Doomsday

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!
 

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!
 

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!
 

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!
 

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!
 

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!
 

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!
 

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!

Dear Calgary, please bear with me.
 
For the past six seasons, you've made me one of the happiest individuals on Earth. You, the fans, and the city deserve so much more than what we could give you during my time with you. Even so, you remained loyal, engaged, and hopeful that we were destined to end the drought that was with us for far too long.
 
Words seem inadequate to express the depth of emotion that washed over me when we were crowned champions. That moment was a realization of a dream long nurtured, the culmination of countless hours of practice, sacrifices made, and battles fought. Yet, that victory extended far beyond the arena. It was a beacon of hope for the city, a testament to what can be achieved when a community unites with a common purpose. The title was not just a sports achievement but a celebration of our shared journey and a testament to the power of perseverance.
 
I am eternally grateful for the journey I've shared with my teammates. Their unwavering determination, camaraderie, and unselfish dedication formed the bedrock of our collective effort. Each member, from the veterans who provided guidance... to the rookies who injected fresh energy, played an integral role in our pursuit of glory. Together we overcame defeat, celebrated victories, and leaned on one another in the face of adversity. The bonds forged on and off the field are irreplaceable and something I will cherish forever. As I reflect on our shared triumph, I am reminded that our victory is a testament to the power of unity and teamwork, and that makes the victory even more meaningful.
 
I attribute my entire experience in Calgary to the Janser family. I can't overstate the impact of having Kurt Janser as a sponsor. Not only was he the one who gave me a shot in the VHLM, not only showing me the ropes of the North American hockey culture but also molding and adapting my game to its standards. But this wasn't everything or enough. There is no doubt in my mind that Kurt slipped some information to Daniel, which, in the end, found its way to Kris Rice's ears.
 
To Daniel, retirement doesn't suit you. You're a Hall of Famer, and I'm glad you already have your jersey in our rafters. Some say that the connections in our brain for love and hate are very similar, and in your case, I believe that to be true. I love you. I'm deeply grateful for the guidance and inspiration you provided, shaping not just my skills but my character as well. This is why I also hate you - you were our heart and soul, and now that I was ready to take over the team for you, your retirement meant it was time for another era. 
 
Kris Rice, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation for believing in my potential and selecting me during the draft. Your trust has been a cornerstone of my journey, and your unwavering support was instrumental in shaping my career. From the early days of joining the team to this moment of reflection, your guidance and belief in my abilities have fueled my determination. Your mentorship has been invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunities you've provided that have allowed me to grow and contribute to the team's success. Thank you for being a driving force behind my journey... even when it was time to part ways. I won't ever be a First-Gen again, but I wouldn't change a thing.
 
I must acknowledge my incredible teammate, Landon Wolanin, who has been with me throughout this journey. Since we were drafted together, his unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence have ignited a fire within me. Your tenacity, work ethic, and unyielding passion for the game have been a constant source of inspiration. As we pushed each other to new heights, I was driven to be the best version of myself, both on and off the field. Your camaraderie and shared aspirations have been pivotal in my growth. I feel grateful for the opportunity to have been your teammate and to have won a championship with you.
 
I would be negligent to overlook other players that were part of our history, some of whom had more impact on me, others who were valuable additions to our championship-winning group, and those who left without having the opportunity to fight for the ultimate goal. The first player that comes to mind is our incredible goaltender, and even better person, Oskar Lindbergh. After showing their quality elsewhere, they chose Calgary for the last two seasons of their career, and we couldn't have been more grateful for it. Instrumental, not only on the ice but off the ice as well - it was like they were part of the process from the beginning.
 
Our amazing defensemen tandem in AirRig GoodBrandSun and Phil Strasmore, with the former accompanying me in this new chapter in Seattle and the latter staying put in Calgary, now leading the team and getting the nod as the captain. Erlantz Jokinen was another influential piece of our puzzle that couldn't win it all.
 
On the offensive side, we had Saku Kotkakoivu, who had a brilliant career - and arguably with one of the best seasons in the modern era - but was the victim of the surplus in our position, leaving before we could win a Continental together. Lastly, Vincent Laroche-Gagnier. Now a Dragon, I'd call him, alongside Landon, a mentee. The one who was to take the Wranglers' reins in the future. But that wasn't in the cards, and Vin was the first of us to be traded in this off-season saga.
 
Amid the whirlwind of professional sports, I've come to appreciate the profound impact of relationships. They're the threads that weave through the fabric of our lives, connecting us to our past, grounding us in the present, and propelling us toward the future.
 
