Aimee

Last night we were able to catch Jesse Teno heading out of Saskatoon as they were shifted from member of the Wild into Free Agency.
 
Jesse, how are you feeling? Must be bittersweet.
 
It is. Being here and playing professional hockey in Saskatoon was definitely an amazing experience. It’s sad to leave but it feels good to be moving up.
 
What will you do with your time before the draft?
 
I’m going to just go home, take a few days to relax with friends and family that I haven’t seen since coming here, and then I’m going to get right back to work and practice my ass off.
 
Any updates on the scouting interviews?
 
Yea, actually. A few teams from both the VHL and the E have reached out and they were all good interviews. I just hope I made a good enough impression to end up on someone’s roster.
 
I don’t think that will be a problem. As one of the top producing players in your draft class, we all think you’re going to go far.
 
177 words for week ending 8/28/22
 

Last night we were able to catch Jesse Teno heading out of Saskatoon as they were shifted from member of the Wild into Free Agency.
 
Jesse, how are you feeling? Must be bittersweet.
 
It is. Being here and playing professional hockey in Saskatoon was definitely an amazing experience. It’s sad to leave but it feels good to be moving up.
 
What will you do with your time before the draft?
 
I’m going to just go home, take a few days to relax with friends and family that I haven’t seen since coming here, and then I’m going to get right back to work and practice my ass off.
 
Any updates on the scouting interviews?
 
Yea, actually. A few teams from both the VHL and the E have reached out and they were all good interviews. I just hope I made a good enough impression to end up on someone’s roster.
 
I don’t think that will be a problem. As one of the top producing players in your draft class, we all think you’re going to go far.
 
177 words for week ending 8/28/22
 

Thank you all for your time as I have fulfilled my duties as interim GM of the New York Americans (murca) and have enjoyed the experience jumping into the fire on short notice.  I haven't held a team management position since approximately Season 27 (maybe idk) so this was a friendly reminder that I do not want to do it.
 
Some quick accomplishments:
 
1) remove sam from the locker room
 
2) traded Jerome
 
3) downloaded STHS for the first time ever
 
Some quick shoutouts: 
 
@MexicanCow123 for doing such a bad job that Josh begged me to take over 
 
@BarzalGoat for being awesome and doing one press conference (and stealing my locker room content for Cologne)
 
@InstantRockstar for handling NYA-G2 going ham really well
 
@Zetterberg for not responding to my PM
 
@nurx for the amazing activity you've brought the franchise thus far
 
 
I will continue to assist as necessary while on New York and am open to providing second opinions on pretty much anything that is not related to the VHL.
 
Here is a picture of me for 1/1 presentation
 

 
 

1. Still a tough loss to swallow tbh, especially with 2 OT losses. I'm curious to see how many series we win if we played them 100 times for example. Such a close series that we could have won, and potentially win the Continental Cup after. At the same time, at least we lost to the champions I guess
 
2. A blast of a rookie season, with an incredible lockerroom and great atmosphere. Couldn't have asked for a better time personally, I was invested into every single game. Pleasantly surprised with my player's performance, and looking forward to the next season. Only thing that could have made it better was a Continental Cup
 
3. I'll probably do a bit of scouting for the draft class, but mostly I just chill. Focus on building my player and getting max TPE. Player-wise my goal at last pre-season was to be 750 TPE before the start of the S85 regular season, so we will see how that plays out.
 
4. 100%. Also looking forward to the 2 S84 draftees that will be making the jump. It's nice to see a future core already being established even while we are a contending team. So crucial to have solid prospects. 
 
5. Obviously Acyd's player Matt Murdock will be a generational goaltender. Although I find big interest in Astro Singh @8Ovechkin8 and Jesse Teno @aimkin, who I personally think both will be exceptional talents when we look back after their careers.

I must have all the jobs apparently, so I shall apply

Feel free to take this with a grain of salt, because I'm assuming I'm one of these "well-connected members" who supposedly get hired for everything. Honestly, beyond VHL GM/BoG, my resume doesn't look like much more than yours. I've applied to a lot of jobs that I didn't get--including fantasy, which you did get, and I've also been applying for every updater opening I've seen since before you were in the league and only just recently became one (it's also likely that that wouldn't have happened either if I were still GM or something else). I've been rejected for WJC GM, World Cup GM, World Cup/WJC Commish, VHL GM, Player Store Updater, recruitment, fantasy at least twice and at more than one level, and Updater probably 5 times at least. If there's some grand conspiracy to hire me for everything I apply for, I think I've missed it. And I've never once thought that I was passed over because of some personal vendetta I don't know about.
 
