Has Houston Found Solution to their Center Carousel?

[Nyx 68]

With the addition of Tyler Lawson, has Houston found the solution

to their center woes?

Stay Tuned for an Exclusive Interview!

by Josh Harrison • Jan 18th, 2024

 

 

    

 

 

       Coming into this season, the Houston Bulls could've never predicted this turn of events. With one of their important centerpieces in Deez Nutz (who has since been let go) underperforming to their expected standards, and two crucial forwards retiring, it was back to the drawing board for the staff down in H-Town. Despite becoming pretty well known for their intense training regiment, allowing for a handful of homegrown talents to blossom into very strong players with the quick development of their recent prospects - Lucy Leitner, Nathan Ecker, Benjamin Abenduct, and lastly, their captain Trimiskez Artav to name a few - they found themselves seeking a new centreman or two. After a long, thoughtful review of the list of talents available, the team decided to outsource their centers from the free-agent pool. Two of them had caught their eye -- one of whom being Tyler Lawson, a center who last played for the UCLA Bruins of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, with the other being Murray Connolly. Lawson redshirted as a freshman, then came out and dominated the competition in his collegiate debut his sophomore season, scoring a hat-trick against the rivaling USC Trojans. He was raising the eyebrows of many scouts and fans alike for his ability to play with such smooth play, he made it look easy out there. Some compared him to a human highlight reel, as many big hockey pages on social media were drawn to his play, sharing clips of his outstanding in-game achievements very frequently. Unfortunately, after what was looking like a very strong start to Tyler's collegiate season, he suffered an MCL tear and both fans and analysts alike seem to think Lawson never quite fully recovered from it - after he rushed through his recovery at UCLA, assuring coaches and teammates that 'it was fine', and 'they were overreacting' to his injury, his performances plummeted and it was hard to tell that he was the same stud who had been killing it all season long, scoring a hat trick early on in his debut against a rivaling school. 

 

 

        This was an extremely rough patch for Tyler as many sources claimed at that time, as they held the belief that after the incident on the ice, he simply was not the same player following his return. Despite this, it seems to be that despite the adversity he has faced to this point in his career, the UCLA standout is getting a second chance at redemption. A media member close to both the Houston Bulls of the VHLM, and Tyler Lawson recently admitted that there had been some 'growing mutual interest' brewing between the two parties over the past week or two as the Bull's situation grew dire at the loss of so many center forwards. Lawson, the centreman with a tarnished reputation - fighting to prove he's still got it, and the Houston Bulls - a team growing so fast that it's, quite frankly, unbelievable could be a combination that leaves our mouths watering at the possibilities.

 

 

        On paper, it seems a match made in heaven between a young talent hoping to rise to his former glory and a VHLM team on the verge of contention. It should be noted that if Tyler Lawson gets healthy and finds his return to form, and thus rejuvenating his career, it could cause a complete shift in the team's dynamic as well as strengthen the position of the team. With such an already strong and dominant team around him, his filling in at such a pivotal position such as the center, whether or not he's able to successfully gel with his teammates and provide wins for the franchise very well could decide how the rest of this season goes for this young squad - and adds an interesting element to the Bull's narrative this year. Lawson has also added that he's excited to see how his new teammate, Connolly, can contribute to the team as well. He states that he's been a fan of Murray's game for awhile now, and to be playing on the side as him is something that he is grateful for.

 

 

          With this recent signing, though, it begs the question - does the addition of Lawson and Connolly add enough for this team to make the next step? The Bulls, as of the time of writing, are sitting pretty at 8-6-2, third in the VHLM Western Conference. With a young developing team like the Bulls, they wholeheartedly believe that as their talent continues to develop throughout this season, they could find their way into the playoff race. The running for third is tight this year - as both the Houston Bulls and the San Diego Marlins share 18 points a piece. With the addition of two young centers, alongside an already talented, growing, strong team, the Houston Bulls have no reason to believe this isn't their year.