I want to leave you with one of the best passages or quotes from a TEDx talk by Dr. Gary Lewandowski, Jr. about break-ups.
 
"So, we need to talk."
 
Hearing those four simple words from your relationship partner never feels good. Your heart sinks, palpitates, your stomach flutters, your palms get sweaty because it's never "we need to talk about what a great relationship we have, how we're best friends, and how we're going to spend the rest of our lives together," it's never that; it's always "we need to talk about the beginning of the end."
 
And whether your relationship is awful, good, or great, we don't like endings, we don't like to lose things. And especially, we don't like to lose things that are important to us. And make no mistake, relationships are the single most important thing to you in your life. It's the source of all of your best memories... it's the source of all of your worst memories.
When you think back on your life when you're 95-100 years old, and you look back over the course of your lifetime, you're not going to think: "I wish I owned a better phone, I wish I spent more time on the Internet, I wish I spent more time at work or sleeping." It's not going to be any of those kinds of things. It's going to be: "I wish I spent more time with the people I loved."
 
Those weren't the exact words Kris Rice shared with me after we failed to achieve our goal last season - to be honest, that moment is a blur for me, but they couldn't have been much different than that.
 
As I bid farewell to this chapter of my life in Calgary, I am overwhelmed with emotions. The memories created, the bonds forged, and the collective triumphs celebrated will forever be etched in my heart. It's not just the victories I'll carry forever. The resilience, unity, and unwavering support define this journey. As I take my leave, I would like to show my appreciation to all of you - fans, teammates, mentors, and friends - for making these six seasons an unforgettable tapestry of growth, dedication, and shared dreams. This city, these experiences, and your love have left an indelible mark on my soul. Calgary holds a special place in my heart as the place where my dreams came true. I am filled with gratitude towards this magnificent city.
 
To any Seattle fan reading this piece, I couldn't be more proud to have the opportunity to play with your jersey. I am fully committed to supporting this team in their pursuit of victory and confident that we can secure another Continental Cup. I'll have the golden opportunity to play for, arguably, one of the best General Managers ever in Blake Campbell. The team that Blake has assembled to attack this season's title looks promising, and I can wait to put your colors on - and honor them.
 
As I embark on this new chapter, I carry the invaluable lessons of the past, the bonds that have shaped me, and the dreams that fuel my future. Here's to a new journey, friendships, and the shared pursuit of excellence.
 
Love,
Leandro
 

Doomers Boomers bout to be an E team!

Congrats @Doomsday on the new role 🍻
The only Boomer for the job! 🔥

Congrats Dooms! Been a pleasure dealing with you already, looking forward to the future!

Tremendous pick!!
 
Congrats @Doomsday!

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!  

“Leading up to the draft I was quite nervous and although I had talked with several teams, I had no idea where I was going to go.  I had an idea in the range of being late first round to early second round and that’s exactly where I fell on draft night.  It was a thrill to hear my name called by Helsinki and have my years of hard work pay off to finally be on the path to making it to the VHL.  There’s still a lot of hard work left to go though and I am going to work hard with my new teammates and management team to do what I need to improve to help Helsinki win a championship in the future.”
 
“However, the VHLE draft was a little more nerve racking as round by round kept going by and I didn’t hear my named called.  I mean it makes sense in that I may only play one season there and the players that will probably play 2 seasons will get drafted first, but then the end of the 4th round came and Stockholm called my name.  At least I wont have to travel to far when the time comes to go from the VHLE to the VHL and I ll do what I can to improve my game and help the Vikings win.”

The draft just happened so may as well write about some of the stuff that happened.
 
Doomsday Goes 1st For The 1st time
Good to see a great member like Doomsday get their first ever first overall selection. This draft actually had a fair few former first overall picks from different eras (Enorama from Season 63, Hybrid1486 from Season 22, Nykonax from Season 71, .sniffuM from Season 43). Doomsday actually got pretty close to first overall in the past when they were picked 2nd overall in the Season 41 Draft behind Niklaus Mikaelson.
 
GM’s Back To Picking Themselves
Remember that Season 85 draft where we had three GM’s given the opportunity to draft their own player but declining to do so (Vancouver passed on John Jameson, Prague on Matt Murdock, Helsinki on Halvar Torbjorn)? Well it looks like we’re back to the norm as both the General Managers with players in this draft (Toronto and Seattle) picked their own player.
 