I like to think I've earned the roles I've gotten by consistently putting myself out there in the community and showing that I'm capable of doing work that contributes to the enjoyment of other members. I'm sure you'd say the same about the jobs you've had as well. Maybe you can blame it on being "well-connected", but I'd encourage you to think about what that means and why people who are seen by the rest of the community as solid members are in that boat. I actually do think it's fair to some extent to label certain hirings as popularity contests, but to some extent that actually makes sense. Think about the amount of trust that comes with your VHLM GM role--you have to be really good at making a positive first impression on new members, really active and able to provide help whenever it's needed, and a solid representative of the league who can be counted on to make new players also solid representatives of the league. By being hired, you've earned the trust of the "higher-ups" already because they think you can do all of those things. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been hired! So I think it's a bit short-sighted to blame your situation on others and make the claim that the league hates you. They (we?) don't. At peak activity, you're just as good as any other member IMO.
 
To address something else: if your goal is to get hired for things, then why make a thread accusing the people in charge of hiring you for things of hating you and then respond to someone with a personal shot? I can't imagine that it's going to do you any favors in the near future (though we should absolutely be able to forget this ever happened). There are certainly much more constructive ways to get your thoughts out there. Try doing what Spartan suggested and reach out to someone to ask what you could have done to get whatever job. Sometimes all it comes down to is a gut feeling, sometimes there's a hotshot rookie who hasn't had an opportunity yet, and sometimes there's an old vet with ten times the track record of you or me who's sitting there without a job. Ironically, the principle of spreading jobs around that you say you want might be holding you back--who's going to get hired into Fantasy Zone (for example), Active Member A who's running a team, or Active Member B who isn't? I've never had to make hires, but it's quite possible that someone's looked at you in a thread and said "well, they're already a GM, so let's hire someone without a job". I haven't kept track of the hirings you're talking about, but I wonder how many have gone to members without jobs--in those cases, the lack of a job is usually seen as a plus.
 
Feel free to reach out if you sincerely believe that active members of the community hold a grudge against you. I can assure you that I do not. In the meantime, keep putting yourself out there and good things will come eventually 😄

With the VHL Draft coming up soon, I wanted to do a quick peek at the top prospects based on TPE. Interestingly, looking at the current TPE totals, it seems like there will be 7 players north of the 300 mark, with 2 of them being goaltenders Matt Murdock and Henry Tucker Jr. The next highest below 300 is also a goaltender in Jesse Teno. Just below Teno? two more goaltenders in Karl Pederson and Geoff Bezos. In total, based on current TPE counts, 5 of the top 10 prospects are netminders, which is frankly staggering to consider. Only 1 of the top 10, Phil Strasmore, is a blueliner, and only John Jameson at the faceoff dot. 
 
What this will lead to, in my opinion, is one of the most unpredictable VHL Drafts in years. It wouldn't be shocking to see a goalie taken in the late 2nd round who ends up being a top tier netminder for years to come. 

1. I feel like Seattle but I also have no freaking clue how good either team is. 
 
2. defense! Definitely forgot to update it but I made up for it after and added a ton to it. 
 
3. New Delhi Steel plates 
 
4. More time with sunlight and cold drinks!
 
5. get buckets and cash tpe let’s gooooo
 
6. cricket low key if you understand it and watch the league version of the game can be hella fun to get into! 

1. Warsaw! 
 
2. Definitely an all around improvement. 
 
3.  Denver Doodles of Nashville. Iykyk
 
4. Air conditioning! And late sundown. 
 
5. Just keep working and earning to be as ready as possible for the VHLE. 
 
6.  Slam Ball! Most people haven't even heard of it but I just got word that it's making a comeback. 

1. Warsaw! 
 
2. Definitely an all around improvement. 
 
3.  Denver Doodles of Nashville. Iykyk
 
4. Air conditioning! And late sundown. 
 
5. Just keep working and earning to be as ready as possible for the VHLE. 
 
6.  Slam Ball! Most people haven't even heard of it but I just got word that it's making a comeback. 

Bologna, chicken and macaroni, chilling with the homies.

