Aimee

Knowing how the VHL works I doubt it would actually result in a paid job but I think if we could get enough people to help, it might not mean too much work for any one "mentor". I also don't foresee there being a flood of help requests so it might be easily manageable by a fair sized team.

I think that would be really cool. Definitely would encourage new people to write.

So I think I have seen it mentioned here and there that forum content has its highs and lows. Usually it goes up with new members or when big things happen like season endings, theme weeks, or holiday events. But I wonder if part of it is due to people not having confidence in their skills. For example, until I actually gave it a try, I thought that I would never be capable of producing any graphic works for the forum. And yet, I have gone on to create about half a dozen. Have I improved? Meh, a little bit from my first one for sure. But do I have the time and energy to figure out how to get better? Not really though I wish I did. I also think the same goes for writing. It could be because we have a fair amount of high school and college age members, or a high population of people whose first language isn’t English. This could cause them to struggle with an English-centered forum. But I think there are members who wish that they could produce content though worry about their writing skills or perhaps just don’t think they have anything to write about; especially to get to 500 words every week for a media spot. So I have a proposal with two options: I propose that the VHL creates either 1) a job or 2) a supervised volunteer position of members who are skilled at graphics and writing to help other members come up with ideas, beta read articles, and help edit them. I know that we have a review system based on the content and writing so I have a point to address that as well. 1. The VHL has a content problem most of the season in relation to how many members it has. I’m not assuming that every welfare + player is even interested in producing, but perhaps a few more might be interested in trying or go back to writing and graphics if they had someone who they could go to for advice or help. 2. The job or volunteer position could be a buddy system where the members get grouped up for an extended period of time, or it could be a dropbox situation where whoever is available at the time could work on it and leave feedback. 3. For graphics specifically, whoever holds the position would not only give feedback or advice, but could actively try and teach other members how to use specific features in whichever program is being used or even just give little art lessons to help someone understand composition and basic layouts. Obviously I’m not a big graphics person so I’m sure someone else could come up with a better system than I could. For writing, I don’t expect someone to fully edit a media spot or any other content. The editing and advice would be more suggestions and fixes of basic grammar. I also think that coming up with ideas is one of the hardest parts of writing long form content and I believe that that is where experienced VHL writers could really assist those who struggle. 4. In order to avoid any issues with the review system, no editing would be a full overhaul as stated above. For example; if I picked a ,com article to edit and I noticed a significant lack of punctuation, instead of going in and putting in every comma or period, I would suggest that the writer go back and put some in in order to make it a bit easier to read. I know that this is sometimes a point in reviews but I think it’s better to help someone improve than to give someone easy review fodder like lack of punctuation. Obviously this is my first proposal or anything of this nature so it’s possible that I just made myself look like an idiot and I’m sure that the idea of it being a job is going to get me laughed out of the building. But I do think that it’s something worth seeing if people would be interested in. I know I would happily lend a hand to anyone struggling to create content. 698 words for week ending 1/15/2023

Transaction ID: 1CX46243KB863235A $1 million 5 Uncapped TPE Doubles Week

WEEEEEE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, MY FRIIEEEEEEENDS! 1. We are the S86 Founders Cup Winners! How the hell are you all feeling?? 2. How do you feel about your playoff performance? 3. If you're leaving us for the E, where are you going??? If you're not, are you excited to be sticking around??? 4. What is your favorite accomplishment from this season? 5. What are you working on during the off season? 6. If you could rename any VHLM team, who would it be and to what?

It’s officially the off season and Jesse Teno has been hard at work both training and enjoying the winter season. Though, skiing in Vermont has been terrible as of late with the warm weather and rain. They were able to get in a few days but for the most part Jesse has been seen shopping around town or hanging out at the Northshire Bookstore. For New Years, Jesse and their family went to a party at the Bromley Lounge to celebrate and ring in the year with the community. Jesse’s fiance failed to make them do karaoke but she serenaded the room herself. Otherwise, Jesse has been spotted at the local Riley Rink taking shots from anyone who was on the ice. Kids of all ages and even some beer leagues stopped by to hang out and play a few pick up games. Jesse also met with the office management to continue working on their foundation. 156 words for week ending 1/15/2023

As someone who has been creating pressers for the last 2 seasons, I'd say it's hard to keep making pressers especially when you're out of the playoffs or during the off season. Start and end of the season are the easiest and holidays or vhl events allow for the easy few here or there. But otherwise you're asking the same general questions every season. So I think a lack of creative juices for questions is definitely something that would turn a lot of people away from writing them.

