SMYLS4

+10 TPE Pelayo Bolivar

Answers: 1. This is my first year in the league. I watched the VHLM draft live as I was being drafted. I was honestly quite surprised by the production of the draft. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was a lot of fun and really cool. I look forward to watching them next season. 2. I get that the drafts are already long and you don't want them to go on forever, but I think it would be cool to hear from some of the GMs why they picked certain players. It would be interesting to see what caught their attention or what their plan is for drafting said player. 3. Every Halloween I rewatch old Horror movies. Anything from the 60s-80s. Most of them are beyond terrible but its always fun to see what people thought was scary at that time. Questions: 1. What is your all time favorite Horror movie? 2. If you could replace any NHL team with a VHL/VHLM team which would you pick and why? 3. What do you think is the most important position/role on the ice? What are your reasons for picking said position/role?

Today I am honored to sit down with Pelayo Bolivar, a rising star in the VHLM who was recently drafted 24th Overall by the Halifax 21st. Bolivar has really taken a huge step in his career, entering into the VHLM after his short yet successful stint in the LNHH. Interviewer: Good morning Pelayo, I’m grateful you took some time out of your busy day to sit down and chat with me about yourself. Bolivar: Encantado. The pleasure is all mine. Interviewer: After your success in the LNHH, what made you decide to enter the VHLM draft? Why not stay in Spain with CH Jaca and try to win another championship? Bolivar: Growing up I always wanted to one day play with the best of the best. I felt like I accomplished everything I could in Spain, and the next step was to try and make the move overseas. So it was between entering the NHL or the VHL. After meeting with a couple of GMs from both leagues I felt like the VHL had more to offer. That is why I entered the VHLM draft. Interviewer: Did you have a lot of interest from teams after you declared for the draft? Bolivar: I had 5 teams reach out to me for pre-draft interviews: Halifax, Houston, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and Ottawa. I felt like Halifax and Houston showed the most interest after my interview. Interviewer: Well it seems like Halifax really liked you since they drafted you at 24th. I even heard rumors they were contemplating taking you at 9th. Were you surprised with how the draft went for you? Were you expecting to go higher or lower in the draft? Bolivar: I honestly was quite surprised. In Spain we are not known for being the best hockey players, it's not a very well scouted region. I was expecting myself to go in a later round, maybe 5th or 6th. So when I got drafted early in the 3rd I was quite surprised. Interviewer: What would you attribute to your rise in the draft rankings? Bolivar: I really think having the opportunity to play in the Pro-am and the Junior Showcase Tournaments helped get my name out there. A lot more people had eyes on me which I think helped quite a bit. Interviewer: Speaking of the Pro-am and Junior Showcase, how do you think your performance has been in the tournaments so far? Bolivar: The Junior Showcase I feel like I’ve done pretty well so far. You always hope you can do better so we’ll see how the rest of the tournament goes. As for the Pro-am, it's been difficult adjusting to the style of play. There’s a lot of really good players in the tournament. Honestly I was surprised I even got a roster spot. I haven’t really done much yet, as I’m still pointless; but the experience alone I think has been really beneficial. Interviewer: What are your hopes for the upcoming season with Halifax? Bolivar: Hopefully we can win it all. That’s the goal. I plan on giving everything I have to help my team succeed. Maybe I can even lead the team in some categories. I’m very excited for the season to start. I look forward to getting started. Interviewer: Thank you very much for speaking with me. I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming season. Bolivar: De nada. I will take my chances with my skill any day rather than tener la negra.

