success that's for sure! In his first season as a VHL Gm the Marlins superlegend won the continental cup !!!!!! Safe to say GM Jacob Carson is set for some long term success in the gm world as well as on the ice with Landon Wolanin who I repeat won both the most points and most goals award ( both tied). Jacob Carson is someone that will be a strong candidate for the David Knight trophy for pretty much his entire career.
 
 
 
 Young Buck Award 
Mason Rice
 
The winner of the young buck award given to the wrangler's top prospect is @Sawyer13. Despite playing bottom minutes in a terrible Vasteras team ( sorry @Lemorse7but you have to admit it) Mason still continued to earn TPE week after week as a Welfare + earner. A marlins legend, he was drafted by Vasteras 12th in 88 and by our lovely Wranglers 16th. In his first season in the E, Mason had 29 points with 14 goals. In the WJC he had 5 points in 10 games for team world along with 4 points in 3 playoff WJC games. At 347 tpe, Mason Rice will make a long awaited VHL debut in no time
 
 
Here is the end of this season's award show. Congrats to every winner of this ceremony but also to every Calgary affiliated member. This season was a wonderful one for the team and we're looking forward to another wonderful season in 89.
 
 

Holy overpay Batman

Holy overpay Batman

1. Had no predictions, but as a Hounds alum, best of luck!
2. You fools! You're playing right into his hands!
3. Janser?
4. Skate to the bench for a fresh water bottle... while playing was live and the puck was in the other zone.
5. Love it, really classes up the place.
6. Eggs Benedict obviously. Unless it's GameDay, in which case oatmeal. Horses need oats.

1. Had no predictions, but as a Hounds alum, best of luck!
2. You fools! You're playing right into his hands!
3. Janser?
4. Skate to the bench for a fresh water bottle... while playing was live and the puck was in the other zone.
5. Love it, really classes up the place.
6. Eggs Benedict obviously. Unless it's GameDay, in which case oatmeal. Horses need oats.

1. Mostly I miss the sims. Our locker room activity has been steady over the off-season, so I just want to be able to check the box scores every day to see how our team does.
2. I know Cow is a veteran user, and I'm not familiar with the other guys, but Calgary has a strong team culture to encourage activity and earning so I have absolute faith that they will all be good picks.
3. I barely pay attention to what our team did, I have absolutely no idea about the rest of the bigs or the minor leagues.
4. The classic hockey card pose, stick held horizontally behind the head, making the whole body into a bit of a flex pose.
5. Yes, but this doesn't change the fact that they are swedish.
6. I drink a lot of water. Unfiltered tap water. Love it. Can't get enough of it. Get it in me.

Hello everyone,
 
Not gonna bother with a members tag on this, if you see it then great, you will be rewarded for that. If you don’t then…. Well why am I writing this because if you don’t see it how can you read this part?
 
Anyway, today marks 5717 days (that’s 15 years, 7 months, and 26 days if you’re curious) since the VHL opened its doors. What a random number you might say, why does that matter? Well if I do the math, and I have, I was born 5717 days before the start of the VHL. Given that I joined on day one and have been here ever since that means today marks the official day that I have been in the VHL just as long as I was outside of it. Is that a stupid thing to celebrate? Probably but that won’t stop me; so please let me indulge in a bit of sentimentality for a moment.
 
When the VHL started I had not yet completed high school, I had never had a girlfriend, hell I had never kissed a girl. I was a lonely nerd turning to the internet to find something to do; and I found it. The VHL was not my first sim league, wasn’t even the first one I joined ran by the people who ran it, but it was the first that felt different and felt like it had a good chance of surviving which so few at that point had done. I found a community here. I cannot honestly say that everything went perfectly or that my start in the VHL was without fault; I very nearly left for good within 2 months, but I stayed. I have now not only finished high school but university and going on 10 years working post-schooling. I have now not only had a steady relationship but a wife and two children, a life. All the while the VHL has been there, constantly evolving with the times sure but present. Over 5 years ago I took up the mantel of commissioner. I did it not because I thought I was necessarily the best person for the job but because I thought the league needed something, it was in trouble and I didn’t want to see it fail. I like to think that in these 5 years of growth I have at least stalled that failure.
 
