1. It was a rough season for all of the San Francisco Pride players, including Henrik Lekberg Osterman. Although, for all the failings of the rebuilding team this season HLO still put up some decent numbers and ice time. He was really hoping to up his goals total to at least 10 but he finished just short at 9. He played big minutes on both the powerplay and the PK and averaged just over 24 minutes of ice time per game, good for 5th most amongst forwards in the league this season. He played a much more defensively responsible game this season with 73 hits and 188 blocked shots while also moving over from the wing to play center this season. Next season he will look to improve his points totals while continuing to play his defensively responsible brand of hockey. Two-way hockey has come to be the core of HLOs playstyle and look to see him continue honing this brand of hockey in future seasons, all the while doing his best to improve from season to season as SFP continues their rebuild.

2. For me, its got to be S52 for entirely personal reasons. The finals of S52 were the first games that Henrik Lekberg Osterman played in the SHL and although in retrospect I obviously wish that we would have done a lot better and won, you can’t get everything you wish for. Ultimately, one might say that that run to the finals is what instigated SFP’s collapse and rebuild. I think it really inflated what the team was capable of and gave the team and management the proof needed to buy instead of build, leading to where we are today! After selling of the core, blowing up the team and starting the rebuild, San Francisco finished this last season at the bottom of the standings, I do believe that the team has a bright future. And although it is rough now it can all be traced back to this run to the finals in S52.

7. Being the shameless homer that I am, I would have to say Team Sweden is going to go far. Although the veteran core is slowly regressing, the younger parts of the team really are coming together. I really think that the team will finish on the podium this year and is capable of an upset and even a gold medal if all things go well. I would have to say that Canada or Great Britain are the favourites for the tournament however, with loaded rosters. I think Russia will likely fold early and get knocked out early. They have a fairly good roster they never seem to get things together for these international tournaments. I also wouldnt at all be surprised if Norway end up doing much better than expected. As for breakouts, I think Sven Svenson is due a real great tournament. His playstyle does well for these short stint tournaments and he will likely put up some impressive totals.

13. Written, up to 4 TPE - Pick up to 4 Challenge Cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer must be 50+ words.
a. Both of these teams have an impressive set of skaters - without factoring in any coaching or tactical strategies, which team do you think has the better roster of skaters on paper?
For me, it’s got to be Hamilton. The steelhawks put together such an amazing roster, even with all the trades they made. Being able to add both Theo Morgan and Michael Scarn in free agency proved to be a move that really put them over the top. Morgan put up the season of a lifetime, with over 40 goals and leading the league and both goals and points. Scarn on the other hand played a fantastic two way game all season and Ray Bork who traded for in the off-season put up some fantastic point totals in what would end up being his last season in the league.
b. Do you foresee the teams making any strategic adjustments during the course of the series? Should the teams be quick to switch tactics or stick with what they've been using?
I’m generally of the idea that playing to your strength and sticking to what has worked so far is how you end up winning. I do however think that matching tactics is something that can be a deciding factor in a 7 game series, making sure you are not on the receiving end of counter tactics.
c. These two teams hail from the Great Lakes Division. Which of the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior) do you think is the Greatest and why?
As someone who has never been to North America, I have no choice but to rate them by size and shape. Take Eerie and Lake Ontario are the smallest two and also don’t really resemble anything at a first glance, and therefore cannot be the best. Lake Huron, while having the best name, doesn’t really look like anything either and therefore is also out. Lake Michigan looks like a penis. Or Scandinavia. Or an aubergine. All these things I appreciate. But only one can win and lake Superior has to take the cake. Its in the name. Plus it kinda looks like Mr Burns.
d. If, once it is safe to do so, you had to go hang out in person with one of the users on Buffalo/Hamilton, who would you hang out with and what would you do? (if you pick gabe you get -1 tpe)
Not really knowing any of the other guys on either of the rosters, I would have to say Tweeds.
Tweeds is a legend in the SFP Locker room, a constant source of positivity and Borks ever since I was drafted by the pride a year ago. An easy choice for me!

16. Word: Hi