1. We're a few games into the tournament. How are you feeling about your performance so far?
I'm a bit frustrated because I know I can do better. I am working on my passing right now so I can create more opportunities for us on the offensive end. I'm also looking to up my physical game without taking too many penalties.
 
2. If you're new, what's one thing you're enjoying about the VHL? If you're a returning player, what's been your favorite moment over your tenure?
I've liked the community so far! It was a bit overwhelming at first but I had a lot of help.
 
3. Do you play any sports for real? If not, what's one sport you wish you could play?
Used to play hockey. Got too busy for it. Hope to pick it up again once I'm done school.
 
4. If you could rename any VHL/E/M team, which would you choose and what would the new name be?
Los Angeles Stars of Anaheim
 
5. What is your goal during the Junior Showcase?
To have the team finish top 3 overall. 
 
6. Vegas just won the VHL Founder's Cup for a second year in a row and the VHL finals will be ending this week. How excited are you for the draft and which VHLM team are you hoping to be drafted by?
I am focused on playing my best game right now so I haven't given it much thought. I think if I keep doing that teams will notice my efforts and hopefully I land on a team that is a good fit.
 

I’m going to give this a try here and rank the top 10 prospects for the upcoming draft .
 
1. Daniel Weaver ( @ThePerfectNut ) LW 
Weaver is without a doubt the top ranked guy going into the draft this season , he earns at a good rate , Can play up and down your line up . Weaver had a solid season as the Capitan of the Houston Bulls he was arguably their top player all season. He will develop into a top tier goal scoring winger down the road . Any team would be lucky to have this guy !
 
2. Matt Murdock ( @Acydburn ) G
The top ranked goalie had a Breakout season in the VHLE this year for the Red Wolves. his size and ability make him a franchise goalie forsure . Heck he could even jump Weaver and be selected 1st Overall this season . I predict Murdock will be a top goalie in the VHL sooner rather then later.
 
3. Henry Eagles  ( @Greg_Di ) RW 
Another top ranked winger Eagles , Played for a very good Watchmen team in the VHLE . He seems primed to make a big jump and become an impact player wherever he may play next season . He has all the makings of a top line Winger in the future.
 
4. Phil Strasmore ( @Phil) D
The top d man in the draft Phil played a crucial role down the stretch for the Houston Bulls as he was acquired near the trade deadline . Phil has all the potential in the world to be a number 1 defence man on whatever team selects him and a top d man in the league as well !  He’s excellent on both sides of the puck.
 
5. Henry Tucker Jr ( @NSG) G
Tucker Jr had a great season for the Mexico City Kings . I’d even go as far to say that he was their mvp this year , Like Murdock , Tucker could potentially become a franchise goalie for whoever selects him . Only time will tell if he can translate his VHLM success to the big leagues!
 
6. John Jameson ( @Frank) C
The first centre in these Rankings Jameson Put up and impressive 97 points in the VHLM this past year spending time in San Diego and Philly . Jameson projects to be a 1st line centre not afraid to throw the body that puts up points !
 
7. Karl Pedersen ( @JeffD) G
Pedersen is a very interesting Goalie prospect he struggled in San Diego early in the season but after he was traded to missassauga he caught fire and was one of the top goalies in the VHLM . I see him being a very reliable starting goalie wherever he ends up !
 
8. Jesse Teno ( @aimkin) G
despite a tough season playing for Saskatoon Teno put up some decent numbers and still seems to be a very promising goalie prospect. He showed some great resolve in the playoffs in a tight series against Vegas stealing some games and putting in a great performance in an overtime loss.
 
9. Jani Karppinen ( @ShawnGlade) D
Jani was another defensive stud for Houston last season ! Easily the teams playoff MVP . At one point last season he was compared to Cale Makar .  Like Phil Strasmore I expect karppinen to be a number 1 defender on the team that drafts him ! 
 