@flyersfan345 --

Position: Center Height: 6'0" Weight: 200 lbs Current Team: Halifax 21st Overview: Pelayo Bolivar is a strong playmaking center who has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the ice. At 6'0" and 200 pounds, Bolivar combines size, strength, and agility to make an impact in all areas of the game. His ability to control the tempo and drive play makes him a valuable asset, particularly in key situations like faceoffs and powerplays. By far Bolivar’s greatest aspect of the game is his chance creation and offensive production. Strengths: Bolivar’s playmaking and passing are on another level. His ability to see the ice and openings makes it seem like he can see the future. Bolivar’s size allows him to take space and draw defensive pressure to create great chances for his linemates. He is able to make difficult passes look easy. This makes him a huge advantage and a serious threat on the powerplay. As a center, having a strong faceoff taking ability is very important. Bolivar is a phenomenal faceoff winner, which helps him control the tempo of the game and win possession in big game moments. With his 6 foot 200 pound frame, Bolivar has a strong physical presence on the ice. He’s not afraid to get down and dirty and drive the corners. Bolivar’s size and strength make him a formidable forechecker and back checker. Even with his larger size, Bolivar is quick with his hands. His puck handling abilities are exceptionally good. He is able to deceive defenders with his dekes and create better odd-man scoring opportunities. Areas for Improvement: While Bolivar has a strong physical presence on the ice, his acceleration and top speed could be better. He struggles keeping up with some of the elite skaters on the ice. Though he’s solid at setting up plays and controlling the puck, Bolivar could benefit from becoming more of a consistent scoring threat himself. His shot is pretty weak and not extremely accurate. Given his physical style of play, Bolivar can sometimes be prone to taking unnecessary penalties. Learning to play more effective defense and avoid costly penalties will be essential as he progresses. Even though Bolivar is a gritty physical player, he struggles defensively. He should not be a team’s first option on penalty kills. Bolivar definitely needs to improve his defensive awareness as well as his checking.

Halifax made some big picks in the S96 VHLM Draft. Picking up 4 centers, 2 wingers, 2 defenseman, and a goaltender; Halifax is definitely looking to make big strides in the S96 season. There will definitely be a need for some of the center depth to play on the wings, which shouldn't be a problem with this deep roster. Halifax’s 10th and 14th pick brought in some really promising young defenseman, in Cysteine and Petr Novak. After the draft the GM was quick to hit up the Free Agency market in order to acquire another defenseman in Mikko Tuomala. These 3 prospects should give Halifax an edge when it comes to their defensive core. Halifax also drafted a goalie which will be very much needed with the chance that 1 or 2 of the goalies move up to the VHL at some point in the season. The Halifax 21st have a great roster heading forward. The sky's the limit with this squad.

1. I think Halifax's draft went really well. I think our draft class has a lot of talent. 2. I think Halifax is going to towards the top of the standings. We have a great defensive core and a lot of depth up front. 3. My team bonding activity would be to take the squad to watch the Leafs lose in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 4. As I am biased because of the Flyers and the fact that orange is my favorite color, I would love to see the color orange in our jerseys. 5. I think the Dallas Stars will win the cup. I picked them last year to win so hopefully I won't be wrong again. I think the depth on that team is ridiculous. 6. I enjoy watching Sumo, which a lot of people look at me like I am crazy.

Answers 1. I'm a Flyers fan, I think they'll be mediocre but between Michkov, Foerster, Tippett, Fedotov, and Farabee there's a lot to look forward to. I think Michkov will be sensational this season if preseason has shown anything, I wouldnt be surprised if he goes 30 and 30 this year. But i trust Briere and hes been doing very good so far, the future looks bright. 2. This is my first season, but I want to try and improve my point totals and FO% during the Junior Showcase. 3. I really like the Prague Phantoms. It might just be because of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but I think the logo is sick. Questions 1. If you were a GM in the NHL and could pick any player besides Makar or Bedard to build your franchise around who would pick? 2. If the VHL/VHLM expanded what city would you want to have a team? 3. Does Pineapple belong on pizza?

