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JeffD

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Posts posted by JeffD

    VHLM Player Press Conference

    in Player Press Conferences

    Posted

    1. What inspired your player's name?

    It was my original players name when I joined in S1.

     

    2. What's been your favorite part of the league so far?

    Meeting some of the new people around here has been nice.

     

    3. What's been your least favorite part of the league so far?

    Probably the lack of forum activity. I understand that all of the activity is essentially on Discord at this point but I come from the time when there were non-stop posts on the forums. Just something new I need to get used to.

     

    4. Do you have any questions about the league that you would like answered?

    I am going to be asking around for the best ways to max out TPE week-to-week at some point here.

     

    5. For our S67 players, do you plan on going up to the VHL, or staying down? For our S68 players, or S67 players going back into the VHLM draft, which team do you think will pick you up? Which team do you hope will pick you up?

    As a S68 player I kind of hope to be picked up by Saskatoon as I played for them for a few games and the playoffs this year. Being picked by Las Vegas would also lead to some easy media spot content.

     

    6. The VHL currently offers a bit of bonus TPE for being involved in our affiliates, the SBA (basketball league) and the EFL (American football league). Have you heard about this? If you have, have you considered joining those leagues? If you came here from either league, how does the VHL compare to the others?

    I have already joined up as a member at the EFL and plan on making a player and being active over there. I'm not a huge basketball guy so I'm doubting I'll join the SBA. I'm also intrigued by the NASCAR league we are affiliated with.

    S66 Finals Fantasy Zone

    in VHL Fantasy Zone

    Posted

    Part I - Pick em' (Pick the correct winners of all three games for 2 TPE)

    Game 3 - Helsinki Titans @ Vancouver Wolves

    Game 4 -Helsinki Titans @ Vancouver Wolves

    Game 5 - Vancouver Wolves @ Helsinki Titans

     

    Part II - Predict the Score (Predict the correct score and winner of this game for 3 TPE)

    Game 5 - Vancouver Wolves @ Helsinki Titans 

    6-2

     

    Part III - Player Predictions (Predict the correct player for each category, 1 TPE for each correct answer)

    Series leader in points: Shawn Glade
    Series leader in goals: Shawn Glade

    Series leader in assists: Julian Borwinn

    VHLM Player Press Conference

    in Player Press Conferences

    Posted

    On 6/20/2019 at 5:35 PM, GustavMattias said:

    If I'm allowed to ask questions here, I notice a particular lack of questions in here for this week...

     

    1. Who's winning the cup in the VHLM this season?

    2. Who's winning the cup in the VHL this season?

    3. Who on your team has made the biggest impact on you this season?

    4. Who on a different team has made the biggest impact on you this season?

    5. If you could be drafted to any one VHL team, which would it be and why?

    6. What are your goals for your player's career?

     

    If you've been around, you know the deal, but if you're new, here's the deal: answer 3 of these for one TPE, or all 6 for two. 

    1. I'm taking Ottawa

    2. I think it will be the Helsinki Titans

    3. I've been here for a short time but I'd say Peace

    4. Beavis has helped me out with some stuff for sure

    5. Helsinki Titans. I'd like to make a better legacy for the name Jeff Downey on that team

    6. End goal would be to attain multiple championships and hopefully be a HoF someday

    Rookie Profile: Jeff Downey [1/2]

    in Archived Career Tasks

    Posted

    Image result for alex pietrangelo

    - Rookie Profile -

     

    Name: Jeff Downey

    Height: 6’4

    Weight: 220 lbs.

    Position: Defense

    Shoots: Left

    Hometown: Barrie, Ontario, Canada

    NHL Comparable: Alex Pietrangelo

     

    - Overview -

     

    Jeff Downey is a big-bodied, smooth-skating defenseman who plays a competent two-way game and has the ability to throw his body around. Although he did not start playing organized hockey until he was 13 years old in the eight years since then he has grown, both physically and mentally, into what should be a dominant type of defenseman in today’s Victory Hockey League. If he can continue to improve on the offensive side of the puck you could see him enjoy a very long career in the league. He comes from a family with a history of hockey and is the grandson of season one third overall pick of the Helsinki Titans.

     

    - Strengths -

     

    Physicality

     

    Jeff is a very big player and has no problem throwing that around at either end of the ice. Throughout his high school and junior hockey career he hasn’t been afraid to throw big hits or go into the corners to win the puck battles. This can get him into trouble at times as he sometimes goes for the big open ice hit that can lead to him either getting out of position or taking a penalty. Other players will need to be more aware when Jeff is on the ice lest they get caught going the wrong way on the train tracks.

     

    Skating

     

    Despite his often mentioned size Jeff is an extremely proficient skater. The combination of size and skating ability lends itself to a great two-way style of game not seen often in player of his size. Also as mentioned above although he does sometimes get out of position trying to throw the crushing hits he can often get himself back in position in time to recover.

