Gaikoku-hito

Never stayed in Moose jaw as we always pass through and stay in Regina for some reason. I think it has to do with eight hour driving limits so Calgary to Regina is about eight hours or so. Next stop is usually Winnipeg if you are driving across Canada; which is rather fun!! Correct as they are usually separated into Male & Female baths but there are a few shared Onsens around the country. Also hotels will have private Onsens either for a family or a couple to bath in private together.

Long Live the King!!

Wow, I think the Foxes are like the Toronto Maple Leafs; made the play-offs and completely turned it off as I think we might have won a game today!! LOL!! Hopefully we don`t pull a Toronto Leafs in the Play-off or Malmo!! Sorry I couldn`t help myself!! LOL!!

Career Reflection: Pierre Marc Bouchard There comes a time in ones lives when they start to realize that their youthfulness and rather silly thoughts will eventually catch up to them as their bodies age, slow but every unlike a great wine. Which is rather funny since Pierre Marc Bouchard family is known Worldwide for a few things either being a one of the largest owners of a Convenience stores in Canada or Vineyard back in the ancestral homes of France (Normandy to be exact). Yes, The Bouchard family is noble and it actually funnily all started with Pierre Bouchard or at least first on record; himself being granted the titles of Duchy of Normandy and Lord of Cornefou in 1301; among other titles held by the family through France. Still today Bouchard have a strong presence in the area as Père et Fils own the largest vineyards in the Côte d'Or and Beaune; with bottles still being sold worldwide today. This led to younger Bouchard nobles to look for their fortunes in North American with the first of the name landing in Quebec on 1626 and establishing farms throughout Canada. Pierre Marc Bouchard family line is one of these such families settling in Elie, Manitoba; a great place for a hockey player the young Finish Canadian thought. Knowledge is such a powerful thing but so is heritage since the Bouchard were granted tiles in France for being great Knights and fighters for the Crown. Fast forward through the decade and no longer do the Bouchard wield weapons and shields but sticks and skates. Even living up to the family motto of “fais honneur” as all three players to play in the VHL have been tied for the most part by Honor to one team. So far so good thought the young Pierre Marc Bouchard; Dad won a title with Vancouver by being Honorable and I too have won a title with Vancouver so far in my career but I am not sure we are even comparable since he was a hall of fame defender and I am not sure that I am going to be a hall of fame forward. But was that ever really the goal? Simple put I have never really set too many career goals or have I? I feel more like I am living in the shadow of expectations that my dad had set for himself and maybe by others. Are those now my expectations? I hope not!! What are my expectations for myself? Well, I would love to hit the fifty goals and fifty assist in a season; which I came close to last season. I want to continue to hit at least a point per game pace and really anything short of a hundred points in a season will be disappointing from a personal standpoint. VHL Awards though do I really care? Nope as too many factor play a role in if I should be award a trophy or not and I learned this already the hard way in VHLM and VHLE when I was clearly one of the best players in those league but was never either recognized for it or at least never award for it. It not what drives the feet, heart and head of this player but what does? Ah, Being the best player that I can be every single season and focused on being a good team mate. If awards and the hall of fame come a knocking then that is simple a bonus. Sad to say this but I could careless if I win anything else as long as I am being a good team mate and the best that I can be!! I also still have a long career ahead of me and a ton of work to do if I am going to be the best that I can be!! Career Stats to date …. VHLM – Regular Season GP G A P +/- SHT PIM HITS SB GW 93 (HFX) 72 31 42 73 35 262 32 106 14 8 92 (SSK) 18 7 7 14 5 56 12 27 12 1 Totals 90 38 49 87 40 318 44 133 26 9 VHLE - Regular Season GP G A P +/- SHT PIM HITS SB GW 94 (BRA) 72 43 62 105 0 470 89 144 34 7 Totals 72 43 62 105 0 470 89 144 34 7 VHL - Regular Season GP G A P +/- SHT PIM HITS SB GW 97 (VAN) 72 48 53 101 28 465 85 116 32 5 96 (VAN) 72 32 49 81 27 371 17 46 16 6 95 (VAN) 72 28 30 58 26 272 13 19 18 6 Totals 216 108 132 240 81 1108 115 181 66 17

