It was a tough year in certain respects. A few off ice incidents caused me some grief and my play on the ice was disappointing and I was never able to get out of it. Even with all that going on, we still did something that hasn't happened in a long time in Minnesota.

This season saw the return of playoff hockey to Minnesota. As a franchise, when you go through a drought like Minnesota went through, it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's been so long, you almost forget what it feels like to have any kind of success. Luckily, I was part of the team that brought it all back to the city. Our fans have been amazing and we wanted this for them and I'm so happy we did that. Sure, our actual playoff run was disappointing, but it wasn't about that. It was about finally taking that step and showing the league we're ready. I think this season was just the beginning and I hope it's the start of something big, for the team, the city, the fans, and myself.

(190 words)


I don't really think the idea of every team making the playoffs is a good one. I understand it's the juniors and you want young players to experience and grow in the playoffs, but I think you know what you're getting into when you join a sim league. The structure is very similar to real sports, you have fight for a spot in the playoffs. It gives players and GMs something to strive for instead of ignoring the regular season because it doesn't matter a whole lot. Let them get used to battling for the playoffs and make them learn that building your player will mean something. Also, now that players spend more seasons in the juniors, I think for sure they should be fighting for a playoff spot. Before, when there was turnover every 1-2 seasons I could see why everyone made it. Not now.

(146 words)


I've been through every era of SHL and I still fondly remember STHS. I understand the limitations that STHS came with, and I know why we made the switch to FHM. However, I still look back at the STHS days and long for them.

In STHS, my player might actually perform half decently. There's a lot of forgiveness in STHS for all TPE levels of players, so you can actually see your player produce. In FHM, if you're not loaded with TPE you just get buried by the elite. It's demoralizing and shortens a player's prime because they're only going to be good near the end of their career because that's their highest TPE point. In STHS, you can have elite players and still contribute as a role player. I know my player would of had a great season in STHS. At 1300 TPE, I would of been a solid top 6 centre and actually helped my team out. In FHM, I was awful, basically a liability on the ice, which is insane.

I miss STHS every day.

(178 words)


a. Buffalo deserves to be here just for having to go through Hamilton. The fact that they didn't even need 7 games to do it is even more impressive. Chicago, on the other hand, doesn't deserve to be here for one reason and one reason only. They got gifted Calgary in the semi-finals. Calgary is barely a team at this point and lucked their way to that point. Chicago got a cake walk into the finals. (75 words)

b. I think both are impressive in their own right. Buffalo having continued dominance for so long is consistency that every franchise wants to achieve. Chicago finding success in a relatively short time frame is great as well, it's what builds a fanbase. I'm going with Buffalo, though. Give me sustained contender ship. That's what I want out of my franchise, as a player and a fan. (66 words)

c. I really like the Chicago branding. The colours are unique, the city is great for hockey, and the logo is cool. However, the name Syndicate doesn't scream sports team to me. I'm more of a classic team name guy so I feel there's room for improvement there. However, I appreciate trying some different and I'm sure the players have latched onto it. (62 words)

d. In their short history, I think Martijn Westbroek is quickly becoming the greatest player in Syndicate history. There has been a few great players to come through, but Westbroek has the point totals, been in the elite class of the league for a long time, and has a championship ring with the Syndicate. That is the tipping point, along with the Playoff MVP Razov trophy. He will retire and become the greatest Syndicate. (73 words)


Verification: Strongo


Luke let me keep all this moolah after the heist. I'm not sure why me, but hey I'll take it. One catch though, I have to take the man out on a date. Time to show him a good time.

I pick Luke up in a stretch limo, complete with champagne on ice. I get the driver to take us to a secluded deck on the lake. There, I have set up a table for 2, under the moonlight, on the water, with our own personal chef and waiter. I asked around to find out Luke's favourite meal and had the chef prepare it for both of us. We enjoy our moonlit dinner and head back to the limo where there is now chocolate covered strawberries and Prosecco waiting for us. I take him home, walk him to his door and bid him adieu.

(144 words)