Knight

Rashford Trying to Avoid Being League's Most Useless Player

It's never an accolade that a player wants in their career, but occasionally it's unavoidable. David Rashford, forward for the Moscow Menace, has endured his fair share of struggles in his rookie season in the VHL which is not unexpected. No one has high hopes for his career but it was thought that he could at least be a serviceable piece on a championship contender - a stark contrast to his output this season thus far. He is currently in the running for the League's Most Useless Player award putting up a solid -22 through 34 games. He currently sits 13th last in +/- but does not have the output that some of the other contenders have. Take his teammates Jeff Lewis and Fraser Wallace for example, who have worse +/- ratings but have put up 28 and 30 points respectively. Rashford, for comparison, has 13 points. Thankfully for Rashford he's shown small signs of improvement lately so he has a chance to take himself out of contention. Another positive is that he is not on pace to match last year's award winner, Timothy Swearingen, who was a remarkable -70 in 72 games. 

1. Are you happy with your player so far this season?

I had extremely low expectations so it's not hard to exceed them. Happy to be given a chance to produce.
2. What skill/skills are you trying to push?

Leadership to 99 baby!
3. Are you going to do anything fun over the holiday weekend?

I'm Canadian so we already had our holiday weekend. 
4. How does it feel to be on a team that is rebuilding?

It's great. It takes the pressure off having to win every game and we can focus on how the core gels so that when we're in position to be winning we'll be well equipped to deal with it.
5. Do you think we will be contenders in the next two seasons?

Spartan seems a savvy individual so I wouldn't put it past us.
6. What would you change in the league if you were in charge for a day?

Been there, done that. However, this new updating scale is not to my liking.

Rashford Scores First VHL Goal

It's been a long time coming for the youngster out of England, but David Rashford has finally put his name first on the scoresheet for a Moscow Menace goal. Fellow S89 draftee and 10th overall pick Jeff Lewis (@nerji) was the one corral the loose puck and take the shot which Rashford managed to tip into the top corner. The other assist went to Moscow vet Fraser Wallace (@Hoopydog) whose initial shot was blocked. "I was surprised to get a chance on the powerplay," said Rashford after the game. "Usually we let out big guns work their magic and we don't see much ice time. Makes a change that we could contribute on this occasion." When asked how it felt to have the monkey off his back, Rashford replied "It feels great to be honest. There's been a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes so it's nice to have something to show for it. I would've thought it would come at 5v5 since I feel like I've had so many chance to score but at least it's come somehow." 

1. Anyone get a chance to listen to our leaders podcast? If so, how can we get him to do more?

Nope, and just give more TPE for it!
2. We are winless so far. I know we are rebuilding and we all knew it would go like this, but do you still hate losing? I do.

Losing is never fun, but it's a long-term process here so patience is key. It's important to set other goals for the season.
3. The lines are getting moved around and the boss is seeing who plays better with each player. Is this a good strat since we really are lacking in builds and things are going to change the way we play anyway? 

Why not, now is the time to see which players gel so that next season we're ready to kick some major butt.
4. Everyone has a hobby. Some hobbies are kind of stupid and I don't tell anyone. Do you have any hobbies that others might not understand why you like it?

I stopped this type of thinking a long time ago. No hobby is stupid. I find it fascinating when people are passionate about what they do, no matter what it is. That being said, all my hobbies are not stupid  Unless you count golf since that costs me so much money per year.
5. Quiz time: What skill should every player on the team have a high level of tpe invested in? Only correct answers count.

Experience. My player should have 99 by default with how long ago I started simulation leagues.
6. If you had to make a new player all over again, like right now, what would you change if anything? 

Yeah I'd change the update scale. I don't like how the new scale forces so many similar builds.

David Rashford Prospect Scouting Report

It's been a tumultuous road to the VHL for David Rashford filled with highs and lows. Overall, and rather regrettably, Rashford's development has been stunted by a lack of opportunity and trust which has clouded his outlook on the professional league he chose to join. With a call-up to the VHL with an organization that seems committed to him, brighter days are ahead for the British youngster.

