Doomsday

1. After 30 games, Vasteras has begun to build a lead atop the VHLE standings, but outside of Oslo at 17 points, the rest of the field is right in the thick of it. Rome is in second with 38 points, with Stockholm in third with 33 points, with Bratislava and Cologne right behind them. Does this team have what it takes to climb higher in the standings? 2. What do you see as the strength of this Stockholm team this season? 3. During Stockholm's original run in the VHL, the logo used red instead of blue. Which variant do you like better? 4. Is there an aspect of the VHLE that needs to change in your opinion? 5. The NFL season begins tonight! What type of year will it be for your team? 6. What's your go-to dad joke?

Featuring multiple goalie sacks! @MubbleFubbles

Claiming for week of 8/28 to 9/3 Claim 2/2

1. Stockholm was predicted by VSN to finish 5th this season, but instead the Vikings are 2nd after the first week, just one point behind Vasteras. What has the team off to such a strong start? 2. Four teams are within four points of first-place Vasteras, it's still anybody's race after the first week of the season. Do you think the competitive balance will remain like this for the rest of the season? 3. Ryan Artyomov and Jeffrey Blake have both been phenomenal so far in net, what kind of a difference does it make for the team to have not one, but two reliable goaltenders on the roster? 4. To you, what is the single most important aspect of the VHL experience? 5. Who is the funniest person you've encountered so far in the league? 6. Would you rather fight a single grizzly bear or ten thousand rats?

