1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min)
VIP Status again babyyyyyyyy - your player has been invited to attend one of the first homestands of the CC finals as a VIP guest - all expenses paid, front row seats, any hotel you want - and it's all on the Commissioner's dime! Eggy has complained to me the past two seasons about having to pay for this so I'm graciously volunteering SDCore to front the costs for this season's splurge! Are you going to Games 1 and 2 in Edmonton or Games 3 and 4 in Hamilton? Why are you picking there? And what are you going to do in that city to run up SD's tab?? (This is the same prompt as in the past but we've got different cities! be creative! Don't re-use what was written last season.)

I'd go to Edmonton again, like I did 2 seasons ago. They always have thrilling games and I'd root for them over the cheating Steelhawks any day. Like pass the puck dudes, the fuck? I'd spend the day hanging out with my old teammates like Cuddles and Tuck, we'd go eat and maybe I would practice with the team so they'd be able to shoot on a good goalie for a change. Game 1 would be exciting as it's the second time they've been to the finals in 3 seasons, which is no easy task, and the crowd will be very excited to cheer for their team. I would make sure to get some nachos and a large soda as I go down to my ice side seats and boo Hamilton every goal they get. Hopefully people would recognize me and I get some photos and autographs with fans but who knows, maybe they don't care about me.

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?

Well, the alternate really is where we don't fucking choke against LA and actually beat their stupid ass in 6. We move on to face Edmonton where we put the beating on Tommy Tuck and our top line explodes and Nic Williams emerges as an early Razov candidate. He gets 8 goals in 5 games including a hat trick in a pivotal game 3 to come back from 4-1 down. Czerkawski puts it all on the line in his last outing, as does Augustus. The team comes up big in big games and find themselves in their first challenge cup final since s46. Staring down the barrel of a cheating Hamilton team, they will have to play their best defense to date in order to fight off the onslaught of shots. Luckily they didn't count on one thing: Cain has 95 rebound control. No rebound cheese allowed when Cain gloves everything.

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?

Well, Cainer has been a mediocre goalie but now is his time to shine. The D core is getting worse with Crutchfield riding off into the sunset, and Cain is going to become the true number 1 Dman on this team. With 1700 tpe to spend, he will instantly become a top tier defenseman in the league. Already blocking shots, Cain will be the toughest, grittiest defenseman the SHL has ever seen. 95 skating, 95 puckhandling, 95 penalty shot, there's nothing Cain can't do. His shot is garbage but i'm more interested in blocking shots. He's basically like a second goalie that can limit the chances against your goalie and give him the easiest shutout of his career. Nothing is getting through to the net when Cain steps on the ice. His endurance is also 95 so you can play him 60 minutes a night, he already does that now.

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!

Cain has had a rough couple of seasons, winning games and being lit up by a suspect defense and he has decided its time to take his talents to the market. He would like to hear offers and would hope he is valued as the top tpe goalie in the league by quite a bit. He's just looking for a team with a good LR, a good defense, and a team that knows how to win and get to at least the conference final for christ's sake. Cain doesn't want a 10x10, he wants a min deal at 1 season. NOLA isn't out of the question, but this was their year and they didn't get it done. With an engine switch imminent, I'd think a goalie with 1700+ tpe would be very valuable, and therefore every team should think long and hard about sending a pitch to Cain. I hope to hear from GMs soon.

8. Written, 4 TPE
Write a sonnet about an SHL-related topic. Be sure to follow the proper ABAB-CDCD-EFEF-GG rhyme structure or your HS English (or equivalent any-language Writing teacher) will track you down in and give you a failing grade.

There was a time when I would say to you
I don't need cups, my teammates are my pride
But now the site's preparing to turn blue
I think I'll pack my bags and go to ride

I wish my spooky teammates all the best
I hope to shut you all out someday soon
And if you score a goal I will not rest
Until I beat you in the dressing room

So now I'll wait until the calls come in
and see where my career will take me next
And when my teammates ask me where I've been
I'll tell them I've been playing with the best

It's been a pleasure specters, honestly
Will I be in NOLA soon? We'll see