Scurvy

So, my insane journey in the VHL for my first gen player started with me staring at the VHL forum on my computer trying to decipher what in the hell I was looking at, hovering over that “Create a Player” bar that seemed to be begging me to click it. I am truly, truly thankful that I finally got the nerve to click that create button and thus, Brian Payne was born. Signed as a free agent on the San Diego Marlins, his story began. However, even after creating this player I found my learning curve only heightened as I navigated the forum and capped vs uncapped TPE and how to earn it. Thankfully, there were other first gens struggling to learn and some veteran help. Our GM JB123 @JB123 was extremely helpful in navigating myself and other first gens in the finer points of the game and how to become beasts, if you put the work in. It was in Season 81 when I discovered (usually after hours of checking other team’s stats and box scores) how many great first gens would be in the S82 draft. Players like @dlamb, @Shindigs, @MubbleFubbles, and others who all had a huge influence throughout my career here in the VHL, VHLE, and VHLM. Also, playing in all three leagues taught me a lot and allowed me to meet some great new people along the way. After an ok season stat wise but great season TPE earning wise in the VHLM I entered the draft. I never thought as a grown man I would be so riveted that I saw at the dinner table with wife and daughter while watching Twitch on my phone to see the draft live. My wife and daughter just shook their heads wondering what could be so great about an imaginary sim machine and a created player. Same thing I wondered before I tentatively clicked that forum button to create Payne. But now I know just how great it is. Sadly, the S82 draft didn’t go how I thought it would. I knew who was going to be the top picks with players like Vasile Lamb, Bo Johansson, Cole Pearce @N0HBDY, and the best named player ever, The Board Game Clue on Skates. But it did hurt to see Payne drop all the way down to #26 to the Warsaw Predators. But I do believe things happen for a reason and no better outcome could have been scripted than me falling the Preds. Payne followed up with the VHLE draft a little better and went #20 overall to the Bratislava Watchman where I feel I learned the most how to build a player from the best student of the game and future Hall of Famer, Bo Johansson (Shindigs). He helped craft Payne into a better defenseman and continues to help me along the way as I ask stupid questions after stupid question to make my player better each and every week. After an early round playoff loss and max TPE earning the whole VHLE season I finally got my call up to the show where fellow S82 draftee Dlamb took me under his wing as I continued to build Payne to contribute to a club full of high TPE studs and rookie phenoms such as fellow S82 draftee Girts Galvins @Girts. Payne was able to raise the Continental Cup in his second year and a Victory cup in his third year. Payne won the Jake Wylde Trophy and Sterling Labatte Trophy in S85 and is hungry for more. So going from a man sitting as his computer hesitant to join this league, to late draft pick, to award winner and champion, this first gen is grateful to everyone who makes this league possible and competes every week to make this such a fun experience for all.

The Warsaw Predators are on FIRE as of late in a very tough EU conference. With 8 straight wins the Preds are trying to prove that they are the team to beat in a stacked EU conference. With amazingly tough teams like Warsaw 58pts, Davos 58 pts, Moscow Menace 55 pts, London 49 pts, and Prague 48 pts it is no guess as to which conference has the tougher teams. Any of these 5 clubs could battle for first overall by the end of the season. Each club has their strength and weaknesses that could tip the scales in another’s favor but it is exciting to see such great teams compete for the coveted EU championship leading to an eventual Continental Cup coming back to the EU conference this season (hopefully). There are some tough clubs in the NA such as DC, Chicago, and most notably the Calgary Wranglers. The Wranglers are scary as with a league leading 149 goals and only 6 losses. At just a little over halfway through the season only time will tell which conference has the juice to bring home the Cup!

1. Fuckin awesome!! Warsaw is humming and winning great games. 2. hmmm. Not sure. Pete Mitchell? 3. celebrates Christmas but doesn’t go crazy with fat foods or sugar. 4. 3 girls at the same time. 5. Girts for sure. He’s so quiet and friendly 6. New Jersey is legit. Not sold on the Krakken yet (even tho I live near Seattle).

