leandrofg

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

"The Portuguese Wonder", that's what the fourth and newest prospect coming from Portugal has been described by.
 

 
In an interview with a Portuguese media outlet, the 25-year-old Center surprised the world by announcing he was leaving his home country in search of a new challenge.
 
Although there are no stats to prove, his type of play and impact resembles the one of Auston Matthews, the 24-year-old, Arizona-born, Center, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who, some could argue. as been far more well succeeded than the Portuguese man. But as he?
While last year Auston and the Maple Leafs made it to the playoffs for the 5th time in 6 years, they were - yet again! - sent off on the first round... and what about Leandro? He was great... he even won the darn thing! In his console, of course, but this can only mean one thing. This guy is a winner. On and off the field!
 
But during the interview, he stated that he wanted to "prove it to himself" and his haters or his "doubters" as he so elegantly put it that he could play at the highest level and although he knows he isn't yet ready for the level of play in the VHL, the soon-to-be called late-bloomer is excited for the opportunity to play in the VHLM and as already been seen in contact with some league personnel even stating a preference for a team during the aforementioned interview.
 
The NFL Green Bay Packers fan stated "Although I'm a fan of the cold and the northern-Milwaukee and southern-Ontario area, I'd like to find a passionate fan base and the right environment for me to develop", and followed with "The San Diego Marlins are definitely a worthy option to consider."
 
Asked for a follow-up to those statements he added "San Diego and Mississauga are the places I'm considering as of now. Looking at the rosters I can strongly see an opening where I can make a difference in the 1st or 2nd Line as well as Special Teams. And that's where a player can develop the most... on winning lines."
 
The interviewer had a bad time following up on this due to the unawareness he had of the league and ice hockey in general, but he ended with a last question.
 
- "Any favorite number", asked the reporter.
- "13!", said Leandro enthusiastically.
- "But. that's a bad luck sign.", reiterated the reporter worriedly.
- "Not to me.", responded Leandro, very swiftly and confidently ending the interview.
 
Now, we can only wait for the decision as we left this interview with an extra question from the one we started with.
 
"Who's this guy?" and will we get to know him in San Diego or Mississauga?
 

Let's start by saying my Photoshop skills aren't the best, but I'll try to improve the quality as I go!
 
This is my first graphic/banner/sig for my player, based on a Auston Matthews/Maple Leafs PR photo, with the Hounds' logo and Leandro's number (I'm actually proud that the number on the right arm, which was edited looks almost real(-ish)! 😂
 

 
 

Let's start by saying my Photoshop skills aren't the best, but I'll try to improve the quality as I go!
 
This is my first graphic/banner/sig for my player, based on a Auston Matthews/Maple Leafs PR photo, with the Hounds' logo and Leandro's number (I'm actually proud that the number on the right arm, which was edited looks almost real(-ish)! 😂
 

 
 

@Daniel Janser, thank you! The font appealed to me as well, not necessarily for the same reasons, but now that you mentioned it... it actually does remember me of that and, furthermore, that'd be an amazing 'catch'-phrase for a goalie's signature!
 
 
@Shindigs, thank you very much for the review and the more technical criticism! I'll go back and apply some of those techniques you talked about and see if I can make it better. I definitely agree with you on the front logo, and I'll even try to create some sort of mask where the logo should be applied on top of the fabric and will follow its flow.
 
I didn't actually work around the face, but I can see what you're saying! Although that's the actual promo shot, when I get back to try and mix the techniques you talked about in the first paragraph, will try to work on that as well!
 
(Thank you both for the time you took reviewing this! 🙌)

Let's start by saying my Photoshop skills aren't the best, but I'll try to improve the quality as I go!
 
This is my first graphic/banner/sig for my player, based on a Auston Matthews/Maple Leafs PR photo, with the Hounds' logo and Leandro's number (I'm actually proud that the number on the right arm, which was edited looks almost real(-ish)! 😂
 

 
 

Let's start by saying my Photoshop skills aren't the best, but I'll try to improve the quality as I go!
 