 

 

             Much to his own dismay, analysts and doubters alike will likely find themselves watching closely over Tyler Lawson - all over him, scrutinizing his every mistake and missed opportunities, finding any reason to claim the prospect as 'washed up' - though, due to his internet stardom and 'wunderkind' status, he will undoubtedly be a fan favorite amongst those who have followed his career up until now. His contribution to the team going forward will be something that Bulls fans will likely find themselves discussing amongst themselves in anticipation as they await his first few games, making for a hot topic of discussion. Fans remain optimistic, while naysayers will advise against playing the prospect and giving him minutes due to his challenges thus far in his career.

 

 

            In such a drastic and dire situation such as the one recently forced upon the Houston Bulls, the strategic thinking to take in a player like Lawson, despite his complicated history with the sport, definitely shows the unconventional means by which Houston will take in the pursuit of success - not shying away from decisions that would make put other GMs on the hot seat, their comfortability determined solely by results. According to various sources, Houston did not inquire about his injury at all aside from necessary documentation and evidence that the prospect had healed entirely and was currently good to go, shifting the focus instead from his past to the future of the team - something other GMs thus far had refused to do, as they believed Lawson's career was tarnished -- ruined, even as the media had portrayed him out to be. 

 

 

            We have a reporter who is close to the Bulls organization and was able to get a brief interview with Lawson before entering the facility for his first-ever practice. Caught in his street clothes, we asked him for his time in answering a few questions - to which he obliged. The reporter would start off with an easy question, asking how it feels to join a squad like Houston - and whether or not he'd watched them as kid, as well as regarding how he's feeling starting his season at this stage of the schedule and in suiting up for the Bulls.

 

 

               "Well, ah, firstly - it's been great I have to say," he started, taking a small sip from his water bottle, raising it to his lips, "It feels really nice to feel, err, appreciated, I suppose. When everyone's sort of counted you out the way I've been, ah, it's not a very good feeling, is it? I'm just grateful for the opportunity and that I'm here at all. If you'd told me a couple of months ago I'd be suiting up here for the Bulls, I'd have thought you were pulling my leg. I would've definitely called bullshit on that one. No, but I'm happy to be here despite everything I've had tossed at me. I love hockey, and so I'll play just about anywhere that'll have me. Big thanks to the front office here in Houston for giving me a shot. Oh, and uh, it's a bit embarassing," he starts, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, "but, ah, I never watched much of the minors, really. I've always been a huge fan of the Los Angeles Stars, as I'm sure many of you know," he spoke to the camera. "As a kid, I never thought I'd make the minors - what kid truly believes they'll go pro, y'know? I mean it's always in the back of your head as a child, but you never really believe it, yeah? And as I suppose as I got older, I still didn't think I'd be making the minors, it didn't seem like it would be the path for me," [Lawson believed he would be selected during the VHL Draft], "but it looks like it's the next step for me, and I'm happy to be in Houston. I think it'll end up being a perfect stepping stone for my career, and I'm eternally grateful for the GM of Houston for taking the time to reach out and approach me in these difficult times of my life. I'd probably be moping at home, playing Be A Pro in VHL 24 or something had he not," he joked.

 

 

              The reporter gave a nod and a small smile, before continuing on. "Right, right, nice - that's very nice to hear, Tyler, I'm happy you're enjoying it here in Houston. Great city, huh? No, but seriously, have you got anything in particular to say to any of the teams that may have passed on you? I'm aware that just half a year ago you were at UCLA, hoping to be selected in the VHL Draft and now, here you are as a walk-on for the Bulls. When you think of the situation you're currently in, do you ever question if maybe you should've stayed at UCLA and pursued your degree? If I'm not mistaken, you were a law major, yes? Big money in that - why keep chasing hockey?"

