STZ

It’s good to have Vic back

Have you ever asked yourself which VHLM franchise provides the best pathway to becoming a VHL GM? No? Well I did, a while ago in fact, but let the potential article idea sit there through Rara Rasputin's career and my recent second semi-hiatus. Now it is time to answer the eternal question however.
 
How does one quantify such a broad subject? A successful VHLM GM is not necessarily one who spends a season with their team and uses it as a springboard to a VHL career. Getting appointed in charge of a VHL team does not necessarily reflect VHLM GM success either. Furthermore, not every VHL GM tenure lasts long and/or goes well so are those GMs really a good reflection on their VHLM franchise? Finally, given our long and storied history, there are more than a handful of GMs who have managed in the VHLM on multiple occasions, often both before and after their (frequently multiple) VHL stints. How do we handle those? And these days, how do we handle time spent in the VHLE as well?
 
You'll be pleased to learn that I didn't bother tackling most of these quite complex questions. What I have produced instead is effectively a statistical analysis and ranking of VHLM franchises through the years based on the future employments of their GMs. I don't think it is necessarily a best-to-worst VHLM team list or even a best-to-worst GM list, but rather a fun way to look at the long and disorganised history of the M. Whilst this introduction has made it all look quite chaotic, there have been a few basic principles I followed in putting the ranking together:

 
All VHLM franchises ever to exist have been included, meaning 17 teams in total, including those which haven't been around for nearly 50 seasons
If a team has had the same GM multiple times, they are counted as 1 GM, with an exception or two which is explained separately
For the five franchises which existed both before and after the start of the “modern” VHL (I used as a cut-off the expansion to Halifax in S62 as most of the other expansion teams followed shortly after), some consideration has been given both to their performance before and after that date
This is mostly about VHLM GMs who subsequently worked their way up to the VHL but some teams have had good representation from experienced heads who did their stints in the big leagues and then came (back) down later on so that's been incorporated as well
The VHLE has been ignored entirely in keeping with public opinion

 
Without further ado then, let's count down the best franchises for an aspiring VHL GM, probably.

 
17. Vasteras IK J20 / Moscow Red Wolves (defunct S51)
Total GMs: 17
Future VHL GMs: 2 (Jochen Walser, Tyler Edgar)
Former VHL GMs: 2 (Frank Chadwick, Sterling Labatte)

At the bottom of the list is a franchise that always seems to be at the bottom of VHL lists. There is not much left to be said about Vasteras that hasn't been said before, other than that by association it seems to have cursed both Moscow and the Red Wolves (the former having won 1 of 6 Continental Cup finals as the Menace, the latter being contracted in the VHLE in its Istanbul incarnation). As for the purposes of this article, the most relevant piece is Tyler Edgar being the J20's longest-serving GM, finally getting his cup in S27, and then having a successful spell in Toronto in the 30s – but the franchise has not much of a lasting legacy otherwise.

 
16. Miami Marauders
Total GMs: 6
Future VHL GMs: 1 (Kris Rice)
Former VHL GMs: 1 (Zack Gagnon)

The VHLM's youngest franchise is next on the list which surprised me slightly, given its early success. But most of that came under the two names above, with Rice then going onto a very successful time as Calgary GM. As for Gagnon, Miami was his last gig before getting the Los Angeles job, but that was neither his first VHL role nor his last appearance in this article.

 
15. Las Vegas Aces (formerly Toledo Scorpions and Bern Royals) 
Total GMs: 34
Future VHL GMs: 8 (Matt Defosse, Zach Arce, Sam Helberg, Chad Murphy, Conner Low, Sachimo Zoidberg, Julian Borwinn, Euron Leonidas)
Former VHL GMs: 6 (Zack Gagnon, Tyler Barabash, Vince Wong, Sterling Labatte, Robbie Zimmers, Ron Dayne III)
Since S62, 11 GMs of whom 2 were future VHL GMs (Borwinn and Leonidas)

As you'd expect for a team that's been in the VHLM since the start (although in a wide range of locations), it's been a turbulent history for the Aces. There will be those that have fond memories of the franchise and those that think it's a forgettable one. In truth, recent history punishes Vegas a bit – unfortunate that its most successful modern era GM (Anthony Pratt) disappeared before getting a VHL job most expected him to get. Other than Borwinn and Leonidas who went onto long-term careers with Helsinki and Moscow, there's a lot of recent names which fizzled out way too quickly.

 
14. Mississauga Hounds
Total GMs: 9
Future VHL GMs: 2 (Jerry Garcia, Cole Pearce)
Former VHL GMs: 1 (Dominic Gobeil)

The team founded by the Gus/Berocka tandem has seemed to attract GMs who are happy staying at the VHLM level – lots of current actives but other than Garcia's stint in Davos, only Warsaw's Cole Pearce represents the Hounds in the VHL. However, after finally breaking the Founder's Cup duck in S90, maybe fortunes will be changing for Mississauga going forward.

 
13. Houston Bulls
Total GMs: 8
Future VHL GMs: 2 (John Frostbeard, Nils Godlander)
Former VHL GMs: 2 (Zach Arce, Vince Wong)
 
Similar proportion of VHL GMs to the Hounds with one difference – Houston's alumni have both won championships with Frostbeard's Malmo in S75 and Godlander's Toronto most recently in S91. Four different GMs have won the VHLM Top GM trophy while at Houston, so the Bulls are clearly doing things right at the minors level anyway.

