CowboyinAmerica

Got what I was looking for, article's approved. 2000's internet was a different place, man

Already had an article to claim this week but wanted to do the Theme Week. 1500+ words, claiming this one in VHL and SBA for the weeks ending: 6/30 7/7 7/14

VHLM Spotlight: The tale of the S32 Ottawa Ice Dogs These days, the VHLM has a number of rules to make sure that teams don’t tank for draft picks. Some may think that’s a silly rule, but it has a basis in history: Back in the day, it was the emergent (and perhaps only) strategy to try and win. And perhaps no team did this better than the Season 32 Ottawa Ice Dogs, two seasons before they would be renamed the Lynx. Leading up to Season 32, Ottawa traded the entire farm multiple times for draft picks. That, coupled with extreme tanking, all led to what they figured would be one season of glory. Ottawa would have the top three picks, 6 of the top 9, and 9 of the top 14 picks in the S32 VHLM Draft. They steamrolled the regular season and seemed poise for that ultimate glory. But there’s one problem with extreme tanking: It doesn’t actually guarantee a championship. Perhaps not even close. The Draft Taking a look at the Season 32 VHLM Dispersal Draft means taking a trip through history, both at the way the VHLM used to be run but also some of the greatest players of the 30s. What would end up as the Season 33 VHL Draft would be extremely packed, with two Hall of Famers and nine different players that would win VHL titles. Here’s the top 14 (stopping at that point for a reason) of that draft: ROUND 1 1. Ottawa Ice Dogs: Wesley Kellinger 2. Ottawa Ice Dogs: GIYGAS 3. Ottawa Ice Dogs: Niklas Valiq 4. Oslo Storm: Felix Zamora 5. Oslo Storm: Keiji Toriyama 6. Oslo Storm: Karsten Olsen 7. Ottawa Ice Dogs: Tomas Valiq 8. Ottawa Ice Dogs: Mattis Trumbauer 9. Ottawa Ice Dogs: Jamie Shetler 10. Oslo Storm: Riley Stevens ROUND 2 11. Ottawa Ice Dogs: Odin Tordahl 12. Brampton Blades: Bodie Broadus 13. Ottawa Ice Dogs: Cody Inko 14. Ottawa Ice Dogs: Dan Jones If you didn’t notice the common theme, I helpfully bolded it for you: The Ottawa Ice Dogs absolutely dominated the draft. Ottawa had already carried over a goalie in Mack Hudson from the previous season, but they were able to completely remake their roster from head to toe with all of those draft picks. The first pick, HOFer Wesley Kellinger @Jericho, would also be the first pick in the VHL Draft the next season. Niklas Valiq (actually S32 VHL Draft eligible) and brother Tomas Valiq would go top four in their respective drafts. Even the 11th pick here, Odin Tordahl @BOOM, would go on to be a VHL Hall of Famer. In short, the Ice Dogs were stacked. But they weren’t the only team to try this strategy. The Oslo Storm managed to have the other four picks of the first round, but overall lesser selections than the Ice Dogs. Picking Zamora @frescoelmo, Toriyama @scoop and Olsen @CowboyinAmerica gave them some semblance of firepower and at least a bit of a fight against Ottawa, especially paired with returning forward Damien Sandow. Other teams, notably the Saskatoon Wild and Brampton Blades, also had some players stay down from Season 31. But really, would any team be able to put up a fight against an Ottawa squad with that much talent? The Regular Season It sure didn’t seem so when the regular season hit. Ottawa came out hot in its first nine games, beating North American Conference competitors Saskatoon four times and Brampton once en route to a perfect 9-0 record. (That would eventually be broken by the Bern Royals in an upset.) And while not everything would be perfect - they notably would lose two of their first three games against Oslo, for instance - Ottawa simply refused to lose. In total, the Ice Dogs finished with a 58-11-3 record on the season, good for 119 points tied for the most wins in the regular season over the previous six VHLM seasons. And while they were pushed hard by Saskatoon in particular, the Wild were never able to overcome those early season losses - even a 9-1 stretch to finish the regular season still put the Wild with 115 points, four short. The Storm would finish with 110 points, and the Storm with 101 points. (Remember, tanking from other teams also gave these competitors some easy wins.) It was truly a team effort that defined the Ice Dogs winning, which makes sense given the team’s spectacular depth. Two scorers