Merica

I went back on the old site and I had his career stats saved. So I didn't see check the indexes

I'm either going 6th, because Toronto was my original team back S1 and its only fitting, or 8th to New York, because Merica should play with the Americans.

Still active! I'll be a fucking steal at #10.

I like this!

Yep! From S1-S15 ish and went active. Oh shit, I found some of LaFluer's stats, he wasn't so bad lol. 50-16-3 in S2, 49-19 S3....120-63 career. Fuck I remembered incorrectly. I just cut his career short. Updated it.

Great work. If you get time I'd love one, Tyler Seguin as render.

A History Of Mediocrity, With Redemption In Mind Retired goaltender Sam LaFluer of the Toronto Legion. Few people may know this, but Bern Royals forward Josh Merica is sponsored by an old, probably long forgotten VHL player, a goalie who began his career with the Toronto Legion in Season 1 and spent four seasons there. That player would be Sam LaFluer. While he wasn’t very successful, well, as a GM that is, LaFluer actually took over as GM for Toronto in season 2 or 3 (if my memory serves me correct, it’s been a long time) and by the time he had left, he was the proud owner of the worst record in VHL history, which I am not sure whether or not still stands today. As a player, however, LaFluer was very respectable, and posted a career record of 120-63, which included back-to-back seasons of 50 and 49 wins. While he never reached the finals, LaFluer was solid, talented goaltender that unfortunately cut his career short. Merica isn’t the first client of Sam LaFluer, who also sponsored Dany Ribody, who came into the league after LaFluer retired and put all his time into management, as he tried to get Toronto out of the gutter, which at this point was a lost cause, as no one was buying into what LaFluer was preaching. Ribody has probably been the most successful, and once LaFluer stepped down, things began to change for the better in Toronto and they eventually won the S9 Continental Cup, with Ribody being a solid depth player on a team loaded with hall of famers and earned himself the Francis Trophy. Ribody was never a superstar, but he did his part well enough. After Ribody hung up the skates, LaFluer signed another forward in Erich Heidt, who came into the VHL with a lot of hype and expectations, after all he was related to Layken Heidt, the protégé of legend Brett Slobodozian. Heidt, however, fizzled out shortly after his arrival and turned out to be a bust. After the failed Heidt experiment, LaFluer seemed to disappear from the VHL, and was unheard from for nearly 30 seasons, before he resurfaced again with the aforementioned Josh Merica this past season. Asked why he decided to suddenly reappear, Lafluer had this to say ”I kind of left with things unfinished, I never really liked how I went out. I pretty much failed as a GM, I was young and inexperienced, but I learned a lot from that time, and then other than Ribody’s little bit of success, I’ve just been mediocre at everything. So I wanted to come back with a fresh start and I found that with Josh, he is a polarizing person and really has all the tools to be successful. You could call this my attempt at redemption. I’d like to be able to say I did something good for this league. A lot has changed since I left, very few of the original group of members are still around, so I kinda feel a relic.” Josh Merica will likely be Lafluer’s last attempt at VHL glory, but who knows, perhaps if he is successful, it could end up keeping him around. But for now, he is entirely focused on turning Josh Merica into a superstar and putting a positive stamp on the VHL.

Went by Caz or Live4Him. But I can't say I remember you, so I was probably inactive during that period.

I love this.