5717 days likely means nothing to any of you, just as that paragraph likely means nothing to any of you, but it means something to me. This league, this place, this community has been a standard in my life for longer than most anything else. I’m not going anywhere right now, that’s not what this is, but I did want to mark the occasion because this league does mean a lot to me.
 
So if you’ve made it this far feel free to take 5 uncapped TPE for your troubles, on me. I’m not sure the insane total I’ve had over the years (probably over 10k by now) so 5 for everyone that I bored with this story should suffice as a thank you for being my weird extended internet family.

1. Feeling good. It's almost a shame to not have to play in the wild card round as the team that we eventually play might have some momentum, while we might have some rust. Need to prepare mentally to not be slow out of the gate.
2. Tough to say, in the tight checking playoffs I expect it to be low scoring, but the competition will be a close match for us.
3. Same as he did in the regular season - Sax will pick up some proximity points just because he gets to be on the ice at the same time as Janser and Wolanin, both those guys will do the scoring while Sax will try to be a water-carrier and responsible two-way player.
4. Janser, easily.
5. Probably been at least 15 years since the last time I used one. Ever since mobile phones became ubiquitous, payphones are kind of obsolete.
6. The Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy.

1. All the shutouts. Team defense. Block them shots.
2. It's not a matter of if, it's when. We're unstoppable.
3. It's a tight league, there are no gimme games. Gotta work hard every shift, you can't sleep on teams based on where they are in the standings.
4. Shotguns a Coor's Light after warmup but before the anthems.
5. I try not to drink a lot of calories, but I'd take chocolate milk. Rather than drink orange juice, you should eat an orange.
6. A few, not many. I prefer the classic events (hardest shot, accuracy, speed skating) to the gimmicky stuff, but I understand that they're trying to entertain kids of the Twitch generation.

1. Western Europe isn't usually a powerhouse in men's ice hockey, and it is equally surprising that they did well in an English language sim league. Actually, is my player from the UK? Might be.
2. Ready to rock and roll. Hockey is fun.
3. Regular season will be about the same for Calgary. Playoffs will be a little bit different.
4. Phil for sure. Doesn't get to bust it out very often though.
5. Northern Aplomado Falcon.
6. No, the future is meditation and introspection.
 

1. Sax Justice showed up overweight, out of shape, and drunk. As usual.
2. Nope. Don't know anything about any of the drafts. I assume we got players?
3. Antarctica.
4. We've got Unfinished Business. I hope this doesn't age poorly.
5. Between 11pm and midnight if I'm hope and not busy with something.
6.
 

1. I think we're set, but Ricer is a pretty active GM so who knows.
2. My player's biggest weakness is that his user doesn't earn lots of TPE, so he is constantly behind the power curve.
3. Seattle or Chicago, I don't pay a ton of attention to the rest of the league though.
4. About as expected. I just try to do my part to hold the line until we can get a skill guy out there.
5. Did a bunch of it earlier in the year, but I really should get on more of it.
6. Not sure about today, but yesterday it was -7C and a nice day for some pond hockey.

Life sure does get busy when you work full time, have a wife that works full time, two kids who are in competitive hockey and then add in all of my hobbies such as the VHL. I am LATE, yet again  but I will not go one season without handing out our team awards. Lets get down to business!

Top Shelf Award

The Top Shelf award is given to the player who scores the most goals during the regular season. This years leading goal scorer also led the entire league in goals winning himself the Kevin Brooks Trophy. Fun fact, this is the first time in FOURTY seasons that a Calgary Wrangler has won the title for the leagues leading goal scorer. Leading the way with 51 goals in 72 games for the Calgary Wranglers was Daniel Janser. @Daniel JanserCongratulations!

Rybak Trophy
 
The Rybak Trophy is given to the player who leads the team in scoring during the regular season. Daniel Janser @Daniel Janser also takes home the scoring title for the Calgary Wranglers and also walks away with the league scoring title earning himself the Mike Szatkowski Trophy. This is the second time in three seasons that a Wrangler has won the league scoring title but this time was Janser's time to shine. He led the Wrangler's to one of their best seasons in recent memory and put the league on notice showing that he is now among the leagues elite.
 
