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Halifax, Nova Scotia With a record of 24-4-0 in their last 26 games, the Halifax 21st are cruising. Last week, the 21st clinched a playoff berth for the first time since Season 90 and are chasing the Ottawa Lynx for 1st overall, trailing by only 3 points. While Halifax has more wins than Ottawa with 42 in 56 games, the Lynx have managed to pick up points in 6 overtime or shootout losses and and have only lost 9 times in regulation. The margin between the league's top two teams has been quite slim this season. Halifax leads the league with 188 goals for, while Ottawa has been the top defensive team, only allowing 107 goals against. In terms of goal differential, the Lynx are top in the league with a +57 while the 21st have a +56. Down the stretch, these two teams will meet 3 more times, with their last matchup coming in the final game of the regular season, potentially setting up a big game to clinch 1st in the league. ༻❁༺ The Halifax 21st find themselves in their favorable position due to the outstanding play of their whole team. Top to bottom, they've received big contributions from every player and the statistical leaderboards reflect that. As the team's leading scorer, Maple Dogwood @dogwoodmaple is currently tied for 3rd overall in league scoring with 72 points in 56 games. He's been a threat every time he touches the ice for the 21st and has consistently produced since the first games of the season. Of players who have taken more than 30 faceoffs this season, Pierre Marc Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito leads the league with a dominant 58.76% in the circle over 1484 faceoffs. Bouchard has also picked up his scoring pace recently and is 3rd on the team with 22 goals and 55 points. The team currently has 9 players with over 40 points on the season, including all 4 of their defensemen, 3 of whom are top 10 in scoring by defensemen this season. Alexandr Novotny @Patrik Tallinder leads the way at 3rd overall with 58 points, Dustin Moore @Maxx sits in 7th among defenders with 49 points, and team captain, Andrew Skilton @ace_five_, is 9th with 46 points. The team's 4th defender, John Season @dylanjj37, is only 3 points behind with 43 and ranks 15th in scoring among the league's defenders. The 21st have benefitted all season from a dominant blueline that has found ways to contribute offensively in addition to shutting down the opposition. In terms of forward depth, Tommy Shelby @Will has been an excellent 2nd line centerman for Halifax this season, pitching in 16 goals and 27 assists for 43 points to go along with a 51.47% rate in the faceoff circle. He's picked up his pace as well since the season began and seems to be on track to push closer to a point per game by the season's conclusion. Connor Simard @Alex99 has also been a versatile and effective player for the 21st, at times playing on the 1st or 2nd line. Recently, he's shown good chemistry on the top line with Pierre Marc Bouchard and is up to 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points so far this season. 2nd line sniper and Halifax veteran, Aanarsi Reingaard @Laine, is 2nd on the team with 24 goals and ranks 4th on the team with 53 points. He hasn't replicated his 46 goal, 91 point pace from last season, but he's also hasn't needed to be the centerpiece of the team's offense and his point shares likely take a hit because of the talent around him. With that said, his point per game pace puts him on track to have his second highest total in 4 VHLM seasons and he remains a constant goal threat with his elite scoring ability. Dorji Khan @Oddpurplefly and Tyler Duke @TheDuke are players who have broken out recently for Halifax, with Khan earning his way into a top line LW spot and is up to 16 points on the season. Ty Duke has locked down the 3rd line center position and has 14 points and a 51.39% in the faceoff circle. Robin Sierra @ethanjaeda and Captain Nugget Jr. @Captain nugget have continued to make strides in their own right. Sierra continues to flash his offensive upside, but has been a bit snakebitten with a 4.94% shooting. Nugget Jr. has 19 points on the season and has played on all of the team's 4 lines at some point in the season, meshing well with a variety of linemates. The leaguewide plus/minus leaderboard is a who's-who of Halifax players with Dogwood, Season, and Reingaard ranking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall. Skilton comes in at 8th, Shelby at 12th, and Bouchard in 20th, demonstrating the efficiency of the team in even strength situations. While it's not a be-all-end-all stat, it is indicative of a team that succeeds in scoring more than they allow, which is kind of the point of hockey. In goal, with Samuel Wazinski @samthemancub out for the season on the IA reserve list, Jon Webber III @Webberj has taken control of the Halifax net and ranks 3rd among all goalies with 32 wins in only 44 games. While his save percentage may not be where he'd like it to be at .898%, his GAA is a solid 2.30, good for 4th overall with 2 shutouts rounding out his portfolio. Webber came into the season with something to prove and has quickly become a quality netminder on a team with championship aspirations. Down the stretch, he could be a big contributor to this team's chances of claiming 1st overall and he will inevitably be an important part of Halifax's playoff run. We're down to the last week of the regular season and playoff games could begin as early as Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Players will certainly be working overtime to prepare for the postseason and taking advantage of the limited runway left to improve. In just over a week's time, the regular season will be history, for the Halifax 21st it's full steam ahead! ༻❁༺ 1,015 words 1st claim for 04/21/24

Hello, I'm OceanFreshCod and I will be writing an article about why Ottawa mascot the Lynx sucks ass tbh and should change. (Note I'm tired when writing this so there will be many mistakes) (Also the new name better by a long shot) My honest opinion about the Lynx mascot: To be honest the mascot is really bad, like who in their right mind would want and obese cat as their logo, not as well mention an obese cat with anger issues like who in the hell would want something that ridiculous as a logo, not me that's for sure. The logo itself looks like some weird cartoon, but eight times worse, like it's really bad I would rather have my poo I freshly laid out into my toilet as the logo. You know what's ironic is that the past Lynx logo is somehow better, like how do you manage to make a logo worse than your past logo. What bozos designers. What should the Lynx logo change to: I would say the logo logo should be changed to a Tax Agent, and the name would be changed to the Tax Collectors? You may ask why. I say the Lynx logo is horrible because it's an obese cat with anger issues. When I think of Ottawa, I don't think about obese cats with anger issues. NO! I think of tax collection and the government. So why not pick a name that really matches what Ottawa is, a tax agent dream city. So this is why a Tax Agent should be the logo, and the name should be changed to Tax Collectors. FOR REALLLLLLLLLLL RAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Why I hate the Lynx Logo: I believe the Lynx logo sucked the second I saw it. When I look at it, I get a headache and migraine at the same lasting about 22 hours non-stop with many issues, mainly an hatred issues. Again, who in the hell would make a Lynx which is just an obese cat with anger issues a logo, like I wanna know what that person who made that logo eats each day, I wanna know how they sleep at night, I wanna know what their mom looks like (she might be hot), I wanna know what they dream about because making a logo that ass takes skill with years of training non-stop with an IQ score of 200. Like who would choose this as a logo, like why, tell me why. I really want to know so I don't make the same mistake as that person who made the Lynx logo because if you make a logo that bad you should just quit at that point. Retire VHL and only get 1 TPE per year because that should be the punishment of making a logo that ugly. I cannot fathom that amount of words that I can describe of why this logo sucks, like the words I would use would be, ugly, toxic, cancerous, brain killing, IQ removing, brain rot, brain assault, and more. The logo to me should be banned world wide and be put into an incinerator right away and be tossed in toxic waste and should never be seen again. My final opinion: All my opinions are right. You cannot deny what I'm saying because you know I'm right and if you believe that I'm wrong, first off the reader is always wrong, second, I'm always right, finally, your mind is tricking that I'm wrong and the real truth is that me FreshOceanCod is wright and always will be wright. Also this article should be on par with Mozart, this article is art, this article is life, this article should read and pray about each night before you sleep and thank god. This article should be the most read thing on VHL and to be honest on every social media platform on earth and in space. You know why? The reason why is because this is the best opion to ever exist and you will agree with every word I say. This was a joke (if you don't get it you should be slapped on the back of your head immediately)

me and the owner of the Las Vegas Aces got into a gambling match legally I can't divulge much but lets just say i didn't lose

What would I do if I had my own team in VHLM? It would be hard to say, but I would want my team to be different from any other team in the league at the moment. (I just woke up writing this so there are probably many errors) What would the team name be? The team name in my opinion would be something that is different from every other team in the VHLM, but what would it be? I would say I would like the name to be something that is not really common nor really used a lot. I would say the team name I would use is the Dumpster Fires. You may ask why I would choose this name, but I say why not because the whole goal of my team name is to give a false impression to any team facing the Dumpster Fires. For example If you were to play a team called the Dumpster Fires you would think they are complete garbage and you could easily beat them, but you don't actually know because you don't anyone on that team. This is why I like the name and believe this should be actually used by a real team. Where would the Dumpster Fires be located at? I want a place where hockey is common, has a big market, and where money can be made easily. The area I would choose would most likely be in North America, and I believe I know where the perfect location would be for the Dumpster Fires. I say the area would be Quebec City. You may ask why, but I would ask you how dumb you are to not choose this place to have a hockey team at. I believe if the Dumpster Fires are the perfect fit for Quebec City because it allows people to think it a really weak hockey place with the name Dumpster Fire, but you would be falsely mistaken because the team would most likely be good. I think it's also the perfect area because people in Quebec City might like the amazing name Dumpster Fire in French and it would be Feux de poubelle, which sounds pretty hot in my opinion I won't lie and I think everyone would like that name there in Quebec City. What would the team colours be? I believe the Quebec City colours are outdated and need a new make over. So the colours I will choose are purple (indigo) and white and the jerseys would look like the Toronto or the Detroit. I believe the colours have a very unique look that no one really wants to use. So why not have it. You may think this does not match Quebec, and you are 100 percent right because I do not really care about the colour I just want the team to look good because if you look horrible you play horrible. So that is why I chose those very clean colours to be a part of the Quebec City Dumpster Fires. My finale thoughts: This was all a joke.

