ace_five_

Review: Beautiful piece of writing. This truly felt like something that would be published on a big sports website. Easy to read and very professional writing overall. I like how both voices in the piece were unique and you could tell the difference between them easily. Even if you hadn’t said any names before or after a quote, you could tell who was speaking by there tone, cadence, and vocabulary. Incredibly well done, I look forward to reading Vasteras’ journey this season! 10/10

Wow, somehow I missed this. Sorry for not getting back to you because it would have been great to get into some games

Added an update that added 207 words. New total is 1345

Andrew Skilton +10

With the VHLM draft quickly approaching, I spoke with the VHLM GMs and asked them a few questions about their thoughts and goals for the future. 1. What are your goals for the upcoming draft, and the season beyond? Miami’s GM @Ricer13 is looking for long-term success. To do that he is looking to build his asset pool to gain future assets. With nine picks in the draft, four being in the first two rounds, there will be plenty of assets to work with. @Dadam30, GM of the Saskatoon Wild, hopes to put together a contending team this season. They are poised for the future as well, with plenty of draft picks to work with. With 10 picks in the S93 draft, there is plenty of capital for both the present and the future. The San Diego Marlins would love to draft players who are active and willing to learn. GM @Mysterious_Fish is looking for someone who can contribute in the locker room as well as on the ice, with a willingness to develop being a key to their success. The Marlins only have one early round pick and five total, so it seems development for the future is the key goal going forward. @Grape's Ottawa Lynx want to compete now. They have 12 total picks in the upcoming draft and are looking to make some splashes that will help this season and extend beyond S93. The goal for the Lynx is to cultivate a consistent competitive mindset for seasons to come. S93 is GM @JCarson first draft as Mexico City King’s GM. He told me that his goal for the season is to build a balanced team in the draft. He wants to be able to compete early on, but also be developed to be stronger in the playoffs. Mexico City holds a pick in each of the seven rounds of the draft so they can most certainly build a well-balanced team with those options. For GM @LucyXpher and the Halifax 21st the goal is simple, use their early picks (two first rounders and two seconds, nine total) to select players who can play at the top of the lineup now. Halifax is looking for players that are reliable to compete for the full 72-game schedule but is hoping to find some late round talent with potential that can be fostered for seasons to come. They are not only looking for the obvious talent but also the diamonds in the rough who are really pushing to make a name for themselves in their early career. The Mississauga Hounds GM @Nathan_8's goal in the draft is simple: build a good team with the picks available. There is potential to also move down in order to grab more picks. He believes with the draft capital at his disposal he will be able to do just that. After a heartbreaking loss in the finals, @McLovin and the Las Vegas Aces are gearing up for a long and hard rebuild. With more later picks than early ones, the Aces will have to get lucky with a gem in the later rounds to kickstart the rebuild process. Next is last season's Founder's Cup champs, the Philadelphia Reapers. GM @Lemorse7 is planning on making a splash in the draft to keep the Reapers' winning ways going. Although they only have five total picks, they have one in each of the first two rounds and have retained three players from last season so it isn't totally out of the question. Seeing as they need a decent goalie to make sure that happens, I expect a possible focus on doing just that. Last but certainly not least, GM @AJW with the Huston Bulls. He believes the success of a team is built from within. With so much uncertainty throughout the VHLM season, the Bulls look for a winning mentality over pure skill. If the players they draft are active and willing to put the work in, he thinks anyone can come out as a champion. Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) AJW was quoted saying "Rebuilding/waiting for the future is BORING!!!!", so I think it's safe to say he's planning for the present above all else. 2. Who do you think will be the #1 pick and why? It seems the GMs of the VHLM don’t have a consensus pick for #1 in the draft. Some names were thrown around, but they all seem equally likely to be picked first overall. Of the names mentioned, there were: Felicia Hardy @JCarson - There was a gut feeling behind Hardy being the first pick in the draft. The big defenceman played 20 games with San Diego last season, shelling out 16 hits and blocking 28 shots. Tyler Lawson @Nyx - If he chooses to stay in the VHLM, Lawson is one of, if not the best centre in the draft. He has a big shot and “high offensive upside” as quoted by one GM. A point-per-game player last season with 56 points in 56 games, any team would be ecstatic to have the offensive prowess of Lawson. Jillian Woods @jacobcarson877 - Jillian Woods is one of the only players remaining in the VHLM who has 200 TPA. A two-way defenceman, Woods can be effective at both ends of the ice. 3. What do you look for in a potential draft pick? What are your intangibles? What the GMs are looking for in a potential draft pick is fairly consistent across the board. First and foremost, activity in the forums and on the Discord is completely necessary. They recognize that without this, there is little to no improvement. Staying active will show the GMs that you’re willing to put the work in to earn that precious TPE every week. Most are compassionate, understanding there is a world outside of the VHL that takes priority, but when building a team to win, activity is the highest indicator of an up-and-coming star. The next most important piece of the puzzle seems to be attitude. GMs want to see that a potential draft pick can fit in with their team in the locker room. The goal ultimately is to have fun and create an atmosphere that encourages that. Players that exude that energy are generally gravitated toward because they improve the experience for the others around them as well. While the process to earn the TPE to be a star can be a long one, players who understand that and embrace it will catch the eye of GMs throughout each of the leagues. Lastly, what players do to earn TPE and how they go about it is significant to the GMs that I spoke to. They want to see a variety of point tasks attempted to see that all avenues are being used to improve their players. A player who participates in trivia and press conferences each week is much more valuable to a GM than one who ignores them or completes them sporadically. It is understood that every player doesn’t inherently know how to do everything on arrival in the VHL, but it is recognized when an attempt is being made to take the initiative and learn. This tends to be a good indicator of what they’ll become early on in their career. Overall, this is shaping up to be an exciting draft! I had multiple people tell me how deep it is and how likely it may be to find a diamond in the later rounds. For all the draft hopefuls, whether you’re the first pick or the last, keeping up with your point tasks and staying active will most certainly make a name for yourself quickly in this league. Even if you can’t tell, the GMs are keeping a close eye on everyone and making very informed decisions, so keep up the good work! EDIT: I would like to source that I took some of my research from @Grape's article overviewing each team leading up to the draft so I'd like to give him credit: Good luck to all the players and GMs participating in the S93 VHLM draft! (1345 words) Claimed week of 03/17 Claimed week of 03/24

