BOOM

I have called crime stoppers hotline with details of at least two of the offenders. 

I feel like it's been a hot minute since I wrote a vhl.com article. It's been fairly busy in life, traveled to Vegas for a bit between some busy work weeks. Now I head off to HQ for work, then have a birthday celebration for my mom to organize next weekend. Then after that I'm fucking off across the world for a bit more than a couple weeks. Then I return to some weddings and stuff in November along with other stuff. Will be a pretty busy next few weeks in life and in the VHL. After all, within 2-3 weeks we'll be in the offseason which is the busiest time of the season for admins/commissioners, and as a GM to manage the draft, FA and future planning process. I'll manage somehow, with lots of help from Brandon and the advisors!
 
Moscow missed the playoffs, as we expected/hoped. Malmo also missing the playoffs gives us two total lottery picks. We'll see how that goes in a couple weeks, but fingers crossed that one of our picks makes a fun jump up, just to make things more interesting for us. Otherwise, we'll be selecting 4th and 5th overall if all goes as expected. However, with a couple other lotto teams blatantly skirting bot goalie utilization rules, maybe there'll be a curveball to lotto odds to bump up the 4 other lotto teams who followed rules. Something to keep an eye on and keep our fingers crossed for.
 
Draft wise, I'm quite excited to begin speaking to prospects in the next few weeks. I mentioned that we have picks 4 and 5 pending the lotto, but we'll also have pick 15 from TOR (if they make finals as the NA representative, if playoffs go as per season standings) and then also pick 18 from NYA and I think like a pick between 20-22 from HSK. There's a lot of familiar names in this class, especially deeper in the first round range. At the top though, there's some very good people in @FrostBeard, @Renomitsu and @McWolf, any of whom I'd be overjoyed to bring to Moscow. @Zetterberg is already a familiar face in the LR as well, and despite our penchant to butt heads, he'd also be a solid addition to our blue line. It'll be fun to talk to the prospects and GMs about any potential moves to make. Excited for the offseason as it'll be an interesting way to manage it this time.

Credit: @leandrofg
 
 
What makes a great season? Well, I would think a great season would be one of interesting stories made up of multiple teams rather than singular team running away with the Victory Cup. While we have a short break between the end of the season and the start of the playoff; let’s look back on what made this a season to remember.
 
Let review the North American Conference first before taking a look at European Conference and how the defending Continental Cup Champions HC Davos Dynamo fared.
 

North America Conference
 
 
 
1.      Toronto Legion           
Record:     45 – 14 – 13; 103pts
Preseason Ranking:     2nd Conference & 2nd League
Season End Ranking:   1st Conference & 2nd League
 
Preseason Forwards:             1st                                            Season End Rank:         6th             
Preseason Defensive:            6th                                           Season End Rank:         2nd
Preseason Goaltending:        7th                                           Season End Rank:       t-2nd
 
Summary: With one of the best offensive teams in the league; it was a bit surprising to see the team finish with the 6th best offensive numbers but it would seem this was more down to commitment to play defense. The team was led offensively by Ronan Lavelle @Arce (40g – 50a -95pts(7th)) and Mac Atlas @v.2 (43g(8th) – 41a – 84pts) but overall had a balanced offensive attack with five players reaching the point per game mark. Toronto commitment to defensive side of the puck was led by Siyan Yasilievich @badcolethetitan (18g – 60a(t-8th) – 78pts); 10th amongst defensemen; helping the Legion to end the season with the second lowest goals allowed in the league. Aided by the strong Sophomore season of Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer (13g – 53a – 66pts).  Strong goaltending from Joel Castle @animal74 (2.29 GAA (2nd), 0.927% (4th) and 4 SO(t-7th)) was good enough for tied 2nd in the league of all goaltender playing over 36 games. They will hope strong commitment to defense will lead them deep into the playoffs.
 