Graphic credit: @Triller On Monday evening, the VHL’s Junior Showcase Tournament wrapped with Game 6 between the Warriors and the Steel. With the Warriors already in control of the series at three games to two, they clinched the Season 92 Junior Showcase Tournament in a 4-3 victory that featured a three point performance by Connor Simard @Alex99 and a stellar night in goal by Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen @Snussu. While the Steel managed to keep the Warriors’ top line off the scoresheet in game 6, it was the second line players of GM @Nathan_8’s squad that pushed them over the top in this game as Simard, Bruhmaninho @BigBruhman, and Robinson @isaak combined for 3 of the team’s 4 goals. 6:04 into the 3rd period, Simard would bury the game winner on the powerplay from de Trueno @Thunder and Robinson. The Steel would draw back to within 1, but the Warriors would seal the Steel fate with an empty netter by Jillian Woods @jacobcarson877 and that was all she wrote. In the ensuing celebrations, an ecstatic Nathan had only two words for any who may have doubted his managerial pedigree, “I’m him.” It’s hard to argue with the confidence of a manager who clinched World Junior Championship gold with Team World and the Junior Showcase Championship on back-to-back nights. Safe to say, his managerial career is off to a hot start and he’ll be carrying this confidence into his first season as general manager for the Mississauga Hounds in the VHLM. And while the Warriors’ triumph may be the top story of the tournament, it was far from the only one. ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ www.hitsfordays.jst - Okay, here’s a random fun fact for you, would you believe that the top three hitters in the JST were Wladyslaw Mintus @mintusaurus, WWumbo @Fire Tortorella, and Walter Jinn @Adrest245? Welcome to the world of weird and wacky... or maybe that's just my tired brain getting overly excited about the letter W. Did I mention that the Warriors won the JST? Sorry-- on with the article! Fire Brigade At one point in the regular schedule, the Brigade were the class of the field. In my preview article, I had the Brigade ranked 5th in the early roster power rankings and it seems that @samx's squad took that to heart. From days 11-25 of the tournament, the Brigade were unbeaten– 11-0-0 during that stretch, outscoring their opponents 32-15. Unfortunately, the Brigade cooled off immediately following this hot streak and lost their next 6 in a row, finishing the season 3-4-4 in their next 11 games. For the Brigade, it was perhaps a case of peaking at the wrong time. Though they still finished the regular season in 2nd place behind the Warriors, their late struggles seemed to shake their confidence in the playoffs as they fell to the Steel in 6 games in the first round, despite having home ice advantage. Notably, Tyler Lawson @Nyx was the Brigade’s leading scorer throughout the regular season and the playoffs. The 14th overall selection of the Helsinki Titans scored 26 points in the 30 regular season games and followed that up with 9 points in the Brigade’s 6 playoff games. Defender, Lucy Leitner @LucyXpher, and winger, UghSike @UghSike, both led the team and were among the tournament’s top scorers during the Brigade’s 11 game tear, but both cooled off considerably down the stretch, finishing with 22 and 21 points respectively. The team boasted a strong two-way game with players like Goncalves @leandrofg, Reynolds Jr @Crstats23, and Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito leading the way in that respect, but seemed to lack scoring punch at times, conceding points in a tournament high 6 shootout or overtime losses. Though they led the tournament with 212 shots blocked, the Brigade conversion rate of 9.91% on the powerplay was nearly 5% lower than the league average. While goaltending was thought to be a question mark for this team entering the tournament, it proved to be a strength as Da TypThond @Erik and Kendra Cavill @Firekiss both posted solid numbers in the regular season, highlighted by Da TypThond’s .918 SV% and 1.84 GAA. In the playoffs, however, Cavill struggled to a .877 SV% and 4.75 GAA in all 6 starts for the Brigade. Though it would be unfair to pin the Brigade’s playoff disappointment on Cavill who performed well during the regular season, it was certainly a performance to forget. Solid Steel In my preview for the Steel, I suggested that if they chose to play Kolesinska @chikn and Swift @lilchrist on the same line along with Artav @jake, they could boast one of the most complete starting lineups in the tournament. While Swift and Kolesinska didn’t play together all season on the Steel’s top line, they did play together on the team’s tournament best powerplay. Perhaps the team I was most accurate about in that preview, the Steel placed a solid 3rd in the tournament, never losing more than 3 games in a row or winning more than 4 in a row. The Steel were consistently a solid team throughout the tournament with Benjamin Abenduct @Schnee leading the way from the blueline, notching 34 points in 30 games. He was also tied with Trimiskez Artav with 13 goals, which was the second highest goal total in the tournament. Despite the Steel’s consistency, there were some anomalous numbers on their stat page, including Abenduct and Dukat @MSouthworth both being a minus rating throughout the tournament at 5-on-5. For the Steel, the statistical performance of goaltender, Ondrej Vencko @Mutti, was also a bit mystifying. With a .904 SV% and 2.07 GAA in a tournament-high 17 starts, Vencko’s numbers were respectable, though perhaps not as impressive as his closest rivals from this past season in the VHLM. Vencko, however, did claim the distinction of the tournament’s most victorious goalie, claiming 12 wins with only 5 losses on his record. In the playoffs, however, Vencko was arguably outperformed by his backup, Austin Goulet III @Tuchy, who posted a .919% compared with Vencko’s .903%, though both goalies held a record of 3-3. For Steel GM, @dstevensonjr, this tournament has to be considered a success. Entering the playoffs as the 3rd seed and knocking off the Brigade in the first round, the Steel were in the final with a chance to win it all. Despite losing the first two games of the finals on the Warrior’s home ice, the Steel pulled off two wins in their own barn to draw even at two games apiece. Unfortunately, they lost a close game 5 to the Warriors 4-3 which was punctuated by a Jean-Pierre Devote @eagle_3450 hattrick, and then the 4-2 loss in game 6. While they didn’t achieve their desired outcome, the Steel proved to be a formidable opponent throughout the season and measured up competitively against the eventual champions. No Rush If it wasn’t for the performance of Jorgen Lovstrom @Pifferfish, I’m not sure where this team might have finished… Where have I heard this story before? Lovstrom paced the field of netminders with a .931 SV%, a 1.44 GAA and an impressive 4 shutouts in 15 games. Compare those numbers to his counterpart, Connor Hellebuyck @HockeyFan4Life, who is no slouch between the pipes, and you start to see why Lovstrom was so important to his team. For his part, in an equal sample of 15 games, Hellebuyck posted a .902% and 2.51 GAA. While he won the same number of games as Lovstrom, it’s clear which goalie gave his team the best chance to win. In the best of 5 play-in round, Lovstrom still managed a respectable .906, despite a shocking 4.50 GAA which likely reflects more on the team’s performance in front of him as the Rush would fall in 4 games to the Royals, who were the tournament’s weakest team through the regular season. Offensively, the Rush were led by 2nd overall selection in the S93 VHL draft, Gianfranco Del Rocco @Victor, who finished the tournament with 24 points in 30 games, followed closely by Oliver Loo @Misty with 20 in 30. Notably, Loo was a net 2nd in the tournament at +11 in 5-on-5 play and tied for net 3rd in goals, also with 11. In the play-in round, Nathan Ecker @Nathan_8 led the team with 6 points in 4 games, though the team seemed to lack scoring throughout that series against the Royals, managing to score only 2 or fewer goals in three of the four games. The Rush never really seemed to get going in this tournament, losing three consecutive games on four separate occasions, while only managing a three game winning streak at one point during the schedule. Having the second fewest total goals in the tournament with 62, the Rush were asking a lot of their goaltending tandem– and not to put too fine a point on the goaltending disparity in the Rush crease, Lovstrom only allowed 22 of the team’s 66 goals against. With a goal differential of only -4, the Rush were not so far off the mark that they weren’t competitive game to game, but they did seem to lack the offensive spark that would have put them in contention for the JST title. In the end, the overall result was not what the Rush would have hoped for, though the tournament still provided a spotlight for some of the team’s brightest stars. We’ll Never Be Royals… Okay, maybe that subtitle is a little harsh, but I’m trying to keep things light so allow it... please? Finishing last in the regular season with only 9 wins in 30 games, the Royals never really got going in the Junior Showcase Tournament. Going 9 games without a win in the middle of the season certainly doesn’t help the cause either. After their top goal scorer and point getter, Steve French @Seabass, who had 11 goals and 10 assists in 30 games, the next highest goal scorer on the Royals only had 7 goals and 17 points. You might be surprised to learn that this player was selected 1st overall in the recent VHL and VHLE drafts, and also went 1st in the VHLM draft a season ago. While I don’t think for one second that this JST performance is indicative in the slightest of what Antonia Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica is or might become, it is a surprising outcome for a player and a team that I had among the favorites to win the tournament. Revisiting this Royals roster, it’s frankly shocking how poorly this team performed in the tournament, despite featuring the likes of Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer, Forum Content @frescoelmo, The Phantom of the VHL @Hogan, Maple Dogwood @dogwoodmaple, Felicia Hardy @JCarson, Toby Cooke @KRZY, and the aforementioned Bucatini and French. With the tandem of Wazinski @samthemancub and Benson @Benson, two proven goaltenders at the VHLM level, it’s even more puzzling that this team allowed the most goals in the tournament– 77! With a goal differential of -18, they were in a class of their own at the bottom of the table. Look, I don’t want to pile on a team that had a run of bad luck so I’ll reiterate what I said before– I don’t think their record is indicative of the quality of the players on the roster. Chalk it up to bad puck luck, chemistry, low morale, or just speak the unspeakable name. Here’s the thing, whatever the Royals were in the regular season, they were a different team in the playoffs. Take Forum Content, for example, who scored 17 points in the regular season, but 18 points in the playoffs in 20 fewer games! Oaks and Bucatini experienced similar scoring bumps, both recording 15 points in 10 playoff games. The Royals would dispatch the Rush convincingly in the best-of-five play-in round, and matched up quite competitively against the eventual champion Warriors, losing in 6 games. If nothing else, the tale of two teams that was the Royals in this tournament is just another example of how fickle the game can be at times– or perhaps we just give the devil his name… Simon. The Warriors are… them? If their GM, Nathan, is him, then they are them, but let’s not get bogged down in semantics. The bottom line is that the Warriors were the class of the tournament. The only team with more than a +1 goal differential, the Warriors lapped the field with an absurd +20 in 30 games, finishing the tournament with a record of 21-8-1. In the regular season, Yermolai Nabokov @fonziGG led the way with 16 goals and 30 points in 30 games, while Jean-Pierre Devote pitched in 20 assists to go with his 8 goals. Jillian Woods and Ray Stanton @horoscope were standouts on the back end, logging 23 and 21 points respectively, but it was the Warrior’s goalie who may have really stolen the spotlight. Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen played an unbelievable tournament, recording 11 wins with only 4 losses in his 15 starts, a .924 SV%, and a 1.51 GAA. In the playoffs, AKK continued his strong run of form with 8 wins and only 3 losses, a .920%, and a 2.72 GAA. While Lovstrom may have had slightly better percentages and Vencko, more wins, AKK played the most consistent tournament of those 3 top goalies and deserved every bit of his team’s victory. Throughout the tournament, the Warriors never really struggled and, unlike the Brigade, managed to heat up at just the right time. Down the stretch, the Warriors racked up 11 wins in their last 12 games and went into the playoffs flaming hot. In the playoffs, they would never face elimination and took care of business against the resurgent Royals and the consistent Steel. While the Brigade came the closest in the regular season to reaching the level of the Warriors, they seemed to lack the bona fide starting goaltender that the Warriors had to go along with a strong blueline and a frightening forward corps. This was a well constructed Warriors team that found a way to win most nights and delivered on the lofty promises made by their GM before the tournament started. Fair play and congratulations to the Warriors on a dominant Junior Showcase Tournament! ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ Players of the Tournament: Goalie: Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen @Snussu Regular Season (11-4-0, .924%, 1.51 GAA, 2 SO) Playoffs (8-3-1, .920%, 2.72 GAA) As I suggested earlier, I think AKK was the most consistent goalie throughout the tournament and played a huge part in his team’s success. While his last season in the VHLM may not have played out the way he hoped, his JST performance reminded us why he’s considered among the best goalies in his draft class and was a highly rated prospect in the recent VHL and VHLE drafts. Congratulations to Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen on a fantastic tournament. Skater: Benjamin Abenduct @Schnee Regular Season (30GP, 13G, 21A, 34P) Playoffs: (12GP, 9G, 13A, 22P) There’s really not much debate when it comes to the top skater of the tournament and who I would consider the tournament MVP. Abenduct led the tournament in points as a defenseman, scoring the second most goals, and recording the highest assist total. He was also 3rd in shots blocked, 6th in hits, and played the 4th most minutes of any player in the tournament. In the playoffs, he led the tournament in points again, had the 2nd most goals, 3rd most assists, and was 2nd in shots blocked. It was an absolutely dominant performance by Abenduct at this tournament and there’s really no other player who performed at the same level throughout both the regular schedule and the playoffs. Though he came up short in the finals with the Steel, it wasn’t for lack of effort. Congratulations to Benjamin Abenduct for his incredible individual performance and a great run to the final. ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ And that concludes my coverage of the S93 Junior Showcase Tournament! Thank you to all the players and managers for giving us an entertaining showcase, as well as the simmers and commissioners who made it all happen behind the scenes… despite a few hiccups and a false start. I wish the best of luck to all the players continuing their careers-- some returning back to the M, while others are moving up to the E, and even potentially the VHL as early as this season. We’ll see what the future holds for this generation of players, but if this JST was anything to go by, the future is bright! LucyXpher for VSN Claim 03/24/24 - 2676 words Claim 03/31/24

Hello, my I'm FreshOceanCod and this post is basically all the thing I wish should be added to the VHL in my personal opinion. (Note: I just woke up from a 3 and half hour sleep and there might many mistakes) Jersey numbers: -I wish the VHL added a system that when a team drafts you and puts you on your active roster it will force you to pick a number. I believe this is pretty cool to added reason being it allows more customisation of players in the league which is always a cool thing to see. -I also think this would be a cool idea because this will make finding players more easily on a team then trying to find a players name all the time, which could be frustrating because not everyone knows a players name -I believe the number should be added with the players name during a game. Example: (36) John Doe - Scores. Sponsorship: - I believe the league can create sponsorship for teams and players allowing a cool experience for a team to maybe spread a message in the league that they want to spread or show. - Sponsorship for teams could be advertising a fake media piece for fun and TPE, also sponsoring community discords that can act like fake business for fun for sponsorship. Another thing could be teams sponsorship teams, like a VHLE team sponsoring a VHLM. - Sponsorship for players should equal in TPE. I believe this should happen by a player getting a sponsorship and making a positive post about it, which can lead to TPE rewards. Team jerseys: - I wish this would be implemented for every team to have a team uniform that is visible for everyone and this could be related back to jersey numbers for a team. I understand this is already part of graphic designing, but it would be very cool to see every team have a jersey. - I believe team jerseys should interesting designs about the team and the team city to make the team jerseys to feel more different then just plain old regular jerseys. - I believe also that this would allow teams to build an identity and lore/history behind jersey creation as well. Team arenas: - I believe this would be a very cool thing to add because again this would allow teams to build more identity and just very cool to see teams have custom name arena during simulation, rather than just home and away. - I believe also this would allow teams to make up lore and history of why the arena was built. Of course of all of this is fictional, but it would be very cool to see added. - My last this why I wish team arenas were added is that I believe this makes a team feel like they're more in actual video game then fiction, but that is just me in my honest opinion. Final opinion: All of these ideas just came off the top of my head and I have no real intention of any of this being an actual thing, but it would be cool to see. Of course I'm doing this all for TPE and hope peopel agree with what I have to say about this league.