in the VHLM topped 100 goals that season - but Ottawa’s leading scorer, Wesley Kellinger, had just 61 goals. But Ottawa had five different players top 30 goals on the season, while three others were in double digits. And while defenseman Niklas Valiq did lead the VHLM with 101 assists, Ottawa similarly had four different players top 40 assists as well. Goalie Mack Hudson was also solid, if unspectacular - third in save percentage (.913), but first in GAA (2.05) due to the excellent defense in front of him. Plus, it’s notable that Ottawa would not stop there. During the season, the team would acquire defenseman Gregory Glass to pair on the top line with Niklas Valiq, and he would score 40 points in 46 games. At the trade deadline, Ottawa would also snag future S34 first overall pick Doug Clifford @Frank to bolster the forward core even more. In short, the Ottawa team did what it set out to do during the regular season. They just had to do it again in the playoffs to finish things off. The Playoffs Maybe you can guess what’s coming, but at the time, nobody saw any reason to predict anything but an Ottawa victory. Due to the structure of the playoffs at the time, they only had to win two series to take it all. The top teams in each conference (Ottawa and Oslo) received byes to the semifinals, while second and third place in each conference would face each other in a wild card round. In this case, that meant Saskatoon and Brampton beating each other up before facing Ottawa, even though both had more than 100 regular season points. And in an upset, Brampton would actually take the series in seven games to gain the right to face the Ice Dogs. If Hollywood was writing the story, you know what would be coming. The ultimate matchup in the finals: The team with all the firsts in Ottawa against the other team that tried tanking, but less effectively in Oslo. The juggernaut against the also rans for Season 32 supremacy. But there’s one wrinkle that I haven’t talked about much that many people also forgot about at the time: Brampton was actually really, really good. Goalie Evgeni Chekhov @Beketov easily led the VHLM with a .923 save percentage during the regular season, and left winger Filip Forsberg had stormed through the VHLM to lead in both goals (116) and points (209) en route to a shared MVP award. Although Brampton didn’t have Ottawa’s depth, it was clear that the Ice Dogs needed to take the Blades seriously before ever getting to the Storm in the finals. Clearly, they did not. The Ice Dogs would fall behind Game 1 by 5-1 before trying to come back, but failing in a 5-4 defeat. Game 2 wasn’t even close, a 6-3 Blades victory with Chekhov outdueling Hudson. And while Ottawa would take a nailbiter 1-0 in Game 3, it was clear the Blades were here to play. Game 4 was the do or die for the Ice Dogs, and after falling down early to the Blades after two Lucas Smith goals, they fought their way back to 2-2 entering the late third period. But then, with less than four minutes left in the game, disaster: another Lucas Smith goal for a hat trick would cause the Ice Dogs to fall 3-2, and make the series 3-1 Brampton. From there, it was more heartbreak: Brampton would win Game 5 with a goal in the final minute (from Forsberg, naturally) and set the dominant Ottawa team out to pasture. That depth that Ottawa held so dear from the draft really let them down in those five games. The stars were still there, to be certain - Kellinger finished with 8 points (3 goals and 5 assists), while Tordahl and Niklas Valiq each averaged more than a point per game. But ninth overall pick Jamie Shetler had no points in five games; second overall pick GIYGAS had just three. And even vaunted pick ups Doug Clifford (one goal) and Gregory Glass (one assist) would basically do nothing to help the Brampton steamroll. The End Oslo would indeed take the finals series over Brampton in five games with that core of Sandow, Zamora, Toriyama and Olsen, but the real story was the fall of the Ottawa Ice Dogs. Coming off perhaps the most dominant VHLM Draft of all time, the team seemed to have the ability to put everything together. But it’s important to remember that even if you tank, it’s not a guarantee. There are always other strong teams out there, and particularly when it comes to the VHL, Simon is gonna Simon. The Season 32 Ottawa Ice Dogs would have it all. Until they didn’t.

