Scurvy

Those are freaking sweet!! I look forward to Set #2!!

Another week as passed and It is so nice to have Sims after such a long off-season. For this week, Around the League, I want to chat about the VHLM standings and my prediction for the Cup. VHLM I’ll be the first to admit. I pay way more attention to the VHLM and VHLE when I my player is in that particular league, obviously. However, I have been better this go around in paying a lot more attention mainly because re-creates are in the league and I am familiar with more and more names. So far in the standings there are 5 teams in the mix with Mexico City and Halifax being the front runners. The others are Saskatoon Wild, Houston Bulls, and the Miami Marauders. Today, I will cover Mexico, Halfax, and Miami as they are my three favs to win the cup. Mexico City Mexico City is stacked with players and are led by Gavin Bebard @Gavin with 11g 19a 30pts. This is Gavin’s third year in the VHLM and he’s putting his experience on display. Behind him in scoring are two dmen in Samsayz-I-Smell @CaptainSB and Carl Earnardt @Elite Steel who can score and hit at high levels. In net they led by VHLM veteran Connor Hellebuyck @HockeyFan4Life who is 15-2-3 with 1 shutout. Mexico is a tough team to beat for sure and I am sure GM @JCarsonis on the prowl to trades that could make them unstoppable. Halifax 21st GM @LucyXpherhas put together a deadly and balanced club looking to take home that elusive Founders Cup. The name of the game for this club is DEFENSE. They have only allowed 34 goals this season which is the best in the league while scoring 95 which is also best in the league. Talk about a winning combo! In scoring there led by a few first Gens in Robin Sierra @ethanjaeda (22g 23a 4pts) and Ty Duke @TheDuke (16g 20a 36pts). In the back end they have bone crusher, Boris Bone-Breaker @RileyL (33 PIM 54hits) and Dustin Moore @Maxx (6g 24a 30pts – 36SB). In net, Jon Webber III @Webberjand backup Lane Ellis @Brewguy7 have been dynamite. 19-2-1 between them they are on fire every night. Webber has a 1.53 GAA and 5 shutouts already and backup, Lane Ellis is 4-0 with a 1.25 GAA and 1 shutout. If Halifax keeps this pace it would no surprise to see them hoisting the cup at season's end. Miami Marauders If Mexico and Halifax rely on team defense and scoring to define their clubs the Miami Marauders rely heavily on grit and physical punishment to win their games. @Ricer13has put together a physical club that works hard each night and loves to lay the body on opposing foes. They have three players in the top ten in hits in Toby Cook @KRZY (85), Armas Jortikka @Kavadar (63), and Aiden Paige @Apaige131 (60). Up front, they are led by three wingers in Tim Robinson @Tim Robinson @Tim Robinson(17-24-41), Phil Sakic @PhilPhil (19-18-37), and Elf Shoes @ELF_SH0ES(13-21-34). On defense look no further than Russell Sprout @betta57 (25 pts 49 hits) and Toby Cook. In net they have Spider Panda and Jeffrey Pines @dylanjj37. Combined they are 15-4-3 with Panda having a 2.28 GAA and Pines a 2.60. Looking at these three clubs I feel that Miami is the dark horse of the three that could spell trouble in the playoffs. They score on the same pace with Halifax and with some earning they could improve their team defense come playoff time. Prediction: MIAMI

The Vancouver Wolves have been hot lately, moving up the standings to a playoff spot. They have finally started clicking with Owen Lazaro @traphag catching fire as of late. Leading the Wolves in scoring, Lazaro has 9g 22a 31Pts. Also gaining some momentum has been defenseman, Mark Calaway @Beketov and Riley Martin @Smarch with 25 and 24 points. But what has really solidified the Wolves hot streak is their goalie, Dalkr Vidarsson @KaleebtheMighty. He’s now 12 and 7 after a slow start and already has 3 shutouts, a 2.6 GAA, and a .0920 save percentage. Dalkr and the team defense has kept the Wolves in almost every game this season where the losses are usually by one goal. They have flipped that now with big wins of NA conference leader, Calgary and some wins over a very tough Moscow club. With Dalkr and the team playing great let’s see if the Wolves can keep it up and solidify a playoff spot this season.

Congrats @Tate well deserved

It was a let down for me as well. I am hit or miss on Stephen King. Love most of his books, especially The Green Mile and The Stand but the Summers book just didn't resonate with me.

bye @OrbitingDeath Great playing with you albeit for a short time. Best of luck in Riga!

