Phil

The Rock will be plugging away at some of his latent hockey skills... namely all of them. "I've got a lot of work to put in... in all areas and facets of my game. It's kind of daunting, knowing that to be a the calibre of a BAD VHL player I need to improve so much in every sense of my game, so going to the gym 10 times a weeks is just not going to cut it. I mean, it will help my strength and checking and endurance.. and possibly skating (with all the HIIT I'm doing) but I will be needing to hit the ice and practice some real hockey-specific training methods." The Rock is full of fire to help him get to were he wants to go, but is that going to be enough? Just wanting something doesn't necessary predict success. After a dismal and brief rookie campaign he'll be setting his sights on more ice time and the Funk Trophy, the VHL's most improved player award, but at this point it seems he will be happy with just getting a normal amount of ice time every game. Let's see what Season 77 brings!

Between A Rock and A Rookie Season Phil “The Rock” Johnson’s Rookie campaign has been by no means a fairytale. It has been full of disappointment and darkness. Come to think of it, it’s actually set the stage for the most fantastical underdog story of the VHL. The Rock That Could. The Rock was drafted by the Seattle Bears in the latter half of the first round – at 12th overall. It was Seattle’s 3rd pick of the draft. It was a little lower than Johnson wanted but not higher than everyone expected. Johnson was pleased to be on Seattle and his player agent, Phil Knight was even happier still, as he’s had nothing but good experiences with the Organization. This will be his 3rd player to step into the home locker room in Seattle. Looking at his season stats does not do his perception any favours. The Rock played in all 72 games but only registered 3 points. Before the halfway point of the season, his General Manager, who was not impressed with his play, decided to bench him and limit his play. So throughout his rookie season he only averaged 7.6 minutes per game, which was the second lowest in the league. It’s not that he didn’t deserve to be on restricted minutes, but the GM couldn’t gamble on the Rock eating minutes trying to improve. He needed to prove in practice that he was good enough, but that apparently never happened. It’s not all bad though. The Rock did lay out 69 hits, and only got hit 9 times, proving himself to be a physical presence that did a solid job of reclaiming the puck and causing turnovers. He also did an admirable job stepping into the face off circle when needed, ending the season with a 43.59% win percentage. In the playoffs, Phil appeared on the ice for just 2 minutes over the 10 games, average just 23 seconds a game… barely even a shift. He would have loved to help his team out more, but ultimately there were just better players than needed to carry the team. Seattle lost in the Conference Semi-Finals to Chicago, who are currently awaiting their opponents in the Finals, so was it all for naught? Overall, Phil Knight has never had a player that has been on restricted minutes. He takes pride in the players he accepts to the agency being stand-out talents, so he’s a little worried that with all the restrictions placed on The Rock, that his development will be damaged for the rest of his career, but hope remains. “I know what the Rock is capable of – that why I signed him. I see the talent this young athlete has and so I definitely expect a bounce-back season from him. That is, provided the organization gives him the minutes to shine. It’s that much harder to develop if you’re only getting a couple of minutes per game. But he’ll be alright.” What the future holds for the Rock, we do not know, but the stage is set for him to become the Cinderella story of the S76 draft. The hairiest, most muscular Cinderella, but still.

Rock Bottom #16 Welcome to the Jungle!! I'm your host, Phil Knight. Today we: - PLAYOFFS BABY! - LEADERS OF THE PLAYOFFS BABY! - UPDATES AND MORE! Enjoy this edition! KnightTime Podcast Questions Thread Songs: Love Story (Pop Punk Cover) - Alex Melton This is a division of KnightTime Radio. Run Time: 16 minutes

Definitely a Hex.

It was wizardly. It was other worldly. It was magic. Not many words can begin to touch upon the brilliance of that moment but let's give it some context: Seattle are the underdogs in this series matchup against Chicago. They are down 2-1 in the series and currently down 2-1 in the game, despite badly outshooting them in the first period and heading into the second up 1-0. It's the second period now and within 4 minutes, Chicago fired two passed @Victor Rara. Chicago are controlling the pace of the game, and now the pace of the series. They have DA BEARZ right where they want them. Rookies Johnson and Hex @Hex Universe have sat almost the entire playoffs. A Calculated move by @Banackock to put his team's best foot forward. Not an unwise choice, as it's proven to work so far! But for whatever reason, 14 minutes into the 2nd, with the momentum heavily in Chicago's favour he turns to Hex Rose and tells him to get on the ice. Hex blazes onto the ice and immediately gets into a position to wire it on net. He flunks the shot and it dribbles towards Camus who bats in into the corner with ease. However, it only took Seattle 30 seconds to regain the puck. Han Jae Kuk finds the puck and flings it over to the hash marks where Rose stood, waiting, muttering something under his breath. He sees the puck coming and one-times it with ferocity into the back of the net!! It was unbelievable. The Rookie played just 54 seconds, score the goal that will be forever known as the TSN Turning point. The puck went into the net so fast that Chicago did not even see it. It's even hard to see how in slow motion. There's only one conclusion. It was definitely a Hex.