Last Line Award
 
The last line award is given to the top defensemen during the regular season. We had a few defenders who had an excellent season in season 85 but one took a huge step in his development and had his name in talks for the Dustin Funk Trophy as the leagues most improved player. Sadly, he does not walk away with the Funk but he will walk away with the Last Line Award. Congratulations to AirRig GoodBrandSun @Rhynex Entertainment.
 
Jubis Memorial Trophy
 
I just want to give this award to our whole team! We have so many great members already doing so many great things throughout the league. I am only going to give it to one player and its going to be the member who also walked away with the Elmebeck Award. He has clearly made a positive  impression in the VHL and every season he makes a positive impact for our team. Congratulations to Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg.
 
The Sheriff's Badge
 
The Sheriff's Badge is pretty self explanatory. The Sheriff's Badge could go to anyone on our team as we have many voices in our locker room. The Season 85 Sheriff's Badge is going to Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877. He has been a leader in on our team ever since joining the team despite never holding a leadership role. All that has changed now as Wolanin has been voted by his team to be an Assistant Captain for season 86. Loved by his team mates and loved by the league, Landon Wolanin absolutely deserves this award. 
 
Young Buck Award

Calgary always seems to have some good young players brewing in the system down in the minors. This player has been working hard, training regularly and it really showed with Vegas last season. Larry Abass Jr. @RileyL is the Young Buck of season 85. He surpassed the 100 pt plateau with the Las Vegas Aces helping push them to be the top team during the regular season. He continues to grind away in the VHLE and I expect we will see Larry suit up for the Wrangler's in season 87. 
 
Most Valuable Wrangler
 
This was a tough one to decide on. We had a number of players who had excellent seasons but the player we have chosen just feels right to give this award too. Saku Kotkakoivu @DollarAndADream knew that this would likely be his last season with the Calgary Wrangler's and despite that had one of his best seasons of his career. He hit 97 points in 72 games but led the team in hits and all but one player in +/-. He was amongst the players in the running for the Boulet Trophy in season 85 for his recognition as one of the leagues best two way forwards. Its absolutely heart breaking to see him leave our organization but I am grateful for the time and dedication he gave to this team. Congratulations Saku Kotkakoivu on winning the season 85 Most Valuable Wrangler Award. 
 

Graphic courtesy of Leandrofg
(Marcel's stats/Daniel's stats)
 
We had a chance to talk to Daniel once more, after the management has made moves for the coming season. Jean-Luc Lieuxperroux (JLL) conducted the interview.
 
JLL: 'Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Daniel much appreciated.'
Daniel Janser (DJ): 'My pleasure, Jean-Luc, fire away.'
JLL: 'We of course have to address the elephant in the room, which is the departure of former Captain Saku Kotkakoivu and veteran Defender Erlantz Jokinen. How much does it hurt Calgary's chances to compete if you lose this amount of star power?'
DJ: 'Of course we cannot replace them one to one in the free market and stay cap-compliant. Even in the most star studded roster, the loss of two such outstanding players, let alone leaders and locker room presences, will be felt. However, our S83 crop in Gonçalves, Wolanin and GoodBrandSun have grown into their place and will help to compensate for the move of these two amazing players. Justice works on himself and is a solid depth player. We could also replace some of the experience lost with the acquisition of Aberg, Ablar and Vladovechsenkchushkin. We also signed Pedersen who will help out in net.'
JLL: 'Is this a sign of suspicion towards Dahl's performance in net?'
DJ: 'I would not phrase it that way. Dahl has been solid in net and we have not lost many games because of him. On the other hand, Dahl did also not steal games for us that often, especially in the playoffs. Management felt that he has peaked, and that we need a higher ceiling on the netminder position if we want to compete for the cup. If you look at the past few Continental Cup winners, you see that often they had a star in net. We kind of hedged our bets now. As I see it, either Dahl feels the pressure and proves management wrong or Pedersen will slowly take over the starting position if management with their evaluation was correct.'
JLL: 'That is interesting indeed. Do you see the defence weaker now with the absence of long time Wranglers Jokinen?'
DJ: 'Again, he is one of the best players in the league on his position, so prima facie one could be forgiven for thinking so. However, I want to throw in that GoodBrandSun is continuosly improving his play and is not for nothing in the leadership group, And Strasmore entered the league early and showed already improvement during his rookie season. Ablar is a seasoned defender who learned how to keep the door shut in an underdog team in London. Marcel is a solid stay at home defender, who does take few penalties and had a very good +/- rating in his rookie campaign. All in all I think the defence is more balanced this coming season than in the past season.'
JLL: 'So in conclusion where do you see Calgary in the upcoming season?'
DJ: 'I think GM Kris Rice has a habit for 'soft' rebuilds and stay competitive even when changes need to be made. I see us making the playoffs, and once there, everything is possible.'
JLL: 'And do you think you will be able to repeat your amazing season?'
DJ: 'I hope to be a contributor to Calgary's success and to be consistent. That is all I care about. If that brings individual awards like last season that is nice and all. But the one silverware I really care about is the Cup. It is for too long that the amazing Calgary supporters had to long for this trophy to be in their showcase.
JLL: 'Thanks for this interview and good luck.'
DJ: 'Thanks for having me and I appreciate your good wishes.'
 
