One idea, a little radical but I'll throw it out there.

The intimidation comes from there being way too many sub forums. Merge things, and turn some forums into just threads in other ones.

Off the suggestions the two I think will help the most are grouping everything that you do to improve your player into one forum, then everything involving actual simming into one forum.

• Locker room
  
• Discussion & Announcements
  • Announcements
    
  • SHL Discussion
    
  • General Discussion
    
  • Create a player
    
• Player Development
  • Media
    
  • Graphics
    
  • Player Training
    
  • Activity Checks
    
  • Bank
    
• Game Centre
  • SHL Games
    • Playoffs
      
  • SMJHL Games
    • Playoffs
      
  • IIHF Games
    • International Ice Hockey Federation
      
• Transactions
  • Trades & Signings
    
  • Entry Drafts
    
• Miscellenious
  • The Hall of Fame
    
  • SHL/SMJHL History
    
  • Player Database
    

Then the player threads.