Early Life Bolivar was born in a small village in Asturias, Spain called Salas. His father, Leovigildo Bolivar Perez, was a farmer who raised pigs and goats. His mother, Maria Luz Garcia Fernandez, was a nurse at the local hospital. Growing up in a family of seven, Bolivar was always active as a kid. Being the youngest, he always had to prove himself, trying his hardest to be the best in whatever he did. As a young boy he played football, as many young boys do in Spain. One summer he visited his uncle who lived in the United States, where he was first exposed to the sport of hockey. His uncle put on the Stanley Cup games every night when they ate dinner and Bolivar fell in love with the speed and grit of the game. That year the Cup Final was between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers. Bolivar loved watching players like Claude Giroux, Danny Briere, Mike Richards, and Jeff Carter, who he tried to echo his own playstyle after. His uncle bought him his first pair of skates and stick, then taught him how to rollerblade and stick handle. He took his new knowledge back to Spain where he taught his siblings and friends how to play. Everyday after school he would go home and help his father with the daily chores on the farm, and when he was finished his tasks he would skate around on the driveway and practice shooting against the wall. Bolivar idolized professional players, watching international matches and studying their movements. He was inspired by the competitive spirit and camaraderie of the game, which motivated him to pursue hockey even more seriously. His parents were supportive of his ambitions, encouraging him to balance his academics with his sports training, ensuring he had a strong foundation both in and out of the rink. Bolivar showed remarkable discipline and enthusiasm, often spending hours practicing stick-handling, dribbling, and honing his skills. His early coaches quickly noticed his potential, praising his ability to grasp complex techniques and his eagerness to learn. Despite his young age, Bolivar displayed a maturity in his approach to the game, often dedicating extra time after practice to improve his speed and coordination. When Bolivar got to high school, he started to play for the school’s roller hockey team. During his high school years, Pelayo Bolivar’s dedication to hockey reached new heights. Balancing academics with the growing demands of his athletic career, Bolivar remained focused on excelling both in the classroom and in the rink. Attending a local school known for encouraging athletic participation, he quickly became a standout not just in hockey, but also as a well-rounded student. High school marked a pivotal time for Bolivar as he began competing at a higher level in regional and national tournaments. His talent and leadership qualities emerged strongly during this period, often being named captain of his school and club teams. His performance in these competitions garnered attention from elite hockey clubs and coaches, further fueling his ambition to pursue the sport professionally. Despite the challenges of juggling schoolwork with a rigorous training schedule, Bolivar remained committed to his studies. His time management and work ethic became defining traits during this phase of his life, reflecting his determination to succeed both as a student and an athlete. High school was also a period where Pelayo Bolivar began to develop close-knit friendships with teammates, many of whom would go on to play alongside him at higher levels of competition. These relationships and experiences in the rink solidified his sense of teamwork and sportsmanship, values that continue to shape his approach to the game. It was in these formative years that Bolivar’s path to a professional career became clear. With increasing opportunities to compete in prestigious youth tournaments and train with top coaches, his high school years laid the foundation for his transition into Spain's elite hockey scene. His determination, focus, and growing list of achievements made him a rising star, poised to make an impact in the world of field hockey. He led the team in points every year, eventually becoming the school’s all time top point scorer by the time he graduated. Playing Career After high school, Bolivar started playing for HC Liceo, a Spanish roller hockey team of the OK League based in A Coruña, Spain. He helped HC Liceo win the league championship that year. In his free time during the season he learned how to ice skate, in hopes of transitioning to ice hockey. After his performance that season he garnered interest from CH Jaca, a Spanish professional ice hockey team that plays in the country's professional league, the Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo. Bolivar was given a tryout with the team, where he showed off his skills and was immediately offered a roster spot. His first season with the club he won Rookie of the Year. The next two years he led the league in Points and helped his team make two spectacular runs winning back to back championships. His dedication and natural talent helped him progress through the ranks, eventually earning him a spot on Spain's national hockey team. As a key player for both club and country, Bolivar has played in various national and international competitions, where his contributions on the field have been pivotal. Known for his sharp offensive strategies and swift movement, Bolivar has earned a reputation as a versatile player who can perform under pressure. His teamwork and sportsmanship are also celebrated, making him a well-rounded athlete who is admired by peers and fans alike. Bolivar’s career continues to flourish, with his performances earning recognition both domestically and abroad. As a representative of the next generation of Spanish hockey talent, he is seen as a role model for young athletes and an ambassador for the sport in Spain. After success in the LNHH, Bolivar looked to take his talents to a higher league. Looking at his options he decided to try and join the VHL, entering the VHLM draft. He has garnered some interest from teams and is hopeful to be drafted. Bolivar is expected to participate in the Junior Showcase and Victory ProAm, hopefully showing off his skills and helping his team win. The combination of his family's support, his early exposure to competitive hockey, and his unwavering dedication were key to Pelayo Bolivar's development into one of Spain's promising talents in the sport.

1. Well since I'm new to the league I don't have a team I can say what did or didn't happen. 2. Ovi needs 41 to tie 42 to break. After last seasons performance I am a little skeptical if he can do it this year especially with the Caps current roster. He has a chance but I wouldn't be surprised if he needs 1 more season to do it. 3. Best burger for me is 2 smash patties with pickles, grilled onions, mayo, and mustard. Can't go wrong with that. Questions: 1. If you were in the NHL what is the one player award you'd want to win? 2. Who do you think has the best chance to win the Stanley Cup this year? 3. If NHL teams were an ice cream flavor, what flavor would the Flyers be?

Id love to join your team

Hello! Im excited to get started.

Player Information Username: SMYLS4 Player Name: Pelayo Bolivar Recruited From: YouTube Age: 21 Position: C Height: 72 in. Weight: 200 lbs. Birthplace: Spain Player Page @VHLM GM