Some Solid First-Gens, But Not Many Active Ones?
It was nice to see Catia Goncalves able to get picked at seventh overall despite this draft having quite a few top recreates, but this draft was definitely lacking in first gens overall. Going off my data from the visualizer, we only had nine active first gens in this draft class, which is maybe a little concerning given that is the same number of first-gens we had in the Season 80 class hit 200 TPE in their career, and that was our worst season for first-gen development since recruitment became a big focus (S63-Present). There is at least a valid reason for this lack of recruitment for this season’s class (the recruitment team faced a lot of turnover during the recruitment window for this class), but at least success was seen in other areas as this class saw a fair few members who had previously created return from hiatus.
 
Let’s Sign Them All This Season?
The last few seasons of drafts have unfortunately had a few situations where General Managers haven’t offered contracts to their draftees by the time the season starts. This previous season saw the long-standing VHL rule on the matter (that players not offered a contract by that time will enter Free Agency) actively applied for the first time since the portal’s introduction, so hopefully GM’s will now be more alert to fulfilling their responsibilities and offering their draftees the contracts they are due in a timely manner or risk losing them for free.
 
Will Chicago Get Issued With A Louth Rule Penalty?
My last podcast (posted with four games left in the season), I pointed out that Chicago had broken the Louth rule and this ultimately led to Chicago playing their backup for the final four games and ultimately losing all four games despite heavily outshooting Warsaw in one and being pretty much level for shots with their opponents in their final two games. However, I still haven’t seen a punishment posted for Chicago breaking that rule heading into this season, so I’ll be interested to see if they face any repercussions or not for not playing their goalie enough last season.

The Season 90 VHL Draft begins tonight at 4pm PST / 7pm EST
 
A quick note on the S90 draft it looks like there's a nice mix of all position players throughout the rounds so GM's will likely get a chance to choose between BPA or positional need. Yaboi Oven is the undisputed #1 ranked prospect in this draft with a 57 TPE lead on #2 ranked Axle Gunner. After that things will get interesting. 🍿
 
 
 
 1st Overall - YaBoi Oven @Doomsday (381 TPE) Defense
 
Helsinki's primed new GM @samx wastes no time selecting a future partner for Kronchy Kardashian @Garsh the two will be able to anchor Helsinki's blueline for the foreseeable future. Oven projects as a franchise defensemen and will be the new face of a Helsinki team about to enter a competitive window. Fans in Helsinki have a lot to look forward to, especially after the off-season acquisition of Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877
 
 
 
 2nd Overall - Maxim Anisimov @McLovin (311 TPE) Right Wing
 
@Moon and @v.2  have been busy this off-season loading up for a playoff push in Season 90 and beyond. The team already boasts a ton of talent entering their prime (much like Helsinki). They have needs on the wing and on defense. Some on lookers may say Moon's player Fitzroy Jr. is the safe pick, simply put though Anisimov is the better earner and higher ceiling of the two players. @McLovin's player is a top 3 ranked prospect in the draft and fills a positional need for Toronto going forward. Defense can be addressed in future seasons. The new acquisitions of @Brandon and @Arce will be great mentors for Anisimov, Atlas and Jaks. 
 
 
 
 3rd Overall - Ryan Artyomov @Enorama  (310 TPE) Goalie
 
Newly appointed GM @badcolethetitan will make the first selection of Chicago's rebuilding faze. Chicago takes the top ranked goalie in the draft, a team that needs everything after selling off Liv Slater @Subject056 to Vancouver in a blockbuster trade. In full rebuild mode Chicago starts off with a cornerstone in net and four 1st round picks in the next two drafts after this one. After seasons of trying to compete but coming up short, fans have fully embraced the rebuild and are loving the work Cole has done so far. 
 
 
 
 4th Overall - Axle Gunner @Steve  (324 TPE) Center
 
D.C. quickly shakes off the disappointment of Eno's player going to Chicago and draft the 2nd ranked player in the draft and a positional need to boot. Axle Gunner is projected as a franchise center and will be anchoring a line with newly acquired Vincent Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007. D.C. will need to sort out their goaltending in future seasons but for now they're absolutely ecstatic that Gunner fell to them. 
 
 
 
5th Overall - Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotBear (290 TPE) Right Wing
 
Another team that needs everything. @N0HBDY selects the player from a known agency in @SlapshotBear. Leaving Xiver Zilla still on the board who ranks ahead of him in TPE but Tuominen's agency has a longer track record of success and is consider the safer pick at this stage. Raimo is the first big piece of Warsaw's rebuild an electric goal scorer who fits the mold of what Warsaw hockey has been for the past decade plus. 
 