This hilariously awful image by @Doomsday is serving until the real one by @Zetterberg appears. 90 seasons is a long amount of time, 16 years in the real world, to be precise. It’s a long time for legacies to be built, for champions to rise, for innovators to find their way to the forefront of the league. However, after 89 seasons, all members who had been general managers of Victory Hockey League teams had one thing in common: they were males. That is not to say that there are not female members in the league, as there have been female members throughout the nearly two decades of the VHL. On the other hand, I’m not about to suggest that there is rampant misogyny going on behind the scenes either, as women have served as general managers in the VHLM and in other league jobs. Regardless, the metaphorical glass ceiling of ascending to becoming a VHL GM was shattered when @samx was announced as the new boss of the Helsinki Titans after the off-season resignation of Frank Funk. When asked what went through her head when she got the news that she was the new general manager of the Helsinki Titans, Sam’s attitude was rather candid. “I suppose my first thought was, well, let’s get to work,” she answered. “There was a lot of speculation going around of who was going to be picked. I was excited to take over the reins and bring Sam life into Helsinki.” Sam brings seven seasons of experience as the general manager of a team, with six in the VHLM and one in the VHLE. She also served as the Assistant General Manager with Helsinki under Frank Funk, giving her crucial familiarity and positive relationships with the players on the team, a crucial aspect to her returning as the General Manager. Her work in the VHLM was recognized when she was named the Jack Reilly Trophy in Season 80 as the top general manager in the VHLM, the second woman to receive the award. The first woman to win the award was Megan Anderson, when she received the award all the way back in Season 22 when she was not only recognized as the top GM of the VHLM, but she also became the first woman to lead a team to a championship when her Brampton Battalion swept the Kolari Panthers in the Founder’s Cup Finals. But if women were showing they were capable general managers that long ago, why did it take 89 seasons for a woman to finally be hired as a VHL GM? The Founder's Cup banner for the Season 22 Brampton Battalion, which Megan Anderson led to championship glory. “For a while, I think it was just there weren’t women in the league to be hired,” answered Sam. “Until recent seasons, I only knew of one or two women who stuck around the league for a while. There was a period of time where this league wasn’t very female friendly. Luckily that has faded and women are able to feel more comfortable and confident going for jobs and just being around the league.” As it turns out, sticking around was an issue for Anderson. She served as the Brampton General Manager from Season 21 to 24, two seasons with the Minot Gladiators in Seasons 33 and 34, and returned one last time to manage the Oslo Storm in Season 56. While Anderson no doubt had proven that she had the ability and skills to build a championship roster, her ultimate undoing was her lack of lasting power, keeping her from making the leap to the professional level. Another prominent female general manager was Katherine Blade, who burst onto the scene as the inaugural general manager of the Philadelphia Reapers in Season 65 and quickly established them as a franchise. Her passion for the job was second to none, and she quickly cultivated a culture of ferocious loyalty and tenacity with her Reapers, but it came with an unfortunate cost. “Her passion was a double-edged sword,” spoke Thomas Landry II about Blade. “Blade was so fully devoted to developing her players that they became fiercely loyal, which in itself is a good thing. However, slights against them, whether actual or perceived, were met with her full fury, along with that of the Reapers. Again, on the ice, this was a good thing, but off the ice, it was not. It led to division, and while I obviously can’t prove it, I feel like it was what prevented her from making the jump to the VHL. She had the ability and the means, and I believe that she was running the show during Bushito’s absence in Calgary. I just don’t think they wanted the potential drama making its way to the VHL.” Thomas Landry II, owner of praise for Katherine Blade, a poor choice of NHL fandom, and one fine mustache. However, in spite of what may have held previous potential general managers, Sam pushed on, and as it turned out, the historic achievement of becoming the first female general manager in the VHL came as somewhat of a surprise. “I had (known that I would be the first female VHL GM) when I was applying in the past,” Sam recalled. “But it wasn’t something that I remembered till some time later.” What was clear, however, was her purpose and motivation for her new role. “I’ve always said that I want to make some sort of impact any place I go,” Sam elaborated. “To me, the ability to do that had to come from getting some sort of role within the league. For the M specifically, my former GMs were crucial in my love for the league and I wanted to be that for someone else. As for the VHL, it just seemed like a natural progression at some point.” When asked what she envisioned her impact being in Helsinki, Titans fans were utterly delighted with an answer that they no doubt had hoped to hear. “Ideally winning the Cup,” Sam proclaimed. “Helsinki has been a bit of a meme team for a while now, so I’d like to hopefully get rid of that and make it a team people fear to play against.” Sam wasted no time making an impact, acquiring cap space and Season 92 2nd and 3rd round picks from Malmo in exchange for Mo Probert, setting her up to bring in forward Landon Wolanin and defenseman Lloyd Braun from Calgary in exchange for a Season 91 1st round pick. On top of bolstering the roster for the upcoming season, Sam also brought in a wealth of talent through the draft, including using the first overall pick on defenseman YaBoi Oven, who made the pro roster in his first season of eligibility. Forwards Bruise Banner and Alexandre Crosby were added with the 16th and 17th overall picks, with hulking defenseman Tommy Sleeves selected at 23rd overall. Late round selections Barry McOckiner and Gremlis Lielais could also potentially factor into Helsinki’s future as well, and suddenly, the Titans have gone from a team stuck in limbo to a legitimate threat to contend while also giving themselves a pool of prospects worth being excited about. The immediate impact Sam desired has given Helsinki both a present and a future, neither of which seemed in the cards as Season 89 ended. Helsinki Titans fans are once again ecstatic to cheer on their hometown team. Sam also provided words of encouragement for aspiring general managers looking to make a similar impact in the VHL as well: “Keep applying,” she implored. “Don’t give up if you don’t get a job your first, second, third, twelfth time. 95% of the time you aren’t doing anything wrong, there’s just not enough spots for the amounts of talented candidates you have. Don’t be afraid to ask why you didn’t get a job. As long as you aren’t a brat about it, generally people will be pretty willing to talk to you.” It’s not only perseverance, however, and continuing to learn and increase your knowledge is just as important to getting your foot in the door. “Pick other GM’s brains,” continued Sam. “You’ll gain a lot of knowledge before you are a GM and it will help you in the long run.” The Helsinki Titans are on the rise, and while this is a story that is far from over, it could hardly have gotten off to a better start. But while this story is blossoming, there are even more waiting to begin. Perhaps the time isn’t right, maybe they aren’t experienced enough, or there’s more to learn first. But new innovators, pioneers, and leaders are out there, and sometime soon, their journeys will begin as well. We’re closing in on 100 seasons, and perhaps we’ll witness even more amazing feats along the way. Congratulations to Sam on smashing the proverbial glass ceiling of the VHL and becoming the first female general manager of a VHL team!

