Task #1 - 3 TPE

If I were not playing for the Carolina Kraken, and could choose one of the playoff teams to play for, I think I would choose to play for the Newfoundland Berserkers. I chose this team because I remember talking to their upper management pre-draft, and they all seemed like cool people...and they are also in the finals, so that is always a fun time. As far as where I would fit into their roster, I would probably be playing on the 4th line, so more-or-less the same role I played on the Carolina Kraken this past season. I think my player would make a big enough impact that he would be strong 4th line presence, similarly to how I was on the Carolina Kraken this season. I do think I would improve their chances at winning a cup, because Patya is a big time player and an even more big time winner. Also, I think Patya would fit within the personality of the team's overall identity, being that of the berserker. Patya grew up in Russia, so even though he may not be the biggest and strongest guy on the planet, he has that irrefutable Russian grit to him.

(199 words)

Task #3 - 2 TPE

For the first game of the season, the Carolina Kraken are proud to announce a special fan promotion! In cooperation with, and provided by, our sponsors and partners, the Carolina Kraken are excited to say that each and every fan in attendance for the day will receive a commemorative player-autographed bobble head of the team's newest and greatest Russian player, Patya Perevalov! This bobble head features Patya in the signature home orange Carolina Kraken jersey, and comes complete with full game gear setup and Patya Perevalov's signature in silver ink on the bottom of the included base! What time is it? It's Patya time! Only with the Carolina Kraken!

(109 words)

Task #5 - 3 TPE

This past season, Patya Perevalov had the distinct honor of working alongside NEXT for AUTISM, a charity that seeks to address the needs of people with autism and their families. The charity is very near and dear to Patya's heart, as one of Patya's best friends from their time growing up together in Omsk, Vitali, suffers from autism. He was often shunned by their community in Russia, as they are taught to be strong and not weak, which for Vitali, was rather difficult, more often than not. Patya has been sending some money back home to his friend to help out, and thought that he should do something in the states to help, with his newfound fame. He has made several large charitable donations to NEXT for AUTISM, and also works with the children and families to give them a moment's respite from the daily struggles of trying to cope with, what can be, a strenuous and debilitating mental disability.

(160 words)

Task #6 - 3 TPE

C - Robert Black 
Not really sure what to say here. Dude has a huge point total and a name that makes him sound like a S-tier pirate. Pirates are cool. Points are cool. Put them both together and you get this guy. Also, he's British. Sounds like someone who would punch you in the face just for looking at him wrong. A solid choice to center the team.

RW - Leon Athanasios 
SHL equivalent of the Greek Freak. Greek Freak won an NBA title. Can this guy follow suit? Again, huge point total. Verified burier of pucks. Cannot think of a better right winger for this team.

LW - Cole Carter 
A big Swede. Some might even say massive. 6'5" 225? Holy shit, buddy. And oh, by the way, he can score too. Big man with hands? You love to see it. Put some size and strength on that first line with the skill. Perfect for left wing.

RD - Gregory Goode 
The literal assist god. This guy had 62 points as defenseman. Not bad for a kid from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Did you even know that they play hockey in Oklahoma? I did not. I thought it was just a bunch of losers saying "Boomer Sooner." Could not field an dream team without this beast of a man. The best right defenseman in the SMJHL.

LD - Aleksandrs Balcers 
A really tall Latvian. Another assist machine to feed the forwards. Put up really good numbers this past season. Has a cool first name that looks like it should have another vowel, but it does not. A last name that almost sounds like "ballsacks" if you say it too fast. This team needs balls, so we got them here with our left defenseman.

G - Evgeni Petrov 
Russians are the best. Everyone knows this. So what do you do with a Russian? Play him between the pipes. This guy was nuts all season. He only lost 4 games in regulation and another 2 in overtime. Has a 0.914 save percentage. This dude blocks biscuits in his sleep. No way I would pick another goalie from the available choices.

(Somewhere around 350 words)

Task #8 - 3 TPE

All things considered, I think this season went pretty well for Patya Perevalov. I would be lying if I said I was not hoping for more, but given my role within the team, I think I excelled. It would always be nice to play more minutes and get more points, but I think I was a very valid contributor for a 4th line winger. I thought that maybe I could make a run for rookie of the year, or maybe even somehow luck into a spot on an all-star team, but I really do not think I came close to achieving that. I am okay with it, as I would rather set the bar high and fail then set it too low and just crush my expectations. For next season, I think I just need more of the same. I will keep earning and improving my player and eventually get to the point where everyone who has ever doubted me will be sorry. 

(163 words)

Task #9 - 2 TPE

In my opinion, the most enjoyable series up until the finals was the Anaheim / Maine series. I know some people may not think so because the winner was inevitably going to have to play the Newfoundland Berserkers, but watching an upset is always a good time, especially in the way it happened. Anaheim wins game 1 and it looks like business as usual. However, Maine takes the next game in overtime, and then proceeds to win the next two games by one goal each, and Anaheim finds themselves in a 3-1 hole. They narrowly escape defeat in game 4, getting a 1-goal shutout win for Zhen Roza. They get another shutout win in much more dominating fashion in game 6. It looks like Anaheim finally woke up! OH NO! THEY WENT BACK TO SLEEP TOO SOON! MAINE WINS GAME 7 IN OVERTIME WITH THE ONLY GOAL OF THE GAME AND THE UPSET IS COMPLETE! I really think this was a classic case of underestimating your opponent, and Anaheim paid the price for it.

(173 words)


TOTAL TPE EARNED FROM TASKS: 16 out of 16. We did it!

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BONUS TASKS (in case a prior task does not meet requirements)

Task #10 - 3 TPE

Yes, we did unfortunately get eliminated earlier than most of us would have liked, and did not get to send the few veterans we are losing out on top. That said, honestly, the Carolina Kraken have a lot to look forward to next season. Our rookie class is extremely engaged and active, and that should carry over into the draftees coming in for next season. On top of that, I believe all of our rookies should very easily be capping TPE before the season starts, as I believe we will all be in the 330-340 range after the post-SHL draft training that we can fit in. Also not to go without mention is that we are retaining almost our entire line-up outside of a few players, so we should be able to make a really strong push next season that was even better than this past season. I think it is safe to say that next season for the Carolina Kraken is looking mighty fine.

(165 words)

Task #13

A - 1 TPE
As mentioned a bit in my dream team post, I am going to go ahead and declare that Robert Black has the best name in this series. Again, total badass pirate sounding name on a team that very much fits that identity, at least in my opinion. Also, I just want to throw out a suggestion here and say that he should have a tagline like I do with "#PatyaTime" except that his should be something like "#GetRobbed."

(78 words)