Velevra

Phoenix still in Playoff Picture In the midst of a competitive season, the Chicago Phoenix find themselves still in the playoff hunt just over halfway through the campaign. Their current standing is a sixth-place position in the North American conference, with 34 points earned in 37 games. The Toronto Legion and New York Americans are still within reach with 37 and 40 points respectively. Their current position also aligns with the initial expectations of the team’s General Manager who in a recent interview shared that he was happy with the team’s performance and was looking forward to an active off-season where he would continue to build off the strong core assembled. On the player side of things though, the Phoenix still eye the remaining games in the season with a collective determination to secure a playoff spot. The playoff experience would be good for some of the younger players like Schwarzer and Collberg. But in order to do so they will need to become more consistent and not drop so many games to teams ranked lower in the standings.

1: Are there any players on the site you wish to play alongside one day? Eno Velvson, he has a pretty cool name! 2: What is your favorite thing about winter? I enjoy going skiing and skating! 3: Do you have any animals? If so, what are their names? No animals on my end of things. 4: What player type would you say best describe your player? (Playmaker, Sniper, etc.) Two-way/defensive forward is probably what I would say 6: Who is the funniest person ever? A friend of mine who always cracks me up whenever we hang out. 7: Do you think remakes (television shows / Movies) are a good concept or should the originals be left untouched? A good concept if they are done well which isn't always the case.

Can Anyone Stop the Express Train? In a continued display of dominance, the Cologne Express are proving once again why they are the juggernauts of the VHLE, looking poised for a historic four-peat. With an impressive record of 19 wins, 3 losses, and 2 overtime losses, the Express sits comfortably at the top of the standings with 40 points with a 11 point lead over the second place Watchmen. The offensive firepower of the Express is on full display, with veteran Anthony Simmons continuing to leading the charge with 16 goals and 20 assists for a total of 36 points. Rookie George Richmond has also come in and contributed significantly to the team's scoring onslaught with 34 points of how own. The defensive core continues to be anchored by players like Jordan Bennett and Joseph Dubois, who have been instrumental in maintaining a positive goal differential. In the crease, goaltender Clark has been nothing short of exceptional, boasting a remarkable save percentage of 94.4% continuing his playoff form. While there is still a lot of season left to play, their performance so far has been awe-worthy and the journey toward a four-peat looks promising.

1: It's early in the season, are you happy with your performance so far? Happy with my performance given it's my rookie season. Glad I can contribute and not be a liability. 2: Which aspect of your game do you intend to focus on this season? Working on my defensive game. 3: What do you enjoy most about hockey? How fast paced the game is. 4: Does the injury cost Bedard the Calder this season? Depends on how close to him the others are but I imagine he still gets it in the end. 5: Aside from Cheese and Pepperoni, what is the best Pizza topping? Onions or perhaps red peppers 7: What is the best sports movie / show? Happy Gilmore

1. Using only stuff you have at home right now, How would the best sandwich you can make look like? I would probably be alright, have bread, mustard, lettuce, onions, and chicken. 2. You can buy one family member one gift without worrying about the money. Who And what do you gift them? I would buy my brother a new hard drive. 3. If you can lead the VHL s92 in one stat, which would you choose? Points seems like a solid option --- 1. Any early season surprises in the standings? 2. Are you happy with your player's individual performance thus far? 3. Who would be your first overall pick in a VHL Fantasy Hockey Draft?

Chicago Rookie Scores First Career Goal Sunday night was a thrilling moment for Joshua Schwarzer of the Chicago Phoenix as the young forward secured a memorable milestone in his VHL career by netting his first goal. The goal happened in his eighth career game during an intense match against the Toronto Legion. With a mere 2 minutes and 39 seconds left in the third period with the score tied 1-1. The goal came off a beautiful pass by Dank Turtle and propelled the Phoenix to a narrow 2-1 victory over the Legion. As Schwarzer celebrated, his linemate and team captain Yaroslav Trunov went to retrieve the puck for him as souvenir. Prior to this goal, Schwarzer had been showcasing his playmaking skills with seven assists in his early VHL career making a strong trio along with Trunov and Turtle. Now, with that elusive first goal under his belt, he looks forward to further contributing offensively and scoring more game winners throughout his VHL career!

Thanks for this honour! Looking forward to doing my best to get CHI back to the top!

Canada Disappoints at World Juniors The World Juniors brought unexpected disappointment for Team Canada as they struggled to find their footing in the tournament. In the round-robin stage, the Canadian squad faced an uphill battle, failing to secure a single victory with a record of 0 wins, 8 losses, and 2 overtime losses. The inability to notch a win in the preliminary rounds set a somber tone for the team heading to the playoffs. Hopes for any sort of turnaround were dashed in the first playoff round when Canada faced off against the powerhouse United States. Despite a commendable individual effort from Joshua Schwarzer, who managed a hat trick and posted 11 points in the round-robin stage, the collective team performance fell short. Canada succumbed to a 5-3 defeat, spelling the end of their World Juniors campaign. The team has faced immense backlash on social media, but no one is more disappointed than the players themselves who are reflecting on all the missed opportunities and contemplating how they could have contributed more to the team's success. However, players won’t have long to dwell on the poor performance however as they will have to quickly get in gear for the start of the VHL, VHLE, and VHLM seasons this week.