1. None except Logan. 2. no I don’t think so yet. We’re starting to click a bit and have a ton of talent. 3. Man I can’t figure it out. Rookie goalie and rebuilding team, Calgary is on fire!! There is some strange sim magic happening for them. 4. I like it I guess. 5. I think we will finish with wild card playoff spot 6. Our goalie for sure. Had some close games and Kaleeb has kept us close.

oh damn. Not a Viking at ALL!! haha. Don't know Warhammer universe. Even more of a badass it seems !!

We are 9 games into the season and the Vancouver Wolves are just starting to get their stride with three straight wins, one over their hated rival the Seattle Bears. Their next goal is to topple the NA leading Calgary Wranglers. The Wranglers have been lights out to start the season despite having a rookie goalie. Calgary’s Catia Goncalves @cLoWnand Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler have been racking up points and the roster’s commitment to defense has allowed them to shine to start the season, only allowing 19 goals. The Wolves have a powerful offense that is starting to click and they want blood against their other division rival. GM @Frank was quoted last night saying, “I want my team to crush their spirit and take their will. We want to be the team nobody wants to play against. We plan to play a heavy game against them and try to capitalize on shots on net. Their goalie has been great so we need to get some bodies in front of him and make their night uncomfortable.” Puck drops tonight, best of luck both teams!

OK so last week I wrote about the best VHLM names, so I thought I’d try the best VHL and VHLE names this week, and there are some beauties to pick from for sure. Let’s start with the North American conference first: FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist @STZ- Succinct and to the point, this NY Americans forward gives the reader a perfect image in their respective heads when this name is conjured up. FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY brings all the intangibles to his club with consistent play, grit, and some scoring touch. I do think this NY club could be deadly this season and he might have to alter his first name after a championship run maybe? The last name stays forever! Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish @hylands - This name says a lot about the very capable NY American Dman. Not sure the meaning or theme but I love the name and I’ll be looking for JB to be setting up Analfist on the box scores all season. Guntis Gavilrovs @Girts- Fellow teammate and massive convicted killer, GG is an absolute savage force on the Vancouver Wolves. I expect him to be the league PIM leader before too long and already has 32 PIMS in 7 games this season. At 250 lbs the name Guntis sparks an image about his appearance and as someone who practices with him daily I’d say….he’s even uglier. WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW @roryRory- The 18th overall pick in the S90 draft has quickly become a household name “letter” as he has catapulted a talented NY team to a dominant fixture in the NA conference. A few struggles early on but I expect the Ws to be at the top of the leaderboard for goalies by season end. Although since I missed drafting him for my VHL fantasy team I hope he doesn’t do too well….. European Conference Ben Dover @Zylen- Ok I have a juvenile sense of humor so as I searched, I had to add this in. First Gen player who has had some success winning a cup in the VHLM and in the VHLE. Grimgor Ironide @FrostBeard- Perfect name to sum up the gritty nasty type of game that Ironhide plays. He hits, fights, scores, and snorts steroids through his eyes. A true Viking Jarl looking to pillage and cleave opposing players. Fun to watch player and great responses in forum. Tullamore Dew @Spade18- Because Whiskey should always be included. VHLE BEAUTIES Quinndillus Whopper @Max77- This one reminds of a Kayne and Peele skit I saw once. Funny name I’d like to see in the box score. However, he has yet to score this season for Stockholm. Piston Maicupp @MandyManiac- funny and original this First Gen has been in the E for a second season so will be some time before we can see this name in the VHL. Soju @Frank- A clear colorless Korean distilled alcoholic drink that is supposed to taste like Vodka and wreck you with a hangover. Similarly, the 5th overall pick in last years draft is wrecking opposing offenses for Cologne. Last season in the M he played all 72 games and had 5 shutouts so it appears that this workhorse is not partaking in too much Soju, or who knows, maybe it’s the secret to his success.

That's AWESOME. and yes, it is authentic

Crashing your PC 1. I expect Prague to be in a re-building phase. Good draft picks and some solid trades/free agency puts Prague back in the driver's seat 2. I hope Ninefingers can keep growing and be more consistent. 3. Has to put his left skate, mitts, socks on first. Being a southpaw with Ninefingers it makes it easier for the lad. 4. Probably my first draft. Really was fun to see the effort put into the draft 5. Being outside. Winters in Washington state are painful with the rain so nice just to be outside and enjoy some sun 6. Fall- cool clear days (no rain)

Next week !

Love it!!!