 
 
 6th Overall - Xiver Zilla @jhatty8 (309 TPE) Center
 
Another team that takes the top ranked player and drafts for positional need. After GM @KaleebtheMighty acquired Probert and converted him to a center for Season 90 it's become a clear need going forward. Although the pick carries risk, Zilla has been a consistent earner throughout Season 89. Malmo hopes Zilla can be the future of their forward group. Zilla projects as a number one center with the potential to be a franchise player, consistency in earning will be key. 
 
 
 
 7th Overall - Walter Fitzroy Jr. @Moon  (306 TPE) Defense
 
 
Drafting another GM's player is always a bit of a risk but Fitzroy Jr. is the best player available and does fill a positional need for Riga going forward with their defense beginning to age. Not to mention @hedgehog337 owns tow first rounders in this draft so taking a risk with one or both of them is a safe bet. As well as the fact that Riga is 3 million away from the cap ceiling and still needs one forward and two defensemen for a complete roster. Fitzroy would be a cheap call up for them in Season 90 as well. 
 
 
 
 8th Overall - Jarmo Ruutu @jRuutu (270 TPE) Center
 
Jarmo was a late create and has as much potential as any player in this draft. @Ricer13 selects a player he's familiar with and acquires some high end fire power for Calgary's re-tool. Ruutu could easily be the best center in this draft when things are all said and one. To the surprise of some Calgary passes on Catia Goncalves to select a player they feel is a safer bet. 
 
 
 
 9th Overall - Catia Goncalves @cLoWn (286 TPE) Right Wing
 
I'm curious to see what @Spartan  will do with no real fallers. I feel like he'll take the player with the highest ceiling and to me that's Catia Goncalves. Their earning has been consisten all season and Moscow who sold off a ton of assets have needs at all positions. Catia will likely end up being the top first gen of this draft class. 
 
 
 
10th Overall - King Kisslinger @Kisslinger (261 TPE) Center
 
After drafting a dman with their first pick @hedgehog337 opts to draft a center with their 2nd pick of the first round. King Kisslinger is another safe pick in this first round (a word I know I've over used throughout this mock) he will provide Riga with a future number one center and depth as he continues to develop and they continue to compete. 
 
 
 
 11th Overall - WWWWWWWWW... @rory (266 TPE) Goalie
 
@Banackock quickly snaps up the 2nd ranked goalie in the draft. Though he did pause for a second and consider taking his own player the relationship with Rory's agency was too good to pass up. Also Bana has shown no issues acquiring his player in the past so he probably feels confident in that possibility going forward. Rory could end up being the top goalie in the draft so I'd say he's a steal in this position.  
 
 
 
 12th Overall - Severus Targaryen @Banackock (288 TPE) Center 
 
Severus could have gone earlier but GM player factor scared off teams. Not @Spartan  who has no fear in taking the best player available. Whether he's a long term solution or not for Moscow it's an asset that can easily be flipped in future seasons, to say Seattle. Maybe even during the draft? 👀 Severus projects as a sure bet to be a number one center. 
 
 
 
 13th Overall - Martin Kemp  @leafsman (264 TPE) Left Wing
 
With bigger needs on defense and goaltending NY opts to draft the best player on their board. It was a toss up between Kemp and Banner but without any knowledge of the situation @thadthrasher liked Kemp a little bit better and opted for the winger instead of the center. 
 
 
 
 14th Overall - Bruise Banner @ctots (268 TPE) Center
 
With the upcoming retirement of Perry Laperriere @KaleebtheMighty, Prague runs up to the podium to select the best center remaining on their board. @Acydburn finds his future number one center who can be mentored by Jameson until he's ready (the player not the drink) 
 
 
 
15th Overall - Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish @hylands (241 TPE) Defense
 
@N0HBDY opts to take the defensemen after selecting a forward with their first pick of the first round. Hylands has a history in the VHL GMing rival Malmo. So Warsaw ownership had a mandate of selecting his player if available in the draft. After trading away Payne and Girts the past two seasons, they may have quickly replaced them in one draft. Amish projects as a number one defensemen in what is proving to be a very deep draft. 
 
 
 
 16th Overall - Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage @Grape (219 TPE) Defense
 
@samx opts to select another dman who has really picked up their earning in recent weeks and has shown potential for a higher ceiling. We've seen a premium on cheap defense in recent seasons due to the salary cap crunch. Helsinki will now be able to add 2 to their roster who have high upside. Look out.
 