 
 
2.       D.C. Dragons
Record:     47 – 19 – 6; 100pts
Preseason Ranking:        5th Conference & 11th League
Season End Ranking:      2nd Conference & 3rd League
 
Preseason Forwards:             11th                                           Season End Rank:        1st
Preseason Defensive:            9th                                            Season End Rank:          9th
Preseason Goaltending:        12th                                          Season End Rank:         6th      
 
Summary: Unexpectedly led the league in offense this season led by Jason @Jason kranz (55g(2nd) – 60a(t-8th) – 115pts(2nd)); Vincent Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007 (45g(5th) – 55a – 100pts(4th)) and Ryuji Sakamoto @der meister (16g – 77a(t-1st) – 93pts(8th & 2nd Def)). While team dominated on the offensive side, they have to be concerned slightly with the average goals against but if they can continue to outscore their problems then I don`t think they are worried that much heading into the playoffs. D.C. also finished where they were expected too in the way of goals against. With better-than-expected goaltending from Bubbles Utonium @fishy ( 0.927%(t-3rd), 2.60 GAA (7th) and 4 SO(t-7th). The Dragons hope that the better than expected goaltending and hot offense continues into the playoff after a strong regular season.
 
 
 
3.      Los Angeles Stars
Record:     48 – 21 – 3; 99pts
Preseason Ranking:        4th Conference & 9th League
Season End Ranking:      3rd Conference & 5th League
 
Preseason Forwards:             9th                                              Season End Rank:       5th
Preseason Defensive:            11th                                            Season End Rank:        5th
Preseason Goaltending:        6th                                             Season End Rank:        5th
 
Summary: Stronger than expected season but at the end of the day Los Angeles Stars must feel a bit cheated as they finished with the second most wins in the league; only behind HC Davos; the Victory Cup Champions. The better-than-expected offense was led by Todd Cooke @KRZY (41g(t-10th) – 77a(t-1st) - 118pts(1st)) aided by new comers Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher (40g – 49a – 89pts(t-10th)) and Svatopluk Puk @Otaznik (45g(t-4th)- 42a -87pts). While the defense was anchored by another new comer in Elias Lampi @Pifferfish (17g – 56a – 73pts) and top five goaltending from Art Vandelay @Gustav (0.925%(t-7th), 2.37 GAA(3rd) and 5 SO(t-4th). Let not also mention that they were leading the North American Conference at the trade deadline before falling off and sliding down the standings.
 
 
 
4.      Vancouver Wolves
Record:     45 – 21 – 6; 96pts  
Preseason Ranking:        1st Conference & 1st League
Season End Ranking:      4th Conference & 6th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                 3rd                                              Season End Rank:       3rd
Preseason Defensive:             1st                                               Season End Rank:         7th
Preseason Goaltending:         9th                                              Season End Rank:       12th
 
Summary: Slow starts for the Vancouver Wolves are starting to become a trend and this season was no different as they struggled to play decent defensive hockey; which was supposed to be the team’s bread and butter with two all-star defenders in Brian Payne @Scurvy (24g – 58a(10th) – 82pts (5th Def)) and Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito (15g – 64a(7th) – 79pts (9th def)) . Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ (41g(t-10th) – 48a – 89pts(t-10th)) would show last year’s playoff success was no flash in the pants leading the Wolves offense. The big noticeable difference from Preseason Ranking to Season End Rank was the below average goaltending the team received through the season as Brandt Fuhr @Tate (0.917%, 2.65 GAA(10th) and 6 SO(t-2nd)) compared to the rest of the league. Vancouver will need better goaltending if they have any chance at returning to the Continental Cup finals again this season.
 
