leandrofg

I'd like to be considered for one of the positions!

Leandro Goncalves "The Portuguese Wonder" Position: Center Place of Birth: Braga, Portugal Height: 6' 5'' Weight: 220 lb. Shoots: Right We're 12 games from the end of Season 82 of the VHLM and one of the stories we saw developing from the start was about the "Portuguese Wonder", Leandro Goncalves. The Portuguese man signed a one-season contract with the Mississauga Hounds in the week before the season was starting, but was traded to the Mexico City Kings 22 games into the season. Not for lack of quality, but for pieces that the Hounds' GM felt were going to help the team's rebuild in the upcoming years. After an adaptation period in Mexico City, Leandro is now tearing through the competition with the Kings, having contributed with 4 Goals and 5 Assists in his last 5 games adding up to 11 Goals, 13 Assists, for 24 Points in his last 18 games. Pros Scoring Did you read that last bit where he scored 4 Goals and 5 Assists in his last 5 games? He continues to make life miserable for goaltenders thanks to one of the deadliest shots in the VHLM. He's big, strong, and knows how to use this to score goals. His shot continues to improve as his body and overall game mature. He is learning to handle the tight-checking and physical play that comes with being one of the VHLM's elite scorers. Game IQ Did you read that last bit where he scored 4 Goals and 5 Assists in his last 5 games? Yes, not only does this guy score as a maniac, but he's also the ultimate team player. Although his eyes are in goal, every time, it doesn't mean he forgets to pass. His play away from the puck still needs to improve but he is among the VHLM's most dangerous players with the puck on his stick. Although this doesn't restrain him from being a force in the defensive game, fighting for possession, hitting the opposition, and blocking shots at will. Finally, and maybe even more important is this guy's locker room presence, as he was named Alternate Captain less than two weeks after joining Mississauga's locker room, and in Mexico City seems to be well-liked by his new teams, having been part of multiple media outlet content. Work Ethic This is maybe the core of his existence. Since joining the league he has not missed a step concerning his evolution, capped TPE, uncapped TPE, bonus TPE... you name it. If it has TPE in it, he's there. And if you need to know at what time he enters the gym for practice, I can refer you to this article. Cons Discipline Don't get me wrong, Leandro is not a dirty player, but we must look at his progress during the season, and thankfully we have two pools of data to evaluate him from. This point comes only from his time in Mississauga, where he amassed more Penalty Minutes than Points. Was this related to his adapting period? To his poor play? To the teams' poor play? We don't know, because he seems to have turned that part of his game around, not only with more Points in Mexico City but also less PIM in more games played. Let's just keep this in mind, although it does seem to be a long-gone pain. Consistency This improvement in play from Leandro has been a sight for sore eyes. After half a season trying to prove himself and his game in the VHLM, he has found the sweet spot, adapting himself to the North-American style of play. If we evaluate his first 42 games in the minors, we could only see a struggling young man - although showing promise - every time he stepped on the ice, now we see the potential - the true potential - of a player than can, one day, make his mark in the VHL. Final Thoughts Leandro is a strong, powerful player who has the ability to make those around him elevate their games. He's an excellent skater with powerful strides and a strong jump. He possesses excellent possession skills, a strong vision, and a stronger shot, which combine with the ability to create plays out of nothing for himself and his linemates. He is also strong defensively, bringing a good effort level and complete game. See you in the VHLE next season, bud. Long Range Potential: Elite Franchise Center

Broo! Only saw this right now! And I was wandering w/o a signature for so long! Could have been playing like this last game for so long!

1. I was expecting we added a Defenseman through a trade, but management decided to go with the FA route, saving us some resources for the upcoming draft. We ended up with AK92 Wit da Hoodie, which as been a great choice! 2. He's had an instant impact on the team, defensively and offensively, which we needed. With a couple more games under his belt I can see us improving our win-loss percentage of late. 3. Leandro's new sig works. 4. Yes! Both for him and Freeze! We've been improving all-around, so the shutouts are coming! 5. Of course, we need everyone at their best come playoff-time, but Matt is truly a catalyst for our team. When he's at his best, we're all at our best. The same can be said for Jason and Ryuji. 6. Certainly a close series! We're fighting for a higher seed, but a Kings-Lynx matchup seems the most probable. 7. I believe the VHLE is in my future, yes, but right now I'd like nothing more than for us to go for the title in the VHLM. I want that in my resume before graduating. 8. Does the Ukraine-Russia conflict count?

