It Was Always Malmo...

[LucyXpher 1,578]

 

Malmo Nighthawks GM - Lexie Leitner (Render - Jessica Campbell)

 

Ever since I joined the VHL, Malmo has been my favorite team.  One way or another, I wanted to play for or be involved with the management of that franchise and to be named the next GM is a VHL dream come true.  And sure, the dream hasn't been alive for that long-- I only joined the league back in January of 2024, but it has truly been one of the most fun and rewarding things I have ever done as a passtime.  School and planning for the future have always taken front and center, but being a hockey fan in Houston isn't always easy, and having this hockey outlet to be creative, stupid, strategic, and just plain silly, has been so enjoyable.  At the risk of waxing poetic about a sim hockey league (why do I feel like I've done this before), I've enjoyed every minute of being a part of this community and all the interactions I've had with the people here-- even if things get spicy from time to time.  Maybe people who've been around a while don't realize it, but we have a wonderful group of people here who are very welcoming, friendly, helpful, and kind, and supportive, and really make this community a place worth spending time in.  So with that said, I am very proud and honored to be able to take on the role of the Malmo Nighthawks GM going forward.  

 

I'm a relatively simple human being-- I like what I like. When I was 5 years old, my Dad, for whatever reason, owned a San Jose Sharks jersey.  It quickly became something I obsessed over, and from that point on they became my team.  In the VHL, from day one, when I looked at the logos of the league, something stood out to me about the Nighthawks.  I also happened to like and follow the Malmo Redhawks, so maybe that had something to do with it, but it was the people around the team that really sealed it for me.  People like @tcookie who wrote wonderful feature on my player in my first season, or @scoop, @Pifferfish, and @comrade cat--  and then there's Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro...  It was everything at once that made me such a fan of this team that it quickly became the place I wanted to be.  So I sincerely feel lucky and honored to be able to take on this role as @KaleebtheMighty steps down after a great run of success!  Congratulations on a wonderful career as a GM of Malmo, and I wish you all the success in the world as you continue your VHL adventure!

 

While I had the privelege to GM Halifax in the VHLM for the past 4 seasons, there's certainly some regret that we never managed to win the ever elusive Founder's Cup-- something that's escaped Halifax since the team's origin in S62.  That being said, I feel sad and excited for the team I'm leaving behind.  I'm sad because it's such an amazing group of newer players that I was so excited to help develop and grow, but I'm excited for them because I know that they have everything it takes to continue their development to push Halifax ever closer to the ultimate prize.  Whoever takes over that role, I sincerely hope you have as much fun as I did.  I hope you find success with the team and finally bring a Cup to Halifax-- it's long overdue!  Halifax was never at the top of my list of teams to GM or be involved with, but it will always have a special place in my heart as I continue on this VHL journey.  More than that, the players-- the people-- that I had the pleasure of interacting with there will continue to be some of my favorites in this community and I hope we can meet again as teammates in some capacity!

 

So as I take on this new role, there's so much to learn and very little time, but I feel excited and up to the task!  The last few days I've been pouring over the VHL rules to make sure I understand what's expected, allowed, and forbidden, and I'm glad to have @AJW along with me for the ride this season!  AJ was my first VHL GM in S92 and it's almost surreal that he's joined up as AGM in Malmo this season.  I have so much love and respect for AJ as a person.  He's a big part of why I stuck around in this community at the beginning and I could never have gotten to this point without him.  To be able to share this first season of VHL GMing with him is an honor and a gift.  

 

I get it, it's sim hockey, but what always strikes me is that behind the players and GMs are real people.  We're not merely playing against the AI or some passive, unfeeling, simulatory bot.  These are real people with real lives, and to share this experience, to get to know them, and to enjoy this passtime with them has been a real joy and pleasure of mine these past 11 months.  In particular, since I began, @samx was someone I looked up to and admired as the first female VHL GM.  Sam also GM'd Halifax and I felt like I was following in her footsteps in some respects.  You're a fun, funny, intelligent, strong, and amazing person, Sam, and I'm so glad to have found you here.  You've been someone that I've admired in this community and I'm glad to call you a friend!  

 

More recently, people like @SMYLS4 and @Xhekajsleftankle have been so much fun to chat with-- and there are absolutely many more people that I can't realistically name.  I hope to share many more VHL memories with you and I hope you can win it all with Halifax this season!  Maybe we can team up again some day! So at the risk of sounding overly dramatic, there it all is.  I'm incredibly grateful to this community for these past 11 months and for all the incredible people I've met here.  I can't wait to see what we can accomplish in Malmo and I'm excited to be able to have some hand in the future of this team. 

 

Go Halifax, and let's go Malmo!  

 

༺☽𖤍☾༻

 

 

Edited December 11 by LucyXpher

[AJW 2,195]

So happy to finally work with you, I’m really excited to see what we can do over these next few seasons  

[Banackock 8,140]

CAMPBELL

[sadie 941]

good luck

congratulations on it taking you less than a year to ascend to VHL GM

[Big_Dyl 153]

Great read and again congratulations!

[DarkSpyro 973]

I’m so excited for you @LucyXpher!! Malmo is definitely in good hands!!

[Scurvy 1,548]

Awesome read!   You are such an asset to this league.  Malmo is in good hands.   Best of luck!  

[samx 1,175]

Im so proud of you!! Don't look ypto me too much your neck might start to hurt! You are going to be an incredible vhl gm!! I can not wait to see what the future holds for malmo!

[Gustav 6,469]

I was Malmo’s first-ever draft pick! I feel like the team has just about always been in good hands, so please keep that up!

[OrbitingDeath 3,229]

Take good care of Malmo All the best in your new rule!

[FrostBeard 2,061]

Malmo =