 
12. Philadelphia Reapers
Total GMs: 7
Future VHL GMs: 2 (Victor Grachev, Alex Johnston)
Former VHL GMs: 0

Ranking higher than its fellow expansion franchises purely based on percentages, Philadelphia has had lots of VHLM success and provided the current Davos and Malmo GMs, with Alex in particular finally turning around the Dynamo's years of despair. A theme in this article now will be that I have increasingly little new insightful information to say about each franchise beyond the information already provided at the top.

 
11. Minnesota Storm (formerly Gothenburg Eagles, Oslo Screaming Seamen, and Oslo Storm)
Total GMs: 33
Future VHL GMs: 8 (Vladimir Kliment, Damien Walec, Zack Gagnon, Mitch Higgins, Thomas Corcoran, Thomas Landry, William Shaw)
Former VHL GMs: 7 (Brett Slobodzian, Joey Kendrick, Greg Harbinson, Jason Glasser, Tyler Barabash, Jim Gow, Matthew Boragina)
Since S62, 4 GMs of whom 1 was a future VHL GM (Funk), before moving to the VHLE and back to Oslo in S81

If you thought Las Vegas' history was tumultuous, spare a thought for the fans of the Storm. Three cities, two leagues, and screaming seamen, but also an impressive list of former GMs. Oslo peaked probably from S24 to S30 during the streak of Gagnon, Higgins, and Corcoran managing the team immediately before taking over Riga, Helsinki, and Vasteras respectively, although Higgins had by far the most success. There's been some dry spells followed by the Oslo reincarnation doing very well in the E, and overall the team's done good enough for midtable.

 
10. Minot Gladiators (briefly Syracuse Wolfpack) (defunct S42)
Total GMs: 15
Future VHL GMs: 4 (Matt Bentz, Chad Murphy, Jardy Bunclewirth, Tyler Edgar)
Former VHL GMs: 2 (Greg Harbinson, Zack Gagnon)

A blast from the past franchise brings a blast from the past in terms of VHL GMs too. Other than the ever-present Gagnon, none of the men listed has managed a VHL team since the 50s at the latest but several will be recognisable to the average reader. Minot did well when it was affiliated with Calgary, including producing two future Wranglers GMs and in the eyes of many did not deserve its contraction, although its name lives on in Rome today.

 
9. Saskatoon Wild (formerly Fresno Bulls and Buffalo Jr Bears)
Total GMs: 33
Future VHL GMs: 7 (Greg Harbinson, Jack Reilly, Jack Sixten, Spencer Flammer, Rylan Peace, Roger McWolf III, Thomas Landry)
Former VHL GMs: 5 (Brett Noiles, James Assayag, Brett Slobodzian, Thomas Corcoran, Vladamir Komarov)
Since S62, 10 GMs of whom 3 were future VHL GMs (Peace, McWolf, Landry)

A storied franchise, still adding to its impressive list of championships to this day, has also predictably churned through a fair few GMs, most famously the namesake of the VHLM's Top GM trophy, Jack Reilly. The Wild fall surprisingly low on the list, in part due to the lack of huge success either side of Reilly, but also few GMs making the leap in the modern, post-S62 era.

 
I sadly have nothing insightful to say about San Diego, Turku, and Brampton so am skipping my commentary straight to the top 5.
 
8. San Diego Marlins
Total GMs: 7
Future VHL GMs: 2 (Thadius Sales, Jacob Carson)
Former VHL GMs: 3 (Zack Gagnon, Frank Chadwick, Zach Arce)
 
7. Turku Outlaws (formerly Jonkoping Warriors, Kolari Wolves and Kolari Panthers) (defunct S42)
Total GMs: 18
Future VHL GMs: 6 (Matt Bailey, Tyler Edgar, Chris Miller, Pavel Koradek, Zack Gagnon, Clinton Chevy)
Former VHL GMs: 0
 
6. Brampton Battalion / Blades (defunct S53)
Total GMs: 22
Future VHL GMs: 7 (Scotty Campbell, Tyler Owens, Tyler Barabash, Bryan Svec, Ryan Power, Steve Smeall, Conner Low)
Former VHL GMs: 3 (Jochen Walser, Joey Kendrick, Matthew Boragina)

 
5. Yukon Rush
Total GMs: 22
Future VHL GMs: 5 (Austin Gow, Daniel Anderson, Josh Da Silva, Jordan Tonn, Dominic Gobeil)
Former VHL GMs: 3 (Sam Helberg, Victor Alfredsson, Conner Low)
Since S62, 5 GMs of whom 3 were future VHL GMs (Da Silva, Tonn, Gobeil), before moving to the VHLE and Geneva in S81
 
It's no surprise there was uproar when Yukon was the franchise stolen by the VHLE (Minnesota was less of an issue given Oslo was its home before) and moved to Geneva where it had a short and unsuccessful life. Up to that point, Yukon was a hugely successful and popular franchise, producing multiple future VHL GMs from the 40s through to the 80s at an impressive rate given the Rush were only founded in S31. Alas, they are no more, just like their fellow S31 expansion brothers below.