Taking this more seriously than it's probably intended (kind of my MO anyway): I hate abolishing the draft. It makes more sense when you have a bunch of people where that's literally their job to scout and recruit, but here when it's all volunteer GMs it rewards the Terminally Online and just becomes an arms race for who's active at the right time. (Because you can say all you want about people taking their time to choose, but that'll never happen in practice.) That's also something that annoys me about the current VHLM waiver process as is, tbh.

1. On Monday, Theme Week begins! Any guesses as to what this season’s theme could be? The VHLM was announced today, and I guess contrary to some of my teammates, I think it's a good one. I appreciate anything that brings new players and the younger guys some shine. 2. With the TDL also coming up, are there any additions you would like to see Davos making at this point in the season? It's full speed ahead for the rebuild, baby. I liked today's move to bring a younger player in Hughie in, and if there are more opportunities to bring in draft picks I think it's a good thing. 3. What goals do you hope to achieve by the time your current player’s career is over? A title. Really, that's it. I've gotten individual awards, HOF, etc., but I haven't won in the VHL since S61. If I'm doing everything I can towards that goal, the rest will come out in the wash. 4. How long have you been a member of the VHL? It's been more than a decade at this point, which is frightening to say. I think I passed the point a few months ago where my sim league career can now legally vote in the US. Damn, I feel old. 5. As of right now, which VHL team do you think is Davos’ biggest rival? I'm going to say it's Moscow. I feel like there have been enough close battles, and enough players moving back and forth, that those games just feel really contentious. 8. Do you prefer traveling by car or by plane? I do love a good road trip. Plus I can stop when I want, take detours when I want, and I really have no problem staying engaged and entertained while driving.

Just seeing, appreciate the write up! Also funny because I disagree with you both and think it's Slezak right now for helping Calgary overachieve, but will definitely be interested to see where it goes from here.

Bucatini uncapped TPE package 3/5

Davos, Switzerland -- Entering the VHL for the first time, rookie Antonia Bucatini knew there would be some growing pains. But there was one in particular that she didn't exactly expect: a war-loving teammate that has a taste for beer, screaming, and being distinctly terrifying to most people. Especially uncertain young rookies. When the Dynamo acquired Grimgor Ironhide over the offseason, Bucatini knew it would be an adjustment playing alongside him on a line. "But I just didn't expect the screaming. WARRRGH this and ARRRGH that, I really don't know what he's screaming about half the time," Bucatini says now. "But it makes him happy, so I'm going to grin and bear it." That mindset has paid dividends so far, with both Ironhide and Bucatini averaging over a point per game while playing together on the first line. In particular, it might have scared Bucatini into passing when she'd normally shoot, given that her assist rate is much higher than it was in the VHLE and VHLM. Still, playing alongside a brute has its upsides, Bucatini admits. The other team seems to be equally scared, even opening up the ice and skating away in fear when Ironhide just wants to score another hit. The postgame parties also have a more dangerous - and fun - element than Bucatini has ever experienced before. All in all, while some may have expected her to flinch when Davos announced a one-year (always only one-year) extension for Ironhide earlier today, Bucatini says she's warming to her linemate. "There's something... I don't know, cute about him?" Bucatini asked. "Ok, maybe not cute. But at least not soul-shaking anymore, and I'll settle for that for now."

1. Who do you have winning the Continental Cup and has your opinion changed on who will win the Continental Cup after the start of the season? I put Toronto before the season because I thought they'd have an easier road in North America, but I'm not sure that's the case. I'll stick with them for now, but my mind's starting to trail towards Malmo 2. From 0-100%, what are the chances that the Oilers can mount the comeback against the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final? I'll give it a solid 10%. You never know with the talent Edmonton has so I won't put it at 0%, but that's a tough hole to climb out of. 3. Any big summer plans you got going on? Actually just finished some of my summer plans, went to Europe in mid-May then had two weddings in three weekends. Summer's actually going to be a lot of work travel, especially to Chicago, but that's not a bad thing. Questions: 1. Would you be interested in some sort of promotion/relegation system in the VHL? 2. What NHL player would you most like to see win the Stanley Cup (either for the first time or again)? 3. Your VHL team is having a cookout and asks you to bring a side. What are you bringing?

I think I'm 18 actually since McAllister went to S63. But yeah, Flowers spending most of his career on NY really did a number there, and Davos is rebuilding so I might be hitting the 20 mark at least before all is said and done

Love it! I also love that PWHL Minnesota is turning into my default render - I think that's Grace Zumwinkle, and I was at the first Minnesota home game where she got a hatty. I'm cool taking that as inspiration.