Today, I received the incredible news that I would be the next GM of the Halifax 21st and one of my first reactions was, "Amazing, I can't wait! . . . What is 21st?" Well, today I learned that the moniker '21st' refers to Pier 21 in the Halifax Harbour which was a terminal for ocean liners and was the point of entry to Canada for many new immigrants-- nearly 1 million new immigrants-- between 1928 and 1971. Thank you to @samx and @Beketov for pointing me in the right direction, else I might still be lost at sea trying to figure out why the 21st have a boat on their logo. Something Bek said in our brief exchange really stood out to me, "I’ve always viewed it as the perfect name for a VHLM team given that the M is the first point of contact for the VHL". And it's true, like Pier 21 in the Halifax Harbour was the point of entry for many new immigrants who landed in Canada after a long voyage across the Atlantic, the VHLM is the league of entry to the VHL that welcomes new players into the community from all over the world. Being the point of entry is well and good, but without a welcoming committee, it's easy to get lost-- Canada is huge country, after all, and the VHL forums can absolutely be intimidating for new members left to fend for themselves. Recently being new to VHL myself, I had a fantastic experience with the Houston Bulls in the VHLM which has shaped my outlook on, and appreciation for, the VHLM-- but especially for GMs who really embrace their role to welcome and prepare players for the VHLE and the VHL. My GM last season, @AJW, was incredibly helpful and always seemed to have the time for us as players, whether it was answering repetitive questions about TPE and trivia answers, or just chatting and enjoying the company of the locker room. Look, I've been banging this drum all season, but I'll hit it one more time-- it's great to add more players to the league, but without incredible GMs like AJ who really understand their role and what it means to players entering the VHL, I don't know where the league would be. Just the simple things like being available to chat or answer a question goes a long way for new players who are enticed by the idea of joining a league where they can build a player, sign a contract, join a team, and work their way up to the big leagues. I think what many new players-- and even some veteran players-- don't realize is that you join for the opportunity to create something for yourself, but it's often the community of the league that really keeps people around, continuing to earn TPE and building their player. I know I've only been here a relatively short time compared to some, but the experience of being new is still fresh. Like Pier 21 for many immigrants to Canada, the VHLM needs great GMs who can welcome new players to the community and give them a reason to stay. Each player will have different motivations for joining and what appeals to some won't appeal to all, but that's also the beauty of a community-- like Canada-- like the VHL. All good people should be welcome and made to feel like they have a place here. Sure, this may come off as overly sentimental as, at the end of the day, it is a sim league with fake teams, fake leagues, and an evil overlord called Simon who holds the hopes and dreams of every fake player in the palm of his hand. What isn't fake or made-up, however, is the people. If we wanted to play sim hockey against AI, there are manager sims for that and NHL24 is a thing. We're here, presumably, because there's something different-- dare I say-- better about doing the sim hockey with humans. And unlike AI, humans are complex, creative, compassionate, and at times unpredictable. It's what really makes it all worthwhile, despite the fact that working with humans is far more challenging than manipulating an AI. I myself am American-- from Houston-- but I did live in Calgary, Alberta for about a year and a half. While I was in Canada, I had the chance to make it out east and see the city of Halifax as we traveled around the maritime provinces, and I really enjoyed seeing that part of Canada, the natural beauty, and the distinct maritime culture. And though I knew that the east coast was the point of entry for many European immigrants across the Atlantic, I guess I never realized how many actually came through Halifax. By last census, Halifax has a population of 431, 479, which is still a far cry from the million that would have entered via Pier 21. Many of those immigrants would have made their way inland, some even crossing the country over time and settling out west. Every player wants to make it to the VHL (unless you're doing some funky experiment) and the only way to get there is through the M. I'm honored to be selected as the next GM of the Halifax 21st and I'm thrilled to be in a position to welcome new players to the VHL. In my one season of experience, it has been a fantastic community and a fun pastime, and I'm excited to share that enjoyment with those that are next to land on the 21st. GM Lexie Leitner - Halifax 21st Claimed 03/10/24

Hello, I'm FreshOceanCod I have been in VHL for a couple of months now. I have played through my first season and want to give you my opinion about. (note there might be many errors because I just woke from a nap before writing this) Expectations and thoughts: So I wasn't expecting much from my player I created who is Ocean Codoller, but I would say that all my expectation were surpassed. - I wasn't expecting to get many too any points this season, but at the end of my season I ended off with 57 points in 72 games played which is not bad seeing this as my first season. - I was not sure how my time with New Mexico would be hoping it would not end horribly, but everything was fine. I got a lot of help from GMs and players. - Playoffs, I thought my team was going to do well during the playoffs, but we had an unfortunate series losing 4 to 3 in 7 games. My player (Ocean Codoller): - Overall my player turned out "ok", I wasn't expecting my player to get a point per game, but I wanted my player to atleast do well in its first season which I think it did. - I tried to create a two-way player-maker with my player. It has turned out alright still need many improvements, but overall not a bad start with the type of player I want to create. - I think the best thing my player is doing right now is play-making which is a good thing, but my players defence was so ass that I think it's worse than a starting defence man who just joined VHL. - My players performance in the playoffs was mid, nothing really special, but nothing really good only getting 3 pts in 7 games played. Off season: - Right now my off-season started early with a tough 4 to 3 series in the 1 round in the playoffs in VHLM. - I have gotten some offers by teams that might be interested in my player which is pretty cool. - I have gotten more tips from other GMs in the league about gaining more TPE and not relying on just welfare. (that is why I'm writing this article) - I got on a JST team, but my players performance there has been horrible. - My main focus right now is to just focus on improving my player as much as possible. - My player got released from New Mexico so I guess I'm draft eligible in the 93-94 season VHLM, but I don't know if I will get drafted, but I do hope so. Which team? Any team, I don't really care. The future: - I really don't know what to expect, but I hope my performance in JST improves because it has been a complete ass of a performance. - VHLM draft is coming up soon and that is going to be a very interesting reason being I have never been drafted yet and just been signed to a team. - VHLE draft is coming up soon as well and I don't think I will be drafted there yet, but I think I have a chance, but not a very high one. - I will be trying to improve my player as much as possible again that is my main goal with my player at the moment and in the future. - There's a high chance that I will not be in New Mexico again in VHLM and that means I might be on another team which I hope goes well there, but only time will tell I guess. Final thoughts: I hope everything goes well in the future and like I said earlier my main goal is to improve my player as much as possible, but that is really it.

I haven't been in VHL for long, but I always wondered if injuries should be added/added back to the game. I found this to be something very interesting to type about and see if people agree or disagree with what I have written in this post. I will be mainly ranting about the pros and cons about injuries and what situation could cause injuries. Pros: - I personally believe if injuries were added/added back to this game this would force teams to use prospect players to replace the main players that got injured in their line up. - Points leaders potentially might lose their foothold in the point race in their league allowing unknown players to becoming more noticeable. - Teams might lose their potential star players that could cause them to lose allowing games to be more interesting. Cons: - There be constant line changes depending on how frequent injuries can happen if injuries are added/added back into the game. - Teams that already suck and are losing could lose their best players and that would cause them to lose even more. How would injuries happen in the game (in my opinion): - The more shots blocked by a player the higher chance the player gets injured. - The more hits received by a player the higher risk of that player getting injured. - The amount of fights a player gets in could cause them to get injured. - Goalies could get injured if they are over used and never changed during the season. - Goalies could get injured potentially by the amount of shots taken on them. - Goalies could get injured from a player who has a really high shot rating. Another thing that would cause concern about injuries is that of the frequency of injuries happening meaning how often a player can get injured and this could be a bad thing because what happens if a teams player gets injured back to back after getting injured. That would cause that team to suffer losing one of their main players to an unfortunate injury twice causing that team to potentially suffer a lot more than just one injury. Another thing also is that teams could face many injuries at once causing a team to lose a lot of their main players changing how the team works and performs overall. This is not a good thing because the team would pretty much lose their identity/play-style if more than half their roster is injured being replaced by prospect players most likely making that team lose a lot more. Overall I believe injuries should be added back because it would make the league a lot more interesting allowing more possibilities to happen, like if a team loses their star player to in juries would that team still be as good as they were before their star player got injured. I also think this could cause a lot of problems. One of the things that should be taken into consideration is that there would have to be different types of injuries and the duration of that injury. I believe that the max amount of games a player or goalie should be injured is 8 to 10. Another problem would be the VHLM would either have to get smaller or get more players to join their league because VHLM teams don't have prospect players so injuries would be very difficult to have in the VHLM for that reason.

In Pamplona, Spain, there's a long-standing tradition of running bulls through the streets of the city. Originally serving the practical purpose of moving the animals in from the country side to the city for sale, the tradition-- which began around the 13th century-- eventually evolved into a festival where members of the general public would run through the streets ahead of the bulls. While the running no longer serves any practical purpose, it continues annually and still attracts people from around the world, especially the thrill seeking types. Sadly, for those who tempt fate, the bulls claim lives every year and the festival has drawn criticism for being barbaric and dangerous. I'm not here to moralize for or against the practice which has endured in Spain for generations, but I do want to draw a comparison. There's an old adage, "When you mess with the bull, you get the horns." There are natural consequences for certain risks. Anyone choosing to willingly run through the streets with bulls should at least consider the potential for being seriously injured or even killed. It's a harsh reality, but what else could you expect from a frenzied herd of horned beasts? @Pifferfish Jorgen Lovstrom (above) This brings me to the title of this article, my last article on the Season 92 Houston Bulls-- tempting fate. This season's Bulls team lived up to the ferocity of the animal on their crest. This was a physical team that loved to throw the body and punish their opposition physically. During the playoffs alone, the Bulls led the league in hits with 294 in 12 games. This style of play comes with its upside in that it can force an opponent to play tentatively, constantly looking over their shoulders to see where the next charging bull is coming from. The Bulls also led the league in penalty minutes with 159, and herein lies the drawback and inherent risk of a high level of physical play, especially if it becomes reckless and undisciplined. This season's Bulls were constantly straddling that line. Sometimes their physical play was a dominant feature of their team game and it created space for their more skilled players to create offense. In other cases, the physicality got away from them and produced some unwanted consequences and unfortunate results. Game 6 of the Founder's Cup Semi-Final against the Philadelphia Reapers was an example of just that. Despite being out-hit, 30-25, the Bulls took 10 penalties. In a game of fine margins that the Bulls were in until the end, all it took was the Reapers converting on 1 of those 10 powerplay attempts to seal the game and the series, punching their ticket to the finals. It's an unfortunate outcome for a Houston team that has grown so much over the span of the 72 game season. The disappointment in the Houston locker room after the loss was more than apparent as the team had full buy-in and belief in the process that they had committed to from day one. A loss like this can certainly shake belief and cause a team to become demoralized after leaving everything on the ice, and that in itself is a tempting fate. Fate is a cruel mistress and a cunning temptress. It's all too easy to become overly fixated on what went wrong and why things didn't work out on the ice. Sometimes that negative mindset is even appealing. It can feel good to vent, or complain, or blame, or cry, or feel like the whole world is conspiring against you to see your demise. I think it's healthy to allow oneself to experience such emotions after suffering a loss-- but not to allow them to linger indefinitely. The Houston Bulls have so much to be proud of and this season can only be called a success, despite their failure to cap it off with a Founder's Cup. Going from a team with only 4 players on the roster after the VHLM dispersal draft, to the team with the most contributing roster players and the consensus top team on paper is nothing short of remarkable. The Bulls' general manager, @AJW deserves a tremendous amount of credit for his role in building the team and the culture around the locker room. He should undoubtedly be in consideration for GM of the Year for his efforts and results, though he'd humbly credit the players for their hard work and determination. What cannot be disputed is the effort of this group as a whole, from their GM AJ, AGM @Nathan_8, and every one of their players who contributed to the positivity of the team, both on and off the ice. This kind of positivity is what will help propel many of these players to long and successful VHL careers as they move on from the Bulls next season-- it's the good habits and friendships that combat the temptation of thinking all is lost. For many of these Bulls players, this is only the beginning of their career, and despite a crushing defeat, they have so much further to climb and work towards. A Founder's Cup, while a fantastic achievement, is not the pinnacle of the sport and only represents a goal along the path toward the top. Sure, every player in the VHLM wants to win it, but how many players would truly be satisfied playing in the VHLM, forever chasing that goal? The M is a transitional league to help develop the skills of players coming from junior divisions, to prepare them for the rigors and competition of the higher pro ranks. While it's a great goal to win at every level, in the grand scheme, the goal of VHLM players is to start their career out on the right foot, and the Houston Bulls as a collective have really embodied that competitive spirit of practice and growth. There are so many players on this roster who began the season with little to no experience. Through hard work, collaboration, and dedication, so many of them have developed into top prospects in the upcoming VHL and VHLE drafts. It's truly a testament to the success of the the Bulls management group and developmental support system which has enabled their players to grow in leaps and bounds. So while it's a disappointing end to a thrilling playoff run, the Bulls had already won-- sure, maybe not on the scoresheet, but some things are bigger than a scoresheet. (Lauren Lambert has come unstuck in time) Look, maybe this is just me writing my way though a heartbreaking loss, trying to come to terms with what comes next. I'm a melodramatic artist and I'm coping, okay?! Oh, you thought I was an unbiased journalist who just reported the facts? That's funny... I guess I don't value professionalism enough to leave my allegiances at the door when I start writing an article. Well, now you know... When you mess with the bull, you get the horns... but there's another saying, "Grab the bull by the horns". When facing adversity or risk, sometimes the best strategy is to attack the problem, to face it head on, to get up close and personal with danger and conquer it. While this offseason may have come sooner than Houston would have hoped, they have an opportunity to put this time to good use, for players to continue developing, and to use this loss as motivation for future goals. There is a lot to be excited for with the VHL Draft coming up this offseason, the Victory ProAm, the Junior Showcase Tournament, and the World Junior Championships right around the corner. There are plenty of reasons for this Bulls squad to bounce back and get refocused-- re-motivated-- to continue working towards their ultimate goal of playing at the highest level. I, for one, will be following these players closely, though it's with a heavy heart that I move on from regular coverage of the Houston Bulls. It's been a fantastic run with the Bulls this season, full of drama and excitement on and off the ice. Wherever I end up next, I know I will always look back fondly on this past season as it was remarkable and gratifying in so many ways. Thanks to all who have been reading me faithfully and I look forward to bringing you more VHL/E/M articles in the near future. Until then, keep running! Lauren Lambert for VHL.com claiming intoxication until next season...

