Scurvy

Get yo Shit Together! Playing like Emoney002 out there! I expect better next game

Well….my player is officially watching the S88 playoffs from home (which sucks) but I need the TPE so this week I thought I’d talk about some random VHL stuff, make some predictions for the playoffs, a look in a Rip Wheeler’s progress, and maybe talk about my next re-create in two seasons. PLAYOFFS: The wildcard is in full swing and I just was alerted on my phone that Vancouver just beat a tough Los Angeles Stars club. Credit goes to @Frank for some trade deadline moves to make Vancouver once again a powerful club come playoffs. The NA conference is tough as hell this year with Seattle probably being the favorite based on regular season but you can never count out Calgary and Chicago (my pick). In the EU, London knocked off an up-and-coming Riga club 3 games to 1. London is stacked on defense with some veteran talent. The EU is a mess as usual with so many great teams moving up and down the standings weekly. Davos was sinking near the bottom half and came alive to end up in 2nd. Prague (my pick last year) is a truly gifted club that can score massive amounts of goals and stop them as well. Moscow is the team that NEVER misses the playoffs it seems. Even though I am watching from the sidelines I am excited to see who wins the division. RIP WHEELER UPDATE Now its hard to recruit people to the VHL SIM league. It takes the right type of personality and for someone to be successful In a SIM League. I recognize that some people just aren’t committed enough to put an hour or two a week into writing something to get some points. But when I recruited @ScottyP I knew (hoped) he was the right fit. I mean I was right about Jake Thunder @Thunderwho now is the best defenseman In the game. Now here is where I talk shit to motivate ole RIP. You see I know ScottyPs real life. It is filled with free time, too much bourbon, and free time. I just looked at his updates and while not bad, I am not seeing max earning. Easy tasks such as press conference and VHL.COM are missed, and even when he doesn’t complete these tasks he forgets to click welfare. Now, I know Rip is saddened to see his player not putting up expected numbers and some dwindling ice time on a pretty full roster but that’s even more incentive to earn to get on to Riga. Best of luck Rip and I will be talking to you tmrw at work. NEXT RE-CREATE Now, Brian Payne has two more seasons to go before retirement. I learned a lot on my first player like when to start banking (leaned the hard way), where to put points, and how to keep earning so my player stays good for the club. When I came into the VHL(S82) there were some veteran players I really like checking in on. Druss Deathwalker @animal74, Duncan Idaho @OrbitingDeath , and Tui Sova @v.2 were the three I consistently looked at their box scores. Druss cuz he was an absolute killer with a great name, Idaho because he was tough and scored in bunches, and Tui because he was a the top of the defenseman game and at heart I am always a defenseman. I am now torn between attempting my next build in one of these three’s path. I am partial to always playing defense because that’s the position I enjoy most. But, I might mix it up. Either way I am going to max earn again on my next build and hope that he will be half as good as these three. 622 words

S88 is officially reached the post season and first the first time in his career, Brian Payne is watching from the golf course club house. From his rookie season in the VHLM, one season in E, and now 6 seasons in the show, he finds himself in an unfamiliar place. We ran into Payne after Warsaw’s final player/coach meetings and he said the following: Reporter: How upset are you with such a talented team not making the playoffs? Payne: “Well it sucks. This was Kiss’s @Kisslingerand Marner’s @MetalToday last season before retirement and I really wanted them to taste some wins on the way to another Cup. They poured their heart and soul for the Preds, and we failed them.” Reporter: Brian, what’s next for you and the team. How do you approach next year? Payne: “well back to basics. We still have an amazing group of players like Girts. I think Girts @Girtswill step up an lead the club next year for sure.” Reporter: You’re the Warsaw all-time leading penalty minute leader, blocked shots leader, and in top 5 in hits. Are looking for some breakout years in your last two season to put that out of reach? Payne: “Well I could care less really. Pretty much a stupid question. I care only for wins, and I play the game that has gotten me here and what I think helps the team the most. Goodbye."