I was messing around today looking at teams and new players in the VHLM and decided to find the best five names. The VHL league as a whole has some creative people in it that come up with some pretty interesting names so I went on the hunt today to find the three best (new) names in VHLM. BORIS BONE-BREAKER @RileyL At 606 238lbs we see what Rileyl is wanting with his massive defenseman build. Still early but I expect to see BONE BREAKER in the league leader in PIMS in the future. LaClapbomb Hitstick IV @Greasy Gary For this one I don’t know what name is better LaClapbomb Hitstick or Greasy Gary. Both made me giggle. Another massive dman he had 179 hits 80 PIMS and 126 blocked shots. Fist gen player I look forward to seeing where he takes this build into the VHL. Clapbomb Bardownski III @Eb14 The final name on my list is a MIssassauga standout with 21 goals last season. Currently at 142 TPE so looks like another season in VHLM for sure before we can potentially see this great name in DC. Honorable mention: An Actual Holy Cow @nurx Squilliam Goon @williamirc David Pastanap @Jubis Samsayz I-Smell @CaptainSB

Don't feel bad one bit. He needs a good beating every now and again. But he is a good dude......just a super punchable face

Another week closer to the season and my GOD this has seemed like a long ass off-season. Really feel it when you don’t make the playoffs! Only real good thing is NHL playoffs are on so gives me a little bit of relief from the waiting game. So, for this week’s Around the League, I want to talk about the Vancouver Wolves Forwards to get me my delicious TPE. Next week will cover defense and goalie. S94 WOLVES PREVIEW Now, I am biased but the additions and draft picks the Wolves made this season have me excited. On the forward front, we have a deadly list of snipers, hitters, and playmakers that are going to have goalies trembling. The Frenchman The Wolves added legend center with championship experience in The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath . Hall of Fame numbers are what this guy puts up and the fact he has had his two best seasons statistically (108 points) in the ladder half of his career just shows you how great he is. Look for him to lead the Wolves offense and mentor the young group moving forward. S93 stats: 41g 67a 108pts +17 Owen Lazaro @traphag Another great addition and still in his prime. Lazaro plays a heavy game and likes to hit and shed the mitts if he has to. 273 hits last year and 50 goals. He brings bags of experience and plays a 200 foot game which will be valuable for young up and comers like Ninefingers and Riley Martin to see and emulate. S93 stats: 50g 49a 99pts +12 273hits Rip Wheeler @ScottyP Rip is a bit of a wildcard but did put up some numbers last season. New teammate Bollos de Trueno @thunder and Logan Ninefingers have been hounding him on a group text to earn and so far it's worked. He maxed last week and “says” he will max this week too. Time will tell if this is a bust pick or not. S93 stats: 34g 45a 79pts 215 hits Annie Oakes @Noodle Enjoyer The 4th overall pick in S93 draft she is playing her first season in the big leagues. She notched 15 goals last season in Europe and looks to add to that in Vancouver. She brings speed and some grit to a team that rewards that style of play. Riley Martin @Smarch Martin is the ultimate teammate and locker room presence. Which is nice since the addition of Rip Wheeler was awkward at first. This season during a game against Prague, Rip decided to try and tangle with Martin not only earning him an instigator and game misconduct, but Rip also got the brakes beat off of him in front of his hometown crowd. Martin has all the intangibles. He plays physical, scores, and plays solid defense. S93 stats: 29g 26a 55pts Logan Ninefingers Despite being somewhat limited in the finger department Logan is growing into a complete player. Surrounded by good teammates I look for LN to score and hit a lot more this season. Needs to work on discipline and defense but hopefully continued earning will get him there sooner than later. S93 stats: 32g 31a 63pts 110 PIM 242 hits There you have it. The S94 Vancouver Wolves forward lineup. A deadly mix of talent with lots of hitters. It looks as if the Wolves are going for a team identity of toughness and grit. Next week we will cover the S94 defense and netminders. Have a great weekend.

Wow! Insane fight numbers for CGY. 35 fight wins is impressive.

1. I watched until Trueno was picked and then went back to work. Spot checked it after. 2. I don't think so. It will all work out 3. I was disappointed we didn't get Pierre. I don't think Managers should be disappointed really. Makes it more interesting than always getting your own player on clubs you manage. But what do I know. I don't manage 4. I am in it. It's a total brawl fest and Ninefingers playing well but off-season is starting to get to me even with the tournament. 5. I haven't watched it at all. It's flat for sure and something needs to be done to spice it up. Not sure what. Create more of a rivalry between teams maybe 6. None. Forgot it was even happening. Team USA always tho 7 Hmmmm.... Toughest teams, teams with deepest depth, Best stay at home Dmen in the league, Future watch (prospects highlights).