 
Good luck to all the draftees!
If you got this far thanks for the read, the opinions are my own. 

 
1401 words claiming 2 weeks. 
 
 
 
 

1 Helsinki Titans     YaBoi Oven @Doomsday                           D TPE: 381                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 10 31 41 -16 166 92 163 122                             S89 Playoffs 10 4 3 7 -9 44 10 14 19                             This is a big draft for the Helsinki Titans, as they have committed to being good, fast. Sam has taken over the reins as GM after a successful stint in the VHLM with Mexico City. She has made a first overall selection before, taking Svatopluk Puk for the Halifax 21st back in S83. But nothing can compare to the pressure here, hoping to solidify the future of a franchise who has felt nothing but turmoil the last decade. With a forward group secured for the coming seasons, and a top goaltender in Fuukka Rask already patrolling the paint, the choice is clear, to select the top TPE player in the draft, from an agency with a rich history of great players, joining Helsinki will be… YaBoi Oven! Oven brings VHL-ready defensive awareness, and will quickly be growing their skating and offensive game with a set of very talented forwards.                                             2 Toronto Legion     Walter Fitzroy Jr @Moon                           D TPE: 306                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 14 39 53 11 167 88 148 166                             S89 Playoffs 5 0 1 1 1 5 8 10 16                             Toronto is another team that has spent much of the last few seasons at the bottom of the standings, and is growing impatient. Making a blockbuster deal with Moscow, the forward group seems ready to compete. Joel Castle joins a long line of terrific Toronto goaltenders, so once again the focus goes to defense, as the Legion look for a player that can compliment Bobby Bob on the back end. There are many great defenders in the draft, but one has a particularly strong connection with Toronto, and has been seen in the board room several times along with their GM, discussing trades, signings and roster construction. The young protégé has already been a great help to the franchise, and should now get the opportunity to do so on the ice. The Legion pick up Walter Fitzroy Jr, who has been gaining momentum in the draft rankings leading into the lottery, and Toronto will be thrilled to see him fall into their lap.                                             3 Chicago Phoenix     Maxim Anisimov @McLovin                           RW TPE: 311                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 39 48 87 -3 355 30 123 47                             S89 Playoffs 5 1 2 3 -1 30 4 7 1                             With a new GM at the wheel, the Phoenix will have to rise from the ashes of their once great dynasty. After seasons of stretching the competitive window, there is nothing left in the tank. Except for this pick, which will be used to start the franchise over again, and with nothing to lose, this is the perfect opportunity to choose what the franchise will look like for the next decade or so. Cole will need to look for someone who is gaining momentum, who will have lots of optimism, despite being the first piece of essentially a nothing team. There is a tough road ahead, but fans don’t have a doubt about their rumoured selection. Maxim Anisimov has recently been working with the management team in Las Vegas, and has shown exceptional dedication to the VHL, and to creating a great player for a long time. Anisimov may marinade a little bit in the VHLE while Cole works to create a suitable roster for such an exception youngster, or he may get a shot early and start getting some VHL experience under his belt.                                             4 D.C. Dragons     Ryan Artyomov @Enorama                           G TPE:                                     Season GP W L OTL SV% GAA SO GA SA     S89 Regular Season 64 21 30 12 0.904 2.59 3 166 1721                             S89 Playoffs 10 5 5 0 0.91 2.52 0 27 299                             DC finally saw the cup a few seasons ago, but the time for a new era of Dragons hockey is upon us. With the last of the old guard retiring, it is time to replace the pieces that once gave them a championship. Bubbles Utonium is a hard player to replace, but Frostbeard has a plan and a system that he hopes to implement to bring the team back to full-time contention. Ryan Artyomov is part of the agency of the last DC GM, who brought the Cup to DC just a few seasons ago. The franchise was build from the ground up by him, and with a new player in the draft, it just seems like the right choice. A natural successor for Utonium, and bringing the founding father one step closer to the White House. With an elite defense in the making, Artyomov should have nom trouble adjusting to the VHL, and should get some sheltered opportunities as soon as this season.                                             5 Warsaw Predators     Axle Gunner @Steve                           C TPE: 324                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 42 57 99 37 359 82 122 36                             S89 Playoffs 15 7 7 14 6 57 6 35 7                             The Warsaw Predators are entering a full-scale rebuild, and they're starting from square one. It's time for them to simply get the best player available with the fifth overall pick, and they are ecstatic to see the top forward by TPE available in Axle Gunner. Scoring 42 goals and a total of 99 points with the Philadelphia Reapers last season, Gunner's biggest strength is actually his strength. He bullied his way through the VHLM, and he should be able to contunue to do so in the VHLE and the VHL. He is very balanced, capable of great play anywhere on the ice, and is an ideal foundation for the next generation of the Warsaw Predators. The only