Picked a book to start the year with: The X Ingredient by Roslyn Sinclair. Thought it was just lesbian fiction. Turns out it's Devil Wears Prada fan fic turned published work. I've read fan fic online and published but the fact that I didn't know is pretty funny.

It has been an honor to AGM this group of incredible players. Congrats to all the Marlins and to you, Jacob, for being an outstanding GM and leader!

It was a near miss meeting of goalies despite joining the VHL just over a month apart. One made the S84 draft while the other joined on waivers until drafted the following season. Now both have made their way through the minors, each only spending a single season in the M and the E. They are two of the fastest first-gens in recent history to 200 TPE. These two goalies will finally have a chance to see how they match up in the big leagues. Jesse Teno of the London United vs Lachlan Summers of HC Davos Dynamo. Let’s see how these two friends got to where they are now. Jesse Teno joined the league one week prior to the S84 draft and, having come into a draft with few goalies and a minor league that was desperate for them, Teno was in the best position possible to get a starting spot right out of the gate. They were heavily desired by the Las Vegas Aces but got scooped up by the Saskatoon Wild for 30th overall. As a rookie with no backup, Teno had the team on their back and finished with a miserable 22-47-2 record, 0.904 save percentage, and 3.2 goals against average with 5 shutouts. Lachlan Summers joined shortly after Teno, just missing the draft by a few weeks and was picked up off of waivers by the San Diego Marlins who already had their starter in Alexander Minion. As a backup, Summers only saw 8 games of ice time and struggled with a 2-5-0 record, 0.884 save percentage, and 3.46 goals against average. With his first full season in S85, Summers had a 34-30-8 record, 0.916 save percentage, 2.57 goals against average and 4 shutouts. It seemed that in the M, Lachlan would win the full year comparison between the two. Not surprisingly, with only a handful of games between Saskatoon and San Diego and with Lachlan Summers working as backup, the two only met on the ice in a single game. It was a 2-1 win for Saskatoon with shots faced almost even at 23-26 in favor of the Wild. Each kept a clear first period but also allowed in a single goal in the second. It was Astro Singh who scored the winning goal on Summers in the third period. Both goalies put up impressive numbers with Summers earning a 0.923 save percentage and Teno earning 0.957. Both Teno and Summers also managed to be perfect while facing penalty kills. The two friends did not meet in the VHLE as Lachlan spent S85 in the M while Teno moved up to play with the Cologne Express. Teno started as backup and later took on the starting role, finishing the season with a 29-12-5 record, 0.930 save percentage, 2.08 goals against average, and 4 shutouts. Summers’ VHLE season with the Stockholm Vikings during the most recent S86 saw him finish with 27-28-9 record, 0.922 save percentage, 2.74 goals against average, and 3 shutouts. Teno would take the win for the E record between the two. Upcoming, however, will be a new story. One that sees Lachlan Summers taking that well deserved shift up to the VHL to play with HC Davos Dynamo. With one season under their belt, Jesse Teno finished a backup year with London with a 7-3-1 record, 0.923 save percentage, 2.43 goals against average, and 1 shutout. Now it’s Lachlan’s turn to take his first season in the VHL and stamp his stats into the record. When S87 starts, Jesse Teno will be the starter for the London United and Lachlan Summers will be the backup to veteran Xavier Booberry on the Davos Dynamo. Who knows how many times these two friends will meet on the ice but something tells us that it will be a showdown each and every time. We only hope that no matter the record between them, they won’t let it get in the way of their friendship. “I’m really looking forward to finally playing against my friend again. It’s been too long and I miss seeing him on the ice. I know he’s been working hard in the M and the E and I’ve been keeping an eye on his game. Definitely worries me that he might actually be a threat. But that won’t get between us in the end. Friends are friends and this is just a job and sport we both love. I hope we can both do amazing but of course I’m going to be happy to kick his ass.” - Jesse Teno “Now that I’m finally moving up the VHL, I’m definitely looking forward to a lot of things and being able to face off against Jesse is one of them. We’ve been friends for a while now and to be able to play against them is an exciting feeling since we’ve never had this opportunity before in our careers. There’s definitely going to be some type of friendly rivalry between the two of us for years to come once I become the full-time starter in Davos like they have for London already! I can promise you anything that happens on the ice will stay on it, though. I don’t hold grudges and Jesse doesn’t either, I reckon. But these past few years have been amazing for young goaltenders and VHL fans should mark their calendars for future matchups between the United and Dynamo. They’re going to be good ones.” - Lachlan Summers 772 words for week ending 1/8/23 word count does not include quote from @kirbithan

PRAISE BE TO SIMON!