This is my first graphic/banner/sig for my player, based on a Auston Matthews/Maple Leafs PR photo, with the Hounds' logo and Leandro's number (I'm actually proud that the number on the right arm, which was edited looks almost real(-ish)! 😂
 

 
 

Hounds Press Conference - Leandro Goncalves - 31/01/22
 
1. I feel like these first game will really tell us the story as to how the season will go. We're a group of new, motivated players and I feel we're going to gel really well together and that will only lead to good things.
 
2. They've been pretty focused on building a strong internal group, as we're all aware of the difficult season we have in front of us. Making sure we're all happy together as well as invested in this phase of the club, while at the same time trying to recruit players with the right mindset. I'll take this opportunity to welcome Jesse [newest member of the Mississauga Hounds (Goaltender)] to the team!
 
3. Not really. Let's fake it 'til we make it. Jokes apart, an all-around Center is the goal.
 
4. This challenge of a rebuild really speaks out to me, and, of course, I value 1st and 2nd Line minutes above all something I know the Hounds will be able to give me.
 
5. Has to be Cristiano Ronaldo. His work ethic and character really speaks out to everyone and is visible to everyone. There's a lot of work behind his talent and physical ability. Other than that, it has to be Roger Federer, because of the (almost) cerebral way he approaches tennis.
 
6. 150, here we go! Let's go boys!! 

Hounds Press Conference - Leandro Goncalves - 30/01/22

1. It’s definitely an interesting position to be in entering the league. Of course, we have expectations to be at our best level week in and week out, but being in a rebuilding phase takes some stress out of some nasty situations you’re in when fighting for higher seeds. This being said, just because we’re rebuilding doesn’t mean we’re going down an uncompetitive road.
 
2. The future is definitely uncertain. Of course, when we make the decision to follow our dreams we have the goal to make it to the show, but there’s a time and place for everything and for now I’m only thinking Mississauga and the VHLM. 
 
3. I’m still new and getting a grasp of things will take a while, but the community seems splendid!
 
4. They got me, so… pretty good!
 
5. Playing American Football, for sure!
 
6. There’s uncertainty about what Leandro will be able to do, but we can only expect him to show what he’s been showing his whole hockey life. A team-first mentality with an uncanny playmaking ability that will help Mississauga find its way forward.

In what seems to be an unprecedented marketing push for a relatively unknown overseas player entering the Free Agent pool of the Victory Hockey League, the decision regarding Leandro Goncalves' future has been dubbed "Another Decision".
 
     This means only one thing. This kid suffers from the same egotistic and narcissistic behavior that LeBron did when he was about the same age and traded his hometown for South Beach. The resemblance is uncanny, altough LeBron did raise a couple of millions for charity... which I guess this kid won't, but at the same time you want have to watch the program for half an hour until "The" decision is made. Instead, you can simply scroll to this post's end and read the 'TLDR' section, you fricking millennial.
 
     Who's Leandro? This might be what you're asking yourself... which you still might in the near future. Leandro, if you haven't learned already, is also known as "The Portuguese Wonder", which if you weren't on a hockey website you might confuse for a magician's nickname, but maybe he is and maybe we can call him that. 
 
     A magician with the puck, with a knack for assists, eye for the goal, tenacity on the faceoffs, and a 'dawg' mentality on the more physical parts of the game. Of course, we must take this with a grain of salt, for his competitive level hasn't been up to par on what he's expected to face on the VHLM, but his decision means he's up for the step up in challenge and means he is indeed invested in making himself the most well-rounded player he can be before he jumps to even higher grounds.
 
     From the presentation we had from his team, we knew, coming in, the most important things and what he was looking for in a team were a "passionate fan base" and a "right environment to develop" as a player, with "an opening where I can make a difference in the 1st or 2nd Line as well as Special Teams". At the same time, we knew only two teams were being considered, the Mississauga Hounds and the San Diego Marlins.
This leads us to the decision of the day, to which we have only a couple of short sentences to share with you written by the player itself.
 