It hasn’t been the greatest of first impressions for Josh Merica in his inaugural season in the VHLM, but the young, talented American is keeping his spirits up and focusing on doing what he can to help Bern in their quest for the championship. He has only managed 30 points this season, which is what most people will see when they look at his stat line, but Merica has been a solid two-way forward all season, with a good +/- rating and 81 hits. If you watch the tape, you could argue Merica’s main problem is he hasn’t committed to one thing or the other, he is trying to be a complete player from the very get-go, which could cause his offensive numbers to dwindle some. Given the immense talent that Merica possesses, it isn’t a reach to say that once he finds his niche he will be a very productive player, he has the size and physical tools to be the complete player he is striving for, he just may have to accept that he won’t be leading the league in scoring every year. When asked about his less than impressive scoring this season, Merica said ”It is what it is, I don’t stress over it, I am keeping focused on being the leader this team expects me to be as their King, sometimes you have you to delegate, you know what I am saying? (he winks in jest) No, I am putting a lot of time in at practice and on my own, thankfully we have a solid team that isn’t relying solely on one player. But I won’t sacrifice my defensive play in order to score more often, I want to be a complete player, with no weaknesses, that’s my goal.” Which only backs up my earlier comments that Merica’s problem is he won’t commit to one area, if you consider that to be a problem, of course, because one-dimensional players are a dime a dozen. Productive two way forwards? Not so much. This season may have hurt Merica’s overall draft stock, as he hasn’t been as productive or actively involved in the media as some of the other players, but a GM would be foolish not to take a good hard look at landing Josh Merica, he has the makings of a franchise player and has shown himself to be an unselfish player who is bent on doing everything and doing it well. Merica is also a leader, despite not being a highly productive player, he has kept his attitude positive and continue to motivate his teammates. A true leader stays the course even during times of struggle, and Merica has not wavered. With the playoffs around the corner, it will be interesting to see how he plays under the spotlight.

You were Captain. I am King. I am not in your lineage.

That shootout winner. #clutch

It’s been an up and down season for the Bern Royals, who are currently sitting comfortably alone in the third seed, with the Outlaws a distant 19 points behind them, perhaps leading to some complacency on the Royals end, knowing their guaranteed a playoff spot. The Oslo Storm are 11 points ahead of the Red Wolves and 14 ahead of the Royals, so it’s doubtful there will be any change there, but the Royals have an opportunity to finish strong and overtake the Red Wolves for second, but in order to do so, they’ll need a few things to happen. Improved Powerplay + Penalty Kill - The Royals currently sit at sixth for both powerplay and penalty kill, well beneath the league leader. If the Royals have visions of going far into the playoffs or securing the #2 seed, they will need to pick up the slack on the special teams, which has been average at best. Championship teams are able to capitalize on a man advantage and are able to shut down the opposition when a man down, those are key traits of great, all-around hockey teams. Win More Face Offs - Once again, the Royals are in the middle of the pack here, doing nothing great, but nothing bad either. Maybe it’s the atmosphere in Bern that isn’t producing the level of play or pride that one would expect, but they could use a boost in the faceoff circle and increase their possession time. The Royals have plenty of skill and talent on their side of the ice, so with an increased focus on winning more pucks and controlling the flow of the game, they should reap the benefits. Something, Anything from Josh Merica - Hailed as the next dominant player, whether by himself or others, because many people bought into the hype surrounding him, Merica has been stagnant and utterly unimpressive in his first season with the Royals. With a paltry 19 points in 32 games, despite averaging nearly 27 minutes a game and seeing a lot of time on the first line and special teams, Merica has failed to give the Royals the kind of boost they were expecting. The only positive so far has been his two-way game, leading to a solid +15 rating. Bern needs Mr. Merica to get his head out of his ass. Continued Dominance from “Big Three” - Bern has been carried this season by Ken Anderson (59 pts), Severn von Karma (57 pts) and Earl Parker (52 pts). If they have any hope of winning in the playoffs, these three will have to continue their stellar play and probably need to pick it up a notch as well. If not for these three, the Royals would be in dire straits offensively and struggling to beat teams like Yukon. Bern has some good pieces and moving forward they have one of the better core groups to build around for a strong run at the championship next season. With a season under their belt, one has to imagine that Josh Merica, Chuck Goody (who has shown signs of stardom and really come into his own) and Atticus Finch among others, the future is bright in Bern. But for the present, these young guns will need to amp up their game if they have hopes of being champions this season and upsetting the league’s top teams. Bern has been royally average, it's time they woke up.