question is whether or not they can build a core around Gunner quickly enough to capitalize on drafting him here.                                             6 Malmo Nighthawks     Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotBear                           RW TPE: 290                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 27 33 60 24 290 40 124 17                             S89 Playoffs 5 1 1 2 1 19 8 9 0                             The Malmo Nighthawks fell short of the playoffs in Season 89, but that isn't stopping them from running it back. They have an overall strong roster, but it is starting to get up there in age, making Finnish sniper Raimo Tuominen a quality grab at sixth overall. The winger potted 27 goals last season for the Houston Bulls, and has one of, if not the best shots of the entire Season 90 draft class. Tuominen will need to keep working on his skating to maximize his offensive talents, and his defending is suspect as well. Malmo, however, can afford to allow him to develop in the E this season, and add him to their roster for Season 91. If he continues to develop, Raimo Tuominen could be a future Kevin Brooks Trophy winner, due to his offensive potential and the quality teammates he'll have in Malmo.                                             7 Riga Reign     Xiver Zilla @jhatty8                           C TPE: 308                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 38 42 80 28 336 22 114 29                             S89 Playoffs 5 2 1 3 -1 28 6 16 1                             The Pride of Malta might be getting selected a little later than he deserves, but Xiver Zilla is ending up in a great position with the Riga Reign as a result. They reached the playoffs last season, and bring back a roster loaded with talent in Season 90, but they have some holes, especially at forward. Riga does have forwards who could be ready to make the jump up to the VHL, and while Zilla could very much benefit from a season in the E to polish his game, he could make a case for himself to play for Riga right away with a strong camp. He scored 80 points with Houston last season, including 38 goals, but as mentioned, I believe he'll need some time before he can replicate those numbers in the bigs. Riga will no doubt be thrilled to draft Xiver Zilla if he falls to seventh overall, regardless of when he ultimately reaches the VHL.                                             8 Calgary Wranglers     Catia Goncalves @cLoWn                           RW TPE: 282                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 39 45 84 10 411 45 125 62                             S89 Playoffs 6 0 3 3 -3 22 6 4 7                             It's a new era for the Calgary Wranglers, with the legendary Daniel Janser retired and both Leandro Goncalves and Vincent Laroche-Gagnier on new teams. The youth movement has begun, and Kris Ricer would love nothing more than to bring another Goncalves to the Wranglers with this pick. The Calgary faithful would be delighted alone with the fact that they just added a talented prospect that nearly scored 40 goals last season, but Catia Goncalves' relation to her fan favorite big brother makes this an absolute slam dunk of a selection. I think she'll need to wait until Season 91 to make her big league debut, but if her performance in the M is any indication, Goncalves is going to be a big problem for opposing blue liners in the future with her talent.                                             9 Moscow Menace     King Kisslinger @Kisslinger                           C TPE: 261                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 30 47 77 12 287 39 139 18                             S89 Playoffs 10 1 5 6 4 32 2 11 4                             The roster the Moscow Menace is sporting today is unrecognizable for anyone who followed them at all this past season. As soon as trading opened back up, General Manager Euron Leonidas opened the floodgates, initiating a complete rebuild for one of the most competitive teams of the last decade. All-Stars Clueless Wallob, Ronan Lavelle, Tomas Sogaard and Deron Nesbitt were all packaged to various teams around the VHL, meaning the Menace now has a clean slate in terms of what their needs are, heading into next season. For this reason, we see them going with one of the best players available at this point of the draft, King Kisslinger. The Mexico City King is an all-around strong center. He's probably not the best at any aspect of the game out of all of his fellow prospects, but there's also no clear weakness in his game.                                             10 Riga Reign     Jarmo Ruutu @jRuutu                           C TPE: 270                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 15 33 48 1 192 61 168 11                             S89 Playoffs 10 4 3 7 2 39 12 24 3                             The Riga Reign double down on centers by selecting Jarmo Ruutu with the 10th overall pick of this draft, only 3 picks after calling Xiver Zilla's number. Just like Zilla, Ruutu is an all-around great forward with little to no weakness, but apart from his knack for winning important faceoffs, there really isn't any one aspect from his game that separates him from the rest of the draft class. He defends well, possesses a decent shot and often finds the right pass to make progress in the offensive zone, he just doesn't perform any of these actions exceptionally. If we look at it from a different perspective, however, the Finnish forward already plays well for his age, he develops at a great pace, and there isn't any signs of a red flag in his playing style. The Reign get a great player that they will get to mold into what they are going to need the most in the next couple of seasons.                                             