Rock Bottom #15 Welcome to the Jungle!! I'm your host, Phil Knight. Today we: - PLAYOFFS BABY! - LEADERS OF THE PLAYOFFS BABY! - PLAYER STORE UPDATES AND MORE! Enjoy this edition! KnightTime Podcast Questions Thread Songs: Never Coming Home - Point North This is a division of KnightTime Radio. Run Time: 18 minutes

1. How do you feel the Bears season went? Up and down - we definitely lost some games we should have won, but overall we have a vibrant and younger team so I think we're set for the future, even if this year isn't our year 2. Which team surprised you the most in the VHL? Probably Chicago - to see them finish with the third best record in the league after only being a couple of seasons old as a franchise is a pretty impressive feat. Let's see how they cope in the playoffs though 3 What are your thoughts on playing Calgary in a best of 5 in round 1? 2ez. We're 2gud. We'll make quick work of them. 4. @Spartakiller2 Guy Lambert finished the season with 97 points in 72 games.. This is a 90 point improvement of last seasons totals (7 in 52). You sent him a text. What did you tell them? "Guyyyyyyyyyy. I'm hoping to be you next season - but I finished with 4 points and next season I'm gunning for 100 so I think we'll both win most improved.. I was more improver. Gratz buddy!" 5. I just noticed Phoenix Dawson @Toast tied Guy Lambert for points. There's some competition. They made a bet. What was the wager?? "Let's see if we can rig it so that gorlab has something to say about it." trolololol 6. @aksuko finished the season 31-31-7. HUGE IMPROVEMENT and Role increase! To celebrate and reward himself... he spent some of his earned cash.. what did they buy? A Mercedes XL. Understated and classy... until he had them paint it magenta!

This thread shall be rechristened: Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning.

In a unsurprising turn of events, Player Agent and Builder Hall of Fame Phil Knight flashed the media this afternoon with a shocking statement. "I stand fully behind Johnson, and will be the backbone he needs and deserves." This raised many eyes, as you would expect an agent to stand by his signings, but with Johnson's rookie season coming to a close, and a disappointing one at that, Phil has decided to come out full force and ensure that the community knows where the two of them stand. "I know he's lacked a little luster this season, but I want to blow the wind back into his sails," he said, obviously not noticing the many, many innuendos he was clearly stating. "He may be a bit of a flop now, but soon his rigidity will return, in full force, and I will be there to watch when he explodes onto the scene." The interview was cut short, as the reporter could not keep a straight face, but I think this means that Johnson will still have a player agent by the end of the season... what manner of relationship it will be, I suppose is open to interpretation.

46. What are your thoughts on the team adding Soren Jensen ( @Velevra)? WHAT A BEAST! YES! FUCKING EXCITED MAN! Can't wait to play alongside hiM! 47. What did you get up to for Valentines Day? Sat on my couch and watched sports. Sure I spent the day with my wife. I spend every day with my wife. It's a lockdown during a pandemic - I can't do anything else! 49. What were your thoughts on the VHL's trade deadline (Feb 15)? I was a little busy so I didn't really follow up with what was happening. Looks like we added Soren, which is so key and hopefully that can give us the edge on some of the top teams. 50. What could the VHL do for theme week next week? I thought I had missed theme week? Did I not? Was I reading about last season's theme week? What year is this? What season is this? Who am I ? ohhhhhh god no, not again! 53. What season will LA make the playoffs? S77. LA will get there act together and just take the fuck off. It's going to surprise us all. Except me... but no, even me because I'll have forgotten that I made this prediction. 55. What is something PRE-Covid that you can't wait to do again when safe etc? Work out at a gym. All the specialized pieces of equipment are so expensive, and to truly get a well rounded workout you need to hit all the heads and angles. I can't wait to get back,.

Rock Bottom #14 Welcome to the Jungle!! I'm your host, Phil Knight. Today we: - STANDINGS Catch-up! - LEADERS Catch-up! - VHL MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE @PatrikLaine Enjoy this edition! KnightTime Podcast Questions Thread Songs: Please Forgive Me - David Gray This is a division of KnightTime Radio. Run Time: 17.75 minutes

As it happens, the future STAR of the Seattle Bears (*wink wink @Banackock!) has been benched by the coaching staff, in attempts to make gains in the standings. The benching happened earlier this week and hasn't really been seen as a surprising move. "I wasn't producing, or impressing the organization, so the coaches decided to bench me. I'm not upset or mad, if anything, it just drives me to work on my game harder." Seattle went on to win the next 3 games in a row, where the Rock played a combined 4 minutes of ice-time.... yet DESPITE this he still managed to register a point - dishing out a sweet assist, bring his points tally to a staggering 3!! "I try to make big plays and set my teammates up for success. Knowing I'll only play 1 or 2 shifts a game means I have to make those shifts count and give it my all." This team-first mentality is highly valued in the league and the Seattle Organization have been grateful that this is the reaction the Rock has chosen to display. Potentially with more practice hours, we'll be seeing a lot more of the Rock next season!