The Bern Royals are picking up steam after a rough start to the Season 42 campaign, having won eight of their past ten games they have vaulted themselves into second place in the conference. This is all well and good, but for rookie Josh Merica it’s been a slow and frustrating season individually. Through 19 games, the American playmaker has only mustered 9 points, well beneath what many were projecting and it’s beginning to hurt his draft stock as well. Merica has been the most vocal prospect since he arrived and he burst onto the scene full of piss and vinegar, spouting off how good he was and projecting he would be the next #1 overall pick, so we made contact with his agent and set up an exclusive interview with him, please enjoy: Garry Girgich: - Welcome to the show Josh, it’s great to have you here today. Josh Merica: - No problem Garry. GG: -It’s been a difficult start to the season for you, what are your thoughts so far? JM: - Yeah, it has. I haven’t been able to click very well with my linemates and there was also the minutes issue. I was playing a good eight minutes less than everyone else on the team over the first 12-15 games, and it was hard to get a good rhythm going when I was constantly being subbed. Since I’ve been getting more minutes I’ve been able to be more effective and help the team. GG: - We are 19 games into the season, you have 9 points, do you think your performance is going to drastically impact where you go in the next VHL draft? JM: - No, it won’t. The minors is not a great representation of how someone will do in the VHL, yes it is the only real thing GM’s have to go on, but I would point them to my work ethic, my desire to great, the positive impact I have on a team and the pure talent I bring to the table. I am the best prospect in the VHLM, and no matter what “experts” say otherwise, I will prove everyone wrong. If you take someone else #1 you will regret it. GG: -You were named Captain, err, King, of Bern, many would say you haven’t lived up to that letter. Also, how did you convince the GM to change your letter from a “C” to a “K”? JM: - Being a Captain, or in this case, King, is not all about scoring points and making the flashy plays. I consider myself a leader, I put my teammates first and I am always leading by example. First one to practice, last one to leave. Even though I’ve been struggling I’ve stayed positive and continued to motivate those around me. As far as changing the letter to a “K”, I thought it was cool, something different, and let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to have the title “King Of Bern”? GG: - Last question. What can we expect for the rest of the season from you? JM: - A much better performance. We are charging hard for the playoffs and you can expect me to finish strong. The team needs me, and I can’t really make any excuses, I haven’t made the most of my time on the ice and it’s time for me to step up and be the leader and star that my teammates and the league expected me to be.

Rami I miss you

Happy because I'm American.

Yes you can be a professional financial investor, a professional baseball player, etc, etc, but that doesn't mean that you are actually a professional yourself. A title doesn't make you a professional. Yes, in some sense this is a "moral" professional, but you can't be a true professional in all that you do without the moral part. I think we are agreeing on that, just wording it differently.

You can't lie, cheat and steal and be a professional. You can't half ass your job and call yourself a professional. So what exactly do mean by saying it differs from person to person?

