tcookie

Next up, we have the rookie cards of the two biggest names from the S93 draft class: Antonia Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica and Gianfranco Del Rocco @Victor
 
     

I've undertaken a mini-project that I started with the intention of just playing around in photoshop and getting better with it in general but I've gotten to the point where I think it's worth sharing so here we go! I'll post updates a few cards at a time until the set has been revealed. Also, I'm going away for 6 days next week, so we will see how frequently I can post new cards next week, there may or may not be many updates.
 
Unfortunately I don't have time to do everyone in the VHL, so I've picked out a 46-player set list with at least one player from each team. I do apologize if you got left out this time around (if it makes you feel any better, my own player didn't make the cut either, lol) -- and if I do enjoy it and have enough time, I will do a "set 2" somewhere down the line, focusing on players I didn't do this time around. But, I want to make sure I complete the set now that I've decided to share it, and so I need to keep it a relatively manageable size so I don't get overwhelmed.
 
Enjoy!
 
First up: Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler, Skor McFleury @Alex, and YaBoi Oven @Doomsday
 
          

I've undertaken a mini-project that I started with the intention of just playing around in photoshop and getting better with it in general but I've gotten to the point where I think it's worth sharing so here we go! I'll post updates a few cards at a time until the set has been revealed. Also, I'm going away for 6 days next week, so we will see how frequently I can post new cards next week, there may or may not be many updates.
 
Unfortunately I don't have time to do everyone in the VHL, so I've picked out a 46-player set list with at least one player from each team. I do apologize if you got left out this time around (if it makes you feel any better, my own player didn't make the cut either, lol) -- and if I do enjoy it and have enough time, I will do a "set 2" somewhere down the line, focusing on players I didn't do this time around. But, I want to make sure I complete the set now that I've decided to share it, and so I need to keep it a relatively manageable size so I don't get overwhelmed.
 
Enjoy!
 
First up: Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler, Skor McFleury @Alex, and YaBoi Oven @Doomsday
 
          

Moritz Stauffer @GoodLeftUndone, Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro, and Maxim Anisimov @McLovin
 
          

The other week I looked at some of the longest playoff streaks members have had in the VHL over the years. There were a few people quite close together with very impressive numbers and then Higgins blew us all out of the water. Fair play.
 
Now let's flip that upside down and do some naming and shaming instead. For every cup won, there is a losing finalist. For every playoff streak extended on the last game of the season there is a soul-destroying return to the golf course for someone else. And with more members than ever but still just one championship to contend for, that means we have an increasing amount of people who have never won the Continental Cup even after years of trying.
 
So who are the league's current unluckiest members? This article is effectively made up of two sections – first I reveal those who have never won the cup at all despite multiple players and a lot of seasons spent trying. Then I also look at some of the longest active cup droughts from members who have won the cup at least once before. So without further ado (and I bid adieu to anyone who doesn't know what word to use in this sentence correctly), let's dive into the 6 members who have spent the most time in the VHL without winning the ultimate trophy.

 
Section 1 – Six members who have never won the Continental Cup
 
@Josh – 27 seasons (Jake Davis, S62-S69, Roque Davis, S71-S78, David Davis, S81-S86, Jasper Davis, S89-present)
Finals lost: 1 (S66 with Vancouver)
 
Coming in at number one is a commissioner, simmer, and portal guru. You would think he would just make it happen by any means necessary at this point. But no, Josh has steadfastly looked to win the big one the honest way and hasn't really come particularly close. Now on his fourth Davis, not only has neither of them won the cup in 27 seasons (and counting) of trying, it's also been 22 seasons since Josh has even made the finals. It's OK though, the breakthrough should be imminent now that he is one of the stars of *checks notes* …. the perennially successful New York Americans.

