TheNeonShaman

F - Christian Mingle @Josh

F - Jared Carter @fromtheinside

R - Defenceman @Josh

SAN DIEGO MARLINS PRESS CONFERENCE Week Ending November 21st, 2021 Answer for 2 TPE. Just message here or on discord if you have questions about this or claiming it. 1. How has your week been? 2. What is your favorite color? 3. What is your favorite fish? 4. Way way way too early season predictions for the VHL, who wins it all? 5. Marvel or DC? 6. Any presser question ideas? (Offseason I'm running out as you can see haha)

1. Already went to a VHL playoff game with Baardo (Moscow vs Malmo game 2), it was pretty fun, maybe more travelling but that will remain to be seen. 2. Can't wait to see how this team is looking from the VHL! 3. Probably a combination of both. When trading picks to make a run you gotta get a good return in case the playoffs don't pan out. 4. I'm so hyped, I may not perform immediately as I adjust to Riga's system but hopefully I can make a good performance in the league this season. 5. Fans should celebrate being a part of the very first VHLE playoffs, if we didn't pull the season together in the middle we could have missed the playoffs completely. 6. Keep the bottle but the drink is to party.

SAN DIEGO MARLINS PRESS CONFERENCE Week Ending November 7th, 2021 Answer for 2 TPE. Just message here or on discord if you have questions about this or claiming it. 1. Any thoughts on the recent changes to the VLHM and VHLE team structure? 2. What city should the Yukon Rush relocate to, Geneva or Vienna? 3. How does the VHLM shrinking change the compete level for you? Does it go up or will the top teams just squash all competition? 4. Where are you hoping to go in drafts this offseason? 5. If the Marlins were to pursue a sponsor deal, what brands would you suggest? 6. Bit late for a candy question but candy corn, yes or no?

I'll definitely sign up.

Review: I love the background and the effect you used. The edit you showed me of the top cut down so his head didn't look weird looked even better. The things for me would to make the text fit a bit more, outline and drop shadow on the signature and a more fitting yellow color on the other text. 7/10 great graphic!

Ha, yeah it's a painful one too lol.

SAN DIEGO MARLINS PRESS CONFERENCE Week Ending November 7th, 2021 Answer for 2 TPE. Just message here or on discord if you have questions about this or claiming it. 1. How will you be spending your offseason? 2. What areas of your game will you be working on before next season? 3. What are your goals for next season? 4. Ottawa or Yukon to win the Founder's Cup? 5. What is your favorite vacation spot? 6. Your GM JB was recently spotted at the San Diego Zoo and doing what appeared to be talking to dolphins and other sea life. Any thoughts?

*Show's theme song plays as the camera fades in to show Joe Smith and Donny Carter sitting in two chairs across from each other* Smith: Well folks we are here once again with Bratislava Watchmen forward Donny Carter. Donny, that playoff series did not go as planned. What went wrong for the Watchmen and why was Rome so dominant? Carter: Thanks for having me Joe. It really was a tough series to be a part of. They had a swagger to them and just kept control of the puck a lot. We knew it would be a tough series and unfortunately we couldn't get enough scoring going. Smith: It certainly wasn't an issue for you! You had, let me just see here... *Joe checks his notes for a solid 20 seconds, adding in phrases like: yes, yes and oh where'd I put that...* 5 points in 4 playoff games, tied for the team's lead in points with Jlloyoid Blloyoiderson. How did you personally feel about your game. Carter: I was pretty good to my own standards, and thought my compete level was decent. I do wish I could have helped more to win at least one game. Smith: That's right you are now on a 12 game playoff losing streak, is that affecting you in any way or are you just playing. Carter: I'm trying not to think about it but I would be lying if I said that wasn't in the back of my head. Definitely tough as I've only won one playoff series coming out of the VHLM and VHLE. Smith: That's right! *Donny looks confused as Joe stares directly at him silently for 2 seconds* You are on your way up to Riga this year as part of the young core you guys have. Reuniting with Spaz from your Philly days, you two are part of the youth movement for the Reign. How is that looking for you and what are you looking to accomplish in your first season with Riga. Carter: Well I'm super excited to get a chance with Riga, and while the perfect season would have me win rookie of the year, I just want to be a solid contributor for the team. Nothing too special but maybe also put in 15 goals and 20 assists as the point goals. I would not be disappointed in any way with that. Smith: As we've seen from you recently, those goals are definitely reachable. Now as long as I'd like to sit here and talk, we have another guest here on the show today, so Donny thank you so much for joining us today. Carter: Appreciate the time Joe. *Show's theme song plays as the camera fades to commercials. After they play the show's theme song plays once again as the shot of the two chairs fades back in, this time to reveal Joe Smith sitting across from Don Carter, new AGM of the San Diego Marlins* Smith: And welcome back folks, today we have a new guest on the show. The newly appointed AGM of the San Diego Marlins, Don Carter. Don how's it going. Carter: It's going pretty good today, how are you? Smith: I am doing just fine. Now Don, first time in management. How are you feeling so far? Carter: I'm feeling great about it. Talking with the GM JB he's a great guy and I'm really happy to have been given the opportunity to help lead the Marlins to some success in the season and hopefully the playoffs. Smith: If you are able, what have you and JB been talking about so far for management duties? Carter: Just planning for the offseason you know, scouting for the draft and stuff like that. I'm definitely excited to see where we will be picking because that does determine a lot looking at who's gonna go around where you know? Smith: *clearly is confused* So you can predict where players are going to be drafted? Carter: Well no, we are just using their stats and how good they are to guess. Smith: Ohhhh. Okay. Well that's gonna be it for today everyone. Don thanks so much for joining us and I wish you the best of luck as the new AGM in San Diego. Carter: The pleasure is all mine Joe, thanks for having me! Smith: Cut! Word Count: 721 For Week of 11/7