10. Tater Tottingham ( @Trunkxolotl) D 
Tater easily could’ve been the highest ranked defender on this list . And very well could be looking back in a few years . He had an unreal year for Mexico City last season and was a huge part of their success. Very promising defender heading into this draft forsure !
 
honourable mentions
 
Geoff Bezos G
Solid G lots of potential 
 
Bill Nye The Puck Stopping Guy G
easily Houston Bulls MVP this season
 
 
Sunglasses Joyo C
had a huge playoffs for Halifax !
 
final thoughts 
this draft has ALOT of goalies And promising players at each position ! Time will tell to see how these rankings age 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

1. We're a few games into the tournament. How are you feeling about your performance so far?
I think so far I have been living up to my name and performing pretty mediocre this tournament. Hopefully I can exceed my name and perform a bit better in the next few games
 
2. If you're new, what's one thing you're enjoying about the VHL? If you're a returning player, what's been your favorite moment over your tenure?
I am new and this has been a blast, some great comradery and just an all around good time 
 
3. Do you play any sports for real? If not, what's one sport you wish you could play?
I used to play baseball for like 10 years or something...was a catcher since whatever level of little league had catchers. I really wish I was still playing baseball, in fact I have a 2 catchers mitts and 2 baseballs on my desk that I frequently throw around while I think things through at work. 
 
4. If you could rename any VHL/E/M team, which would you choose and what would the new name be?
Ooh this is tough, I don't think I have been around long enough to get a feel for all the names 
 
5. What is your goal during the Junior Showcase?
To show off how mediocre I really am! 
 
6. Vegas just won the VHL Founder's Cup for a second year in a row and the VHL finals will be ending this week. How excited are you for the draft and which VHLM team are you hoping to be drafted by?
This was a great start to my VHL journey...I never expected when I joined the Halifax 21 that we would make it to the finals and the sweep by the aces doesn't show the whole picture, we fought hard and played a good game. I am excited for the draft and will be happy to play for whatever team would have me! 

It’s locker clearing day here in Saskatoon and we’re catching up with Jesse Teno just before they head out. 
 
Jesse, sorry to see your season end like this. How are you feeling?
 
Honestly? I’m okay. It wasn’t the season any of us wanted but I think it was great to make it to the playoffs and even better to get those two wins against Vegas. It wasn’t easy but it was fun.
 
Do you think you’ll stick around Saskatoon or head into the VHLE draft? 
 
Oh I’m already in the draft. Saskatoon is a great place but I think it’s time for me to move onward and upward. 
 
Have any VHLE teams reached out and shown any interest?
 
No, not yet at least. Hopefully someone will. But I have been contacted by a VHL team so we’ll see where that goes.
 
Well, wherever you end up, know that you’ll always be welcome back here.
 
Thanks. It’s going to be bittersweet leaving Saskatoon. But it’s the way this sport works. I’m just trying to look forward to the next part of my career.
 
182 words for week ending 8/21
 

It’s locker clearing day here in Saskatoon and we’re catching up with Jesse Teno just before they head out. 
 
Jesse, sorry to see your season end like this. How are you feeling?
 
Honestly? I’m okay. It wasn’t the season any of us wanted but I think it was great to make it to the playoffs and even better to get those two wins against Vegas. It wasn’t easy but it was fun.
 
Do you think you’ll stick around Saskatoon or head into the VHLE draft? 
 
Oh I’m already in the draft. Saskatoon is a great place but I think it’s time for me to move onward and upward. 
 
Have any VHLE teams reached out and shown any interest?
 
No, not yet at least. Hopefully someone will. But I have been contacted by a VHL team so we’ll see where that goes.
 
Well, wherever you end up, know that you’ll always be welcome back here.
 
Thanks. It’s going to be bittersweet leaving Saskatoon. But it’s the way this sport works. I’m just trying to look forward to the next part of my career.
 
182 words for week ending 8/21
 

Review:

Great draft predictions. Always fun to read this and it's more fun since I will be in this draft. Interesting to see all the predictions of where my player will go. Good writeup of why you think why each team will take that specific player in the draft. The only thing I would add is maybe tag the player you are predicating (as players always like to see the predictions) and maybe a picture to help spruce up the article. 8.5/10!