 
@Gustav  – 25 seasons (Jerry Garcia, S66-S73, Taro Tsujimoto, S75-S82, Art Vandelay, S84-S92)
Finals lost: 2 (S68 with Malmo, S90 with Los Angeles)
 
Gus is currently in the middle of writing his memoir (?) in an act of ego-stroking which I'll be honest puts me to shame and I hope he uses one of his 30 articles to look at his nearest misses at the championship. To be clear, there haven't been many of those but things must have looked so much more hopeful back in S68 when he surprisingly made it to the finals in his and his franchise's 3rd ever VHL season. It's been far from smooth sailing since then though, with a GM run in Davos undermined by misfortune and then a career spent leading Los Angeles through their greatest ever period. Fourth time lucky Gus?

 
@okochastar – 20 seasons (Guillaume Fontenette, S67-S72, Julian Nouisianen, S74-S80, Left Alone, S87-present)
Finals lost: 1 (S67 with Helsinki)
 
Rounding out the list of those on 2 decades or more with no championship, okochastar benefits slightly from not having a player for a while between Nouisiainen and Alone, but the clock has ticked over 20 seasons now. His 3 players have been on some good teams who just haven't clicked in the playoffs, with no finals appearances since his first player's rookie season. I feel less need to be as mean as I was to Josh and Gus but it might be time to throw loyalty to the wind and start glory-hunting my friend.

 
@Spartan  – 18 seasons (Alex Letang, S73-S79, Nico Pearce, S81-S89, Olober Syko, S92-present)
Finals lost: 2 (S81 with Moscow, S89 with Vancouver)
 
I have no reservations about being mean here though. The record of near-misses here isn't actually as tragic it is on Spartan's GM tenure, but the fact that Nico Pearce literally moved from Vancouver to Moscow the season the Wolves won the cup and then came back to lose in the finals is objectively hilarious. Not quite Marian Hossa but also no happy ending. Spartan is safe from the top 3 here by virtue of other high-profile members also have no sim luck, but also feels closest to having a genuine breakdown. Watch this space.

 
@youloser1337 – 16 seasons (Justin Lose, S76-S82, Scoish Velociraptor Maloish, S84-S92)
Finals lost: 1 (S92 with London)
 
After that top 4 we have a slightly less remarkable case with just two cupless careers from Mr. Lose. I can't lie, it does feel like there is nominative determinism here given the username and first player name, it's almost like he's asking for it. Seeds of hope have sprouted with a Game 7 cup finals loss in Maloish's last game (and to be fair London lost the cup in Game 7 in back-to-back seasons now which feels like something bigger than any of us) so perhaps the third attempt will break the duck.
 
 
@N0HBDY – 14 seasons (Bob Tristan, S76-S80, Cole Pearce, S82-S89, Thor Reingaard, S92-present)
Finals lost: 0
 
And finally, Spartan's protege (they may both dismiss this title but I think we all know the truth) rounds off our list of those with absolutely nothing to show for their VHL careers to date. Again, calling yourself nobody isn't going to help. Paradoxically, this means that nobody has never made the finals. But nobody actually hasn't. Pick that one apart. To be clear, this is not a commentary on how Warsaw is being GMed so it's not bullying. Not again.

 
Section 2 – Five members who haven't won the Continental Cup in a long time
 
@McLovin – 16 seasons (Ben Hafkey, S68-S73, Gustav Hjalmarsson, S76-S82, Maxim Anisimov, S91-present)
Finals lost: 2 (S73 and S77 with Helsinki)
 
For no particular reason, I have flipped the order for this section in that the cup droughts will get progressively longer, not shorter. We start with a case which is particularly peculiar because McLovin won the Continental Cup in his first ever rookie season back in S67 and has had no luck since. I suppose that is justice for buying a forged ID.

