Quote:2. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min)
Alternate Reality: Physicists and other smarties believe that this reality is just one of infinite realities existing alongside this one in parallel. Take us over to one of those realities in which everything is the same but these S51 playoffs have unfolded differently. What happened in that reality's playoffs and who's in the Challenge Cup over there?

Oy, this is an interesting one. There is a reality out there where I drafted differently in S43 and we already had Luke, Alaska and Kimmy may even still be active. However, unfortunately, that isn't the reality we'll discuss.

This reality is the one in which things go as expected. Let's be honest, our decision to play Scottey Crawfling is what led to our winning against Chicago and going to our third Conference Finals in six seasons. There is a reality out there where we don't make the change, and we end up losing in 4 or 5 games. In that reality, the Syndicate go to the Conference Finals for the first time to take on Hamilton and run into a juggernaut. Thankfully, they're a bit more prepared in a way and manage to take it to 7 games before pulling it out and meeting likely New Orleans in this reality in the Finals. I think at this point, the magical run for Chicago ends as they're a still growing team and taking on a very experienced a strong New Orleans team, but the magic of the all-expansion Finals takes the league by storm and drives up popularity massively.

Quote:Word Count: 199

Quote:4. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min)
Pretend that your team has hit an injury bug - the roster is so depleted that your coach is asking you to play out of position. What position is your coach asking you to play and what about your player build will help you be successful in this new role?

I actually started as a defenseman in my younger years. I had learned a lot from Teemu Nurmi and Jackson Rogers-Tanaka and thought I'd have a shot at being one of the best of all time. As I grew older, we realized with my puck skills I couldn't keep myself on the back end. However, I've always wondered and that's where I'd play in this scenario.

My high puck handling and my great positioning would benefit me greatly. Look, as a center, I'm playing the middle of the ice and I defend pretty well as is. I've played much of my career on the third line having to square up against some of the best players the other team has to offer. I know the way to keep spacing, how to force a shot or pass, and the lanes that I need to block. I have a lot of people I can go to for help, and I know that I'd be supported and can handle this well.

Quote:Word Count: 168

Quote:5. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min)
The Most Generic Prompt of All Time - what is your player looking forward to in the offseason? What are they planning on doing? Training? Relaxing? Testing free agency? Whatever it is, let us know!

Yawn. This is so boring, I may take a nap. That's a thing people often look forward to, right?

Well, actually, having played with some injuries deep into the playoffs and needing some time to recover I'm going to be going to the doctor a bit. And I'm actually looking forward to it. I need to get some work done, I know this. I need to start taking advantage of my last years of youth and exuberance. I'm never going to be this strong, this resilient again. My peak is coming, and I need to be sure I can take full advantage of it. That means I'm talking to a sleep specialist to get my sleep walking under control. I'm going to work with an orthopedic specialist and go through some physical therapy to strengthen in a healthy manner and recover from some hip and knee problems I've faced. We're going to get this figured out, and that's what excites me. Next season, I'm breaking out.

Quote:Word Count: 166

Quote:7. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min)
The SHL, trying to re-extend popularity among a fan base whose numbers have diminished this quarter, is hosting a town hall think tank right before the finals. It is a well-attended event, and many come forward with ideas to reinvigorate the league. What are some ways the SHL can re-ignite that flame with fans and soar to new heights of popularity? (don't you dare write about sim engines here, pretend this is a real life hockey league and answer it that way lol)

Let's do some fun things. Step one, why not test out during the preseason the return of the dreaded laser puck? Honestly, we could have some fun with that and it can help newer fans track the puck. Or some way that we can make the puck easier to track.

Okay, okay. That'll ostracize some people. You know what's really the issue? We need to create a system for getting people out to games. We have no problems in viewing popularity. Our problem is in ticket sales, realistically. We don't get extra funds from television viewers, we get it from the people in the arena. The thing is, the newer generation knows this. We need to work on understanding our young fanbase and how to truly attract them. One thing a lot of newer arenas have done is set up an area as kind of a common area. They have a bar, with a bartender, the game is playing on a television and younger people aren't even watching. They're spending and they're talking, and they're inside the arena.

If we can find ways to make the game accessible like that, have events to feed into a culture that needs interaction, we may be able to draw people to the arena. If they're already there, why not watch the game? Why not spend some money on a beer, or some food? All of a sudden, sales go up and we have no problems. Let's start making events like football has tailgates, invite people in, have party areas set up in lobbies. We can make it fun to go to arenas again.

Quote:Word Count: 270

Quote:9. Written, 1 TPE
Write a haiku about an SHL-related topic. Be sure to follow the 3 line, 5-7-5 syllable structure or Godzilla will stomp on your house/apartment while you sleep.

How do you haiku?
I am a novice at these
Better at hockey

Quote:Please accept. I'm legitimately terrible at this stuff.

Quote:18. Casual Member Special, 3 TPE max - 1 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer - SEND ANSWER IN PM TO "PT DIRECTOR" (tagged below)
A. In which season did the Hamilton Steelhawks last win the Challenge Cup?
B. Name a player who has won the Anton Razov trophy while playing for the Edmonton Blizzard
C. Which Edmonton Blizzard player famously has a cow as their player render?
D. Of the 18 skaters on Hamilton's playoff roster, how many of them have a Passing rating higher than their Scoring rating?

**Important**: Send the answers to username "PT Director" with the subject of the message titled “S51 CW" - Do not send it to my personal account; those will not be graded. Do not post the answers in here; you will not get credit for the task.

Done.