CrookedAnt

It takes a great deal of skill to be a dominant player in the VHL. It also takes a great deal of coincidence, timing and most importantly, luck. Landon Wolanin wants to play in the dirty areas, grinding out goals in the crease and digging for pucks in the corners. He has been getting looks at the net, more than most players in the league. He has been rewarded well so far, 2 points off point-per-game so far, clawing back from an incredibly unlucky start. But what has been concerning so far, is the lack of goals relative to the opportunities Wolanin gets on a regular basis. In his rookie season, Wolanin shot just over 9%. But so far this season he is at a measly 6.3%. In order to be a top goalscorer in this league, Wolanin will have to increase upon even his rookie rate to compete. Could we see a scoring surge and a potential 40 goal season? Or will Wolanin keep this pace and end with a useful but underwhelming ~25 goal campaign?

For the newest addition to the Las Vegas Squad. Not my best work, but it's deceeent. 

1) We currently sit in the 4th spot after this week of games, and we look to continue our slow but steady increase in production. How do you think this week will go in terms of game results? Fantastic. We got them dawgs in us.
 
2) Juan Ceson (@dylanjj37) was seen at the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II today. Do you think this affects his play style at all? 
No.
 
3) Why do you think our team has fallen to Miami, the current frontrunner, pretty early in the season? 
Cause we didn't intiatlly have that dawg in us, but we got back up after we found out, we did in fact have that dawg in us after all.
 
4) We are beginning to see Viktor Hasek (@StackThePads) play well as the backup so far. Does he continue this trend?
Yes. He has proven he is indeed the GOAT.
 
5) Nice IKEA Employee Bot has mentioned to the LVA front office that he wants maximum pay and a 5% increase to Juan Ceson's contract. Should the front office go forward with this?
No, because they should forward that money to me for my TPE addiction. TPE, not even once.
 
6) What was something you did over the weekend?
I work weekends, except this weekend where I am just chilling out, doing nothing like usual. Working on curing my resting arsehole face, cause I don't look calm. I look mean, and I don't want to come off that way, but I don't express emotions well.
 
In terms of my player, he was prolly doing practice, and stuff. 

For the newest addition to the Las Vegas Squad. Not my best work, but it's deceeent. 

@StackThePads Hasek with his first career shutout for the Aces!

THE SAN DIEGO MARLINS

1) We have started a bit shaky, but picked up some key wins to begin the season. Now that we're competing with the bigger teams, how do you think we fare down the road as our team develops? That's fall on me, and Joel imo. Joel is essential, and me too. I'm not playing as good as the other centers in the league.
 
2) What do you think is the best moment in the Locker Room? Maybe along the lines of funniest, stupidest comments. The LR vibes are great, sometimes I don't get what's going on, but it's cool. 👍
 
3) Juan Ceson( @dylanjj37) has reportedly used team funds to purchase all of the IKEAs within a 5 mile radius of GM @Shindigs. How do you feel about this? Unlucky tbh. Maybe I wanted an IKEA?
 
4) How has management been so far? Is there something Shindigs and I can change? Shindigs is the goat. I'mma be sad when if man's is retiring.
 
5) We are beginning to see G Joel Castle become a brick wall for us. Do you think he keeps it up?'
Yes. G of the year a thing?
 
6) Based on current stats, who do you think will eventually end up with the scoring title for the Aces?
Barksdale, gotta vote myself here sorry team.

Antoine Barksdale approached the podium, and sat for a media press conference. 
 

"Thank you for taking your time to be here, Antoine."
 
"No worries. It's not all about the ice. Have to get the fans engaged huh, and show Las Vegas some love?"
 
"There has been rumors about your struggles early in the year. You lead a few category's for your team, and are top ten in a few different margins. With your early success in the Junior Showcase with the Brigade- and comparing the numbers here.. It actually looks like you're playing better, but you seem distracted. What's with that?"
 