We're back!! 1. It's been an interesting off-season which saw lots of change in the VHLE, but hockey is finally coming back to Stockholm once again. What journey did your player take to get here? 2. What type of role do you think your player will have with the Vikings? 3. Do you think the VHLE will be better off with six teams instead of eight? 4. Which VHL member do you think would raise the most money by being placed in a dunk tank? 5. What is your favorite fictional sports team? 6. What do you believe is the most sensual of the cured meats?

1. I'm here as a result of it, so great! But in seriousness, it was a fantastic draft that not only brought in some players with great potential, but great personalities as well. This is a team that is going to have a lot of fun together. 2. I imagine that Sam is still looking for a fourth defenseman, so stay tuned! 3. Keep working hard! If Helsinki needs me this season, I'm going to be ready! 4. Oven should be a VHL-ready defender, but points likely won't come in droves just yet. Soon, though! 5. The last week of it, because everything is done and everyone is ready to get the new season started! 6. I do, and there's still more talent on the way in my opinion. This is a team that will make noise this season!

Cheers to a wonderful team filled with great friends and memories! I'm blessed that I got to be a part of it with you!

Hell of a run for Team Asia, they were a tough customer this season!

I'm excited I get to work with you in both the E and VHL!

Sunday, August 13th Draft Day It's a monumental day for Sam, as it's her first draft for the Titans, in spite of rumors that she has drafted before for Helsinki. It has been an eventful off-season for Sam and Helsinki, and one thing has been made clear: she's not fucking around. The additions of Landon Wolanin, Mo Probert, and Lloyd Braun have bolstered a team that many around the league believed should have done far better than they actually fared. The advantage of that for Sam, of course, is that she also has the first overall pick as a direct result of that, meaning she can add a top prospect to her retooled roster. The VSN Scouting Department has projected Hungarian defenseman YaBoi Oven to Helsinki at first overall, a pick which makes perfect sense for Sam, regardless of whether or not he joins the team in Season 90. Oven is the most VHL-ready prospect in the draft, and scouts believe he already possesses pro-level abilities in defending, although his offensive capabilities are still quite raw. They have the cap space to make a bigger splash at defense, but Oven is certainly an option that would make sense and allow money to be used elsewhere. There is, however, one thing Sam absolutely cannot forget on Draft Day:

Daniel Janser didn't just play for the Calgary Wranglers, Daniel Janser was the Calgary Wranglers during his tenure there. He is as much a legend for this team as Scott Boulet, Sterling Labatte, and Brett Slobodzian, and that's saying something. Cheers, my friend. You deserve this moment!!

1. I was surprised, as I thought VLG would be a piece to build around, but hard to argue with the return. Could potentially get two pieces for the future with this move. 2. Seattle, really? At least Calgary got a first, which is pretty good for a player about to retire. That's as much as you can expect. 3. I would have said AirRig GoodBrandSun, but he's already been moved! 4. Fradin McGryer has really strong potential to make a difference from the blue line, I think the VHL will know the name by season's end. 5. I've flown a couple times, no major issues at all, thankfully. The airport is usually more of an annoyance than the flight itself. 6. I don't think Calgary should be committed to a particular position, as it's the beginning of a rebuild. Find the right individual, with the most commitment and potential, and make them a building block.

Love the vast representation from across Europe for this group!!

