I think I missed 1 of the PTs so will write something else. But I thought the season long prompt was pretty clever even though I picked option 2 each time, it was still very related to my player and my journey through the season. It had me thinking a lot more about the season this time around which has been really difficult for me lately because I've been getting bounced around teams and it's been hard to develop any kind of connection or continued attention to the team and even my players performance, so kudos on that. Overall I'm towards the end of my career here, and with the regression changes I imagine that will happen a lot sooner than I initially planned on. It's been a ride, not sure if I'll ever recreate again but it was a good time while it lasted.
12-20-2021, 01:56 AM(This post was last modified: 12-20-2021, 01:57 AM by kingtag1999.)
I chose prompt two. My favorite time so far in the SHL is time I spent with both Detroit and the time I'm spending now with Anaheim (where I'm originally from IRL). Overall, I had a blast. Detroit took a risk on me considering my....reputation (I'd say a tad bit unfairly) earned from ISFL (politics does fall under freedom of speech, so whoever leaked that in GM chat...well, I have no words to say to you that wouldn't be NSFW). Getting traded to Anaheim to avoid a divorce was fun heh, but I understand, me being in a few nasty situations regarding women myself (as a note, never anger a woman from Texas. I'm speaking from personal experience).
Edit: I did this earlier, but it was taken down. So, I will be taking a screenshot as proof in case it is taken down again.
Honestly, it's been a pretty sensational season for Kaarlo. Getting past 90 points was something I never saw coming, and to be a part of a team that isn't a powerhouse and put up those numbers wasn't something that I ever saw coming. I think for me, it's been a nice way to ease back into the league after stuff that went down over the last few seasons for me personally. I've enjoyed my first season with the Forge, and I'm going to be back next season to hopefully run it back again and have another strong outing with this team; who knows, could be another career year!
It has been an interesting season with lots of drama already prior to the conclusion of the season.
The regression changes seem to be the hot topic. personally, I don't like the way the changes are implemented. It feels like such drastic changes should almost be grandfathered in, because now many of us have spent 1.5 years IRL to build a player to then get cut short of the prime years.
I do agree the careers are too long, but I believe there are other ways to tackle that problem..
Additionally, New England Wolfpack lost the GM Kenvald and lots of contracts expiring. Many more GM spots opening up, is this due to people being bored or just the natural turnaround ?
Even though the season didn't end as we had hoped, we are really proud of the team we've built and how far we've come over the years. We've proven over 3 seasons that we're capable of being a top league and we're primed to be here for quite a while. We know there's a team to beat in the east and even though it feels like a lot fo the league has given up, we haven't. We know we're close and we're gonna keep fighting for as long as we can. I gotta say I'm so lucky to have the standup people we have in Baltimore. It truly makes this place worth the investment even through the losses.
Prompt 2: Write 100 words about anything SHL related. Venting, talking about your season, talking about site features you're excited/not excited about, fun times in LRs, whatever you want.
I think that this has been my most locker room active season so far. I'm still not very active at all, but it's progress! I was actually ready to leave Montreal a season or two back. But once Inf1d3l took over the Patreotes, things have really started to feel hopeful for the team. The locker room seems to be much more vibrant than it ever was before he got the job. I'm never going to be a full max earner in this league. I'm just too focused on other things. But I do feel committed to at least trying to do my part to help Montreal get better.
Even though I didn't participate in prompt 1 at all over the season, I liked that you at least provided the space for niche creativity and allowed for folks to opt into the option they wanted. I don't understand why people are complaining about it, as it seems like anyone can simply just choose the route they'd like to follow. is that really such a bad thing? What do people expect otherwise, a single prompt that everyone must follow regardless if they have anything to say about it or not? Seems dumb, y'know?
Anyways, I appreciate it. I also appreciate Sota and Boom for being good GM's and continuing to give me a roster spot and treating me as a valued members of the team. I will be fond of Buffalo for drafting me, and Atlanta for trading for me and also making me feel very welcome. But I will be most grateful to Sota and Boom for bringing me to where I feel at home. I may be a shit player but I have a good time, and that's really all I care about.
Well the boaty boiz made a dream run to the cup finals but it all came crashing down pretty quickly. All season long I felt like we were overplaying our actual skill level, and I kept waiting for the shoe to drop. But once the playoffs started and we swept a mediocre Raptors team and beat up a really good Vancouver team, I really started to believe that maybe we were as good as advertised. So imagine my surprise when we finally looked like a shitty team at the worst possible time. I'm not sure how many more runs I'll get at this thing, but it was pretty disappointing to not only lose but to get 100 percent annihilated.