In the S88 VHLM Entry Draft, Rashford was drafted in the third round (27th overall) by the Houston Bulls. He did not end up signing with them and instead chose to sign with the Philadelphia Reapers where he would spend the entirety of his VHLM career. In his first season, he struggled to adjust to the pace of the league having missed the first part of the season but ended strongly posting 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points in 52 games. He was a huge part of their championship run scoring 7 goals and 10 assists for 17 points in 19 games, producing at one of the highest point-per-minute rates in the entire league. While he thought this would prime him for success in the following season, he was never given the opportunity to shine and had his minutes reduced. He still managed 29 goals and 29 assists for 68 points in 72 games, however he was left feeling disappointed with the wealth of forwards brought in at the end of the year which kept him off the ice. The Reapers were not able to repeat their previous years success and so he decided to make the leap to the VHLE to see if he could be given more opportunity to further develop.

The S89 VHLE Entry Draft saw his once again be drafted in the third round (22nd overall) to the Rome Gladiators on the strength of his contributions toward the championship run of the Reapers. While initially given decent minutes at the beginning of the S90 season, Rashford's minutes kept reducing over the course of the regular season following additions to the team and line changes. He was never able to develop any kind of rhythm and ended the season with 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points in 72 games - not an output he was proud of. Rashford's frustrations at lack of playing time were only compounded in the playoffs where he barely averaged 10 minutes a game. He couldn't understand why he wasn't being given more opportunity even though his work rate was greater than some other players who were being played much more frequently. A pathetic 12 minutes per game resulted in, naturally, a pathetic 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points in 14 games during the Gladiators playoff run which ended one game from a championship. Rashford will always feel that maybe they could've come away with the cup had he been given more of a chance. 

Speaking of frustration and stepping back a season, Rashford was drafted in the 2nd round (22nd overall) of the S89 VHL Entry Draft by the Helsinki Titans. Having reached out to the GM of Helsinki, Rashford was left bewildered by the silence and lack of contract offer as the season began. Wanting to actually be a player in the league one day, he was forced to sign with another team choosing to sign as a free agent with the Moscow Menace following a plethora of contract offers from GMs around the league. He has been called up to the VHL for this season and hopes to leave the frustrations behind him in the pursuit of team success with Moscow. Quite the start to a VHL career before he's even stepped foot on the ice. 

David Rashford Stats

It's been slow going this off season. What do you do for excitement?

Nothing, I am lost without the VHL.

With the draft over, what are your thoughts on our draft picks?

Well with so many high picks it's bound to be good for the future of the organization.

Our GM has been on vacation for several days but still managed to do the draft, how well did he do?

Spartan could draft from Mars and still do well.

If you had a few weeks to burn, what country would you like to go to?

Somewhere far like Australia or New Zealand - make it worth the while.

What is your favorite hobby? I like to read and paint.

Currently it's golf. 

Do you follow the NHL? What team do you cheer for?

Toronto Maple Leafs, for better or for worse.

1. Season's coming to an end, are you happy with how things have gone?
In terms of team success, it's hard not to be happy about the position we're in. Otherwise, it's been quite a frustrating year.
2. If you could change one thing about the season, what would it be?
More opportunity to make an impact. It's difficult to gain any momentum or stay motivated playing 9 minutes per game. 
3. Who do you think we'll face first if we make the playoffs?
Really only trying to take down the top dog Vasteras.
4. NHL is starting up again, any way too early guesses to who wins the cup?
Toronto Maple Leafs because surely they'll win at some point.
5. On behalf of Baby Boomer... how can we stop losing to Oslo?

We score against them at a lower rate than any other team, so whatever we can do to generate more offense.

6. What's your favorite piece of media? (i.e book, movie, etc..)

There's no single favourite piece.

VHL Turns 16

It's pretty crazy to think that this sim league is still going to this day - 16 years later. It now really feels like a lifetime ago that Sterling and myself were fighting to keep the league alive only for Jardy and Victor to show up and help take the league from death's door to the most prosperous sim league at the time. At the end of the day, I was just a kid trying to do what I thought was best for the league. Ironically, the ethos of that still exists to this day. No one here is paid to do this, we do this because we have a fondness and passion for the community that's been created over the many years. 16 years in fact. 16 long years. The number still blows my mind. My first sim league was before the age of 16, yet the VHL has existed for longer than that. It's quite intimidating to be a member of this league these days as so few of the people I knew are still here and active. However, it's definitely been worth rekindling my interest in sim leagues since the VHL is still around. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be a part of them. Happy Birthday VHL. You deserve many many drinks.