 
 
5.     Seattle Bears
Record:       40 – 27 – 5; 85pts
Preseason Ranking:          3rd Conference & 4th League
Season End Ranking:        5th Conference & 8th League
 
Preseason Forwards:               7th                                              Season End Rank:       9th
Preseason Defensive:              4th                                             Season End Rank:        4th
Preseason Goaltending:            4th                                             Season End Rank:        4th
 
Summary: The Bears struggled chemistry to start the season and had a slow start but managed to make up ground during the second half of the season. The team overall struggled offensively which they tried to address at the trade deadline the added more offense in Babay Shrimp @Blazzer (5g – 14a – 19pts) since coming over from Moscow in the mid-season trade; (31g – 54a – 85pts) overall on the season.  The Bears were led by Yaroslav Bogatyrev @Bojovnik (46g(2nd) – 42a – 88pts), Randy Bobandy @AJW (31g – 53a – 84pts) and Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg (42g(9th) – 40a – 82pts) but lacked any offensive push from the back-end with Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan (15g – 42a – 57pts) as the teams to leading defenseman. Solid top five goaltending from Clueless Wallob @DMaximus (0.927%(t-4th), 2.41 GAA (5th) and 5 SO (t-4th). The Bears will hope that they can find a more balanced offensive attack as the head to the wildcard round against rivals Vancouver Wolves.
 
 
 
6.       Chicago Phoenix
Record:         34 – 34 – 4; 72pts
Preseason Ranking:          7th Conference & 14th League
Season End Ranking:        6th Conference & 11th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                13th                                           Season End Rank:       12th
Preseason Defensive:               14th                                          Season End Rank:        13th
Preseason Goaltending:           13th                                          Season End Rank:         11th
 
Summary: The team played tough hockey most of the season and just seemed to be consistent around the five hundred mark. The team was led by the usual suspects in Scotty Sundin @fromtheinside (44g(6th) – 46a- 90pts(9th)), and Bo Johansson @Shindigs (10g – 71a(t-4th) – 81pts(6th Def)) as the team starts into a rebuilding situation and the final seasons of the two veteran players. They also stayed respectable through serviceable goaltending from Karl Pedersen @JeffD (0.924%, 2.74 GAA and 5 SO(t-4th). As the team will focus on the off-season to rebuild to once again raise from the ashes. It was a better-than-expected season for the Phoenix but it feels like it wasn`t what they really needed.
 
 
 
7.      Calgary Wranglers
Record:           22 – 44 – 6; 50pts
Preseason Ranking:            6th Conference & 13th League
Season End Ranking:          7th Conference & 13th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                 15th                                         Season End Rank:         15th
Preseason Defensive:                9th                                          Season End Rank:          12th
Preseason Goaltending:            12th                                        Season End Rank:         t-7th
 
Summary: Good old fashion roundup!! This was always going to be a tough season for Calgary as the team in the middle of rebuild with a huge youth movement underway. The team was very active this season completing twelve trades bring in a combination of eighteen draft picks or prospects. The team was led this season by the highest paid player in the league Phil Strasmore @Phil (13g – 47a – 60pts), Rookie Steve Lattimer @pugsood (24g – 27a – 51pts (2nd ROTY)) and sophomore goaltender Merome Dilson @MexicanCow123 (0.928% (3rd), 2.70 GAA and 3 SO(10th)). With more youth coming and a stead presence of Phil Strasmore; Calgary has a bright future in the next few season.
 
 
 
8.       New York Americans
Record:            16 – 46 – 10; 42pts
Preseason Ranking:             8th Conference & 16th League
Season End Ranking:            8th Conference & 15th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                 16th                                         Season End Rank:          15th
Preseason Defensive:                13th                                         Season End Rank:           15th
Preseason Goaltending:            16th                                         Season End Rank:        t-14th
 
Summary: "Bad by Accident" is how it was worded in the S90 VHL Season Preview and long season it must have been for the New York Americans. Where there is darkness, there is always hope!! This is no difference in New York as youth was served this year with Jasper Davis @Josh (24g – 29a – 53pts), Francesco Mancini @GioSivo (20g – 19a – 39pts), Tord Yvel @Trazan (6g -44a – 50pts(3rd ROTY)) and Zyn Westwood  @Sullvino (16g – 21a – 37pts(8th ROTY)). Not to mention older sophomore Lorenzo Cobberson @Hendrix Cobberson (33g – 30a – 63pts). The team looks to the future with more prospects coming next season but it might take a few seasons before they are knocking on the playoff door.
 
