The VHL at 15

[Bojovnik 487]

So the VHL has more than a decade and a half under its belt. While I only joined the league at the start of last year, I would consider myself to be a veteran of sim leagues, having joined my first in 2007.

 

While I don’t want to name names, I’m going to use this media spot to give my thoughts on what the VHL has done right, compared to other leagues that have gone by the wayside.

 

Firstly, I think it’s crucially important to note the continued success of the VHL as, generally, forums die out. While forums thrived 10 years ago, when pretty much all users would participate on their desktop PCs, the VHL’s mobile-friendly website, low-graphics intensive portal, along with the commitment to using desktop keeps users engaged when they’re away from their keyboards.

 

Secondly, I think the commitment to “rushing” through seasons keeps people interested. Nothing runs stale in the VHL. You don’t like where you’re playing, when in theory you only have a couple of weeks before you can move somewhere else. I’ve participated in leagues where one season could take almost a year, and if you’re not happy, you’re not going to contribute.

 

Thirdly, I’m incredibly impressed with the openness that the VHL is willing to allow new users to take responsibility in higher-up roles. I don’t see much of the cliques I saw in other leagues, and the management appears to be willing to allow new people with new ideas to play as much of a role as their time allows.

 

Fourthly, truly rewarding activity. I’m sure that a huge amount of work has gone into drawing up the TPE rules (and also thinking of new ideas for theme weeks that keeps users engaged). I’ve been in leagues where only post count was rewarded (with some rather opaque coefficients for quality of content). Additionally, having the TPE system that updates weekly means that people feel that they are immediately rewarded for putting the time in. All in all, I think the system works, and even with the launch of the hybrid attributes ahead of last season, it shows that the league is willing and able to pivot and innovate.

 

I can truly say that participating in the VHL has been a surprise for me. I didn’t expect that I would last until the end of my first player’s career, let alone truly contribute over the long term. Yes, I realize that I will never take up a staffing roll, as I don’t have the time that I could commit to doing it well, but I’ve had a great time over the past 18 months as Jan Hlozek ran his course. Will I recreate at the deadline next week? I’m not 100% sure yet. But in any case, I’m thankful for what the VHL has offered as a product, and can truly respect what it has created for hockey sim league over an unrivalled decade and a half. And with that, I doff my cap and say chapeau.