mintusaurus

1. We're a third into the season. What's your takeaway so far? I think we are off to a strong start. We just need to keep putting biscuits into baskets, and keep 'em out of our own. 2. The team is firing on all cylinders on offense. What's the key? Keep putting pucks on the net. Looking for rebounds. Good puck movement also keeps their defense on their toes. 3. On the other hand, we're struggling defensively. What can we do to change that? We need to settle play down in the defensive zone better. Maybe get more physical and wear out the other team physically. We also need to be more careful with our D playing in the offensive zone. 4. What's been the biggest surprise this season? The the VHLE is gone. 5. What have you been most excited about? New season, new team, new chance! 6. If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would you pick? Quite possibly Ice Cream.

From: Wlad Mintys <wlad.mintus@notreal.no Sent – 9/30/2024 To: “The Fam” Subject: Be Home Soon Hi Everyone! I will be heading home soon! As you all may or may not have been watching…I’m looking at you Aunt Lucy, we exited the first round of the playoffs this year. As the post season winds down I am packing up and getting ready to move back home for the off-season. I have more news, though this is not the best news. The VHLE is over. Done. Finished. So I will be moving back home for the off-season, to an uncertain future. My agent tells me that there is going to be a new draft and that I need more experience before I can make the jump up to the VHL. Essentially, I will be going back to the VHLM, where I can hone my skills and improve my game. That way, when the time comes, I will be able to not only make the jump, but make the jump AND excel. Oh, remember how I just said that my future is uncertain, as I was typing this up, I got a message from my agent that Calgary sent me a new contract, I just signed the contract for the next two seasons with the Calgary organization. I am not totally sure if they will play me up in the Show in Calgary, or if I will go back down to the Houston Bulls down in the M and hone my skills. I am just happy that they still believe in me enough to give me another deal. I am planning on rounding out my game over the off-season and upcoming season. Specifically getting my deking, stick handling, defensive coverage and poke checking all to 50 if possible I am really looking forward to being home for a little bit during the off-season. I can’t wait for some of Mom’s home cooking. Oslo has been wonderful, but I am a bit tired of fish. I have a few more days here to take care of some odds and ends here before I head out. Make sure whoever is coming to pick me up at the airport brings something with space. I will have my gear, the life I took with me over there, and of course, presents for everyone. I also managed to get my hands on some Oslo Storm memorabilia that would look great around the house. Hopefully we can get out and catch a game or two while I am back. Looks like the Tigers are playing some Fall Ball. The Lions look good again this year too. I wonder if my agent can get tickets for me? Something to think about. Anyway, I look forward to seeing everyone and I hope to see you all soon. Love you all, Wlad

1. After a somewhat rocky start, things seem to be evening out for the team. What do you think has contributed to this? I think we got the lines settled and just started cooking. 2. Are there any players in the current or past VHL your player looks up to? Whom? Um, probably Jake Thunder. Same team, same position. Sweet name. 3. What points total or goal do you have for your player this season? I would like to make 350xp 4. If you could bring a VHL expansion team (VHL, VHLE or VHLM) somewhere, which city would you choose and why? I think a VHLE team in Galway Ireland would be pretty cool. Galway is a really cool city, and if you don't know what Hurling is, do yourself a favor and check it out. 5. What do you like to do in your free time? I enjoy playing video games. Going down the occasional YouTube hole. 6. If you had to eat one food for an entire year, what would you pick? Cliche answer, but Pizza. So many different options in one food.