Off Season continues ……… and continues …….. Maybe I am wrong but this off season seems longer than the past few off season as I am not complete sure that that the Commissioners know how to count or even set a schedule. Thank the gods that others are here to actually run the league!! Does anyone mind the extra week or wait due to get the extra training in? Hey that is a good question to ask since I won`t lie I am having a hard time coming up with questions right now since I think I have only really two thought up as I a waffle on here; I guess now three!! Either way you know the drill….. 1. Vancouver Wolves awards were handed out a few days ago, Did any of the awards surprise you? Why or Why not? 2. Vancouver Wolves GM secretly disappeared on the nice Hot Springs Vacation without letting anyone know that he was gone. Was this due to not wanting to complicate the off season further since Vancouver finished their off season work early or was this him hiding from other GM around the league hoping that they didn`t notice Vancouver's plans to run a limited roster with bots this season? Explain which one and why? 3. Staying on the Vacation aspect which Hot Springs is the best one that you have visited ever and why? Or if you haven`t visited a Hot Spring before, explain why not? 4. Last question about Hot Springs; does anyone know the difference between Hot Springs in North American versus Japan other than name as they are called Onsen; which makes me think about the Full House twins!! LOL!! 5. In light of the scandalous pictures recently posted of other players in the locker room by another not to be named player; How do you think we should handle the situation and what should unnamed players punishment be? Explain… 6. Riddle: What goes away as soon as you talk about it? @Scurvy@Gaikoku-hito@Smarch@MubbleFubbles@Thunder @xsjack@Masu Chan@Frank@koty_k

Which I borrowed from @animal74 as I loved these awards write up at the end of the season when I played for Prague. Tried to make them my own but won`t lie I really borrowed a ton from @animal74 awards!! I think he also used to do the Malmo Nighthawks awards as well!! And I love the fact that you are running a teams awards as these are something that means a bit more since the players are being recognized by the GM, AGM or even the other players. As I used to love hearing what the players had to say and allowed them to vote! Now we have a bit of a old man attitude in the Vancouver locker room as most of the players are like nah you can do it!! We are good aspect!! Also congrats to everyone winning these awards as they are special!!

Big future ahead @koty_k Nice to see you get paid in the minors for another season!! We can help you spend it too!! LOL!!

Game Review: PROAM - Game 114 - Baie-Comeau Beavers vs Pompeii Sour Grapes Yes, I go trivia wrong for like the first time in forever so let me talk about this great amazing game in the ProAm between the Sour Grapes and the Beavers. One would assume that the Sour Grapes would be tough to swallow for the Beavers, who with huge teeth usually used for taking large chunks out of food or wood would have an issue eating the much smaller and I guess in this case sour berry. This would truly be the case when River came floating into the Beavers territory bring the wave of Sour Grapes attack to the Beavers net and with a quick pass over to Tom Boy; Pombo to cause the first sign of discomfort of the Beavers as they couldn`t handle the River, Tom Boy and Sour Grapes first floating attack. They will surely need to do a better job of damming up the blues lines to stop the River from flowing so easily into the zone and creating offense. 1-0 Sour Grapes The Beaver would hold the flow and keep the dam from breaking until the final seconds of the first period when something Harry in Leotards that most thought was Thrilling broke throw with a pass from Triller to the Harry Callahan to bats in the Sour Grapes second goal. This would cause a bit of delay as the Beavers challenged the call calling for shouting "Call a hand pass". It was determined that Callahand didn`t use his hand and the goal was allowed to stand. 2-0 Sour Purple things or maybe green? Callahan would finally get called for a glove pass at 2:21; making everyone debate if the second goal should have really stood but it would lead to a much needed PP for the Lack luster sleeping Beavers, who clearly were hibernating up until this point. But smelling maybe a bit of food and final learning mouth the sour grapes while not using their big teeth final managed to pot one of their own when Kauppi; (a joke I likely would get banned for) would break down the vine on sweet, not sour passing play from Daryl Janser. 2-1 Not So Sour things!! Blah blah!! Something about some breaking a bone on a inference play at 5:27 of the third was the only interesting thing that sounds like it happened and holly cow do the Bots have cool name in this tournament as B-TM3 was called for how cares!! If you made it this far thank you for reading this amazing review about how Beaver cannot eat Sour Grapes!!