"You know.. I'm adjusting to a new city. First I was adjusting to Canada.. having to share bunks with my teammates in the JST was tough. I just don't think we're being looked out for players enough. It's like we move here.. and then shortly after the season starts. It's little time to adjust, and it's bad for my mental health honestly. I wish more players would talk about this sort of thing, and let you know that just because we're being a paid sizeable amount to do what we love.. it is not all love, and roses out here."
 
"Thank you for being so vulnerable. There are some easy games you've guys lost this year, only holding a 4-3 record as the former champions of the cup. As a rookie coming into that enviroment with expectations by the fanbase so high, what are you looking to achieve this season, and does it make you nervous to be in that atmosphere?"
 
"No it doesn't phase me. I have Tiger blood in me. To assume I am weak, or frail is wrong. On the court I am trying to kill you, and mentally dismantle you. That's what the Ace's are aiming to do, and we've had some breakdowns early, sure- but that doesn't change what we are shooting for. You're talking to one of the hardest working players in the league. Whatever I can do to achieve greatness, I am doing it.. hell, if they allowed steroids I'd take them to get that extra edge. I'm up early, five am every day getting my routine in order to be at the rink at seven, and staying at the rink till four- I'm dedicated to this season, and this franchise. Hopefully we can bring the historic threepeat to them."
 
"What exactly has been the most difficult part about adjusting to the Las Vegas enviroment?"
 
"I come from a place where there is not much wealth. It is not flaunted in your face like it is in America. There are fine women everywhere, and sports cars.. casinos.. everything. Las Vegas has it all. It is easy as a young man to get lost in drinking, and gambling, and become distracted. I'm sticking to my girlfriend from back in my homeland, Italy-, and we are working on our personal goals with all this craziness transpiring around us. That is what is difficult for me to handle."
 
"Last question, and I'll let you get out of here Antoine. What do you like most about your Las Vegas teammates?"
 
"We have a strong roster of forwards, and a strong goalie in Joe Castle. My hopes are strong to win the season, and hold that cup for our team, and for our fans. Thank you, and much love!" 
 
 
 
 
"
 

1) We have started a bit shaky, but picked up some key wins to begin the season. Now that we're competing with the bigger teams, how do you think we fare down the road as our team develops? That's fall on me, and Joel imo. Joel is essential, and me too. I'm not playing as good as the other centers in the league.
 
2) What do you think is the best moment in the Locker Room? Maybe along the lines of funniest, stupidest comments. The LR vibes are great, sometimes I don't get what's going on, but it's cool. 👍
 
3) Juan Ceson( @dylanjj37) has reportedly used team funds to purchase all of the IKEAs within a 5 mile radius of GM @Shindigs. How do you feel about this? Unlucky tbh. Maybe I wanted an IKEA?
 
4) How has management been so far? Is there something Shindigs and I can change? Shindigs is the goat. I'mma be sad when if man's is retiring.
 
5) We are beginning to see G Joel Castle become a brick wall for us. Do you think he keeps it up?'
Yes. G of the year a thing?
 
6) Based on current stats, who do you think will eventually end up with the scoring title for the Aces?
Barksdale, gotta vote myself here sorry team.

Antoine sat down with the Weekly Review at VHL.com to speak extensively, and inclusively about his time with his new teammates on the Las Vegas Aces, and experiences in the city while he has been venturing, and journeying through the lavish city life that the town has to offer. The young Italian is a new addition to Las Vegas, and is making waves being fourth in scoring across all centers in the league. He's not far off on assists, and goals- but his big stat is points having twenty eight notched up already in his short twenty game career.
 
"Antoine.. how have you been adjusting since we last spoke?"
 
"I've been pretty well. Just got the wife, and kids settled in. The rabid fans weren't something I was prepared for so much."
 
"Rabid you say? What do you mean?"
 
"People hassling me at the car, or when I'm out just trying to get a cup of coffee. I've already had to hire an assistant. I know we're in danger of three peating boys, but gotta ease up on me a bit. This is all new for someone like me. An undrafted prospect months ago, to showing out in the JST, and winning, I may add- to being drafted 20th. Feels surreal. I feel honestly I may have been slighted being picked that low, but- there's nothing I can do to change that. I just have to make the teams that passed on me regret it."
 
