1. CW TRIVIA, +3 TPE
Nike

3. Four Star, +3TPE

The four stars located on the Four Star cup are there to reflect the forefathers of the simulation hockey experience. Sure, we may not just have four founders. And the amount of impactful members that we have had since the inception of the SHL is certainly a number much larger than four. But, we can still celebrate the key members of bringing us here by honoring them with the forefather’s Four Star Cup. I like to think that underneath the stars on the Four Star cup are names of our historic team members; the likes of Leafs4Ever, Spangle, JJKrever and others. As I think about the journey that the SHL and particularly its junior league has been through, there are a number of really impactful members who deserve to be recognized within the history of the SHL with one of its most coveted trophies. So, in my opinion, the four stars on the Four Star cup are constant reminder of four or more people who brought us to where we are today as a league.

4. Do you touch it? +3 TPE

Do you touch the trophy on the way to the Challenge Cup final? It seems like a no brainer. And the SHL doesn’t have any such superstitions in the playoffs. However, I have heard that there is one superstition that continues through out the league. According to many players across the league, the visiting team in the Challenge Cup finals often brings a water bottle filled with local drinking water to spread on the ice before game 1 happens on the away rink. Just like made famous by Nathan Horton when Boston played in Vancouver in 2011. Players in the SHL have picked up this ritual and are always trying to turn the away rink into a little home away from home. And can you blame them? Winning a Challenge Cup is hard enough as it is. Having that little extra juice from skating on “home” ice when you are away from home could be the last bit needed to take home the SHL’s most desired trophy.

7. Milestones, +2 TPE
https://simulationhockey.com/showthread....pid3235611

16. Just like home +2 TPE

Normally this would be a really easy one, but I transferred before I ever played a game for the good old USA. And in Japan, the cuisine is definitely a bit different than classic American grub. But there’s nothing quite like a good old sushi roll or a bit of sashimi. In fact, Japan has some of the most incredible and fresh seafood. A spicy tuna roll is always a fan favorite. And when we travel for the IIHF and I’m with the guys looking for some Japanese grub, the spicy tuna or shrimp tempura always seem to be on the list of foods we end up ordering.

18. Procrastinator special +2 TPE
The season didn’t quite shake out how we all likely would have planned it. At least, in my opinion. While the league and the playoffs have been dominated by the likes of Buffalo, Hamilton and Chicago for the last 10 plus seasons, it was nice to finally see a few different franchises than the usual coming out of the East and West. Tampa Bay has been on the cusp and ready to show the league what they are made of for the last few seasons. And, while Los Angeles has a storied history of strong Challenge Cup performances, its really nice to see them back in the finals again. Overall, it was a really great finals capped off by having some new blood see the ice on hockey’s biggest stage.

23. How are you? +2 TPE
I am in a bit of an odd place in my life right now but I am okay with that. For the last few years, I lived away from my family in Washington, DC. In January, I moved back to Boston and was thankful to be back close to my family. But unfortunately I lost someone really important and impactful in my life in May. Since then, my whole life feels a bit unsettled. Losing someone so close impacts all of my other relationships and the girl I have been seeing just doesn’t really fit into the life that I want for myself. But it’s hard to not feel like a selfish jerk when I think about telling her the truth, because she really is sweet and deserves the best. I guess this is a bit cathartic, huh.