1. 3 TPE (160 words)

I think that this was one of the tougher seasons that I have had in a while. While the individual performance wasn’t necessarily bad, it isn’t quite to the same standard that I’ve performed the past few years. It may be slightly related to the rebuilding that the team is currently doing, causing stats like my plus minus to tank and for me to be less effective as part of a complete line.

Along with that, it was my first season in a few where I was not at minimum a point per game player. I feel as though I slacked a little in my training when it was clear we weren’t contenders, and I need to ensure that I come in with a better attitude next season to correct that. I need to set the example for the younger players that we have and help build them into pros that will contribute and help win San Francisco a cup.

2. 3 TPE (176 words)

I think that we will see things play out a little differently than the last time that we had an expansion draft. Last time, we had two very different strategies take place where New Orleans built a team that could immediately contend, and Chicago built a team with a ton of potential and prospects that have turned them into a contender a few seasons down the line.

This time, I suspect that we are going to see teams try to mimic what New Orleans did. They will be going after best player available with every chance they get to try and built a team that can step right into the Challenge Cup picture. As a result, I think both teams will end up a little more middling than expected since the pool of top end players will be depleted more quickly. This could cause both teams to struggle a bit more than they would have hoped and take a few years of drafting smartly to put them in the picture while hopefully maintaining the aging talent.

3. 2 TPE (180 words)

I think while there is certainly a lot of potential in a European expansion, particularily considering how many of our players come from there, I think that it is still too early. Between the SHL and SMJHL we still have many North American markets untapped which have had traditionally hockey crazy fanbases. We still have places like Boston, Philly, Moose Factory, and more that are not represented in our two leagues. Adding teams to these locales will be easier from a logistics standpoint as well as they have far less travel that needs to be factored into the equation.

When the European expansion does happen, I would propose that multiple teams will need to be setup at the same time so that there can be a division sitting in Europe to slow down the travel and make the lives easier of the players on those teams so they’re not just constantly in the air. It will be very important that there is significant work done towards making the move correctly and ensuring that the impact to the league is minimal.

4. 2 TPE (146 words)

I think that everyone needs to be surprised that Edmonton didn’t make the playoffs. They sat tied in points at the top of the league with Buffalo, only losing out on the President’s Trophy due to a tiebreaker.

They were a super strong team all season, and showed that by leading by 7 points on the next highest Western Conference competitor. They were dominant, and they showed that in the first round of the playoffs before ultimately losing to New Orleans in 7 games.

The Blizzard were built to be a very strong team with some of the best players in the league like Scholz, Pepperoni, Kane, with a strong supporting cast of experienced veterans. They had one of the best goalies in the league in Spector as well. They were built for playoff success, but they just couldn’t get it done.

5. 3 TPE (185 words)

I would say that Team Canada is coming in with a very strong team once again and definitely need to be favourites to win the whole IIHF tournament for a second year in a row. They came off of a great tourney last year where they played excellent hockey from start to finish and got key players to step up in the important moments. Whether it was a timely goal or a huge goaltending performance, the team was well-built front to back.

This year, the team is looking much the same with most of the roster returning, and many of them improving between seasons. This team has experience winning, and they are still hungry. With several All-Star caliber players such as Gabe Johnson, Aaron Wilson, Bo Kane, and more, they are looking to impress this tournament. The leadership team of Kholin, Clapper, and Brogen has a ton of international experience and have long been impact players in this tournament. Look for this team to come out flying, and come out with a deep roster to take on the best other countries have to offer.

16. Trivia (Hopefully 3 TPE

Totes