Brian Payne Defenseman Seattle, WA 601 225lbs Nickname: Scurvy and Southpaw The road to the VHL for Brian Payne was not an easy one. Payne grew up in Spokane Washington and was introduced to hockey at a young age. But there was one problem, he wasn’t very good. But Payne could work and that kept him on clubs. He filled roles and was the first and last person in the gym or rink. At 16 years old he was drafted in the last round by the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League. His play had improved but it was clear to most that Payne was picked up for a physical presence and not lighting the lamp or leading the power play. Payne grinded his way on the club for 4 years steadily improving each year. His final year he was on the Power play and worked his way up to first pair defense. However, even with improved play he was still required to provide that physical presence and in his final two seasons in the W he was #1 in Penalties and fighting majors both season with 303 PIM and 319 PIM his final season. After so much improvement Payne was hoping to see his name in the upcoming VHLM draft but his name wasn’t called. Undeterred he signed on when San Diego Marlins GM JB123 gave him a call asking him to play and offering him third D pair minutes and some PK time. Payne jumped at the chance. Under the guidance of his new GM Payne steadily grew in the lineup, ending up on the first defensive pairing by the end of the season. This improved play and steadily max earning experience (TPE) each week opened the eyes of VHL and VHLE scouts. S81 VHLM Regular Season- 72 GP 11 G 20 A 31 PTS 128 PIM 166 Hits S81 VHLM Playoffs: 13 GP 6 G 11A 17 pts 22 PIM 43 hits In S82 the draft came, and Payne was drafted 20th overall by the Bratislava Watchman in the VHLE and 26th overall in the VHL by the Warsaw Predators. When asked about where he went in the draft shortly after, Payne replied, “I am just happy Warsaw and Bratislava picked me and my goal is to make each team that passed on me suffer.” In Season 82 Payne started with the Watchman and made quick friends with fellow defenseman and elite talent, Bo Johansson. Payne was the stay at home rough and ready defenseman while Bo had silky hands, quick feet, and was dazzling with and without the puck. Playing with Bo is what changed Payne’s game forever. BO had Payne working on the smaller details of his game and slowly Payne started to improve his game while still playing a defense first style. Payne still had to fight and play some rough minutes, but he hit double digits in goals and found himself once again on the power play where he gained confidence that he could compete a higher level. VHLE stats: 72 GP 12G 33A 45 PTS 120 PIM 178 HITS 109 SB Season 83 found Payne in his first year in the big show with the Warsaw Predators. Payne hit the VHL in full force and despite the tougher competition his game excelled. He had some outstanding games that involved some fights with notable VHL legends such as Duncan Idaho, Hard Markinson, and Druss Deathwalker. Team GM Dlamb took Payne under his wing and helped Payne polish his game to another level. Payne ended his first season with record numbers: S83- 72 GP 16 G 36 A 52 PTS 207 PIM 235 HITS 132 SB Season 84 showed continued improvement statistically with a 17-point increase and a Continental Cup Championship. Payne continued his Defense first style and amassed 210 minutes in PIMS and 261 hits. Payne shined on a stacked team during their cup run with 4 goals 12 assists 16pts 70 PIM 73 hits and 42 SB. Season 85 showed him at his best and silenced a lot of doubters that have been steady at him his whole life. Payne lit the lamp all season long and played like a man possessed. All his coaching from his family, JB123 @JB123, Dlamb @dlamb, Bo Johansson @Shindigsall came together and for the first time ever Payne was playing with confidence. Payne won the Sterling Labatte Trophy and Jake Wylde Trophy, not bad for the 26th overall selection. Payne could not be more thankful to those who got him to where he is currently at. Payne is also thankful for the creators and management of the Victory Hockey League for giving Payne the platform to play with such amazing people. Payne is hungry to continue in his remaining four seasons and beyond and hopes that more championships are in his future. VHL Regular Season Totals: 248 GP 62 G 171 A 233 PTS 745 PIM 839 HITS 587 SB

Bro. You rock!!! Thank you so much

I feel your Pain buddy….. Payne isn’t performing well either after a great season last year. Payne