Prompt 1
With the new player's consciousness simulation hockey tournament, Ryosuke Sato has been placed on the Superstars team as he is just about to reach the peak of his SHL career. With this, he is excited to be on the team alongside old and new friends alike such as fellow S54 create Dwight Knight, former defensive partner on the Vancouver Whalers Sven Yxskaft, current friends and teammates Bobby Lane, Adam Barron and Rhys Pritchard, and of course old friends in William Hartmann and Jack Kanoff. Sato was really excited to see all of them as they headed into the Superstars locker room to place down their bags and to start their first practice. Since Ryosuke, Bobby, Adam, and Rhys were coming together from Toronto, they already had a great time chatting on the flight and bonding over their excitement for the new tournament, but that doesn't mean that the chemistry was lacking with the other players. Seeing Hartmann, Yxskaft, and Kanoff again, they gave each other a big hug after a long time playing on different teams. It really took them back to the days when they shared locker rooms. As for Dwight Knight, there was definitely a mutual respect on how far both of them have come since they were just rookies in the league.
Stepping onto the ice for practice, the coaches were still figuring out lines, shuffling Sato between Adam Barron who is his current defensive partner on the Toronto North Stars, Sven Yxskaft to see if their chemistry has at all dwindled since they last played together, and William Hartmann who just recently switched to the blue line. When practicing with Barron, they just overall felt comfortable, training hard, but also able to crack a couple jokes as they do back in Toronto. When practicing with Sven, it definitely felt a little different at first, but they got into the swing of things as Sven commented on how much better Sato's shot has gotten. Then, when playing with Hartmann it was a bit odd because you can see the offensive side to his game is much better due to his time playing as a forward, so Ryosuke took control on the defensive side of things. Overall, after a tiring first practice, the boys head to the showers and caught up with some dinner afterwards. Even though it was just their first practice, you can tell they were all happy and excited to have each other as teammates.
Ryosuke Sato and the Superstars have been practicing hard and have gotten closer since the start of the tournament, but now it's their first game against the Up-and-Comers. Fans and analysts are expecting this to be a cakewalk for the Superstars, saying that the match up is synonymous with Team Canada versus the likes of Team Germany (sorry Team Germany). The Up-and-Comers have potential, but none of them can compare to the realized skill of the Superstars.
Starting the game, Sato was benched as the 7th defenseman as the likes of Sven Yxskaft and Jukka Timonen manned the top defensive line. The Superstars came hot out of the gates scoring 3 goals early with points for their top line of Ethan Duncan, Ryuuji Minamino, and Steve Harrington. There was a bit of a push back from the Up-and-Comers, but the team and coaching staff soon realized that this game was locked in with the great goaltending performance by Strom Chamberlain. With this, the coaching staff started playing more equal ice time, having scored 2 more goals in the 2nd period, and gave Ryosuke Sato his first sniff of tournament play. Playing a strong defensive game, the team limited shots and Sato was a +2 by the end of the the game. The Up-and-Comers were able to score one on the powerplay, ruining Chamberlain's shutout, but the Superstars came out victorious with a 7-1 win. The teams gave each other respectful handshakes as the Superstars saw great potential from the Up-and-Comers.
The Superstars heading into the game against the Hall-of-Famers, both teams have had perfect records in the tournament so far. Both teams had their perfect records on the line, but seeing that the Hall-of-Famers team was comprised of retired players, the Superstar team began to slack a little bit, believing they were the top-dogs of the tournament. Oh boy were they wrong... The Hall-of-Famers came out strong with their players and their goaltender Benjamin Blue didn't seem too far removed from his prime years in the SHL. Due to their belief that the game would be easy, Sato's teammates didn't have the right conditioning and mindset before it was too late. The Hall-of-Famers ended up winning the game 5-3 after scoring the first 4 early in the game, an absolutely disappointing performance for the Superstars.
Heading back to the locker room, the coach was furious at the team for doubting the opponent. The veteran leadership on the team in Adam Barron tried to talk up the team to keep their spirits high for the coming games, but at the time the rest of the players weren't feeling it. The youngins on the team in Dwight Knight and Ryosuke Sato both had their heads low as they thought they could have put in more of an effort and the -3 on the night for both of them definitely didn't sit too well. However, eventually the team snapped out of it and they went to go grab a quiet team dinner before calling it a night.
This loss was a reminder that every game matters and they can't let their foot off the gas pedal. In the coming days, the team held extra practices and players seeked more one-on-one coaching to make sure such a loss wouldn't happen as easily, if at all.