The first round of the VHLM playoffs is over and there weren't any major upsets, despite the fact that the top seeded team only won two out of the four series. Philadelphia and Vegas, the number 1 and 2 seeds, knocked out Saskatoon and Ottawa respectively in 6 games. The 5th seeded Houston Bulls took care of business against the San Diego Marlins in game 6 as well and punched their ticket to round 2. And finally, the 6th seed Miami Marauders defeated the 3rd overall Mexico City Kings in a thrilling game 7 between two very evenly matched squads. And so, while the Marlins, Kings, Wild, and Lynx pack their bags and call their caddies, Philadelphia prepares for a second round battle against Houston, and Las Vegas gets set for a matchup with Miami. Both of these series promise to be highly competitive with very little advantage for one side or the other, despite what the seeding might say. (1) Philadelphia Reapers vs. (5) Houston Bulls This is a series I've been wanting to see for a while now and that's because it's the battle of the league champions and the paper champions. Allow me to explain. The Philadelphia Reapers won the regular season in convincing fashion, proving that they were the class of Season 92. The Houston Bulls, on the other hand, finished in only 5th place overall, despite rostering possibly the deepest team in the VHLM. There are a lot of pundits who believe that the Houston Bulls are currently the best team in the league on paper, and have rushed to declare them as Founder's Cup favorites, but we all know that paper doesn't matter once the puck is dropped. Only one team can move on to the finals and we will find out whether paper triumphs over practice. To be fair to the Bulls, the team has been in a constant state of growth since the beginning of the season and is peaking at the right time. Secondary scorers like Lawson @Nyx and Ecker @Nathan_8 have really come into their own and could very easily be top players on lesser teams. Add to that the dominance of their top line featuring Artav @jake, Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica, and Reynolds Jr. @Crstats23, their forward group is as strong at the top as any. The Bulls also boast one of the strongest defensive corps in the VHLM, led by Abenduct @Schnee on the top pairing alongside the physical menace, Cody Toland @ctoland102. In goal, Vencko @Muttihas developed into a true number one goalie and compares favorably with anyone in the league. Suffice it to say, it is probably true that the Bulls regular season record does not adequately capture the current state of the roster which has grown tremendously over 72 games. The Reapers on the other hand have surprised critics all season by extracting extraordinary performances out of unsuspecting players. Players like Enn Jinn @jhatty8, Walter Jinn @Adrest245, Pinn Jinn @Eagle Eye, and Magni Jinn @DontCallMeCarson have punched well above their weight all season long. The success of these players has baffled many critics of the team, but it's difficult to argue with results and consistency. We'd also be remiss to neglect to mention the dominance of Nabokov @fonziGG, the Reapers' top scorer, and their goaltender, Lovstrom @Pifferfish, who has been a brick wall all season long. Philly will hope to keep this collective run of form going as we enter round two and they face the Bulls at the height of their development. Prediction: While the Reapers have impressed all season long, it's difficult to imagine how they might overcome the advantage that the Bulls have on paper. Maybe the Reapers conjure up some STHS black magic and continue to make us all look silly for doubting them, but I'm picking the Bulls to upset the in-season champions in 6 games (4-2). (2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (6) Miami Marauders This series, on paper, may be the closest we've seen yet. Miami and Las Vegas have very similarly constructed rosters and both teams boast high octane offense that is at least two lines deep. Vegas has their ace on the back end in Bric Sheithaus @Oldhead91 and the Marauders have the duo of Dukat @MSouthworth and Ennis @DeciBell4 who pitch in from the defense with regularity. Both teams were also involved in high-profile trade deadline moves that saw them acquire even more offensive talent. Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer joined the Aces, giving them one more lethal weapon on the wing, while Forum Content @frescoelmo and UghSike @UghSike joined the Marauders. Both teams also have goaltenders who have showed positive signs of taking a step to the next level, but have yet to do so with consistency. Hugo Boss @Dil for the Aces has been solid for his team, but has not proved that he can consistently be among the league's best. 200 feet away, Shaunca @shaun1979 will line up for Miami, coming off of a strong game 7 performance, but an inconsistent season. Both goalies will be looking to find consistency and a higher level of play as their teams move deeper into the playoffs. Prediction: I genuinely like both of these teams and admire the moves they made at the trade deadline to challenge for a championship this season. Unfortunately, one of these teams will have to go home. While I'd hate to see the Aces sent packing before the final, I think that Miami is going to find another level in this second round series. The incredible talent of their forward group will be just enough to overcome the impressive group Vegas has assembled to take the win in 7 games (4-3). --- Do you agree or disagree? Feel free to let me know why I'm wrong, though I'll have you know that I've predicted the winner correctly in every series so far these playoffs. Look at me hyping myself up... I'm so cringe. Stay tuned for more coverage of these VHLM playoffs! Lauren Lambert for VHL.com 02/21/24

The closest series in the first round of the VHLM playoffs gets a thrilling Game 7 and it goes down tomorrow night! For the first time all season, we will finally be able to name a winner between these two teams, and let me explain. As I detailed in a previous article, Mexico City and Miami played a dead even season series against each other with each team winning 4 contests. The two teams finished the season only separated in the standings by 6 points. If we combine both their regular season and playoff records, we get the full picture of how close this matchup has been from the drop of the puck in Season 92. Tied at 7 wins and 7 losses each, Mexico has the marginal scoring edge with 40 goals to Miami's 39. The shots on goal category also remains remarkably close with 395 shots for the Kings and 410 shots for the Marauders. Frankly, it would have been a travesty if this thrilling first round series didn't get a winner-takes-all Game 7 and the hockey gods have smiled upon us tonight as the Marauders claimed Game 6 with a 6-4 win. The goaltending duel all year has been full of intrigue, and in these playoffs, there is very little to choose between Miami's Shaunca @shaun1979 and Mexico's Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen @Snussu. Shaunca comes into game 7 with a .906% and a 2.74 GAA while AKK holds a slightly lower .904% but a better GAA at 2.62. On paper, as I've said before, I think Mexico has the better goalie, but as he's proved in this series, Shaunca cannot be counted out and is more than capable of stealing a game. I'll get to my full prediction at the end of this article, but I will say that I don't believe Game 7 will be decided by one goalie or the other standing on his head. Make no mistake, in a rivalry of fine margins, they will be called upon to play their part and will need to be razor sharp to give their team even the smallest edge. For the Marauders, it has been Pierre Ennis @DeciBell4 who has led the way in scoring throughout this series with 8 points in the 6 games. Left winger Joe Shmo @matt sovick has also proven that he's no Joe Blo and has also pitched in on offense with 5 points after scoring 54 in the regular season. Bilbo Teebaggins @SackButter remains the top shutdown option for the Marauders and has an inspiring 17 shot blocks so far these playoffs. Crucially, the Marauders will need their top guns in Forum Content @frescoelmo, Vanuza Kolesinska @chikn, Matthew Highmore @NineIQ v2, and UghSike @UghSike to bring their A+ game if they are going to claim to be the victors of this head-to-head. They have all the offensive firepower, talent, and potential necessary to make life a living hell for the Kings defenders and I would be shocked if they were all kept off the scoreboard in this crucial game. For Mexico City, as I've written about before, the pool of forwards is a little weaker than Miami's, but Loona Buckzo @WildfireMicro has been firing on all cylinders with 9 points in the series. And while Mexico may not have the forward depth to match Miami, their top two defenders, Free Gorlab @eaglesfan036 and Chuck E Cheese @a_Ferk are shutdown monsters who have proven they are willing to bring the fight to the high flying Miami offense. For Mexico to win this final deciding game, they are going to need these three players at their very best and playing for keeps. It's a tall order, but not one that is beyond their capabilities and that is precisely why this matchup has been so enthralling all season long. Prediction: Okay, so this is what we all want to know-- who will finally be able to claim superiority between the Kings and the Marauders? Let me first say, I would not bet a cent on this series because it's almost guaranteed to be a cent lost. But you're here for a prediction so here it is: Miami ekes this one out with a 4-3 win in overtime. Yes, overtime, how else should this series end? And for bonus points, I'm picking UghSike to score the series winner. --- And there it is, for whatever it's worth. I can't wait to see what actually happens tomorrow night. What we can say with certainty is that the winner of this series will be in tough with a second round matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, but more on that later... Lauren Lambert for VHL.com 02/19/24

In the VHLM playoffs, every series has gone to 6 games. Whether or not any of them go beyond 6 will be decided tonight. In this short article, I'll be making predictions for game 6 in each series and then we can find out how wrong I was tomorrow, deal? Perfect, let's go. Philadelphia Reapers vs. Saskatoon Wild: Game 6 When I wrote my VHLM playoff preview, I predicted this series would be decided in six games and I'm sticking with that prediction here. So far, deadline acquisition, Leon Bruhmaninho @BigBruhmanhas been instrumental in keeping his team in this series after losing the first two games. On the flip side, the regular season's top goalie, Jorgen Lovstrom @Pifferfish has not replicated his regular season dominance to this point in the series. He hasn't been bad, but I'm sure he'd be the first to demand more of himself. Ultimately, I can't bring myself to bet against Lovstrom and the top ranked Philadelphia. Prediction: Reapers win by score of 4-1. Las Vegas Aces vs. Ottawa Lynx: Game 6 I initially predicted that this series would only go to game 5 so I've already been wrong once. Fundamentally, however, my prediction does not change. I still think that Vegas is just too much for Ottawa and will find a way to wrap this series up tonight. Interestingly, in the games Ottawa has won, it hasn't necessarily been their big two of Ivan Ivanov @KmaddFPS and Wayne Shotzky @Kenamatic carrying them to victory. Depth player, Kevin OConnor @Luke033 currently leads the team with 4 points through 5 games and the Lynx have had contributions from a number of players throughout their lineup. While the fact that their depth is getting on the scoresheet should give them some hope, they'll also be looking to get their big two going as well against a well built Vegas team. Elle Aura Ashe @Lynersify leads Vegas with 8 points through the first 5 games and their offense has looked predictably dominant so far. As much as I'd like to see Ottawa push Vegas to the brink, I don't think this upset is in the cards. But I've already been wrong about this series once... Prediction: Aces win by score of 6-2 San Diego Marlins vs. Houston Bulls: Game 6 Houston jumped out to a 3-1 lead in this series, but San Diego clawed back a win with a gutsy performance last night to avoid an early end to their playoff run. My initial prediction was that this series would go to 7 games, but after the way this series has started and the Bulls dominant performances on home ice-- punctuated by a 4-0 shutout by Ondra Vencko @Mutti, I think they will take advantage of home ice once again and put the Marlins away in 6 games. With that said, the San Diego defense was excellent last game and helped their goaltender Samuel Wazinski @samthemancub to a strong performance in game 5. If the Marlins can replicate their team performance from that game, they might yet have a chance to force a game 7. Prediction: Bulls win by score of 5-3 Mexico City Kings vs. Miami Marauders: Game 6 I had this series going to 7 games and I'm sticking to that. This series has proved that there is very little margin between these teams and it's played out that way on the ice. Miami currently holds a 3-2 series lead on the back of an impressive .921% by Shaunca @shaun1979, who has struggled with some inconsistency this season. I do wonder if that's a demon that rears its head once again for the young netminder with the opportunity to end Mexico's season. For Kings goalie, Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen @Snussu, one solid performance can send his team home for a game 7 and a chance to move on to round 2. With so little between these teams, I strongly believe it will be the goalies who decide this series. Both have been good, but I think AKK has another level that he can hit and tonight seems as good a night as any. Prediction: Kings win 3-0 --- Fans of the Lynx, Wild, Marlins, and Marauders will probably be annoyed with my predictions and I am more than happy to be wrong! If you've got another opinion or prediction, feel free to let me know and we can compare notes tomorrow. Lauren Lambert for VHL.com Claim for 02/25/24