 
@CowboyinAmerica – 17 seasons (Gabriel McAllister, S62, Lance Flowers, S68-S75, Xavier Booberry, S81-S88)
Finals lost: 3 (S75 with D.C., S87 with Davos, S88 with Seattle)
 
This one surprised me a bit, but since the success of Hans Wingate and Gabriel McAllister, Cowboy hasn't won the cup since McAllister's penultimate season. There was particular misfortune in the last two seasons of Booberry, who left the Dynamo before they finally ended their drought, and was part of a rare unsuccessful Seattle trip to the finals. The streak isn't as long in actual seasons due to his penchant for taking nearly a full career's worth off between players, but does add an interesting dynamic to the rivalry I will inevitably try to force between our current players.
 

@Tagger / @MubbleFubbles – 19 seasons (Edwin Preencarnacion, S64-S67, Edwin THE Encarnacion, S70-S76, The Board Game Clue On Skates, S83-S90)
Finals lost: 2 (S70 with Calgary, S72 with Calgary)
 
Again, slightly surprised by this one but turns out it has been a good while now since Riga's cup-winning team in S63. Lots of players peaked that season including Preencarnacion, which turned out to be the last championship in the Encarnacion line (for now?). Mubble has since then switched accounts and has embarked on several more bizarre player building experiments, but maybe the Great One can now break both his and New York's slump.

 
@Advantage – 22 seasons (Dexter Lane, S60, Ryan Sullivan Jr, S64-S71, Tyler Walker, S73-S80, Viktor Jensen, S89-present)
Finals lost: 2 (S68 with Malmo, S80 with Moscow)
 
This one would have been quite a bit longer if not for Dexter Lane's surprising and inactive cup win in S59 – Advantage's previous championship was with Brick Wahl back in S41. Anyway since Lane, Advantage has staged a few comebacks in the VHL and in GM roles, has gone first overall twice, but has failed to get another championship. Most recent disappointments include back-to-back Victory Cups bit little to show for them in the playoffs. But it's not quite enough for first place...

 
@STZ – 32 seasons (Rhett DeGrath, S52-S59, Ike Arkander, S57-S61, Benny Graves, S69-S76, Hard Markinson, S78-S85, Snubbed Analfist, S88-present)
Finals lost: 10 (S53 with Stockholm, S56 with Davos, S60 with New York, S75 with D.C., S80, S81, S82, S83, and S85 with Moscow, S89 with Vancouver)
 
To conclude our streak of VHL Builders who have forgotten how to win, we have a fascinating case here. STZ is another old-timer who took a brief break and while he has not lost his touch when it comes to successful players, his finals record is truly diabolical. On average, since Unassisted retired in S53 (which technically means the drought is at 30 seasons but what does it matter at this point), STZ's players have made the finals every third season they've been the VHL – and they've lost each and every one. The nadir certainly came during Markinson's career with Moscow (another hat tip to Spartan) and it makes sense after a run like that to go to New York and hope for the best. The Americans are carrying a lot of cursed energy this season that's for sure.

May 24, 2024 - Houston, Texas
The drumming of a downpour drowns out the faint pulse of the radio as I pull to a stop at a darkened 4-way.  A flash of lightning floods the night with a flicker of white light before the darkness falls again.  The rain-battered road glistens and gleams in the glow of headlights as I creep forward and clear the intersection.  One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three-- a clap of thunder interrupts the count like a drunk percussionist pounding a timpani.  A clumsy decrescendo into a gurgle-grumble and the rain carries the tune like an out of time drum line playing the world's longest snare roll.  I reach over to the console and turn up the radio just as the chorus kicks in, a syncopated beat and a vocal melody cutting through the cacaphony... 
 
♫ Until the light... ♫
 
It's been four days now without power after a severe storm blew through Houston, knocking over trees and power lines and plunging nearly a million people into the modern misery that is candlelight and cold showers-- unless, of course, you're among those with the means and foresight to have a generator on hand.  I was not.  If I'm being honest, there is something quaint about writing by candlelight and I've actually rather enjoyed burning the midnight oil, scribbling sooth under the glow of a dancing flame.  See, we can romanticize this... situation, though there's nothing romantic about a freezing cold shower, let me assure you.  
 