     "This season I'm going to take my talents up north and join the Mississauga Hounds. I feel like it's going to give me the best opportunity to win, and not only just to win in the regular season or just to win five games in a row, I want to be able to win championships. I feel like I can compete down there and I feel like Mississauga gives me the best shot at progressing in my career, and having met with Daniel [Hounds' GM] I'm sure this is the right decision!"
 
     Well... I guess it was written by the player indeed... either that or he isn't paying his PR people to write the most original stuff in the world... that's almost word by word what LeBron said 12 years ago... what's next? Are you going to tell me he only shared this information with the team a couple of minutes before the publication of this article? 
 

 
TL;DR: Leandro Goncalves is the newest member of the Mississauga Hounds.

Let's go!! #releasethehounds

Hello @Daniel Janser!
 
I guess you were reading my mind or something while I was going through the forum looking for info and trying to learn a bit - as well as writing "my" "Junior Review".
 
I'm definitely interested in playing for you guys and if you have time to read the review you'll see I was expecting either you guys or San Diego to say something. I'll get back to you on this! And if I join the Hounds I'll join the Discord of course!

In what seems to be an unprecedented marketing push for a relatively unknown overseas player entering the Free Agent pool of the Victory Hockey League, the decision regarding Leandro Goncalves' future has been dubbed "Another Decision".
 
     This means only one thing. This kid suffers from the same egotistic and narcissistic behavior that LeBron did when he was about the same age and traded his hometown for South Beach. The resemblance is uncanny, altough LeBron did raise a couple of millions for charity... which I guess this kid won't, but at the same time you want have to watch the program for half an hour until "The" decision is made. Instead, you can simply scroll to this post's end and read the 'TLDR' section, you fricking millennial.
 
     Who's Leandro? This might be what you're asking yourself... which you still might in the near future. Leandro, if you haven't learned already, is also known as "The Portuguese Wonder", which if you weren't on a hockey website you might confuse for a magician's nickname, but maybe he is and maybe we can call him that. 
 
     A magician with the puck, with a knack for assists, eye for the goal, tenacity on the faceoffs, and a 'dawg' mentality on the more physical parts of the game. Of course, we must take this with a grain of salt, for his competitive level hasn't been up to par on what he's expected to face on the VHLM, but his decision means he's up for the step up in challenge and means he is indeed invested in making himself the most well-rounded player he can be before he jumps to even higher grounds.
 
     From the presentation we had from his team, we knew, coming in, the most important things and what he was looking for in a team were a "passionate fan base" and a "right environment to develop" as a player, with "an opening where I can make a difference in the 1st or 2nd Line as well as Special Teams". At the same time, we knew only two teams were being considered, the Mississauga Hounds and the San Diego Marlins.
This leads us to the decision of the day, to which we have only a couple of short sentences to share with you written by the player itself.
 
     "This season I'm going to take my talents up north and join the Mississauga Hounds. I feel like it's going to give me the best opportunity to win, and not only just to win in the regular season or just to win five games in a row, I want to be able to win championships. I feel like I can compete down there and I feel like Mississauga gives me the best shot at progressing in my career, and having met with Daniel [Hounds' GM] I'm sure this is the right decision!"
 
     Well... I guess it was written by the player indeed... either that or he isn't paying his PR people to write the most original stuff in the world... that's almost word by word what LeBron said 12 years ago... what's next? Are you going to tell me he only shared this information with the team a couple of minutes before the publication of this article? 
 

 
TL;DR: Leandro Goncalves is the newest member of the Mississauga Hounds.

"The Portuguese Wonder", that's what the fourth and newest prospect coming from Portugal has been described by.
 

 
In an interview with a Portuguese media outlet, the 25-year-old Center surprised the world by announcing he was leaving his home country in search of a new challenge.
 
Although there are no stats to prove, his type of play and impact resembles the one of Auston Matthews, the 24-year-old, Arizona-born, Center, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who, some could argue. as been far more well succeeded than the Portuguese man. But as he?
While last year Auston and the Maple Leafs made it to the playoffs for the 5th time in 6 years, they were - yet again! - sent off on the first round... and what about Leandro? He was great... he even won the darn thing! In his console, of course, but this can only mean one thing. This guy is a winner. On and off the field!
 