Sorry Crashing in again! Not sure we have an AGM anymore ?? 1. Payne did ok. Decent numbers, hits and SB were down but overall can't complain. Especially after taking a beating on depreciation. 2. I like to max out every week but had a few travel weeks were I didn't earn well enough. 3. Having 9 fights. 4. Not making playoffs 5. Jacob 6. Hmm. Not in your room but I would guess Molly the CaT

1. Molotov 2. 4 3. 4th 4.Davos. - BEAT THEM 5. Yes, Davos will choke LOL and I think you match up against Helsinki well 6. Molly the Cat

Massive jinx. Rookie move

So checking out some stats today trying to find some shit to write about when I noticed the top two rookies in scoring are both defenders. Being a defensive player myself I always love to see defense in the top categories. So here is a quick shoutout to two rookie defenders killing it! Number 1 in scoring right now is Malmo Defenseman, Jacob Stone @scoop. This 606 222lb monster was the 5th overall selection in S88 and currently has 9 goals 25 assists for 34 pts and 125 blocked shots. Stone played for Stockholm last year in the VHLE and put up some numbers with 28 goals 55 assists 83 pts, 137 hits and 168 blocked shots. Stone has some offensive upside and likes to fill lanes and sacrifice his body to help his club. Number 2 in scoring is Helsinki Dman, Kronchy Kardashian @Garsh. The S87 #7 overall pick is as smaller player who plays taller than he is. KK is not afraid to bang with opposing players and like Stone he will stand in front of any puck to help his goalie. At the 54-game mark, Kronchy has 6 goals (4 on power play) 28 assists 34 points, 77 hits and 118 SB. Also, last year In the E Kronchy put up some amazing number with 26 goals 77 Assists for 103 points! Tremendous upside for Helsinki. I for one am excited to see two Defensive players leading the charge and hope that one of these two wins the rookie of the year trophy! Great job Stone and Kronchy!

Sorry crashing your PC for TPE this week. We haven't had one up in weeks. 1. I think it s a great addition to your club. You guys are firing on all cylinders at the right time. 2. Hmmmm. Sock Monkey, AK92 Wit a Hoodie come to mind 3. Pete Mitchell 4. Warsaw--- That would mean we made the playoffs 5. Vincent Desharnais - Edmonton 6. I did not. I thought their curse would remain 7. Supernatural (Season 14)---- with wife 8. Sorry

As a San Diego alum…you made the right choice.

For this week’s Around the League in 500 words I figured I’d cover the current race to playoffs in VHL, honoring two Predator legends, , and check in on Rip Wheeler’s effort thus far. Continental Cup Race At around the 50-game mark VHL clubs in the EU and NA are in a desperate and close race to the gain playoff spots. In the NA conference Chicago and Seattle are battling back and forth for the top spot and I see overall leader change weekly. Don’t sleep on Calgary, LA, and Vancouver either as they all can put up numbers quick and who knows what trades could happen that could bring those 3,4,5 clubs to the forefront. Overall, I predict Chicago to pull ahead and win the division. As per usual in the EU, crazy shit is happening. Last year playoff surprise club, Riga, is in last place, a tough and usually high scoring Warsaw is in 2nd to last, while Prague and London have launched their way into a definite playoff spot. Prague was my last year’s underrated club and I am not surprised to see them killing the division. They are tough in goal, offense, and D so I am happy to see their success. Meanwhile, Davos, London, Helsinki, and Moscow are all still very competitive clubs and if we know something about the EU is that no division lead is safe. I predict Prague to win division. Marner and Kisslinger set Pred records Its official, Brendan Marner @MetalToday and Zach Kisslinger @Kisslinger are Warsaw royalty! As of this season they have officially become the #1 and #2 all time scorers for the club as well as #1 and 2 in hits. These two warriors have been a cornerstone in the last 8 season for a club that has known mostly success. They are both set to retire at the end of the season and its looking like Warsaw might not make the post season. Sad to see if they don’t. Marner is currently siting #1 in points this season with 80 so I am hoping he can win a scoring title in his final year. Zach Kisslinger: 554 games 227 G 424 A 701 pts 1690 hits Brendan Marner: 482 g 281 G 376 A 657 pts. 1550 hits Great job you two and I have been proud to be on the same club with you both! PAYNE RIP “MFING” Wheeler OK…so partly this is to get Rip @ScottyPScott focused on earning as we were “working” the other day and I asked him if he had done his point tasks. I saw the dumbfounded, somewhat dullard look on his face and knew that he hadn’t. Not only didn’t he do his tasks, the dumdum said forgot to even do welfare. It happens. But, as I look at his updates I have to say I am pretty proud of my recruit thus far. He is playing for a 4th place Oslo club with quite a few forwards. He currently sits at 311 TPE and has 12 G 17 A 29 PTS in 52 games. Not great numbers but lots of room for improvement. He does have a decent total of hits with 146 but only 7 blocked shots!!!! C’mon Rip, don’t be afraid to get in front of something, this isn’t powder puff! @Thunder is going to clown you for that number. I am rooting for Rip to keep earning so I can play against him in the VHL next season....and smash his face. Happy May everyone!

