CowboyinAmerica

1. I've always wanted to do a Mediterranean trip, see Italy, Greece or even over to Morocco. I'll get there one day. 2. I've got my eye on LA. They've got the talent to do it for sure, and they've got the impetus to do it quickly. Plus it doesn't hurt that North America has more rebuilding teams. 3. I think the salary scale is pretty finely tuned as is. I do like the SBA's idea of a bonus pool based on previous season's finish though, give a bit of a boost for players to chase that out. Questions: 1. Are you excited for the drafts this week? Why or why not? 2. Who's a player or team that you think everyone is sleeping on this offseason? 3. What are you looking forward to most in 2024?

Who needs spaghetti when you have lo mein? Let's do this thing!

Rome, Italy -- Last season, Italian forward Antonia Bucatini joined the ranks of the VHLM at the trade deadline, playing down the stretch and into the playoffs for the Philadelphia Reapers. And for that brief period, she acquitted herself adequately - particularly during a playoff run that saw Bucatini average more than a point per game as the fifth-seeded Reapers made the finals. However, all of that comes as a precursor to what's next: a full VHLM season. This coming Sunday, Bucatini will know her VHLM home for the season as she prepares to enter the Season 93 VHL Draft. "It's a different type of anticipation. It's not the 'get ready to play' type of butterflies, but something else," Bucatini told American reporters after a recent workout. "There's so much that's out of your hands here, it's a bit nervewracking." Indeed, Bucatini's VHLM future may very well be decided by the time the draft wraps up. At this moment, she has only been contacted by two of the league's 10 teams, though that number may increase the closer we get to the draft. Seeing as how Bucatini's skill level is already enough to play in the VHLE in some scouts' eyes, it is expected that she will only play one season in the minor league before moving up. As a result, her response to the teams' questions was largely the same. Bucatini noted that while she doesn't need to be on a superteam, she doesn't want to be on a rebuilding squad either. She hopes that any team taking her in the draft has a reasonable shot of at least making the playoffs, if not making some noise in the playoffs, this season. "I do hope that GMs contact me too. I like to hear the plan," she added. "But no matter where I land, I think it'll be a good season ahead. I'm excited to see what I can do with a full season under my belt."

Right. Totally knew that. Yup.

In speaking of Training Camp: Since a good deal of VHLM players won't be put onto teams until Sunday and it's currently scheduled to close like 7 hours later, just wanted to double check that Training Camp will be available to claim somehow for those players? (Or would it be possible to let actives not on teams still claim it?)

That all makes sense. In one of those threads Sterling said he held the title three different times, but wasn't quite sure what the order of operations would be.

Who has held the record for the most TPE in VHL history? A little bit ago I was thinking about articles that might be interesting for any sort of VHL 100 series coming up here not too far from now, and there was one topic that really peaked my interest: the all-time TPE leader. It’s a title that’s gone back and forth over the years as TPE has inflated, and I think it’d be a lot of fun to interview people who had that title. This isn’t that article. But with Enorama entering the HOF as a builder today, it did give me some inspiration to see who’s actually held that title. Info from the early days of the VHL is tough, but this thread with Victor’s list dating from I believe S35 was a huge help. With that, I was at least able to put together a list that I think is accurate from the first player to hit 1000 TPE. (At the very least, Victor's tagged here and will correct me if I'm wrong.) Seasons 17-24: Grimm Jonsson - 1008 TPE, Active S10-17, @sterling Seasons 24-30: Lars Berger - 1104 TPE, Active S17-24, @Victor Seasons 30-34: Benjamin Glover - 1269 TPE, Active S24-31, @scoop Seasons 34-35: Alexander Chershenko - 1273 TPE, Active S27-34, @Victor Seasons 35-38: Alexander Labatte - 1300 TPE, Active S28-35, @sterling Seasons 38-48: Tuomas Tukio - 1400 TPE, Active S31-38, @Higgins Seasons 48-63: Lord Karnage - 1561 TPE, Active S42-49, @boubabi —--- The weekly TPE limit increased from 9 to 12 in S59 —--- Seasons 63-64: Gabriel McAllister - 1613 TPE, Active S56-63, @CowboyinAmerica Seasons 64-69: Mats Johnsson - 1674 TPE, Active S57-64, @Quik Seasons 69-88: Ryan Kastelic - 2000 TPE, Active S63-70, @Enorama —--- Career lengths increased from 8 to 9 post-draft seasons in S80 —--- Seasons 88-89: Xavier Booberry - 2104 TPE, Active S80-88, @CowboyinAmerica Seasons 89-Present: Nico Pearce - 2206 TPE, Active S81-89, @Spartan (I’m not actually claiming this for TPE, just thought this forum would be a good place for it and allow some discussion if people want it. I know it’s a goal that some people are shooting for in the near future.)

1. Me, honestly. They're never going after the new person, Bear and Ninefingers are just too big of threats, and I have enough skills to win immunities down the stretch. 2. I'm at 70. I like to be flexible, a little more lightweight, and I think that suits my style the best. 3. My best feature is my eyes, so any funko pop with those beady eyes just isn't going to work for me. Appreciate the effort though. Questions: 1. What are you planning on training most this offseason? 2. What's your favorite holidays weather? Warmer to be outside, or a white Christmas? 3. If you had to design your ideal goalie helmet, what's the design?

