Tate

Dear VHL Members,
 
I am going to do one final podcast where I answer any/all questions from any/all members.  Feel free to post any questions below and you will be tagged once my retirement podcast is posted. 
 
Thank you in advance!

1. What type of person(s) would you describe yourselves as?
 
2. What are your thoughts on rigging in the VHL. Do you think we ever had any? Do you think it’s possible for riggery to happen now?
 
3. Favorite breakfast? 
 
4. If you could have any type of animal for a pet, what would it be?
 
5. If we could expand the VHL by one team in each conference, what city would you decide to put the teams in?
 
6. Favorite feel good movie? 

1. How’s your start to the season going?
 
2. any early season surprises (pleasant or unpleasant?)
 
3. It’s getting to Christmastime! Do you enjoy the holiday season?
 
4. what ancient civilization are you most interested in?
 
5. what are Vancouver’s chance of winning the cup this season?
 
6. the World Cup started today!! I’m excited. Will you watch any matches? 
 
@Tate 

1. What type of person would you describe yourself as?
 
2. What are your thoughts on rigging in the VHL. Do you think we ever had any? Do you think it’s possible for riggery to happen now?
 
3. favourite breakfast? 
 
4. if you could get any type of animal for a pet, what would you get?
 
5. if we could expansion the vhl by one team in each conference, what city would you decide to put the teams in?
 
6. favourite feel good movie? 

1. What your favorite place you’ve ever visited?
 
2. favorite NHL memory?
 
3. How would you rate Strass performance this season?
 
4. when faced with a dilemma, how do you go about responding to it?
 
5. what was your favourite birthday?
 
6. if your name was converted into an adjective, what would it be? “I’ll go all Phil on you..” etc 

If you cant do even number, you may have to wait until a prime number comes up.  Dont do non-prime odd #!!

Posting early cause I'm going on vacay.  @Phil helped produce this episode, but Phil my man, it's a mess.  Probably not worth the listen overall. 
 
 

IN THIS EPISODE I STEAL PODCAST QUESTIONS FROM @Tate. I ALSO LIVE REACT TO SIMS
 
VOLUME WARNING IN THE START. I FORGOT TO ADD THAT WHOOOPS

1. Why is patience a virtue when the early bird gets the worm?
 
2. What’s the line between a creative or funny player name, compared to a name that is deemed offensive?
 
3. How could the Wicked Witch of the West ever bathe if she melts in the water? 
 
4. Why do you think it is called a building when it is already built?
 
5. What is something city folk would be surprised to learn about when it comes to farm life?
 
6. If you could merge two animals into one super animal, what animals would you choose? And yes, mechanical upgrades are allowed. 

Love that opening song!  Keep up the fiction writing, always best to focus on what drives your mind 
 
 

Content warning: profanity is used.
 
https://anchor.fm/ctots/episodes/1117-e1qthvl

Well, here it is, my first day back to work from vacation and I spent literally all of my time off taking care of my sick son.  Holy crap, my kid has never been this sick before, and I had to cancel a trip I had booked out of town to stay with him.  It’s been reminiscent of when he was a newborn – sleepless nights, lots of vomit, and lots of crying.  Poor fella.  The good news is that we made it through last night without a single throw up.  Hopefully this means we’ve turned a corner.
 
Nice start for Fuhr, and Vancouver.  I’ll take the shutout, and I do hope it’s a sign of things to come this season.  I do feel as though we have a real chance at taking it all home this season, and there is no better feeling than being able to bet on yourself with confidence.  I really like our chances. 
 
I appreciate everyone reaching out, the more I think about it, the more I believe that this will be my last player here.  But don’t worry, I’m going to make the best of it.  
 
(190 words)

Well, here it is, my first day back to work from vacation and I spent literally all of my time off taking care of my sick son.  Holy crap, my kid has never been this sick before, and I had to cancel a trip I had booked out of town to stay with him.  It’s been reminiscent of when he was a newborn – sleepless nights, lots of vomit, and lots of crying.  Poor fella.  The good news is that we made it through last night without a single throw up.  Hopefully this means we’ve turned a corner.
 
Nice start for Fuhr, and Vancouver.  I’ll take the shutout, and I do hope it’s a sign of things to come this season.  I do feel as though we have a real chance at taking it all home this season, and there is no better feeling than being able to bet on yourself with confidence.  I really like our chances. 
 
I appreciate everyone reaching out, the more I think about it, the more I believe that this will be my last player here.  But don’t worry, I’m going to make the best of it.  
 
(190 words)

Well, here it is, my first day back to work from vacation and I spent literally all of my time off taking care of my sick son.  Holy crap, my kid has never been this sick before, and I had to cancel a trip I had booked out of town to stay with him.  It’s been reminiscent of when he was a newborn – sleepless nights, lots of vomit, and lots of crying.  Poor fella.  The good news is that we made it through last night without a single throw up.  Hopefully this means we’ve turned a corner.
 