"We've seen comments across Twitter that you're praying on New Mexico's downfall due to them passing on you?"
 
"I honestly thought we could have had something special. A few general managers reached out to me, and you know.. when several players with lower strengths get picked before you.. It puts a chip on your shoulder ya know? I want to prove them all wrong for drafting me lower than first round."
 
"Moving on from that.. how has your experience with your teammates been? You're playing along a superstar goalie in Joel Castle, and another potential great forward Wann Kerr.. plus your team has other promising prospects that names escape me at the moment.. How has all that been?"
 
"Oh it's been great. Me, and Wann Kerr are getting some real synergy, but some of the other newer forwards are taking a bit of time to adjust. I'm hoping to keep exceeding at the rate I am. I'm not gonna lie. I want to be a big numbers guy. Seeing guys above me only motivates me to keep going, and prove all the haters wrong." 
 
"Well.. thank you for your time. This has been the Weekly Review with a short update on Antoine's career.. Courtesy of VHL.Com."

Vegas W

So what's been going on in Vegas? Well, thanks to Simon the Terrible's skills at making schedules. We've just kept playing Mexico, Miami and San Diego on repeat. So that's been *very* exciting. Results have been mostly decent, but not really exciting. @CrookedAnt is leading the way offensively with 28 points at the time of writing this, followed by @VattghernCZwith 23. They've been quite the pairing, so it may seem odd that starting next sim I'm splitting them up. I just feel like we're not quite getting the favorable matchups we should be with the current setup, so I'm making some moves with the forwards to try and get us a bit more consistent.
 
Overall though, our growth has been amazing. The High Roller Award is actually highly contested in Vegas and we have multiple max earners as well as a fair few Welfare+ players on the team. Meaning that we are quickly catching up in TPE to the teams that went for high TPE drafts, rather than high growth drafts. @Bobcat is looking poised to have back to back 20+ TPE weeks, we have multiple players getting into Fantasy Zone as well having got their Predictions in and overall it's just a nice atmosphere in the LR. Our lovely "mascot channel" is more active than I think it's ever been. The only downside for me is that I'm asleep for when a lot of the activity happens, due to the TZ I'm in.
 
All in all though, I feel like between all the effort the players are putting in, and me slowly getting closer to more optimal lines. We'll be able to do a lot the later half of this season, which was always the plan. Start off upper-middle table and work from there. Between unsustainable goalie performances and a probable looming goalie retirement ahead of us in the table. I think it's only a matter of time before we work our way into contention for the top seed.
 

I have gone with the Saskatoon Wild as my first team and the jersey creation is now complete!  Not sure if the team likes the look but either way, I am happy to be a part of the team!  Let me know what you think.  All created in 3D and rendered out of the Unreal Engine.
 

1. I think we will fare just fine and be a contender like we thought. We know we can beat all the top teams so we just have to do it even more consistently.
 
2. I enjoyed the renaming of the bot
 
3. Well, that's good. Gives him something to do when he retires besides scaring the rookies and the ice girls.
 
4. You guys are fantastic! More coffee in the LR would be nice though...
 
5. Oh me! I sure hope so. With this presser, I will officially max out my 200 TPA so that will be all I can give. It's nice to help the team win and also be on the leaderboards.
 
6. Any of our top line have a good chance. Barksdale is my sneaky (not-so-sneaky) darkhorse to lead us in scoring.

1. We're still finding our rhythm, and our guys are working hard do get better. We're gonna be fine at the time when it will matter the most - in the postseason.
 
2. CBBE attempting to tell me he's got all the IKEAs - in czech, has to be up there.
 
3. That's really irresponsible, but at least it's a great opportunity to distribute our merch. Hopefully Shinding will get some discount.
 
4. Well, you could perhaps not allow Juan manipulate with team funds as he pleases!
 
5. If we can keep supporting him with solid defense, definitely. He's got everything to be in the Devereux Trophy conversation.
 