Season in Review: David Rashford's Last VHLM Season

It makes a special player who never has to worry about sacrificing their own production for the chance to win a championship. Usually these are the elite of the elite - the generational talents - who will always receive (and capitalize on) the opportunity to succeed. For more specialized role players like David Rashford, there is often a trade-off that comes with production and winning. Normally in order to be personally successful, the chance at team success is sacrificed and vice versa. In Rashford's case, last year he sacrificed a chance at personal production to be a part of a VHLM championship with the Philadelphia Reapers which was a sacrifice he was more than willing to make. Another year on, however, and with working super hard to be an elite player in the VHLM, Rashford's fortunes never switched to personal success - mainly because he wasn't given a chance to produce at an elite level.

In the VHLM playoffs last year as a rookie, Rashford came through during the toughest of tests to establish himself as a force offensively with the limited amount of ice time he was given. Although he only finished 6th in team scoring with 7 goals and 10 assists in 19 games, he scored at a clip of 0.79 points per 20 minutes while averaging roughly five minutes of ice time less per game. This was good enough to be tied for second on the team with career VHLMer LeBen Aky and only playoff MVP Eric Queefson scored at a higher rate. This in conjunction with a championship for the Reapers made it seem like the S89 season for Rashford would see a big jump in production from his rookie season of 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points.

Rashford finished the S89 season with 29 goals and 39 assists for 78 points, almost doubling his total from his rookie season - a roaring success to the untrained eye. However, taking a closer look at the statistics reveals the budding superstar may not be happy with his situation. This season, Rashford managed to score at a clip of 0.84 points per 20 mins which was good enough for 4th on the Reapers. In hindsight, it's even more impressive when you realize that he was only playing 13-14 minutes per game on the wrong wing (right instead of left)! Yes, Rashford who was scoring at the same rate as a playoff MVP finalist and continued that production into this season was being, for lack of a better term, benched.

"I never understood why the coach made that decision", said Rashford after being asked about his severely reduced ice time. "It really makes it tough to stay motivated. I worked really hard to be as productive as I could be but the coach just put the new signings straight into the lineup ahead of me. I hadn't played right wing since my peewee days but all of a sudden I was being asked to play right wing at this level whilst also having my ice time cut in half. It's a tough pill to swallow because I sacrificed a lot to stay on the Reapers. I had offers elsewhere and the Gladiators [Rome who drafted David last season in the VHLE draft] offered be a spot on their roster. I turned it down thinking it'd be great for my development to dominate the VHLM. I think I may have made a mistake though."

Coaches always have reasons for doing what they do. Ultimately, they are responsible to the team and the team will always exist longer than the players on it. When asked about whether or not this season had any takeaways that he would carry with him for the rest of his career, Rashford responded: "Absolutely. At the end of the day, players are just tools that coaches have at their disposal to win hockey games. It's important to look out for yourself because while coaches may say they have your best interests in mind, it may not always be the case. It's a bitter thing to have to say, but I don't think I could've ever anticipated what happened at the end of the season. I know for myself I deserved more and will now put myself into positions I know are not going to damage my progression."

With the S89 VHLM playoffs just having gotten underway, Rashford is once again right up there in production per minute however he's being made to watch most of the game. "I find it hard to get a rhythm going but I will just keep my head down and work hard for the team. It's tough to not be given an opportunity when I feel like I've more than proved my worth. Maybe a second championship will ease the blow - who knows." 

After a good start to his career culminating in being part of the playoffs MVP discussion during the Philadelphia Reapers championship run in Season 88, things seem to be in decline for the youngster out of England. Looking at his point-per-game production thus far, including 23 goals, it may not appear as if anything were wrong. However, the last two games have seen a marked reduction in opportunity to the tune of 14 minutes per game of ice time. When asked about it, Rashford had this to say: "It's tough to see the coaches losing faith in me. I know we've had a lot of new guys that joined the team recently who we are trying to work into the lineup and the goal is to win a championship here again. I am slightly worried that I won't be as sharp for the playoffs - along with a lot of the other guys - as it's tough to build momentum on such a small amount of ice time per game. Also being playing on my off wing is a big adjustment and will take some time to get used to. At least we know we'll always have a chance to win with Herzy backstopping us, he's been such a dominant force." There is still a decent chunk of the season left for Rashford to gain more trust of the coaching staff, but we can only imagine it'll get worse before it gets better.