But during the interview, he stated that he wanted to "prove it to himself" and his haters or his "doubters" as he so elegantly put it that he could play at the highest level and although he knows he isn't yet ready for the level of play in the VHL, the soon-to-be called late-bloomer is excited for the opportunity to play in the VHLM and as already been seen in contact with some league personnel even stating a preference for a team during the aforementioned interview.
 
The NFL Green Bay Packers fan stated "Although I'm a fan of the cold and the northern-Milwaukee and southern-Ontario area, I'd like to find a passionate fan base and the right environment for me to develop", and followed with "The San Diego Marlins are definitely a worthy option to consider."
 
Asked for a follow-up to those statements he added "San Diego and Mississauga are the places I'm considering as of now. Looking at the rosters I can strongly see an opening where I can make a difference in the 1st or 2nd Line as well as Special Teams. And that's where a player can develop the most... on winning lines."
 
The interviewer had a bad time following up on this due to the unawareness he had of the league and ice hockey in general, but he ended with a last question.
 
- "Any favorite number", asked the reporter.
- "13!", said Leandro enthusiastically.
- "But. that's a bad luck sign.", reiterated the reporter worriedly.
- "Not to me.", responded Leandro, very swiftly and confidently ending the interview.
 
Now, we can only wait for the decision as we left this interview with an extra question from the one we started with.
 
"Who's this guy?" and will we get to know him in San Diego or Mississauga?
 

In what seems to be an unprecedented marketing push for a relatively unknown overseas player entering the Free Agent pool of the Victory Hockey League, the decision regarding Leandro Goncalves' future has been dubbed "Another Decision".
 
     This means only one thing. This kid suffers from the same egotistic and narcissistic behavior that LeBron did when he was about the same age and traded his hometown for South Beach. The resemblance is uncanny, altough LeBron did raise a couple of millions for charity... which I guess this kid won't, but at the same time you want have to watch the program for half an hour until "The" decision is made. Instead, you can simply scroll to this post's end and read the 'TLDR' section, you fricking millennial.
 
     Who's Leandro? This might be what you're asking yourself... which you still might in the near future. Leandro, if you haven't learned already, is also known as "The Portuguese Wonder", which if you weren't on a hockey website you might confuse for a magician's nickname, but maybe he is and maybe we can call him that. 
 
     A magician with the puck, with a knack for assists, eye for the goal, tenacity on the faceoffs, and a 'dawg' mentality on the more physical parts of the game. Of course, we must take this with a grain of salt, for his competitive level hasn't been up to par on what he's expected to face on the VHLM, but his decision means he's up for the step up in challenge and means he is indeed invested in making himself the most well-rounded player he can be before he jumps to even higher grounds.
 
     From the presentation we had from his team, we knew, coming in, the most important things and what he was looking for in a team were a "passionate fan base" and a "right environment to develop" as a player, with "an opening where I can make a difference in the 1st or 2nd Line as well as Special Teams". At the same time, we knew only two teams were being considered, the Mississauga Hounds and the San Diego Marlins.
This leads us to the decision of the day, to which we have only a couple of short sentences to share with you written by the player itself.
 
     "This season I'm going to take my talents up north and join the Mississauga Hounds. I feel like it's going to give me the best opportunity to win, and not only just to win in the regular season or just to win five games in a row, I want to be able to win championships. I feel like I can compete down there and I feel like Mississauga gives me the best shot at progressing in my career, and having met with Daniel [Hounds' GM] I'm sure this is the right decision!"
 
     Well... I guess it was written by the player indeed... either that or he isn't paying his PR people to write the most original stuff in the world... that's almost word by word what LeBron said 12 years ago... what's next? Are you going to tell me he only shared this information with the team a couple of minutes before the publication of this article? 
 

 
TL;DR: Leandro Goncalves is the newest member of the Mississauga Hounds.

"The Portuguese Wonder", that's what the fourth and newest prospect coming from Portugal has been described by.
 

 
In an interview with a Portuguese media outlet, the 25-year-old Center surprised the world by announcing he was leaving his home country in search of a new challenge.
 
