Alex

@nurx and @leandrofg ran the most recent version of it under VSN. Essentially we tried to shift the whole thing to have more individual content straight on VSN, shed a bit more light on the writers, give the graphics team more opportunities, and so on… I’ll admit that plan didn’t really work. I would be open to getting it going again. My main concern as always with anything VSN related is burnout as the tight deadlines can be tough.

@Jason kranz Hey everybody! Welcome to this season’s VHL Season preview, after a busy offseason, full of roster changes there’s been a considerable shift in team’s outlooks this season with a major shift towards the European Conference. So, without further to do, let’s jump right into it! North American Conference 1 - Calgary Wranglers Forward Rank - 5th Defense Rank - 4th Goalie Rank - 3rd Conference Rank - 1st League Rank - 3rd New GM @leandrofg, came in and made a splash this offseason, bringing in Skor McFleury @Alex and Pope Francis @nurx to revamp the defensive group. While the majority of the roster is still the same, and it is very well rounded, there is one main area for concern, specifically the lack of a pure goalscoring elite forward. This will likely hinder their offensive production this season. With that being said, they could very well cruise to the top of the conference, barring any scoring issues. 2 - D.C. Dragons Forward Rank - 3rd Defense Rank - 11th Goalie Rank - 7th Conference Rank - 2nd League Rank - 5th The D.C. Dragons were able to finally find a solution in goal with Henry Tucker Jr @NSG, the hope is that this improvement, along with Mark Calaway @Beketov hopefully stepping into the role of a number 1 defensemen. Overall D.C. is a very well rounded team, and if they can add a 4th defensemen, could be favourites to win the North American Conference. As of right now, the fate of D.C. rests with Jason @Jason kranz and The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath as they will both need to have great seasons for D.C. to succeed. 3 - Toronto Legion Forward Rank - 12th Defense Rank - 10th Goalie Rank - 6th Conference Rank - 5th League Rank - 10th Toronto is in a weird spot right now, while they do have the top end talent in every position, a lack of depth may hurt them as the season starts. However, It’s very difficult to overlook their core, and some players that are still improving on a weekly basis. Toronto is a bit of a question mark this season, but if they stay in contention until the trade deadline and use their cap space effectively, it won’t be a surprise when they repeat. 4 - Los Angeles Stars Forward Rank - 2nd Defense Rank - 12th Goalie Rank - 9th Conference Rank - 3rd League Rank - 7th If D.C.’s defense was an area of concern, Los Angeles’ is very much in the same boat. While LA still has one of the league’s best and most proven offenses led by Todd Cooke @KRZY and Larry Abass Jr @RileyL, Elias Lampi @Pifferfish will need to duplicate their S91 if Los Angeles is to be competitive. Los Angeles arguably has a uphill battle this season if they hope to avoid the wildcard round. With the steep drop off to the bottom 3 teams in the conference they should safely make the playoffs at least. 5 - New York Americans Forward Rank - 9th Defense Rank - 6th Goalie Rank - 11th Conference Rank - 4th League Rank - 8th New York? In the playoffs? That’s what we are predicting this season! @STZ hit the ground running, brining in FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist, and Malum Maellard @frescoelmo! In combination with the young rookie talents in Callum Gary Yannic Janser @Daniel Janser, WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW @rory, and Rin Kagamine @Rin. New York’s rookies are developing quickly and should make this a top team in no time. Making the playoffs would be huge for New York and for the first time in a while that is the expectation this season. 6 - Chicago Phoenix Forward Rank - 13th Defense Rank - 13th Goalie Rank - 12th Conference Rank - 6th League Rank - 14th The departure of Scotty Sundin @fromtheinside hurts, while most of the roster has improved, hoping for another miracle season is a far cry from the truth. While the addition of Yaroslav Trunov @qripll is an interesting move, they are similar in skill to Sundin. It will certainly be a tough season in Chicago. They are fairly well rounded and very young, there is a slight chance that Chicago at least makes the playoff race interesting, but it could be over quickly. 7 - Vancouver Wolves Forward Rank - 16th Defense Rank - 15th Goalie Rank - 14th Conference Rank - 8th League Rank - 16th Outside of Liv Slater @Subject056, there’s not much going on in Vancouver this season, which is expected given that their team is largely built around the S92 draft. While this season is clearly development focused in Vancouver, they should hit the ground running in S93. Vancouver could very well be in a battle for lottery odds with Seattle. 