Stay tuned for further updates.
 
 
https://vhlforum.com/topic/128718-a-tale-of-two-brothers-an-interview-with-the-captain/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/129240-a-tale-of-two-brothers-proam-tournament/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/129435-calgary-wranglers-s86-captains/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/129587-a-tale-of-brothers-wind-of-change-reloaded/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/129578-vsn-presents-s85-vhl-awards/
https://vhlforum.com/topic/129697-a-tale-of-two-brothers-a-night-to-remember/
 
 
uncapped 3/5

1. Looks like we got a feast of good players. If I had to pick one, I think Adam Rage @MrMom is going to have a great career.
2. Happy to be drafted as a Wrangler! @Ricer13 inexplicably thinks highly of me and reached for my player way too early.
3. I'd play for any team. Don't get me wrong, Calgary is my preference, but I'm a mature enough person that I'd play anywhere. I like teams with active LRs though.
4. I enjoy the VHLM, but with my first player I was confused for a long time about the different ways to earn TPE, so maybe they could teach that a bit better.
5. I support the Vancouver Canucks, for better or worse (usually for worse).
6. Prince Rupert, BC, Canada. Northwest coast of Canada, at the tip of the Alaska panhandle.

This may be one of the best Wranglers squads ever assembled. Ricer and company have committed to an identity, and have put in the work to be contenders for the remainder of the 80s.
 
Prospect Progression
 
The Calgary Wranglers have used up the majority of both their prospect and draft capital in order to assemble the core pieces represented in their current squad. There are still however a few active players who may see VHL playing time with the Wranglers in the coming seasons.
First off is Larry Abass Jr, a strong 2-way winger who has been absolutely dominating in the VHLM for the past 2 seasons. Earning 10+ TPE per week, this player looks ready to either fill in as a depth forward next season for the Wranglers, or mature a bit more with Stockholm.
Next up is Lorenzo Cobberson, who has been slowly chugging along the last few seasons. While not the highest earner, they have continued to get their welfare pretty consistently, and will be looking to build towards their ceiling with the Oslo Storm for a few seasons. They are currently a depth piece on a stacked roster, so look for them to earn more of a role as the seasons go by.
Finally, there is Michael Shotter. An undrafted free agent defensive prospect, currently with the Miami Marauders. Earning close to 10 TPE per week now, Shotter has a strong chance of making the team in a couple seasons as a strong depth option. A really exciting storyline and hopefully a valuable piece for the Wranglers.
 
