Juice

My vote goes to @rory

Makes up for my awful predictions @Zetterberg

"My stay in Ottawa is something I will never forget." - AJ Williams

The off-season brings both pain and joy. For those that make the playoffs, it's both joyful and adrenaline filling to play the best hockey of their life for the chance at a cup. And for those that miss the playoffs, it can be a painstakingly long period of waiting for the playoffs to end and waiting patiently for the draft to start and the new season to begin.

However, for those that play their cards right, they can walk out of the draft after a disappointing season and come away with a player that can change the shape of their franchise. A top prospect that fulfills their development and true potential, and eventually becomes a staple of the team's identity.

With the interview we've had setup for today, I would say that we'll be talking with a player of that caliber. AJ Williams (@ajwllmsn), an Ottawa Lynx Right Wing, is a fast skating high scoring forward, and in a short time made a big name for himself as one of the top Lynx players with 56 points in 72 games, and enough to slowly and surely rise up to become a top 10 player in the upcoming VHL draft.

Without further ado, let's hop right into the interview we held with this on the rise prospect!

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Heyo AJ, thanks for taking the time to sit down with me for an interview, as I know as a top prospect I'm sure you're a busy fella! I have a few questions for you that I hope you can take the time to answer, as I'm sure the VHL world would love to get to know more about you both on and off the ice before the upcoming drafts!

Thank you for having me! I am very excited for this draft and to finally experience what the VHL has to offer.

It's my absolute pleasure, it's not often you get to have a chat with an emerging star in the scene. Talking about experiencing the VHL, what are you doing leading up to the draft now that Ottawa unfortunately got knocked out of making the VHLM playoffs?

My off-season just started but it has not really been an off-season like normal years. Usually I would take time off and enjoy myself, spend time with my family. But this year with the draft coming up I have been on the ice and in the gym 24/7. I'm extremely excited for the draft and want to make sure I am in top condition when it comes.

It sounds like you're taking this big opportunity very seriously! I seen that you even put out a statement that you're committed to making the VHL by the start of next season! In that case if you do make it to the big leagues, how would you summarize your stay in Ottawa? Do you have any words about your teammates and about the Lynx overall?

My stay in Ottawa is something I will never forget. Even if we were not a top team in the league, that was some of the most competitive hockey I have ever played and I feel like I grew so much as a player in just one season. Coming into the league there were so many better players than myself, but now I feel as if I can compete with anyone. For my teammates, amazing group of guys. The locker room was always a place that felt like home lead by our captain Bogdan Trunov. The guys were always there for each other and I made a lot of good relationships with those men. The Lynx will always have a place in my heart and I do have to give credit to our GM for picking me up and helping me develop into who I am today.

GM Dakota Lamb (@dlamb) knows talent when he sees it, and I'm sure he's more than happy to have had and helped develop what is now seen on most draft boards is a top 3 picking going into the VHLM draft (although your intentions are now known for the VHL), as well as a top 10 pick going into the VHL draft! I think Ottawa will be something you back fondly on and somewhere you can proudly call your first home, and you've been one of the brightest spots of the Season 78 Lynx. With that being said though, a new home is on the horizon with your name going to be spoken relatively soon into the upcoming draft. Is there any particular team you've had your eye on, or even has reached out to your personally yet?

The Seattle Bears are the only team who have reached out to me so far. As of right now they are my favourite for that reason. It also helps their case that they have won 5 Continental Cups in the last 10 seasons and are lead by the most winningest GM in VHL history. If I end up on Seattle I would not be mad at all. But I also really do not mind any team I go to, I plan to work hard and play my heart out for any organization that drafts me.

Ah, the first team that reaches is always the one that gets my respect, but the draft is a whole other beast that you never know what can happen. I'm excited to see where you end up, as your draft day is going to be one you won't forget! I won't take up much more of your time, but I wanted to ask you one final question. If you could explain to a VHL GM who you are, and your overall goals for your career in a few short sentences, what would that be?

I would say that I am hard working, a leader, and loyal player. My plan going into the league isn’t to hop around each super team to win a cup, I want to be a leader and a role model on my team. I want to be someone my teammates can look up to and go to when they need someone. My goals though would definitely be to win a Continental Cup, that’s every kid’s dream I would think.

Phenomenally said, and something that I think a lot of GM's will take a personal liking to knowing that you're a loyal guy through and through. We'll be keeping a close eye on you, and I wish you the best of luck in the draft!

Thank you very much! Was a pleasure.