 
 
 

European Conference
 
 
 
1.      HC Davos Dynamo
Record:           51 – 17 – 4; 106pts
Preseason Ranking:         2nd Conference & 2nd League
Season End Ranking:        1st Conference & 1st League
 
Preseason Forwards:                    8th                                             Season End Rank:        4th
Preseason Defensive:                   3rd                                            Season End Rank:         1st
Preseason Goaltending:               3rd                                            Season End Rank:         1st
 
Summary: Defending Champions show how they won the Championship last season. Coming from behind with amazing goaltending and timely scoring. Also helped by the fact that they went 8-1-1 in the final week to rip the Victory Cup from Toronto and Prague fingers. Last season was Skor McFleury @Alex(25g – 71a(t-4th) – 96pts(6th & 1st DEF)) coming out party and this season he hasn`t cooled leading HC Davos offensively. McFleury makes up a strong two headed defensive core with Jake Thunder @Thunder (14g – 72a(3rd) – 86pts(3rd Def); add in top forward James Teekirque @Mongoose87 (43g(t-7th) - 45a - 88pts) and Pete Mitchell @Crstats23 (24g – 53a – 77pts) for one of the more balanced offensive team in the league. HC Davos also has the best goalie in the VHL at the moment with Lachlan Summers @kirbithan (0.938%(1st), 2.06 GAA (1st) and 7 SO(1st); who just posted the 8th best sav% ever and the first goalie to lead all categories since S74. Only one questions remains; Can they repeat?
 
 
 
2.      Prague Phantoms
Record:               47 – 19 – 6, 100pts
Preseason Ranking:            1st Conference & 3rd League
Season End Ranking:            2nd Conference & 4th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                   2nd                                              Season End Rank:          2nd
Preseason Defensive:                  8th                                              Season End Rank:           3rd
Preseason Goaltending:              2nd                                             Season End Rank:         t-2nd
 
Summary: Can Phantoms choke? In the case of the Prague Phantoms the answer would be rather resounding yes!! 3-6-1 in the final week seen them not only lose the handle on the Victory Cup but also first in European Conference. Prague has a potent offensive forward core of John Jameson @Frank (45g(t-3rd) – 56a – 101pts(3rd)), Fred Hampton @TownBizness (40g – 58a(t-10th) – 98pts(5th)), Perry Laperriere  @KaleebtheMighty(39g – 49a – 88pts)  and Nikolas Kauppi @Tetricide (39g – 43a – 82pts); while lacking true offensive defenseman rather scoring by committee from the back-end. Matt Murdock @Acydburn (0.930%(2nd), 2.37 GAA(4th) and 3 SO(t-10th)) showed that he is a top goaltender in the league. Can Prague make a run at the Continental Cup and knock off HC Davos Dynamo?
 
 
 
3.    Riga Reign
Record:                 39 – 25 – 8, 86pts
Preseason Ranking:          6th Conference & 10th League
Season End Ranking:         3rd Conference & 7th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                   4th                                               Season End Rank:         8th
Preseason Defensive:                 15th                                              Season End Rank:         10th
Preseason Goaltending:              8th                                               Season End Rank:          9th
 
Summary: Roar!! Look what the Lion brought in!! Huge move to secure a third defender at the deadline have improved the overall defense. Impressively Riga has a very balanced attack with seven of the nine players on the roster at a point per game; lead by Sadie St-Louis @sadie (41g(10th) – 46a – 87pt) and their two defenseman Brian Kowalski @Wheaties (31g – 49a – 80pts(t-7th Def)) and James Marino @Adrest245 (13g – 67a(6th) – 80pts(t-7th)). While Riga will need to tighten up defensively in the playoffs if they have any chance of going far and they will need strong goaltending from Henry Tucker Jr @NSG (0.925%(t-7th), 2.57 GAA(8th) and 1 SO). Have they improved enough to make a deep playoff run?    
 