Crawling up my street now, I signal and turn right into my driveway, the blacked out porch to the left of the driveway is decidedly less inviting than the usual yellow glow that illuminates the front stoop.  Cutting the engine, I wait in my car for a moment, letting skydiving water droplets berate the roof, hood, and windscreen, hoping for a moment of respite. A bolt of lightning flashes in the rearview followed closely by a crack and rumble from the heavens.  This isn't ending anytime soon.  Taking the keys out of the ignition, the car's interior lights come on and I unplug my phone-- 89%.  Opening the door, it's a scramble through rain and up the front steps.  Fumbling with the keys, I unlock the door and step over the threshold, instinctively reaching for the lightswitch.  Right... 
 
──•~❉᯽❉~•──
 
Spending the past season following the Vasteras Iron Eagles in the VHLE, I watched Lucy Leitner play her second full season of pro level hockey.  I've been following Leitner's hockey career, actually, since before she joined the Houston Bulls in Season 92.  Back when she was with her junior team, the Black Diamond Blades, Lucy was an exceptional skater and one of the top prospects in her age category.  With terrific edges and blinding speed, she'd leave opposing forecheckers grasping at air as she'd wheel the puck up ice, often creating opportunities for her team off the rush.  That was in junior.  
 
At the VHLM level, Leitner continued to show flashes of speed and promise and managed a cool 76 points in 72 games with her hometown Houston Bulls.  While her skating was less of a dominant attribute at the M level, the VHLE proved to be an even greater challenge for Leitner as the slight defender would at times look out of her depth.  Still managing a respectable 61 points in 72 games, the eye test wasn't always kind to her.
 
Speaking with scouts around the league, there were concerns that Leitner might continue to struggle with her smaller frame at 5'8".  Furthermore, there was some suggestion that her once dominant attribute-- skating-- might begin to look more average with the jump up to the VHL in S94.  While most scouts agreed that Leitner had the tools and determination to become a successful VHL player, there seemed to be greater skepticism about her ceiling and what heights she might reach. 
 
After a disappointing playoff loss with Vasteras, Lucy made her way back to Houston for the offseason where I was able to catch up with her once again. And while we've had this rendezvous now for the past two offseasons, there was something different meeting her this time around.  Maybe it was the fact that the power was out and we met by the faint splash of candlelight, or maybe it was the anticipation of her first VHL game-- all the nerves, excitement, and dread that comes with such a milestone.  
 
──•~❉᯽❉~•──
 
"Thanks for meeting me, Lucy, how are you?"
 
"Of course, I doing good!"
 
"I hope you don't mind the candles!"
 
"No, haha, it's totally fine! Kind of a unique way to do an interview to be honest."
 
"So when did you get back to Houston?"
 
"Um, I got back I think 4 days-- no, sorry 5 days ago.  I stayed in Vasteras for a week or so after the season ended just to pack and say goodbye to teammates and friends."
 
"Not to dwell on this too much, but I'm sure it was a tough way to end the season-- losing in the finals against Oslo in 5 games."
 
"Yep, that was definitely not the way we had imagined it going.  I mean, there's obviously some disappointment to lose in 5 games, you know, like you feel like you maybe didn't leave it all on the ice.  But at the same time Oslo had a great team, they had our number all season long and they deserve full credit.  We were kinda close and it would've been amazing to have finished the season with a win, but I guess it wasn't meant to be."
 
"Well, Vasteras was one of the best all season, so congratulations on such a successful campaign, even if you didn't necessarily get the final result you were hoping for."
 
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
 
"I wanted to ask you about your personal performance this past season.  How do you think it went, considering it was your first season abroad and with the increase in competition?"
 