 
4. Bratislava Watchmen (defunct S53)
Total GMs: 8
Future VHL GMs: 3 (Vince Wong, Blake Campbell, Benjamin Zeptenbergs)
Former VHL GMs: 1 (Sachimo Zoidberg)

Ah Bratislava, back now in the VHLE, but never likely to reach the heights it climbed in its short 23-season spell in the VHLM. 7 cups, 8 GMs, of whom 3 are managing in the VHL today – Vince Wong in his third stint, Campbell and Zeptenbergs meanwhile in their roles pretty much since the Watchmen went extinct the first time, the longest VHL tenures ever, by a distance. A model VHLM franchise so no surprise to see it high on the list.

 
3. Mexico City Kings
Total GMs: 9
Future VHL GMs: 4 (Nyko Nax, Christopher James, Cole H, Mickey Dickson)
Former VHL GMs: 2 (Chris Miller, Christopher James)
 
A modern day Bratislava? The Kings are the first of the three teams rounding out this list which have one thing in common – a GM who did the VHLM stint, went to the VHL, and came back to the same minor-league franchise. In Mexico City's case that is Christopher James, who led Malmo to the Continental Cup and is now back with the Kings. With a threepeat winner in Nyko Nax and the current GMs of Chicago and Helsinki, it's a good return on investment so far.

 
2. Halifax 21st
Total GMs: 9
Future VHL GMs: 6 (Shawn Glade, Roger McWolf III, Ted Mosby, Dylan Wallace, Jeffrey Pines, Mickey Dickson)
Former VHL GMs: 1 (Shawn Glade)
 
Shawn Glade is Halifax's returning GM, with bonus points for being the first GM of the franchise as well, although his VHL stint was not quite as successful. Glade did open the door to a host of VHL GM hopefuls and whilst the 21st hasn't won a championship of their own, 66% of this GMs have graduated to the big leagues – maybe more than a coincidence?

 
1. Ottawa Ice Dogs / Ottawa Lynx
Total GMs: 33
Future VHL GMs: 12 (Tyler Owens, Brandon Best, Sandro Desaulniers, Victor Alfredsson, James Assayag, Jason Glasser, Jim Gow, Keaton Louth, Esso Drunkmann, Acyd Burn, Dakota Lamb, Nils Godlander)
Former VHL GMs: 6 (Sam Helberg, Frank Chadwick, Zack Gagnon, Jardy Bunclewirth, Joey Kendrick, Jason Glasser)
Since S62, 7 GMs of whom 4 were future VHL GMs (Burn, Lamb, Godlander)

And finally, to the surprise of no one probably, the VHLM's most successful franchise, and the only to be in the same city since S2, is top of the list. Percentage-wise, Ottawa is not actually ahead of Bratislava, Mexico City, and Halifax, but that gets overlooked as a lot of the early numbers are noise from the VHLM's affiliate era. Since Jason Glasser took over and gave the team its own identity, it's been a a very steady run of success both for the franchise and its GMs – 10 of the 12 future GMs listed above have won at least one Continental Cup. Glasser of course came back for a second stint, completing the cycle and keeping Ottawa as a model team into the modern era and very much the type of team I had in mind when coming up with this article.
 
@Ricer13 @InstantRockstar @Arce  @scoop @Smarch @Spartan  @STZ @MubbleFubbles  @Gustav  @N0HBDY @Dom @FrostBeard @Moon @KaleebtheMighty @Alex @Doomsday @JardyB10 @Ahma @McWolf @thadthrasher @jacobcarson877 @Frank @Toast @eaglesfan036 @Josh @MexicanCow123 @Banackock @hedgehog337 @Nykonax @hylands @badcolethetitan @samx @Advantage @ShawnGlade @fonziGG @Dil @rory @Esso2264 @Acydburn @dlamb

Player Information
Username: Jordan Messier
Player Name: Wayne Smith
Recruited From: Other (browsing)
Age: 16
Position: LW
Height: 68 in.
Weight: 165 lbs.
Birthplace: Finland

Player Page
@VHLM GM

Player Information
Username: Vanderstar
Player Name: Victor Vanderstar
Recruited From: YouTube
Age: 20
Position: RW
Height: 73 in.
Weight: 195 lbs.
Birthplace: Canada

Player Page
@VHLM GM

lol he’s yours

On the eve of Season 92, there’s a buzz in Bull land.  
An exciting Season 92 VHLM Dispersal Draft in the offseason saw the Bulls picking twice in the 2nd round and twice again in the 3rd round.  
 
With their first selection at 14th overall, the Bulls selected 6’3”, LW, Chris Reynolds Jr. who had 8 points in 18 regular season games for Ottawa of the VHLM last year.  Reynolds Jr. figures to be an important contributor to a Houston team that is coming off of a disappointing playoff exit after a 52 win, 2nd place campaign in 91. 
 
At 18th, the Bulls nabbed the 6 foot, 205 pound RW, Trimiskez Artav.  Artav had an active off season and it really showed in training camp.  His shot and passing ability appear to have improved significantly, and with his scoring acumen being among the best on the team, look for him to factor into the Houston offence on a nightly basis.  
 
In the 3rd round, at 22nd overall, the Bulls pulled 6’1”, LW, Miner VHLer.  There’s not much tape on this guy, but the Bulls will hope that he was worth the 3rd round selection.
 