Another week has passed in the VHLM and the Kings have been one of the hotter teams in the league. Pushing for a higher seed in the playoffs, the Mexico City-based squad amassed an 8-5 record in the last week. The renewed morale up-front has been the catalyst for the team as well as the sudden rise of play made by the 'Portuguese Wonder', Leandro Goncalves. He's taken the 2nd-line minutes of Calen McKay after proving his worth on ice. He has stepped up his level of play contributing with 7 Goals and 8 Assists, totaling 15 points in 13 games, where he also contributed with a game-winning penalty shot in the game 224 against the Philadelphia Reapers, which made it to Shoot-Out. After the trade from the Mississauga Hounds was confirmed, there was definitely an adaptation period where Leandro had to find himself within the Kings' style of play, but now we're sure seeing his true potential, after all when we look at his 30 Points in Mexico City, the first 15 were in his first 21 and the last in his last 12, so we can only look forward to what's next!

Boy, would I rather write a Media Spot... but Argos, @Insypher has been on a tear after unveiling the new sig so I went at it!

I'd like to be considered for the position!

1. I think the team's doing pretty well, the new players are still adjusting, but everything seems to be getting on track. We should improve defensively if we're trying to make some noise in the playoffs! 2. I've already spent some time writing about what a dream team is for me. As a newcomer in the VHL I tried to search and learn a bit about the league's history. If you want to check what I wrote, click here. 3. Aztendies! 4. Our top line has been lethal! It is true that it can only improve, especially if the other pairings can make a difference which will help the first line and vice-versa, helping the team overall! 5. Can point one skill out. Trying to make him the best all-around player I can! 6. I can't really comment on this, right? But if we win the 'ship, the rating would be 10/10. 7. Weather in Northern Portugal has been too good for the season, what should be a rain soaked location is now going through a severe drought. 8. After a heartbreaking exit from the NFL playoffs by the Packers... I can't complain about how the Maple Leafs are doing.

Thanks for the shoutout, Mr. Bond! Good time on the Hounds! Hope to see you in the playoffs!

What's a Dream Team? You may think there's no dictionary entry for these words joint venture, but there is. When you enter "dream team" in the Cambridge Dictionary's search tool, you're redirected to the following definition: A dream team is "a group of people who have been specially chosen to work together and are considered to be the best at what they do". But what makes a team a dream? In hockey, there's an agreement as to who is the greatest team to have ever stepped foot on the ice, the Red Machine. The USSR's product that had previously won five gold medals in the Olympic Games (and went on to win the next two) was a frightening well-oiled unit, but what made the 1980 Soviets great? Was it that they trained better or longer than anyone else? Was it the understanding between the players, or maybe their coaching tandem of Arkady Chernyshev and Anatoli Tarasov, the father of Russian ice hockey? This era of domination and great results is a combination of all these factors and ended up being the greatest run ever made by a nation, and that domination was due to the Soviet-style of play which wasn't based on having and building a team around its' star player, but instead utilizing each players' strengths for the collective good. Even though this style sacrificed individual skill when the International Ice Hockey Federation chose its Centennial All-Star Team, there were 4 soviets chosen, 3 of which are still regarded as some of the best to ever play their position. At this point, we can start to make a few assumptions as to what made the Red Machine, the symbol of what a dream team should be... a group of people who have been specially chosen to work together and are considered to be the best at what they do. It seems to be the same definition as the dictionary. Now, where can we find the team that most resembles this definition and conducted themselves with the same work-ethic shown to us by the Soviets, for it's not simply choosing the best players, expecting them to work perfectly together, but searching for those who have already done this before. We must go back 62 seasons to find this team, the S20 Riga Reign, comprised of league leaders in the plus-minus column, Alex Stoyanovich (C), J.D. Stormwall (LW), Max Kroenenburg (RW), Olivier Scarlett (D), Austin Hickey (D) joined by Ma'a Nonu in goal and Tarik Saeijs (C), who won both the Mike Szatkowski Trophy (Most Points) and Kevin Brooks Trophy (Most Goals) leading the second-line. These guys gave it their all, sacrificing for the team, but maintaining a high level of play that makes us remember them 62 seasons later. They didn't dominate for decades, but that isn't to expect in the VHL, but equally to the Soviets in 1980, they did fall short of the ultimate goal to win the Continental Cup. Their legend lives on just as much as the HC Dynamo team, which was as well managed as the Soviets, and ended up winning in all in S20 and kept coming back, year after year, turning back-to-back wins in S24 and S25. But the team effort showed during that season by the Reign players, resembles me what a dream team should be. The S20 Reign were a dream, but as all good things... they didn't last.