"I think, personally, it was okay.  I mean, my first goal is always helping the team, doing whatever I can to help secure wins, but everyone wants to show well on the scoresheet too.  I feel like I started slow to be honest and kinda hit a tough point in the middle of the season where nothing was working for me, like I think I was shooing under 4% or something silly like that.  So, like, those stretches are tough for sure, but you kinda just keep your head down and keep working and eventually you work your way out of it.  I think I did that a bit by the end, but yeah, definitely some room for improvement still."
 
"Some people have had concerns about your size being an issue as you make your way up into the higher leagues, do you think that was a challenge for you in the VHLE? And do you change anything about your game to accomodate that as you move up to the VHL?"
 
"I mean, I don't really feel like it was an issue.  Like, sure, there's guys who are absolute monsters out there, but my game has always been about creating space for myself using my skating so I didn't find, you know, size to be much of a factor.  Obviously, as the skill level goes up, size can definitely be an advantage but it's not like I can change my size really so I'm just working at getting faster and stronger and trying to adapt my game so that I can be effective against any level of competition."
 
"To be fair, I think we observed you adapting as the last season went on-- like you alluded to earlier, you were looking more comfortable by the end of your season in the E. This season you'll be playing for Riga in the VHL's European Conference.  What do you think will be the biggest challenge? And what are you most excited for?"
 
"I think the speed of the VHL game is going to be the biggest challenge.  I've kinda always taken pride in my skating ability and playing the game fast, but I know that the VHL is the top level and everyone there is a serious player.  I can't really just rely on old habits and skills because that won't be enough to compete at this level.  I think that speed will definitely be the hardest challenge of moving up, you know, just getting used to that and improving the way I play to keep up at that level.  What I'm excited for?  I mean, everything, all of it!  I can't wait to play my first game, you know, score my first goal-- first point.  It's somthing you dream about and it's kinda surreal that it's happening, so yeah, I'm just super happy to have the opportunity."
 
"Do you have any personal expectations for your rookie season? Any personal goals or milestones?  And what do you think of the team in Riga?" 
 
"I've chatted with a few of the players there and they've all been so welcoming and they're a great group.  I also know Lemorse @Lemorse7 a bit from my time in the VHLM so I'm glad to see he got the GM job and I'm sure he'll be working hard to improve this team every day! My goals though, um, I mean, I expect alot of myself on the ice, but I also don't necessarily have any expectations for points or any statistical milestones.  I guess my main goal is to be an effective player for the team. I know already that there will be tons of opportunity for ice time, so my main goal is to make the most of that and to be a positive player for the team, not a liability."
 
"Do you think about possibly winning the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy for the top rookie? Is that something that crosses your mind?"
 
"I mean it'd be a huge honor for sure, but it's definitely not something I think about.  It's one of those things, you know, if it happens then it happens, but I'm not playing to win personal hardware.  Like I said, if I can be a positive player for Riga in my rookie season, then I'll be happy with that.  Besides, I think Antonia Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica is going to be tough to beat in the rookie scoring race this season."
 
"There have been some rumors around Riga acquiring Skor McFleury @Alex from Davos and maybe some other players to bolster the team for a run at the playoffs.  What do you think about potentially adding a player like that and the GM pushing for a playoff berth this season?"
 
"I'm all for it! Anything that makes this team better and gives us a better shot at playoffs it awesome!  We've got a great core group of players I think, but if you can bring in Skor McFleury, who was literally the best defender in the league last season, that's huge for the team.  I mean, personally, I'd be excited to play alongside a player like that, you know, just to watch how they play the game and learn from a real pro." 
 
"Have you made it out to Riga yet?"
 
"No, actually, I'm here in Houston for a few more days and then I'm heading straight there for training camp.  From the pictures I've seen, it seems like a beautiful city with a lot of history so I'll definitely be doing some exploring.  I've also heard alot of great things from teammates too so it's going to be exciting to finally get there and settle in." 
 
"Alright, a few more quick questions-- don't think too hard about these ones, just give me the first answer that comes to mind."
 