Review: This is a great overview of what's to come in the draft. While each team's profile is short, it still feels comprehensive while being easy to digest. This is definitely worth the read for both VHLM GMs and draftees alike as it shows what each can expect for the upcoming season. As a new player looking at their first draft, this overview is a big help to see where I might fit in on each team before being drafted at all. Thanks for putting in the work to research and write this out! 9/10

1. Least favorite NHL team? Arizona Coyotes. How can a team be that bad for that long? 2. Do you prefer hot drinks or cold drinks? I prefer cold drinks. I'm not a coffee or a tea person, with the rare hot chocolate once or twice in the winter. There are so many better cold drink choices. 3. Best movie you watched as a kid? I was really into animated movies as a kid so definitely Shrek 1) What's your favourite self-propelled mode of transport (Bike, skateboard, roller skates)? 2) Have you ever broken a bone? 3) If you could only wear one colour for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Today I had a chance to sit down with a brand new face in Andrew Skilton. Andrew is new to the VHLM and is looking to make an impact right away. Even as he walked into the room and sat across from me, his presence and poise were immediately displayed. Let’s first list out the facts before diving into our subjective thoughts on his skill and personality: 1) Standing at 6’6”, his mere presence in both a locker room and on the ice is towering. 2) Being a lean 235 lbs. means he’s solid without sacrificing grace on his feet. 3) Coming over to greet me and shake my hand before beginning instantly displays his demeanour to whoever he is working with. Now onto skills. What does Andrew bring to the table, other than size, that sets him apart from the others in his draft class? Defense-first mentality - Andrew takes great pride in being a team-first player. Sacrificing individual achievements for the greater good of the team, he does whatever it takes to keep the puck out of his net. Whether that be blocking a shot with his large frame, making a big hit to knock his opponents off the puck to gain possession, or simply standing tall in front of his net and removing anyone not wearing the same colour as himself from his netminder’s line of sight, Andrew is a force to be reckoned with in the defensive zone. Andrew has a deep understanding of his place on any team and will always do his absolute best to uphold the expectations set for him. Locker room presence - Being on the older side in a young league, Andrew shows a maturity beyond his years. It has been a long road to get to this point and he has learned to never take the opportunities given to him for granted. A leader both on and off the ice, he has been known to take players aside whenever necessary to make sure everyone stays on the same page. The end goal for Andrew is always team success and he knows that the only way to achieve that is to work together and play off everyone’s strengths. I’ve spoken to his former teammates from all stages of his career and the overwhelming consensus is that he is someone you want in your locker room, no matter the outcome. Andrew always seems to be the rock that keeps everyone grounded as they navigate both the positives and the negatives that come with this game. Overall, I had an excellent sit down with this young man. In my short time speaking to him, he was diligent in answering my questions with insightful answers. I would be remiss if I didn’t say that any team looking for a big, stay-at-home defenseman who can be there for his friends and teammates no matter the setting, Andrew Skilton is your guy.

Transaction ID: 26T71207VP256730E $1M Player Store Cash 5 TPE Uncapped Doubles Week

So well written! Your descriptions of everything made me really feel the emotions Tyler was feeling every step of the way. I actually almost started tearing up when you said the phone started ringing because I got so invested in the story. The anxiety that was portrayed throughout the piece was beautiful and captivating. I look forward to reading anything you write in the future. Congratulations as well on being drafted! Good luck with your upcoming season with Helsinki! Review - 9/10

I wanted to come on here and talk about my experience in my first week with the VHL and joining in the off-season. First of all, there's a lot of stuff going on at this time that I don't understand regarding drafts, signings, and trades. Really, I don't need to understand them, but with the GMs preoccupied with that, I was more or less left to navigate the forums and portal alone (a pretty daunting task). While I did join the Discord eventually and was met with a warm reception and offers to answer questions I might have, I decided I was already in it and fully immersed myself in figuring this thing out. I'm happy to say that after a week, it really is pretty organized and if you read a couple of guides, also easy to navigate. Following a guide by @Hogan I was able to really sink my teeth into how to earn TPE and am proud to say that, with this article, I should be at 19 TPE this week (both capped and uncapped, I learned that too). As the weeks go by that should become even easier to navigate and hopefully be a piece of cake. As for the members of the VHL, everyone that I've talked to so far has been wonderful. They have been happy to answer any questions that I've had and guide me to make sure I'm as successful as I want to be. Overall, this place is great! The whole thing has been a brand-new experience for me and I'm looking to keep it going. Thank you everyone for the warm reception. Now let's bring on season 93!