Daniel Weaver + 127 Matt Murdock + 111 Henry Eagles + 123 Phil Strasmore + 111 John Jameson + 121 Henry Tucker Jr + 120 Karl Pedersen + 73 Jesse Teno + 149 Astro Singh + 129 Jani Karppinen + 61 Geoff Bezos + 78 Tater Tottingham + 91 Alfred Champagne + 106 Lloyd Braun + 103 Reid Johnson + 115 Babay Shrimp + 71 Larry Abass Jr + 101 Bill Nye The Puck Stopping Guy + 84 Jeremy Swayman + 83 Halvar Torbjorn + 36 Gavin Rozzdale + 49 Nikolas Kauppi + 78 Reno Reinhold + 67 Scottie House + 31 Brayden Albrecht + 68 Felix St-Laurent + 68 Alexander Stroheim + 54 Vinny Lecavalier + 36 Luke Glendenning + 36 Mats Zuccarello + 36 Robert Overmeyer + 42 Ethan Mann + 36 cheesy bacon + 36 Hayden Bromley + 30 Miguel Martinez Gonzalez + 25 captain nugget + 33 WaterMalon King + 23 Big Daddy + 12 Franklin Franklinsen + 14 Alex Ovechkin ll + 6 mini man + 9 Parker Lamar + 20 MORPHEUS DESTRUCTIOUS X2 + 10 Cash Aleksic + 2 Alek Lafriesker + 2 Noah Mel + 6  
Total number of people who updated this week in this draft class: 46  
@ThePerfectNut @Acydburn @Greg_Di @Phil @Frank @NotSoGood88 @JeffD @aimkin @8Ovechkin8 @ShawnGlade @Quik @Trunkxolotl @Anthique @Toast @TopTiddee2 @Blazzer @RileyL @Big Newff @Agito @Rayzor_7 @Jbeezy76 @Tetricide @Reno @Carpenter74 @Gage2 @Jay_F @Stroheim @Spartakiller2 @ColeMrtz @Battlepopcorn @RobBro34 @Emann2003 @ollollie03 @theBombster @Maiik89 @Captain nugget @Watermelon king @Ron Gorgonzola @Franklin @Bruh @wow @Pork2010 @Abaddon @glass @LaffyTaffy @TotallyNotGibby

1. We're a few games into the tournament. How are you feeling about your performance so far?
 
2. If you're new, what's one thing you're enjoying about the VHL? If you're a returning player, what's been your favorite moment over your tenure?
 
3. Do you play any sports for real? If not, what's one sport you wish you could play?
 
4. If you could rename any VHL/E/M team, which would you choose and what would the new name be?
 
5. What is your goal during the Junior Showcase?
 
6. Vegas just won the VHL Founder's Cup for a second year in a row and the VHL finals will be ending this week. How excited are you for the draft and which VHLM team are you hoping to be drafted by?

Seems all who are interested have made their applications. Since some of you are currently GMing in the JST and that's a known gateway drug to VHLM GMing, and we already know due to the interim GM situation in Miami that at least 1 GM spot in the M will probably open up. I'm not going to move forward with a new hire until that's been taken care of. So I don't accidentally hire someone that will instantly become a M GM.
 
I'll interview you all in DMs when all that's sorted.

Well, we've been eliminated.
 
I can't say I'm surprised, in fact based on how one-sided our meetings were with Seattle in the regular season, I had put us down for a swift 5 game exit in the Fantasy Zone bracket. And I don't think that was wrong based on what we knew coming into this series. But it went a lot better than that.
 
To start things off Red Gaming @Lilpfigher held us in a game 1 where we should have been absolutely blown out, and then helped us tie the series up at 1. That kind of continued to be the theme of the series, a goalie battle back and forth. Really some games the shot totals were a bit skewed, but overall it was a very tight series with the goalies deciding who would win or lose. Heading into game 7 we had a massive, thicc, juicy 0 Gdiff between the two teams. And in the end we came up 1 goal short. Just the one.
 
I see it more as a cinderella run that we even gave the Bears a proper showing. I was not expecting it, I was also pretty pleased to see Bo step up and lead Chicago in scoring in the playoffs. After the very underwhelming end to the season he had, I wasn't expecting much tbh. I guess he finally got his supply of Clue Glue™ renewed or something?

A VHL Review - From a Noob
 


Hello hello! I just wrapped up my very first season in the VHL and I want to write about it! I want to share my experience for entertainment, as maybe a guide for other newbies, and possibly as a way to express any issues I had during the last two months.
 