Finally, with the 25th pick, Houston would select 5’5”, 180 pound goaltender, Herald Benson. With his pedigree, he’ll likely have the Houston net to start the season, but don’t be surprised if free agent addition, Ondrej Vencko, gives him a run for his money as the season progresses. 
 
In a breaking story that made waves earlier today, an elderly Czech man was arrested outside the Bulls’ arena. The man was found to be in possession of a one (1) pound bag of crystal clear methamphetamine.  When asked if he had any connection to the man, Vencko, also a native of Czechia, responded, “I don’t care about drugs.”  
 
At 5’10”, 187 pounds, Ondrej— or Ondra as he likes to be called— doesn’t posses a big frame for a goaltender, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for with his apparent apathy towards drugs.  
 
The end of the 91 season, of course, saw the departure of a few key players.  The scoring outputs of both Luna Everdeen and Keegan Vos will be especially missed as the duo combined for 62 goals and 131 points in Season 91.  
 
The most significant loss, however, is likely to be that of goaltender, Pipo Popa, who had a franchise record breaking season with 22 shutouts, a .933 save percentage, and a 1.44 GAA, taking home VHLM MVP honors in the process.  Those skates will be incredibly huge ones to fill for Houston’s two new young backstops.
 
For the 92 campaign, Bulls General Manager, AJW, signed a swath of new free agent talent, including the aforementioned Vencko, who remains adamant that he does not care about drugs.  
 
At defence, notable newcomers include the towering, 6’6”, Charles Losfeld, 6’4” stalwart, Cody Toland, and the 5’8”, smooth-skating, Lucy Leitner, a native Houstonian.  
 
At forward, the Bulls added a pair of Nathans, Ecker and Schwartz, who both look to add to the Houston scoring lines with potent offensive skills.  Dylan Boland at RW also boasts a good release and scoring touch.  Deez Nutz, however, remains an unknown quantity, and I still haven’t heard back from my European source on what Czech sniper, Filip Zinek, thinks about drugs— if he thinks about them at all, that is.
 
To top it all off, just hours before opening night of Season 92, General Manager, @AJW, announced the hiring of @Nathan_8 as Assistant General Manager.  This is a move that has been well received by the players and community alike as the team looks forward to the next chapter in its history and building toward a VHLM championship.  
 
Time will tell if this team can replicate the success it had last season, but for now, Bulls hockey is back and there’s never been a better time to get on board!
 
 
Lauren Lambert for VHL.com

Good afternoon! This is really unexpected) To be honest, it's just very very unexpected) Thanks to everyone who voted)))))

Congrats to all the winners.
 
Huge shoutout to all the Bulls last season. Was a fun ride, I really think we were one unlucky bounce in 7th OT that lost us our season.
 
huge congrats to @npuBeT on an incredible season. Taking home some serious hardware too for Top Goalie and MVP.

Yeah, you’re a very talented writer. Great job 😎

The Mitch Higgins Trophy is presented to the most valuable player of the VHLM regular season, the biggest individual honor a player can receive in the VHLM. In a season filled with historic performances, this is a star-studded ballot filled with players seemingly destined to be future VHL standouts:
 
Caring Bear (PHI) - 69 G, 97 A, 166 P, +90, 28 PIM, 141 HIT, 25 SB

Matthew Highmore (MIA) - 46 G, 49 A, 95 P, +22, 33 PIM, 108 HIT, 45 SB

Logan Ninefingers (PHI) - 64 G, 88 A, 152 P, +88, 65 PIM, 277 HIT, 57 SB
 
Pipo Popa (HOU) - 52-16-4, 0.933 SV%, 1.44 GAA, 22 SO

George Richmond (OTT) - 46 G, 55 A, 101 P, +44, 37 PIM, 129 HIT, 47 SB

The votes are in… the most valuable player in the VHLM is…
 
 
 

The Jack Reilly Trophy is awarded annually to the top general manager in the VHLM, which really understates what it truly means to be the best general manager in the VHLM. There’s simply so much that goes into this job, to the point it is one of the most important roles in the VHL as a whole. Working with first-generation members is vital to the continued survival of the league as their first introduction to it. The bonds formed between VHLM GMs and their players is a strong one, any member of the VHL could tell you who who their first VHLM GM was. On top of that, there’s also the competitive element of the league, as VHLM GMs must also manage their players to guide them to develop and produce, which is no small task. Tonight, we recognize those who have 
 
This season, we have three candidates nomiated for this prestigious award: Berocka, who constructed a deadly juggernaut in the Saskatoon Wild that went on to become the Founder’s Cup Champions; McLovin, whose Las Vegas Aces lived up to their strong traditions and were amongst the league’s best; and STZ, who built a defensive powerhouse with the Houston Bulls.
 
Our top general manager in the VHLM this season is…
 
 
 

HOUSTON LEGEND 🔥

The Benoit Devereux Trophy is awarded to the top goaltender in the VHLM, and what better way to start your VHL career than winning an award that bears the name of a Hall of Fame goalie? Our four nominees were the premiere netminders of the VHLM, but this award would really cap off their season in style:
 
Toddly Bobbly (SSK) - 56-11-5, 0.926 SV%, 1.76 GAA, 9 SO
 
The netminder for the Founder’s Cup champion Saskatoon Wild, Bobbly was consistently a strong presence in net for Saskatoon, with a sub-2 GAA and nine shutouts.
 