Ha. I get the same with Payne I’m sure

Oh hell yeah..hes a beast. Dude put up numbers too!

Sorry I am crashing your PC since ours hasn't gone up in ages 1. I think it will be huge for you guys. Both of your teams match up well and it should be an exciting race. 2. I am banking mostly. Depreciation hurt Payne bad this year and didn't have enough TPE to cover losses. So I added some defense and am banking until next season. 3. I think adding good young talent will serve you well in case someone goes IA. Finding a diamond in the rough in VHLM and mentoring them through is a good plan. 4. Defense 5. HMMMMM.. World War 2 history 6. Read

Were over the halfway point to the season and the Warsaw Predators are hovering in the bottom half of the EU standings. At 21-19-4 the Preds have showing glimpses of greatness but have struggled with consistent defense and scoring. They have won 3 straight, to include a shutout but is it enough in such a tough division? Brendan Marner has been great in his final season putting up 29 goals 39 assists for 68 points. Marner and teammate Zach Kisslinger have been the heart and soul of the club and it would be great to get them another run at the playoffs in a Pred uniform. If the team heats up and scores like they, can I believe they will make a run this last 26 games and once the playoffs come, anything can happen. The team has too many scorers to be kept off the scoresheet and some solid defensemen and netminder that is hot. Let’s hope the Preds can pull it together for Marner and Kiss’s final season.

Ok. As I struggle to search the forum for a decent article for the theme week I searched and searched the forum and index to try and find the toughest bunch of brawlers from the VHL’s past. Trouble was the OG tough guys were very hard to search (maybe I am just that dumb too). So, in full transparency I am writing this theme piece on some retro tough guys that begins at S54 that does not include some legendary tough guys. I will still honor them in this piece, but it will only include basic stats. Since I started the VHL I have always had a soft spot for fighters and hitters in our league. I had the honor to play against many and even fought a few legends such as Duncan Idaho, Druss Deathwalker, and more recently studs like Vinny Detroit and Jake Thunder. I have searched hard for those that came before us and found the league had some real killers back in the day. Da’Brichashaw O’Neal The #1 honor is much like Tiger Williams in real life. He earned his stats early in the league and set the record for #1 and #2 overall in PIMS for a season. That honor of LEGEND goes to Da’Brichashaw O’Neal. All I could find is that he played for Davos in S11 and S13 where he amassed an amazing 356 PIMS and 320 PIMS. Dude is an old school legend. Nobody in the modern era has even come close. The only modern player to make top 25 in PIMS is former Malmo defenseman Randy Marsh. Marsh had 274 PIMS in S77 (good for 17th overall) and 260 PIMS in S78 (tied for 24th)-- More on him later. Evgeni Komarov @Gooningitup From what I could find, Komarov only played 4 seasons in the VHL, all for Moscow. A stay-at-home defenseman who blocked shots and liked to bang. In those seasons he has a total of 896 PIMS and 896 hits. In S66 he had a whopping 310 PIMS, good enough for the #5 spot in PIMS for a season. Luc-Pierre Lespineau-Lebrunette @FacePuncher LPLL played for Toronto and Quebec, winning two cups along the way. The 602 209 defensemen never put up many points but did he sure put-up hits and PIMS. In 7 seasons he had 1566 PIMS and 1896 hits. He scored a total of 30 goals. In S64 he was able to grab 294 PIMS, good for #8 all time in a season. Jacob Smith @jacobaa19 Ok not much on Smith as he only played three seasons for Davos, retiring after S64. Another defenseman, he had some decent numbers in his last season scoring 12 goals 39 assists for 51 points. That same season he had 266 PIM (good for 21st overall), 252 hits, and 192 SB. Its sad to see such a promising career end so early. Smith had skills even scored 34 goals in a season in the VHLM. Randy Marsh @oilmandan Ok so not a super retro player but had to include just on merit. Marsh played his VHL career with Malmo and Seattle, was drafted #5 in S72, and even won a Jake Wylde trophy. At his retirement he had a total of 1450 PIMS and 1702 hits. Always a steady PIM producer in S75 he had 210 PIM, S76-230, S77 -274, S78-260. Marsh brought a lot to the table for his clubs but to make the top 25 in PIMs in a season (twice) he has to be on all retro tough guy club. So, in closing, I know I don’t have some other all-time greats on here but here is a good showing of some old school toughs that created some havoc in the VHL before our time. Until next week. 625 words

Keep it up!! You’re my VHFL pick.