 

 

              "Well, um, I'd just like to say that feels like sort of an odd question you've just asked me," he sort of laughed, though he was clearly uncomfortable with the question posed, shifting from leg to leg as he spoke, "I mean, why would I not continue after hockey? It's been my life's dream for, well, forever now - just as it was for anyone else in this league. And to be quite honest, no, I don't regret signing with the Bulls. Even if worst case scenario, I'm out of the league in a month, I have a contract and a guaranteed salary, and going back to school will be of no issue to me. I don't see how you could possibly ever conclude that - I'm someone who lives and breathes hockey, so I'm not sure why you'd ask me that. What if I asked you why you took up reporting? You'd feel pretty awkward, yeah? And as I said before, I'm overjoyed to be here in Houston, and I'd appreciate it if you could stay on topic,"  the center forward hissed, "or are we done here? Is that it?" He looked around with no response before continuing, "I guess so. Thanks," he spat bitterly, making his way into the arena.

 

 

               Tyler Lawson certainly is fiery, and he's been that way since high school. Many of his former teammates, coaches, and reporters have always made him out to be a hothead - and after that exclusive first look, I think it's safe to say that it's alright to assume that as true of the 19-year-old forward. Some call him toxic and a locker room cancer, while others believe that while fiery - it's more of a competitive spirit and is heavily dramatized by the media. We'll let you be the judge of that.

 

 

                 A huge thanks to Phillip Waters for attending the Bull's practice facility and getting himself an interview with Tyler Lawson, the Houston Bull's newest acquisition to the team, and the rest of our team and sources who were able to give us sound and exclusive information on all the details pertaining these moves including Lawson. 

 

 

                Connolly and Lawson are both expected to play in the Bulls upcoming games after their signing on the 18th.

 

 

                For more Houston Bulls' coverage, check out the Bulls' official tab on our website, TheHoustonTribune.com/Bulls.

 

 

 

* Bit hard to write without having playing any games yet - hoping the quality will increase a bit as I get some PT lol

 

  2000+ words

 

Will be using and claiming this media spot for the weeks ending Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4th, and Feb 11th. 

 

 

                

 

 

                 

 

 

                 

Edited January 19 by Nyx

[Nathan_8 231]

I remember seeing those highlights big reasons we chose you to fill that spot, and I love the fiery spirit

[Nyx 68]

1 hour ago, Nathan_8 said:

I remember seeing those highlights big reasons we chose you to fill that spot, and I love the fiery spirit

 

I'm ready to get to work! Excited for what this season has in store for us

[LucyXpher 1,579]

Great spot! Love reading pieces that commit to the backstory and create lore for the players and the team!  Really excited to see more of your work, and maybe even collaborate a bit in the future, on the ice and off!  Also, awesome job knocking off media spots for the next 4 weeks! That's gonna be huge for your development and for the team.  The Bulls are gonna be for real! Welcome to Houston! 

[Nyx 68]

7 hours ago, LucyXpher said:

Great spot! Love reading pieces that commit to the backstory and create lore for the players and the team!  Really excited to see more of your work, and maybe even collaborate a bit in the future, on the ice and off!  Also, awesome job knocking off media spots for the next 4 weeks! That's gonna be huge for your development and for the team.  The Bulls are gonna be for real! Welcome to Houston! 

 

Thank you, that means a lot! I'm definitely looking forward to it - all of the media spots and writing I can do for my characters and whatnot is a big part of what drew me into these sim leagues, so I really appreciate all the high praise, lol. I've read a few of your pieces as well, big fan of what I have seen of your work! I'm excited to see how this team turns out - our group has got a ton of potential!

[Nyx 68]

Claiming week 2

[eagle_3450 278]

On 1/18/2024 at 8:27 PM, Nyx said:

With the addition of two young centers, alongside an already talented, growing, strong team, the Houston Bulls have no reason to believe this isn't their year.                

Jean-Pierre Devote and Dwight Schrute would like to have a word with you xD

[eagle_3450 278]

Also really good job btw

[Nyx 68]

Claiming week 3

[Nyx 68]

Final Claim for Week 4