     

    Defense

     

    The defensive side of the game is something Downey has always strived to improve and it has always been a key focus for him. His combination of skating, body positioning and stick skills will often leave offensive players frustrated if they try to get the puck around or through him. With proper VHL coaching this will no doubt continue to improve and you could see a true future shutdown defenseman develop.

     

    - Weaknesses -

     

    Injury History

     

    It is no secret that Jeff suffered a devastating knee injury in his third year with the Barrie Colts that left him sidelined for a full year of hockey. While doctors have said that the torn MCL and dislocated kneecap should pose no future issues for him there is always a chance of an injury coming back up in the future.

     

    Discipline

     

    Discipline has always been a problem for Downey. From beating up kids on the playground in grade school to leading his OHL squad in fights in his second year it is something that has always and likely will continue to be an issue going forward. If Jeff wants to become a true number one defenseman in the league he is going to need to find a way to keep himself out of the penalty box. No team can afford to have their best defender spending crucial time off the ice.

     

    Reliability

     

    Although it was 66 seasons ago there is still questions whether someone who sports the Downey last name can be reliable in the Victory Hockey League. His grandfather was selected third overall in the inaugural draft and quickly flamed out. Not only that but his great uncle Ryan Downey was selected 10th overall in that same draft and is also viewed as a big bust. Can a general manager really trust a high draft pick to be spent on someone with such a shady family history even if it was all those years ago?

     

     

     

    Jeff Downey – The Story of a Tarnished Name [2/2]

    in Archived Career Tasks

    Posted

    Jeff Downey – The Story of a Tarnished Name

     

    Image result for alex pietrangelo

     

    - The Early Years -

     

    Image result for farm kid on tractor

    Early photo of Jeff

     

    The early years for Jeff Downey were spent in small town rural Ontario just outside the city of Barrie. He was raised on a family farm which had been in the family for four generations and was looking to continue into a fifth. He was raised as a farmer’s son with no time for sports and any time Jeff brought up interest in playing something, like hockey, his father would quickly change the subject and tell him they didn’t have the time or money to spend on such pointless activities. Jeff was bigger than all of his classmates and often got into fights at school which led to him often being suspended and disciplined at home. His parents were having trouble controlling their son who at the age of 12 was already 6 feet tall and they were desperate to find some way to deal with him.

     

    - The Beginnings of a Career -

     

    Jeff shared a name with his grandfather, whom he had never met, and he knew very little about. His father didn’t talk about his grandfather very much, if at all, but Jeff knew he had once lived on the farm and had left once his father was born to pursue a career in hockey and had never returned.

     

    His grandfather was none other than Jeff Downey, the first ever captain of the still-running Helsinki Titans and maybe the biggest draft bust in VHL history. His grandfather had an excellent junior career and was drafted third overall in the first ever VHL dispersal draft to much fanfare. He would be the first ever captain in franchise history and that is about where the accolades end. Off-ice distractions and run-ins with the law led to his career being cut short after a couple of unproductive seasons. He retired after a short career, moved to somewhere in Southeast Asia, and left his son, the younger Jeff’s father, in the care of his mother and his own parents. He would never return back home. This history is what had soured Jeff’s father on getting his son involved in any sports at a young age for fear that he may follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.

     

    - School Hockey -

     

     

    Image result for barrie north vikings hockey

    Jeff playing with the Barrie North Vikings

     

    It wasn’t until Jeff had hit seventh grade that his public school hockey coach, Mr. Inness, who saw his size and aggressive nature as potential positives for a struggling hockey team decided to approach Jeff about joining the team through a school program that aimed to provide less fortunate kids with equipment. Jeff had learned to skate as a kid on the frozen floodwaters around his farm so the sport wasn’t completely new to him. His parents, who felt they had run out of option to calm down their son, reluctantly agreed to let him try out hoping it would curb some of his aggressive tendencies.

     

    Jeff, now 13, was a couple of inches taller than any other member of the team and managed to come in and dominate his school district’s league. While it was clear he could use his size and strength to dominate the other kids in the league it was also clear that his understanding of the intricacies of the sport were lacking. It wasn’t long until Coach Inness convinced his parents of his natural talent at the sport and began personally working with Jeff on the fundamentals to improve his chances of making a career out of the sport.