Contracts & Cap
 
This is where it begins to get messy for the Wranglers. Having one of the best earning young cores in the league does come at a cost, and that is financially. With 3 forwards and 2 defensemen set to be earning max contracts next season, decisions will have to be made as to how they will stay compliant. Will they take the Seattle route and simply run with less players? Will they move one of their big name players?  Luc Tessier retiring gets one contract off the books, but will the team have the room to resign franchise player Saku Kotkakoivu? After S86 the books look rather stable, with Jokinen coming off and their younger players growing into that money. Daniel Janser, Landon Wolanin, and Leandro Gonclaves are locked up long term up front and AirRig GoodBrandSun is also locked up for multiple seasons on the back end. Ben Dahl has lots of term in net, but has had dwindling activity over the last few months.
 
Draft Decisions
 
The Wranglers have an interesting few drafts ahead of them. With so much of their future already certain, the Wranglers will need to maintain a supply of depth options to fill in around their established stars. This late first round pick in the upcoming draft may be their last opportunity for a while to bring in a long-term talent. There are still lots of questions as to where they may go in the draft with that pick specifically, but there are plenty of talented players in the S86 class that could fit the bill. A lot of that decision will be made my players like Sax Justice and Phil Strasmore, and whether they think they can continue to solidify themselves as core players. There is also the wildcard pick of a goaltender, depending on the story of Ben Dahl.
 
Future Philosophy
 
The Calgary Wranglers are going to continue to be a dominant 2-Way team. Their forwards are continuing to load up defensively, and their defensemen continue to grow offensively. This is going to be a tough team to play against, and the Wranglers hope to outplay their opponents, particularly on the shot clock and the possession timers. Committing to these identity players for a long time gives us an easy look as to what the team will look like for seasons to come, which is mostly the same. Crossing that 900TPA threshold for their young core and seeing results like the ones they have seen in the S85 regular season is a great sign for future success. As Janser, Wolanin, Goncalves and GoodBrandSun continue to pile on the TPA, they only become a better deal, so this is really where their developmental practices begin to shine.
 
 

1. It's Game 7 of the Continental Cup finals, in overtime, and the Calgary Wranglers are awarded a penalty shot. Who would you want the Wrangler taking the penalty shot to be?
2. You just got rocked by a hit from behind from some thug on the other team. Who is the first Wrangler on the scene dropping his gloves and coming to beat the shit out of the guy that hit you?
3. It's All Star Weekend, and your player.... was not selected to appear in the All Star Game. How are you spending your days off with no practices or games?
4. Some players age like a fine wine, while others are a candle that burns brightly but for a shorter time. How is your player planning on staying relevant when they hit regression?
5. What should your General Manager @Ricer13dress up as for Halloween?
6. Who is going to win the Stanley Cup, and why is it the Vancouver Canucks?

1. It's Game 7 of the Continental Cup finals, in overtime, and the Calgary Wranglers are awarded a penalty shot. Who would you want the Wrangler taking the penalty shot to be?
2. You just got rocked by a hit from behind from some thug on the other team. Who is the first Wrangler on the scene dropping his gloves and coming to beat the shit out of the guy that hit you?
3. It's All Star Weekend, and your player.... was not selected to appear in the All Star Game. How are you spending your days off with no practices or games?
4. Some players age like a fine wine, while others are a candle that burns brightly but for a shorter time. How is your player planning on staying relevant when they hit regression?
5. What should your General Manager @Ricer13dress up as for Halloween?
6. Who is going to win the Stanley Cup, and why is it the Vancouver Canucks?

1. Chicago is the team of Destiny, and Seattle have been at the top long enough.
2. Calgary, such a dark horse they got bounced early.
3. Chicago! Actually I don't even know who is still in the playoffs.
4. Istanbul!
5. Saskatoon!
6. Bobby Hull, WHA legend.

1. Right about where I'd expect, putting up 3rd line type numbers.
2. The E seems very competitive. It's early, but the gap between the top and bottom teams is not very big.
3. Yeah, I'm excited to try it out, get a chance to experience a fairly new part of the league, meet some new people.
4. I have the unfortunate fortune of supporting the mighty Canucks of Vancouver.
5. All of the logos are great. I'd say either the Watchmen or the Red Wolves are my favourite.
6. Bo Horvat I guess? Strong two way center, not a bruiser but not shy about physical play, can kill penalties, not the fastest skater.

@Eso