All 12!

Eleven

Ten!

Hello there

Eight is greeeeeeat

Se7en

Number six.

Five for Fighting

Hello

Threes up for Dale

Why hello

Yo

Thanks for doing Doctors Without Borders. It really is a great mission they have and one I'm happy to support. Also for @Theory

Reapers Report Bucatini and the Reapers Onto Round Two Philadelphia -- When Antonia Bucatini signed for the Philadelphia Reapers upon joining the VHLM, she knew she’d be seeing some potential playoff games. The Reapers, after all, sat fifth in the VHLM and second in the Eastern Conference, a near surety to be playing some meaningful hockey at the end of the season. The Reapers did indeed end up in that same slot, drawing the Las Vegas Aces in the first round. To Bucatini, the fast pace and increased intensity of the playoffs sure lived up to the hype. “It’s one thing to look forward to the playoffs, but it’s another thing to be in it, you know?” Bucatini told reporters after a victorious Game 5. “The pace, the ferocity, how much your mind really needs to be focused - it’s really something else.” That isn’t to say that Bucatini had an uneventful end of the season after joining the Reapers. Stepping into the team’s second line right away alongside fellow Season 93 draftee Jean-Pierre Devote, Bucatini was able to contribute right away to the tune of 6 goals and 8 assists in 14 games. She even got a game winning goal for good measure, one in a series of strong play from Philadelphia that helped the team get to within a game of Ottawa in the final conference standings. Still, Philadelphia drew a tough Las Vegas team in the first round, a four versus five matchup that was truly anyone’s series. Entering the contest, Bucatini admitted to have some butterflies in her stomach. “It’s a big game, right? I’d be lying if I said there weren’t some nerves there,” Bucatini later said. “We’re human after all, and that was the biggest game of my professional career to that point. The next round will be even bigger. There’s some anxiety there, for sure.” On the ice, however, Bucatini certainly didn’t show those nerves. In Game 2, Bucatini was even named the team’s third star, picking up 3 assists en route to the team’s 6-3 victory. Bucatini finished with an even 5 points in 5 games - a goal and 4 assists - as the Reapers took the series in a surprising 4-1 split. To Bucatini, the games were an opportunity to shake off the nerves and show a raucous Philadelphia crowd what her game was all about. “You always think you’re good, but you never really know until your under that spotlight,” she added. “I’m happy I rose to the occasion.” The run is not over yet though. To become the champions, the Reapers would need to get through two more series. And as the top three teams in the league standings also advanced to round two, that would be a tall order indeed. But Bucatini won’t be cowed. She sees a path to a title. “Look, I joined midseason, and all I asked was for a chance,” she said. “Well guess what, we won our first series, got to the semifinals and will be on the big stage. We’ve sure as hell got that chance now, we’ve got the trophy in front of us. And I plan to do my damn best to take it.”

REAPERS PRESS CONFERENCE Let's do one for the playoffs! Welcome back to the Press Conference. Answer 3 for 1 Capped TPE or all 6 for 2 Capped TPE! 1. The regular season is now over, with the Reapers finishing fifth overall (second in conference). Where does this line up with your expectations? 2. Did you reach your personal goals this season? Why or why not? 3. The Reapers scored an upset for Las Vegas in round one! What was the key to victory in your opinion? 4. Gut check right now: Who's winning the VHLM title? 5. What's your favorite playoff tradition, either among the team or its fans? 6. Do you get more amped for playoff games than regular season games?

1. It's Leandro Goncalves for me. The goals and points are nice, but leading a team to a 16 game winning streak is insane. 2. From a traditionalist standpoint I've always liked the Seattle and Davos logo and colors. Third I'll go Riga, the new lion's grown on me. 3. It's fall for me - a bit of crispness to the air, start of holiday season, football, still can be outside with friends and have fun. ------- 1. It's almost playoff time! Who do you have in the VHL finals this season? 2. Did your player accomplish their goals for this season? Why or why not? 3. What's your favorite holiday memory?

Philadelphia -- Coming into a team about two-thirds through the season can create awkward situations for even the best of players. That counts double for any player coming from a foreign country such as, say, Italy. However, for new VHLM center Antonia Bucatini, she has been able to find a home with her new team, the Philadelphia Reapers. Not only has Bucatini joined the squad’s rotation without a hitch, already slotting in as second-line center, but she’s found a home in the locker room as well. Joining the same time as fellow S93 draftee Jean-Pierre Devote surely helped, sources say, as did the fact that the entire locker room was desperate for a leg up. “This is a fifth-place team that has championship aspirations, and any way to close that gap is going to be welcomed,” an opposing team’s GM said. “I’m not surprised that Bucatini is already fitting in nicely.” Through her first 12 games, Bucatini has put up solid - if unspectacular - stats with 4 goals and 7 assists. But more than that, her potential growth ahead of the playoffs and attitude towards putting in the work has endeared her to Philadelphia fans. “I know Philly’s a blue collar city, and I think that resonates with me,” Bucatini said after a recent win against Houston. “Even if I’m not playing like [teammates] Bear or Ninefingers yet, I’m ready to put in the work to get there. And I know if I put in the work, they’re definitely going to have my back.”