     

    Once Jeff hit high school age he decided to attend a school in the nearby city of Barrie as they offered a far better chance to continue his improvement into what he hoped would be a career path going forward. Coach Inness followed suit, accepting a job as the school’s new hockey coach. Over the next couple of seasons Jeff’s skills continued to improve with the help of Coach Inness and he was starting to get noticed by junior hockey scouts. Coming into his draft eligible year scouts could be seen lining the glass for every one of his team’s games. The 6’2, 190 pound 15 year old Jeff Downey was quickly working his way to the top of many draft boards. By this point he was viewed as a smooth skating yet hard hitting defenseman with room to improve on the offensive side of the puck. Although he had only started playing hockey a few years before it was obvious that he had inherited some of his grandfather’s skillset and could develop into a top-end defenseman. He would end up being drafted 10th overall in the OHL entry draft to the same team that his grandfather played for, his hometown Barrie Colts.

     

    - Junior Hockey -

     

    Image result for alex pietrangelo colts

    Jeff in action in his last season for the Barrie Colts

     

    Jeff would come into the Barrie Colts program at 16 years old and while he struggled initially would quickly find his groove in the faster junior game. His smooth skating translated well into the OHL and he was still a lot bigger than a lot of his counterparts. Many expected him to play a defensive style of game but he managed to improve his offensive game tremendously. Once the first season had come to a close he had tallied 7 goals, 45 assists, 52 points and 45 penalty minutes in 59 games. The Barrie Colts were swept in the first round of the playoffs that season.

     

    His second season brought further improvement to his offensive game with the coaches focusing on developing him as a power play quarterback and trying to get him to shoot more puck on net. They also tried to harness his aggressive side which had been reigned in for his first year. In 60 games for the Colts in his second season he would put up 13 goals, 40 assists, 53 points and 94 penalty minutes. He led the team with 8 fights on the season as well. The Colts would advance to the third round of the playoffs before being put out by the Oshawa Generals.

     

    His third season once again got off to a hot start and he put up 29 points in the first 36 games. However in a January game against the Guelph Storm Jeff was turning in his own end to clear a puck and his skate caught a rut in the ice. He went down to the ice writhing in pain. An MRI the next day revealed that he had torn his MCL and dislocated his kneecap which would sideline him for the rest of the season.

     

    In his fourth and final season of junior hockey Jeff re-tweaked his knee in a preseason game and was declared out indefinitely. With the Colts battling for the last playoff spot in the conference Jeff returned with 25 games remaining and managed to put up 9 goals, 20 assists for 29 points. He would lead the Colts into the playoffs where they would end up losing in game seven of the OHL finals to the London Knights.


    OHL Career Stats 

    Season 1 - Barrie Colts - 59GP, 7G, 45A, 52P, 45PIM
Season 2 - Barrie Colts - 60GP, 13G, 40A, 53P, 94PIM
Season 3 - Barrie Colts - 36GP, 8G, 21A, 29P, 32PIM
Season 4 - Barrie Colts - 25GP, 9G, 20A, 29P, 27PIM

    - The Future -

     

    Jeff, through the years, has learned that his name does come with some baggage associated to it but once he determined that hockey was the sport for him he knew he wanted to play in the VHL. The fact that he shares both a name and history with what may be considered the biggest draft bust in the leagues history only drives him harder to succeed and bring pride back to his family name. Also unlike his grandfather he remains closely connected with his family back home and has no plans of allowing his hockey career to destroy that relationship.

    gorlab dont judge pls

    in Archived Graphics/Videos

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Beketov said:

    The forum was still up until a few years ago. The wayback machine has a few versions of it (I’ve posted the link on here before somewhere) but you can’t go into any of the topics unfortunately.

    Probably better that I don't go back. I had a certain skill for being an asshole at times back then.

    gorlab dont judge pls

    in Archived Graphics/Videos

    Posted

    7 hours ago, Beketov said:

    Technically it was a “third strike” which is why it was so severe. The logic was a first infraction would be 1 week, a 2nd would be a month, and a 3rd would be a full season. Not entirely terrible of an idea, minus that it was flushed out after I was “caught” (which again, the rules were fuzzy on). The issue was more that they decided (they being the mob that the announcement attracted, the blue team was actually aiming to be more lenient) since I had been caught with 3 sigs that counted as 3 infractions not 1. So I lost all 3 of those plus the full season.

     

    The VHL was the Wild West back then. This shit was announced without even having a punishment in mind and they basically let the masses decide it. By the time I even got home to defend myself the conversation was 18 pages deep and I was the Anti-Christ.

     

    Honestly I’m kinda surprised I stuck through it as well, kudos to @scotty (forgot he actually had an account on this forum, was just checking with the tag haha) for actually talking me into staying. I pretty much had thrown in the towel and said fuck it, if they want me out I’ll leave, but he dragged me back in. Took probably 5 more seasons to get most of the board back accepting me, another 6 maybe to cut the annoying jokes out. We were not a nice or forgiving bunch back then. Frankly I’m kinda glad the original board is gone these days because going back and reading that punishment announcement is actually disturbing how ruthless people were.

    Oh the good ol' days. Wish I could go back and read some of what happened back then.

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