1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
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 S52 playoffs have unfolded differently. What happened in that reality's playoffs and who's in the Challenge Cup over there?

Of all the crazy infinite realities out there that I have the inside scoop on, the “big one” of this season would have to be the one where Delver Fudgeson puts on a clinic to end the season for the New England Wolfpack. In this world, the rookie d-man started blasting home goals in the final stretch, and NEW managed to squeak into the playoffs. Not to stop there, Delver kept his offensive touch up, and managed to lead the Wolfpack’s offense through the rounds, dragging the team all the way to the Championship round. Unfortunately, it was right around here where the effort faltered, and they fell short of their final goal. In the off-season, Ace still trades Delver Fudgeson out of town, but at least Delver sees it coming in this scenario, as it makes sense to sell high, rather than… well, what happened, which was selling low on a mediocre rookie.

3. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
By now, you're probably familiar with the attributes on FHM, and you likely have some sense of what type of build you're going to be aiming for with your player. What one attribute are you going to focus on most? Of all the attributes in the game, what is your player going to strive to be the absolute best at? Why are you picking that specific attribute above all others?

In learning the ins and outs of the new system, I have done some research into what I want my player to become. In his career so far, I have tried to become a goal scoring defenceman. I still would like to do that, but I have decided to go about it in a different way. I am starting my “FHM Career” attempting to see how a Rushing D style will work for me. Speed, shooting, puck handling are all skills I have focused on this off season, and I feel like I may have a competent build for that role. At the same time, I haven’t sacrificed defensive ability, which is something I was always focused on. If this rushing style doesn’t work out for me, I’m still in a position where I can easily transition my game into a more two-way style that will likely be a simpler, safer style. That is only a fall back though, as currently I am working on becoming as fast as I can to join in and help the offense whenever I can.


4. 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!

My off season started much differently than I imagined, and changed my plans for what I was going to do. I have had to settle quickly in my new Florida home after my surprising trade to the West Kendall Platoon. But my new Florida life has to take a backseat to the task at hand. I find myself training hard to get into the best shape of my life. Right now I could use work on many aspects of my game to push to a new level, but I am now thrust into a top 4 role unexpectedly, and with an increase in minutes, I am hitting the gym every day to improve my cardio. I was a bottom pairing guy in New England, and never really had to focus on what I’m eating and how much exercise I got. But now I need to be able to log big minutes, and we’ll see how my body holds up when the season starts.

6. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
The SHL is taking a stand and trying to do its part in reducing its carbon footprint. One of the proposed ideas is to eliminate back and forth air travel during the Challenge Cup and Four Star Cup finals and instead hold all 4-7 games in one neutral, rotating location a la the Super Bowl. Are you FOR or AGAINST this idea? Why?

Absolutely AGAINST. There is no way I think that you can do this for an entire series. The cost would be astronomical for the fans. If a fan wants to justify the trip, they would have to stay in the city and see multiple games, which increases the cost making it unreasonable to ask. It takes the whole city out of the game too. The best part about the home team winning is the celebration that takes place that night. Plus it would be easier for people who aren’t even fans of either team to go see them play. I think the Finals should be an event for the fans of the two teams that got there.

7. Written, 1-2 TPE
Our poetry theme this season is a limerick! Write 1 SHL-themed limerick for 1 TPE or 2 SHL-themed limericks for 2 TPE.

There once was a drunkard from Boston
He hated a young man named Auston
When the Leafs came to town
The drunkard would frown
The young man would dodge cans as he tossed em

Delver was once on the Wolfpack
Ace then decided to backtrack
He picked up the phone
Found Delver a new home
And told him “don’t ever come back”

14. Written, up to 5 TPE Pick up to 5 Challenge Cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer must be 50+ words to qualify.
1. Head GMs JayWhy and Grapehead have been GMing for a while, whereas Co GMs Luketd and DaftRaincloud are newer to management - which team's front office staff (including coaches) do you think will provide a strategic edge (lol as if such a thing exists in STHS) in this series?
2. Manhattan has been rocking a pretty evenly-distributed ice time for forwards (35-33-32) whereas San Francisco is going a bit more top-heavy (40-40-15). Which approach do you think is better for a fierce Challenge Cup series?
3. The Rage and the Pride have, in my opinion at least, two of the best logos in the entire SHL. Which team's logo do you like more and why?
4. What is your favorite player name on either of these two teams and why? (not favorite player/user, just focusing on their player name)
5. Would you rather: (a) a chainsaw lesson with JayWhy, (b) a private Gritty meet-and-greet for you and Luke, © an all-you-can-eat grape buffet experience with Grapehead, or (d) an hour session where DaftRaincloud shows you everything from his internet history?

1: I feel like it’s the safe choice to go with the veteran leaders here. Which is why I will be doing so. These guys know the ins and outs of the simulation and probably have plenty of backup options in the back of their heads in terms of lineups, if the series starts off poorly. This isn’t necessarily a comment on the teams and what the outcome will be, but if I had to take a stab at guessing which team has the advantage in the coaching/tactics area, it’s the wily vets.

2: Rolling lines and having good depth is important, but the onslaught that is the 40-40-15 can create difficult matchups to handle. The top heavy monsters coming at your third line so frequently is very hard to deal with, even as strong as one’s third line may be. I would bet on top heavy in these finals.

3: Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. I disagree in this instance. I wouldn’t even call the Rage or the Pride the best logo in their respective conference. The Jets and Specters are absolutely elite in the west, while Toronto and even WKP are mutants in the east. You could argue top 3 MAYBE for these two teams in the finals, but to call them the best over these competitors is a little much for my liking.

4: To find the best rostered name in these finals, you have to look no further than the bottom of the depth chart of the Manhattan Rage roster. Depth/Extra forward Backdoor Barnackle has made the biggest impact, name wise, of these finals. Having appeared in 2 minutes of ice time in his 13 games so far, his GreatName/60 is off the charts.

5: I don’t really know any of these guys, so I’m gonna be picking this based on the event more than anything. I think I have to go with the Gritty meet and greet. It would be interesting to see that mutant in person, and maybe get a decent picture and a story out of it. Maybe if I’m lucky, he’ll assault me and I can get on the news that night.


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