Thank you everyone for the support and I'm excited to take on my first management role and help JB make San Diego a seriously good team!

Hi JB, I am interested in the position of AGM in San Diego. I just came off my third season in the VHL (two in the M and one in the E), and was the alternate captain on Bratislava this past season. Though I have no management experience, I do know how to make a locker room good for everyone and I'm online very often. I also have time for scouting prospects and looking through the waiver for players that could help our team. If you need to know anything more just message me on the forum or on discord (TheNeonShaman #2937). I appreciate the opportunity and thank you for the consideration.

1. It was a tough one, we just couldn't push the team over the hump. It's unfortunate but definitely a season I will never forget. 2. Probably becoming elite as a two-way playmaker. I gotta lock down my defensive skills and also my passing abilities. Going up to the VHL means I gotta step up my game. 3. I would like to wish my fellow VHLE graduates the very best of luck in the big leagues, and I can't wait to play against you. 4. Nah no one person takes the blame. We win as a team, we lose as a team, that's the Watchmen way. 5. Mashed potatoes. I'll bring some toppings for it too. Others can handle drinks but I will supply the best mashed potatoes you've ever had. 6. I'll do a bit of travelling. Maybe go with Baardo to some VHL playoff games.

Thank you so much for the kind words, and you've been a fantastic GM!

Holy this graphic is so cool! I love the background and how it ties into the logo of the team. The detail in that is remarkable, but also the player itself is amazing! The amount of detail you were able to pack in blows me away, and it looks almost like he's a real person. All the shadows and everything is so well done. 10/10

Review: It's a decent graphic. The background and those spots of blue is the thing you definitely did best. The text looks a bit weird with the box, but the font you did definitely works. I think the thing throwing me off is the line of light blue around the player. It doesn't fit and I think a stroke around it would look better. It's not bad for trying out some new things, and I think if you keep experimenting with it, you'll make something cool. Rating: 5.5/10

*show's theme song plays as the screen fades out of a commercial and into the interview. Joe Smith and Donny Carter are sitting across from each other on stage* Smith: Well Donny it's been a bit but we've finally got you back on the show. Carter: Glad to be back! Smith: You've had a terrific season with Bratislava, finishing with 94 points and 31 goals, all new highs for you. Is there anything that you did differently this season to perform better or did it just come naturally? Carter: Oh believe me this was anything but natural. The new team setting for the third year in a row was a big help as the training regimen presented in Bratislava was very different and harder than in the minors. Also being named Assistant Captain really made me push myself to be the best I could be to help the team. I had some internal competition too with Janny and Brozy. They did both beat me in points for the year, but they pushed me to train harder than ever and I am really happy with how that helped me perform. Smith: That is just beautiful Donny *wipes a fake tear away* it really was a pleasure watching you mature and bloom into the incredible playmaker you were this season. I do want to talk about your performance as a team though. Midway through the season, you guys fell to last place in the league. How did that feel for you guys and what was the motivation you as a team had to make the push and get all the way up to 3rd place? Carter: We hit bottom early, which was really lucky for us. We experimented with the lines and eventually we found the perfect combination just as both of our goalies found their game again. I was very happy to be paired with Baardo as we had a lot of chemistry on Houston, and adding Pippo to that line to boost the production and everything went right. We had a big push in the second half of the season and just climbed the standings. Smith: And you climbed those standings right into a playoff spot. What do you think about the playoffs this year and how the matchup with Rome will go? Carter: Oh man I'm really trying not to overhype myself. With this being the first playoffs for the VHLE that makes the winner the first one ever. That's already a lot of pressure on top of the normal playoff pressure. What I'm really trying to do is just not think about any of the milestones and records and firsts and just play my game. Obviously it's very cool and it's an incredible opportunity to have, but focusing on that too much will just distract me. My goal is to focus on playing Rome, and winning that series. Taking it a game at a time. Rome is a very good team and it's one that's given us trouble all year. The way we will beat them is just by being more focused, playing as a team, all those great hockey cliches, but they are all true. If we play our game, we should win this series. But again, anything can happen. Smith: That it can Donny. That it can. Now I want to talk about Stockholm, as they also had kind of a resurgence as a team. They were second in the standings to Rome, then you passed them and they just went off. They took first by a very large margin and are an incredible team. Assuming they beat Vasteras, how do you think you would be able to do against them if you play them later. Carter: Like I said Joe, I'm taking it one game at a time. The Vikings are a very tough team to face and they should be a challenge for any team in the playoffs. Smith: Well you said it. Unfortunately that's all the time we have today, Donny thanks so much for joining us again and good luck in the playoffs! Carter: Always a pleasure Joe. *show's theme song plays as the screen fades to commercials* For Week of 10/31 Word Count: 696

