Velevra

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.

The Frenchman is the Hero D.C. Needed In a thrilling and unforgettable finale to the VHL playoffs, the D.C. Dragons emerged victorious in dramatic fashion, clinching the Continental Cup in overtime of Game 7 against the London United. The game began with the Dragons seizing an early lead, with Keegan Gamble and Vincent Laroche-Gagnier finding the back of the net in the first period. London responded with a goal from Jack Jeckler in the second period, setting the stage for a tense and tightly contested final frame. Leonard Triller leveled the score for London on a power play in the third period, sending the game into overtime. As the overtime period unfolded, both teams battled fiercely but in the end it was The Frenchman who delivered the decisive blow for the Dragons, netting the game-winning goal just over 10 minutes into overtime. The Dragons erupted in celebration as they clinched the Continental Cup, and shutting down London’s remarkable run from the Wildcard. The Frenchman and Vincent Laroche-Gagnier were named the first and second stars of the game respectively for their stellar performances and the third star went to goaltender Henry Tucker Jr. who turned aside an impressive 51 shots to backstop his team to victory. A huge congratulations to everyone on the Dragons for the great season!

1: Who is your pick for the cup? D.C. Dragons or London United? A little late now but I thought it would be a close series with a slight edge to London. Clearly I was wrong! 2: Still a lot of season to go in the NHL, but who do you think will win the Stanley Cup at this point? The Vancouver Canucks who will meet the Boston Bruins in the finals and get revenge and not burn the city down 3: Another prediction. Who do you think will win the draft lottery and select 1st overall? Davos had the best odds so I would have guessed them. Feel like you cant go wrong with CIA or Victor. I think I have interacted with Victor a bit more myself so I will say him 4: What was the first hockey game you ever watched? Can you remember the teams? I think it was a game between Vancouver 5: What color is your player's stick tape? Black on the bottom and white up top was what I used to use I believe. 7: What led to you picking your Discord or Forum profile picture? I am extremely boring and just use the default that discord and the forum gave me

S92 VHL Finals Set Between London and D.C. The stage is set for an epic showdown between the London United and the D.C. Dragons as the two teams prepare to battle it out in the VHL finals. Both teams have displayed exceptional skill and so far throughout the playoff and the finals promises to be a thrilling series. The London United head into the finals all the way from the wildcard series. So far they have been spearheaded by the offensive talent of players like Leonard Triller (26 pts in 15 games) and Molly the Cat (21 pts in 15 games). Goaltending wise, Jesse Teno has stood tall between the pipes, making crucial saves when it matters most. On the other side, the D.C. Dragons have been nothing short of impressive, dispatching formidable opponents such as the Los Angeles Stars and the Toronto Legion on their journey to the finals in a relatively quick 4-1 fashion. The team's balanced scoring attack, with contributions from players like The Frenchman and Mark Calaway, has been complemented by the stellar goaltending of Henry Tucker Jr. Will D.C. be able to dispose of the United in a similar fashion or will the resilient United see their determination through to a championship. Regardless, it should be a great finals!

1. what is something you are looking forward to in the near future? Playing my sophomore season in the VHL! Hoping for a good one and our young team should improve! 2. what is something you are grateful for today? My good health and all the wonderful people in my life. Very fortunate to be where I am. 3. if you could time travel, would you go into the past or the future? Hmm I would say the future, would be cool to see what technology has evolved to. Hopefully nothing too apocalyptic though in the near future haha ----- Questions 1. Is there anything specifically you like about VHL off seasons? Drafts, FA, Tourneys? 2. Do you think VHL should something specific for the 100th season? 3. Who do you think the best player in the league will be next season?

1. If any team in any league here were to relocate, which team would go where? Hmm this is a tough one, I might move one of the swedish VHLE teams (Stockholm/Vasteras) to a country that doesn't have a team like Denmark or something 2. Follow up question to above: what would the team's logo look like? If you moved Stockholm to Denmark keeping the Vikings branding might also be fitting 3. There is a board of governors here, should there be a player's association? I'm not sure the need for one seems obvious to me at the moment but if there is a strong purpose for one then sure! Questions: 1. The Playoffs are in full swing, any surprises to you thus far? 2. Who do you think will go first overall in the upcoming VHL draft? 3. What would you like your favourite NHL team to do at the upcoming trade deadline?

London Complete Sweep of Nighthawks The London United stunned the hockey world this week as they completed a resounding 4-0 sweep of the Malmo Nighthawks in the second round of the playoffs. The Nighthawks, dominated the regular season en route to capturing the Victory Cup and were hoping to continue their dominance in the postseason. However, London had other plans, continuing their momentum from their 3-1 series victory over the Prague Phantoms. Thus far, London has been led by stellar offensive displays from players like Leonard Triller (18 points), Molly the Cat (14 points), and Wann Kerr (13 points). In addition to their offensive firepower, London's goaltender Jesse Teno, appears to be in peak form between the pipes and is boasting a remarkable .946 save percentage and a 2.1 goals-against average. If their offense and goal tending stay in this form for the rest of the playoffs, other teams might have a tough time competing. Next up on their path to championship glory is playing the winners of Moscow and Helsinki which is currently evened up with 2 games a piece.