6. Of course Overmeyer and Barksdale are having amazing starts, and they both could have had 2 or 3 more goals already, but my black horse is Larry Abass Jr, the guy is an absolute beauty.

Once I sign with a team, I will be able to add some color to Triller's Jersey!  I am excited to see who is interested!  Created in 3D and rendered using the Unreal Game Engine.

This was a lot more work than I thought it would.
 
4 TPE
None
 
3 TPE
@badcolethetitan
@AJW
@sadie
@MrMom
@Scurvy
@TacocaT9
@jacobcarson877
@BOOM
@der meister
@aimkin
@UnkemptCL4PTP
@Insypher
@TheNeonShaman
@Ledge
@xNJDevilsFanx
@Girts
 
2 TPE
@BolderMan123
@kirbithan
@Masu Chan
@eagle_3450
@Jack Feriancek
@Jason kranz
@Brandon
@lil OG z
@l1l KRZY l9l
@Berocka
@Dom
@dlamb
@tinafrombobsburgers
@dogwoodmaple
@Bojovnik
@Daniel Janser
@Shindigs
@Webberj
@VattghernCZ
@Dabnad
@Alex
@ThePerfectNut
@RElblein
@samx
@JCarson
@CrookedAnt
@jRuutu
@Creegan610
@KnightRiley
@Bulduray_1
@wcats
@Acydburn
@Arce
@KaleebtheMighty
@DollarAndADream
@8Ovechkin8
@MubbleFubbles
@Gage2
@leandrofg
 
1 TPE
@N0HBDY
@Agito
@nurx
@v.2
@Tetricide
@Crstats23
@Baby Boomer
@Kisslinger
@Thunder
@Johnny_HX
@Tate
@Garsh
@Ricer13
@Gaikoku-hito
@a_Ferk
@RileyL
@John Cimarno
@weekz
@qripll
@frescoelmo
@Lemorse7
@Greg_Di
@DoktorFunk
@Dil
@Bedirhan
@Steve
@comrade cat
@Anthique
@boatsinking123
@chikn
@JB123
@Blakemac22
@Rhynex Entertainment
@CowboyinAmerica
 
Week 2 whenever VHLE and VHLM catchup to Vhl.

1. I don’t think it’s crazy to say we are just as good if not better than all the teams in our league despite our rocky start. We have momentum now and we just have to keep it up
 
2. One of the funniest things to me was seeing our assistant GM and our captain trying to find middle ground on what to name the bot in discord.
 
3. I think this is great, a great business opportunity. And maybe that means the team will get a friends and family discount at IKEA?
 
4. Management has been nothing short of amazing so far, I don’t have anything negative to say, the vibes in the locker room are great, our chemistry seems to be developing nicely, all in all, ho complaints.
 
5. I think he definitely can keep it up if he puts the work in, consistency in games comes with consistent effort off the ice.
 
6. I’d rather not answer this, it’s way too early in the season to say and by predicting who I think it could be, it puts more pressure on that player and maybe that affects his performance. I’d rather just let the team play out the season and whatever happens, happens.

You should of moved the layer so the player stayed behind the banner, covering the blank spots that fill empty space that way.
 
Pretty good regardless. 

From my first time playing around with Pixlr.
 
For week ending 9/18/22

Not to brag or anything but every goal scored by the marlins in these games we're scored by me 😏
 
 
 
 
 

Joel Castle gets his second straight shutout against the Marlins to give him a league-leading 2! 

solas - Class of S84
 
Usernames: lightning25, solas
Joined: S20
Jobs Held: VHL Magazine Cover Artist, Graphics Grader
HOF Players (at time of writing): Theo Axelsson (Class of S59), Lukas Muller (Class of S63), Jean Pierre Camus (Class of S82).
 
solas or lightning25 as he was known as at the time is pretty much the definition of a sim league veteran, having joined the SHL as his first league back in 2010. But it wasn't always a guarantee that he'd end up in the VHL. In fact Jardy had tried and failed to recruit him. It wasn't until Spangle, who was a member of both the SHL and VHL at the time, approached him and asked him to join in 2011 that he decided to give it a shot. And the VHL is thankful that he did.
 