Have you ever wondered where the word "playoff" comes from? No? Just me? Okay then... Well, I'm going to tell you what I learned anyway. The term, playoff, is a combination of two English words, "play" and "off" (duh). What is interesting is that the two words have somewhat contrasting definitions. "Off" is a word commonly used as a preposition to describe the position or place of something, usually a non-primary or negative location. It has also been traditionally used to describe something being sent away or ended, an antonym of "on". It's why we might say a deal is off, or we turn off lights. "Play", on the other hand, is a term that commonly refers to the beginning or engagement in an activity, usually a game. While off is typically a term of negation, play is a positive term referring to the start and continuation of some action. At the beginning of the season, you might hear the phrase, "play on", signaling the commencement of the game. "Play off", on the other hand, suggests the beginning of the end, a call to wrap up action and determine a winner. The first known use of the term was in the 1607 play, “Lests to Make You Merie” by Thomas Dekker and George Wilkins. Eventually, the term would be used with more and more frequency in the sporting world. While the literal meaning, to begin to end, is retained in the contemporary definition, the term gained a more specific attachment to the particular set of post-season games leading up to the awarding of a championship. Those games became known as playoffs-- games played with the sole purpose of concluding a season by determining a winner. And so, as the VHLM regular season comes to a close, so commences the playoffs, the beginning of the end of Season 92. Though the regular season has already concluded, the season is far from decided with the most important games yet to be played. Two teams (Halifax and Mississauga) have already been eliminated from contention, but the remaining 8 teams will matchup to determine who will raise the Founder's Cup as VHLM champions this season. With the linguistic lesson out of the way, let's look at the four first round playoff series that will kick off the endgame of Season 92. (1) Philadelphia Reapers vs. (8) Saskatoon Wild Coming off of a dominant regular season which saw them win 54 of 72 games, amassing 112 points, the Philadelphia Reapers are the favorite in this series. There is, however, a lot of intrigue around this series as it sees this season's top regular season team against the Season 91 Champions, albeit with a very different roster from the team that actually won the Founder's Cup. Saskatoon enters the playoffs with 68 points, just over half as many as Philadelphia, and only 28 wins in 72 games. Despite the extreme disparity in regular season record, this series may prove to be a lot closer. On paper, many analysts have been critical of this Reapers roster which boasts only 1 bona fide all star skater in Yermolai Nabokov @fonziGG. With that said, the Reapers are full of players punching above their weight, providing offense and defense well above their projected value. Players like Enn Jinn @jhatty8, Magni Jinn @DontCallMeCarson, and beaubeau primetime @Bobo are making the most of their ice time and are contributing greater value than their attributes might predict. Behind all of this is probably their most important player, goaltender Jorgen Lovstrom @Pifferfish, who has made a strong case to be considered the top goalie in the VHLM this season with a .918%, 2.34 GAA, 3 shutouts, and 48 wins in 62 starts. With his importance to the Philadelphia roster, it is this writer's opinion that he should also be in consideration for MVP honors. It's difficult to imagine where the Reapers would be without Lovstrom's stellar play and he may well be the difference between winning the Founder's Cup or a disappointing first round exit. Lining up against the Reapers, Saskatoon actually compares favorably on paper-- in fact, if Saskatoon had retained Annie Oaks, Forum Content, and UghSike at the trade deadline, they would probably line up as the favorite in terms of team composition. Even with the departure of these players, Saskatoon still boasts a forward group that compares to Philadelphia's collection, and I'd be tempted to give Saskatoon the edge on defense with Carson Tripp @Cartripp14 leading the way from the back end. Where Saskatoon falls behind is at the goaltending position. Austin Goulet III @Tuchy is a fine goalie prospect, but he frankly does not hold a candle to the aforementioned Lovstrom, and if Saskatoon is going to win, Goulet III is going to have to find another level. Prediction: Philadelphia comes into the playoffs riding the high of regular season dominance, the impact of this run of form is high player chemistry and team morale and I don't think that evaporates overnight. Look for Philadelphia to continue their strong play into the postseason, but don't be surprised if the Wild make things interesting. I predict the Reapers take the series in 6 games (4-2) and move on to the semifinals. (2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (7) Ottawa Lynx After the stunning acquisition of phenom, Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer, from the Saskatoon Wild at the trade deadline, Las Vegas enters the playoffs with one of the most potent top-6 forward groups in the VHLM. Oaks, along with Caeser Monterrey @CaptainGatsby, Piston Maicupp @MandyManiac, Elle Aura Ashe @Lynersify, and Stinky @taylorherd are among the most dynamic forwards in the league and are the stuff of nightmare for opposing defenses. On the back end, Vegas also boasts the league's top scoring defenseman in Bric Sheithaus @Oldhead91. Vegas also has solid depth throughout the rest of their forward and defense corps and should matchup favorably against almost any opponent in this year's playoffs. Goaltender Hugo Boss @Dil is a solid option between the pipes, but will need to be on his "A" game (pun very much intended) if the Aces are to make good on their championship aspirations. Vegas GM, @McLovin, possessed a solid hand in a competitive team this season and decided to play it aggressively, going all-in at the trade deadline to strengthen his forward group and give his team every chance for success. Time will tell if this gamble pays off. On the other side, Ottawa is lead by the two-headed monster that is Wayne Shotzky @Kenamatic and Ivan Ivanov @KmaddFPS. The two of them are tied for the league lead in points with 111 in 72 games, with Ivanov scoring a stunning 50 goals and Shotzky not far behind with 48. To say that the Lynx's success hinges on these two players is a bit of an understatement. Beyond their big two, Ottawa has Steve French @Seabass and The Phantom of the VHL @Hogan on offense, as well as WWumbo @Fire Tortorella on the back end as their top option. After these players, Ottawa's depth falls off fairly quickly and their goaltender, Alexander oviechkin jr @penguinb19 leaves something to be desired in goal. With another season of development, the rest of this roster will likely round into contending form, but at the moment it is difficult to see how Ottawa wins this series if Ivanov and Shotzky are kept at bay. Prediction: Vegas' scoring depth proves to be too much for Ottawa's defense and goaltending and Vegas powers their way to a decisive series victory in 5 games (4-1). (3) Mexico City Kings vs. (6) Miami Marauders The series between Mexico City and Miami may well be one of the most intriguing in the first round because of how well these two teams compare with one another entering the post-season. Though Mexico City managed a better record through the regular season, it wasn't by much with 87 points compared to Miami's 81. The two teams split the season series with an even 4-4 record against one another. The parity goes deeper as each team scored exactly 23 goals and allowed 23 against, with Miami holding a slight edge in the shots department with 244 to Mexico City's 221. By all accounts, this is going to be very close series between two evenly matched teams. Mexico City has a well balanced group of skaters with notable names such as Trey Daniels @Tdan04, Loona Buckzo @WildfireMicro, and French Fries @solyom leading the way up front, and Free Gorlab @eaglesfan036 and Chuck E Cheese @a_Ferk their head honchos on defense. In goal, Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen @Snussu is among the top goalies in the VHLM and should give Mexico a shot to win every night. It is hard to find holes in the Mexico roster, but if one had to be named it would be their depth outside of their top three forwards and top two defensemen. They'll be relying on big performances from players deeper in the roster if they hope to make a long run in these playoffs. Their regular season record shows that they are capable of such performances, but consistency will be the key to their playoff success. Miami, not unlike Mexico City, also boasts a well balanced roster. They do seem to have an advantage in the forward department with deadline acquisitions Forum Content @frescoelmo and UghSike @UghSike bolstering an already strong corps featuring Matthew Highmore @NineIQ v2, Joe Shmo @matt sovick, and Vanuza Kolesinska @chikn. On paper, their defense also seems to matchup favorably against Mexico City with Pierre Ennis @DeciBell4 and Gul Dukat @MSouthworth being their big two, while Bilbo Teebaggins @SackButter has had a strong showing this season as well. The one possible area of weakness for Miami might be in goal with Shaunca @shaun1979 having an inconsistent season at best. If he can find his game and peak at the right time, the Marauders have the tools to beat Mexico City, but it's a lot of pressure to put on a young goalie and the jury is still out on whether he has what it takes to lead the way. Prediction: There is so little between these two teams so it's difficult to see how this series doesn't go the distance. I'm going to hedge my bets with Shaunca and Miami's depth and say that the Marauders edge the series in 7 (4-3). (4) San Diego Marlins vs. (5) Houston Bulls In a first round full of intrigue, this series between the Marlins and the Bulls might have the most eyes on it. San Diego features one of the strongest forward groups in the league while Houston owns the distinction of being the leagues most improved team, growing from a group of green rookies into a legitimate championship level team over the course of the 72 games season. The Marlins owned the Bulls in the season series, winning 6 out of 8 games between the two sides, but it should be mentioned that a good number of these games were played earlier in the season and the Houston roster has changed quite a bit since then. The Bulls have bounced back with wins later in the season, proving that they can beat San Diego and adding to the intrigue surrounding this series. The Marlins, like Las Vegas, ice a lethal top-6 forward group. Dietrich Reingaard @JigglyGumballs, Gianfranco Del Rocco @Victor, Jean-Pierre Devote @eagle_3450, Wayne Gretzky @MubbleFubbles, and Dwight schcrute @Jamomayo (a former Houston Bull) make up the Marlins top five players, and could all be top line players on any team in the VHLM. Maverick Goncalves @leandrofg is also a strong player who provides excellent depth for San Diego, however there is a fairly steep drop-off beyond him. If you asked the Marlins, they'd probably tell you that they are as deep as they need to be, allowing their top players to play more minutes instead of having lower roster players eat up time, but it remains to be seen whether this strategy will hold up over a 7 game series. On defense, San Diego is strong and actually boasts decent quality through all 6 of their defensemen. Dustin Moore @Maxx leads the way as their top defender, but Jillian Woods @jacobcarson877 is a strong up-and-comer that the Marlins will also be leaning on in these playoffs. Finally, at goaltending, Samuel Wazinski @samthemancub has had a stellar season with a .904%, 2.91 GAA, and 35 wins in 64 starts. Some scouts would argue that he's probably been the beneficiary of a good team defense in front of him, but he certainly has shown the capacity to deliver the quality performances when called upon. The Houston Bulls are probably the deepest team in the VHLM. GM @AJW (who is expected to be a GM of the year candidate) has done an exceptional job of scouting new talent and building an environment in which these young players can grow and ultimately flourish. The team he has built is strong all the way through the lineup with 4 lines, 3 defensive pairings, and 2 quality goaltenders that can be rolled out at any time. In the forward group, captain Trimiskez Artav @jake led the way this season with 43 goals and 45 assists for 88 points. Joining him at the top of the depth chart are trade deadline acquisition, Antonia Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica, Chris Reynolds Jr. @Crstats23, Barry McOckiner @LanerDUST, Nathan Ecker @Nathan_8, and Tyler Lawson @Nyx. Quality depth options Murray Connolly @Blakemac22, Filip Zinek @FiZi, and Jack Dickens @Mystery_boy98 complete the top 3 lines for the Bulls. The Bulls' 4th line is home to one of the leagues most infectious leaders, Miner VHLer @Rhynex Entertainment, affectionately known in the Houston Locker-room as "SuperBot". Micah Cederbaum @MicahC and Dylan Boland @shadowbloxgame round out the forward corps, both having solid campaigns for the Bulls in minor roles. The Bulls are among the league's strongest on defense with Benjamin Abenduct @Schnee at the top of the chart with 81 points in 68 games. Frequent defense partner, Lucy Leitner @LucyXpher, has also had a strong showing this season for the Bulls, as well as one of the league's most physical players in Cody Toland @ctoland102. Bufert T Smustice @Crummer77, Toby Cook @KRZY, and Charles Losfeld @losfail round out the defense. The Bulls also boast what is possibly the best backup goaltender in the VHLM in Herald Benson @Benson. Starting goalie, Ondra Vencko @Mutti, should see the majority of starts in the playoffs, but should he falter, Benson is more than capable of shoring up the net. I've spoken to scouts about Vencko and I've learned that he's made some adjustments in his game recently that have really unlocked some of his potential. His recent starts have reflected this and, lately, he's been well above his season average of .892%. He could be a bit of a sleeper, I'm told, when it comes to playoff MVP candidates, provided the Bulls go far. Prediction: Those who have followed my writing throughout the season should know that I cover the Bulls regularily. Despite that, I want to give San Diego some love. I believe their top-6 forwards certainly have what it takes push Houston to the limit, but they'll be up against strong competition on the Bulls' blueline. It's a close series in every respect and I'd be shocked to see one team or the other run away with it. I'm still going with the Bulls, but I think it's going to take 7 games (4-3) with an overtime winner to decide it. --- And so it begins: The playoffs kick off tonight and I, for one, cannot wait to see how the VHLM shakes out. I'll be following these story lines through each round and updating you on the series so stay tuned for more! If you have any comments or disagree with one of my predictions, feel free to tell me! Lauren Lambert for VHL.com Claim for 11/25/24 (2651 words)