Nice start for Fuhr, and Vancouver.  I’ll take the shutout, and I do hope it’s a sign of things to come this season.  I do feel as though we have a real chance at taking it all home this season, and there is no better feeling than being able to bet on yourself with confidence.  I really like our chances. 
 
I appreciate everyone reaching out, the more I think about it, the more I believe that this will be my last player here.  But don’t worry, I’m going to make the best of it.  
 
(190 words)

Hope your son feels better soon!

Well, here it is, my first day back to work from vacation and I spent literally all of my time off taking care of my sick son.  Holy crap, my kid has never been this sick before, and I had to cancel a trip I had booked out of town to stay with him.  It’s been reminiscent of when he was a newborn – sleepless nights, lots of vomit, and lots of crying.  Poor fella.  The good news is that we made it through last night without a single throw up.  Hopefully this means we’ve turned a corner.
 
Nice start for Fuhr, and Vancouver.  I’ll take the shutout, and I do hope it’s a sign of things to come this season.  I do feel as though we have a real chance at taking it all home this season, and there is no better feeling than being able to bet on yourself with confidence.  I really like our chances. 
 
I appreciate everyone reaching out, the more I think about it, the more I believe that this will be my last player here.  But don’t worry, I’m going to make the best of it.  
 
(190 words)

S85 Season Awards
Last season was the first full season as the Vancouver Wolves AGM and as we start a new chapter, a new season we are here to recognize the greatness of some of the players from last season. While the season didn`t finish the way that we wanted the season to finish we can be proud of the steps that we took towards the ultima goal of the team lifting the cup at the end of the season. So tonight we honor the past and we also take our first steps into the future as the season also begins tonight with Games against Calgary & Malmo. Without much more ado lets get started:
  
 
Best defenseman:
At the mid-mark last season this was clearly a one-horse race lead by Nathan Powers but as the season progressed another player started to lead the team and this really started to show in the Three stars selection. Which has no weight in the decision on whom will be selected as the Vancouvers Wolves top defender of Season 85, Which is award to:
 
 
Rookie of the Year:
Vancouver has been blessed with three talented rookies joining the team this season and all have played a huge role in the team’s success to date. Once again while it easy to look at the points total only, I like to see how has been contributing across the board in the end this race really tightened as all three improved through the season with only ten points between the three rookies at the end of the season. The early lead was enough to secure this award with 37 points, plus 11 and 6.99% shooting percentage & 20 blocked shots. The Rookie of the Year is:  
 
 
Unsung Hero
I don`t think anyone that has been following the Vancouver Wolves will be surprised by whom has been awarded with this award in the slightest as almost every one of his teams at some point stated that he was the Unsung Hero. While arguments could be made for other players, it was clear that the team went as this player went. The S85 Unsung Hero Award is none other than:  
 
 
Most Energetic
This award is usually for one of the most active members in the locker room and Vancouver has been blessed this season with a whole bunch of new players bring in great leadership, experience and energy to the locker room; which makes this award hard to award as three members have clearly been very positive impacts on the locker room this season. At the end of the day, it comes down to minor difference between these three players and through the long dark days two really stood out but the winner of the Most Energetic is
 
 
Most Valuable player
Again, this award is usually award to the player that scores the most points on the team but again I tend to look at different aspect as to what makes the player the most valuable to the team being a good team leader, on and off the ice while contributing to make the team better. While Brandt Fuhr @Tate must be considered as he is our current Unsung Hero, I once again think one player has stood head and shoulders above everyone else this season. Our current MVP is:
 
 
Little Wolf Award (Most Hits)
At the halfway mark of last season I was surprised that this player was even close to the top of this category but after a full season, learning the character of player this won`t surprise that may to learn that our Little Wolf Award is awarded to
 
 
Sniper Award (Shooting percentage)
This award shows which player is making the most of his opportunities around the net. At the halfway mark of the season, it was Anze Miklavz @kelvi leading the way with an impressive 9.88 shooting percentage but this number dropped to an 8.11% by the end of the season meaning that he was actually over taken by two players one being Biggie Cheese & not surprising Nico Pearce. The winner of the Sniper Award is:
 
 
  QB Award (PP Assists)
Every team requires a good power play if they are going to have success and this usually requires one individual to lead the power play aka the QB of the power play. While once gain this isn`t a debatable award and in the end one player really took over the leadership of the team power play. The QB Award for most power play assist is awarded to:
 