Pierre-luc Dutil (MIS) - 35-30-7, 0.915 SV%, 2.34 GAA, 9 SO
 
Simply put, Dutil kept the Mississauga Hounds in games all season and elevated them to a position they would not have been without him. A season to be proud of for sure.
 
Pipo Popa (HOU) - 52-16-4, 0.933 SV%, 1.44 GAA, 22 SO

Popa was simply impenetrable this season, posting an utterly dominant season highlighted by an absurd 22 shutouts, the likes of which hasn’t been seen for decades.
 
Amir Redzic (PHI) - 47-18-7, 0.917 SV%, 2.30 GAA, 6 SO
 
Backstopping the runner-up Philadelphia Reapers, Redzic gave his dynamic offense a strong cushion to work with all season long. 
 
Your winner, by unanimous decision…
 
 
 

I have Editions 222-327 on my current computer. The ones I was Editor for 155-222 would all be on my old lap top that is long gone. I have them in inDesign files, so I would have to reupload them as pdfs, and in doing so all the graphics and Magazine Covers will need to be reuploaded or the resolution would be pretty bad. Luckily I think I did the majority of the Magazine Covers at the times, so I could probably track them down as well.
 
If there was an actaul interest in this, I could potentially upload these somewhere, but it would be pretty time consuming. So, not sure how reassuring that is, but it's some of VHL History that isn't completely gone..
 
Note: The first random Magazine Edition I opened had a little write up about Victor as he had just stepped down as Commish.... weird.

Am I getting traded now? 😱
 
Thanks for the trust, hope I can help to lead the team further than we got last season

Nah I get that, I was just making sure you knew that I was here and active for VHFL, so that I didn't get disqualified for getting skipped twice lol

Player Information
Username: Aidant36
Player Name: Aidan Taylor
Recruited From: YouTube
Age: 18
Position: C
Height: 77 in.
Weight: 205 lbs.
Birthplace: United States of America

Player Page
@VHLM GM

January 9, 2024 - Diamond Valley, Alberta
It’s a frosty January evening, about 7:30 pm, as I crunch up the snowy driveway of the Leitner family home.  There’s a light glowing through the front window, soft and yellow, a warm radiance, beckoning me out of the cold winter night.  I ring the doorbell and immediately I can hear the thumping and scratching of approaching footsteps on the other side.  Seconds later, the inner door swings open and I’m greeted by a boy in a Houston Bulls sweater, no older than 10, followed closely by a black Labrador puppy bounding behind him. 
 
“Oh!” I say, startled. “Hi there!”
 
“You’re the interviewer from VHL Magazine, aren’t you?” The boy says excitedly.
 
I nod that I am and before I can say anything else, the eager puppy is showering me with sloppy wet kisses.  The boy is Josh Leitner and the puppy’s name is Pox.  The boy’s mother, Genessa, appears a moment later, smiling at the boy’s— and the puppy’s— enthusiasm.  
 
She greets me warmly and leads me into the family living room where there’s an inviting fireplace and a comfy sofa.  On the far end of the room away from the fireplace is a set of French doors that lead out behind the house.  Through the glass I can faintly make out a figure in the dark, bent down on one knee as though tying shoes.  
 
“Would you like something to warm up? Tea? Coffee? Hot chocolate?” Genessa inquires. 
 
“Coffee please, decaf.”
 
As Genessa disappears into the kitchen to prepare the beverage, I look back toward the dark windows and notice that the crouched figure is gone.  A few moments later, a white light flickers on beyond the doors, faint at first, but slowly becoming brighter.  I can make out the familiar outline of boards and nets— a backyard rink.  
 
I stand up off the sofa and walk over to the window to have a closer look just as Lucy Leitner takes the ice, skates flashing as she crosses over in the corner, around the net, building up speed.  She’s wearing a Pom-Pom toque and her long strawberry blonde hair is loose, whipping behind her in the frosty air. I watch mesmerized as she takes a few laps around the rink, effortlessly gliding on her edges, skating forward, then backward, and then forward again, cutting shapes across the snow-sprinkled outdoor ice, almost seeming to float. 
 
My mesmerized moment is broken by an excited puppy and an eager young boy.  Josh has his skates and stick in hand and has his sights set on joining his older sister on the ice.  Pox— well, Pox just wants more kisses.
 
“Excuse me, Miss,” Josh says politely as he ambles past me, opening the glass paned door that leads out to the rink.  Propping one of the French doors open and sitting on the doorstep, he begins putting on his skates.  I shiver and fold my arms as the brisk air blows through the doorway into the hearth.   I can hear the sharp rasping and slashing of Lucy’s blades as she continues to carve up the ice sheet.  
 
Beside the rink, a shed door closes with a thump and a man in a parka begins crunching through the snow toward me.  Pox, ever eager, rushes past Josh in the doorway, galloping toward the man.  
 
“Pox! Get back inside!” He says, waving the incorrigible puppy back inside the house. “Joshua! Close the door! We’re not trying to heat all of Alberta!”  There’s a playfulness in his tone as he coaxes the boy out of the doorframe so that it can close behind him.  
 
