While it would be great to make up some elaborate alternative explanation to what the SHL is, I am not a really good liar to begin with and at the end of the day when I am put on the spot like that, I would probably just draw a blank and stutter while I try to make up some story. So as a result, I would probably just tell the truth about what the SHL (Simulation Hockey League) is all about because at the end of the day what’s so embarrassing about it? Especially when alternatively you could be branded or thought of as a liar if you try to make something up that is not believed by the other person.

I have had to explain to friends and even co-workers before what the SHL is and the best way I put it is that the SHL is a fantasy hockey league mixed with be a pro from any of the NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB series where you create your player except where you get to create your own story lines from scratch rather then having them be somewhat scripted from someone else. There are a ton of guys in their 20s, 30s 40, and older who still play videos or play fantasy hockey so in my opinion I do not really see what the difference is by being a part of the SHL and having a player in the league.

If my parents or boss or partner thinks that because I spend some of my free time as part of the SHL community and they want to ship me off to military school, dump me or fire me then so be it. It would probably be for the best to have them out of my life if they judge me for how I spend my free time when its not harming others who are around me or not harming myself (unless you are twenty four seven on the site and it prevents you from doing other things). At the end of the day there are a lot of more dangerous or worse off things you could be doing to enjoy yourself in the spare time you have to unwind after a busy day (for example, doing addictive harmful drugs, gambling your savings, join a gang, etc). I think that the stigmatization around video games, particularly fantasy games where you create an alternative reality are becoming more mainstream and acceptable in society especially with the explosion of e-sports around the globe so I see no reason why I can’t tell someone I know the truth about the SHL of how it is a league where you create a fake hockey player and become a part of a made up league on an online hockey forum. I have had some great experiences over the years on the SHL, met a ton of great people and would not be ashamed of telling people in real life about this hobby especially if I was asked about it.

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