1. Fan Appreciation Day
Your team is giving back to their supporters by holding a fan appreciation day for one of their games, where the team will hand out a special commemorative item to show thanks for their continued support of the franchise. You have been tasked to design the product to be given out to the attendees (can be a rally towel, foam finger, bobble head, etc.) Write a blurb about the item, including details on during which game was / will be given out.

During their first home game of season 73, the Colorado Raptors are planning a free t-shirt night. The t-shirts have been designed by the Raptors star left winger Jussi Mutou and will feature the names of every roster player to suit up for the team in the previous season. On the front of the shirt will be the team logo with the words “Raptors Find a Way” written underneath. Fans will get the opportunity to customize their shirt with a name and number when they purchase tickets online up to 5 days before the game. “I know the season didn’t go the way we planned, but I still hope to see a packed house for our home opener, and this is our way of showing thanks to the fans.” Says Mutou. “I would love to see many fans wearing the shirt I designed in future games as well. Maybe make it a sort of tradition here in Colorado. He continued.

160 Words/3 TPE


2. Looking Towards the Future
As we near the end of S72, the SMJHL draft will be happening soon. Going into next season, what are your team's biggest needs and areas of strength? Do any holes need to be filled with call-ups? Do you have a position that is incredibly stacked? Give us all an overview of your team, from top to bottom.

The Raptors have a great young core with the likes of right winger Xavier Beausoleil, left winger Jussi Mutou, and defencemen Update Portal, Nik Smith, Liam Rodgers, and Valerija Serapin. Assuming Mutou and Beausoleil continue being solid offensively on the wings, the team looks to have a solid top line if they find a true number 1 center to play between them. Aside from that, a stud goaltender would really help the team score some more wins in season 73. Defensively, the team will be fairly solid next season if all players progress as they should. 4 rookie defencemen situates them as a solid team going forward.

107 words/2 TPE


3. Secret Plans
It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to gain a competitive edge next season! How is your team going to go the extra mile to get wins next season? Is it a secret training regimen? Sneaky equipment modifications? Booby trapping the visiting teams’ locker room? Anything goes.

Jussi Mutou has the perfect plan going forward. It’s not even against the rules or anything. Using a card game from his home country, Jussi Mutou plans to challenge the best players on opposing teams to a “battle”. Of course, Jussi is undefeated at this particular card game. I’m sure you’re wondering how this helps Colorado get the upper hand. Well, the loser of this card game gets sent to a mystical “Shadow Dimension” where their souls are trapped, leaving their bodies nothing more than empty husks. Obviously, an empty husk is not very good at hockey. Mutou believes this will help Colorado go 66-0-0 in season 73.

108 words/2 TPE

4. Funtimes
You have been designated as the team's official Fun Director! Now, everyone is looking for some sort of fun activity where you all can spend an afternoon or day to chill, hang out and build some team spirit. Especially after a long and stressful season, what are your plans to ensure everyone has a great time?

Jussi Mutou is the perfect choice for the Colorado Raptors Fun Director! Over the course of a month, 2 times a week, the team would meet for a super secret activity. Each player gets paired up with another teammate and together, they must come up with an activity to do with the entire team. For example, Jussi has paired himself up with fellow winger James McAvoy. Together, they’ve decided to do a “Christmas in July” activity. The whole team gathers and decorates Christmas cookies. They follow it up with a game of “Secret Santa” where the players have to present a pre-bought and pre-wrapped gift (done by Mutou and McAvoy) to another player, with their reasoning why they “picked” that gift. Of course, all other players have no idea what’s in each box.

133 Words/2 TPE


7. Winner Winner Chicken
At the end of the day, what we all really strive for is the Four Star Cup. It takes everyone's best efforts, an unrelenting determination to win and hard work to be able to hoist the glorious trophy. Out of the 12 teams in playoffs, who do you think will win the 4 Star Cup? Are you going for the clear favorites, or the underdogs? Give reasons to justify your prediction.

I believe the St. Louis Scarecrows have a solid chance at taking home the Four Star Cup. Their team is incredibly solid from top to bottom and are coming in quite hot. They finished the regular season 3rd overall in the league with the 3rd best goal differential behind only the Maine Timber and the Vancouver Whalers. They’re also a team with solid home/away numbers. While it is great to have a player finish top 10 in points, St. Louis is a team with very good depth. Add a great season by goalie Kay Lee, and you’ve got a recipe for a championship team.

104 words/2 TPE


8. An Alternate Timeline
If you weren't playing for your current team, which team would you most like to be playing for in the playoffs.  Explain why you chose that team and how you think you'd slot into their roster.  Would your player make a big impact on the team?  Would you improve their chances of winning a cup?

In an alternate universe, Jussi Mutou might find himself playing for the Anchorage Armada or Regina Elk. Both teams picked right between the Raptors two draft picks in the 2nd round. For the Armada, Mutou would likely slot into the 2nd line alongside center Joseph Reed, and right wing Bongo. It’s unlikely Mutou puts up as many points playing less minutes with Anchorage. But he would definitely help with the wing depth of Anchorage. For Regina, Jussi Mutou would likely slide down another line and play 3rd line left wing. With bottom 6 minutes and not much Powerplay time, it’s unlikely Mutou finishes near the top of the rookie leaderboard. But having a dynamic offensive player on their third line would surely help Regina reach the top of the leaderboard.

130 words/2 TPE


12. On the Radar
Write a pre-draft scout report on your player from the perspective of a journalist covering the prospects of the S73 SHL draft class. What do possible SHL suitors have to be excited (or perhaps wary?) about when it comes to potentially drafting your player?

Oh Say Can Jussi?

Meet Jussi Mutou, a dynamic offensive left wing born in Finland and hailing from Japan. After coming overseas to America to bring his brand of physical hockey to the SMJHL, Mutou has torn up the league. Let’s run down the stats, shall we? Mutou finished atop the rookie leaderboard in points, and goals. He was 10th amongst rookies in assists. He lead all rookies in total shots taken. He finished 3rd amongst rookies in hits. This is a dream player that every GM would want on their team. High offensive upside with heavy physical play to wear down the other team is definitely a plus.

He did finish with a +/- stat of -39, but it is tough to tell if poor defensive numbers is a result of rookie experience and a fairly poor team overall. But Mutou has plenty of time to work on those details before an eventual SHL call up.

157 words/3 TPE

Total TPE - 16