Hello Europe, It’s me, Wladyslaw Mintus, but you can call me Wlad. When I was first drafted 37th last season by Oslo, I could not wait to join them. Of course I was excited to start my VHL career with Houston in the VHLM last season, but I was eager to get to Europe. It wasn’t just to further my career though, I mean it was a big part of it, but the other part was much nerdier. In high school, my favorite subject was History. I was fascinated by the politics and battlefields of World War 2. I knew that once the season got underway, it would be incredibly difficult to explore, so that is why I got into Oslo much earlier than necessary after my VHLM season in Houston. I stayed a short time state-side and left early for Oslo, planning to have my own Eurotrip, with a few of my buddies from back home. Since Europe is a big place, I decided we should check out the area of each team in the VHLE. Since I mentioned Eurotrip earlier, I thought I would start with Bratislava, where Miami Vice was no longer the number one show. It had been replaced with House M.D. Vasteras was an excellent time. Just walking around in the same town where one of my favorites, Nick Lidstrom, had played. Rome was so full of ancient history, it was hard to take in all at once. I did a brief overview of some of the top spots. I was very excited about Cologne. World War history was all around. Imagining how life was like pre-war, then post-war. Getting to see some of the pre-war buildings that were still standing was like looking back through time. Stockholm was beautiful. The scenery is simply amazing. It was great to learn more about the viking history of the area too. Finally, we got to Oslo. We got to experience more viking age history and found some more great museums. My favorite was the Norway Resistance Museum, which cataloged the Norse resistance against the Nazi’s who occupied Oslo from 1940 to 1945. I said goodbye to my friends, and now that I had a historical off-season (sorry about the pun, it was not intended), it was time to get down to business. Meeting my new teammates was great. I got to meet people from all over and learn new things. Even though we were not having a great season and would miss the playoffs, I had a great time. I came in with no expectations, just wanting to play a game I love and hopefully get better at it. I was able to accomplish both of those goals. Make no mistake, the hunt for a ‘Ship is still on, and I am still leveling up to get it. I am not going to say goodbye, just, "I’ll be seeing you around"!

Wlad’s Blog 6/19/2024 I was a tiny ball of anxiety. I could not sit still, I just kept pacing back and forth. That was me on draft day. I drove my parents nuts. Once the draft got underway, I started to calm down…well at least I stopped pacing. I just sat there with my friends and family, quietly watching, barely able to contain my excitement. When Houston was on the clock, I don’t know, I had a feeling. I felt that they were going to select me. Hearing my name was surreal. I didn’t believe it at first, but then my friends and family erupted all around me. High fives and hugs all around. The rest of the night was a blur, but I remember falling asleep thinking about the future. In the coming weeks, I had my things packed and had gone through a farewell tour of friends and family. I opted to take a road trip down to Texas with my best buddy. We had a great trip and made some great memories. Houston had put me up in a team owned apartment for the season. My buddy helped me get settled in and check out the town for a few days before flying home. That first practice was great. I was anxious, but excited to meet my teammates. It was fun getting to meet everyone, but the practice itself, woof. Coach skated the hell out of us. He was going to make sure that we were in shape when it came time for the opener. We were ready. We played hard. It was a great season. We went to the playoffs, but unfortunately we lost out to a really good Ottawa Lynx team. It was a big learning experience for me as a player. One of those was learning to lose. You’re not going to win all of the time, at least I am pretty sure, unless you are like Superman or something. Regardless, learning how to lose, accepting it, and then instead of wallowing in it, using it to focus your game and your body and start getting ready for the next one. And that is what I did at the end of our run in the playoffs. I got angry for a bit, but then I turned that into focus and motivation. I started putting in workouts. I found out I was going to be moving to the VHLE with Oslo so I used that as my motivation in the off-season. So far, it has been a rough season, but just like any other season, I am learning. I am learning the best way to train and develop. I am learning areas of my game that need attention. I am constantly learning about and from my teammates. Learning their playstyles so that I may better support them and create chemistry. At the end of the day I am learning about the game itself as a whole. On a side note, I am also learning a lot about Oslo. It’s a very fun city!

I tried, but its not showing the first two pictures. Is it that its Claude Lemiux? I see the file name is all. That's cool. I never really hated Colorado, just him. I was and still am a big fan of Sakic. The Rivalry is sadly dead and gone.