Cherry picking y'alls PC this week. 1. I am shocked that your in last. After a strong playoff run and your team's players I think you are falling victim to the EU curse. Its such a strong conference we hurt each other. 2. A few good wins in a row and some timely losses in EU and your back in. 3. Hes doing well. I always root for Defense 4. Doesn't apply to me. But I think the Frenchman will have a breakout season and get the club back in 5. They lose to Edmonton in finals 6. Ribs

Were officially at the 20-game mark so there is lots to chat about. So for this weeks Around the League in 500 words I wanted to talk about Chicago’s surging, the loss of a legend, THE Helsinki Titans, and maybe some other random stuff. CHICAGO SURGING Chicago started the season on fire and part of me thought that it would taper off a bit when other top clubs started changing strategies. This Chicago club did a little re-tooling after the loss of their goalie (COLE PEARCE). They added some up-front talent in DB III @wcatsand Ryan Vidot @Enorama who have paired nicely with Chicago vets Scotty Sundin @fromtheinside and The Board Game Clue on Skates @MubbleFubbles. On D they have legend, BoJO (MORE ON HIM LATER) and some decent help with Wattson Power. In net they have a great replacement for Pearce in Alexander Minion @UnknownMinionwho already has 4 shutouts this year and a 1.76 GAA. INSANE This team has all the tools to make a deep run so I am interested to see how teams in the NA adjust when playing them. There are great teams in the NA such as Calgary, Seattle, LA who are all within reaching distance of Chicago. I don’t count out struggling clubs like Vancouver and NY as well. Either way the NA conference Is exciting to watch. LOSS OF A VHL LEGEND (HOPE IM WRONG) Part of the way early last season VHL legend @Shindigs dropped away from the league without anyone really knowing why. His last update was Jan 29, 2023 with his normal Max TPE points and then….nothing. Efforts to reach him have been futile and we can only hope everything is ok with BoJo. Now, for those of you who are not familiar with Shindigs I am sorry you were never blessed with knowing him. He was a huge motivator and student of the VHL. He cared about not only making his player great but with mentoring all those new players trying to navigate the somewhat confusing path to VHL stardom. I had the privilege of playing in the VHLE with Shindigs for Bratislava. I credit him with a lot of the success I have had with Payne as he helped me truly craft my player. There are countless stories of people who were helped by Shindigs and the league is a little less special without him here. He was a constant in the forum with great articles and thought-out responses that showed his love for this league. I know I speak for everyone when I say we hope all is well with him and we hope to see him back someday. HELSINKI ON FIRE As of the time of this writing the Titans on a 2-game win streak, have scored at league leading 76 goals, and are holding on to a 1 point lead over Prague for Division leader. The EU conference is known for having some evenly matched tough teams to claw through and we usually see the league leading team change numerous times throughout the season. That being said, the Titans have come out swinging! Up front, they are stacked with talent. With the likes of Nils Godlander @Moon, Daryl Dixon @Ricer13, Matty Fire @MattyFired, Rick Grimes @tinafrombobsburgersthey are tough to keep off the scoresheets. Godlander is currently in #3 spot overall is 31 points. On Defense they have my favorite defenseman to watch, Mo Probert. The undrafted warrior @Yahtzee gives you exactly the type of game you'd expect from his namesake. However, in addition to hits, blocked shots, and grit you also are getting some decent scoring, including 7 power play goals this year. Very exciting team to watch. CYA next week

As we get to the ¼ way through the season the Warsaw Predators are struggling. At 8-8-4 they have shown some glimpses of their talent but just cant seem to put it together night in and night out. Team scoring seems to be the biggest hurdle for them as now. At 20 games in they have only scored 49 goals, which is 4th lowest in the league. This is a team that usually can put up numbers fast so I am hoping that the scoring turns around soon. Some bright spots for the team are Brendan Marner and Girts Galvins both have notched 10 goals so far. Also, S87 Alexander Valiq trophy winner Defenseman Biggie Cheese has started scoring after a slight slump so look to him to start lighting the lamp soon. And in net Cole Pearce has been great despite the losses. Warsaw has too much talent to be at the bottom of the league. They have some some great vets and talented new players but are in a very tough EU conference. They need to get it together soon to continue their great playoff run.

