TASK 1

Personally, I don’t think much is needed from this group to grab ahold of some silverware. The nature of this league, and professional sports in general is that there’s only one winner. We’ve been sort of conditioned to believe that if you’re not winning, you’re failing, and while that is true to some extent, it doesn’t paint the whole picture properly. I wouldn’t say we’re far off from a Championship, but the problem simply lies in the format. There can be only one winner, and more often than not there’s more than one team worthy of winning in any given season so it’s kind of just up to how the universe shakes things out rather than filling in holes or something. There’s no special step a contending team takes to reaching the highest spot on the podium. It’s just something that shakes out in your favor when you take the ice and give it your best.

TASK 3

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?

Joe K, in my opinion. I don’t have anything substantial to base this on other than his intangibles. This is a dude who’s been here, a place that this Edmonton squad hasn’t been to. That can be invaluable to a team. Having a guy to get everyone’s head right, to really put their minds on the bigger perspective and hopefully prevail.

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.

F - Oisin Fletcher
F - Roman Augustus
F - Joe Kurczewski
D - Ludwig Koch Schroder
D - Connor Tanner
G - Tommy Tuck

I don’t think this lineup needs much explanation. I’ve said previously that this Edmonton squad is inexperienced as far as deep playoff runs go, but that’s not for lack of talent. They are, perhaps, the most talented team in the league. Honestly, Roman is the only player in WKP that I’d actually put in a slot here, Schroder is just for name value and to throw the Platoon a bone so it doesn’t look like I’m too biased with the lineup.

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?

Piotr Czerkawski is a fast skating, silk-handed offensive force. I think he can come up huge for the Blizzard in this series. He’s due for a huge explosion in productivity. I see this kid on the ice game in, game out, and he’s always moving the puck. Maybe he’s not always getting to the end of these plays as often as he could be, but as long as he keeps it up, I think he’s due for a big time contribution to a successful Blizzard playoff run.

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?

Gotta give it to Edmonton. The franchise has a long history of putting on tactical masterclasses in this league, and there’s a reason for that. Upper management always passes of the reigns to the utmost capable individuals. For that reason alone, it’s a fair assessment that the Blizzard managerial crew has the advantage because it’s practically expected of them at this point and beyond their own personal capabilities they have massive fonts of knowledge from previous members of the upper echelon at their disposal.

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.

WKP’s defense has some holes on the backend. It’s a talented corps, but the deeper you get, the slower you get. In my opinion, the second pairing especially can be taken advantage of if you can keep them on the ice enough. Miss match them with your smoother, faster skaters, and the goals will come in kind. Their goal-tender is decent, but he’s just one man. Keep them on their heels, and the victory will be yours.

TASK 4

PMd




TASK 6
I don’t really have a bucket list, honestly. I think I’ve fallen by the wayside since the draft and thus am in a totally different place than I was then. Back then I would have said that I wanted to be an All-Star, a Cup Champion, and a highly paid forward in this league. As is, I don’t think I’ll get but one of those, maybe two, but only if I get really into the swing of things again. Aside from general career goals, I’d like to finish out the remainder of my career in Los Angeles and maybe carve a legacy in this great franchise’s history. I think I’ve let a lot of folks down in my career so far, but there’s still a lot of career left for me to make up for that. I’ve just got to buckle down, and get to work, the payoff will come. I’m sure of it.

TASK 10
My plans for this offseason are first and foremost, return home to Texas. California is a nice place, but it’s not home. Not really. I’ll spend a few weeks just winding down from the long season, get some stuff done around the house. It’s been sitting empty for the better part of a year so there’s some things that need to be straightened out. After I get that in order I’ll fly myself up to Edmonton for a little bootcamping. Try and get myself back on the right track as a player. Jackson Rogers-Tanaka, legendary Edmonton defender, has a facility up there for training and I’ve used it a little in the past but now I really want to get back on track and being there, learning from greats and training alongside some of today’s greats will be a massive boon to my upcoming season for sure. Once I’ve finished there I’ll head back to Texas for a bit before returning to LA to complete preparation for the coming season.