1) We're absolutely dominating the competition at the moment, what do you think is the biggest contributing factor to this success?

Depth of the squad. Opposing teams never are allowed to take a shift off.

2) Ottawa are finding themselves in a bit of a slump, do you think they'll turn it around at any point this season?

Who?

3) What's been the biggest surprise so far this season?

Axle Gunner. To slot in seamlessly in your first year having such a huge impact has really boosted the team. 

4) Who do you have winning the Mitch Higgins so far?

All I know is Higgins was a great commissioner.

5) What player on an opposing team are you most impressed with?

Baby Moo Moo has been flying under the radar but putting together a very decent season. He went 40th overall in last year's VHL draft and is playing like he has a point to prove. 

6) How'd your team do in the NHL Entry Draft today?

The Leafs had three total picks I think, so we didn't do much to replenish our prospect pool. 

1) What are your expectations for your player this season?

Be the go-to scoring option for the team. 

2) Who do you think will lead the M in scoring this season?

LeBen Aky has to be a good shout for this, he's been on fire so far this season and obviously I'm going to back my teammate. Tyler Swift is also potentially a dark horse. @Ben_Reformed @lilchrist

3) Where do you think the Reapers will end the season in the standings?

We'll finish top of the standings, no doubt about it. 

4) What team are you most looking forward to competing with this season?

The Houston Bulls have put together a great team so it would be fun to meet them in the finals. 

5) What are your goals for your player this season?

My goals are goals. Lots of them.

6) Where do you think your favourite NHL team will finish in the upcoming season? If you don't watch the NHL, feel free to tell me about your favourite pro-league team in anything else!

The Leafs will once again be a playoff team and probably bounce out in the first round. We'll see what happens this off-season though - it's a big one. 

1. How does it feel to be S88 Cup Champs?!?!?!

Amazing, especially with the massive comeback that we had!
2. How did you feel about your players contributions in the finals and before it?

Over the season Rashford developed from a depth player to a key contributor and almost leading the team in P/20mins. Feels great to be a big part of a winning team!
3. What was the key to mounting the comeback?

Always having belief.
4. How has the JST been for you if you are currently in it?

It's been a continuation of the success I enjoyed in the latter half of the season. Playing on a line with @Advantage (Jensen) has really elevated Rashford. 
5. If you are not in the JST, how would your player spend their offseason?

Continuing with development. My goal is to be in the VHL one day winning championships.
6. Did you pay attention to the other league's finals?

Not really. Eyes on the prize.
7. What's your favorite color?

Green.

1. Weekly check in. How are you all feeling?

Feeling great, we're in the finals now!
2. How does it feel for us to make finals?

It's nice to see the efforts of a long season finally pay off, we took our time to find our form but we've hit it at the right time.
3. Who do you think has been the team MVP so far?

Hard to argue against the blueline production from Eric Queefson.
4. How do you feel about our chances against Mexico City?

Will be a tough series, but I am confident about our chances.
5. Who is one player on Mexico City that we should focus on?

Justin Williams needs to be stopped from scoring, plain and simple.
6. Who needs to step up on our team to win the Founder's Cup?

Jeffrey Blake stepping up would be huge for the team. Who better than your shot-stopper! 

On 5/12/2023 at 1:48 AM, Emperor_Fun said:

1. Weekly check in, how is everyone doing?

It's playoff time, what's not to like!
2. I'd say the playoff push was a success! How satisfying is that for you?

Very much so, it's nice to see the team gel over the season and improve at the right time.
3. How would you say you're doing as a player as the regular season finished up?

It was a tough first season, but there were some promising signs towards the end. 
4. It seems like we'll be facing Halifax in the playoffs, how confident do you feel about the matchup?

Very confident now that I know we beat them 4-1!