Although there are no stats to prove, his type of play and impact resembles the one of Auston Matthews, the 24-year-old, Arizona-born, Center, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who, some could argue. as been far more well succeeded than the Portuguese man. But as he?
While last year Auston and the Maple Leafs made it to the playoffs for the 5th time in 6 years, they were - yet again! - sent off on the first round... and what about Leandro? He was great... he even won the darn thing! In his console, of course, but this can only mean one thing. This guy is a winner. On and off the field!
 
But during the interview, he stated that he wanted to "prove it to himself" and his haters or his "doubters" as he so elegantly put it that he could play at the highest level and although he knows he isn't yet ready for the level of play in the VHL, the soon-to-be called late-bloomer is excited for the opportunity to play in the VHLM and as already been seen in contact with some league personnel even stating a preference for a team during the aforementioned interview.
 
The NFL Green Bay Packers fan stated "Although I'm a fan of the cold and the northern-Milwaukee and southern-Ontario area, I'd like to find a passionate fan base and the right environment for me to develop", and followed with "The San Diego Marlins are definitely a worthy option to consider."
 
Asked for a follow-up to those statements he added "San Diego and Mississauga are the places I'm considering as of now. Looking at the rosters I can strongly see an opening where I can make a difference in the 1st or 2nd Line as well as Special Teams. And that's where a player can develop the most... on winning lines."
 
The interviewer had a bad time following up on this due to the unawareness he had of the league and ice hockey in general, but he ended with a last question.
 
- "Any favorite number", asked the reporter.
- "13!", said Leandro enthusiastically.
- "But. that's a bad luck sign.", reiterated the reporter worriedly.
- "Not to me.", responded Leandro, very swiftly and confidently ending the interview.
 
Now, we can only wait for the decision as we left this interview with an extra question from the one we started with.
 
"Who's this guy?" and will we get to know him in San Diego or Mississauga?
 

"The Portuguese Wonder", that's what the fourth and newest prospect coming from Portugal has been described by.
 

 
In an interview with a Portuguese media outlet, the 25-year-old Center surprised the world by announcing he was leaving his home country in search of a new challenge.
 
Although there are no stats to prove, his type of play and impact resembles the one of Auston Matthews, the 24-year-old, Arizona-born, Center, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who, some could argue. as been far more well succeeded than the Portuguese man. But as he?
While last year Auston and the Maple Leafs made it to the playoffs for the 5th time in 6 years, they were - yet again! - sent off on the first round... and what about Leandro? He was great... he even won the darn thing! In his console, of course, but this can only mean one thing. This guy is a winner. On and off the field!
 
But during the interview, he stated that he wanted to "prove it to himself" and his haters or his "doubters" as he so elegantly put it that he could play at the highest level and although he knows he isn't yet ready for the level of play in the VHL, the soon-to-be called late-bloomer is excited for the opportunity to play in the VHLM and as already been seen in contact with some league personnel even stating a preference for a team during the aforementioned interview.
 
The NFL Green Bay Packers fan stated "Although I'm a fan of the cold and the northern-Milwaukee and southern-Ontario area, I'd like to find a passionate fan base and the right environment for me to develop", and followed with "The San Diego Marlins are definitely a worthy option to consider."
 
Asked for a follow-up to those statements he added "San Diego and Mississauga are the places I'm considering as of now. Looking at the rosters I can strongly see an opening where I can make a difference in the 1st or 2nd Line as well as Special Teams. And that's where a player can develop the most... on winning lines."
 
The interviewer had a bad time following up on this due to the unawareness he had of the league and ice hockey in general, but he ended with a last question.
 
- "Any favorite number", asked the reporter.
- "13!", said Leandro enthusiastically.
- "But. that's a bad luck sign.", reiterated the reporter worriedly.
- "Not to me.", responded Leandro, very swiftly and confidently ending the interview.
 
Now, we can only wait for the decision as we left this interview with an extra question from the one we started with.
 
"Who's this guy?" and will we get to know him in San Diego or Mississauga?