Velevra

Phoenix Rise to the Playoffs In a thrilling winner-takes-all matchup (well takes a playoff spot at least) against the Calgary Wranglers, the Chicago Phoenix secured their ticket to the post-season in the final game of the season. Facing intense pressure, the Phoenix delivered a dominant performance, clinching victory in a decisive 5-1 triumph. Chicago wasted no time asserting their dominance, with goals from B-CHI D10 and Babay Shrimp in the first period giving them an early 2-0 lead. Despite facing a determined Calgary squad, the Phoenix continued to control the game, adding to their lead with Legacy Gaming finding the back of the net in the second period. As the game entered the final period, Yaroslav Trunov extending their lead early in the third period before Calgary managed to pull one back with a goal from Randy Bobandy. The Phoenix would still get the last laugh though with Bryce Woodworth sealing the victory with a late goal giving the Phoenix 68 points on the season, 1 ahead of the Wranglers 67. With their playoff berth secured, the young and determined Phoenix will now shift their focus to the wildcard round, where they are set to face off against the New York Americans in what is expected to be a difficult matchup.

1: How'd you discover the VHL? I believe I discovered it through the SHL actually when I was a member there. 2: Which VHL team has surprised you this season? I think Seattle has done a great job this season and are within striking distance of 1st in NA. 3: Who should be the next captain of your favorite NHL team? If Quinn Hughes left for some reason I would probably say Elias Pettersson would probably be next 4: Connor McDavid has 100 assists this season! Do you believe he's the best playmaker in the league? I personally think so, it's always a treat to watch him play and set up plays. 5: What do you think the Utah/Salt Lake City team name should be? The team should be called the Utah Salty Lakes to get the best of both worlds! 6: What is a type of food you'd like to try, but haven't had the opportunity? Would love to travel to Japan some day and try some sushi and other food there

The European Conference is a Bloodbath The VHL European Conference this regular season has proven to be a battleground of intense competition, with the top five teams vying closely for playoff seeding. As the standings currently stand, the top five teams in the European Conference are within three points of each other, showcasing remarkable parity. Leading the charge in the European Conference are the Malmo Nighthawks and the Prague Phantoms, both boasting impressive records with 34 wins, totaling 72 points each. Following closely behind are the Moscow Menace, Warsaw Predators, and London United, all with 69 points apiece, who could easily find themselves in the top spot by the end of the season. All these teams would also easily rank among the top contenders in the North American Conference who have the Toronto Legion with 79 points in the top spot and then a decent drop off to the next few teams who are around 66-65 points. As the season progresses, the race in the European Conference is expected to intensify as I’m sure all the teams will want to avoid the additional Wildcard round. It should be an exciting next couple of weeks to watch as a VHL fan!

1: Do you think the Phoenix needs to make a trade or two to be successful this season? Depends on the definition of success for this season. If the goal is to be cup contenders then yes trades would be needed. 2: Not sure if our Arena has a name, but if you had to name/rename The Chicago Phoenix arena, what'd you call it? The Chicago Bean Bowl Arena sponsored by Chipotle. Cole's answer above is probably better though. 3: What do you think of this season's Theme Week? (Rebrand) Always fun to see the creative ideas for branding that the community has. A pretty good topic overall 4: Which NHL team should rebrand? (Doesn't have to be a bad team, just one you dislike the branding of.) Sounds like the Arizona Coyotes are moving so perhaps a re brand naturally comes from that. 5: Will the Boston Bruins ever have a down year? I'm sure they will eventually, though I don't anticipate one soon, 6: The NHL playoffs are right around the corner. Who is your early Stanley Cup-winning team? I think Carolina has a pretty good shot this year, a really talented team overall.

Schwarzer Mid Season Review At the halfway mark of the season, Joshua Schwarzer of the Chicago Phoenix finds himself having a solid campaign, though there's still much room for improvement. With 37 points in 38 games, including 12 goals and 25 assists, Schwarzer has been a consistent offensive and defensive contributor for the Phoenix. Schwarzer's playmaking output has been commendable, as highlighted with 25 assists. Yet, with only a 5.77% shooting percentage, he acknowledges the need to capitalize on scoring opportunities more effectively. As such, Schwarzer is focused on improving his shooting in practice to boost his goal-scoring production and contribute more significantly to the team's success. The Phoenix find themselves in an interesting position in the standings. Sitting fifth in their division, Chicago has a record of 17 wins, 14 losses, and 7 overtime losses, accumulating 41 points thus far. Despite some inconsistencies, the team remains within the wildcard playoff spot, 5 points behind the fourth place Seattle Bears and 7 points ahead of the Vancouver Wolvers. As the season continues Schwarzer's consistent contributions will be pivotal in solidifying the Phoenix’s push for postseason contention.