To the VHL - Happy New Year! I just wanted to take this article and share how much I have enjoyed the last 6 months here. It’s been a lot of fun, I feel like I’ve made a bunch of friends, and I cannot wait to see what 2023 has in store for this sim league. The year has just started but with the end of the season right around the corner, I just wanted to say how happy I am to be on an amazing team, to be in the chats that I’m in and to be AGM’ing for the top team in the VHLM. I have learned a lot since coming to the VHL and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for me as my first player moves up to a starting goalie position next season. I also have a really solid hold of my build and I hope that it will produce as well as I want it to. I appreciate you all and I hope everyone else has a happy and healthy new year. Aimee 182 words for week ending 1/8/2023

1. Man I hope so! Barely been here 6 months and I'm planning to stick around. 2. I've got one recruit and I've been asking around but to no avail. 3. I guess I wouldn't be mad if he could get a veteran goalie to take over instead of an unproven Teno. 4. Earning as much TPE as possible to continue my build. 5. Not sure. Haven't been paying too much attention to that part of it. 6. Currently reaction time since that seems to be one of the most impactful skills for a goalie.

Ya'll know the drill: 1. Happy New Year Marlins! It's 2023 and we're so close to winning. Do you think we'll have another sweep in the finals? 2. Does your player have any new years resolutions? 3. What is your favorite form of content you produced in 2022? 4. We found out the WJC GMs last week. Do you think you'll get picked to play? 5. What's one thing you want to work on personally in the VHL in 2023? 6. How did you ring in the new year?

Can't wait to see you in the big leagues next season! Looking forward to going up against you.

(Enjoy this dramatized version of the Life and Times of Jesse Teno) Born Jesse Bartholemew Teno on the 13th of June in the year 1998 to parents of unimportant name, age and origin, Jesse was a prodigy out of the womb. Holding their first hockey stick at the tender age of six months and scoring so hard on full grown men before their first birthday. People flocked from all corners of the world to see this baby hockey savant take to the ice on hands and knees. By the time they were walking, Jesse Bartholemew Teno was already facing foes of high school ages. No one could stop the wonder child from growing stronger with each passing day. When they approached the rink the ice itself would literally crack under the pressure of being witness to such strength and ability. Word of this child spread far and wide and every Vermont school was begging the child’s parents to let Jesse attend their school. It was with great pride that the unnamed parents selected Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, Vermont for their gifted and deserving offspring. It was there, at Burr and Burton Academy that Jesse Bartholemew Teno was introduced to a new sport of less epic proportions but still just as interesting: skiing. When the physical education teacher brought the class up the Magic Carpet to the top of the bunny hill, the intrepid young child took off with no direction and no teachings; for they did not need them. Knowing of the child’s genius the teacher dared not stop them from taking off. Jesse Bartholemew Teno pizza pie’d and french fried their way down the slope with ease before taking off by themselves for the main chair lift. It was here that they fell in love with skiing. By the time Jesse Bartholemew Teno was in high school, they were undefeated in every sport they picked up. They had also transitioned from a center position to a goalie. It was here that they faced their first bit of adversity. A goal was scored on them and the rink went silent. Never had the child prodigy been beaten in any way shape or form as they were perfect as perfect could be. And yet it happened. But they shrugged it off, telling the crowd that they had simply blinked and missed the puck. Well… It would seem that Jesse Bartholemew Teno would blink four more times during a single game and their team would lose. Never in their life had they experienced such failure. The other players on their team did not know what to do or say. They had never lost a game playing with Jesse Bartholemew Teno and no one knew how to react or feel. As time passed and Jesse Bartholemew Teno’s perfection seemed to fade, their name recognition did as well. High school would end with the same fanfare as all their classmates. No tv reporters, no scouts, no pomp and circumstance beyond the song being played at graduation. Jesse’s fame would fade as fast as they used to down the mountain on skis. In college, life was…normal? At least, that’s what Jesse assumed. School was harder, sports were harder, and no one was their friend because of the fame. In fact, no one in their school recognized them. The fame was truly over. But if anything, this meant that Jesse wanted to prove themselves. They loved the attention and wanted more. So they tried out for the ice hockey team at the University of Vermont. Backup goalie. Relegated to sit on the bench after years of playing every minute of every game, Jesse spent their freshman year being humbled by the hard work around them. Their own natural talents and strength seemed to leave them, forcing them for the first time to really work to be good. Perfect was no longer an option but they could still be good. With time, Jesse proved themselves to be a good goalie and by the time senior year was ending, they had truly earned their way into the top elite of college hockey. They didn’t hold any records at UVM but they did make their way into a few top 10 record lists. Out of college, Jesse was a real no-name goalie from Vermont who wanted a shot to play professional hockey. The power and raw talent that they had been born with was completely gone, leaving them to their own abilities. Joining the VHLM draft late in the off-season left little expectation for the former gifted child, knowing that there were much better goalies to be chosen. Jesse went 30th overall to the Saskatoon Wild and had to struggle through due to team issues and having no back up goalie. A season later and Jesse had seemed to actually earn their place as they were drafted 21st overall by the Cologne Express and a stunning 10th overall by the London United. Jesse has since had ups and downs in their professional career but they are determined to keep getting better with every season. Even though their childhood had been forgotten by others, Jesse knew that they wanted to be as close to perfect as they could; though life had since taught them that perfection didn’t always bring happiness. 870 words for week ending 1/1/2023