@N0HBDY

Claiming for week of 8/7 to 8/13 Claim 2/2

Transaction ID: 5VN11416BY208881G Doubles Week 5 Uncapped TPE $1m Player Store

Oven Focused On Improvement JUNIOR SHOWCASE TOURNAMENT - The VHLM season is over, the Ottawa Lynx have gone home, but YaBoi Oven has not. Instead, he continues to work on honing his game any way that he can, which currently happens to be the the Junior Showcase Tournament. Through 24 games with the Brigade, Oven has scored five goals and tallied 15 assists for 20 points, along with 45 hits and 23 shots blocked. It's not the domination he has sought, but it is continued progress towards his blossoming potential. On the eve of the Season 90 VHL Draft Lottery, his work continues. "I really felt like I should have been better in Ottawa," answered Oven following the Brigade's 2-0 victory over the Steel, in which he recorded an assist. "If you want to be a first overall pick, you need to be better than what I was. Be someone who can control the game, influence the outcome of any game, and that's just not what I was with the Lynx. Something about my game needs to change, and I'm hoping to find that here." Oven struggled to consistently generate offense in the VHLM with Ottawa, although he was able to establish himself as a weapon on the power play. So far at the JST, he has been more consistently involved with producing offensive output, but he has a different idea on having more success at the next level. "I feel like I need to improve my positioning," added Oven. "I believe that if I can better prepare myself to know where I need to be, and improve my skating ability to get there, then I can create more opportunities offensively and prevent more opportunities defensively. There is always a way to improve, and for me, this is the way."