Bucatini uncapped TPE package 2/5

Davos, Switzerland -- In her first season in the main VHL, rookie forward Antonia Bucatini wasn't quite sure what to expect. Especially given the talent all across today's VHL, she and Davos management were prepared for some growing pains, taking a few weeks into the season to determine how to get the most out of her skills in a new setting. But nobody, least of all Bucatini, expected her to come out of the gate quite like this. Through her first 10 games, Bucatini has already racked up 14 points, good for the top point total among rookies by 3 points clear of Riga's Lucy Leitner. Her 10 assists also aren't too far outside of the league's Top 10. Coupled with Grimgor Ironhide's 8 goals and 16 points over that same span, it's clear that Davos' first line has gotten something going. "It's a lot easier to really start off hot when I've got guys like Grimgor and Carson [Walker, Jr.] really helping me out," Bucatini said after a recent game against Toronto. "When your linemates make everything look easy, then well, maybe it's going to end up easy for me too." Thus far that hot start hasn't necessarily translated to wins, as Davos sits at 3-7-0 and tied for sixth in the European Conference. But this year was expected to be a rebuilding year anyway, Bucatini notes, and she hopes it's the springboard to success in the future. "Good habits need to start somewhere, and I think it's really taking off," she added. "Maybe it won't mean wins this year, but I can guarantee you: What we're doing here is really going to pay dividends a year, two years down the road. Get in on the ground floor Davos fans, because we're only going up from here."

1. S94 is officially underway! What are your initial thoughts about how Davos has done so far? It's been OK. Not great, by not being in a playoff position, but not the cellar either. I think this was always going to be a rebuilding year anyway though. 2. As per tradition, what is your one bold prediction for the season? There will be a rookie somewhere in the VHL that tops 100 points this season. Maybe it's Bucatini, maybe it's Content, maybe it's elsewhere. But there's a lot of talent in that rising VHLE class. 3. Do you expect our team to fight for a playoff position this season? I do predict we'll finish sixth in the conference, which technically is one position outside the playoffs, but I do think there's a gulf between the playoff and non-playoff teams in Europe this season. 4. Are you participating in VHFL and/or Super Coach? I am! I really appreciate the work put into getting these done, I think they're a good way of helping me track other players throughout the season I wouldn't normally care about. 6. Do you believe defense wins championships? Generally, yes. In the VHL, not really. I've just seen too many teams go all in on forwards and goalie and be rewarded. 8. Of the remaining teams in the NHL playoffs, who do you believe will win the Stanley Cup? Not sure who will win, but I'm hoping it's Edmonton. They've got some real dedicated fans that I'd like to see rewarded, and even though I'm not Canadian, them winning a title over Florida just feels right.

Does it help or hurt that the winner right now probably isn't a skater at all but David Slezak

The old logos on the alternates is a really nice touch. Love these.

Maybe I'm not? Genuinely know zero of the rules. But I didn't apply any TPE above 400 until end of last week, no.

1. What are you most looking forward to in S94? Just playing at the VHL level for the first time, honestly. The M and the E are fun for getting started, but I'm jazzed to really get into the meat of my VHL career. 2. Nearly a week out from the draft, what are your thoughts on the players we selected? Couldn't be happier with the way the draft turned out. Hardy is going to be a future star, mark my words, and I think both Stefano and Tsunami were absolute steals where they were drafted - both could have been Top 10 picks and had it be justified. 3. Adding onto this, how do you feel about the Davos roster and prospects going forward into this season? This season may be the final year of a rebuild, albeit one with a step forward. But going into the future, I think this has the bones to be a multi-year true contender in the making. 4. What is one thing you would do if you were VHL commissioner for a day? For one day? Well, I'm getting access to the donation account and making sure some of the funds are, ahem, re-allocated. What, you didn't say it had to be ethical. 5. What are your goals for your player this season? There's a lot of Rookie of the Year hype starting to build, but honestly that's not a goal for me. I want Grimgor and Sadie to come out strong - and if they're getting their numbers, I think I'm going to be just fine. 7. Where was the last place you traveled to? Just got back from a wedding in Portland, Oregon last night! I do like the Pacific Northwest and the greenery and the people. But the cost of living and being so far away from family is a no go.