Well, that’s that I suppose. Jesse Teno’s rookie season ends in the wildcard round of the playoffs with the London United. Jesse did not get any ice time during the round but as a backup, playoff time is never guaranteed. Jesse’s rookie season ends with 11 games played and a 7-3-1 record, 0.923 save percentage, and 2.43 goals against average. “Honestly it’s hard seeing the team not make it past the wild card round. I wish I would have had the chance to play in the VHL playoffs but I guess it wasn’t in the cards for me. Rumor has it I’ll be the starter next season so I guess we’ll see if the coaches and admins still think I’m good enough to stay on that track. Hopefully the long off season will give me a chance to keep working on my strength and skills to be ready for next season.” After a much needed break over the weekend, Jesse returned home to Vermont to begin their training for next season. They have been spotted running through their home town in the mornings before heading to the local hockey rink. “Sometimes there’s a kids league there and I let them take shots at me to practice but it also gives me something new to try. Kids can be a lot more resourceful and sneakier than pro players so sometimes they do get one up on me.” Jesse has shared that they plan to change up their training in order to be ready for next season and they are hoping to hook up with other VHL players in the area in order to get in some real practice while they are away from London. But when not training, Jesse can also be found working on The Teno Foundation in the offices of the local rink. So far the foundation has raised about $20,000 to provide equipment and lessons to underprivileged kids in Vermont. As of the holiday weekend the foundation has supplied equipment to an additional 20 families on top of the previously reported 150. “I’m really proud of this foundation and I’m grateful to everyone who has donated not only money but time. Some of our workers who give lessons are doing so as volunteers and without them we wouldn’t be able to impact as many kids as we have.” Aside from all that, Jesse has also been spending time with their fiancé around Manchester shopping and meeting up with old friends. A lot of their down time seems to be spent at either the Northshire Bookstore or the pinball arcade across the street. And since it is quite snowy up in Vermont, Jesse has also returned to their first sport, skiing. “I haven’t been on the slopes at home in a long time and honestly I forgot just how much I love skiing Bromley. I know it’s not the fanciest or the biggest but it’s home and it's where I learned to ski.” Jesse’s fiancé also joined them on the slopes a few times, though she seems to be just as comfortable sitting in the lodge with a book and a hot chocolate. 527 words for week ending 1/1/2023

Last presser of 2022! 1. We had sweeping success in the first round. What do you think our odds are this week? 2. How do you feel your performance was in the first round? Anything you hope changes? 3. Any new pre-game rituals created after the first round? 4. How have the few days off of games been? 5. New year, new start. How does your player plan to ring in the new year? 6. What was your favorite present that you received for the holiday this year?

Jesse Teno’s rookie season is over and the impact they made on the VHL has been minimal. No breakout performances in their 11 games and no real accolades to speak of. Sure, just being trusted to play in the VHL is an honor in and of itself but Jesse felt like they didn’t get to really shine and prove their worth. But perhaps that is what being a backup goalie for a whole season is. In Saskatoon, Jesse was trusted to carry the Wild through both the regular season and the playoffs. In Cologne, Jesse had a short stint as the backup before taking over the role as starter a few weeks in. This has been Jesse’s quietest season on the ice since they were a freshman in college and the feeling is strange. They know they made an impact with their 7 wins but it doesn’t feel like a big enough one to them. Hopefully the next season will be their chance to really show everyone what they are made of. 172 words for 1/1/2022

Yes! I'm very excited about the tv show. Paoilini himself is actually going to be involved and he's said that he basically agrees that the movie did not do the story justice. So he's going to be there from casting to the editing bay and I'm very excited to see what he is able to get them to do. I picked it up the year it was released and it's the book that got me to realize I actually do love reading.