 
Tooth Fairy (PM Award)
Two players have really stood up this season for the younger wolves this season when teams have tried to take liberties. While most might think of players with the most penalty mintues as being goons or 4th line players. These two players showed that even skilled players can play with an edge as the team was lead in PM by Nico Pearce and Anze Miklavz at the end it was a close race of 139PM to 158PM. The winner of the Tooth Fairy award is none other than:
 
 
Always responsible (Plus/Minus)
This award was very close at the halfway mark of last season with Pierre Emile Bouchard leading the way with a plus 16 but he wouldn`t be able to maintain this award but not of his own doing since he did improve to a season ending plus 22 but this would only be good enough and tied for second on the team with two other players in Svatopluk Puk @otaznik and Alexandre Leduc. The winner would finish with an impressive plus 28 and if you have been following a long you know that number belongs to none other than:
 
 
Oops Sorry Eh!! (Least hits)
On every team you will always have that one player that just seems to avoid all possible contact and only throw a hit if he accidentally ran into you in the corner, which I am assuming is followed with an "Oops sorry I didn`t see you there. I will try not to hit you next time", response. He was the leader at the halfway mark of last season and stayed very consistent as he threw 12 hits in the first half and only threw another 12 to finish with a massive 24 excuse me!! The Vancouver Wolves Oops Sorry Eh!! Award goes to none other than:
 
 
It wasn`t me(Least PM) While some players play rough and loose with their sticks making most scared to enter the corner with them for fear of accidentally being clipped by stick, elbow or glove. This player is on the other end of the spectrum and most likely took the fall for another player on the team. Our halfway mark leader had only 4PM but went on the rampage in the second part of the season finishing with a massive 34PM as they clearly didn`t want this award or had just as many accidents on the ice as he did off the ice last season. So we have a new leader at the end of the season and I am not sure if this player took a penalty in the second half or now since he finished with a very low 12PM. The Winner of the It wasn`t me Award is:
 
 
 Shoot the lights out (Most shots) To no one surprise this award should be as this player lead the team most of the season and was top in the league for a good part of the season. Sadly, he finished second in shots as well last season but still held an impressive record of 9.31% shooting meaning he wasn`t just shooting from everywhere. With 537 shots our Shoot the lights out Award is awarded to:

 
 
Work Horse Award (AMG) At the halfway mark of last season it was a bit of a surprise to see this player with more than 30.40 of ice time but this would slightly increase in the second half to 30.41 minutes per night.  So no one should be surprised that our Work Horse Award for the Most Minutes played is awarded to:

 
 
Common Coach (Least played) With only 24.99 average ice time per game leading the way at the halfway mark of the season it was nice to see the least played player actually have a soild second half of the season and funny enough actually getting even less minutes of ice time as his ice team would drop to 24.76. Despite playing two minutes less then his fellow rookies, the simple fact that this player produced as much as he did with the limited ice time bodes well for the future. The winner of the Common Coach award is:
 
 
Bruised & Battered Award (SB Award)
A defender or a forward willing to lay down the body in front of the net playing goaltender when the game is on the line like a unsung hero might actually not get recognized for the defensive efforts. Two player were tied with 87 Blocked shots at the halfway mark of the season but one more then other decided to lay his body on the line to help the team win with a final total of 158 12 more than the player he was tied with at the hallway mark. The Bruised & Battered Award goes to newly retired:
 
 
Three Star Award


He had massive lead at the halfway mark of last season and only a huge run from another member of the team would have been enough to knock him off the top step of the Three Stars Award. While one player did make a small run no one had enough to knock off Nico Pearce from the top. Nico Pearce finished with 14 First stars; six more than any other Wolves player; Six second stars, Second only to Bouchards` seven and six third star selection; Third on the team. He was selected 26 times as Three star selection or 64% of the time. He finishes with 600pts to second place Anze Miklavz 380pts. This years Three star Award winner is:
 
 
1ST Star
2nd Star
3rd star
Total
Points
Nico Pearce 
14
6
6
26
600
Anze Miklavz
8
3
8
19
380
Brandt Fuhr
5
6
3
14
300
Biggie Cheese
6
2
6
14
280
Alexandre Leduc
1
5
11
17
240
Pierre Emile Bouchard
1
7
 
8
170
Nathan Powers
1
2
3
6
100
Dogwood Maple
 
4
2
6
100
Henry Eagles
2
1
1
4
90
Wattson Power
1
1
1
3
60
Svatopluk Puk
 
1
 
1
20
B-VAN C1
 
 
1
1
10
 
 
Top Prospect Award:
Part of the managing any team in the any of the three leagues is to continue to look to future while trying to be competitive today and a huge aspect of any team’s future is the teams prospects. We are very luck as we have three prospects that are still earning and looking to become future part of the Wolves with William Futch @Futch, Alex Bridges III  @Oatex and Jimmy MacElroy  @Xflexz all developing in the VHLE this season. This isn`t the readiest prospect but rather to highlight a rather impressive season that they are currently having while developing. William Futch led the prospect last season with 28pts at the halfway mark and would finish the season with 46pts for just over half a point per game. The big question is who finished on top by season end? The Top Prospect Award goes to:
 
 
Final Thoughts:
It was a great and surprising season that see the team change from a bottom feeder to a top dog but this season is going to be even tougher as no one is going to take this team lightly. I am very proud of the team for what we accomplished but this season we want more. A full season of development growth on all the young prospects and veteran players returning means it is time to lift the cup. While I hate to label this a cup of bust season; This is one of our best chances so lets give it our best.
 