1: Which teams do you think win their championships this season in each of the three leagues? (VHL,VHLE & VHLM?) I think in my predictions I said Malmo for VHL so I will stick with that, I will say Cologne for VHLE and Ottawa in the VHLM 2: What'd be your goal song this season? Maybe some AC/DC, TNT perhaps? 3: What kind of build are you planning for your next player? My player is still relatively young so not thinking that far ahead really. Will see what I feel like at that time and league needs. 4: With Rempe and Xhekaj joining the NHL in recent seasons do you think we'll see a resurgence of the Grinder / Enforcer-type players? Probably just depends on how strict rule enforcement by the refs/player discipline is and if teams feels a larger need for them. 5: Do you think Ovechkin will retire the moment he hits 895 goals? Probably not since if that happens mid season doubt he just bails on his team. 8: What is your favorite snack? Currently it is probably a small bowl of popcorn,

Wolves Shake Up Roster Over the last couple of days the Vancouver Wolves have made some surprising moves on the trade front, shaking up their roster and bringing in future draft picks in a bid to bolster their future lineup. In exchange for defenseman Liv Slater, Vancouver acquired a pair of first round picks in the S94 draft (S94 WAR and S94 MOS). While Slater's departure leaves a void on the blue line, I would guess that the Wolves' front office believes that the acquisition of additional draft picks will offer flexibility in reshaping the team's roster and addressing areas of need. Furthermore, Vancouver engaged in a separate trade with Calgary, sending veteran defenseman Jens Lekman and veteran forward Larry Abass Jr along with their S95 VAN second and third-round picks to the Wranglers in exchange for Thor Odinson and a first-round pick in the S94 CGY draft. While the start of the season has been disappointing for Vancouver fans, these moves will allow their younger players a chance to shine and provide the front office additional assets to build around the young core.

1: Chicago has had a pretty decent start to the season with a 7-5-1 record. From what you've seen so far, do you think we will be a playoff team? I sure hope so! Think realistically we will be fighting for that wildcard spot for the majority of the season and it will be close. 2: Do you think The Frenchman (DCD) wins back-to-back Mike Szatkowski (Most Regular Season Points) Trophies? I will say no and take the field but I expect him to still have a very good season! 3: Chicago player Yaroslav Trunov is off to a hot start. Will they end the season as our team's MVP? I would assume so, clearly the most talented player on the team TPE wise and has a solid build! 4: What is your player's nickname? Hmm never really thought about it maybe something like Schwarzy? 5: What player type (Playmaker, Sniper, etc.) do you think your player is? Two-way center who is decent on both ends of the ice. 6: Which logo around the league (VHL, VHLM, VHLE) is your favorite and why? I really like a lot of them, the league does solid with branding! I'll say Chicago, definitely no bias at all haha

1. What is your least favorite food and why? I'm pretty open to most things. I guess anything that is super blank and not seasoned? or if it has a really weird texture. 2. What inspired you to join this league? I think I joined SHL first and then decided to join another hockey sim league since I was enjoying it. 3. what is your favourite of genre of music to warm up too? Probably EDM or some rap. It's what I usually what I listen to when working out and not listening to a podcast. ---- 1. Any thoughts on your team's performance so far in S93? 2. Who is your early pick for league MVP and why? 3. What are your thoughts on Easter Egg Hunts?

Phoenix Keep Lighting the Lamp The Chicago Phoenix have lit the lamp in the early stages of the VHL season, leading the league in goals scored after just 10 games. Despite the small sample size, their offensive performance has not only impressed fans but also raised hopes for a successful campaign. The Phoenix have scored 43 goals so far with the Moscow Menace behind them with 39 (in 11 games) and the Prague Phantoms with 37. Spearheading their scoring attack is a combination of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, with each line contributing to the team's offensive output. Players like Yaroslav Trunov, Lionel Collberg, Joshua Schwarzer, and Legacy Gaming have been instrumental in leading the charge, showcasing their scoring touch and playmaking abilities. While leading the league in goals scored is undoubtedly an encouraging sign for the Phoenix, there is still work to be done as the season progresses. Maintaining consistency and avoiding offensive droughts will be crucial for Chicago as they aim to solidify their position in the standings and make a push for the playoffs.