Bucatini uncapped TPE package 1/5

Prague -- Every year, the World Junior Hockey Championship standings shift up and down. Sometimes, it's the USA roster that's stacked. Other times (perhaps oftentimes), it's Canada. But it's very rare that continental Europe comes out particularly strong. That's why it's special that this year, Europe may have one it's strongest WJHC rosters ever - and are prepared to potentially take the entire crown. Team Europe finished the round robin part of the tournament with the best record among the five teams, losing their first game but winning the next seven to finish with 21 total points. That lined them up against Team Asia in the semifinals, and following a 5-2 win, Europe is now set to face perennial powerhouses Canada in the finals. Europe has been led by a particularly strong front line, with Annie Oaks tying for the tournament lead with 8 goals, and Antonia Bucatini and Maverick Goncalves adding in 11 assists a piece. But it may be the goalie play that truly propelled this team to victory, with the two-headed goalie monster of Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen and David Slezak putting in two of the three highest save percentages in the competition. "It's really been a team effort, we've been strong up and down the roster," Bucatini said after the semifinals win. "I know a lot of the press might go to the flashy forwards, but without the strong back line and goaltending, we'd be nowhere. I don't think there are many holes on this roster." But will that be enough to beat Team Canada in the finals? Although they received an OT scare from Team World in their own semifinal matchup, Canada also boasts a talented netminder in Harold Benson and a strong first line led by Nathan Ecker (16 points in round robin play) and Wayne Gretzky (15 points). Even going against The Great One though, Europe feels confident it can be great enough on its own. "We've got the talent for sure, we've just got to execute," Bucatini added. "It's going to be a great game though, and a great showcase for the WJHC as a whole. I'm excited to get this done for Team Europe!"

Claim 4

Does this mean I can claim a piece of the Seattle title?

'tis correct, I'm he/him but Bucatini is she/her. Thanks for the props! I'm hoping that I'll be able to come through, really just want to play up to the standard of Grimgor and Sadie and not be the weak link

1. Prediction for Victory Cup team (Top team at the end of the regular season) I'll go off the board a bit and say Vancouver. They took a step forward this offseason with a lot of new players, and I think it will pay off for them. 2. Prediction for last place team in the league. Same as last season, L.A.'s still at the bottom of their rebuild. Plus, they can be counted on to really, really commit to a tank. 3. Have your expectations for your current player matched what your player has done so far in their VHL career? I'm just starting the VHL portion, but I've been happy with how the VHLM and VHLE parts went. In particular winning the title last season was a lot of fun, glad I've been able to experience that twice now in the E. Questions: 1. What player across the VHL/VHLE/VHLM do you think will be the biggest surprise this season? 2. What's one city that doesn't currently have a VHL team that you'd want to bring as an expansion team? 3. It's almost June - what are you looking forward to most this summer?

Bucatini Prepares for First VHL Season Davos, Switzerland -- Antonia Bucatini has hopped around during her professional hockey career. First, it was being drafted to the VHLM’s Halifax 21st. Then, midseason, she switched countries from Canada to the U.S. after she was traded to the Houston Bulls. The next year, she went back to Europe once more, landing in Scandinavia with the eventual champion Oslo Storm of the VHLE. Three countries, two continents, two seasons. Coming into this year, Bucatini is moving once again. But this time, it’s different: This is likely to be her permanent home. As befitting the number one pick of the S93 Draft, Bucatini is set to make her debut for HC Davos Dynamo this season, and she’s beginning to settle into her Switzerland home. “It’s nice, I like it here,” Bucatini told the Swiss press following a training camp practice. “It’s not my first time in Switzerland, you know, I’d visited before. But house hunting, meeting the neighbors, settling into a routine with practice and everything else – it’s a lot different feeling this time.” Plus, there’s the weight of expectations. Davos is still emerging out of a rebuild, one that saw an additional three rookies join the prospect pool this past draft. But even so, there remain high expectations for Bucatini this upcoming season. She figures to slot into the team’s first line alongside touted veterans Grimgor Ironhide and Sadie St. Louis, both of whom have extensive VHL – and winning – experience. Bucatini knows she will be counted on to hold her own from the drop of the first puck. But rather than shying away from the challenge, she says she actively embraces what’s coming ahead. “I know it’s not easy to be a rookie. But even so, I think I have an opportunity to do something special here,” she added. “We have some winners here – hell, that even includes me coming up from Oslo, I suppose. Maybe we’ll be able to shock a few people this season.” Could that shock include a Rookie of the Year run? It’s possible, given how much practice Bucatini has undertaken coming into the season. Still, it’s not something that she says is a priority. “I told the coaching staff that I’m more focused on Grimgor and Sadie’s stats than my own, and I truly meant it,” she explained. “If they’re happy, I’m happy. I really think that’s how we’re going to grow not only this season, but into the future.” Time will tell how well those proclamations play out. But for now, Bucatini is still adjusting. There’s a preseason ahead, followed by the first games against tougher competition than she has ever faced before. For better or worse, the attention will certainly be on the first player to be drafted first in all three of the VHLM, VHLE, and VHL. “Sure, there are expectations, but I’m not afraid of that,” Bucatini said with a grin. “You’ve seen what I do with expectations before. And if I’m going to be great – and trust me, that’s the plan – it means people have to see greatness in you. Let’s see how well that plays out.”