Vancouver Wolves S97 Awards Let me start with saying something that I think we are all thinking right now; Why is it always the F***ing Bears!!! I never understood the GM that walks up to the podium and congratulates the team the beat them the previous season just before drafting a prospect that hopefully will kick the ass of the team that you just congratulated. I guess it would be okay if you weren’t a play-off team but I say F*** the Champion if it isn`t us!! And might I add why is this off season taking so blood long? Let get on with new season so that we can recover from our devastating loss in the first round already. It like having a Bear eat us a live or someone sitting just continuously poking at the wound just to be annoying!! Ugh!! Okay, We are here once again at the end of the season in the middle of the dark, long and cold off season of the VHL but to bring some warmth to the hearts of some of the players and fans as we reflect on the positive aspect of last season and hand out some cold hard cash!! Uh, I mean awards!! We will start tonight’s awards off with the usual suspect for Best Defenseman and it is nice to see Guntis Gavilrovs has not only found a seat in the front for himself but also for all his girlfriends; has taken you long to get comfortable in the New York!! Also I am assuming you will be up here on stage a lot tonight so at least you don`t have far to walk. And no, I don`t know the results of the awards as I write this. Best Defenseman: Last season we seen two defensemen accomplish amazing results scoring over 100pts in what was an amazing regular season for both Bollos de Trueno (105pts) and Guntis Gavilrovs (100pts) making this one of the toughest choice to hand the award out tonight. So I will do what I usually do when there isn`t much between the two; so tonight first award goes to: Little Wolf Award (Most Hits): I love being surprised by this one like the face of one of the players being unexpectedly crushed by a huge open ice hit and hearing the crowd go nuts, the embarrassment of knowing the other player got the better of you and everyone in the building knows. Last season we had a rather surprise winner in Riley Martin as I don`t think a lot of us seen that one coming as he led the Wolves with 240 hits so are we going to see surprise winner again this season? Unsung Hero: I love to hate this award as it is one of the toughest awards to give out since everyone plays a large role in the team success but who is maybe the player that isn`t complete recognized for the season that they just completed and the role that they played in the success of the team. This season I could easily hand this award to one for five players, Bouchard, Martin, Trueno, Stefano or Soju; which is making me go back and forth but I think I will stay with the first player that came to mind and that is…. Sniper Award (Shooting Percentage): Last season I knew who won this award before stepping on stage but this off season being as long as it has; has made this old man lazy so I haven`t looked yet. My general guess will be either Bouchard or Ninefingers due to the fact that they scored the most goals on the team but I wouldn`t be all the surprised to see maybe Guntis, Stefano or Martin sneak into to claim the award so lets find out together who wins this award…. Most Energetic: I think this award is pretty much locked down for the foreseeable future as this individual is active in the locker room and I cannot see awarding this award to anyone else at the moment; so who is the most energetic this season but none other then ……. QB Award (PP Assists): While I am still considering changing this award or maybe adding a Power-play award for most points; I have decided to keep this once again to assists. Having looked already at the winner; I was a bit surprised that it wasn`t our run away assist leader winning this award but …. Okay I won`t spoil it so let announce the winner(s)…. Most Valuable Player (MVP): So we know that we have a new winner as Martin was voted the Unsung Hero of the Wolves this season unless I make him both; which I don`t think is right as you cannot be unsung if you are the teams MVP. It is also nice to see this award changing hands as many times as it has showing the straighten and character that the Wolves continue to show. This player clearly lead the team when the chips were on the line ( I think league as well) in game winning goals while also pacing the team in points so without trying to spoil it too much let call up ……. Tooth Fairy (PIM Award): While I know I started off tonight stating that I expected to see Guntis on stage a ton tonight and I am even surprised that he hasn`t been called up that much (so far). I think I am safe to go out on the limb here and say that his award his usually his to lose. Hopefully I don`t end up with egg on my face for stating this now!! So who has won the Tooth Fairy Award? Rookie of the Year/Top Prospect Award: As Vancouver Wolves continue to focus