1. Well the power play is a huge thing for us, but honestly everyone talks in the locker room and we've really just become a machine together. 3 guys in the top 10 doesn't even say anything to the 5 guys above a points per game and 7 of us had over 70 points in 72 games. It was a huge effort by everyone and Janny, Brozy, and me wouldn't have been able to hit the point totals we did without the rest of the team. 2. He's definitely not the loudest guy in the room, he does crack a few jokes though. Logan does come alive on the ice, very loud and you can tell he has been like that for a while. 3. Really trying not to focus on the end goal. Just taking it one game at a time because if you get caught up in wanting to make history, it can get in your head and the pressure can make you crash. 4. Just pure facts is all I see. 5. I think I could, but I'm definitely focusing on my playmaking. My assist total was more than double my amount of goals. I am very proud of 30 goals though. 6. Lighthouse. I will be a big... tall... thick... beautiful... lighthouse.

Review (may be a bit bias): What a spectacular piece of art! Everything works together perfectly, from the beautiful Bratislava colors to the way you rendered Donny in, you captured everything amazing about the team and player. I love the text you have and the only small critique I have is maybe put a stroke effect on the text to make it pop just that little bit more. Other than that it's glorious! 11.9/10

1. His work ethic is the stereotypical answer, and his superstitions is the one me and some of the other guys think. Don't tell him but we have a betting pool on which superstition gives him his hockey talent. One guy (who remains unspoken) thinks he uses black magic. 2. Nah give the fans what they want, Bratislava has gotta get some Watchmen spirit going now that the race for the playoffs is starting to kick off. 3. You love to see it, the more scoring from the depth, the stronger the team. 4. I mean. He is the best and none of us really have anything on him. So he was being honest. Celebrating a big win and being honest isn't something that gets people in trouble. 5. It's very star-studded so I'm not surprised our power play has been so good. 6. Yes. Losing most of our fights is bad and Baardo doesn't need another black eye.

Week 2 Claim (for week of 10/24)

2. Practice makes perfect is the saying, and I'll stand by it. Having a brand new training facility would be amazing for the team. 3. Nope. That man is unstoppable. 7. Makes perfect sense. We've gone on a hot streak recently and we have so much talent on the team, no trade would make sense. 8. Not at all. I have no clue what I will do, but maybe being a commentator could be fun. 9. We are already winning a bunch of games now, I think if we start losing we gotta make sure to maybe mix up the lines but I think we'll have a big climb up the standings ahead of us. 10. It's been phenomenal. I've had an absolute blast with this team and being on the first ever Bratislava Watchmen lineup, let alone being one of the first assistant captains is so cool. 11. 100%, that was my choice after all.

This is a very nice graphic. The text works well both font and color wise, maybe have the first name a bit bigger or a bit more legible but that's just me. You got a admirable jersey and logo swap, flawless except for the small hurricanes logo on the goalie helmet, but now I'm just nitpicking. All around a very good graphic. 9.5/10