I joined the VHL a week before the S84 draft and had quite the steep learning curve prior to the draft. It seems I came in at a time that was both hectic and opportune. Not only did I dive into something while everyone around me was scrambling, but I also unknowingly chose the one position that was in high demand; goalie.
 
Now, I’m a goalie girl. Give me a goalie any day. My favorite player is Marc-Andre Fleury. I was mad when the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh’s farm team) traded goaltender John Curry because I truly believe that the trio of Fleury Curry and Murray could have been something amazing. But I digress if to only let you know that I chose to play a goalie for a reason.
 
So luck had it that I chose to create my goalie Jesse Teno and I was thrown into a deep end so deep that I swear Nessi was lurking down there. Coming into the VHL with no one in real life to guide you or to explain how it works means learning a lot on the fly. Honestly I think if it hadn’t been for @Shindigs I think I would have been mediocre at best and inactive at worst. I know that the beginners guides are there but as someone who doesn’t usually do forum or site based activities like a simulation league, it is a serious learning curve. I was definitely lost and confused my first week and even to this day I still sometimes struggle to remember where to find things. But I suppose that’s part of the process, right? Sure. But I think the way newbies are taught could use a little tweaking.
 
To continue that thought and one that comes to me as I’m writing is that I would have to assume that many members of the VHL do not have English as their first language. I am lucky in that it is for me. But I do think that certain things that I found confusing, must be even more so for non-English speakers. Now I won’t speak for others but for example, I think the one thing that maybe needs tweaking is the abbreviations. There are so many and it’s hard to always find where the dictionary for them is. Maybe if there was a dedicated dictionary somewhere to lay out all of the league, sim, site, and game abbreviations, that could help new players out even more. 
 
But to talk about the other side of that coin would be to hype up the incredible people in the discord servers. I’m not the most active but I do participate when I find a window of opportunity and I find myself able to ask questions and not feel like a moron. After I was drafted, I knew I wanted a cool signature like everyone else but I also knew that I had no artistic skills especially on a computer. So I asked in the Saskatoon discord and it was suggested that I just ask in the main server. I was so freaking nervous. I thought I was going to be told to go away, that I can’t just ask, or that I would even be ignored. But that’s not what happened and it honestly blew my mind. Out of nowhere, asking for nothing in return, was @Enorama offering to make me a sig and as you can see below, it’s incredible. I’ll be sad to see it go when I need an updated one after the upcoming draft. But all this to say that this has been one of the nicest communities I have ever participated in and I truly think that the kindness and willingness to help from veteran members is what makes the VHL so amazing. Take away the hockey and you still have a group of really good people. 
 
One thing that I have really enjoyed with the VHL is all the writing I have been doing. I used to write in high school and in college along with a lot of fanfiction. It’s been years since I have told a story but this sim league has given me a new perspective to write from. It’s been a seriously good exercise and because each week brings something new, I don’t feel like I run out of things to write about. I was concerned about the off season especially needing to hit five hundred words for a Media Spot but this thing just hit a thousand while I added this paragraph in so there we go, now I’m covered for this week and next!
 
I had an incredible first season in the VHL and I have learned a lot and made a few friends over the last two months. It also blows my mind that it’s only been two months. It feels like so much longer than that. 
 
I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way by just liking a post, answering my random questions on discord, or even posting words of encouragement when I was getting down at the beginning of the season in my writing. Also to those who have tagged me in posts and talked about my player, like most recently with @badcolethetitan. It seriously put such a smile on my face to read what you wrote about me; thank you.
 
So if you’re new to the VHL and you find yourself lost or confused or both, my suggestion would be to take a deep breath, join the Discord, and just start asking questions. You’ll get some silly responses like a pickle gif or #BlameCole but you’ll learn to understand their weird ways and even come to enjoy them. And if you have any questions from a fellow newbie’s perspective, you can always reach out to me too.
 
1,022 words for weeks ending 8/14 and 8/21 
 

A VHL Review - From a Noob
 


Hello hello! I just wrapped up my very first season in the VHL and I want to write about it! I want to share my experience for entertainment, as maybe a guide for other newbies, and possibly as a way to express any issues I had during the last two months.
 
I joined the VHL a week before the S84 draft and had quite the steep learning curve prior to the draft. It seems I came in at a time that was both hectic and opportune. Not only did I dive into something while everyone around me was scrambling, but I also unknowingly chose the one position that was in high demand; goalie.
 