Rock Bottom #13 Welcome to the Jungle!! I'm your host, Phil Knight. Today we: - STANDINGS! - LEADERS!! - QUESTIONS Enjoy this edition! KnightTime Podcast Questions Thread Songs: Watch the Sun Come Up - Example This is a division of KnightTime Radio. Run Time: 24 minutes

Frosties on me guys! all the best Frosty!

1. @Phil THE ROCK JOHNSON finally got on the board with a Goal + Assist + Point. They lost, but still took him out to celebrate. What did the team and him do? We went out for steaks and tequila. It was a wonderful night. But they only let me have 1 tequila. I need to score a multi-point game for them to give me any more. 2. What is something you're looking forward to in 2021? Aside from the obvious, hoping that we see the back-side of COVID-19, the Rock is hoping for the team to continue gelling and going DEEEEEEPPPP into the playoffs. He's excited and looking forward to putting in the work to play his part in that happening! 3. What are your thoughts on the Bears season so far? We've been decent. I think we can improve and perform better. Overall we've been a little inconsistent and that's hurt our place in the standings, but if we play like we should be playing, I see ourselves as a legitimate contender. 4. Timothy Brown @a_Ferk has the team highest shooting % with 11.84%. How do they practice? He gets the Rock to go in net for practices. The Rocks massive frame doesn't allow for basically any space to score on, except the tiniest of holes, so Brown's been getting good at finding those tiny openings. 5. @zepheter Odin Omdahl is leading the team for shots blocked. How did they make it through the bruising and pain? We do what we call the Tsunamsi. Odin skates along the boards and the rest of the team are lined up about 3 feet away from the boards. As he passes every other checks him. The last player in the line is The Rock. Odin is used to taking punishment from humans, so a dinky puck by comparison is child's play. 6. @gregreg made some wild demands in the LR to make him happy... Rumour has it beer machine, hot tub... what else? Front row tickets to the leafs games, supreme power of the Bears Organization, the ability to conjure Jardy out of thin air.

2. Seattle Bears , Phil The Rock Johnson 1 (Vin Calia 19) at 17:20 @Banackock @DABEARZ... IT'S HAPPENING!! IT FUCKING HAPPENING!!!

Rockless... At least, Phil Johnson is having immense difficulty finding the rock to put any where. Over half-way through his rookie season, he has yet to register a point. These weekly articles seem to have a repetitive theme and it really shouldn't be surprising, as the Rock has now been relegated to the bottom of the pecking order in Seattle, averaging around 7 minutes per game. The Rock still doesn't seem too perturbed. He told reporters here at VHL.com after today's game that he feels he is improving and will find his groove: "I've been getting more shots to the net, and my play on the ice is clearly improving, based on my plus/minus. I'm feeling more confident out there and so now I just need prove to my general manager, my teammates, and the fans, that I deserve more ice time." Whatever the case is, he does need to improve his play. His physical presence on the ice is just not enough.

1) How is the Rock staying COVID safe during the pandemic? 2) The Rock still has yet to get a point. How can he finally get on the scoreboard? 3) What does the future of the Phil Knight Agency look like? Any goaltenders on the horizon, as they have never accepted a goaltender before? 4) Describe a Rock's work-out. What muscle pairings, or types of workouts do you do? 5) What's in the rock's liquor cabinet? Does he even drink? 6) What for the Rock's off-season look like?

Today was our @Doomsday

@Tate

Rock Bottom #12 Welcome to the Jungle!! I'm your host, Phil Knight. Today we: - STANDINGS! - LEADERS!! - 75: What Go Us Here @Doomsday (@stevo) Enjoy this edition! KnightTime Podcast Questions Thread Songs: The Adventure - Angels and Airwaves This is a division of KnightTime Radio. Run Time: 30.5 minutes

okay okay oaky not bad!!!

DA BEARS!!!!!!!!

I think you know what Rock Bottom #12 is going to be then...

The Rock keeps rolling on. Despite his poor offensive output, Phil The Rock Johnson has been pretty prevalent in a couple of ways for the Seattle Bears. DA BEARS, who sit 5th in the North American Conference, are begging the rock to get on the scoresheet and not in the penalty box. Johnson so far has yet to register a point, and has sat down in the sin bin for 26 minus. His plus/minus rating has also fallen in the last few games and he now sits at a disgusting -7, which is the lowest on the team, along with Strauss, the newest edition to the legendary @gregreg agency. The rock has dished out 45 hits and only been hit 8 times so he is creating good take-away opportunities, which is a positive. However, the question still remains whether the Rock can turn his rookie campaign around and start producing, otherwise the Bears may need to asses his future with the club.