5. How ready do you think the team is for playoffs in general? How deep of a run are you hoping for?

I think we have a good enough team to at least make it to the finals. The team is deep and doesn't have too many weaknessess.
6. How will you as a player get into playoff mode?

By scoring (and continuing to score) a bunch of goals.

David Rashford: Journey From Overseas

An autobiography from David Rashford

My name is David Rashford, and I am an ice hockey player from England. Growing up in Manchester, I was surrounded by a love for soccer, but I was always drawn to the excitement and intensity of ice hockey. My journey as an ice hockey player began when my father took me to a local rink when I was eight years old. I was immediately hooked and started playing in a local youth league. However, as I progressed, I found that opportunities for ice hockey in England were limited, and the sport struggled for recognition and funding.

Despite the challenges, I remained determined to pursue my passion. I joined a local ice hockey team, the Manchester Phoenix, and began playing in games and tournaments across the country. As a young player, I knew that I had to work harder than most to achieve success and gain visibility in a sport that was not well-known in England. I attended two private schools in Manchester, but neither had an ice hockey team. This meant that I had to find opportunities outside of school to practice and play. I spent most weekends traveling with my team to play games and tournaments, often sacrificing my social life and other interests to focus on my training.

I continued to improve as a player and became more confident in my abilities. I was fortunate to have the support of my family, who recognized my dedication to the sport and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. When it was time to choose a college, I knew that I wanted to continue playing ice hockey at a higher level. However, there were no college teams in England that offered scholarships or competitive programs. So, I decided to look overseas.

I was accepted to Arizona State University in the United States, where I received a scholarship to play for the Sun Devils' ice hockey team. The transition was a significant change, not just in terms of the weather (going from rainy Manchester to sunny Arizona), but also in terms of the level of competition and the style of play. I had to adjust to a faster pace of play and a more aggressive style, but I was excited to take on the challenge. I worked hard on and off the ice, and quickly made a name for myself on the team. I was one of the top scorers and an integral part of the Sun Devils' success. However, my journey was not without its setbacks. During my sophomore year, I suffered a serious knee injury that forced me to sit out for several months. It was a difficult time for me, as I watched the Sun Devils play without me and wondered if I would ever be able to play at the same level again.

But I refused to give up. I worked hard on my rehabilitation, and with the support of my coaches and teammates, I was able to return to the ice stronger than ever. While our season ended in disappointment with a loss in the finals to Michigan, my injury made me appreciate the sport even more and reminded me that anything worth having is worth fighting for. As I approached my senior year, I knew that the VHL draft was fast approaching. The VHL was the premier ice hockey league in North America, and being drafted would be a dream come true. I had worked hard to gain visibility and recognition as a player, and I was hopeful that my efforts would pay off.

As a young player from England, I knew that I still had much to learn about the game and the culture of professional hockey. I worked hard to adapt to the new environment and to learn from my coaches and teammates. One of the biggest challenges I faced was the physicality of the game. Ice hockey is a rough sport, and players need to be tough and resilient to succeed. I had to work on my strength and conditioning to be able to compete with players who had been playing the sport for their entire lives. Another challenge was adjusting to the different style of play in North America. In England, ice hockey is played at a slower pace with a greater emphasis on positional play. In North America, the game is faster and more physical, with an emphasis on individual skill and creativity. Despite the challenges, I continued to work hard and improve as a player. I spent time practicing my skating, stickhandling, and shooting, always looking for ways to improve my game.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned during my journey was the importance of perseverance. Ice hockey is a sport that requires dedication and persistence, and there were times when I felt like giving up. But I knew that if I wanted to achieve my dreams, I had to keep pushing through the setbacks and challenges.

Looking back on my journey, I feel grateful for the opportunities that ice hockey has given me. It has taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and dedication, and it has allowed me to pursue my passion for a sport that I love. I hope that my story will inspire other young players in England and other countries to pursue their dreams, no matter how challenging the road may be. Ice hockey may not be as well-known or popular in some parts of the world, but with hard work and determination, anything is possible. My journey as an ice hockey player from England has been full of challenges and triumphs. From playing in local youth leagues to hopefully being drafted by a VHL team, I have learned the importance of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. I am grateful for the opportunities that ice hockey has given me and excited to see where my future in the sport will lead. This is the end of this chapter, and I am ever so looking forward to what the next chapter will bring.