Now, I’m a goalie girl. Give me a goalie any day. My favorite player is Marc-Andre Fleury. I was mad when the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh’s farm team) traded goaltender John Curry because I truly believe that the trio of Fleury Curry and Murray could have been something amazing. But I digress if to only let you know that I chose to play a goalie for a reason.
 
So luck had it that I chose to create my goalie Jesse Teno and I was thrown into a deep end so deep that I swear Nessi was lurking down there. Coming into the VHL with no one in real life to guide you or to explain how it works means learning a lot on the fly. Honestly I think if it hadn’t been for @Shindigs I think I would have been mediocre at best and inactive at worst. I know that the beginners guides are there but as someone who doesn’t usually do forum or site based activities like a simulation league, it is a serious learning curve. I was definitely lost and confused my first week and even to this day I still sometimes struggle to remember where to find things. But I suppose that’s part of the process, right? Sure. But I think the way newbies are taught could use a little tweaking.
 
To continue that thought and one that comes to me as I’m writing is that I would have to assume that many members of the VHL do not have English as their first language. I am lucky in that it is for me. But I do think that certain things that I found confusing, must be even more so for non-English speakers. Now I won’t speak for others but for example, I think the one thing that maybe needs tweaking is the abbreviations. There are so many and it’s hard to always find where the dictionary for them is. Maybe if there was a dedicated dictionary somewhere to lay out all of the league, sim, site, and game abbreviations, that could help new players out even more. 
 
But to talk about the other side of that coin would be to hype up the incredible people in the discord servers. I’m not the most active but I do participate when I find a window of opportunity and I find myself able to ask questions and not feel like a moron. After I was drafted, I knew I wanted a cool signature like everyone else but I also knew that I had no artistic skills especially on a computer. So I asked in the Saskatoon discord and it was suggested that I just ask in the main server. I was so freaking nervous. I thought I was going to be told to go away, that I can’t just ask, or that I would even be ignored. But that’s not what happened and it honestly blew my mind. Out of nowhere, asking for nothing in return, was @Enorama offering to make me a sig and as you can see below, it’s incredible. I’ll be sad to see it go when I need an updated one after the upcoming draft. But all this to say that this has been one of the nicest communities I have ever participated in and I truly think that the kindness and willingness to help from veteran members is what makes the VHL so amazing. Take away the hockey and you still have a group of really good people. 
 
One thing that I have really enjoyed with the VHL is all the writing I have been doing. I used to write in high school and in college along with a lot of fanfiction. It’s been years since I have told a story but this sim league has given me a new perspective to write from. It’s been a seriously good exercise and because each week brings something new, I don’t feel like I run out of things to write about. I was concerned about the off season especially needing to hit five hundred words for a Media Spot but this thing just hit a thousand while I added this paragraph in so there we go, now I’m covered for this week and next!
 
I had an incredible first season in the VHL and I have learned a lot and made a few friends over the last two months. It also blows my mind that it’s only been two months. It feels like so much longer than that. 
 
I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way by just liking a post, answering my random questions on discord, or even posting words of encouragement when I was getting down at the beginning of the season in my writing. Also to those who have tagged me in posts and talked about my player, like most recently with @badcolethetitan. It seriously put such a smile on my face to read what you wrote about me; thank you.
 
So if you’re new to the VHL and you find yourself lost or confused or both, my suggestion would be to take a deep breath, join the Discord, and just start asking questions. You’ll get some silly responses like a pickle gif or #BlameCole but you’ll learn to understand their weird ways and even come to enjoy them. And if you have any questions from a fellow newbie’s perspective, you can always reach out to me too.
 
1,022 words for weeks ending 8/14 and 8/21 
 

A VHL Review - From a Noob
 


Hello hello! I just wrapped up my very first season in the VHL and I want to write about it! I want to share my experience for entertainment, as maybe a guide for other newbies, and possibly as a way to express any issues I had during the last two months.
 
I joined the VHL a week before the S84 draft and had quite the steep learning curve prior to the draft. It seems I came in at a time that was both hectic and opportune. Not only did I dive into something while everyone around me was scrambling, but I also unknowingly chose the one position that was in high demand; goalie.
 