As solas was already going graphics in the SHL he instantly got involved with the graphics community over here and ended up as the long serving VHL Magazine cover artist, having held that position for several years and only missing a single cover in that time. That's the kind of consistency that's been the hallmark of solas' most memorable players as well as his overall league contributions as a member. Though one thing hasn't stayed consistent, his name. At first he was known as lightning25, a name he'd picked out while still young (despite not being a Tampa Bay Lightning fan). But that he didn't quite feel fit him anymore as he was becoming an adult. But he still liked the theme and so went about putting "lighting" and "light" through a translator to various languages in the search for a new name that fit him better, and eventually he translated "light" to Scots Gaelic, which is "solas". And as I've been researching this article I've found his theme of light to be a fitting one. As everyone I've talked to see him as a positive impact. A beacon of light, if you will. Not just by his amazing graphics that he's been producing throughout his VHL career, but also in his work as a Graphics grader in 2014-2015 where he helped illuminate, pun intended, areas of improvement for his fellow graphic community members. And the same also applies to those fortunate enough to have shared a locker room with him. Always a source of intelligent (or dare I say "bright") discussion, wisdom and a seemingly never-ending supply of book and song recommendations. No one's had anything but kind words for solas, be it from working with him on the VHL Magazine or sharing a locker room.
 
The 2014-2015 era is one that stands out when looking back at solas' career in the VHL. By his own recollection this was the time when he felt like he became a "significant member" of the VHL. And considering that era of solas produced two HOF players, alongside all his amazing graphics and grading work. I think it's very hard to argue against that assessment. At that time the league was a very different place to now. Project Player Two was a thing, which is why solas managed to get two HOF players with overlapping careers. And TPE was much, much harder to come by than it is today. With the cap being 9 TPE, and only if you had a league job. This was why Theo Axelsson became solas' first player to eclipse the 1k TPE threshold, which at the time was no small feat. But sadly, that era was one that was much harder than the one we play in now. Having to max earn on two players at once, while also maintaining a league job, along more pressure IRL from his college work-load and just the general inactivity of the league as a whole (imagine no Discord LRs and there sometimes being days between new forum posts) meant that solas needed a break from the VHL. Sadly the timing of it ended up being shortly after his next player, Morozov, had been drafted 1OA in a draft that would go down in history as one of the worst drafts of all time. Mostly due to the amount of members hitting burnout in it.
 
During his hiatus from the league solas still had some sim league presence, putting in 3-4 seasons in our sister league the EFL, which "accidentally" produced a HOF player over there after going IA. But even during his hiatus solas was still keeping an eye on the VHL. Checking in on the forums every once in a while, only to see an influx of new members and the league growing again. So he decided to come back and retire Morozov early to have another go at it. This newfound interest lasted for about a season or so with his player Aron Nielsen. But it just wasn't to be as it didn't quite capture his interest long term like it had before. This is around when COVID hit and solas, like just about everyone else, found himself stuck at home with a lot of time on his hands. He decided that with this time he wanted a fresh start in the VHL, another go at the kind of player career he'd proven himself capable of in the past. That's when he created JPC (Jean Pierre Camus) HOFer and Chicago legend. To say that he reached his goals with that player would be an understatement, as he absolutely smashed them.
 
Because of how long solas' career has spanned, a lot of the people you could talk to about his early days are long since retired from the VHL. But the people he shared a locker room with in Chicago are very much still here and at the time of writing this, he's just reunited with one of his good friends from that era (fishy) again on his current player Milan Dvorak. For now that's where solas' story is at. After many years in the league he's taken a less central role than he once had, but to those that share a discord server with him. He's still very much a source of light, book recommendations and will probably always be the go to guy for fishy when they need new music to listen to. Because that's just who solas is. A genuinely nice guy, with an affinity for culture who is always willing to help his fellow VHLers.

Gotta stir the pot it gets people goin'

wow, thanks for the kind words but wow.