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While drafts are as chaotic as can be, as you can never tell who will be chosen where, what trades will go down, and if the player you eventually pick will pan out. However, walking out of this interview has me rooting for AJ to live up to his goal of being both a top pick and a top player in the league eventually, and although he's new on the scene, I know the GM that will eventually take the shot on him will not be disappointed for this high scoring winger. Here is hoping the best for this exciting rookie, and his eventual career in the VHL!

(1213 words, claiming for 6/27 and 7/4)

7 minutes ago, Smarch said:

I said this in DM but you’re ghosting me, but I’ll still say it here, Good luck! 

I didn't mean to ghost you ;-; but thanks Smarchy 

2 minutes ago, bigAL said:

A test?? Do your homework, because there’s only one right answer on this exam. 

After considering my options after my latest article and after long talks with management, I will be testing Free Agency with my player in the upcoming off-season.

While it wasn't an easy choice, it's a move that I think I need rather than want to take. I've been feeling a bit uneasy and unhappy overall, and I think a change to the routine is what I need, whether that's testing FA and going to another team, or just testing FA and eventually going back to Toronto, it's something I feel that I'd regret if I didn't pursue.

Whether or not how it turns out, I just want to give a big shoutout to my teammates in the Toronto LR ( @fromtheinside, @McWolf, @Toast , and @Smarch to name a few) for making the LR a great place as well as being overall great fellas, definitely over the rollercoaster of what happened in this last season.

Toronto was one of the teams that heavily, heavily pursued me my draft year and gave me the honour of being a top 5 pick, which as a first-gen player is something that still gives me tremendous pride on. It is something that I will hold close to me as long as I'm in the VHL, and something I won't forget. While the past 3 seasons haven't been the easiest (rebuilding season, first-round knock-out, and another down season), Toronto will always be my first home here regardless on how Free Agency works out.

I'm excited to see what happens as this is a whole brand new experience for me, and we'll see if a new chapter opens up in Kristof Welch's career.

30 minutes ago, Otto Numminen said:

1- Maybe a little party at the top of the Grey Mountain but after that we have to stay focused for the playoffs which are coming soon

Literally getting flashbacks to hiking Grey Mountain after reading your answer 

Yukon Rush Press Conference 

(for week ending in 6/27)

1. The Rush have officially clinched the top of the VHLM standings for S78! What is your go-to way to celebrate winning the first Prime Minister's cup in 15 seasons?

2. With the regular season about over, who is your personal pick for Team MVP for the season and why?

3. Season 2 of the War with San Diego ends in...a tie? With the season series closing in at 4-4, do you have any final remarks for @thadthrasher and his Marlins?

4. Looking at the standings, we're guaranteed to face up against Mexico City. What are your predictions for the series?

5. If you had to pick a single song to listen to for the rest of your life, which would it be?

6. Controversial Opinion of the Week: I absolutely despise the opening day/opening week of a new popular movie that I'm planning to see, and I'll avoid going to see it in theaters for at least 2-3 weeks. The BO and the popcorn crunching all around me, let alone if someone really tall sits in front of me, drives me insane. Agree or disagree?

1 minute ago, Beketov said:

So…. San Diego and Yukon tied the season series….. I think that means @Juice and @thadthrasher owe us a duet…..

Welp. Poll time?

20 hours ago, bigAL said:

Budapest

Never heard of it tbh

Whenever making a big decision, it really makes you wonder what is the best thing for you as well as for those around you. Short-term benefits and long-term benefits. Does it make you happy? Does it make you successful? You have to weigh many different factors down before committing to anything, and even then you still might regret your decision down the road.

Kristof Welch's first big decision is up, and it's something that is taking quite awhile to consider. This decision is relating to his expiring rookie contract, and the plan on where to go from here. For most who would have talked to Welch pre-draft interview, they would have been told that Welch wanted to be a career long piece that didn't want individual success, but as long as he would be known as a franchise piece and can help lead a team to success, that's all that mattered. However with how his career has panned out thus far, neither team success nor being a top member of the blueline has been achieved.

Due to trades, Welch has been the 4th best defenseman on the team from year one until year three of his career up until the trade deadline where both higher TPE defensemen Killinger and Giant were moved for forward pieces as well as draft picks. Sitting at the 2nd best defenseman on the roster is now something that finally brings some happiness to an overall unsettling feeling the past season and a half, as maybe now this top earner can be recognize as a main piece on the blueline. However, the past feelings of being kept in the shadow of sorts hasn't completely faded.