In this article, I'll be highlighting 3 players who were added to their current team midway through this current season. Each of these players have come into their respective locker rooms and have been immediate contributors on the ice, quickly becoming one of their team's top players. The nature of the beast is such that midseason additions are more likely to have success on a team with available ice time and holes in the roster than on a competing team at the top of the table. These players, however, have made the most of their opportunities and have managed to step into top roles, despite being late additions, and should be well sought after in the drafts this offseason. C - Tyler Lawson @Nyx - Houston Bulls (49GP - 20G - 30A - 50P) A late addition to the Houston Bulls roster, Tyler Lawson immediately grabbed the opportunity to play on the Bulls' top line alongside Trimiskez Artav and Chris Reynolds Jr. He's since been replaced on that line by trade deadline acquisition Antonia Bucatini, but has continued to be a regular contributor for the Bulls in a second line role. His current line with Zinek and Ecker has been heating up as of late, in no small part because of Lawson's contributions. Lawson is a high-end scorer and his 20 goals in 49 games punctuate that claim. He also demonstrates well-balanced peripheral attributes which make him a solid player wherever he ends up in the lineup. Since joining the Bulls, he's shown consistent development and determination and could be steal for whichever team drafts him if his current trajectory continues. RW - Anthony Simmons II @Starchychaff - Mississauga Hounds (31GP - 17G - 19A - 36P) Though he's not a first generation player, Anthony Simmons II has joined up with a struggling Mississauga squad with the promise of opportunity this season. The right winger has played primarily on the Hounds' first line alongside Loic Trepagoat and Wernher von Braun. At 6'8" and 200lbs, Simmons II is a big body that will be highly coveted in upcoming drafts. He compliments his size with well balanced passing, scoring, skating, and puck handling abilities that are above average for his age category. Perhaps most revealing of his positive impact on the ice is his +3 rating on a Hounds team that has a -73 goal differential this season. Though the Hounds aren't going anywhere quickly, the future is bright for Anthony Simmons II. D - Carson Tripp @Cartripp14 - Saskatoon Wild (44GP - 11G - 32A - 43P) A first generation player for the Saskatoon Wild, Carson Tripp is the team's top scoring defenseman, despite joining the team after the start of the regular season. He's currently playing on the second pairing alongside Cale Makar, but with solid scoring and passing ability, he's been able create offense from the blueline, taking advantage of minutes on the team's top powerplay. He does leave something to be desired in terms of defensive ability, but so far he has been able to outscore his deficiencies, even on a Saskatoon team that has committed to resetting for next season. If Tripp can continue his development, he promises to be a quality option for a number of teams in the upcoming drafts. Lauren Lambert for VHL.com Claimed for 02/18/24

The time has come for my usual VHLM rankings, which have always been right and there has never been a single mistake in them ever. I waited a fair bit longer than I usually do, as there were a ton of waiver players that, even after the initial rush, were trickling in and joining teams, boosting some and hindering others (as of right now there are 155 players in this upcoming VHLM draft). Even now there have been multiple roster changes that won’t be accounted for, as I started writing this on Monday and haven’t made any updates to my data since. There will likely also be a massive shift coming in the next couple weeks, as many waiver players will have gone inactive, and rosters will shrink down to more reasonable and manageable sizes, but I feel that I have waited long enough and needed to get a point task done that is not the part two of my draft rankings, because then I probably would never have gotten this done. And since the big plagiariser appears to have gone IA and not much indication of coming back, I guess it is safe to put this out. So here they are. If you have any disagreements, then I implore you to argue with a rock or another hard or dense object. 10. Halifax 21st Current Standing: 8th FD Ranking: 10th (0.161) Goalie Ranking: 7th (91 TPA) The Halifax 21st are in for another long season from the looks of things. After a mediocre draft and despite a pretty large trade early in the season, they boast the league’s worst offense and a really thin and weak defense, aspirations are pretty low this season. This has been a constant for Halifax in past seasons, never going full rebuild and instead allowing for top TPE players to just come and go with no real supporting cast. It will be interesting to see how they approach this season. This is the one season where they really cannot sell off, since most teams are already at capacity. From the looks of things, it will be another season of the same for the 21st. 9. Mississauga Hounds Current Standing: 10th FD Ranking: 9th (0.190) Goalie Ranking: 9th (88 TPA) The Mississauga Hounds seem to have the perfect combination of offense and defense to be an absolutely awful team. Boasting the league’s worst defense and second worst offense, coming together to form the league’s worst goal differential at -57, a whopping 26 goals worse than the next team above them. While they have guaranteed that they will not have the worst season in franchise history, they likely will not end up much better. This team either needs some strong offensive play, or to turtle up and play a boring defensive game. Either way, changes need to be made for this team to do anything but lose. 8. Saskatoon Wild Current Standing: 9th FD Ranking: 8th (0.241) Goalie Ranking: 8th (89 TPA) Saskatoon is much like Mississauga in that they also suck pretty hard. Second worst goals against and just a tad bit above Mississauga in the goals for department. While they have decent pieces at the forward position, their defense is an obvious and glaring weakness. This is a season to forget for the Wild, and with rumors circulating about some of their top end players being on the move, it may get even worse. 7. Philadelphia Reapers Current Standing: 1st FD Ranking: 7th (0.267) Goalie Ranking: 3rd (140 TPA) A string of strong goaltending and luck has shot this team to the top of the official standings, but a look at this team tells a different story. Their forward group is the second worst in the league and their defense is below league average. As of now, their offense is clicking well and with the lowest goals against in the league, they have been able to stay in each game. A strong defensive game will allow this team to continue to win games and for their entire team to catch up in attributes, but will it be enough? This has the makings of a team that will fall apart come playoff time, where their defense begins to crack. At least this team will be fun to follow as they were able to acquire every single Jinn in the draft. So, while the team may not do so well, it’ll be fun to follow the Philadelphia Jinns. 6. Ottawa Lynx Current Standing: 7th FD Ranking: 6th (0.412) Goalie Ranking: 10th (84 TPA) The impact of losing their would be top forward at the start of the season has definitely hindered the success of this team, but with a good handful of waiver players helped turn this team from a would be a massive losing season to an overall middling team. This is the first team outside of the “complete trash” tier and inside the “not good but not bad” tier. Their defense is not much to write home about and their forwards have cooled down a fair bit after a hot start, and right now appear to be losing some ground. Hopes are not necessarily high for this team, especially with the league’s worst starting goaltender, but they should be a lock for the playoffs, albeit likely will not put up much of a show. Their strategy is to go all-in on offense, and when the offense is not clicking like right now, all they are doing is losing. 5. Mexico City Kings Current Standing: 4th FD Ranking: 5th (0.590) Goalie Ranking: 2nd (153 TPA) Mexico City has stayed relatively under the radar, at least to me during this season. Not much movement or noise or really anything has come from them, but such is the curse of a completely average team. They sit in the middle of the league in pretty much every way possible except for goaltending. I do not foresee this team making any drastic changes, whether statistically or in the standings, and will likely get knocked out in the first round after a hard fought battle. 4. Houston Bulls Current Standing: 6th FD Ranking: 4th (0.636) Goalie Ranking: 4th (124 TPA) The Houston Bulls got off to a very funny start immediately after the draft, gaining a massive lead on all other teams in terms of waiver players. While they have lost a few, some via retirement and some via banishment due to league violation, they were able to get even more waiver players to replace those losses, feeling really little impact in those losses. While their start has been less than ideal, they appear to be getting it together and should climb up the standings a little bit. Additions cannot necessarily be made at this time, as they are four defensemen away from having a completely full roster, already with 12 forwards. Growth will determine the fate of the Bulls, and whether they fizzle or fight. 3. Miami Marauders Current Standing: 3rd FD Ranking: 3rd (0.701) Goalie Ranking: 1st (156 TPA) Miami is the first of the “really good” tier of teams. They boast the third best offense and defense, and currently have the highest rated goaltender in the league. They have the top end talent and the supporting cast to do some big damage both in the regular season and come playoff time. Everything seems to be clicking right, and while they aren’t the best at anything, there aren’t any major glaring weaknesses. 2. San Diego Marlins Current Standing: 5th FD Ranking: 2nd (0.822) Goalie Ranking: 6th (102 TPA) San Diego, despite having a very strong forward group, have struggled a fair bit this season. After the acquisition of the greatest player of all time, one would have assumed this team would be at the top of the standings, but the scoring has not been there for the team, while being carried with strong defensive play, with their goals against being the second best in the league. They have the potential to be a possible championship team, they just need to get some offensive spark. 1. Las Vegas Aces Current Standing: 2nd FD Ranking: 1st (0.867) Goalie Ranking: 5th (117 TPA) The head honcho of the league, and not much of a surprise. If there is one thing Vegas has been able to do these past couple seasons, it has been creating and maintaining a good team. And although they have not had much to show for their success, this could very well be the season for them. As of now, they have the highest rated forward and defenseman group in the league, and will likely be stapled to the top of the standings for the entirety of this season. There really is no real weakness with this team, and unlike Miami, they are also the best. Goaltending might be a minor question mark but still very much serviceable. Aspirations are high for the Aces, and if you’re a betting man, I would say put your money on Vegas. (1510 words, 3 weeks o claiming)