Cleaning off his boots, cheeks still red from the cold, the man extends a hand to me, “Stephen Leitner, glad you could make it out.”
 
Genessa returns a few moments later with a steaming cup of decaf and the three of us settle in by the fireplace to chat.  By the French doors at the end of the room, Pox sits, gazing out at Joshua as he clomps his way toward the white light of the rink to join Lucy.  
 
──•~❉᯽❉~•──
 
Stephen and Genessa Leitner met in college.  Both were Division I athletes and both played hockey for Boston College.  Stephen, born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, went to BC on a hockey scholarship and played there for three seasons, captaining the team in his third year with the program.  After he was passed over in the VHL draft, he went over to Europe to play in the Finnish Liiga.  His pro career in Europe lasted only nine games, however, as he was forced into an early retirement due to heart complications that would keep him out of competitive play.  Being only 22 and reluctant to give up the game, he took a job as a skills development coach back at BC with the women’s program.  During that first season back Stephen and Genessa would be engaged, and Genessa, a junior at the time, would be fifth on her team in scoring en route to a National championship. 
 
Genessa would play one more season with BC before the couple moved to Houston, Texas.  Genessa herself was born in Katy, Texas, though her parents had moved there for work from Minnesota.  When Stephen was offered a job as an assistant coach for a new hockey school in the Houston area, the couple decided to jump at the opportunity.  
 
“We wanted  to be closer to my family,” Genessa says, “And we were ready to start a family of our own.”  
 
In August of 2002, Stephen and Genessa made their move to Houston and on May 9th, 2005 they welcomed their first child, Lucy. 
 
“Lucy was just a natural skater,” Genessa says of her daughter.  “We had her on the ice at 3 years old and we just can’t seem to get her off of it.”  Genessa nods towards the French doors.  On the ice, Lucy floats by like a ghost and Josh chases after her excitedly. Pox has finally settled down for a nap by the door.  
 
“She always had a special kind of self motivated determination to improve her skills and to be a better teammate,” her Father says.
 
Stephen coached his daughter through her formative hockey years at the Houston Hockey Academy, and when asked about where her determination came from he answered, “From her mother, absolutely.  Early on, the two of them had that in common, just this unwillingness to settle for ‘good enough’.  Lucy was always a great kid to coach because she never complained about the practices and she really just wanted to get better.  Like Gen said, it’s always been harder to get her off the ice than on it.”
 
Genessa, herself, left hockey behind in Boston for a career as an architect.  “I had this thing that I always wanted to pursue and that was architecture.  I loved hockey, but I also had this passion for design and it’s a career that definitely lends itself better to the family lifestyle.”  
 
When the couple moved to Houston, Genessa transferred from BC to Rice University to complete her architectural studies and has been working in the field ever since.  When asked about his wife’s determination to leave hockey for architecture Stephen said, “She was a great player and as much as I wanted her to continue playing, she had this other goal and it wasn’t really for me to say no.”
 
 “Financially, it was tough those first few years paying off student loans,” Genessa says, “And we weren’t making a lot either, especially when Lucy was born. It was rat race for sure, but it’s paid off.” 
 
It did pay off.  By the time they had their second child, Joshua, the family was debt free and owned a home in Sugar Land, Texas.  Stephen was eventually promoted as director of HHA, Genessa was working her way up in her chosen field, and by age 11, Lucy was already turning heads at tournaments.  
 
“She was always one of the better skaters,” her father says with pride, “Always so fluid and smooth and I think her speed really takes some people by surprise.”  
 
Watching her through the window again, it’s true, her skating does look effortless as she floats through the night, jersey and hair flying behind her like a flag on a windy day, but perhaps it’s hard to truly appreciate just how good it is unless you’re actually skating with her.
 
“She’s real good at turning it on at the right moments, but it’s kind of deceptive,” Stephen says.  “One minute she’s gliding toward you surveying the ice, looking for a pass, the next minute she’s using those edges to generate speed and by the time you’re reacting she’s got a step.  She just loves breaking the puck up ice from the defensive zone.”
 
“Where do you think that skill comes from?” I ask.
 
“Not from me,” Stephen says.  “It’s the practice, she’s just so consistent with it.  That’s something, you know, we really tried to convey from a young age, just practice and work for what you love so that you can love where you work.”  
 
It’s good advice and both of her parents embody it.  

──•~❉᯽❉~•── 
 
It’s about 9:30pm when Lucy finally gets off the ice and appears at the French doors with Josh.  Pox is up again, tail wagging as ever.  Genessa gets up to fix something warm for Josh, and Stephen heads back out into the cold to flood the ice and turn off the lights.  Lucy sits down on a sofa across from me and pulls off her toque, her cheeks rosy and nose red from the cold.  Strands of hair stick to her brow, still damp with sweat.  She pulls her hair off her face, tucking it behind her ears, grinning as she greets me.  She’s wearing a San Jose Sharks jersey.  
 
“Is that your favorite team?”
 
Lucy nods.
 
“Why the Sharks?” I ask, curious.
 
“ I dunno.  My dad just had one of these teal Sharks jerseys in his bag when I was growing up and I just liked it. I kept wearing it and he eventually got me my own.  Been a Sharks fan ever since.”
 