 
 
4.     Helsinki Titans
Record:                     35 – 29 – 8, 78pts
Preseason Ranking:           5th Conference & 8th League
Season End Ranking:         4th Conference & 9th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                   6th                                                 Season End Rank:        7th
Preseason Defensive:                 12th                                                Season End Rank:        11th
Preseason Goaltending:              5th                                                 Season End Rank:        13th
 
Summary: The raise of the Titans? Weakness all year was the team defense but that was fixed when they traded for Hammar Voss @BOOM (31g – 53a – 84pts(4th Def); and (17g – 32a – 49pts) since joining Helsinki.  It finally gave them an offensive defenseman that could move the puck to high flying forwards of Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877 (40g – 41a – 81pts) and Daryl Dixon @Ricer13(33g – 45a – 78pts). Helsinki could be that team that upsets during the playoffs but they will need Fuukka Rask @Jubis (0.918%(12th), 2.81 GAA(13th) & 4 SO(t-7th)) to be better than he has most of the season. Helsinki will be an interesting team to watch as they are also one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs with 8-1-1 record; matching that of Riga & Davos in the final week.
 
 
 
5.     London United
Record:                  35 – 33 – 4, 74pts
Preseason Ranking:              4th Conference & 7th League
Season End Ranking:          5th Conference & 10th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                   10th                                                  Season End Rank:        11th
Preseason Defensive:                   5th                                                  Season End Rank:          6th
Preseason Goaltending:               1st                                                   Season End Rank:       t-7th 
 
Summary: Are they United? Overall, the team struggled to score this season and put a ton of pressure on the defense and goaltending. Which was somewhat expected but they have snuck into the playoff and will let the dice roll. The United were led this season by Leonard Triller @Triller (35g -47a – 82pts) and Molly the Cat @JCarson (39g -38a – 77pts). London success was heavily dependent on Jesse Teno @aimkin (0.925%(t-7th), 2.49 GAA(7th) and 6 SO(t-2nd)), he cracked but didn`t break. Can Teno carry this team deep into the playoffs?
 
 
 
6.     Malmo Nighthawks
Record:                    28 – 33 – 11; 67pts
Preseason Ranking:               3rd Conference & 6th League
Season End Ranking:           6th Conference & 12th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                     5th                                                    Season End Rank:       13th
Preseason Defensive:                    2nd                                                   Season End Rank:        8th
Preseason Goaltending:                11th                                                   Season End Rank:       10th
 
Summary: For every dark night; the day is brighter!! When the season started, I projected a strong Nighthawks team would contend for playoff and maybe even push Prague and HC Davos but in the end the team lacked Chemistry, goal scoring, an offensive defenseman and a goaltender that could hold the fort. Henry Eagles @Greg_Di (28g – 30a -58pts) and Daniel Weaver @ThePerfectNut (29g – 30a – 59pts) will look for bounce back season while Viktor Jensen @Advantage(18g -42a – 60pts) will try to continue to improve on career highs on the offensive side for the Nighthawks. Jacob Stone @scoop (11g -32a – 43pts) will try to develop into that offensive defenseman.  Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro (0.921% (11th), 2.48 GAA (6th) and 2 SO) needs to make another step to help hold down the crease. Expect Malmo to bounce back next season with motivated players after what has been a disappointing season.
 
 
 
7.    Moscow Menace
Record:                     29 – 40 – 3; 61pts
Preseason Ranking:              7th Conference & 12th League
Season End Ranking:            7th Conference & 13th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                     12th                                                  Season End Rank:       10th
Preseason Defensive:                     7th                                                   Season End Rank:       14th
Preseason Goaltending:                15th                                                  Season End Rank:        16th
 
Summary: Once a Menace; always a Menace!! Rebuild has begun and the league will likely enjoy kicking the Menace as they are down after being a dominate team for most of the 80`s. They continued to add prospects and picks at the trade deadline with trading away Hammar Voss @BOOM and Babay Shrimp @Blazzer leaving the offense to be carried by Left Alone @okochastar (27g – 45a – 72pts) and Fraser Wallace @Hoopydog (23g – 44a – 67pts) while the youth is being served by Jeff Lewis @nerji (27g – 39a – 67pts (3rd ROTY)). Sam Tombstone @samthemancub (0.914%(16th), 3.19 GAA(16th) and 3 SO) was thrown to the VHL (wolves) but proved to be a serviceable tender for a team rebuilding. Moscow Menace are two or three years away as they have just started the rebuild process but they will be back being a Menace sooner than later!!
 