On 5/4/2023 at 1:19 AM, Emperor_Fun said:

1. Weekly check in, how are you doing this week?

Reached the 100 TPE mark so that's pretty sweet.
2. Second round of the NHL playoffs are starting! Did the series go how you predicted?

I think the Panthers winning was a surprise to everyone!
3. Continuing on that topic, is your favorite team (remaining) still in the playoffs?

Surprisingly yes, but maybe not for much longer (Leafs).
4. We're moving up in the standings! How are you jelling with your new teammates?

While the team is playing better as a whole, my players performance has dipped significantly unfortunately. 
5. What position in the conference do you think the Reapers will finish?

1st obviously!
6. Do you think you'll be maxxed out by the end of the season if you aren't already?

With my pathetic history of updating there's almost no chance.

David Rashford +10

1. Trying to keep these started through weekly check-ins, so how is everyone doing?

Doing fine, no complaints.
2. Some of these NHL play-off series are close to wrapping up, you excited to watch them come to a close?

As a Leafs fan, I'm excited to know the outcome of the Bruins vs. Panthers series.
3. How will you welcome any possible new additions to the team as trades are still potentially going?

As Creed so eloquently said, "With Arms Wide Open".
4. The team record (at this moment in time) has hit .500 and it's very close in the division still, how exciting is it to find momntum at a time like this?

We knew it was going to be a long battle back after a slow start, and it's good to see the rewards of hard work paying off.
5. Come up with an all-time roster (3F, 2D, 1G) of your favorite NHL team of players that only played in the year 2000 or earlier. How would they do compared to the current first line of your favorite team?

Too early for my hockey knowledge, I don't really have any favourites.
6. Just for fun, anyone got a favorite arcade game they played growing up or still play? Arcade machines are some of my favorite ways to game, and I played a lot more Track & Field (1983) growing up than anyone needs to know.

NBA Jam was the one.

My specialty.

On 4/14/2023 at 10:22 PM, Pifferfish said:

1. The team is on quite the slide down the standings after being top of their conference just a few short Sims ago. What needs to change in general to end this?

We currently are tied for the league lead in goals against, so better team defence should help us win some of the close games we've lost.

2. What can you personally be doing to turn the tides?

Nothing really to be honest, my contribution is measured in how many times I put the puck in the back of the net. I leave defending to the others.

3. Who should represent the Reapers at the VHLM All-Star Game? 

Eric Queefson. Contributing a lot offensively from the blueline and is 5th in scoring among defensemen. 

4. What team in the VHLM do you see as the Reapers biggest rivals based on the action so far this year or given past history?

Those clowns in Miami. We play in a primarily Canadian conference and only have one other American team. Time to show them who is America's best team.

5. Who you pulling for in the NHL playoffs?

Regrettably, the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

6. What team do you want to see landing Connor Bedard by winning the draft lottery?

I think Gary Bettman would love to see Bedard in an American market, and who better than Phoenix. 

Wild how long this has been going for, a big part of which is in thanks to you. Appreciate all the effort you've put in!

David Rashford, a somewhat-touted hockey prospect, is gearing up for the upcoming Season 89 draft. The 25-year-old English forward has spent the past few weeks starting preparations for the draft combine, and he knows that his performance there will be crucial in determining his future in the sport.

"I'm excited for the draft and for the opportunity to potentially play at the next level," Rashford said in a recent interview. "But I know that I have a lot of work to do if I want to make a strong impression on teams."

Rashford has been training tirelessly in preparation for the draft, working primarily on his stickhandling and passing skills. "I'm doing everything I can to make sure I'm ready for the draft," Rashford said. "I know that it's a huge opportunity, and I don't want to waste it." Despite the pressure he is under, Rashford is confident in his abilities and is looking forward to the challenge of competing at the next level.

"I know that the competition will be fierce, but I believe in myself and my abilities," he said. "I'm excited to show teams what I can do and to hopefully be drafted by a great organization."

Rashford's determination and work ethic are sure to serve him well in the draft and beyond.

My last player had 120 TPE, would that mean I get 4% carryover from that (according to the VHL Rule Book) for 5 extra TPE?