clearly winning the Continental Cup and are cleary in win now mode; it was rather surprising when Vancouvers GM brought in a rookie to play the back-end last season along side Guntis but this rookie didn`t disappoint by scoring eight goals, adding thirty-one assist for healthy thirty-nine points in his rookie season. He will be looking for a new defensive partner this season and the Wolves hope to see continued development from this youngster so please welcome to the stage this season Rookie of the Year….. Always Responsible (Plus/Minus): Never really an award that I know what to say but this award shows usually a well rounded player that can chip in offensively while also being defensive so who do I think won this award this season? I have no clue so lets find out now…… It wasn`t me!! (Least PIM): With last season winner taking on a larger role with the team; would one be safe to say that I don`t expect Stefano to repeat but I could be wrong but we already know one player fore sure that won`t be winning this award as he is already heading to the back to get another drink so speeding this along who was the Least Penalized this season? Oops Sorry Eh!! (Least Hits) Usually and offensive forward wins this award as they are not overly looking to punish the other team but rather dancing like a ballerina with the puck on the sticks trying to score rather then using their sticks like a club or their skates as knifes. So who is this season Ballerina of the Wolves? Shoot the lights out (Most Shots): Uh, Sorry Guntis, No you don`t need to come up here and I am sorry that I called you a big dumb knuckle dragging brute!! And remember that I didn`t trade you; it was Frank!! Can I get some security to the stage and can we cut this mans drinks off!! As we really don`t need a Will Smith situation!! I will buy you a drink later Guntis and hopefully it will be water under the bridge? Uh, What award are we at now? Oh, Yes we are now going to award the Most Shots award so without much further ado…. Work Horse Award (AMG): I always love to see who the coach favored this season and to see if it truly paid off with this player being one of the best on the ice night in and night out so who will be reaching for the ibuprofen and ice bags this off season…. C`mon Coach (Least Played): I am here once again to put my foot in my mouth with my comments as this usually goes to Rookie, yet we just seen another rookie win the Work Horse Award so while I think I know who could be lifting this award in a few moments I would rather just we look and find out together so I don`t have to wash my mouth out even further then I already do. The winner is ……. Bruised and Battered Award (SB): This is usually a defenseman award as they lay the body on the line to aid the goaltender and generally playing really great defense. This is usually a sign of great defensive defenseman or signs of a great two way defender. Since we had two outstanding two way defenders on the team last season I am assuming one of the two will be taking this trophy home; it`s just a matter of which one….. Three Stars Award: Copy and paste what I say all the time here as I still haven`t learned so give me a few moment and I will be back…… Final Thoughts: Another great season came to quick and painful end inn the play-offs but goes to show how hard winning the Championship truly is making the previous years championship taste all that much sweeter and all I can think about is the how much more enjoyable winning another championship will be. Salary cap strain is also now fully effecting the Vancouver Wolves roster as we had to say good bye to one of the best defenders we have ever had wear the uniform as we simple couldn`t manage to keep the whole team together forever like we wish we could. More will likely be trade next season and season after as the league cracks down on teams like Vancouver that is doing better then others at being competitive. To that I say our window is now so hopefully we prove the league wrong this season and we lift another Championship or two before the current Wolves sail off into the Pacific sunset ending what I feel has already been great careers!! Now lets go get them!! @Novanod@Frank@Thunder @Smarch@Scurvy@Girts@xsjack@Nykonax@mmrs617@asteria@Gaikoku-hito 2977 words claiming Mar 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th

Slack also means inactive or lack of inactivity, quiet or even lack of work and sometimes even laziness!! So while I think you are right that he wanted to use Flak; you can take the comment as sarcasm as well meaning;" Malmo - Finally called it a day. Got a weird amount of "lack of work" for it. Meaning that they the got worked or tuned for it!! LOL!! I took it the sarcastic way since Malmo did a ton of work and also received a ton of flak for it!!

The Honour was truly ours!! Thank you @Subject056 for your services to the Vancouver Wolves and being a part of our rebuild leading us to the Championship in S96. Much respect!!