2900 words Claiming for Nov 20th, 27th, Dec 4th & Dec 11th

I don’t know if I agree that you don’t fit in. I didn’t have anything really to say about your case against the mods. I don’t think what you were saying was necessarily wrong, but I don’t personally think Fong or any of the mod team are doing anything egregiously wrong. I don’t necessarily agree with all their rulings entirely, and there’s probably room for improvement now and then, but overall I think they’re fine.
 
I don’t want to invalidate how your experience with the mod team made you feel, but I personally don’t think any of it is a big deal. I wasn’t around 3 years ago, so I don’t even really know anything about that incident and don’t judge anyone about it. Your last suspension was unfortunate, but I wouldn’t go as far to say that it ruined your reputation in the league (at least from my perspective). All the cool kids get suspensions now and then.
 
Other notes:
 
- You were looking for the word “placebo.”
 
- Which games are sports is a very philosophical question!
 
My couple pennies, enjoyable podcast as always,

Posting early cause I'm going on vacay.  @Phil helped produce this episode, but Phil my man, it's a mess.  Probably not worth the listen overall. 
 
 

Solid advice from a true Gem, thank you @Gaikoku-hito  ❤️

Just because people stay silent doesn`t mean that they don`t stand behind you but one strong voice speaking for the group is stronger then a bunch of individuals screaming all at the same time. I also understand the questioning of your place here and wondering what you are holding onto since I went through a similar experience here in the league after questioning a few different individuals in the league over different topic. What I learned at the time was some are held to different standards then most in the league. You either fall in line or they will black list you. This is most likely what you are feeling now.
 
Why are you here? That I cannot answer but I can tell you that I stayed since my experience with most managers out weighs the few bad experience that I had; not to mention all the work that I had completed with my player and the fact that I love hockey. While I am disappointed that the league as whole really doesn`t talk about hockey other then the sim games, and teams. I find my want to improve in writing, graphics and trying to have fun drives my participation in the league, so my current player was suppose to be a welfare player only but I simple couldn`t earn TPE as I need to express my thoughts. Am I holding back of my true opinions, sometimes yes simply because at the end of the day this is a sim league where I come to enjoy myself around a sport that I enjoy. 
 
Find what you enjoy and then hold onto it. Push away the negative thoughts, opinions and individuals. Fight your own fights.  You will then enjoy the league more.

1. What’s the best thing you’ve watched on TV lately?
 
2. what’s the best thing that has happened to you in the VHL lately?
 
3. How was Strassmore's offseason?
 
4. Are you planning on testing out free agency?
 
5. would you steal bread to feed your family?
 
6. Who’s a person that’s have a hugely positive impact on your life?

1. What your favorite place you’ve ever visited?
 
2. favorite NHL memory?
 
3. How would you rate Strass performance this season?
 
4. when faced with a dilemma, how do you go about responding to it?
 
5. what was your favourite birthday?
 
6. if your name was converted into an adjective, what would it be? “I’ll go all Phil on you..” etc 

Well, it’s been quite the week overall since I last did an article, and this time around it won’t be as controversial or aggressive.  I think I accomplished what I set out to do in that I was heard, and those who are currently in leadership positions did take notice of what I had to say regarding the mods.  It remains to be seen what impact this might have (if at all), but at least I got it out and I didn’t sit back and stay silent.  It’s important to stand up for what you believe in, and no matter what the outcome you will never make everyone happy.
 
That sort of leads into my next thought.  While I did get some great feedback from members, I also received a considerable amount of silence and distaste from others.  This was to be expected because no one really likes it when people stir the pot, especially when it goes against individuals, they consider to be good friends—but the whole experience has made me question my place here.  What is it that I’m holding onto?  It would appear as though I am in the minority when it comes to how this place should operate, and the kind of mentality/mindset it should have.  I’ve gotten a clearer picture of how I’m viewed here, and I don’t know that I am the right kind of fit for this community.
 
Maybe that’s been the trouble all along? 
 
We have a saying that goes along the lines of, “you can’t blame a person for trying.”   But when should you stop them from trying to force a circle into a square?
 
(275 words)

Clutch comment of the century.