The Grizzled Vets who have proven they can win and have the experience versus the new age of dominant players in the league, the Superstars. It was quite the match as you expected as the Superstars and Grizzled Vets both came out cautious of the other, making the smart plays throughout the 1st period with the score 0-0. The goalies are making spectacular saves as Sato watches from the bench this important game (he is the 7th defenseman). The referees have been good in not intervening, but in the 2nd period the Superstars take a blatant hooking penalty which put the Grizzled Vets on the powerplay. It turned out to be a bad move for the Superstars as Theo Morgan scores on the powerplay for the Grizzled Vets to put the Superstars down 0-1. The rest of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd was pretty much the same as the 1st with limited scoring chances from both teams, but with the minutes dying down the Superstars get desperate. They pull their goalie to put an extra-attacker on the ice. With 2 minutes left and an empty net, it is none other than Ryuuji Minamino who ties the game! The teams enter overtime 1-1 with shots on both ends of the ice, but the Grizzled Vets finally make a mistake which springs the speedy Jimmy Wagner on a breakaway. He dekes and he scores! The Superstars win the nailbiter!
The team hops off the bench to pile on Jimmy Wagner for his spectacular goal to send their team off to the next round! The players sing and cheer all the way back to the locker room where they are hyped and ready for the next game. The coach enters congratulating the team and telling them to celebrate, but not to forget that there's still the next game.
Superstars versus the Hall-of-Famers, round 2. The first time the two teams matched up the Superstars let the game slip away from them early and they eventually loss the game in a nailbiter, but after that game the team has been on a tear, vowing not to get lazy around the other teams. This time the Superstars came out flying. A goal from Ryuuji Minamino early in the 1st and the team played well in the transition. Jimmy Wagner really showed off his speed against the aging legends on the other team while the Superstars kept the Hall-of-Famers scoreless in the 1st, The 2nd period saw the two teams get a little physical. Rhys Pritchard was throwing big hits against the old Hall-of-Famers, but that was responded with DeMaricus Smyth on the Hall-of-Famers. Line tussles would ensue after ever whistle as the Hall-of -Famers were getting frustrated with their lack of goalscoring. Despite roughing and fighting calls that resulted in 4-on-4 hockey, no one had a clear powerplay until early in the 3rd where a hit from Rhys Pritchard took it a bit too far and was called for cross-checking. On the powerplay the Hall-of-Famers got on the board from the timeless Flacko Lagerfield. The game is tied 1-1 and it stays that way headed into continuous overtime. The goalies are standing on their heads as the teams go back and forth, but it is eventually a rather unexpected hero that seals the game. Dwight Knight was cycling in the offensive zone and behind the net he received a pass from Zoltan Topalo. The goalie didn't know where it went and Knight's quick shot passed him top shelf! The team all hops on the ice and celebrates this hard earned win!
(P.S. quite enjoyed the story prompt! Really got me writing in comparison to the other ones)
PT 1:
My player would definitely be eligible for the grizzled veterans team. In considering who else would be there with me, I have to consider the style of eligibility. Right now in the sister league, the NHL, Jaromir Jagr is not on an active roster, but as recently as 2018 he was lacing up for the Calgary Flames. In 2018, he was certainly the quintessential "grizzled vet" but I don't know if he was in the top 20 best grizzled vets on account of him being too grizzled and too vet. For the sake of this PT, I'll argue that he should be on that team, even if just a mascot alone. Plus everyone knows his name will sell a few more jerseys and tickets. with that in mind, I'll be judging anyone in the 15% or higher regression tier as "grizzled".
My top selection is Tony Pepperoni. The man has played at a high level since s43 and has won accolades deep into regression.
Also making the list: Slip McScruff - the shot blocking extraordinaire, Cassius Darrow - the balanced blue liner, and Otis B. Driftwood - the man with 1 million hits.
The practices are pretty laid back because we all know that we can't get much better. Darrow is a workhorse, though. A lot of time is committed to stretching. Most of us like to skate, learn each other's tendencies, and then grab beers.
PT 2:
As an old head, i'm more obsessed with the Edmonton young guns. I'm biased because I consider everyone younger than me a young gun. Jean Paul Boivin has just retired, but he's still on my list up-and-comers.
During warm-ups Julio does slow laps, lobbing in wristers from the blue line while eyeing the opposite end of the sheet for interesting players. there are no immediate rivals on the other end, but Pasta the Turtle is a friend from Edmonton. Julio would do some stretches near center ice to invite Pasta to come over and slap his knee/shin pad as a sign of respect, or perhaps the other way around. If he stopped to chat with me, we would joke about how Tater didn't make the team because Julio has been such dead weight all season and slowed down tater's line, and how Julio is only there on reputation.
PT 3:
its a good growth moment for the team. in the locker room we're immediately disappointed, but in seeing that a bunch of oldheads can still put in that effort to get the work done, than we definitely can too. our roster is all older players, many of which will be in the hall of fame. If members of our roster truly deserve to be in the hall, then they need to be able to put in that effort and showcase their abilities now, against the names and legends that are already there.