1. Which sock do you put on first, right or left? Right sock first, always the right sock 2. Are you left handed or right handed when signing autographs? And is that different than the way you shoot a hockey stick? Right-handed when writing, left-handed shot in hockey. Interestingly enough though, I throw with my left for some reason and have a twin that does the exact opposite on all of those. 3. After hockey, what is the best sport or competitive hobby (aka golf/curling)? I'm pretty into pickleball right now, and that gets pretty competitive for all ages so I'll go with that for now. 1. Are you a night owl or a morning person? 2. Do you eat breakfast every morning? 3. What's your favourite cereal (and why is it Cinnamon Toast Crunch)?

As the son of a farmer in Palmerston, Ontario, Canada, Andrew Skilton was destined to be an athlete. From a young age, Andrew dreamed of becoming a professional football player, with the end goal being the NFL. Each day he would wake up with the sun to complete his chores on the farm before heading to school for the day. Once home, Andrew would be running drills until the light had disappeared from the yard and be forced to go inside. This was easy in the spring and summer months, but the snow came early each year and he would have to transition his efforts to his second love, hockey. Throughout the long winter months, Andrew's schedule wouldn't change, his cleats would be replaced by skates and a puck would take the place of his football. It wasn't until Andrew was about 14 years old that he realised his progression in hockey was coming along much faster than football because of the amount of time he was able to practice. It was at this time that he decided to transition primarily to hockey and make his new goal the NHL. Andrew's late realization meant he was behind the other kids his age in his development. While he hit his growth spurt early and was physically much larger than the other players, his skills left something to be desired. He didn't let that stop his motivation though. Instead of training in the summer for football, Andrew began focusing solely on improving his skills on the ice, although the ice wasn't available. He would stand on the small patch of concrete in front of the garage and stick handle for hours. He would fire pucks from that same spot down the driveway into a net, and the surrounding yard, until he couldn't anymore. Andrew was improving rapidly too, until a serious wrist injury sidelined him for almost an entire calendar year when he was 16 years old. The road to recovery after his wrist injury was long and unforgiving. Andrew often had to take days, and sometimes weeks, off to make sure he didn't regress too much. He would push himself too hard to return to the level he was at before his injury that he would end up causing another small injury. His development slowed, meaning his chance at junior hockey was thinning quickly and his professional prospects along with it. At the age of 18, Andrew finally transitioned to a lighter training regiment that would focus on strengthening the weaker aspects of his game, both physically and skill-wise. He turned his focus to Europe and trained with the long road ahead in mind. In just a year, Andrew was trying out for teams in Switzerland and Germany. Weeks were spent in and out of arenas and hotels, trying out for as many teams as he could. He put in his best effort, but was rejected every team, each giving him a variation that said he just wasn't ready yet. Demoralised, Andrew returned home to Canada wondering if his dream of becoming a professional hockey player was over. He spent weeks going over the film of each of his tryouts, scrutinizing every detail to learn what went wrong. With this knowledge he began another new training regiment. Day in and day out, Andrew trained. A year went by without a call from scouts despite his efforts to get a hold of them. Andrew didn’t let this get him down though, and he continued his schedule as he had his whole life. After another six months, he finally got the call, the Malmö Redhawks were looking for a big stay-at-home defenceman who could neutralize the talent coming up in Sweden. Andrew boarded a plane the following week and after only two days of tryouts, was awarded a spot on the team. Andrew’s time with Malmö were the best of his hockey career. He quickly picked up the language in order to communicate better with his teammates and got along with each and every one of them. In his third season with the team he was promoted to associate captain, an honour and privilege showcasing his leadership abilities and work ethic. His dedication to his craft and his unique training regiment also proved to be a valuable asset to the team, as he only missed a total of four regular season games in his four seasons, as well as helping his comerades to prevent and recover from injuries. Throughout his four years with the Swedish team, Andrew played 204 games, scoring 13 goals and adding 55 assists while playing an average of 18:22 minutes a night. What really stood out were his defensive capabilities, displaying an impressive +121 total and a whopping 588 blocked shots for his team. Finally, learning of the VHL at the age of 25, Andrew has decided to take his talents to the upcoming VHLM draft and apply everything he’s learned in his young career!

Player Information Username: ace_five_ Player Name: Andrew Skilton Recruited From: YouTube Age: 25 Position: D Height: 78 in. Weight: 235 lbs. Birthplace: Canada Player Page @VHLM GM