The Season 90 YaBoi Oven Draft Lottery With the HC Davos Dynamo crowned as the champions of the Victory Hockey League, hoisting the Continental Cup for the first time since Season 61, the focus now shifts to the Season 90 off-season. With the draft lottery imminent, the team that will win the right to draft the highly-touted Hungarian defenseman YaBoi Oven will soon be revealed. A massive lead in TPE seemingly since creation has led many analysts to a widespread belief that he will be the first overall selection. Assuming that he is the first overall pick regardless of which team wins the lottery, let's delve into the teams in the draft lottery, and see what Oven’s future could be like for each of them. Helsinki Titans After another season of finishing dead-last in the VHL despite a talented core of forwards featuring Daryl Dixon and Rick Grimes, the Titans once again find themselves in great position to add another elite talent. This time, however, Helsinki is swirling with the winds of change, as General Manager Frank Funk recently announced his resignation, with no replacement named at the time of print. However, the new General Manager would be hard-pressed to find a better fit for the franchise than YaBoi Oven should they win the draft lottery. Outside of Season 87 first round pick Kronchy Kardashian, no long-term options at defenseman can be found on Helsinki's roster. Mo Probert and Bob Robb are both set to be unrestricted free agents, and even if they would re-sign, Season 90 would be their final season prior to retirement. It's also a strong possibility that Oven would be immediately called up to the Titans and bypass the VHLE due to their current situation at defense, providing immediate cap relief from signing a veteran defender. If the Titans' top odds pay off on lottery night, Helsinki could wind up with an ideal player, and YaBoi Oven would have an opportunity to be an immediate contributor to a franchise looking to emerge from the bottom of the league. Toronto Legion Despite finishing at the bottom of the North American Conference, the Toronto Legion are a team brimming with potential. Goaltender Joel Castle is a tremendous talent, and they have drafted top talents at forward in Mac Atlas and Jimi Jaks at forward, and blue liner Bobby Bob as well. Adding YaBoi Oven to that core would make the rich even richer, and give the Legion an even brighter future. Toronto's blue line is all returning in Season 90, with Bobby Bob due for a contract extension as well. Unless General Manager Moon prefers to have four defenseman, there would be no rush for Oven to be called up for Season 90, although it would certainly help Toronto take that next step towards competitiveness, which they seem absolutely primed for. The Legion are overall a quality destination for YaBoi Oven, and one with some flexibility for Season 90 as well. D.C. Dragons If there is one thing that has personified General Manager John Frostbeard's approach with the D.C. Dragons, it has been his commitment to defense. Mark Calaway and Eric Queefson are both elite level talents added in the past two drafts, and Ben Laas is joining the pro roster as well. The Dragons certainly have more pressing needs than YaBoi Oven, especially with longtime goaltender Bubbles Utonium entering their final season before retirement. My money would say that Frostbeard would be more than happy to get the second or third pick in order to grab top goaltender prospect Ryan Artyomov as the next franchise goaltender for the Dragons. Even Axle Gunner would make more sense for D.C. here, as they have an aging group of forwards and could use an elite talent to bolster the ranks there. If the Dragons would receive the top pick, Frostbeard would ideally try to move the pick to a team that is looking to select Oven, and get as much as possible in return while still being in position to draft Artyomov. If a trade can't be worked out, they'll simply select Artyomov instead. Chicago Phoenix The life of a phoenix goes in cycles, and the Chicago Phoenix are at the end of their current life cycle, so to speak. Outside of blue liner Liv Slater, there isn't an entire player on the roster younger than the S84 draft class. Worse yet, Chicago's prospect pool is as barren as can be. With General Manager Geoffrey Dee retiring, whoever the new GM will be for the Phoenix will have their hands full, especially considering the entire active roster outside of Slater is slated (ha) to be unrestricted free agents. With Chicago poised to likely be the worst team in the VHL for at least two seasons, if not more, it's about as bleak as it gets for the Phoenix right now. However, if they luck out and win the draft lottery, YaBoi Oven would be a fantastic piece for their rebuild to begin with. Depending on the direction the new GM takes, he could be called up immediately and receive massive financial bonuses to speed up his development or could be left to develop in the VHLE for a season and be spared from the nightmare looming in Season 90. It's a dark road ahead for the Chicago Phoenix, but one that could be made a bit brighter with YaBoi Oven around. Warsaw Predators I just spent how many words talking about how doom and gloom it is in Chicago, but the Warsaw Predators are in pretty rough shape too. Their entire roster only has two forwards under contract, and that's it. Even if they bring all of their pending free agents back, there's still not much of a roster to speak of outside of defenseman Ryuji Sakamoto, and there really isn't a good reason for him to return. Unlike Chicago, however, Warsaw does have some prospects in their system, some of whom could factor into the future of the Predators. Also unlike the Phoenix, Warsaw's General Manager, Bob Tristan, has managed to accumulate draft picks for their rebuild, including two first round picks this season. With a barren roster, YaBoi Oven would naturally be a great building block for Warsaw, and it would be up in the air as to whether or not he'd come right up to the VHL. The Predators certainly have the space on the roster, where he could immediately play top minutes and receive a boosted salary, but it could be equally beneficial to just let Oven spend a season in the VHLE to develop. Warsaw's odds of winning the lottery aren't great, but their rebuild would receive a tremendous boost with YaBoi Oven if the balls fall in their favor. Malmo Nighthawks A season after selecting first overall in the Season 89 VHL Entry Draft, in which they selected center Viktor Jensen, the Malmo Nighthawks once again find themselves in the draft lottery. This time, however, they have the worst odds of winning the lottery by virtue of improving by eight points from last season. Of all the draft lottery teams, their roster is the most complete, and they should be right in the thick of things in the European Conference this season. Winning the draft lottery and being able to select YaBoi Oven would be a tremendous stroke of luck for Victor Grachev, giving the Nighthawks a stud defender that they wouldn't even necessarily need in Season 90 with their entire defensive corps under contract. Oven would be a fantastic insurance policy for Malmo, however, with Malum Maellard having a player option in Season 90. Malmo would be the best option for Oven to join a contending team as quickly as possible, but it is the least likely of all of the options to happen. With the draft lottery officially announced to be taking place tomorrow evening, the speculation over YaBoi Oven's destination will soon be coming to a close. But in the meantime, this article is only going to make him even better and more prepared for the future. Genius, right?

1. With a lot of aging players and the heart of the Wranglers, Daniel Janser, retiring, it makes sense for a re-tool of sorts now. There are still young pieces to build around, but it's about the ultimate goal in the end, and Rice knows what it takes to get there. 2. I really want to see Davos break the curse. It's time for the Dynamo to lift the cup again! 3. Without a doubt, and it should be a unanimous decision as well. 4. I feel like Fradin McGryer has potential to be an elite defenseman in the VHL, and is a huge building block for both Calgary and Merome Dilson to grow with. 5. Being stranded in the ocean for two weeks. Being in open water, with nothing but the unknown around you for two weeks... that's hell. If you survive a plane crash, the authorities will find you real fast. Being stuck in open water with no supplies, the elements beating down on you all day, and the darkness at night... the hell with that. 6. I love both, but being allergic to cats, it makes the decision easy.

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