Ok for this week’s Around the League in 500 or so words I want to talk about a breakout defenseman with a bad ass name, the wagon that is Seattle, and a look at Rip Wheeler’s season so far. EPIC NAME AND PLAYER: The Moscow Menace seem to be at or near the top of the standing every single year I’ve been a part of the VHL. Great management, smart draft picks, and some trades keep them competitive and deadly year after year. This year is no different. After a slow start Moscow has become hot and it’s in large part to their best named Dman and S84 #13 overall pick, AK92 Wit da Hoodie @hedgehog337. Ak is the current assist leader in the league and has shown he is in consideration in the elite level defenseman conversation. In 9 games he has 14 points. No goals so far but he did score 22 in S82 and has much more TPE to play with no than two seasons ago. AK also plays with some grit and with a name like he has, he better. Last year he had 218 hits, 139 PIMs, and 168 SB. Partnered with fellow Moscow Dman, Hammer Voss on the power play these two will stack up some numbers. Best of luck to AK and the Moscow Menace this year (except when you play Warsaw). SEATTLE BEARS CHEWING THROUGH THE LEAGUE In 9 short games the Seattle Bears have shown to be a true beast of a team. Led by their goalie Xavier Booberry @CowboyinAmerica who was traded by Davos In the off season (WTF?) they are off to a 7-0-2 start. As I look at this club they really have done a great job at getting a mix of grit and scoring. Up front they have Hulk Hogan 2 @hogan, the best 2 way forward in the league Vasile Lamb @dlamb, journeyman gritty defensemen turned forward Tavish DeGroot @rory, sophomore Randy Bobandy @AJWwho is coming off a 21 goal season, Chip Stone @DoktorFunk, and Yaroslav Bogatyrev @Bojovnik. On the back end, they run 3 defense which some say is the way to go. They are led by S82 8th overall pick, Mikhail Kovalchuk @Banackock. Partnered with lockdown veteran Alessandro Nano they stifle opposing offense and clear the way for Booberry to made endless save after save. I am excited to see this team flourish as I was a former teammate of Lamb and DeGroot where we won a cup together in S84. I wish y’all the best of luck this season. RIP WHEELER UPDATE: Ok want to check in on my buddy Rip Wheeler @ScottyP. Rip is currently playing for the Oslo Storm in the VHLE. Rip is off to a decent start with 3 g and 3 a in 9 games and is a +6. As I checked day before yesterday, he had yet to earn a penalty so I teased him he was going for the Lady Byng after he told everyone he was the next Eric Lindros. After saying that he has amassed 12 PIMs, only 2 blocked shots, and 29 hits. Rip is earning good TPE though and I am excited to see where he ends up this year stat wise. Until Next Week

Sorry crashing your PC again. 1. Brendan Marner 2. London has it all. He is an TPE earning beast who plays a hard game. 41 goals in the VHLE shows he has what it takes. I think he can win it. 3. Igor Molotov 4. 3000 5. Yes 6. Yes

Season 88 started with a bang and we see some unfamiliar teams up at the top of the standings. In the NA we got Seattle rocking with a league high 32 goals. My old teammates Vasile Lamb and Tavish DeGroot are undefeated and looking good so far. In the EU, Heskinki is tearing it up followed closely by Davos. My poor Predators are again having a slow start which seems to be the standard every year. And added to that my player, Brian Payne is again off to a terrible start. Every damn year Payne starts like shit and gets going as the season gets going. I am hoping that is the same and it will be over soon. Payne has 0 goals 4 assists in 8 games and is a -4. Depreciation did sting Payne this year and he wasn’t as prepared as he should have been with banked TPE (NOTE TO OTHERS). I am hoping these early struggles for the Payne Train are over soon and he can help the Preds get back on track.

@wcats

D-AK 92 Witda Hoodie @nurx

G-Cole Pearce @Gaikoku-hito