11 Seattle Bears     Severus Targaryen @Banackock                           C TPE: 288                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 35 48 83 33 304 56 106 16                             S89 Playoffs 5 1 1 2 -2 14 0 8 1                             The 8th best ranked player according to the VHL Central Scouting, Severus Targaryen, falls to the Seattle Bears thanks to close ties between Targaryen's agent and the team's front office. The Bears would probably be ecstatic if the situation developed this way, as it would mean they get to add one of the most promising offensive prospects of this class to their literally empty prospect pool. The Houston Bulls alumnus has taken both the roles of playmaker and sniper throughout the season, leading the team with 83 points. Among all prospects eligible for this VHL Draft, only Axle Gunner and Catia Goncalves have scored more points this past season. The Greenland native looks like he had all the tools to become a late first-round steal, and some teams could very well end up regretting that they passed up on such a natural offensive threat.                                             12 Moscow Menace     Martin Kemp @leafsman                           LW TPE: 264                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 34 33 67 32 294 58 189 3                             S89 Playoffs 5 2 1 3 -2 19 10 13 0                             The Moscow Menace add another solid forward prospect in Martin Kemp after blowing their whole roster wide open following a disappointing first round exit in the playoffs. The product of the Houston Bulls possibly has the best wrist shot in all of this draft class, evidenced by his 34 goals scored in his first complete VHLM season. He has also displayed on multiple occasions just how confident he is in his ability to carry the puck into the offensive zone and stick handle his way to a dangerous position. However, if he wants to be able to showoff his strengths on the biggest stage, he is going to need to work on his skating. His sub-par speed will make it hard for him to distance himself from defenders. He has at least another season before making the leap, so we are confident his pace will look a lot better when he does join the Menace.                                             13 New York Americans     Bruise Banner @ctots                           C TPE: 266                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 25 23 48 -23 237 58 128 18                             S89 Playoffs 10 1 8 9 -8 27 7 21 3                             At this point in the VHL draft, the Americans could go a few different ways. They could use the help on defense, they could use a goalie, and they will need a future replacement for Napoleon Dynamite. With the 13th pick, I think the Americans grab a fantastic prospect to help center the future of the New York Americans alongside Jesper Davis. Bruise Banner had a strong VHLM season with a stellar 25 goal season and has shown they are more than capable of maintaining a strong presence in the face-off circle. Along with providing the team with a good two way presence with hits and shots blocked, Banner will be a valuable selection for New York as a future 2nd line center. While arguements could be made that the team might go in a different direction here, I don't believe the New York Americans will be disappointed by selecting Banner.                                             14 Prague Phantoms     Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish @hylands                           D TPE: 241                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 17 39 56 24 172 54 135 105                             S89 Playoffs 5 0 2 2 -2 9 6 5 7                             Prague is entering a unique period where they are competing and yet looking to tool up for their future. They have many strong forwards and a solid prospect pool along with strong goaltending. However, their defense will need a new presence to continue competing, and what better way to solidify the future of their defensive core with a pick like Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish. They put up a very solid 56 points with Houston in the VHLM and ammased 135 hits along with 105 shots blocked. They proved themselves to be a force on the blue line and will only look to improve with time. Even though the playoffs weren't successful for Jebediah and Houston, Prague should consider themselves lucky to have him fall right into their lap with the 14th overall selection. I would be very surprised if Prague did not select Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish here at 14.                                             15 Warsaw Predators     WWWW... @rory                           G TPE: 266                                   Season GP W L OTL SV% GAA SO GA SA     S89 Regular Season 2 0 0 0 0.867 4.09 0 4 30                             S89 Playoffs 1 0 0 0 0.933 1.85 0 1 15                             Warsaw will need to look to the future here. After selecting Axle Gunner at 5th overall, the team will need to alter their focus on other areas that need improvement on their roster. They will look to take advantage of a promising goaltender at 15th overall. WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW (and that will be the only time I type that name out) only played 2 games in the regular season posting less than amazing stats, but showed promise in the playoffs when he played for Houston. While he will need more time to develop, Warsaw will take advantage of the positional need and the prospect at hand to solidify their goaltending future. A goaltender with this type of potential only comes around once or twice in a draft, and it will be here that Warsaw elects to grab that type of goalie.                                             