We're in the 189th game of the 82nd VHLM season as the Halifax 21st welcomes the Mexico City Kings to the cold weather of Nova Scotia. Could the cold make the difference between these teams disappear? Or at least balance out the game? This could have been the story if not for the Portuguese Wonder, who is already accustomed to this weather after starting the season in the cold breeze surrounding Lake Ontario, in Mississauga. Back to the game, and the Kings strike right away! In the 8th shot-on-goal in four minutes for the Kings, the man, myth, legend, Hasbulla Magomedov scores, assisted by the Betas! With not much happening in the first period, the 7 face-offs won in 9 attempts by Leandro Goncalves is the major highlight of the period's remainder. The second-period starts and the Kings score right away, but a few minutes later concede and things get crazy. Within 2-and-half minutes the score goes from 0-2 to 2-3 and that's where Leandro's presence starts to be felt, after assisting Sakamoto on the 3rd goal, he scores 2 of the last 3 goals, giving him the first star of the game and putting the game away for the Kings who are, at the moment, riding a 6-game win streak. Can they keep on rolling? Will they show they're a team to beat? Two of their next three games are against top teams in the VHLM, Houston (2-seed) and Philadelphia (1-seed). We'll see how they fare against this level of competition!

Transaction ID: 20932838444014325 To be claimed this week (14/02-20/02) $1M Player Store Cash 5 TPE Uncapped Doubles Week

1. Yes, I did. 2. The playoffs are definitely on the menu for us. After Hunor and I were traded here, I feel this team took a step forward towards greatness, now it's up to us to gel and be great. if we do that... we may be active players in the playoffs! 3. It's hard to say... Matt and Called have been great, but I would have to answer that question with Ryuji's name. He's had impact both on offense and defense, with 25 Assists and 100+ Shots Blocked and Hits. 4. Super Bowl party with my American Football team went great. Dinner and finger food, the game... was great in the first half, afterwards not so much. 5. *Jokingly* Yes. 6. I have yet to find something to change in the VHL. It hasn't been long since I arrived, but I'm pleased with everything I've encountered so far. 7. Haven't been giving a lot of attention to the Olympics, but if I were a betting man... I'd put it on Canada to get the Gold. 8. 'The Office' takes the crown. That show has everything, is all-around great and I bet it holds this title for many people!

Over the past week, the Hounds have lost two of the best players on their roster. The trade that took Leandro and Hunor to the Kings definitely left a dent in the squads' overall rating. Even so, these Hounds' never lose posture and playing against the 12-13-2 Aces' didn't lose the game without making it a tough fight. Out-shot 37 to 23 in the game and losing 4-0 at the first intermission, the Hounds dominated the remainder of the game and outscored the Aces 4-2. Both teams' players deserve a shoutout for it was indeed a great hockey game! But, a more interesting storyline should be the continued growth from the Hounds. Is it sustainable!? Guess we'll find out!

It's a normal Tuesday... I woke up early, as I normally do. There's not much noise around you when you wake up before 90% of the population, so you feel a different level of peace within yourself. Early solo practice was good and the team meeting went as usual, without anything eventful to report on. Even with our unsatisfactory record, we truly embraced the Hounds' spirit and managed to create an healthy relationship with the team, between the players and with management. Now, we fast forward to that Tuesday's night. I'm relaxing on my couch after dinner where the highlight was the Poutine I gave to myself as a treat for the level of commitment and consistency, even though the performance in game hasn't been reflected to my stats. Man, is that sh*t good. "The Office" is on as I watch the episode where Dwight is fired from Dunder Mifflin and took a job at Staples for trying to cover up Angela's mistake regarding the forms which were supposed to have been sent to corporate the day before. As I look through my window and towards Mississauga's skyline, I notice a message from Hounds' GM, Daniel and I start to read the message. "Another GM showed interest in your player and I am tempted to get into trade talks." I'm instantaneously taken aback by what I just read, even letting go of the phone, dropping it from the couch. I can't really believe it... it's it really meant for me, or is this a practical joke? I mean, Daniel is Swiss... they don't do jokes, so I pick up the phone from the carpet and start reading the message again. "Another GM showed interest in your player and I am tempted to get into trade talks. Just wanted to let you know and to assure you that this has nothing to do with you" (...) "I need to release you to the draft end of this season" (...) "so I take what I can if someone offers me picks for the draft." I take a moment to breathe as I'm yet to believe in what I'm reading. Now, this is by far, the most challenging decision in my professional life... how should I approach this matter? I understood I was facing a crossroads in my evolution as a player and that comes with exceptionally difficult choices to make. Although this decision was out of my hands, I knew I was expected to have a choice, and a mandate I had for myself in making was to have it be based on the potential for my growth as a player - as that has always steered me in the right direction. With this in mind, and not knowing who was the GM interested in trading for me, only knowing I'd have a chance to play for a team with chances to reach the playoffs, I gave Daniel my blessing on the trade possibility, thanking Daniel for the opportunity to play 1-st Line minutes with the Hounds. After this conversation, a couple of days had gone past without ever talking about it again. Could have the trade talks fallen? I was in the dark until Friday evening when this news was confirmed to me, I was traded to Mexico City. It isn't news to me but now you know I'm officially a King.