 
 
8.     Warsaw Predators
Record:                      15 – 49 – 8; 38pts
Preseason Ranking:               8th Conference & 16th League
Season End Ranking:             8th Conference & 16th League
 
Preseason Forwards:                      16th                                                   Season End Rank:        16th
Preseason Defensive:                     13th                                                   Season End Rank:        16th
Preseason Goaltending:                 16th                                                   Season End Rank:        15th
 
Summary: Prospect Predators are coming!! Warsaw has a ton of prospect on the way next season lead by Maxim Anisimov (STO) @McLovin, and King Kisslinger (ROM) @Kisslinger with the other prospect still a year or two away. Warsaw also holds seven picks in this year’s draft and will hope that they win the draft lottery. Warsaw was led this season by Tater Tottingham @Trunkxolotl (22g – 26a – 48pts) and Doug Britton @Doug Britton (12g – 35a -47pts); both of whom should be return next season for the Predators. Lifelong Warsaw Predator Wumbo @Fire Fletcher (0.918%(t-12th), 3.40 GAA(16th) & 0 SO) hung his skates up at the end of the season and will be remember for the large role he played in the S84 Continental Cup and S85 Victory Cup; also leaving as the franchise leader in GP, Wins, Losses, OTL, and Saves.
 
 
 
Overall, View of the season:
It was season of a lot of movement with teams trading position right up until the last day of the regular season. In the end HC Davos Dynamo wins their first Victory Cup since S37; which I might add they lost in the finals. Crazy good season from a bunch of players like Todd Cooke leading the league points, Jason leading the high-flying D.C. Dragons and the league with 55 goals, even a defenseman in Hammar Voss scored 31 goals this season (not a career high might I add) and crazy Dustin Funk worthy season from Ryuji Sakamoto. Not to forget Lachlan Summers great season with 8th best sav% ever and the first goalie to lead all categories since S74.
 
 
 
Now we turn our attention to the VHL Playoff and Continental Cup. Who will win? Anyone guesses at this point.

Legend. Thanks! 

nah I don't think so I changed the ones that choose 7 to 5 and the ones that had 6 to 4 if that makes sense lol
 

Review:
Wow, nice detailed graphic that sums up your whole career in Moscow. I love the  attention to detail. A darling figure. Supple, pouting breasts, firm thighs, ya, reminds me of my mother. Nice logo placement and your choice of fonts really makes it stand out from the black background. I also like the random splatter you forgot to wipe off, er, I mean it has a nice effect to the whole graphic. I can't help but notice she has an evil stare that makes you stare back for maybe longer than is healthy. Great job, you will be missed.
10/10

Bana Blabs Down Under in SYDNEY #92 


Another Blab brought to you by Talk-to-Text, an easier way to do this. Thanks, Siri. Despite your many, often simple errors. I appreciate you. You have made this easier and I wish I would have given you a try all those seasons ago! 
 
S90 VHL Index
Severus Targaryen Player Page (Bana's Player)
Seattle Bears Team Page
Bears Discord - General. Come join the fun! That's what the VHL is all about :)
 
 
Hey all! As the beautiful month of September looks to come to a close, so does our regular season for S90. Since my last article I wrote about visiting Melbourne, Australia, we managed to fly ourselves to Sydney for the second time! Unlike when we first came to Australia and spent a week in Sydney, this time we only stayed from the 24-26th. We figured we'd already seen it but it's just so beautiful that we wanted a few more days... and I'm so glad we did! Melbourne was cool, but Sydney is on a whole different level (probably a few up, to be honest and in my opinion). Our Air BNB had cute character for a loft and was perfectly positioned off the water this time close to the gardens, opera house and CBD (we were close last time too mostly - Birch Grove). We spent our time mostly walking around CBD, Darling Harbor and had a beach day where I went stingray hunting with gorgeous views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Northern CBD filling up the views behind the crystal blue waters. ALSO, first 5 minutes in our air BNB and I was outside feeding Banana's to two cockatoos (which was an incredible experience you  can kind of read about in the article I linked above!) and eventually even fed a Lorikeet from my hand which was way too cool and beautiful. For the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and home time article, I think that'll be all next week. Still living it up in Brisbane as we speak!
 