With Season 92 now past its halfway point and the trade deadline one week away, it's a natural time to consider which VHLM players have been most important to their teams so far. It is the opinion of this writer that the VHL/VHLE/VHLM should have All-Star Games and in lieu of official selections, I decided to make my own selections and put together two All-Star rosters for the VHLM. The Format: I envision the VHLM All-Star Game as a 3-on-3 contest because that format seems best suited to showcasing the skills of the most talented players in the league. I selected one team each for the VHLM's Western and Eastern Conferences. Each team consists of 12 skaters and 3 goalies-- that's 8 forwards and 4 defenders making up 4 lines. I would propose playing a 45 minute game with 3 periods at 15 minutes each. The Selections: I think any good All-Star roster should include players from every team in the league, but should ideally not omit any players who deserve to be there. Thankfully, it was possible to create these lineups with at least two deserving representatives from each team (at least one skater), and no more than four from any single team. There were inevitably a few deserving players that needed to be left off to make up these numbers and I will recognize them at the end. Choosing goalies was the hardest because it's very difficult to compare their performances with drastic variations in games played and team quality. I chose 20 games played as the minimum threshold for goalies who were selected, which unfortunately eliminated some goalies who have performed well in a small sample size. I ordered the roster lists below by position and team alphabetically. VHLM Western Conference All-Stars: Houston Bulls - (RW) Trimiskez Artav @jake - 21G-32A-53P Las Vegas Aces - (RW) Elle Aura Ashe @Lynersify - 22G-29A-51P Saskatoon Wild - (RW) Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer - 24G-25A-49P Las Vegas Aces - (LW) Stinky @taylorherd - 27G-26A-53P Mexico City Kings - (LW) Loona Buckzo @WildfireMicro - 20G-25A-45P San Diego Marlins - (LW) Jean-Pierre Devote @eagle_3450 - 31G-30A-61P* San Diego Marlins - (LW) Dwight Shcrute @Jamomayo - 25G-30A-55P Saskatoon Wild - (LW) Forum Content @frescoelmo - 20G-41A-61P Houston Bulls - (D) Lucy Leitner @LucyXpher- 9G-35A-44P Houston Bulls - (D) Benjamin Abenduct @Schnee - 9G-33A-42P Las Vegas Aces - (D) Bric Sheithaus @Oldhead91 - 11G-42A-53P Mexico City Kings - (D) Free Gorlab @eaglesfan036 - 17G-27A-44P Houston Bulls - (G) Ondrej Vencko @Mutti - .890%, 3.06GAA, 15W Mexico City Kings - (G) Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen @Snussu - .899%, 2.68GAA, 21W San Diego Marlins - (G) Samuel Wazinski @samthemancub - .914%, 2.47GAA, 26W VHLM Eastern Conference All-Stars: Halifax 21st - (C) Antonia Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica - 26G-23A-49P Mississauga Hounds - (C) Wernher von Braun @Prof. Zach Enron - 21G-18A-39P Ottawa Lynx - (RW) Ivan Ivanov @KmaddFPS - 24G-34A-48P Ottawa Lynx - (RW) Steve French @Seabass - 26G-24A-50P Philadelphia Reapers - (RW) Yermolai Nabokov @fonziGG - 26G-33A-59P Halifax 21st - (LW) Aanarsi Reingaard @Laine - 23G-21A-44P Miami Marauders - (LW) Matthew Highmore @NineIQ v2 - 24G-26A-50P Ottawa Lynx - (LW) Wayne Shotzky @Kenamatic - 27G-30A-57P Miami Marauders - (D) Bilbo Teebaggins @SackButter - 12G-34A-46P Miami Marauders - (D) Pierre Ennis @DeciBell4 - 8G-28A-36P Philadelphia Reapers - (D) Enn Jinn @jhatty8 - 14G-37A-51P Philadelphia Reapers - (D) Magni Jinn @DontCallMeCarson- 7G-34A-41P Miami Marauders - (G) Shaunca @shaun1979 - .888%, 2.72GAA, 1SO, 20W Mississauga Hounds - (G) Marc-Andre Fleury @ElementStyx9 - .907%, 3.45GAA, 8W Philadelphia Reapers - (G) Jorgen Lovstrom @Pifferfish - .919%, 2.35GAA, 1SO,27W Notable Omissions: Houston Bulls - (LW) Chris Reynolds Jr @Crstats23 - 20G-20A-40P Miami Marauders - (RW) Leon Bruhmaninho @BigBruhman - 13G-28A-41P Philadelphia Reapers - (C) Taylor Swift @lilchrist - 13G-29A-42P Philadelphia Reapers - (RW) beaubeau primetime @Bobo - 18G-23A-41P San Diego Marlins - (C) Adam @Adam Ma - 11G-37A-48P In addition to selecting All-Star teams from the Western and Eastern Conferences, I also wanted to recognize the top players from the entire league in a All-VHLM Team lineup. For this full lineup of five skaters and a goalie, I selected the best players from each particular position (LW, C, RW, D, G). All-VHLM First Team (LW) Forum Content - (C) Antonia Bucatini - (RW) Yermolai Nabokov (D) Bric Sheithaus - (D) Bilbo Teebaggins (G) Jorgen Lovstrom Congratulations to all of the above players on their very successful seasons to this point. I think having an actual simulated All-Star Game would be a lot of fun just to see how combinations of the top players produce alongside each other. I apologize to anyone who felt they should be included on the list. There were a lot of deserving players and a number I listed who just didn't fit based on the criteria, despite having All-Star worthy seasons. Adam, for example, centers possibly the hottest line in the VHLM right now between Devote and Shcrute. I really wanted to include him but couldn't justify dropping another player. If you saw things differently or have other players you want to shout out, please feel free to tag them in a reply so they can also be recognized! Lauren Lambert for VHL.com 02/04/24 - Theme Week: All-Star

Saskatoon made two big trades the night before the trade deadline showing that they're interested in looking to the future rather then attempting to make a dark horse run this year. The first of the two trades was with the Miami Marauders which looked something like this. Miami Receives LW-Forum Content GP: 52 G:30 A:53 P:83 @frescoelmo LW-UghSike GP: 52 G:20 A:26 P:46 @UghSike Saskatoon Receives RW-Leon Bruhmaninho GP:52 G:15 A:35 P:50 @BigBruhman S93 Miami 1st round pick S94 Miami 2nd round pick This trade makes Miami look like a team to beat going down the stretch but not being done with just that they made another trade with their western conference rival Las Vegas Aces as the Aces looked to bolster their already powerful offense. Las Vegas receives RW-Annie Oaks GP:52 G:31 A:33 P:64 @Noodle Enjoyer S93 Saskatoon 6th round pick Saskatoon receives D-Masa Akimoto GP:48 G:5 A:18 P:23 @Hokikeijot S93 Las Vegas 2nd round pick S93 Las Vegas 3rd round pick We managed to catch up with Annie to ask her what were her thoughts on the move and how she felt about her time in Saskatoon. "I've had a blast playing here in Saskatoon for a great management team and some incredible teammates. But I'm entering a new leg of my journey and am excited to play hockey in the USA for the first time in my career, I'm hoping to score early and often in Vegas!" We also got a quick quote from Las Vegas GM @McLovinand he had this to say about the deal "We're one of the best offensive teams in the league right now, so adding Annie Oaks is only going to make scoring goals easier. I can't wait to see what they do in an Aces sweater." It remains to be seen if any other deals will be made in the ten hours remaining before the trade deadline (as of posting this) but these two trades may upset the power balance in the league. Saskatoon will be looking to build a future contender for the next few seasons with the haul of picks and two young players they've acquired and this appears to be a good deal for everyone involved. Samuel Weed Saskatoon Sports Tribune 362 Word Count

(I apologize in advance for any terminology mistakes or flaws this is my first try at an article) An All-Star, something every player in the Victory Hockey League aspires to be. To be an All-Star means to be greater than the rest, to exceed in your strengths, and to excel in your fields of expertise. It’s something that not many get to be, but yearn to. Some start as prospects only to stumble and fall, never to get back up and reach the end in good conscience. While others keep pushing themselves until they achieve their goal and become some of the greatest in the league. The league already has some promising players, some rising faster than others. Here are just a few of our rising stars from the Victory Hockey League; —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Saskatoon Wild Forum Content | LW | 6’2 | 220lb | 22 As our current top point leader, Forum Content is our first rising star. With his points almost being double his games played we’re sure you can see why. Forum Content always seems to find a way to either get a goal or assist a teammate with his nifty stick-handling skills and puck control. His Victory Hockey League career will definitely be one that’s followed by many watchful eyes from the media and scouts from other teams. Philadelphia Reapers Yermolai Nabokov | RW | 6’8 | 250lb | 16 One of the youngest yet most tankiest forwards is one of our best point-bearers in the Victory Hockey League, with his size and ability he’s a joy to watch on the ice. Although he’s had a rocky start, this young gun is one to look out for on the ice this season. From the looks of his past few games, Yermolai Nebokov has a real shot at being an All-Star if he stays consistent. Huston Bulls Trimiskez Artav | RW | 6’0 | 205lb | 18 This young forward has a promising future in the Victory Hockey League ahead of him, with an astonishing start Trimiskez has had an amazing off-season so far, his career stats being a perfect reflection of how well he plays not only for himself but for his teammates on the ice. His drive to score while also having a knack for team play gives way to the potential to be one of our All-Stars. Miami Marauders Bilbo Teebaggins | D | 6’3 | 225lb | 21 As one of the best defensemen in the Victory Hockey League, Bilbo Teebaggins is a great example of what a defenseman should strive to be. Blocking shots and assisting in plays is what makes this player so great, he always manages to be in the right place at the right time, always making sure to be in position and be that little bit of extra reassurance his goalie needs. Philadelphia Reapers Jorgen Lovstrom | G | 6’0 | 180lb | 24 Jorgen Lovstrom, making saves left right, and center well the rest of his team provides reassurance with goals of their own but they wouldn’t be so far ahead without a goalie as observant and swift as Jorgen Lovstrom. Being one of the best goalies this off-season we can definitely see him being one of our future All-Star goalies in the Victory Hockey League. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ These are but a few of a bunch of players that we can see being potential All-Stars if there ever is another All-Star event, we’re hoping to see the return of it as it’s always amazing to see the best players in the Victory Hockey League compete and have a chance to show off their skills ultimately seeing just who is the best of the best. 575 words Weeks including; Jan 28th - Feb 3rd

The off season sucks, and it is boring. No, that was not a clickbait title, unfortunately Erica has another (here's what wrong please fix) article. Obligatory Warning, This is not an editment on the Admins, Staff, General Managers, BOG, or Mods. This is simply My Opinion and mine alone. The opinions I will mention in this Article hopefully will spark discussion. I love this site and everyone who helps keep it running. Alright, here it is. The offseason is boring as fuck. It was mind fumblingly dull, now minus the World Junior Championships that I was lucky enough to GM for but that took all of what a week and a half all in? Give or take. Then it was just more sitting. Then the draft that lasted….3 seconds. Unless you hold a league job, which is easy enough to take up your time and keep you busy, or you get a brief reprieve by being selected as a GM for one of the world cup tournaments, there really is not a whole lot to do. The general user just sits there, waiting. Frankly the Discord is just not enough to keep attention, this is why I feel Offseason Turnover is so high. There is simply not enough to do, and I also feel there is not enough uncapped TPE to keep people involved. God knows I was in Discord with @JardyB10, @Ricer13, and @Laine most of the offseason. I feel maybe just a set of activities, like weekly Trivia (not VHL related) for uncapped TPE like 2, or something similar to keep the members who have nothing to do engaged and on the forum and or Discord. I understand it would cause more work, I understand how busy everyone is. But I feel retention on every level is also important and making sure we have enough stuff to keep people interested in the off season drag. Not everyone is going to like the same stuff I agree, but like one day hosting a Call of Duty tournament for TPE or small things like that might be just enough to enrapture and engane the members. Speaking with Jardy he gave me a wonderful perspective. “The off-season in the VHL has always been something of an issue, and it’s tricky to solve. On one hand, for a majority of the league, it can be a dull and uneventful stretch. Yes, there’s drafts and World Cup events to hype and follow, but unless you’re directly involved with these things, they aren’t necessarily interesting. Especially if you’re a brand new member. Though even if you are invested and interested in all the off-season activity, those events account for perhaps half of what is usually a two-ish week off-season (more if you miss playoffs or are eliminated early). No matter what, if you’re a regular member, the off-season means there’s a week where you’re not really doing anything. The flip side to the issue, however, is that off-seasons kind of NEED to be as long as they are. While it may be boring to the regular member, it’s the absolute busiest and most insane time for General Managers and the Admin. There’s a lot that needs to be done, and lots of organizational challenges, like getting a dozen people together for a draft… in three separate instances for each league! And amusingly, if the league were create more off-season events and activity (like the Junior Showcase last season), that creates even more administrative work and requires more commitment from more members. I believe off-seasons have improved over the years, but it’s still not perfect, and this balancing act, from my experience, is a big reason why.” You heard it here. Jardy and Crux agree...all in all I think we could do more.The possibilities are endless and I think working as a community could be beneficial as well. most of the article i know was this is wrong fix it but i wanted mainly to spark a discussion and getting creative juices flowing. I was hoping the article can be used as referendum about what we all can do as members as well as staff. we are all in this together after all. Through my various conversations with members it seems a lot of this can come down to presentation and engagement not from just staff but everyone, I think a few tweaks on presentation on say like the draft, or marketing and hyping up the smaller tournaments could go a long way Anyways again this is just my opinion, feel free to comment just be respectful much love Erika (Horcrux)