Wow did not expect that, thanks so much Cole and looking forward to an awesome season!!

Phoenix Get an Injection of Youth and a Solid Veteran The Chicago Phoenix are gearing up for an exciting season as they welcome a wave of rookies into their roster, all set to make their VHL debuts. Bryce Woodworth, Karol Lamb, Darko Alexander Malkovich, and Amir Redzic are among the fresh faces at training camp this season. Another notable addition to the Phoenix lineup is veteran forward Babay Shrimp, whose had impressive seasons with Riga the last couple of seasons (83 and 91 points). With Shrimp's scoring prowess complementing the youthful energy of the rookies, Chicago boasts a well-rounded offense capable of challenging any opponent. For my own player Joshua Schwarzer, he is currently skating on the second line alongside Bryce Woodworth and Legacy Gaming. Hopefully they can develop some chemistry and synergy on the ice and Schwarzer can be a key player for the Phoenix. Overall, the Phoenix set their sights on returning to the playoffs. While making a deep postseason run is unlikely, the playoff experience would be a promising sign and a good experience for the the injection of fresh talent that has been brought up this season.

1: Not sure if we have a mascot, but if we did what'd you name it? Hmm I'm not sure, maybe Ember the Phoenix? 2: Which NHL team do you think deserves the 1st overall draft pick this season? I think implementing a "gold drafting" system would be cool so whatever team would get the most points after being eliminated. 3: Are there any sports you watch besides Hockey? Which one(s)? Basketball is probably the sport I watch the most other than hockey 4: Which NHL videogame was the best in your opinion? I think NHL 2004 was the one I really hit hard? Could customize your GM office and such. 6: What is your favorite movie / show genre? I really enjoy a good murder mystery or thriller. 8: What is your favorite Ice Cream flavor? Probably between Strawberry Cheesecake or Mint Chocolate Chip

Schwarzer Excited for Season Start As the offseason stretches on, Joshua Schwarzer found himself facing a different kind of challenge than he's accustomed to. Having experienced deep playoff runs in both the VHLE and VHLM leagues previously, Schwarzer had to grapple with a longer offseason as a result of the Chicago Phoenix missing out on the VHL playoffs. Schwarzer took some time off to relax with friends and family before dedicating himself to his offseason training routine to sharpen up his skills. With the possibility of him transitioning from the wing to center this season, he has been putting in extra work to work on his faceoff skills to get used to the new position and ensure a smooth transition. Another silver lining for Schwarzer during the offseason was that his agent successfully negotiated a two-year contract extension with the Chicago Phoenix, securing his future with the team and providing him with a sense of stability as he looks ahead to the next season. With the business side of things out of the way, Schwarzer is now looking forward to hitting the ice at training camp later this week, hoping he can play a large role in helping the Phoenix make the playoffs.

1: Do you believe the future is bright in Chicago with the prospects we've acquired this offseason? (Jean-Pierre Devote, Ughsike, Micah Cederbaum, Kevin O'Connor & Vanuza Kolesinska) I probably missed one... Definitely! I'm happy with the group we have put together and think we have a lot of good pieces. Just need to grow together well over the next few seasons. 2: Which attribute do you intend to focus on this offseason/season? Probably a combination of continuing to upgrade my defence and putting some points into faceoffs to be servicable in the face off dot. 3: Does your character do anything unique with their equipment to stand out? (Different Colored Laces, Tinted Visor, Jersey Tuck, etc.) Maybe some red laces or stick tape to rep the team colors! 4: I probably asked this recently, but I enjoy people's ideas...If you had to name the next VHL team, what'd you call it? Haha I think this was asked recently. I think I said moving the Stockholm VIkings since there are two swedish VHLE teams to the Coppenhagan Pagans/Vikings. 5: Do you like how the NHL handled the All-Star event this season? I didn't follow it too much but I think there were four teams with a celebrity draft? Seems like it caught interest so probably not a bad idea to switch things up to keep things interesting rather than always east vs west etc. 6: Have you ever re-watched an NHL game? If so, why? I don't think so but I might have when I was really young. I would say I have seen highlights/clips again rather than full games.