Quote:TASK 1: (Written, 3 TPE)
Most of us did not reach the Challenge Cup finals in S45 which means that most teams have more work to be done. in 150 words or more describe what (or who) your team is missing in order to make the Challenge Cup series. Is it a role on the ice that needs to be filled? Is it a specific player? Is it a locker room leader? Must include a mention of a build attribute for either a specific player that you think would complete the team, or the type of player that you think you could use.

You know, as the general manager of my team, this is something that I have to focus on and think about almost daily. Because of this, I'm left with a lot of thoughts as to how we could reasonably improve on our season and make the push into the playoffs next season. There's one thing that I have come to recognize as our greatest downfall. Experience.

We have if not the youngest, probably among the top-3 youngest teams in the league. We have a team that is filled with different charactes. We have the talent, the leadership, the necessary skills. We just haven't gotten there yet. We've come close, we were within 4 points the last two seasons. However, that isn't making the dance. If we make the dance, we have a shot. If we have a shot, we'll take that shot. So now, all it is, is getting the experience necessary to make it. It may be to add someone in free agency, it may be just continuing to work and develop to a common goal. Whatever it is, we as a group are fighting for it, and we will make it happen next time.

Word Count: 203 words.

Quote:Task 3: (Written, up to 5 TPE)
Pick up to 5 topics below to write about! Each topic is worth '1' TPE. Each answer must be 50 words or more.

1. Both teams brought in star centers to help them win a challenge cup in S45. Edmonton traded for Joe Kurczewski while WKP added Roman Augustus. Which player will be more valuable for their team in this upcoming series and why?
2. Between both rosters, create an all Challenge Cup starting lineup! (D, D, F, F, F, G) and in 50 words or more explain alittle about your selections.
3. 12 young players (S40 or higher) are competing in this championship series! Which young talent has a chance to capture the spotlight on the leagues grandest stage and why?
4. Between Edmonton's (karlssens and Keygan) and West Kendall's (JR95 and Wongy) which set of GM's have the tactical/Managerial advantage in this series and why?
5. Scout for 1 of the teams in the finals and give them a report on the what area's on there roster can be exploited in the upcoming series.

1. Roman Augustus will be. Joe has been a force, for sure, but he's also on the wrong side of the hill if you know what I mean. While his experience will be valuable, he's no longer the force to be reckoned with that he once was. Instead, Augustus is going to be that guy who takes on a prominent role and proves to be the most difficult and challenging player to face. He's still young, effective and dangerous. It's his time to step up and shine.

Words: 90

2. The forwards are easy here, putting Fletcher with Augustus and Kurczewski. Augustus and Kurczewski have a history together in Calgary and are obviously close and well versed with each other. They'll be able to form chemistry quickly, which leaves Fletcher as the one to fit in. That's the easiest on to fit, however, as Fletcher is arguably the most talented of the three and will be the premier play driver of the line. On defense this gets tougher as there's plenty of options. I would go Tor Tuck and Ludwig Koch Schroeder. Schroeder has the experience edge, while Tuck has been coming into his own more and more over time and could be the next big star of the defensive ranks honestly.

Words: 125

3. Piotr Czerkawski. Some people have a thing about them where they really take off in contract years looking to make big bucks in free agency. While I can't guarantee that with Czerkawski, this is a player who's on their last leg of their contract and is in a decidedly powerful role on the Edmonton Blizzard. While they may not always be on the scoresheet, every effort will shine through and I think we'll see a very important play or two from Czerkawski flashing the skills that will result in the big pay day.

Words: 96

4. West Kendall would. West Kendall has been to the dance before, and succeeded many times. They know what it takes and have built this roster to withstand most fronts. Edmonton is less so the tactical side and more so the managerial side of acquiring the top players in order to let them drive the play and make things happen. They've had quite a bit of luck as well at play, as they had a high PDO season, but they're a tandem that essentially won't wow you in my humble opinion. West Kendall definitely leads in this regard.

Words: 100

5. West Kendall needs to strengthen their defense. Beyond Schroeder and the retiring Ross, they're overall just a weaker group and it's showing. They still have the firepower needed to win the East, but do they have enough to keep Beaujeaux up against the onslaught that is Edmonton's hyper-prolific offense? That's a question that begs to be answered, and one that I don't know could be. This is going to be a difficult time for Beaujeaux to say the least.

Words: 85

Quote:TASK 4: (*CASUAL MEMBER SPECIAL* Send answer in PM, up to 3 TPE)


Sadley, little Tammy was not the same after the recess peanut butter cup accident of S44. Her parents took her to the pediatrician where they labeled the incident a 'trauma' and prescribed Clonazepam to help Tammy cope.. The doctors visit cost her parents $100 dollars!... how many recess peanut butter cup packs could little tammy have bought with that $100 if each pack cost $2 dollars?

** Note: To receive credit for this task you must send the answer to me by forum PM. Do not post the answer in this thread as you will not get credit.. Please make the subject of the PM “CW Special” [Earn up to 3 TPE for this task. 2 TPE for participation, 1 additional TPE for the correct answer] Also, please make sure to add this assignment to your post to inform the grader that you have completed this task.

PM sent.

Quote:TASK 6: (Written, 3 TPE)
Every player has a bucket list of things they want to accomplish before they retire. In 150 words or more write about the things you have completed on your bucket list and some of the things not yet accomplished.

I mean, there's some things that my dad and brother were able to accomplish that I never will. Leading the league in things like save percentage is difficult for a center. However, there is one thing that my dad was able to do that I want to be able to manage as well. I'm going to win the Ron Mexico Trophy.

Now if that's true, I can't tell yet. Alex Winters is a great friend and I hope for him to have a chance at one. Mika Mayfield is incredibly talented as well and deserves it equally. Jakub Novak, Barret McCarthy. There's a lot of great players here on Manhattan, let alone some around the league. However, if we're being honest here, I am the center of the spotlight and the star of the show. I'm going to be the one tasked with driving this play forward and making things happen. In this situation, I think I'm the best man for the job as well. So I'm going to do what my dad did back in S15 and I'm bringing back the Ron Mexico Trophy to the Aittokallio family. I'm going to do what my dad did and win the Anton Razov Trophy. I am going to do what my dad did three times, what my brother did twice and I'm going to win the Challenge Cup. This is a promise to my Rage, we are going to be champions.

Word Count: 252 words.

Quote:Task 10 (Written, 3 TPE)
Your player is out of the playoffs! Whether this is because the team didn't make it, or you have been eliminated, or you won the cup, in 150 words or more write about what your plans are for the offseason!

Well, this is two-fold. I work during the off-season in a lot of capacities. When it comes to Jax, the first thing needing done is a focus on integrating his teammates better into the play. A lot of passes went into legs, a lot of tired shovels that turn into opportunities the other way. It was a sloppy time.

Part of how he'll be improving on this is film study with his old man Jakub. This is just the way things go sometimes, the general manager needs to study the film and get a sense of the team as well as work toward understanding other players in the league and how he can improve his team. Thankfully for Jax, he has a front row seat and gets an understand of what's wanted. Unfortunately for him, it's while listening to dad jokes and it comes with a tailored workout plan afterward to get in touch with some other younger players like Winters and Mayfield to prepare and do drills around this. We want to ensure our players are communicating well and challenging the other team, not themselves, on every play. This isn't exactly easy, but it's a lesson they're going to all learn over the off-season.

Oh, and maybe we'll get in some golf. It helps with hand-eye and all. But mostly film and training, film and training.

Word Count: 238 words.