Flip into the shadows of the VHL walls and playoffs are 2-3 games away from finishing.. Unless what I was reading about on Discord about the portal not being updated is still a thing. If so, shit. Will have to do lines eventually and to be fair, Brisbane, Sydney, Cairns, Sunshine Coast >>>>> VHL.... Sorry, Melbs   Seattle has found a way to fall out of grace a little bit. We found a groove, started running well after trade deadline but have since fell right back down in time to play Vancouver. Due to this, I'm sure, they're licking their chops at the potential of some fresh, juicy, Bear meat. Could happen but has potential to be a good one! On paper, both are good. We'll see what STHS has in store. With that being said, let's blab... as this is enough for our VHL.com article lmao...
 
Frederick Elmebeck Award - The idea behind it and reason for it is very kind and thoughtful. I just feel it's a bit of a popularity, ass kissing award where a bunch of friends mass nominate people and sometimes leaves me questioning a lot of the nominees.. really? Them?! Surprised ____ was left off! They've been in the league for what.. 4 seasons? Just became a GM? Over___?? All they are is active really. I guess the wording is "makes a difference in SOME capacity to other members". You certainly see somewhat of a theme of members too.. Would be cool to be recognized though as it is a league nominated award. I think I have been a couple times but haven't walked home with one yet... Could this be the season? I have made amazing relationships this season and over the course of the last 42. Even members I never thought I would... have grown so much like @rory etc that I'm very grateful for. There was a day we couldn't get along! Now we're gonna share a brew at the heritage game. Things change when you give people a chance... who would have thought?? I've been travelling around Australia since February... I've been to Indonesia in this time.. and since September 20th have been on 3 planes.. with 5 more to go... and that's not counting my flights to this wonderful country, to Indonesia, and carrying around a SECOND laptop this entire time so that I can do my GMing duties... We won't even talk about the time zone difference... Still one of the most active GM's.. always a ping away and quick to help.. Have had so many members come to me over the years that needed some help... I was also the member behind the original idea of the Christmas Charity which has collected thousands and thousands of dollars for amazing causes all throughout the world.. (I feel like that's a lot more than some of the members on the list, no? ) and this last off-season, while in Australia and spending all my hard earned money in this wonderful land down under, I introduced the first ever Seattle Bears Team awards under my tenure and have introduced the first ever team award (that I'm aware of) that donates money to charity of the player/member/winners choice. It's just about doing good and trying to instill that into the league, the Bears brand and even myself. I do it often in life, but I really enjoy helping others. It also helps me as weird as that probably is... I want to make a difference and be part of the difference. Despite the little debt I have now from this trip (it's a little more than a little but also none of your damn business hehe), I created the Spirit Bear Award which gave our first ever recipient, @rory, their choice of charity to donate the money towards to help out.  
Will I be nominated? Maybe. I've been a few times but nothing that has ever been close. I've never been an official nominee I don't think.. Unfortunately, I feel like a few small things can have a negative chokehold on some, cast a massive shadow over your positives for some and for them, despite preaching kindness, don't know how to preach and teach forgiveness  At the end of the day, I just see most of them moving their fingers on the keyboard while the above is being done by others. 
 