Thus, right now Welch's future is up in the air. On one hand, does he keep his pre-draft promise of staying with one team his entire career now with the moves Toronto has made? Or does he goes elsewhere to become known as a team's go-to guy on the blueline to hopefully achieve that goal of feeling like a franchise piece?

The season is only half-way over, and good talks with the management in Toronto have been underway, however in short time a decision will be made and hopefully that decision will not be one full of regret.

Claiming 3/3, for week ending 6/20.

Yukon Rush Press Conference 

(for week ending in 6/20)

1. We are now officially at full capacity for our roster, with 12 forwards, 6 defensemen (with the latest edition of @BarzalGoat and @fonziGG ), and 2 goaltenders. Are you happy with the roster make-up so far?

2. Sims have been...less than consistent as of late. What do you do while anxious awaiting the next sim (or double sim )?

3. There's been talks of maybe doing a duet with @thadthrasher if we end up tying the series of war against the Marlins 4 to 4 in our 8 game season matchup. Would you prefer that, or maybe a different duo-punishment?

4. If you could add one additional attribute for the VHL to add to build your player, which attribute would it be and why?

5. What's something you do that some people might think is weird, but you oddly find satisfying? (i.e. for myself, I am pretty flexible with my legs so when I'm just chilling I sometimes just bring my leg up to rest my chin on it while watching a movie)

6. Controversial Opinion of the Week: I actually love hanging out in airports, even if it's for several hours pre-flight, when I'm travelling whereas everyone I talk to dreads stepping foot in one. Agree or disagree?

1 hour ago, fonziGG said:

Let’s do this thing. @Juice

Pogging up a storm rn, let's get it Fonzi!

I'll send a contract + PM shortly

2 minutes ago, BarzalGoat said:

 

I'm not sure if you're aware of this but I was Yukon Rush GM for 3 seasons, and it was where my first player (and I guess builder) Dan Montgomery spent his first 2 VHLM season.... In other words, I would love to #FeelTheRush LET'S GO BABY, YUKON GOLD RUSH 2021

LETS GOOOOOOOOOO, sending you an offer and PM shortly

WELCOME BACK!

Heyo @Hybrid1486.  My name is Juice, and I'm the General Manager of the Yukon Rush.

The Yukon Rush are gearing up for what looks like a serious championship run this season. We have a roster brimming with community veterans and we are just looking to add a couple more pieces to fill out the team. While we maxed out on forwards, we do still have room for two more defensemen, and that's where you come in. We are offering you third pairing minutes. To be transparent here, let me explain the pros and cons. You could definitely play more minutes if you choose to sign with another team, but with that being said, the teams that offer you the top end minutes are not playoff-caliber teams. So it really comes down to what you want as a player. You will spend one season with whoever you choose, and then you will be sent into the VHLM Dispersal Draft next season. So if you are looking to get big minutes, we probably aren't the fit for you. But if you are looking to potentially get a Founder's Cup under your belt in your first ever season, sign with us! 

Not only will you have a shot at winning a title in Yukon, but our franchise also prides itself on taking newer users in the league and helping grow them into stars. There's a lot of details for you to learn and Yukon is the perfect place to learn. Aside from myself and AGM @fromtheinside who are very hands on, we also multiple other players in management, as well as multiple league commissioners on our team this season. There is no shortage of resources at your disposal. If you like the sounds of this, quote my post here and reply with #FeelTheRush. Doing this will signify you want to sign with Yukon. From there, we will send you and offer and get in touch about joining the Team Discord. Regardless of who you choose, I hope you enjoy your time here in the VHL! All the best!

F L E E C E D

48 minutes ago, dlamb said:

Hello friends, thought I'd post here instead of creating my own. Give me some song suggestions! 

 

Any genre, just trying to expand my personal playlist. 

 

I only have one playlist I constantly have on, just shuffled, if anyone is interested (it goes back to 2017 and I haven't deleted anything, pls no judge): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4f3useQHPjiq1VokVhvyXh?si=a677953a67b941fa

 

 

 

Jesus dlamb, 500+ songs on your playlist

13 minutes ago, GustavMattias said:

Obligatory @Juice mention.

 

This is wild. You've been through a lot and I can respect that--good on you for following your dreams.

@bigAL, we talked a bunch in prep about Budapest as well as your situation, but to read it out when it's all done is a sight to behold. You have a wild story, but I can fully respect your decision to make the best thing for yourself and to make yourself truly happy. Everyone takes different strides to get to where they need and want to be, and reading your excitement build when talking about your soon to be future makes me excited for you!

Best of luck, and I'll meet you at the airport