Thanks

The recent emergence of the group "Professional Businessman" wasn't accepted with open arms. I myself raised many questions about their approach and tactics to what they were trying to do. I am in complete agreement however that people should be professional, no matter where they are at in life or what their job is. This group didn't adequately answer the questions I posed them, and I get it, it's partly an act, but their premise is worth exploring and I felt as though it was an important enough topic that I should address it. So what is a professional? What are the key traits? I’ve compiled a list below, and you can determine for yourself whether you, or anyone else, measures up to what being a professional is. Knowledgeable: Without question, a professional is someone who is knowledgeable at their profession. If you ask them a question they should be able to whip out an answer like it’s burned into their memory. They should do so in the proper manner, it shouldn’t come with an “I’m better than you, why don’t you know this?” attitude. A professional is able to read the situation and adapt to the personality of the person asking the question, because a professional isn’t out to put people down, they are above that. Proud, but Humble: Professionals take pride in what they do, they put in that extra effort to be exceptional at what they do when others were out partying or sleeping in. They aren’t boastful, however, but humble, they let their work speak for itself. As the Bible says, “Pride cometh before the fall”, and whether you believe in God or not, that statement bears truth. Professionals acknowledge when they need help and they seek it out, because they are not prideful and egotistic. Honest: This should be self-explanatory, but I’ll elaborate. If someone lies to you, you will instantly think less of them, question what they’ve said in the past and doubt them in the future, whether consciously or sub-consciously. Once labeled a liar, it is extremely hard to get rid of. A professional doesn’t lie, he is honest and upfront, he instills trust in his peers. When he says he is going to do something, he does it. He doesn't lie to get ahead. Accountable: If there something lacking in today’s generation, it’s taking accountability for your actions and not blaming the closest thing in your proximity for your failure. A professional accepts responsibility for his actions at all times, whether it’s words, actions or thoughts. Taking accountablity doesn't go unnoticed, it's so rare today that it sticks out like a sore thumb. Professionals take responsibility. Calm Underneath Pressure: A professional knows his job, he is skilled at what he does and he has reached the level of expertise. When under pressure, when times get hard and most people would fold underneath the pressure, a professional rises up and takes charge, he accomplishes his task and leads those who stumble. How a person responds underneath pressure will tell you a lot about them, and if they can’t handle it, they are not a professional at what they do. No one will follow a person who can't perform when he is needed the most. Looking The Part: As a professional, you are held to a higher standard. Showing up to work late, wearing sloppy clothing, hungover and having unkempt hair are not in line with how a professional should appear. A true professional knows this, and he will dress the part, his hair will be in order, his clothes clean and in accordance with his profession. When you look at him you should be able to tell that he is a professional, someone who knows what he is about and has a purpose. The saying "you only get one first impression" is more true then one might think, you only get one shot to present yourself the first time, and how you do so will speak volumes about the kind of person you are. There are other traits that apply to a professional, but these are the ones that I believe stand out. They are simple traits, but they are often the hardest to carry out and do on a regular basis. It takes a conscious effort. If it were easy, if being honest and having integrity was easy, then more people would do it, but it’s not, it’s the narrow path and it won’t look as appealing from the starting gate as the wide path, but the rewards at the end are much greater and present much less risk than someone who decides that lying and cheating are the ways to reach success. Yes, it may take you longer to achieve your goals by being honest and having integrity, especially when those around you are encouraging bad behavior, but remember, a professional does what is right, he sticks to his values, t's what seperates him from others. It is the road less travelled, and you will be constantly tempted to veer off it. I am well aware that some people will question whether or not I am suited to be writing a paper on what it means to be a professional, as I am one of the biggest boasters in the league. That boasting is an act, it is the personality I chose for the character and is not a direct representation of who I am. Honestly, I am a very quiet person, I don't go around bragging about this or that and most people think I am anti-social. I do, however, know what it means to be professional, and I know what being unprofessional looks like all too well. I’m currently a member of the US Armed Forces, and I have seen it all, from when the stakes are highest and knowing your job could mean life or death, to when there is nothing to do and that wide road looks like a mirage in the middle of a desert. A professional doesn’t cut corners, he doesn’t compromise. I am not saying that I am true professional, nor I could I prove it on an online forum anyway, I am only saying that I have seen both sides of the coin.

Honored to be the first ever King of Bern.

So you will basically accept everyone? This man is slandering your "organization" and yet he is a smart, suave guy that you want apart of your ranks? There should a certain criteria or "hiring" process if your group is so special. Seriously, you guys make no sense

Rising straight to the top.

A professional would address situations as a professional, whereas you on the other hand just shoo people away that question you and don't buy into the bull shit, the people who have questions... You aren't interested in those people, you just want the sheep to bob their heads and follow you like little soldiers, no questions asked. It's safe to say I have fully exposed this organization of "professional" "business" "men".

Conforming is not what real men do.