16 Helsinki Titans     Alexandre Crosby @hockeyis66                           LW TPE: 238                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 38 20 21 41 2 129 14 40 9                             S89 Playoffs 6 4 6 10 -3 40 6 11 8                             With the 16th pick in this draft, Helsinki will be grabbing the best prospect available after picking their future franchise defender at 1st overall. Helsinki is already in a prime spot to compete and has the added benefit of selecting multiple times in the first round. While this may be the last pick in the first round, it is in no way a detriment to the prospect selected here. Alexandre Crosby is a valuable piece to any franchise and put up an impressive 41 points in 38 games played with Miami. Even in the playoffs, they maintained their strong production without showing signs of slowing down. If their improvements continue along their already great pace, this could be a wonderful pick for the team's forward group. The future is bright for Helsinki, and that light will shine even brighter when Alexandre Crosby steps up to the stage and puts on a Titans jersey in the S90 VHL Draft.                                             2ND ROUND                                     17 Helsinki Titans     Tommy Sleeves @dasboot                           D TPE: 212                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 10 35 45 -13 122 100 178 136                             S89 Playoffs 10 1 4 5 -7 12 24 38 18                                                     18 New York Americans     Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage @Grape                           D TPE: 219                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 13 38 51 -27 157 75 149 139                             S89 Playoffs 5 1 0 1 -2 12 10 11 6                                                     19 Riga Reign     Conference Prince-de-Galles @UnkemptCL4PTP                           D TPE: 227                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 20 58 78 0 212 74 150 177                             S89 Playoffs 10 2 8 10 -2 29 16 19 18                                                     20 D.C. Dragons     Afonya Romanov @DontCallMeCarson                           RW TPE: 219                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 60 11 28 39 8 135 49 96 6                             S89 Playoffs 15 4 7 11 6 48 2 24 1                                                     21 Moscow Menace     Simons Worst Nightmare @zepheter                           D TPE: 209                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 11 59 70 31 188 70 155 121                             S89 Playoffs 5 0 4 4 0 12 6 9 8                                                     22 Seattle Bears     Jeid Rohnson @TopTiddee2                           C TPE: 187                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 24 40 64 -23 300 28 118 52                             S89 Playoffs 5 0 2 2 -2 16 2 8 3                                                     23 Helsinki Titans     Didier Verhault @FTK                           D TPE: 200                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 24 1 8 9 2 21 32 63 34                             S89 Playoffs 10 0 3 3 -5 15 12 29 13                                                     24 Prague Phantoms     Eric White Jr. @Mysterious_Fish                           LW TPE: 187                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 64 11 21 32 25 102 16 86 11                             S89 Playoffs 15 2 4 6 4 25 0 24 4                                                     25 D.C. Dragons     Eno Velvson @Nykonax                           C TPE: 185                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 22 46 68 29 328 48 102 22                             S89 Playoffs 15 7 4 11 6 67 4 19 2                                                     26 Calgary Wranglers     Sebastien Thunder @Matt thunder                           LW TPE: 177                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 45 11 16 27 -16 117 19 69 16                             S89 Playoffs 6 2 0 2 -5 18 2 6 2                                                     27 Riga Reign     Jorji Costova @Hybrid1486                           LW TPE: 176                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 39 39 78 -6 378 30 110 37                             S89 Playoffs 5 0 0 0 0 3 2 2 0                                                     28 Malmo Nighthawks     Joseph Dubois @Dubois                           D TPE: 180                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 64 114 33 47 26 121 62 126 74                             S89 Playoffs 15 3 4 7 4 37 16 23 19                                                     29 Seattle Bears     Oden Bell @WhiskyJack                           C TPE: 148                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 56 29 30 59 -1 239 48 92 35                             S89 Playoffs 6 1 2 3 -8 27 2 12 2                                                     30 Prague Phantoms     Liam Oinas @ojje                           LW TPE: 139                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 45 15 37 52 -4 157 30 63 19                             S89 Playoffs 6 2 0 2 -8 14 0 5 3                                                     31 Warsaw Predators     Barry McOckiner @LanerDUST                           RW TPE: 127                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 20 32 52 -32 216 44 151 32                                                                                                     32 Warsaw Predators     Aurora Skylight @Bedirhan                           C TPE: 205                                   Season GP G A P (+/-) SHT PIM HITS SB     S89 Regular Season 72 29 44 73 0 318 46 124 23                             S89 Playoffs 5 2 1 3 -1 16 0 6 1                                        

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!!

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!!