"Okay."
 
"How many points will you score this season?"
 
"Oh, gosh... 35."
 
"How many games does it take you to score your first VHL goal?"
 
"Wow, um, 3 maybe."
 
"How many goals will you score this season?"
 
"9-- that's my lucky number."
 
"Does Riga make the playoffs this season?"
 
"Yes."
 
"If you could play for any other VHL team, which would be your first choice?"
 
"Besides Riga?  Probably Malmo, I've always loved their aesthetic and I'd love to play in Sweden again.
 
"What is the best team in the VHL right now, in your opinion?"
 
"Moscow. They've got a fantastic team and some great prospects coming up like Benjamin Abenduct @Schnee."
 
"You're exploring a new city looking for a place to get drinks, who's the first former or current teammate you call?"
 
"Ondrej Vencko @Mutti-- that's a no brainer."
 
"You can have the career of any current VHL player, who would you choose?"
 
"Liv Slater @Subject056, one of my favorites and a great defender."
 
"Which VHL player are you most excited to play against?"
 
"I think Logan Ninefingers @Scurvy.  He was a great rookie last season and we were teammates on the WJC team in S92.  It should be a fun matchup!"
 
"Which player on Riga are you most excited to play with?"
 
"Really? You're going to make me choose!  Gosh, maybe Kimi Raikkonen @mattyIceman since he's a player with a lot of high end skill and ice in his veins."
 
"Okay, favorite song right now?"
 
"That's a mean question... right now... My Delirium by Ladyhawke."
 
"Interesting choice.  Alright, final question: the last time we spoke you said you envisioned yourself lifting the Continental Cup with Riga in 5 seasons.  That's 4 seasons away now, has that vision changed?
 
"I feel like the timeline isn't all that important.  I'm going to Riga to win and that's always going to be the goal-- this season, next season, 4 seasons from now.  I want to help bring a Cup to Riga and be able to fulfill that dream, but the first step is that first game so for now I'm focussed on that."
 
"Love it, Lucy, thanks so much for taking the time to do this and best of luck with your first season in the VHL.  I know I can't wait to see how it goes!"
 
"Of course, anytime! And thanks!"
 
──•~❉᯽❉~•──

Riga, Latvia (above)
 
My phone battery is running low again after transcribing the interview in my notes app-- 9%.  The black screen of my laptop glares at me from across the room, lifeless.  Days ago I had vampirized its battery to charge my phone-- the laptop had died so that the phone might live, and yet here I am again with a phone on the verge of giving in to the consuming black.  The candle flickering on the coffee table is also in its dying stages, the flame shrinking and rounding into a tiny bead of light, floating above a puddle of wax. 
 
Lifting myself up off the couch, I stumble blindly through the dark living room, making my way back to the front door where I throw on my jacket and step into my shoes.  Peering through the window on the door I see the rain still coming down, but not much more than a light sprinkle.  Unlocking the deadbolt, car keys in hand, I duck out into the rain again, this time running out to my car.  Key in the ignition, I start the engine and plug in my phone.  Something like relief washes over me as I feel the familiar buzz indicating that the phone is charging.  
 
I lean back in the car seat now, the air conditioning blowing gently across my face, a reprieve from the suffocating humidity. In the rearview I see a cloud ignite with a flash of white lightning.  The thunder is too far off to hear as I click on the radio...
 
♫ Paradise on my right, hell on my left, the angel of death right behind me... ♫
 
──•~❉᯽❉~•──
Lauren Lambert for VHL.com
06/04/24 - 2600+ words
 
Notes: 
In 13 games, Lucy Leitner has started her VHL career strong with 12 points, scoring her first VHL goal against the Moscow Menace in her 6th game.   Riga has gone on to aquire Skor McFleury and Oreo McFleury @JB123, as well as bringing back former members of the Reign, Sadie St-Louis @sadie and The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath .  As part of those deals, new-- and busy!-- Riga GM Lemorse also brought another top prospect in Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer while parting ways with Pierre-Marc Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito and Martin Kemp @leafsman.  Riga looks poised to make some noise during the regular season and potentially into the postseason if this team can come together quickly.  