End of VHLM season 93 Interview By Kord Daube KD: Hi Wlad! It’s good to see you again, thank you for taking the time to sit and chat with me again. WM: Kord! Great to see you as well. KD: Last time we spoke, you had just finished your rookie campaign and were headed off to the Junior Showcase Tournament. How have you been since then? WM: Well, I thought I had a pretty good outing at the tournament. I must have made an impact on the Calgary organization, as they drafted me to play with the Bulls down in Huston last season, where we had a great run. KD: Yes, Huston had a great showing in last season's playoffs. Tell us about it. WM: Well we had a strong regular season and we really built up momentum towards the end of the season into the playoffs and we just kind of tried to ride that as far as we could. We went to the Conference Finals. Benson played really well behind us, but ultimately, it just wasn’t our time. KD: But what about your personal experience? You're in your second season in the league, and you have already tasted playoff hockey. WM: Well it was pretty great. I mean, the outcome was less than desirable, but it was still a great season and I had a great time. It stung, at first, to get knocked out. But after the playoffs had ended, I realized we lost to the eventual champions. And we had given them a fight in doing so. I had gotten a taste of the playoffs, and I liked it. I decided that I am going to do everything I can in order to get there again. KD: I can see that fire in your eyes already. So what is next for you, Wlad? WM: Well I think I am going to go back up to Michigan for a little while. See the old rink, get some shinny time in with the boys from back home, oh, and some quality lake time.After that, it is going to be getting ready and heading out to Norway to start training for the upcoming VHLE season with the Oslo Storm. KD: That’s right, you’ve been moved up to the Storm for this upcoming season. How are you feeling? WM: I feel really good. Coming off of last season, I have an even bigger drive to get some hardware. I am really excited to get out to Norway to meet my new teammates. Some of my favorite things when playing with a new team, is finding the chemistry with my new teammates and the team events and bonding that always come during camp in the off-season. KD: Have you ever been to Europe before? Are you nervous about the culture shock? WM: I briefly visited Iceland, but I was kind of young. I just remember thinking about Team Iceland from the second Mighty Ducks movie. I know they eat a lot of seafood. That is something that will take some getting used to. I’m not much of a seafood fan. KD: Well maybe it’ll grow on you. I don’t want to take up too much more of your time. Thank you for sitting down with me again. WM: Of course, always a pleasure, Kord. Let’s keep this going. We’ll talk after next season again? KD: That sounds great. We’ll talk then, enjoy your off-season and have a good season. WM: Thanks, Kord.

A Day in the Life: Wladyslaw Mintus – Houston Bulls (D) Elvira Walburg It’s a Tuesday morning at 9am on a game day and I am knocking on the door of Wladyslaw Mintus’ apartment to see how he spends the day before a game. EW: Good morning, Wladyslaw. Sorry to barge in this early in the morning, but hey, I’ve brought Donuts! WM: Good morning, Elvira, please come on in. It is no trouble at all, I am happy to do it. Donuts?! Thank you (smiling). Do we have any apple cinnamon? Wlad is ok, by the way. EW: We certainly do, Wlad. Where should I put these down? WM: In here will be fine [gesturing to the kitchen/dining room]. I figured we could start the grand tour here too. EW: Excellent, that sounds great. WM: This is the kitchen/dining room, obviously, since I just said that. I like to eat as healthy as I can during the season. So I am in here either making Chicken or Fish for dinner during most of the season. In fact, I was just about to make breakfast. Can I interest you in some eggs? EW: Actually that does sound good, I will take some if you are offering. WM: Coming right up. After we eat breakfast Wlad talks about growing up outside of Detroit and his childhood. He is affable and humorous. We finish eating and the tour continues. WM: Here is the living room, as you can tell by the lack of furniture, I am still getting settled in. EW: You have the important things, a couch and a TV. I’d say you are all set, just kidding. WM: Then down through this hall there are some closets, the main bathroom, and the bedroom. Nothing too fancy to look at, but it gets the job done. What time is it? I let him know that the time is coming up on 11am. WM: Since we are done here, it is about time I get ready and head to the rink for the afternoon skate. We load into Wlad’s car and get going to the rink. It’s about 30 minutes from Wlad’s home. WM: So on game days, we have an afternoon skate, depending on game time of course. If its an evening game, then it's an afternoon skate. Usually we run through warm ups, and cardio and some passing drills. The goalies get some work in. After the ice, some of the guys will hit the gym a little extra before heading home.I got in a good workout last night, so once the skate is done, I will probably cool down on the bike for 20 minutes and then get out of here. EW: I am going to let you get on with your game-day after the skate, so I just wanted to thank you for a great morning and a sneak peak into your daily life. If you could real quick, sum up the rest of your day for the readers? WM: So after the skate I’ll come back home, probably chill out playing some video games, take a quick power nap, grab something to eat and then head off to the rink again about an hour and a half before puck drop. Thank you for the opportunity, I had a fun day today too EW: Thanks again, Wlad. Have a great game tonight. WM: Thank you.