“Did you ever live in San Jose?”
 
Lucy laughs, “No, I haven’t even been to California.”  
 
“It seems like your dad was pretty important in your hockey development, but from what I hear, you’re a lot like your mom too. How would you describe your relationship with your parents?”
 
“Yeah, my dad was always my coach growing up and I definitely learned a lot from him, like skills and fundamentals. But my mom too, she was a pretty good player too and she’s been a great role model for me as well, especially as a girl in hockey.”
 
“Did your parents ever push you to practice, or were they ever hard on you if you made mistakes on the ice?”
 
“I mean, I guess they taught me the importance of practice—my dad’s always preaching practice,” Lucy laughs.  “But no, they never really, like, pushed me into it.  Like, even early on, it was something I really loved and wanted to do and wanted to get better at.”  
 
“Did your dad ever yell at you or get mad when you messed up on the ice?”
 
“I don’t think so, he’s not really the yelling type.  You kinda just know when you mess up, like, you just see it in his eyes and you know you gotta do better.”
 
“You seem pretty self motivated, then, to get better.”
 
“Yeah, I think I’m my own worst critic at times, like, I always just want to get back out there and fix my mistakes.  I guess, like, with my dad, he’s been good that way.  He kinda just gave me the space to learn the game and make those mistakes and learn from them.  We also spend a lot of time together watching back games and breaking it down too and he definitely lets me know when there’s things I can do better. But we get along really well for the most part.”
 
“You’re 18 years old now.  You just signed your first pro deal with the Houston Bulls in the VHLM, but where do you see yourself in two years?”
 
“My dream is to play in the VHL, so, like, I guess I hope to be drafted next summer and maybe be playing there in two years, but right now I’m just focussed on getting better, being the best I can be, helping my team win every night, and enjoying the game.”
 
“How do you like to play the game?  How would you describe the way you play?”
 
“I just love, like, the feeling of moving on the ice.  It’s just such a beautiful game, like, it can obviously be physical and you need to be able to get a little dirty and grind sometimes, but I like to play a fast skilled game both ways.  I try to use my skills on both sides of the puck, you know, to shut things down defensively and really move the puck up ice when I have the chance.”
 
“A lot of people talk about your skating as your standout ability and you alluded to how you enjoy skating. Do you agree that it’s your best ability?  And what other skills do you you bring to a game?”
 
“Yeah, definitely, I just love skating—ever since I was little. I even did some figure skating for a while and that definitely helped with some edge work and technical stuff, but it’s just something that I always want to get better at so that I can really use it to my advantage. In terms of other skills, I’d probably say, like, just my offensive and defensive sense.  I think I’m pretty good at balancing between joining the rush and being defensively responsible.  So yeah, I’d probably say that.”
 
“I want to ask you about the draft.  As you mentioned earlier, you hope to be drafted next year and that’s because you missed the draft this year.  Now, I understand that’s because you sustained an injury last year that kept you out for most of the season.  Just talk me through that experience and how that’s impacted your development.”  
 
“Yeah, for sure, it was definitely a difficult year—last year.  A few games into the season I kinda went into the boards awkward and cracked a vertebrae in my back.  I had to get surgery for that and it pretty much ended my year.”
 
“That must have been a scary injury.  Was there ever any talk of you not playing again?”
 
“Yeah, like, after it happened I came out of surgery and was just kind of praying that everything went well and that it wasn’t too serious.  Luckily, it didn’t cause any permanent damage, but it’s obviously serious enough that people asked questions like that.  I just thought it would be best to hold out another year, sign with a team after the draft and really just work my way back because I basically missed a whole year of playing.”
 
“I was going to ask you about that, how much time did you miss where you weren’t skating?”
 
“About four-ish months, and then it was just light practice for a while.  It was probably about six months before I was getting back to full practices.”
 
“Did you miss playing the game?”
 
Lucy laughs, “Every f***ing day.”
 
“Well, it’s great to see you back on the ice and we really can’t wait to see you play.”
 
“Yeah, thanks, I’m just super excited to be able to get back out there and play some games. It’s been way too long.”
 
“So you signed with Houston this summer, which is where you grew up. That must be exciting?”
 
“Yeah, absolutely!”
 
“Just tell me a little more about that, was Houston your first choice? I know your family moved up to Canada a few years back, was that a factor as well?”
 
“Yeah, Houston was definitely my first choice, you know, growing up there.  It’ll be exciting to get back there and I can’t wait to join the team.  And I’ve still got some family and friends in the area so it’ll be super cool to have them at games.  But yeah, it’ll be different moving away from the family to play as they’ve been a big part of my journey ‘til now, especially throughout the past year, you know, coming back from the injury.  But this is just the next step on my journey and I’ve gotta go for it.”
 
“For those who may not know, you moved up to Canada with your family to play for the Black Diamond Blades, and, if I understand correctly, part of that decision was because your dad was offered a consulting job in Calgary as well.”
 
“Yeah, it just made a lot of sense for us to all move together.  And it’s been great being able to be pretty close to family as I keep growing as a player.  My dad’s also got some family in the area as well so it’s kinda cool to be able to see some of them as well and see where this side of the family is from.  Plus, it’s Canada, the most hockey nuts nation on earth.”
 