Malmo Head Into Playoffs as Top Bird The Malmo Nighthawks have been a dominant force in the S92 VHL season and today officially captured the Victory cup and established themselves as the frontrunners for the championship this year. In a talented European conference Malmo has managed to amass an impressive 108 points with an overall record of 51 wins, 12 losses, and 6 overtime losses in 69 games. What has really stood out to me as a pivotal factor in their success is their balanced scoring approach and the collective contributions from every part of their roster. While they currently don’t have a 90 plus point player, they currently have at least 6 players in Viktor Jensen, Jacob Stone, Yaroslav Bogatyrev, Reese McFleury, Henry Eagles, and Ronald Johnson MacWallace III at a point per game or above. They have also got outstanding contributions from their young S90 and S91 players who have put up at minimum 40 points in depth scoring. As the playoffs kick off later this week, Malmo will mostly likely wait to play the winner of London and Prague in the wildcard series. While both talented teams, it will be interesting to see if those teams can kick it up a gear to compete with the excellence the Nighthawks have displayed all season long.

1: It's almost the end of the regular season. How do you think Chicago did and do you believe we can get better next season? I would say we placed about where we were expected to place. Definitely hope we can get be better next season with some good development 2: Do you play in any other sim leagues? None currently at the moment. 3: Who is your favorite fictional character? Mario... Lets a go! 4: What was the last book you read? The Surviving Sky 5: Do you believe Alexander Ovechkin will take the Goal record from Wayne Gretzky? I think so, would be cool to see it happen 6: What is your favorite type of ancient warrior? Sengoku Japan Ninjas and Samurai

Random Ramblings on Trade Deadline and Chicago 1) Trade Deadline – Looks like Trade Deadline is today, will be interesting to see if there are any last minute deals to be made. So far there have been a couple that have been noteworthy. The big ones that stand out to me are Warsaw moving some of their veteran assets such as Dogwood Maple (to Moscow), and Alfred Champagne and Clueless Wallob (to New York) for futures. Moscow is having a great season so kudos to them and New York is hoping these acquisitions give them the push they need to make playoffs. 2) Chicago and Schwarzer – The team New York is most likely to have to pass in order to make the playoffs is Chicago. We are holding down the last wildcard spot with a 6-point lead which is a pleasant surprise. Fingers crossed we can sustain it. The production of my own player has gone down a bit since being moved to the second line and second power play unit, but the second line appears to be getting scored on less so that’s a win overall. It was also nice competing with the top rookie scorers throughout the year but understandably Grimgor Ironhide and Leif Reingaard have blown away from the rest of the pack now.

1: If you were to make a brand of hockey stick what'd you want it to be called? Schwarzwood, sort of a play on my player's name and Sherwood 2: Would you consider the Phoenix to be buyers or sellers at this season's deadline? Depends on the market, could trade away some older players to stock the cupboard for the future or bring in some more young guys to help over the next few seasons 3: How many goals will your player score this season? Looks like I'm starting to slow down playing on the second line/second PP so if I can get to 25 somehow that would be nice. 4: Who will be the MVP of the NHL All-Star games? Austin Matthews, I'm clearly a prophet haha 5: Are you keeping track of prospects for the NHL draft? If so, who looks good to you? Not really, I used to a bit when I was younger but dont really have the time/want to these days 6: Who is the MVP of your favorite hockey team right now? I would give it to Quinn Hughes but lots of people performing well on the canucks right now

Phoenix still in Playoff Picture In the midst of a competitive season, the Chicago Phoenix find themselves still in the playoff hunt just over halfway through the campaign. Their current standing is a sixth-place position in the North American conference, with 34 points earned in 37 games. The Toronto Legion and New York Americans are still within reach with 37 and 40 points respectively. Their current position also aligns with the initial expectations of the team’s General Manager who in a recent interview shared that he was happy with the team’s performance and was looking forward to an active off-season where he would continue to build off the strong core assembled. On the player side of things though, the Phoenix still eye the remaining games in the season with a collective determination to secure a playoff spot. The playoff experience would be good for some of the younger players like Schwarzer and Collberg. But in order to do so they will need to become more consistent and not drop so many games to teams ranked lower in the standings.

1: Are there any players on the site you wish to play alongside one day? Eno Velvson, he has a pretty cool name! 2: What is your favorite thing about winter? I enjoy going skiing and skating! 3: Do you have any animals? If so, what are their names? No animals on my end of things. 4: What player type would you say best describe your player? (Playmaker, Sniper, etc.) Two-way/defensive forward is probably what I would say 6: Who is the funniest person ever? A friend of mine who always cracks me up whenever we hang out. 7: Do you think remakes (television shows / Movies) are a good concept or should the originals be left untouched? A good concept if they are done well which isn't always the case.