Captain (Pepperoni, maybe?) waits in the hallway and tells the coaches that he'd like a word with the team before the coaches have at them. Tony speaks on accountability and finishing the job. This tournament isn't about statistics, it is about pride and legacy, and the current effort shown is not enough to accomplish either.
The coaches come in post-talk and nod. the veterans crack a few less beers on the bus ride back to the hotel.
PT 4:
Grizzled vets beat the up and comers. It wasn't pretty, but we got it done. Despite playing them before, some of the lazier players on the roster didn't make a lot of adjustments to their play style. The up and comers are fast, exciting, and good for growing the game (and word count of this PT). The new generation seems different than the other ones. They stay in and play video games instead of going out the night before games. It is a time-honored tradition in the hockey community to abuse your body with booze, cigs, and poor sleep before big games, but these kids just watch game film, rest, and eat balanced meals.
The game is won with careful passing and game awareness, not with speed. A little bit of old-man strength is present, but really its an extensive knowledge of the game and pride that elevates these old heads past the young guns.
Toko got a helper, but it was a secondary assist at the end of a shift. Not too exciting.
PT 5:
i was going to write about how Harry Carpet saved it for team grizzled vets, but Carpet is still killing it and might in fact be "saving it" for the super star team. Scrolling through the index and I see that there are a handful of players that I had thought were going to be "grizzled vets" but are still performing at a "super star" level, namely Cassius Darrow, Theo Morgan, Monkey D Luffy, and the entire Syndicate roster (sorry Jess. too superstar to play with us).
Eko Van Otter, Corey Kennedy, Gabe Johnson, Dick Clapper, Matt Kholin, Esa Parmborg, Brennan Kennedy, and Tony Pepperoni all play well. These were players who learned to ignore tokolosh and wagstrom clapping their sticks, looking for outside one-timers. these players have coached and managed and learned to utilize sub 1800 builds, while the latter just grinded so that they could coast and ask the former for build advice. super stars win and the loss is shouldered by the whole team, because they are professionals, but everyone knows that it was julio's fault.
In my index clicking, I see that the league only had 4 fights this season. fucking soft.
Well, it's almost over, isn't it? The year, that is. Our season already ended a while back and while it's a bit sour that I don't get to leave the minors with another piece of silverware to my name, I'm not too miffed about it, to be honest. My year presented some bigger fish to fry (the biggest one of the bunch being a thesis I had to finish last year) and while the end of the year itself is likely going to be amidst summer storms, I'm fine with what I got. Here's looking forward to my time with the Rage, assuming I don't get send off somewhere else.
Player Page - Update Page
Former Players: Yoshimitsu McCloud (LW, #64) - Won a Four Star Cup once, knew ninjutsu, picture editors hated him, never tried free agency
Anton Harrier (LW, #90) - Won WJC gold, liked skateboarding a lot, went to the finals with Manhattan, kept his seat glued in LR
I kind of like the regression changes, I always intended to max earn until my player was no longer needed but it's been almost 3 years now and it was looking like I'd have to keep updating my player for 2 more years, and obviously with the harsher regression scale my career won't be as long which is good at the end of the day. Of course, it also means that my player will regress much quicker and this was probably my last ppg season (sadge). I wish I had done a little better during the regular season, my shooting percentage was the lowest in 5 seasons, but at least it rebounded in the playoffs.
You know what is boring? Having a select few teams find any kind of success. Maybe I've been around the league for too long but there was a time when it was rare to see the same team get into the finals more then once every few seasons. Now we have teams like Hamilton and Buffalo being pretty much fucking fixtures in them. It kinda kills a bit of the enjoyment of the league. At least for me. Why am I bothering to try and build up another team when one of a select few are going to get in there regardless of what I do. Feels like you can't make an impact if you're not lucky enough to be on one of the few teams that were setup right when the sims switched over.
135 words
Andren Akerson (Present)
Adrik Baranov (S55 to S70)
Rurik Razin (S32 to S44)
Roy Razin (S17 to S32) (HOF/Rage HOF)
Audun Wissink (S5 to S15)
I have to say I'm quite excited to step down from the GM position. Not that I didn't enjoy it most or the time. But I've realized that it's not for me. I have had a lot of fun along the way. Building the team from the ground up has been a great and challenging experience. But it requires me to put too much constant effort and attention into the site which has started making it feel like a chore. I'm excited to be able to step back to being a more casual user again and allow myself to take part in more areas of the league. Like other LRs, posting non-team related media, showing off my amateur graphics skill in competitions against people way above my level, etc.
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