Moritz Stauffer @GoodLeftUndone, Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro, and Maxim Anisimov @McLovin
 
          

Another week for my TPE package and yes I am doing it on my phone again.
 
Recently I was hired as FZ Manager and recently-er we completed Week 1 of VHL Fantasy Zone. 100 people responded (total responses: 103, believe 3 people made two forms)! I’m not sure what numbers have been in the past but this is now a goal I would like to set for myself, to reach 100 submissions each week. Currently 70 have responded to week 2 which is still great. Everyone who makes a form makes the spreadsheet even more cooler with a whole bunch of data to go through. 
 
I really enjoyed making a quick and easy leaderboard to follow throughout the season as well. That’s something I wished we would’ve had so I felt like it was needed. Seeing how well you do each week, seeing if you missed weeks, it’s all good numbers to have. 
 
Questions and Pick ‘Em are also super easy to create and plan out. I was waiting on Cow for late night sims on Sunday to finish but after that it only took me a few hours to make Week 2’s form and also Week 1’s payout spreadsheet. The simmers are consistent in how many games they sim so it makes it easy to plan a week out. Doing this job and learning more about sheets is fun. I feel like my inner child nerd is finally coming out again. I used to make fantasy standings and stuff growing up in my free time. It’s hard to explain but I had a lot of free time, pencil and paper, and NHL06 on my xbox.

I'm back from my trip now so will start dropping these again this week!
 
Here are Callum Gary Yannick Janser @Daniel Janser, Axle Gunner @Steve, and Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty!
 
          

I've undertaken a mini-project that I started with the intention of just playing around in photoshop and getting better with it in general but I've gotten to the point where I think it's worth sharing so here we go! I'll post updates a few cards at a time until the set has been revealed. Also, I'm going away for 6 days next week, so we will see how frequently I can post new cards next week, there may or may not be many updates.
 
Unfortunately I don't have time to do everyone in the VHL, so I've picked out a 46-player set list with at least one player from each team. I do apologize if you got left out this time around (if it makes you feel any better, my own player didn't make the cut either, lol) -- and if I do enjoy it and have enough time, I will do a "set 2" somewhere down the line, focusing on players I didn't do this time around. But, I want to make sure I complete the set now that I've decided to share it, and so I need to keep it a relatively manageable size so I don't get overwhelmed.
 
Enjoy!
 
First up: Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler, Skor McFleury @Alex, and YaBoi Oven @Doomsday
 
          

I'm back from my trip now so will start dropping these again this week!
 
Here are Callum Gary Yannick Janser @Daniel Janser, Axle Gunner @Steve, and Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty!
 
          

I'm back from my trip now so will start dropping these again this week!
 
Here are Callum Gary Yannick Janser @Daniel Janser, Axle Gunner @Steve, and Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty!
 
          

I'm back from my trip now so will start dropping these again this week!
 
Here are Callum Gary Yannick Janser @Daniel Janser, Axle Gunner @Steve, and Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty!
 
          

11 games into a new VHL season, the Malmo Nighthawks find themselves in a familiar position - atop the European Conference. Sporting an 8-2-1 record early on, the Nighthawks have continued to combine a balanced attack from a deep roster with strong defense and goaltending.
 
The team has four players with double-digit points already (Viktor Jensen, Ronald Johnson MacWallace III, and Phillip Rave). Jacob Stone has 8 points himself and leads a defense that features all four players having at least 20 blocked shots, and every player on the team has a +/- between +3 and +7, showcasing the overall balance of Malmo's roster.
 