It’s time for another around the league in 500 (or so) words. Were about ¼ way through the season and there are some surprising and exciting milestones in the young VHL season. So here we go… CALGARY WRANGLER: The Wranglers are on absolute FIRE!! 19-3-6 so far with a jaw dropping 94 goals for and only 68 goals against. This team is about as perfect as it gets with a great goalie in Ben Dahl (@Ben), some rough and ready D with AirRig GoodBrandSun @Rhynex Entertainment and Logain Ablar, and some beast forwards in Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877, Daniel Janser @Daniel Janser and Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg . After a stunning loss in last year’s playoffs I look for the Wranglers to come out this year with a chip on their shoulder. They are proving to be the team to beat in the NA conference. WARSAW PREDATORS’ OFFENSE PROWNESS ----AND DEFENSIVE WOES: The Preds are off to a great start, battling it out with Davos and Prague for top spot in EU conference. Their offense is absolutely buzzing and keeping them competitive. They have tallied 97 goals for a league high but have allowed 73 goals. Girts Galvin @Girtshas bursted out to help the Preds with some all star level offensive talent. With other forwards, team captain Kisslinger @Kisslinger, gritty Brendan Marner @MetalToday and Vasile Lamb @dlambthey are making other teams defenses cry when they see the schedule. However, on defense the Predators are struggling. Season 85 Sterling Labatte Trophy and Jake Wylde Trophy winner Brian Payne has been less than spectacular, not getting to the form he played at last season. The loss of two other high TPE defensive players this offseason has allowed teams to stop his offensive game. Payne has 5 G 17 A 22pts in 26 games. Not terrible by any stretch but not what he wants from his game. He is grinding TPE like crazy and just trying not to grip the stick too tight and let his game come back. On a positive note, he is shooting more, with 110 shots already and still playing a physical game. Payne was quoted last week after a game where he had no points and little activity on the box score saying, “if we win, I don’t care about stats. I came into this league as a defensive minded Dman and that is my focus.” BO JOHANSSON OFF TO INSANE START Chicago Wolves 6-06 foot defenseman is off to an amazing start this season. The pass first Dman has 4 goals 38 assists 42 points in just 27 games! He is almost at half his points from last year and were just a quarter way through the season. I am excited for Bo as we were teammates in the E together and he pours his heart and soul into this league. Another crazy Bo stat is as a season 82 draftee (#9 overall) he is amassed a whopping 1263 TPE already, good enough for 14 overall in active TPE leaders and #1 overall for S82 draftees. Great job Shindigs!! @Shindigs Anyway that’s it for now. Enjoy the week and as always I hope your teams struggle against Warsaw!

1. I am so impressed with the way the club has been playing. Defense has struggled offensively but I do feel that we’re not bad overall defensively. 2. a good offensive Dman would be great. Not sure who but any high TPE player would be good. 3. got into a fight with team captain 4. hes a stud! I played against him in the M and with him in the E. He’s always a quiet professional who can score in bunches. 5. my hockey pants. True story 6. Warsaw and I’d hit the physicality to max for a record number of fights in a game.

Warsaw Predator Girts Galvins @Girtshas exploded his way to the top of the points standings in his 4th year as a pro. Just not that long ago Girts suffered a disappointing rookie year after high expectations. He never complained and kept working his ass off earning TPE. He quietly started sniping the competition putting up great years in S84 (61 points), S85 (67 points), and in the Predators cup winning playoff he had 25 points in 20 games that were all even strength goals. We call him the silent assassin in Warsaw as he doesn’t say much and lets his play do most the talking. He’s currently in a battle with Prague’s stud right winger, Nils Godlander @Moonfor the leaderboard in points. I for one is happy to see such a great person and teammate doing so well and producing as we all knew he would. Great job Girts on such an amazing start!!

Great Job Girts!

1. Good to go 2. not great. Didn’t get some of the players I wanted but oh well. I got Dlamb so happy about that. 3. Payne has been shit really. Happy with wins more than anything but wish he would get his shit together 4. hell yeah 5. Not if Payne can get it together soon 6. New Jersey

It is finally here! The start of season 86 and teams are off to some great, some bad, and some surprising starts. That being said I wanted to talk for about 500 words of some interesting and some not interesting things around the league thus far. PRAGUE PHANTOMS First, not really a surprising thing but the Prague Phantoms have come out firing! After some great off-season moves the Phantoms have two players in the #1 spot for point scoring with Saku Kotkakoivu and Nils Godlander each tied with 27 points and defenseman, Erlanzt Jokinen in the #8 spot with 22 points. There are going to be a force in the European conference. WARSAW PREDS: The S84 champs had a tough second round defeat in the last year’s playoffs after having an amazing regular season record. The off season saw the team lose two of their three defensemen and their GM. New GM @N0HBDY came in and made a few moves to add some defense to replace Tavish DeGroot (SEATTLE) and Hari Singh Nalwa (LONDON) @Dil. Despite losing a couple of high TPE defenders the Preds have come out hot and are currently in second place in EU behind Prague. Their offense is dangerous with three in the top ten in scoring so far – Brendan Marner 24 pts, Girts Galvins 23 points, and Zach Kisslinger II 22 points. This team has a lot of tools to make another playoff run. VINNY DETROIT: @dasboot It’s that time of year that I acknowledge Detroit’s nasty play and his quest to break either the single season PIM record (356) or career hits (2769). Both are difficult, but I like the nasty play style of Detroit and always hope that Payne and Detroit can get a fight together as they are usually #1 and #2 in PIM totals every season. He’s off to a good start and in 14 games he already has 78 hits and 47 PIMS. TOP DEFENSMEN: Earlier this off-season I made a hopeful prediction that defenseman, Jerome Reinhart would win the scoring title this year. So far, I am way off but the season is still early, and I expect Reinhart to be at the top of the league by the end of season. Other defensemen have been putting up huge numbers and there are some familiar names in there. Erlantz Jokinen (PRG)- 22 points @jRuutu Jake Thunder (DAV) – 19 points. @Thunder Tavish DeGroot (SEA)- 18 points @rory Bo Johansson (CHI) – 18 points. @Shindigs ROOKIE SHOTOUT I’d like to make a quick rookie shoutout to Vancouver Wolves 6-05inch Dman Jimmy MacElroy @Xflexz. A later S84 draft pick is in top 10 in scoring with 10 assists, 20 hits, and 18 SB. A pass first Defensmen he has won championships in the VHLM with Las Vegas and even was the S84 Vladimir Boomchenko Trophy winner for most assist in a season (74). Obviously former LVA GM SHINDIGS provided some insight to the studs build and I look forward to watching MacElroy grow in to an all-around beast defenseman.

