New York Americans Prepare for New Era

[fromtheinside 1,290]

by Scott Podinksky

 

NEW YORK-Three days before the start of the 82nd VHL Season and The Big Apple is buzzing about the offseason shakeup surrounding the New York Americans. The writing was on the wall for most of last season; the team was headed into a rebuild. With their assets dwindling and their superstar forward Rhynex Entertainment headed into retirement come season's end, Americans fans knew changes were coming. The franchise started off things by getting super lucky and winning the draft lottery and thus receiving the first overall pick in the VHL Entry Draft. With that pick, the Americans selected Vasile Lamb from the Mississauga Hounds. Lamb was the consensus number one pick in the draft and should have a home on the first line for seasons to come. 

 

Their next pick in the draft came in the second round at 20th overall. This pick has been the center of controversy for weeks now, but the Americans shocked hockey fans everywhere when they drafted Tavish DeGroot, the talented defenseman from the San Diego Marlins. DeGroot was widely considered to be a Top 3 pick in this draft, however their draft stock plummeted after rumors swirling about DeGroot's intentions to play in Europe for half their career. After a messy series of negotiations, DeGroot eventually inked their entry-level deal with the Americans and seems to be ready for opening night on Tuesday.

 

Alongside him on the teams first defensive pair will be none other than veteran Kristof Welch. Welch has become a household name in the VHL and is known to be one of the most consistent blueliners. Many teams were vying for his services but to many people's surprise,  Welch chose New York. Aside from his high hockey IQ and smooth stick handling, Welch was also voted VHL's sexiest player in GQ magazine in 2021. When asked about this, Welch accredited his soft skin which he gained from many a pie-in-the-face. Welch also said the management team claimed to "like the way he smelled, boy". 

 

In addition to signing Welch, the Americans continued to accrue talent in the forms of Jakky Sosa and Philip Stein. Sosa will be reunited with Welch from their time together in Malmo. Sosa has been an elite goal scorer with a high propensity to come in clutch when it matters most. This will be his final season before he rides off into the sunset and hangs up the skates. The city is certainly abuzz with all these new faces and the roof could come off Madison Square Garden this Tuesday night when the puck is dropped to start the season!

 

Spoiler

Mentioned:

@dlamb @Juice @rory @TMGSosa@IHateBobNutting

 

Edited January 29, 2022 by fromtheinside

[rory 1,916]

degroot didn't ink shit he was forced at gunpoint (real)

[fromtheinside 1,290]

easy free karma from rory haha

[rory 1,916]

-1 angry

[fromtheinside 1,290]

+2