ace_five_

So my first VHLM draft as GM of the Mississauga Hounds has come and gone and here is my experience so far. First, trading is hard, especially in the offseason. GMs have a plan in mind so throwing a wrench into that and offering a trade means that someone has to get a little uncomfortable and compromise if you want to get something done. Throughout this offseason I have put a few offers out there, and negotiations were good, but ultimately it didn’t fit into the plans that GMs already had in mind. This experience was humbling to me because it made me get out of my comfort zone. I have had to learn that it’s not going to be as easy as sending out an offer and it being accepted immediately. Next, scouting isn’t as easy as I thought either. I took it upon myself to put my focus on the inactive players in the draft class and try to bring them back to the league. I know when I was first scouted the experience was pretty cool since it made it feel like a real draft, which I will never personally experience. I tried to make the players feel the same way but getting through to the inactive proved to be more difficult than I thought. The ones who did respond made the effort worth it though, since it means a couple more faces will stick around. As for draft day, here’s Mississauga’s picks and the reasoning for them: 8th overall: Ozzy Batty @Ozzy Batty This one was a no brainer. We had to bring Batty back for another season to earn some more points with the Hounds and we were happy they were available. 14th overall: Slava Kovalenko @OblivionWalker Kovalenko is a big shut down defender who is a big earner as a first gen. We couldn’t pass them up as our top defenceman. 19th overall: Wefernardo Mackingikus @vincentlg2007 Vincent is a Hounds legend so we had to bring him in to get that locker room presence. Someone who earns and knows their way around the league, especially as a former GM, is invaluable when developing new talent. 22nd overall: Kurt Bachmann @Blutch A first gen who’s interview was exactly what we were looking for. They are another shut down defender who will keep out back end strong for a couple of seasons. 35th overall: Gustav Larsson @azie Another first gen who interviewed well. This is our goalie of the future. Although earning is low right now, I’m confident Azie is going to find their way around and be exactly what we need as our backstop. 44th overall: Liamdots Sarkanis @Anomalijs A homegrown player who we were lucky enough to bring back. Sarkanis was a point per game player and in the 4th round, that’s a real gem. 46th: Marek Vojtisek @MAVO Vojtisek hasn’t earned anything yet and hasn’t applied their points, but I’m excited to work with them and get them on track. I’m really hoping this player can be a diamond for us and play a couple of seasons for the Hounds. Overall, I’m happy with my performance this time around. I’m excited to work with all of our new players and really build this team. Let’s Go Hounds!

Good luck Canada! Wish I could have joined you on the ice but I’ll be cheering for you from the stands!

Thank you!

Welcome!

Very nice, thank you!

Thanks @Grape for being a part of my first ever trade!

Don't do it @rory, not with that attitude

Thank you! I’m looking forward to bringing the Hounds back to glory!

Transaction ID: 7P803116NS4006748 5 Uncapped Doubles Week 1M Player Store

1. I actually did the same thing. It got to Wednesday and I figured it was too late so I didn't end up doing it. 2. I try and keep up to date with things going on in the league an take inspiration from that. Sometimes things just come to me though. 3. I have to move in a couple of weeks so that's my big plans. I am going to go visit my brother for a few days soon though, so that should be more fun. 1) What do you like to see in your team's locker room to keep you engaged? 2) What's a strange food combination that you like? I hear @Thunder likes spaghetti-os and baloney 3) What number do you like to wear and why?

It's been an amazing two seasons being able to play alongside you as well as manage a team you're leading. The amount of growth you've had over those two seasons has been great to see! Keep working hard and learning, and you will do great things in this league!

Well, it’s official, Simon really doesn’t like me. I don’t know how often this happens, but every team I’m affiliated with made the finals of their prospective leagues; Halifax 21st as an AGM, Bratislava Watchmen as a player, and Toronto Legion as a prospect. Amazing, fun, and so exciting to be involved in every league into the championship series. But keen-eyed readers will notice a common thread between each of those teams: THEY ALL LOST! How does this happen? How can someone get so unlucky in the span of a single week? I don’t want to say I’m cursed and for teams to be scared of me because it’s really too soon to say, but come on Simon, what did I do to you? What have I done to hurt you so? Please, if anyone knows how to cleanse yourself of all the bad ju-ju I’m carrying around please let me know before next season starts because I don’t want to infect anyone.

Happy Birthday VHL!

Congrats to Cologne on the Cup

Congratulations to the Saskatoon Wild on winning the S94 Founder's Cup!

I apply! Lot's of great choices in here

On a day like this, it’s best to keep doing everything you have been all season long. Don’t change anything you’ve been doing just because there’s a little adversity. Sure, the Halifax 21st is staring in the face of adversity, but instead of crumbling, they are deciding to fight back. There’s a reason why they only lost nine games in regulation all season. There’s a reason why they scored more goals than any other team in the VHLM, and there’s a reason why they allowed the least amount of goals too. Teamwork Every single player on the 21st contributed in some way to the team this season. Whether it be scoring goals, assisting those goals, making big hits, or putting their body on the line to keep the puck out of the net; the players on Halifax put in the work. They dedicated their season to being the best and they have the resilience to continue striving toward that until the job is done. Off the ice, conversations have been had to keep the team motivated through the ups and downs of the season and into the playoffs. Everyone is working together to achieve their shared goal. Each player on the team understands their role in the machine that is the Halifax 21st. While some players may not put up the offensive numbers or show up on the score sheet as much, they are doing the work behind the scenes and improving in order to support their teammates and contribute more in the future. Despite the season’s success, both team-wise and individually, doubt can still creep in. You know your end goal and are confident in your abilities, but when that’s challenged so intensely the negative thoughts can creep in. Yes, the team is down 3-1 against the defending Founder’s Cup Champion Saskatoon Wild. Yes, the 21st has lost three games in a row for only the second time this season. That can be scary. You wonder if what you’ve been doing is suddenly not working. You start to doubt if you are the better team. But in the most trying times, there is always a silver lining. The positive times, the times when you were successful; the multiple eight-game winning streaks, the hard-fought overtime battles, and more than half the team being above a point per game. All is not lost. Now is the time to centre yourself and remember everything that got you to this point. The Halifax 21st are in the Founder’s Cup Finals and they deserve to be there. It is time to pull together as a team, as they have been all season long, and win three games in a row to take the championship home to eastern Canada. Management, captains, first-liners, second-liners, special teams specialists, and our goalies. Everyone plays a part and everyone is equally important. Push the doubt out of your mind and remember the reason why you’re here. Let’s show the Saskatoon Wild the full wrath of the Halifax 21st and take it to them in the next three games! LET’S GO BOAT GANG!

@LucyXpher

Late week, on the go press conference! 1. We’re finals bound! How are you feeling about our chances against the Saskatoon Wild? 2. Fantasy tasks has been wrapping up this week (Super Coach, VHFL). How do you feel about your performance if you participated, and what was your strategy? 3. Which of the eliminated teams, in any league, are you most disappointed is out? 4. If we lift the Founder’s Cup, who do you think should be the first hand off from captain Dorji Khan? 5. Who is your playoff MVP to this point? 6. Question of the Week: Opposite of last week, how many goals do you think you could score in a penalty shot with Patrick Kane as the goalie in ten tries?

Amazing! The colours look like they match up perfectly and the whole thing works so well together. Thank you!

Ooh I'd really like one for my player for when he moves up to the VHL! Player Name: Andrew Skilton Player Render: Tyler Myers Team: Toronto Legion Graphic Style (OPTIONAL) (any of the styles in the thread on page 1): Watercolour Pop Thank you in advance, love your work!

@Pifferfish