8 - Seattle Bears Forward Rank - 14th Defense Rank - 16th Goalie Rank - 16th Conference Rank - 7th League Rank - 15th Seattle is really taking their time with their development, while they do have some solid young players this season with Severus Targaryen @Banackock, Gustav Mathias @Berocka, Toby Kadachi @ROOKIE745, and Simons Worth Nightmare @zepheter, outside of them there isn’t much special this season, we can expect Seattle to likely be in a tank battle with Vancouver for most of this season. European Conference 1 - Prague Phantoms Forward Rank - 4th Defense Rank - 1st Goalie Rank - 5th Conference Rank - 2nd League Rank - 2nd Prague is back! After a disappointing end to S91 which saw the team just miss the playoffs, while their roster is essentially the same as the lone addition is Spanish Moon Moth @Renomitsu, we can expect a classic revenge season here, and don’t be surprised if Prague takes the league by storm this season. John Jameson @Frank is still a top 5 player in the league, and if Matt Murdock @Acydburn can deliver some solid goaltending, Prague should cruise to a top 3 spot in the conference and maybe a Victory Cup. 2 - Helsinki Titans Forward Rank - 6th Defense Rank - 2nd Goalie Rank - 4th Conference Rank - 3rd League Rank - 4th Helsinki was essentially able to run it back with their S91 roster which made it to the finals, with the lone change being as a result of the Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877 retirement, as Grimgor Ironside @FrostBeard made the jump to the VHL. With that being said, Helsinki is right behind London with their window quickly coming to a close as Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito has only 1 season left, and their core is primarily S86 players with Daryl Dixon @Ricer13, Rick Grimes @tinafrombobsburgers, and Fuukka Rask @Jubis. Expect to see Helsinki be a bit more aggressive down the road. With that being said they are definitely in the top tier of teams in the league and should challenge for a cup again. 3 - London United Forward Rank - 1st Defense Rank - 5th Goalie Rank - 1st Conference Rank - 1st League Rank - 1st Now London is in their twilight of their window, with Molly The Cat @JCarson retiring at the end of this season, and Jesse Teno @aimkin the following season. London may only have one or two more seasons left to compete. While the roster is very complete, they do lack a true number one defensemen. However, with the league’s top offense and goaltending, that’s honestly not much of a concern. If Teno can duplicate their S91, don’t be surprised if London pushes for the top of the conference. 4 - Malmo Nighthawks Forward Rank - 7th Defense Rank - 3rd Goalie Rank - 10th Conference Rank - 4th League Rank - 6th Malmo is coming off of an interesting offseason, with the salary cap costing them to have to trade away one of their better forwards and also losing one of the league top defensemen. The good news is, Jacob Stone @scoop is ready to step into that number 1 role, and their forward core is still very solid. Ironically, the only question with their roster is the same as last season, Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro has now solidified themselves into the second tier of goaltenders in the league, and while functional, the need for an elite goaltender still exists. The gap from 4th to 7th is very small, and for that reason it was difficult to come to conclusions on our predictions. We have Malmo towards the front of this group, but it’s anyone’s game. 5 - Moscow Menace Forward Rank - 11th Defense Rank - 9th Goalie Rank - 13th Conference Rank - 7th League Rank - 12th Moscow is probably the league’s biggest question mark heading into this season. While on paper right now the team is 7th in the EU, the roster is very well balanced, and the majority of the players are very high earning meaning that the gap will close and in a hurry. A fast start to the season could be all Moscow needs to make a playoff push down the road. The roster is relatively complete, and time may just be the only thing holding Moscow back this season. 6 - Riga Reign Forward Rank - 8th Defense Rank - 14th Goalie Rank - 15th Conference Rank - 6th League Rank - 11th Riga turned heads last season, and that made them difficult to place this time around. While they do have offensive talent to make the playoffs again, their defense and goaltending leave something to desire. AK92 Wit da Hoodie @hedgehog337 is coming off of a career season, and could very well be the “Scotty Sundin” of this season and pull Riga to the playoffs. Additionally, while their defense and goaltending is at the lower end of the league right now, they do have plenty of potential to improve and quickly. We have Riga somewhere in the middle of that 4th to 7th area. 7 - Warsaw Predators Forward Rank - 10th Defense Rank - 7th Goalie Rank - 8th Conference Rank - 5th League Rank - 9th Warsaw had a very busy offseason, bringing in a lot of players to strengthen their existing core. With that being said their recently acquired goaltender only has 1 season left in their career, and with no top goalie in the system, Warsaw is in do or die mode, as with no solution their window is this season. While there could be more long term solutions available next offseason, don’t be surprised if Warsaw moves a lot to push for the cup right now. With that being said they do have a bit of an uphill battle this season as they are lacking a true number one forward and defensemen. While they could finish anywhere between 4th and 7th, it will be close. 8 - HC Davos Dynamo Forward Rank - 15th Defense Rank - 8th Goalie Rank - 2nd Conference Rank - 8th League Rank - 13th Davos made the move into a much needed rebuild this season, but held onto David Jokinen @Ahma, a number 1 defensemen in the current landscape, and Lachlan Summers @kirbithan, now a franchise icon, potential future Hall of Famer, and the 2nd best goalie in the league. With this Davos does have a very interesting outlook this season, as while their offense won’t be setting the world on fire, they are very solid defensively and could potentially hold out to win a few low scoring games against just about any team. With that being said, those could be few and far between. Thank you for reading this season’s VHL preview! Best of luck to everyone this season!