GMOTY - Still a great team and we made MOVES this season to be where we are. The sim has just been weird sometimes and our competition in NA is strong.. but our goal differential has improved big time mostly.. As @Advantage graciously showed us last season, the BOG is separated on how to vote and most awards take a lot into account.. Maybe no clear rubric? Unsure.. Often confusion around it. Seems a huge jump in standings is a good enough cause to win the award sometimes... and overlook everything else... also seems to be quite a bit of influence in there from some members, wink, wink. For the second season in a row, we flopped all over the place as we managed the cap, roster space and the same old same off-season of 90% of GM's waiting too long, waiting for free agency and WAITING.. that's what some of these new GM's love to do is wait until the last minute and then pull the trigger on the first deal they get even though other GM's probably would have offered more... but makes sense. Why do the work earlier when someone else will do it for you later? lol.. and for I THINK the second straight season, we also made the most trades for teams. 11 this season and 9 last season. All while managing to still make the playoffs and be one of the most consistent, successful teams for almost 30 entire seasons now. I'm doing this all while hopping on planes and being 15,000 KM away from my actual home. Some struggle to respond to GM's in a timely manner.  
Will I be nominated? Don't come off as cheeky, Bana....  Am I not nominated most seasons? 😼 DAMNIT, Bana... Settle down, my VHL mob. I'm only playing to ruffle those pretty cockatoo feathers of yours. Will I win? Honestly, while I have an epic resume for this season, so do a couple others actually. @Moon has done an amazing job with Toronto this season. Great bud of mine, great job! So hard to pick one to root for in the NA but you're up there for me!! I really do think Mooner wins it this season based off how the award comittee etc operates. this time they might not be wrong though! @FrostBeard and @InstantRockstar found ways in the off-season and even @Frank continues to impress with consistency and strength.. Always does a great job. EU - I'd say @samx and @hedgehog337 lead the way for me. They improved the most when it comes to bringing in strong assets.. maybe their seasonal stats aren't as strong, but to be fair, I expected a lot more than 33-29-8 from HSK..  Davos hardly made any big moves... Good season and had some nice, meaningful moves but when you compare to the rest, isn't quite the same level... Same thing with Prague. Same roster, no moves. Good season, sure. Maybe some of these teams had bigger jumps in the standings but eh.. is it on the same level as some of the others like Seattle, Toronto, HSK, RIG, MOS etc? Not to me... One final team that can easily make the list is Moscow @Spartan. Dislike trading with them. Rarely pleasant experience hashing out deals and is comparable to Starbuck's coffee prices. Sometimes you get the odd easy one but that's the nature of this role too... but I look at their roster and draft picks. If you're not scared, you're silly. I strongly avoided Moscow until the last minute so I wouldn't gift them anymore like the rest of you lol...  Every GM is unique. Every GM's competitive levels are different.. While there is a set standard for value, lots of things also affect it personally for teams like the member, history, blah, blah..  For example, I met @Berocka and since then his value has dramatically dropped for me. Guys like 7' tall. Would cost too much for Seattle to keep him well fed.  But it's whatever. We get the job done and i'm not trying to really rip into them.. Their track record is proven and I respect that. Lots talk highly of them and I can appreciate that. We're two hungry managers..  I operate somewhat similar. This is my value. If you don't like it, go somewhere else. Almost always does someone pay... look at LA this off-season and any team that likes to "wait" (not LA in this case..). Often the longer you wait.. the best "fruits" are picked through too.. and you end up paying the same for a bruised peach..  Even though most GM's complain, the value is almost always the same everywhere else.. often times, comedically,  they like to spend a little more... and often you name a price, they say "F*CK no", complain about it somewhere behind your back and then end up trading for a more expensive asset that is less value.. so whatever lol  

Nice one! We've featured it on our VHL IG and Threads account 🍻
 
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxuLf2EubUT/?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg==

Making my way to the HOF....1 TPE at a time.

Making my way to the HOF....1 TPE at a time.

Maybe

Player Information
Username: BOOM
Player Name: Adi Dassler
Recruited From: Returning
Age: 21
Position: LW
Height: 74 in.
Weight: 205 lbs.
Birthplace: Germany

Player Page
@VHLM GM

I'm totally invested in this new player. 
 
I didn't recognise his name in the boxscores.. 

I'm totally invested in this new player. 
 
I didn't recognise his name in the boxscores..