“Because your parents are from Canada and the US you have dual citizenship, but who would you play for internationally if you were given the chance?”
 
“USA, no doubt, that’s just home to me.  I love Canada too, but it’s just not home the same way.”
 
──•~❉᯽❉~•──
 
Our conversation continues on for another hour or so and Lucy shares more about her life growing up, playing hockey in Houston, the move to Alberta, and some of her favorite stories and experiences from junior.  Some of these details I’m not at liberty to share, but others may come out in future articles.
 
As we continue speaking, it becomes clear to me the passion and love that Lucy has for the game of hockey, her sheer joy at the prospect of simply being on the ice.  Missing time with injury was tantamount to torture for Lucy and returning to the ice was like a second lease on life.  
 
Canada may not quite be home for Lucy Leitner, but if I may boldly say so, perhaps neither is the US, and let me explain.
 
For Lucy Leitner, home is a place that transcends nation, that crosses borders and blurs time, a place where she floats and flies, like a flag whipping in the wind, her borders are boards—200 by 85 feet—her anthem, the thrashing of blades, the satisfying smack of a puck, the bell chimes of bar-down, and the drone of a goal horn.  
 
The name Lucy comes from the Latin, Lucius, meaning, “light” or “light bringer”.  
 
We conclude our interview and I thank the family for their hospitality.  A sleepy-eyed Josh is ready to crash as he waves goodnight.  When I leave the house, it is 12am.  Pox is lying down again, this time in his bed which is off to the side of the living room, the fireplace is off and the lights are out.  Stephen has gone to his office down the hall to wrap up some work for the evening, and Genessa escorts Josh off to his room.  Lucy has just put her toque back on.  
 
I say goodnight and leave through the front door, crunching down the driveway toward my car.  It’s a beautiful night, a perfect kind of cold, crisp and fresh, but not so cold that your toes threaten to fall off in your skates, or your fingers become so numb your hands feel like cinderblocks trying to stickhandle bricks—no, it’s perfect.  
 
I stop at the door of my vehicle and look up.  The sky is clear and we’re far enough away from any city lights that you can make out the stars.  My eyes are drawn to Jupiter—the brightest speck of light in the night sky, which is at its closest point to earth in 59 years.  I marvel, for a moment, at how bright and big it is, and how distant it is.  
 
The moment passes and I get in my car, starting off down the driveway toward the range road.  I steal a glance at my rear view mirror when something catches my eye—the rink lights have just come back on behind the house, faint at first, but glowing brighter as I drive further and further away.  I smile at the thought of Pox perking up from his rest, awakened by the glow of white light from the rink, his little black tail begins to wag.  
 
Lucy is home.
 
──•~❉᯽❉~•──
Lauren Lambert for VHL.com

It would have been tacky to give myself C without any votes..

S92 New York Americans Captains 
 
The New York Americans are proud to introduce the S92 Leadership Group. 
 

 
@Josh Jasper Davis - Alternate Captain
Davis returns for his fourth season with the Americans. After putting up over 100 points, Davis looks to lead the team offensively in a new, revamped first line. 
 
@Daniel Janser Callum Gary Yannick Janser - Alternate Captain
Selected First Overall in the S91 VHL Entry Draft, this defensive phenom has climbed the prospect ranks and made the team. The rookie looks to make his mark on the ice, but has already been one of the bigger voices in the locker room, and is proving why he might be the best player that has yet to play a VHL game.
 
@GioSivo Francesco Mancini - Captain
The New York Americans are proud to announce that Francesco Mancini will be returning as the Captain of this team. He is a heart and soul type player that leaves it all on the ice.
 
 

S92 New York Americans Captains 
 
The New York Americans are proud to introduce the S92 Leadership Group. 
 

 
@Josh Jasper Davis - Alternate Captain
Davis returns for his fourth season with the Americans. After putting up over 100 points, Davis looks to lead the team offensively in a new, revamped first line. 
 
@Daniel Janser Callum Gary Yannick Janser - Alternate Captain
Selected First Overall in the S91 VHL Entry Draft, this defensive phenom has climbed the prospect ranks and made the team. The rookie looks to make his mark on the ice, but has already been one of the bigger voices in the locker room, and is proving why he might be the best player that has yet to play a VHL game.
 
@GioSivo Francesco Mancini - Captain
The New York Americans are proud to announce that Francesco Mancini will be returning as the Captain of this team. He is a heart and soul type player that leaves it all on the ice.
 
 

S92 New York Americans Captains 
 
The New York Americans are proud to introduce the S92 Leadership Group. 
 

 
@Josh Jasper Davis - Alternate Captain
Davis returns for his fourth season with the Americans. After putting up over 100 points, Davis looks to lead the team offensively in a new, revamped first line. 
 
@Daniel Janser Callum Gary Yannick Janser - Alternate Captain
Selected First Overall in the S91 VHL Entry Draft, this defensive phenom has climbed the prospect ranks and made the team. The rookie looks to make his mark on the ice, but has already been one of the bigger voices in the locker room, and is proving why he might be the best player that has yet to play a VHL game.
 
@GioSivo Francesco Mancini - Captain
The New York Americans are proud to announce that Francesco Mancini will be returning as the Captain of this team. He is a heart and soul type player that leaves it all on the ice.
 
 

It would have been tacky to give myself C without any votes..