At 14 games into the season, the eastern conference is shaping into another battle between several tough teams. Prague, Warsaw, Davos, London, and Malmo are all very close in points. But to me Prague is the most improved and impressive team right now, so let’s take a look. Prague has come out swinging early and looking at their clubs TPE there are going to be deadly. Up front they got some real fire with Saku Kotkakoivu, Nils Godlander, Matty Fire, John Jameson, and Perry Lapererriere. These forwards all play with some grit and are putting put up big numbers early. On D they are led by Erlantz Jokinen and Mikhail Kovalchuk. Maybe a little light on defenders as their other two are young still but should grow into some roles. And in Goal they got the best named person on the team, Clueless Wallob. I feel like an early favorite for GM of the year is going to be Acydburn @Acydburnfor the offseason pickups and his prospect pool. Looking at the list of prospects, Prague has some real earners in the pipeline giving the team some trade opportunities and some growth as some elders start retiring. Wish y’all the best of luck and as always, I Hope you all have terrible games against Warsaw!! Payne

F-Nezuko @DreMin15

G- David Davis @InstantRockstar

Your killing it!! Nicely done bro. Now you better fight Payne when we play!!!!

D- Hari Singh Nalwa @DreMin15

F-Vinny Detroit @InstantRockstar

F- Vasile Lamb. @DreMin15

D- Brian Payne. @InstantRockstar

1. I want to contribute to the team with a solid season. Max earn TPE 2. I think we’re good. We had some major losses in off-season but I’m confident we’re still contenders 3. we’re good still. A few additions might help but still think we field a good team. 4. London 5. Kisslinger 6. Chicago

Well as the season tics closer and closer and in an effort to get my much-needed point task for the week I’d like to chat about something dear to my heart. A DEFENSIVE PLAYER WINNING THE SCORING RACE. I wonder if it can happen and this year, I think it could. So, who could it be?? My prediction is that this year all-star defenseman from London, Jerome Reinhart can and will win the scoring race. With so many great scoring defensive players in the league such as Bo Johansson and Jake Thunder there are many who can put up big numbers for Jerome is my pick. With the addition of another skilled defensive partner in Hari Singh Nalwa I feel that JR will be even deadlier than last season. While playing in Vancouver just a few seasons ago, JR put up an amazing 141 points! 99 points last year will be easily passed with the addition and growth of some great players in London. Good luck JR this season. I will be rooting for you except when you play Warsaw. And any new players looking to make the perfect offensive Dman build look no further that Jerome Reinhart @MexicanCow123.

Thank you. Lucky is all

That’s awesome

Have I mentioned that the off-season is the hardest time of year to complete point tasks?? That being said I was hoping to share some random thoughts. The Warsaw Predators have seen some major changes this off-season just two seasons from their championship run and a second round loss this season. They saw #1 defenseman, Halwa leave to London in free agency followed by #2 dman, Tavish DeGroot leave to Seattle. One can only wonder why they would leave a championship level team that is pretty much the same as their cup winning team. But that is what makes the league great, people can follow their own dreams. That being said, I hope Payne smacks both of them In our first game against London and Seattle. Next, the Warsaw Preds saw their amazing GM, DLamb step down this season and has been replaced by NOBDY. Were excited to see where the club goes from here and we still have Dlamb as an unstoppable forward going into S86.