Welcome!

1. We're about to start the season after a long off-season. How do you feel? Pretty good, we've got a very good team, should be interesting 2. What are your personal goals for the upcoming season? Would be nice to win an individual award, but team success comes first 3. What about team goals? THE CUP!!! 4. How do you think we stack up against the league? 3rd overall, but a decent gap to the next best NA team 5. Who's your early pick for the Continental Cup? Us or Helstinki 6. Which unconventional animal do you wish you could have as a pet? Hyena, they are just garbage disposals, will eat anything

Hi everyone! Also, welcome to all the new members! Today we have a very special announcement, with the conclusion of season 91, we had two Davos legends retire. So without further to do, let's dive right in: Jake Thunder @Thunder Part of the great S83 draft, Thunder was selected 19th overall by Davos. After spending S83 with the Oslo Storm where Thunder would be the league's best defensemen, they joined Davos for season 84. In season 84, Thunder would have a underwhelming rookie season with only 38 points. They would follow that season up with a 90 point season 85, where they would win their first individual award, the Dustin Funk Trophy as the league's most improved played. Following this Thunder would never has less than 80 points in a regular season again. In the regular season Thunder would go onto win the Alexander Beketov Trophy in S88, and the Jake Wylde and Sterling Labatte Trophies in S90. Thunder would also become the franchise leader in assists, and finish 4th in points. Thunder's game went to the next level in the playoffs, as they would have 109 points (the most in franchise history) in 98 career playoff games (also the most in franchise history). This culminated in Thunder winning the Daisuke Kanou Trophy as playoff MVP on route to a Continental Cup in S89. Thunder played their entire career with Davos, and certainly left a mark, from a early 2nd round pick, all the way to the Hall of Fame. Pete Mitchell @Crstats23 Also drafted in the S83 draft, Pete Mitchell was selected 11th overall. While Pete Mitchell was never spectacular in the regular season, they did have some great seasons and came a long way from the 15 points in their rookie season. Mitchell would go onto have 4 30+ goal seasons, and was over a point per game 5 times throughout their career. Mitchell's best season came in S87 and S89, where they would post 91 points in each season. In total Mitchell would have 529 points (7th most in Davos history), 217 of which were goals (also 7th most in Davos history). However, the playoffs is where Mitchell truly shined, as they would finish their career 2nd in all-time playoff points with Davos with 108 points in 98 playoff games. While Pete Mitchell never won any individual awards, they embodied what it meant to play for Davos, and it is with great pride that we are able to retire their number! On a personal note, thank you both for spending your entire careers with Davos, it has been great to get to know you both! Best of luck with your new players! @Thunder, please come back!

Just realized that LMFAO

S92 HC DAVOS DYNAMO CAPTAINS After a winning a Continental Cup in S89 and a Victory Cup in S90 and S91, Davos has taken a step back. Leading us this season is... Captain - David Jokinen @Ahma! Now in his 6th season with the team, and 5th as captain, Jokinen embodies everything a captain should be and leads by example on and off of the ice! Jokinen will look to lead Davos to another cup this season! Jokinen looks to take a massive step forward this season now as Davos' number 1 defensemen! Alternate - Lachlan Summers @kirbithan! Lachlan Summers has been arguably Davos's best player the past 4 seasons. Winning multiple awards, and a true number 1 goalie. Furthermore, they are very vocal and always look to encourage their teammates. This is Summers' first season with a 'A' and they'll be looking to propel Davos into the playoff discussion. S92 should be an interesting one in Davos, Let's have some fun!

Congrats @jacobcarson877 for getting the most right!

#DontBeSillyComeToPhilly

worked

IA Position change @Commissioner

Welcome!

Thanks for the trade talks @Frank! @JCV, welcome to Davos!!

