Random thoughts

[Gaikoku-hito 2,134]

Here we are just after Christmas and heading into the New year, I should be sleeping since I have to get up in less than six hours but noticed I still need a few TPE this week. How I missed this, I am not sure but hey, It has been a busy period of time for the past week or two as most must know. Either way lets continue with some random thoughts from around the league:

 

1. STZ becoming GM of the New York Americans is what I think the American need. He has been a big part of the lock room and even part of the round table in the Vancouver since we drafted him so on one hand it is sad to see someone with information about our thoughts, hope and dream leave. We will wish him the best off the ice but we already see that we will be rivals on the ice in a few season as Vancouver should start to build back up in the next few season. While I think New York will start to really move in the right direction this season. Also Thanks for keeping you side in bet in a trade that helps both teams. New York is in good hands!!

 

2. Wow, Vancouver could be having an amazing draft and I am really excited to see what happens come draft day. I think this is set now for Jan 2nd at 10am so I should be around to help make choices or to slap Franks hands when he over reaches. Ah, the joys of being an AGM!! LOL!! We are very hopeful to come away with four really strong players to build the core of the team for future while we are hoping that the other two picks work out the way that we hope they will. It is crazy as the longer we wait the more nervous and the more you start to second guess yourself. Either way it is an exciting time to be AGM of the Wolves.

 

3. How bad is Vancouver going to be this season? Well, currently on paper it looks really bad but that is also due to the fact that we haven`t drafted anyone or signed anyone as we look to UFA to build a roster for the second straight season. Inactives are likely so it could be a very long season in Vancouver but at least the future looks bright.

 

4. Helsinki should be a contender this year and Pierre Emile Bouchard won`t be as bad as I thought heading into his final season. I was able to protect 75TPE via Jagr and a bit of future planning a season or two ago. He will be over 1000TPE again this season and should hopefully be top 10 defensive scoring again. Plan is to push his development as hard as I can in the early part of the season and make a choice at the deadline if I retire at the deadline or push for the extra TPE to finish his career. I am leaning at the moment to retire at the deadline since I think I am only giving up about 39 TPE; maybe a bit more depending on the play-offs.

 

5. New player? Wow, Time flies as it really feels like yesterday that I re-created with PEB and quickly decided that I was going to skip the VHLM after winning the Championship with Saskatoon. Fast forward a full 8 season and now heading into his 9th season; it is crazy to think I have to start over again with another player. Name - Completely unknown at this time since I was thinking of going goaltender and bring in Danny Bouchard; the reason that I started watching and playing hockey in the first place as a Former Manitoba boy and cheering for the Jets!! But I currently think this is the wrong decision at this time so I am either going forward or defense again .... Still to be determined as is the name... I might actually lean away from my current naming of Bouchard as I meant to do with PEB until I found the history behind the player. I could go with a nick name and another player that I really liked in Butch Bouchard; which is really Joseph Emile Bouchard and the father of Pierre Emile Bouchard in rl. I would go with the nick if I do leaving the Joseph Emile or Emile Bouchard open for future players. We will see as I have six or seven weeks before I have to decide!!

 

6. HOF - Brain Payne entered the HOF today and it is more than deserving as he had a fantastic career. Great team mate and always put the teams success ahead of his own. Played a few season with him in Vancouver and made PEB that much better of a Captain and team mate. We didn`t end up winning the cup together but we forged a strong last relationship of friendship. Congrats on the HOF as it is well deserved. Hopefully Thunder comes back so that we can build back the friendly rivalry that we had again with new players. 

 

7. S90-S91 Fredrik Elmebeck Memorial Trophy Nominations: What a complete honor to even be mentioned for this award as someone "who they feel demonstrated great work ethic, passion for the VHL, and/or made some notable contribution which in your eyes made them stand out." Thank you to whom ever nominated me and just being recognized is award in it`s self. I am truly humbled just being nominated but also gives me great encouragement to continue to be better for the league and my new post at the VSN writing so articles and trying to encourage others to actively take part in the league discussions. I know I still can be better so again thank you for the encouragement and nomination. 

 

That is all I can think of at the moment as I am finally tired and should get some sleep so until the next time I need to write a quick report or thoughts Stay safe and have fun!!

Edited December 28, 2023 by Gaikoku-hito