And yet - for a player continually stated as the team's weak point despite his exceptional track record - it's been Ash Sparks showcasing some of the finest hockey of his career that's helped Malmo to the top of the table, as Sparks has put up a 1.88 GAA and .942 save percentage through 11 starts.
 
It's early, but if Sparks - poised to become the best goaltender in Malmo's history - has saved his best hockey for last, the Nighthawks will be difficult to remove from their perch in S94.

Woah, this is awesome! Adding to my sig asap. Really cool you are doing this!

hahah sure! it's been a great career for Castle for sure 😄 glad you like them!
 
thanks everyone for the warm feedback, appreciate it.
 
here's a couple more before I head to bed! Severus Targaryen @Banackock and Olober Syko @Spartan !
 
     

I've undertaken a mini-project that I started with the intention of just playing around in photoshop and getting better with it in general but I've gotten to the point where I think it's worth sharing so here we go! I'll post updates a few cards at a time until the set has been revealed. Also, I'm going away for 6 days next week, so we will see how frequently I can post new cards next week, there may or may not be many updates.
 
Unfortunately I don't have time to do everyone in the VHL, so I've picked out a 46-player set list with at least one player from each team. I do apologize if you got left out this time around (if it makes you feel any better, my own player didn't make the cut either, lol) -- and if I do enjoy it and have enough time, I will do a "set 2" somewhere down the line, focusing on players I didn't do this time around. But, I want to make sure I complete the set now that I've decided to share it, and so I need to keep it a relatively manageable size so I don't get overwhelmed.
 
Enjoy!
 
First up: Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler, Skor McFleury @Alex, and YaBoi Oven @Doomsday
 
          

hahah sure! it's been a great career for Castle for sure 😄 glad you like them!
 
thanks everyone for the warm feedback, appreciate it.
 
here's a couple more before I head to bed! Severus Targaryen @Banackock and Olober Syko @Spartan !
 
     

Thanks to the Milwaukee Admirals for the wonderful coincidence of being a blue team that has had both Kevin Fiala and a goalie who wears #74 play for them, otherwise this would have been a lot tougher jersey change! Mac Atlas @v.2  and Joel Castle @animal74
 
     

hahah sure! it's been a great career for Castle for sure 😄 glad you like them!
 
thanks everyone for the warm feedback, appreciate it.
 
here's a couple more before I head to bed! Severus Targaryen @Banackock and Olober Syko @Spartan !
 
     

hahah sure! it's been a great career for Castle for sure 😄 glad you like them!
 
thanks everyone for the warm feedback, appreciate it.
 
here's a couple more before I head to bed! Severus Targaryen @Banackock and Olober Syko @Spartan !
 
     

Is that my pre-retirement present, @tcookie? 😁
 
Milwaukee Saros does work perfectly. 
 
All the cards are fire. Well done!

I've undertaken a mini-project that I started with the intention of just playing around in photoshop and getting better with it in general but I've gotten to the point where I think it's worth sharing so here we go! I'll post updates a few cards at a time until the set has been revealed. Also, I'm going away for 6 days next week, so we will see how frequently I can post new cards next week, there may or may not be many updates.
 
Unfortunately I don't have time to do everyone in the VHL, so I've picked out a 46-player set list with at least one player from each team. I do apologize if you got left out this time around (if it makes you feel any better, my own player didn't make the cut either, lol) -- and if I do enjoy it and have enough time, I will do a "set 2" somewhere down the line, focusing on players I didn't do this time around. But, I want to make sure I complete the set now that I've decided to share it, and so I need to keep it a relatively manageable size so I don't get overwhelmed.
 
Enjoy!
 
First up: Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler, Skor McFleury @Alex, and YaBoi Oven @Doomsday
 
          

Thanks to the Milwaukee Admirals for the wonderful coincidence of being a blue team that has had both Kevin Fiala and a goalie who wears #74 play for them, otherwise this would have been a lot tougher jersey change! Mac Atlas @v.2  and Joel Castle @animal74
 
     

great job!