Let me know if I need to call them back up, I’m fine either way.

Thank you for the trade talks @jacobcarson877, best of luck this season! @jakkysosa, best of luck in London! Go get that elusive cup!

With thunder’s career now over, I think that that are very solidly 2nd on this list. While they aren’t in the HOF yet, it isn’t even a question. Additionally, they do have more awards than any defensemen in the hybrid era, and more All-VHL team appointments than any player. Top 4 is likely Janser, Thunder, Lavelle, Payne

I'll apply!

Also 100% in favour of this, would be an amazing way for GMs to interact with the league!

All-VHL First Team Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg - Scotty Sundin @fromtheinside - Molly the Cat @JCarson Elias Lampi @Pifferfish - Skor McFleury @Alex Jesse Teno @aimkin All-VHL Second Team Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877 - AK92 wit da Hoodie @hedgehog337 - Larry Abass Jr @RileyL Jake Thunder @Thunder - Kronchy Kardashian @Garsh Joel Castle @animal74 All-VHL Rookie Team Axle Gunner @Steve - Shubham Anand @Will3 - Severus Targaryen @Banackock Simons Worst Nightmare @zepheter - Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage @Grape Ryan Artyomov @Enorama

The award everyone has been waiting for, The Scotty Campbell Trophy, is awarded to the VHL’s most valuable player each season. This past season 4 players stood ahead of everyone else and were some of the main reasons for their team’s success, they were; Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg, this past season Goncalves led the league in points with 112, and was the top of the league in goals with 55. Scotty Sundin @fromtheinside was the driving force behind Chicago last season which saw them finish 3rd in the North American conference and picked up 26 more points than their next closest teammate. Joel Castle @animal74, who put together a spectacular season between the pipes and helped Toronto keep in the playoff race and was 2nd in almost every goalie stat. Our final nominee is none other than Henry Tucker Jr @NSG, who propelled Riga into the playoffs, and was the backbone of their Victory Cup push. The wait is over, time to name the season 91 VHL MVP, the winner of the Scotty Campbell Trophy is…

This next award is decided by the community! It’s time to present the Brett Slobodzian Trophy, recognizing the most outstanding player in the VHL, decided by the VHL community. The ballot for this one is huge as we have 4 nominees and 96 total votes! Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg Scotty Sundin @fromtheinside Joel Castle @animal74 Jesse Teno @aimkin The winner of the Brett Slobodzian Trophy is…

The lone playoff-related playoff award, the Daisuke Kanou Trophy recognises the playoff MVP. This season we saw a forward take the league by storm and guide Toronto to the finals and eventually a Cup! That forward was none other than Mac Atlas @v.2 , who led Toronto in points with 29, almost 2 points per game! The other player that made a huge impact on Toronto’s success was none other than Joel Castle @animal74 who posted a 0.939 SV% and a 2.02 GAA. It is also important to look at Tomas Sogaard @Brandon who had 12 goals and 22 points for Toronto. For Helsinki Fuuka Rask @Jubis made all the difference during their run with a 0.938 SV% and a 2.31 GAA. The winner of the Season 91 Daisuke Kanou Trophy is…

Now that we have most of the player awards done it is time to honour the people who make it all happen with the David Knight Trophy which will be awarded to the leagues top general manager. Let’s meet the finalists: @hedgehog337 - While players left Riga in a series of massive trades, Riga got a way younger and built for the future. Even with selling, the team made a big jump in the standings and had an impressive season overall! @Alex - Made considerable moves to improve the roster for a final push with their aging roster by bringing in both Dogwood Maple and Leandro Goncalves. Those moves helped Davos capture their second consecutive Victory Cup. @KaleebtheMighty - Bolstered a young Malmo roster, by bringing in Skor McFleury, and steps from the existing roster players helped Malmo continue to progress towards success. @Ricer13 - Bought aggressively to quickly improve the young roster, and make a push back into the playoff picture. The bragging rights and the David Knight Trophy goes to…

The Aiden Shaw Trophy is presented to the VHLs top goaltender each season. This past season goalies continued to steal the show. Among goalies 3 stood out above the rest this past season, they are; Lachlan Summers @kirbithan, who continues to amaze as a now veteran goaltender in the league, finishing the season with a 0.933 SV% and a 2.24 GAA. Jesse Teno @aimkin, leaped back to spectacular form and posted a 0.937 SV% and a 2.02 GAA! Lastly, Joel Castle @animal74 was a key part of Toronto’s success this season with a 0.938 SV% and a 2.06 GAA. The season 91 Aiden Shaw Trophy winner is…