Quote:1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
Reflection on your season - how did your player fare on the ice this season? Did you meet or surpass your individual player goals or did you come up short? Whether you excelled or disappointed - what can you attribute that to? What will you try to do better next season?

Given how I performed last season, tying for the point lead and barely missing out on the goal scoring title, those were some lofty expectations to try and hit in a consecutive season . I am very happy with how this season turned out as despite missing out both titles this season. I was able to improve on my point totals on what was already an extremely successful season, having consecutive greater than point per game pace as well as demonstrating an ability to distribute the puck when I was more of a scorer last season. I think a big part of my success this season despite not having the same kind of even strength chemistry with my old line mates was due to the meteoric rise of Mats Marner, being able to completely dominate with the man advantage.

With next season being my first in the SHL, I’m definitely hoping to shore up my defensive game and aim to not be a liability at the very least while I continue to build my offensive game around being somehow who cannot be knocked off the puck.

Quote:2. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
This offseason will be extra exciting, as it features the rare expansion draft! Write about how you think the expansion draft will play out, either for one or both of the expansion teams or from an SHL team's perspective.

It appears with the surprise addition of Cassius Darrow as part of the exposed list for the Buffalo that Darrow will most likely be the first overall section of the expansion draft. There are a few tantalizing players to pick from but Darrow remains the most attractive out of all, especially with being a top earner in their class and easily a #1 defensemen on basically all teams in the league. As a result of Darrow being available, I think that’ll kick start Seattle’s decision to build a more immediately competitive team and make the most out of the two top defensemen they’ll already have between Darrow and Murphy. Atlanta could possibly compete for some of those players as well but with so many of them being UFAs with the likes of Theo Morgan, Bo Kane, Oliver Cleary etc., taking advantage of the many younger top choices will be the way to go in order to have a slower but gradual goal of becoming successful.

Quote:3. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)
It's too late for this go-around of expansion, so hypothetically - should there be SHL franchises in other continents? I saw some interesting European proposals in the PT. Should these - or proposals for any other continent that's not North America -
become a reality in the SHL?

I think that realistically with the number of other choices to possibly expand in North America, there’s aways to go before international choices will ever be taken seriously. If for some reason the need for expansion exceeds another 4 teams for both the SHL and the SMJHL, then there might be reasonable consideration for some more exotic choices. I would be interested in potential spots in the Scandinavian countries, both West and East Europe primarily. One of the primary factors for potential expansion choices is the semi realism of it being a possible hub that would accept hockey to some degree. While a place like Madrid or Barcelona are more known for European soccer than hockey, having the rabid fan base of those who share the same passion in European soccer would be a fantastic add considering how we already have many of those users on the site as it is.

Quote:4. Written, 2 TPE (100 words min.)

Which SHL or SMJHL team was the best team to not make the finals this season and why?

For the J, I think Carolina would be an easy pick as they were a potential repeat choice were it not for having to face Newfoundland again in the Conference Finals. But I do want to shed some light on Anchorage as they looked absolutely dominant in the regular season, especially on the defensive side of things. Not only were they able to allow the fewest goals in the regular season but they were able to provide staunch defense without taking penalties, taking almost half as many as most other teams. Their depth on their defense was quite possibly the best in the league and had a top 2 forward lines that could match any other teams. Above all, Scoochie looked absolutely unbeatable.

Quote:
12. Podcast, 3 or 4 TPE
Record a mini-podcast on any of the below topics!
- Highlights of the S55 season (on or off the ice)
- S55 playoff round-up
- S55 Challenge Cup/Four Star Cup finals Breakdown
- S56 predictions

1 person Mini-Pod: 3 TPE for 5 minutes or 4 TPE for 7 Minutes
2 person Mini-Pod: 3 TPE for 6 Minutes or 4 TPE for 8 Minutes
Post the direct link to your podcast.

https://soundcloud.com/nhamlet21/s55-cw

Quote:16. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 1 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer. This is now completed through a Google form linked below. Make sure to spell your answers correctly or you will not get credit. Post your verification word in your CW post.

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