Martin Looking Forward to VHL Debut

[Smarch 3,157]

Martin Looking Forward to VHL Debut

 

 

The self-described alien contactee, Riley Martin has shifted his focus from looking for Unidentified Flying Objects to focusing on carving out a role in the Victory Hockey League.  No one would expect an individual born in Natchez Mississippi to gravitate towards hockey, but after stumbling upon a game featuring the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, Riley was hooked. Of course, growing up in Natchez didn’t prove the same opportunities in hockey that others in America might have experienced in colder climate states, so Martin knew he had an uphill battle ahead of him.

 

From that point forward Riley was fully engaged in everything hockey, including heading to YouTube to look up highlights from the past Mississippi Sea Wolves rosters. One player that caught the eye of Riley was Steffon Walby, who played the last three years of his professional career with the Sea Wolves from 2001 until 2004. Walby was a high scoring right winger in his time with the Sea Wolves, and Riley wanted to be just like Walby. Riley wanted to be a balanced high scoring winger that also saw value in setting up teammates for goals just as much as burying the puck in the net himself. That day Riley went to his parents and told them of his dreams to play Ice Hockey, something neither of his parents had any history with.  

 

Fast forward to September 2023, and Riley now has ten years of hockey under his belt and looks ready to take on the next opportunity. That opportunity comes in the form of the long running professional hockey league, the VHL. The VHL came to the attention of Riley and his family after running into an agency that is familiar with the VHL, the Smarch agency. After many failed attempts made by this agency to have a star player in the league, Riley might be the last chance for the agency to bring a player to the league that may make a difference. Riley is ready to hit the ice running, but with very little known about the Mississippi native, one must wonder if a team will take a chance for the rest of the year on the unknown winger. When the Natchez Democrat reached out to Martin on his arrival to the VHL, the community newspaper asked Martin his thoughts on which team caught his eye prior to declaring for the league.  

San Diego Marlins:

The current leader in the Western Conference, the Marlins would be an obvious choice to join for most new players to the league. With only eight losses on the season, the Marlins look poised to make some noise if they continue their play into the post-season. With great weather and an amazing roster, the choice to join San Diego would be a smart one, unless you are looking to make more of a name for yourself, as the team is stocked full of top end talent. Riley made it clear when we talked to him that he would look at the Marlins if they were to approach Martin jumping on board for the playoff run. Martin also may look towards joining San Diego due to his familiarity with current General Manager Arce. Arce and the Smarch agency has spent a bit of time together over their VHL Careers, which may help Martin gravitate that way.

 

Saskatoon Wild:

Saskatoon takes the next spot in the Western Conference, currently holding onto second place behind the Marlins. Saskatoon at this time has quite a full roster, with ten forwards already holding positions on the roster. While Saskatoon is an attractive option due to the season they are currently having, the big roster might be enough to make Riley second guess is Saskatoon is the right spot to start his career in the league.

Las Vegas Aces:

Las Vegas is next in the Western Conference in the third spot. Vegas has put together a decent season and currently holds the third spot in the conference by quite a margin over the fourth place Mexico City Kings. Las Vegas is a roster that could use some help in the forward department with only one 200 TPA player currently on the roster in Season Eighty-Eight draftee journeyman VHLMer Quinndillus Whopper. Las Vegas was listed as a very interesting option when we discussed the next steps with Martin, as they will be heading to the playoffs and there is quite a bit of room for a motivated new player to make an impact immediately on the roster.

 

Mexico City Kings:

So far, the 90^th Season in the VHL hasn’t really gone to plan, for the Mexico City Kings. Mexico currently sits in fourth place in the Western Conference, eight overall in the VHLM, which is the last playoff spot for the VHLM. With the two teams that are below them currently, not looking like they will catch Mexico City, the Kings might be another viable option for a player looking to make an impact on a roster that should be playoff bound. Mexico City also calls to Martin with his upbringing in a non-traditional hockey state. With only five players on the roster at forward, Martin might be able to jump right into a top six role if he so chooses to head on down to Mexico.

 

Houston Bulls:

The last team in the Western Conference, the Houston Bulls are the only team currently in the conference that are not playoff bound. While the Bulls appear to not be playoff bound, the roster is appealing from a standpoint that new players should be given every opportunity to help the Bulls roster immediately. Another strong factor that might pull Martin to the Bulls for the remainder of the season is the fact the teams General Manager is someone the Smarch agency has been around previously and it quite comfortable with the management team.

 

Mississauga Hounds:

Currently sitting in first place, the Mississauga Hounds have been tuning up to the playoffs this past week and are currently on a four-game winning streak. With a top end team, Mississauga might not have a place on their roster for Martin. Currently the team has four forwards at 200 TPA, including Season Ninety-One draftee, Grimgor Ironhide. With two full lines of forwards and a roster that has clearly gelled together in the first fifty-four games this season, adding a new body might not be in the best interest of either the team or player.

Miami Marauders:

Next up in the standings currently in second place in the Eastern Conference, Miami might be a playoff bound team that might need some extra forward help. Miami currently has two players at the 200 TPA threshold, but their third best player just under the 200 TPE threshold hasn’t been seen at practice for a few months. Another non-traditional hockey area, Miami’s roster needs and reminders of home for Martin, might be enough for him to give consideration to joining the Marauders if asked.

 

Philadelphia Reapers:

The Reapers are currently in a fight for playoff positioning in their own conference and in the overall VHLM standings. Philadelphia currently has forty-eight points on the season, which puts them currently in sixth place overall in the league, just five and six points up on seventh and eighth place respectively. The Reapers are in desperate need of help on offense, as the team only has four players currently listed as forwards, with only two of those players currently over 100 TPA. With not much competition on the roster, Martin could hopefully step in and assist the team in a big way.

Halifax 21st:

The most eastern point in the VHLM, the Halifax 21^st are currently clinging to the second last playoff spot in the league. While Halifax hasn’t played as well as their fans and management alike would have hoped, the team still has quite a bit of star power on the roster, including season ninety-one draftee Theo Allard. Halifax has putting up points consistently this season, with 170 goals for, which is only 24 goals behind the best goals for in the league, which would indicate their offensive isn’t to blame for where Halifax currently finds themselves in the standings. With the team currently having the worst goals against in the league, adding another forward in Martin might not be the best interest for the team in case another defender comes up on waivers soon.

Ottawa Lynx:

Hockey in Ottawa hasn’t been a hot draw these past few seasons. With twenty-seven points on the season, Ottawa is on pace to miss the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Season ninety hasn’t been kind to Ottawa, but that must be expected for most Lynx fans and management, as the team currently has just six skaters on the roster, including only four forwards, including journeyman Thijs Mooij currently the highest TPA forward on the roster. With Ottawa not expecting to make the post-season Riley doesn’t necessarily see himself heading to Ottawa for the rest of the regular season.

 

1,511 Words

(3 Weeks September 18th, September 25th, October 2nd)

 

[Smarch 3,157]

Alaskan Airlines. 588-2300 Empire. I mean claim for week 2/3

[Smarch 3,157]

Claim 3/3