1. Las Vegas Aces, Oslo, Vancouver 2. basketball. SBA 3. Wann Kerr or The Frenchman Q1. Should enforcers be more relevant in VHL? Q2. Would you like more fighting in league? Q3. If you could open an expansion VHL club what City would you put it in?

As the S94 season begins a look in at the make-up of the Vancouver Wolves hockey club we see a pattern forming in the identity of this team. Much like many of the physical clubs in the 90s and early 2000s this club seems poised to win by punishment and grit. On defense, the Wolves have a giant of an enforcer in Guntis Gavilrovs @Girts Guntis at 253 hits and 191 PIMS in his rookie season and shows no sign of letting up with 75 BC and 75 GRIT. Next to him is Mark Calaway @Beketovwith 191 hits while still managing to net 32 goals on D. Up front you have Owen Lazaro with 273 hits and 50 goals, Logan Ninefingers with 242 hits nad 32 goals, and Rip Wheeler @ScottyP with 215 hits and 34 goals. With just these five players on the roster they hit a total of 1174 times last season and had 634 minutes in the box. I expect that number to increase this season so we will see if this type of play can win. It will be fun to watch either way.

Were almost to the promised land of the start of another season and a lot has happened in Vancouver. The city known for his fanatical hockey fans, amazing night life, and Roxy burger has been buzzing lately with some great (and questionable) moves this off-season and draft. Let’s dive in. First, in four separate trades the Wolves picked up some real veteran talent in Owen Lazaro @traphag, The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath , Mark Calaway @Beketov, and Rip Wheeler @ScottyP. The first three were absolute gold mine trades with each offering wining experience, offensive prowess, and outstanding defense. It’s the last trade that has fans scratching their heads since Vancouver gave up a 1st rounder for him. Who is Rip Wheeler? Most would consider him a journeyman VHL player that has shown glimpses of talent but longer stretches of disappointment. The 14th overall pick in S88 his first two seasons showed the forward have a total of 15 goals and 15 assists in 144 games. 30 POINTS in two seasons on a team of absolute hall of fame caliber players. AND let’s not forget his post draft VHL post he told the league (out loud) that he was going to be the next Eric Lindros. We just didn’t know he meant Eric Lindros today, not 1992 Eric Lindros. Now after many of those Hall of Famers left Calgary, Rip was forced to step up and he did. The next two season he hovered around 30 goals before being traded to Prague to play with all-start forward John Jameson @Frank. Rip excelled with Prague and had the best season of his career with 34g 45a 79pts. With depreciating hitting Rip this season and the fact that he hasn’t updated much lately it leaves some Vancouver fans (and teammates) concerned. While in his trade interview via a group text with @Thunder and myself Rip assured us that he would be max earning as to not let the Wolves down. Only time will tell, and history should note he said the same when he was traded from Calgary to Prague. Vancouver fans will expect the best from him, and he will be afforded the opportunity to play alongside Lazaro and The Frenchman so he better have his A game. On a related note, the S94 draft came and went, and Vancouver was able to draft defenseman, Bollos de Trueno @Thunderwith the #4 overall selection. Trueno brings all-star pedigree to the club with the the guarantee he will max earn for the length of his career. The ultimate team-mate and locker room presence he was thrilled to end up on a club with two of his real life buddies in Logan NInefingers and Rip Wheeler. He was heard murmuring that come training camp he was going to smack Rip in the face if he dares skate into the crease. Ninefingers too said that smacking Rip was the thing he was looking forward to the most this season. But all shit talk aside it is nice to see three buddies get to play on the same club, best of all in Vancouver.

1. Hmmm. Probably a hotel room in Dallas while on vacation with my wife and daughter. While they went to the pool I typed my media spot, PC, and, VHL article so that Brian Payne could get TPE. 2. This trade was AWESOME. Amazing DMAN to join Liv on the back end to dominate. I don't watch wrestling. I did when I was a kid but it was Hulk Hogan days. 3. Tough to lose VVC but a great trade overall. 50 goal scorer and we didn't lose any first round picks this year. 4. Again, amazing trade. Orbiting death is a legend and when I joined the league his player, Duncan Idaho was tearing up the league so always great to get a player who is hall of fame bound. 5. Prob VVC. We were drafted together and played on Bratislava and won a championship. 6. I am not sure. I did see in the trade post that Spartan thanked him for player there and said hopefully his stats would improve somewhere else. Maybe Frost was upset at his lack of production ??? Havent payed close attention to it.

Well deserved! Congrats