1: Been a few weeks since the last Presser. Did you get any cool gifts for Christmas? Santa Cutmason gave me a league skin which was very kind! 2: What is your player's New Year's Resolution? Just keep improving and have fun! 3: Since we got a couple of new faces around the roster I figured it'd be good to ask which Jersey number everyone wants to wear this season? Not sure what's been taken or retired, but maybe 72 4: Does your player shoot right or left? Left-handed shooter! 7: What is your favorite NHL team and how did you choose your team? Vancouver, grew up there! 8: What videogame has the best story? Hard to choose one, but Mass Effect 2 was pretty big for me personally

Schwarzer Hoping to Play for Canada in Upcoming WJC After a rejuvenating holiday break spent with friends and family, Joshua Schwarzer, fresh off his VHLE championship victory with the Cologne Express, is gearing up for the World Junior Championship. This time, he is projected to proudly wear the maple leaf on his chest and play for Team Canada. If selected for Team Canada, this will mark his debut in representing his home country on the international stage. Schwarzer previously played for Team Asia as a substitute and got the chance to showcase his skills with two goals and four points in ten games. This experience provided him with valuable insights into the dynamics of international play. Now, with the opportunity to wear the iconic red and white of Canada, Schwarzer is eager to elevate his role, aspiring to be a key playerfor the team. The prospect of being an offensive leader for Team Canada adds an extra layer of excitement, and Schwarzer is determined to make the most of this opportunity if it is given to him, laying the foundation for what he hopes will be a series of international appearances in the future once he makes the jump to the VHL.

1. IF you had to make up a new advanced stat for hockey, what can it be? Serious and joke answers are both appreciated. Hydration / 60. Got to see who is drinking the right amount of water for the game 2. Out of all the teams in the VHL, VHLM, VHLE, which do you think would be the most likely to do a jersey where the city name or team name is spelt out on their jersey diagonally? Hmm not sure, maybe Davos? 3. What is your player's personal goal song? The Whereabouts of Light ---- 1. Does your player have a New Years Resolution? 2. Early favourite to win the championship in S92? Whatever league you follow 3. Any offseason moves that have surprised you so far?

The Rookie Experience – Joshua Schwarzer Schwarzer Dons the Chicago Jersey for the First Time In His Rookie Debut Joshua Schwarzer is set to make a significant leap forward in his hockey career and make his rookie debut in season 92 of the VHL. Schwarzer will be joining the Chicago Phoenix for the upcoming season who took a big bet on him and drafted him 6th overall in the previous VHL entry draft. The move marks a transition from the VHLE, where Schwarzer played a pivotal role in securing the Cologne Express's third consecutive championship. As Schwarzer prepares for his rookie season in the VHL, his goals are both immediate and long-term. In the short term, he aims to adapt swiftly to the heightened level of competition in the VHL. The transition from VHLE to VHL is a significant one, and Schwarzer acknowledges the need to elevate his game to match the intensity and skill of his new opponents. In particular, Schwarzer is looking to improve on his defensive game, his puck control abilities, and improve his shot to get them more in tune with the VHL level. One of the challenges facing the Chicago Phoenix is the departure of Scotty Sundin, a star player who contributed significantly to the team's offense. Sundin's retirement leaves a notable void in the scoring department (49 goals and 112 points last season), and Schwarzer is aware of the impact it could have on the team's performance. While unrealistic for Schwarzer to fill this void as a rookie, he hopes he can help mitigate this loss with contributions of his own and plans to learn from players like Legacy Gaming, who also had a breakout season on the team last season (39 goals, 86 points). If Schwarzer can function as a secondary offensive piece this season, the fans will be quite pleased. The excitement in Chicago is fueled not only by Schwarzer's arrival but also by the acquisition of Yaroslav Trunov. The former Malmo Nighthawks player brings a wealth of offensive prowess, having notched 34 goals and 74 points last season. Schwarzer looks forward to playing alongside Trunov, hoping their combined efforts will help fill the offensive gap left by Sundin's departure. Adding to the anticipation is the presence of Lionel Collberg, Schwarzer's teammate from the Cologne Express. Both players, having played pivotal roles in securing the VHLE championship, now look to bring their chemistry and skills to the VHL stage. Their synergy on the ice is expected to be a valuable asset for the Chicago Phoenix. In the long term, Schwarzer's goal extends beyond adapting to the VHL; he aspires to become a key player in the league, contributing consistently to his team's success. As he embarks on this new chapter, Schwarzer is not just aiming to be a rookie finding his footing; he envisions a trajectory that will see him emerge as a vital component of the Chicago Phoenix's ongoing success in the VHL and hopefully a championship for the organization one day!

1: We have begun our series against The Toronto Legion. Do you like the matchup? Hindsight now but at the time I also thought it would be a tough matchup as TOR was quite strong and the eventual champs. 2: If you could have a sponsorship from any company, which would you choose? Costco since they have everything haha 3: How does your player prepare for big games like today? Proper meal, nap, and pump up music 4: Who is your favorite profession Goaltender in hockey and why? Was a big Roberto Luongo fan growing up 5: Which other sports do you enjoy watching? Basketball is probably my other favourite 7: What is your favorite color? Gold/Yellow

Schwarzer Notches Golden Goal The Cologne Express have secured their VHLE dynasty by clinching their third straight championship in a thrilling 4-1 series victory over the Vasteras Iron Eagles. After a slight stumble in the opening game, Cologne rallied, showcasing their resilience to win four consecutive games. The crowning moment came in overtime of game five, where Schwarzer etched his name into Cologne history by scoring his fifth of the playoffs. The VHLE rookie’s goal came off a beautiful slap shot with assists from veterans Brad Marchand and Jordan Bennett. For Schwarzer, this victory accomplishes his personal goal of ensuring that the Express were able to three-peat in his only season with the team before his impending debut in the VHL. With the VHLE championship secured, he eagerly anticipates a well-deserved break to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. The festive season will be followed by preparations for his rookie season in the VHL, as he heads to Chicago for training camp.

Day 12!

Day 11

Day 10!

Day 9!

Day 8!

7

Day 6!

Day 5!

4!

Random numbers please!