The Watchmen have a lineup of stars, and that's reflected by many of the team's players being at the top of the league in some sort of category, but just how good has this lineup been, and who's not performing like the others? (listed by number of points on 10/3) Jakub Brozik The captain of the Bratislava Watchmen has performed exceptionally this season. He leads the entire league in points with 45 (17 goals, 28 assists) in 24 games. He also is 10th in shots, tied for 2nd in +/-, and is 6th in game winning goals. He has been the leading force for the Watchmen, and does not look to be slowing down. There is so much to like about this season and he is definitely an early season favorite for some awards. Donny Carter Carter has been sort of a surprise performer for the Watchmen as he was picked in the 8th round of the VHLE draft, but has also performed very well. Carter is 9th in the league with 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists) in 24 games. He also is 7th in shots, and is one of 6 players in the VHLE with a hattrick. Definitely a breakout season after being average or just above average in the minors. Carter has been back and forth between the top two lines and has produced on both. He was named assistant captain for the team as well. Jannik Nylen The first pick of the VHLE draft for the Watchmen has not disappointed this season. Nylen has been an absolute force on the back end, and much of the success the Watchmen have had can be attributed to Nylen in at least one way. He has 33 points (6 goals, 27 assists) in 24 games this season, has the second most points among defencemen, is 4th in blocked shots, and is 3rd in the league for +/-. When he is on the ice, you can expect not just stellar defence but genuine offensive chances all through his shift, powering the Watchmen offence from the back end. Bratislava can probably expect to see Nylen put up some monster numbers for a defenceman, probably challenging for an award by the end of the season. Jlloyoid Blloyoiderson The 1st line center for the Watchmen, Blloyoiderson has been extremely good. With 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 24 games, he has held down the middle of the ice and helped the top line to be as successful as it is. Blloyoiderson leads the league in +/- and also joins Donny Carter as one of 6 players in the league with a hattrick. He has had a very solid and consistent season and that very well could continue. Sven Eightnine A rock on defense, Eightnine has 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 24 games, rounding out the list of players who are point per game for Bratislava. He is 9th in points for a defenceman throughout the league, and among the top or even the top defenceman in goals. He has a booming shot and is fantastic on the powerplay for the Watchmen. John Baard John Baard has been a consistent second line presence for the Watchmen, and he is oh so close to being point per game with 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 24 games. He can definitely hit that point per game mark with a little bit of a push, may it be from a lineup change or if he just starts hitting a bunch of shots. He is a talented player, and a crucial part to the Watchmen offensive core. Pippo Coca The 2nd line center for the Watchmen, Coca has put up a very steady 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists) in 24 games. Though he hasn't put up insane numbers, he has done very well in the second line center position, and he is a very good setup man for Bratislava. If the lines get shaken up, expect Coca to directly benefit from it. Logain Ablar A skilled winger, Ablar has had more of a quiet season then some might have expected, but that doesn't mean it's anywhere near over. He still has a respectable 17 points (9 goals, 8 assists) in 24 games with Bratislava, and there is still 2/3 of the season left for him to start producing amazing numbers. Tony Adams The most defensive defenseman you can find on this team, Adams has a great 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) in 24 games. But where he really shines is in the defensive stats. He is 2nd in the league in +/-, 3rd in blocked shots, 5th in hits, and also an unfortunate 5th in penalty minutes. He is a bruising defenseman who also has some offensive talent. Without Adams, the team would not have the second best goal differential in the league, and he will continue to be a top backstop for the Watchmen this season. New Player Player has been a solid depth defenseman in the league, not putting up high point totals with 8 points (1 goal, 7 assists) in 16 games with the team. He's not relied on for points though, and he provides depth for the defensive position for Bratislava. Brendan Marner The final skater on the list, Marner has had a very slow season with only 4 points (0 goals, 4 assists) in 24 games. He does help provide depth though, and he has a very sheltered role on the team, so the limited numbers are more because of being low on the depth chart then anything. Alex Parise The first goalie on the team, Parise has played 13 out of 24 games for the Watchmen. Even though he has a 5-5-2 record, he has a very good 0.927 save percentage, which shows how close a lot of the games have been for the team this season. He is a very talented goalie and sits at 3rd in the league for save percentage and 4th for goals against on average. Definitely keeps his team in it until the end, Bratislava is lucky to have him. Orion D H Chiester IX Chiester has played in 12 out of 24 games and has the same record as Parise (5-5-2). He is the second half of a 1A 1B tandem, and is also very good in net. He is 7th in the league in save percentage and goals against on average. A respectable position, and for Bratislava to have him and Parise is very good for the team. Summary Even though the Watchmen sit at dead last, they are by no means the worst team in the league. It's been a battle for them, and Bratislava has the 2nd best goal differential in the league for a reason. The issue is winning close games, which is something they are struggling to do. Most of their losses have been by 1 goal, with 4 overtime losses to boot. Once the perfect chemistry has been found and the team starts clicking, the Watchmen will quickly rise to the top of the very close standings, as they have one of, if not the most talented roster in the VHLE. Word Count: 1196 For Weeks of 10/10 and 10/24