Last week, we looked at three VHLM players who might be flying under the radar in the early goings of the seasons. This week, I'll be highlighting three VHL Draft eligibles who have produced at the highest level at their respective position. If the season were to end today, these three players would most likely be frontrunners for individual accolades and a high draft position. Forum Content (LW, Saskatoon Wild): Currently leading all VHLM players with 44 points in 24 games, Forum Content @frescoelmo lives up to their name as arguably the top VHL Draft eligible player. With good skating, great puckhandling and passing, and a decent shot, this is a player who has become the focal point of the Wild offense. Forum Content is the only player on the Wild with more than 2 games played to have a positive +/- rating. Content has taken 108 shots and has 12 goals to go along with an impressive 32 assists. This is certainly a player who has been thriving within their team's system, benefitting from a wealth of opportunities and management's trust, though it hasn't exactly translated into consistent wins for the Wild so far this season. Saskatoon will hope that Forum Content can continue to produce at a high level to help ensure a playoff berth come season's end. Bilbo Teebaggins (D, Miami Marauders): On paper, Bilbo Teebaggins @SackButter is not a player that would stand out to most scouts. Sure, he's got decent skating and puck handling and is a solid defender, but the eye test doesn't exactly scream top scoring draft eligible defender in the VHLM. With 8 goals and 24 assists for 32 points in 24 games, Teebaggins trails only Bric Sheithaus, a Riga Reign draft pick, for points by a defenseman. Though his deployment has been favorable and he's had the benefit of playing on a well-rounded team that currently sits 1st in the VHLM, Teebaggins has proved doubters wrong so far this season. It remains to be seen if he can stay effective as the year goes on and the competition becomes more fierce. For now, though, Miami will have no complaints with Teebaggins' play and he is in line to be a coveted prospect in the next draft. Jorgen Lovstrom (G, Philadelphia Reapers): The top goalie the VHLM right now is Jorgen Lovstrom @Pifferfish. A native of Greenland, Lovstrom leads the league in wins with an impressive 17 in 22 starts. He also has the highest save percentage of all goalies with more than 10 games played at .918, and has the second lowest GAA at 2.31. Lovstrom has been a huge part of the Reapers' success so far this season as they currently hold the 2nd spot overall. With 1 shutout, Lovstrom is one of only three goalies to have blanked an opponent this season and as the year goes on, don't be surprised to see Lovstrom continue his goaltending dominance. Philadelphia has a well rounded roster with defenders who defend the net well. It's an ideal situation for one of the top goalie prospects in the upcoming VHL Draft. Lauren Lambert for VHL.com Claimed for week of 01/28/24

A quick click over to the VHLM standings and league leaders will give you a sense of which players are making a name for themselves so far this season. In this post, however, we'll be looking at 3 quality players who are flying under the radar after one week of play. 1. Nathan Ecker - RW - Houston Bulls @Nathan_8: Though his 6 points in 10 games may not jump off the page just yet, it is worth noting that 5 of those points are goals. Sure, shooting at 21.74% is not likely sustainable for the duration of the season, but then it's also not likely that he continues getting only 1 assist every 10 games. Add to that the fact that he is a rookie who is looking more and more confident with each passing game, don't be surprised if he takes a leap forward in production as the season progresses. Possessing good speed and a great shot, he has the weapons in his arsenal to be a serious player at the VHLM level and beyond. 2. Annie Oaks - RW - Saskatoon Wild @Noodle Enjoyer: 60 shots in 10 games. That's the headline for Annie Oaks so far this season. With a respectable 4 goals and 7 assists, she's had moderate success offensively, but it's not likely she continues shooting at 6.6% for long. Sitting at 5th in the league in shots, there are 25 players who have more than her 4 goals. At some point, those shots are going to start going in, and when they do, we could be looking at an absolute terror for opposing goalies. 3. Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen - G - Mexico City Kings @Snussu: The .897 save percentage doesn't exactly flatter this 18 year old Finnish netminder, but we're also only 10 games into a long 72 game season. In those 10 games, Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen holds a winning 6-3-1 record as the Kings sit 2nd in the Western Conference and 5th overall. It's still way too early to count out the 2nd overall pick from the S92 VHLM draft. With high potential and a quality blueline in front of him, look for Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen to find the form that made him such a hot commodity in the last offseason. Lauren Lambert for VHL.com Claiming for week of 01/21

Nobel Prize winning theoretical physicist, Werner Heisenberg, discovered what became known as the eponymous Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle in 1927. Short of embarrassing myself trying to explain quantum mechanics and particle movement as though I have even the most remote idea what I’m talking about, the way-too-short and extremely oversimplified implication of his discovery is this: You can never be sure of everything. Let me give you an example— if I told you that Bulls rookie goaltender, Ondrej Vencko, posted a .960 save percentage, allowing only 1 goal on 25 shots in his first VHLM start against the San Diego Marlins, you’d likely expect me to tell you next that Houston won the game. Certainly you could say that he put in a performance worthy of a victory…right? Contrast that with the performance of Houston’s other rookie netminder, third round selection, Herald Benson, who posted an .875 and allowed 4 goals on 32 shots. Please don’t get it twisted, I’m not dumping on Benson. I like the guy and I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him, but I think he’d be the first to tell you this was not an ideal individual start to his career. After two games, the Bulls sit at a record of 1-0-1. One of the above goalies claimed a win for his team, while the other took the loss in a shootout. Considering Benson came into S92 as the frontrunner to win the Houston net, could Vencko already be breathing down his neck, threatening to usurp his high draft pedigree only two games into the season— queue the goaltending controversy! Well…not exactly and here’s why. It was Benson who claimed the Bulls’ first win of the season, closing the door when it mattered most and holding out for a 6-4 Bulls victory against the Saskatoon Wild. Vencko, known drug apathist, was saddled with the loss as he failed to make a save against Marlins RW, Dietrich Reingaard, who slotted the puck past him in the second round of the shootout. Certainly, you could make a compelling case that Vencko lacked the goal support that Benson had in the first game. Though Benson proved to be a little leaky, his team helped him out by scoring 6 to nullify the 4 he allowed. For Vencko, the team in front of him was 0-3 on shootout attempts and 0-4 on the power play, managing only 1 goal on 28 shots. Surely the goalie can’t be relied upon to stop the puck AND score goals to win the game? Well…it’s not as though it hasn’t happened , and in the spirit of Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, you never can be sure that it shouldn’t happen. Hear me out, I’m not saying Vencko needs to provide his own goal support, but the bottom line is this: he lost and Benson won. At the end of the day, a goalie wears the record of his team’s wins and losses, and through two games, it’s Benson who carries the coveted W. And on the topic of carrying, let’s get to what this article is really about, the real reason I fumbled my way through a horrendous metaphor for the Heisenberg Principle. Are we really sure that Ondrej Vencko doesn’t “care” about drugs? I mean, look, a strange Czech man was stopped in the arena parking lot while carrying a pound of the clearest crystal meth you’ll ever see, mere hours after Vencko arrived in Houston from Czechia. For those who don’t know, this was not your average crystal. I spoke to DEA agent Schrader who came all the way to Houston from Albuquerque just to follow this case and he had this to say: “It was like glass. We’re not just talking about some street trash, Chile-P special, peddled by some burnout called Skinny Pete. This was high grade stuff, and whoever is producing it is not in the meth business— they’re in the empire business. 10 bucks says there’s another Czech involved.” Clearly this stuff was cooked up in a camper van out in the boonies, far from prying eyes, probably with bullet holes in the door because that’s just how these things go. Oh, and did I mention that Vencko is Czech? What’s the saying? If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a methamphetamine addict who also happens to be Czech. Did I get that right? Bulls Assistant Captain, Chris Reynolds Jr., was quoted earlier this week as saying, “We gotta get him [Vencko] addicted to getting wins instead.” It’s a telling statement considering Vencko wasn’t able to claim a win in his first outing, and pay attention to Reynolds Jr.’s word choice— “instead.” Instead of what? Folks, there is a goaltending controversy in Houston, but it’s not the one you expected. Are we really just going to take Vencko at his word when he says he “doesn’t care” about drugs? I mean, seriously, “Because I say so,” just isn’t going to cut it. So far he hasn’t demonstrated a winning record and even his teammates seem to be hinting at something going on behind the scenes. To bring it back to old Heisenberg’s Principle, you can never be sure of everything. Some say Vencko is Hasek 2.0. An 0-0-1 record so far says otherwise. At his word, he doesn’t care about drugs— but the surety of his word seems to be drifting further and further out of focus as days and hours go by. Look, I know, “Just because you shot Jesse James, don’t make you Jesse James.” I can’t sit here writing this with any degree of surety about anything, and lest I be accused of picking on one young Czech player, let me just say that there’s at least one other Czech native on this team. Has anyone looked in on Zinek lately? I’ll be following this story closely as the season progresses so stay tuned to see if any more breaking news comes to light. Lauren Lambert for VHL.com 1004 words: claiming PT for week ending on Jan. 21st

Tonight is the night when rubber meets the road— or more accurately, when a new class of VHLM rookies will take to the ice hoping to make strong first impressions. The importance of this season cannot be overstated as players will be looking to impress not only their current clubs and GMs, but also VHL scouts and managers who will, no doubt, be looking for breakout talent in the next VHL draft. Starting strong is important, but showing consistency and commitment to development will also be key for these young players as they take the next steps towards hearing their name called by a VHL franchise. In this article, we’ll be doing a deep dive into one prospect who, despite being a late free agent signing, has impressed throughout training camp for the Houston Bulls. Lucy Leitner fits the mould of the modern puck moving defenseman. Though some scouts insist that size is still a heavy determining factor in a player’s ultimate draft position, there is a school of thought that gives more importance to skills that help defenders move the puck up ice with purpose and confidence. Scouts who consider Leitner for the upcoming draft will have to confront these differences in philosophy and decide what kind of player they’re looking for. At 5’8” and 155 pounds, Leitner is not exactly tipping the scales, and coming off a serious injury that held her out of all but three games in her final year of junior, there are valid questions about her long term durability— questions that will need to be answered in this upcoming season. And while size, strength, and physicality may not be the sharpest tools in her kit, she is one of the more gifted skaters joining the VHLM this season. Watching her throughout her junior career and through a shortened training camp, she regularly made forecheckers look silly with smooth skating transitions from defence to offence, using her edges to create space and separation to move the puck north. In her last full season, she led all AJHL defenders in controlled exits and controlled entries per 60, consistently demonstrating an ability to carry the puck out of the D-zone and across the opposing blue line. If those skills can translate to the minor and pro ranks, she will have a much better chance of becoming an everyday VHLer. On top of an elite skating foundation, Leitner has good offensive vision. Playing for Black Diamond of the AJHL, she quarterbacked the top power play unit, demonstrating an ability to find teammates with deceptive passes, using her skating to walk the blue line and survey the offensive zone before zipping a pass onto the tape of a teammate for a quality scoring chance. In her age 16 season with the Blades she racked up 58 assists through 57 games, and was off to a flying start the next season with 7 helpers through 3 games before a season ending neck injury derailed her hot start. Don’t be surprised to see her start to show some of those skills in the VHLM as she figures to be a solid addition to the Bulls’ power play and will likely have plenty of ice time and opportunity to adjust to the higher level of competition. Leitner’s shot is an area that may leave something to be desired as she is often looking primarily for a pass option, or sometimes shooting just to funnel pucks to the net, perhaps without the killer instinct to actually score. When I spoke to her earlier this week, however, she did say that this was an area that she recognized could use improvement, and that she was actively working with skills coaches to develop both her release and velocity. If she can round out this side of her offensive game, she may have the necessary skills to eat up top power play minutes on a nightly basis. Lucy Leitner is not merely an offensive threat from the back end, but has consistently shown commitment and ability to defend in her own end. Again, using her stand-out skating ability to manage gaps in transition, she is capable of shutting down opposing forwards, closing in on them as they run out of space. Leitner also demonstrates restraint around her own net, playing responsible positional hockey when the situation requires it, waiting for the right moment to nab the puck and start the breakout. These skills may be most transferable to the higher levels of play as her commitment to defending will help her earn the trust of her coaches and managers going forward. Leitner thrives on creating turnovers and, despite her lack of size and physicality, she has a tenacity for puck retrieval, always wanting to be the first player back. This is a player who loves having the puck on her stick and that confidence bodes well for her chances of remaining effective as the level of competition increases. Finally, Leitner demonstrates a strength of character as a teammate, displaying a sincere love of the game and an earnest desire to improve, both on and off the ice. Former coaches have described her as an ideal student of the game and she embodies this through her commitment to training and practices. Frequently the first player on the ice and the last player off, Leitner shows a willingness to receive feedback, and the discipline to work through her mistakes. All told, the sky is the limit for a player who knows the value of practice, all that’s left is to see if she can reach it. Lauren Lambert for VHL.com