The sun is yet to rise as I start writing this story about Leandro Goncalves. The fog commands Mississauga's skyline, the sidewalks are still covered with a thin layer of ice, and every breath we take causes our lungs to compress due to the frigid temperatures one finds at 6 a.m. near Lake Ontario. Today, as we enter the Hounds' facility in Rose Cherry Place, the thermometers show -4ºC which is equivalent to 24ºF, for our imperial unit-loving readers. As we find a seat in a heated booth, the arena lights are still warming up, the ice is so clean and pure you could see your own reflection and in the locker room, there's only one player getting ready to hit the ice, the self-acclaimed Portuguese Wonder, Leandro Goncalves. We are 79 games into the 82nd Season and the Mississauga Hounds hoist, by far, the worst record in the VHLM, with a combined 1-15 and leading every other team by at least 8 points in the fight for last place, while scoring the least and conceding the most. When you look at these stats in a simple, almost rough way, you strip a team's work to the bare minimum, which could be misleading. (Even if, in this case, it isn't.) As Leandro enters the ice, I take a coffee break so I can watch the talent hit the ice. 5 minutes turn to 15, which turn to 45, and suddenly the sun is rising and it's 7:30 a.m. There's no secret, the exercises are seen and utilized in other training facilities, but this kid is something else. As he skates around the ring you can't seem to shake the feeling you're seeing a trailblazer in his field and that we're entering a new era of the sport where the players are faster and much more skilled. As we go through a Penalty Shot exercise we can see his Puck Handling... and he's a magician in the way we can move the puck not only along the ice but also as he glues it to his stick and proceeds to accurately place the puck in the top corner. This is All-Star breakaway material while most of the league wakes up. It seems we can't knock Leandro's work ethic or skill level but after 16 games played there's not much to show. With only 13 points, he's 3rd in that regard within his team, and evaluating more closely he trails his 2nd-Line Center, Henrik Johansson, in Assists, tied with his 2nd-Line Defenceman, Hunor Solyom, and trails the latter in goals. Fun fact, Leandro has more penalty minutes (14) than points (13). Below-par performances, that's what we've been seeing from Leandro, the perfect contrast to what is training is, leading to a plus/minus of -15 and a Shot-to-Goal percentage below 10%. Now the question is... why? After a strong start, what has happened? Should we be wondering about the Wonder? This seems to be a difficult question to answer as Leandro retreats to the locker room so he can attend the team meeting. Is he feeling the pressure of leading the team? Is he disappointed to have not been named Captain? We'll continue to follow the Portuguese Wonder in the next weeks and keep you update on his progress in the league.

1. I feel is growing as a team everyday. Not only have we recruited very well since the season started, we have also consolidated our lines, making decisions easier for management during a difficult rebuilding period. 2. Disappointing is a good word to describe it. Although the first two weeks were nice, these last few games have been horrific. Not much to comment after that, although there’s something to thank the rest of the team after naming Leandro as an ‘Alternate’. 3. 10/10, for sure. It’s a bit difficult to understand everything at first, but our management as been great in that. Both Daniel and Ente! 4. The Office. Forever a classic. 5. American Football. Go Pack Go! Also, I play it myself here in Portugal. MLB for the Braga Warriors! 6. As I stated before this initial period in the community as been great due to the fact Daniel and Ente took this task hands on, trying to create this atmosphere inside the locker room where an inquisitive spirit is advised!

+10 Leandro Goncalves (currently at 96 TPE w/ 4 TPE Pending Approval)

The 1st week is in the books for the teams in the VHLM and the Mississauga Hounds have played 3 games already. Coming in the season, the expectations for the team weren't very high and the word "rebuild" was used multiple times to describe the state of the club. And so the 1st-week rolls in as the Hounds battle the Miami Marauders in Game #1, the S81 champions Ottawa Lynx in their second game, and visit the Bulls in Houston to close the week. The record is as you're thinking of it about now, 0-3, but fortunately, there are positives to take from this first week as the young core seems to be gelling well. But when you look what the performances more closely Adison Bond (@adison) is the stand-out! Mainly his performance against the Lynx which contributed with 3 Points, and maintained great efficiency throughout the game. It wasn't a perfect week, which would also be a lot to ask of a player on the Hounds, but the Face offs have to be improved... such a crucial part of the game where he wasn't able to secure over 50% win percentage in any of the games. Other than this, there isn't much to report on the Hounds' first week as we're still expecting 'The Portuguese Wonder' to show.

Hey, @halamo! Join us in Mississauga. Let’s friggin’ do it!!