Now, I’m a goalie girl. Give me a goalie any day. My favorite player is Marc-Andre Fleury. I was mad when the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh’s farm team) traded goaltender John Curry because I truly believe that the trio of Fleury Curry and Murray could have been something amazing. But I digress if to only let you know that I chose to play a goalie for a reason.
 
So luck had it that I chose to create my goalie Jesse Teno and I was thrown into a deep end so deep that I swear Nessi was lurking down there. Coming into the VHL with no one in real life to guide you or to explain how it works means learning a lot on the fly. Honestly I think if it hadn’t been for @Shindigs I think I would have been mediocre at best and inactive at worst. I know that the beginners guides are there but as someone who doesn’t usually do forum or site based activities like a simulation league, it is a serious learning curve. I was definitely lost and confused my first week and even to this day I still sometimes struggle to remember where to find things. But I suppose that’s part of the process, right? Sure. But I think the way newbies are taught could use a little tweaking.
 
To continue that thought and one that comes to me as I’m writing is that I would have to assume that many members of the VHL do not have English as their first language. I am lucky in that it is for me. But I do think that certain things that I found confusing, must be even more so for non-English speakers. Now I won’t speak for others but for example, I think the one thing that maybe needs tweaking is the abbreviations. There are so many and it’s hard to always find where the dictionary for them is. Maybe if there was a dedicated dictionary somewhere to lay out all of the league, sim, site, and game abbreviations, that could help new players out even more. 
 
But to talk about the other side of that coin would be to hype up the incredible people in the discord servers. I’m not the most active but I do participate when I find a window of opportunity and I find myself able to ask questions and not feel like a moron. After I was drafted, I knew I wanted a cool signature like everyone else but I also knew that I had no artistic skills especially on a computer. So I asked in the Saskatoon discord and it was suggested that I just ask in the main server. I was so freaking nervous. I thought I was going to be told to go away, that I can’t just ask, or that I would even be ignored. But that’s not what happened and it honestly blew my mind. Out of nowhere, asking for nothing in return, was @Enorama offering to make me a sig and as you can see below, it’s incredible. I’ll be sad to see it go when I need an updated one after the upcoming draft. But all this to say that this has been one of the nicest communities I have ever participated in and I truly think that the kindness and willingness to help from veteran members is what makes the VHL so amazing. Take away the hockey and you still have a group of really good people. 
 
One thing that I have really enjoyed with the VHL is all the writing I have been doing. I used to write in high school and in college along with a lot of fanfiction. It’s been years since I have told a story but this sim league has given me a new perspective to write from. It’s been a seriously good exercise and because each week brings something new, I don’t feel like I run out of things to write about. I was concerned about the off season especially needing to hit five hundred words for a Media Spot but this thing just hit a thousand while I added this paragraph in so there we go, now I’m covered for this week and next!
 
I had an incredible first season in the VHL and I have learned a lot and made a few friends over the last two months. It also blows my mind that it’s only been two months. It feels like so much longer than that. 
 
I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way by just liking a post, answering my random questions on discord, or even posting words of encouragement when I was getting down at the beginning of the season in my writing. Also to those who have tagged me in posts and talked about my player, like most recently with @badcolethetitan. It seriously put such a smile on my face to read what you wrote about me; thank you.
 
So if you’re new to the VHL and you find yourself lost or confused or both, my suggestion would be to take a deep breath, join the Discord, and just start asking questions. You’ll get some silly responses like a pickle gif or #BlameCole but you’ll learn to understand their weird ways and even come to enjoy them. And if you have any questions from a fellow newbie’s perspective, you can always reach out to me too.
 
1,022 words for weeks ending 8/14 and 8/21 
 

I clicked on the top MS article to do a review, not realizing it's you again after reviewing your Teno piece last week. Nice to see your activity continuing into the offseason. I agree the learning curve can be tough - I found that out when I recreated in the SHL last year after being away for quite a while. And I love the idea of a glossary or a wiki of sorts to help people have a reference point for abbreviations, site-specific memes, what-have-you. I also find your mention of fanfiction interesting, having listened to @JardyB10 podcast last night about the potential this site has for diving deep into roleplaying. Long story short, I enjoyed this post, saw no grammatical issues worth noting, and look forward to seeing how far you're able to take your current - and future! - players. 10/10