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*puolivalmiste* · 02-10-2025, 04:01 AM

Congratulations on being drafted! The hard work starts now but first you need to get settled in new city, while your teammates are all ready to get to know you!

Written Option: How does your player settle in the city? Who helps them to get started, someone from the team or maybe someone coming with them from home? What happens when they arrive to arena for the first time to check the lockerroom. How do their new teammates respond? Did they organize anything to welcome your player and the other draftees to the team? Must include at least 150 words.

Graphic Option: Make an image depicting a couple of members of your team hanging out together in the locker room. Must include the team logo somewhere.

You will receive 3 TPE for fulfilling all the requirements for any of the options. (You only need to do one of the options to get the credit and wont get additional credit even if you do more than one). Note that the wordcounter on the site can be inaccurate, if you want to ensure you reach the required wordcount you can use for example https://wordcounter.net/.

All responses are due on Sunday, February 16th at 11:59 PST. NOTE: IF YOU SUBMIT/EDIT AFTER THE DEADLINE YOU WILL RECEIVE REDUCED/NO TPE.

Reminder that Discord only hosts images for very limited time so you should use something else for hosting images.

Affiliate claims from either PBE or ISFL or WSLB or SSL are accepted; link directly to your post and note if your username is different there.

If you have any questions/concerns, please PM me. Tasks with malicious intent will not be graded. The graders reserve the right to determine malicious intent, after discussion with me. You will not be warned.

Only S81 SMJHL rookies (S82 players) are eligible for this task.

Ashes · 02-10-2025, 04:55 AM

As Kristaps arrived at the airport on his way to Thunder Bay, he was greeted by two very familiar faces - his cousin Teodors and brother Adrians. They'd both played for the Walleye back when the team was still based in Regina - and, as it turns out, the organisation had actually contacted them beforehand, asking them to come along with Kristaps to help introduce him to the staff behind the scenes, as even though the team had relocated, many of the people behind the team were still the same. They even brought a bunch of Latvian foods that they knew Kristaps would struggle to find in Canada - rye bread, Latvian garlic bread, canned sprats, some Latvian cookies and chips as well. Kristaps got on the plane, alongside his relatives and his fellow draftees. Upon landing in Thunder Bay, they were greeted by a party bus. As the team approached the bus, the head coach stepped out and said "Welcome to Thunder Bay, everyone. We start practice tomorrow. Tonight though? Let's fuckin PARTY.". He screeched like a harpy at the top of his lungs and (somehow) shotgunned two beers at the same time. When they got to the arena, the whole place was covered from head to toe in Walleye colors, the rink had been turned to a nightclub dance floor, there was music blasting through the arena's speakers, the away team bench had been turned into a bar - a good time was had by everyone. The hangover was a bit rough the next day, though - made the first practice a slightly tougher one than usual.

DELIRIVM · 02-10-2025, 05:16 AM

Great Falls has been a bit of a culture shock for Koen. Moving from a major city in the Netherlands to a fairly small one of only 65,000 people in Montana has been different. The first major culture shock was the weather. Temperature swings are not a huge thing in a maritime climate like Rotterdam. Of all the players Kienen McKeller was the first one to really say hello and welcome me to the city of Great Falls and to the team. Walking into the arena was a bit of a shock. Koen wasn't expecting such a large arena for a team in such a small city. But the SMJHL takes care of their teams and makes sure that they have very nice facilities and whoever the owner of the Grizzlies is has done a great job giving a top notch training facility for the players. The team isn't huge of giant welcoming parties but you can tell everyone is focused on making their mark in the league and helping the Grizzlies become a winning team for many years. Koen is ready to make Great Falls his home for the next four years and accomplish something great in the state of Montana.

xNJRangerFanx · 02-10-2025, 09:00 AM

Although K.J Daniels was drafted in the fifth round by the Newfoundland Berserkers, he's soaking in the moment of becoming a professional hockey player. His brothers, C.J Daniels and P.J Daniels, are already legends in other leagues, and he's struggled to make his mark on the biggest stage. in the SHL, the Berserkers have given him the opportunity to maximize his talents with the Beserkers, and he's ready to get started. He completed his medical over the weekend, and he's staying in a hotel for now while practicing with the team. The quick adjustments from his Canadian name to the practice facility is difficult, but he's ecstatic to start playing for the team. The SMJHL has provided C.J Daniels will help for a quick and seamless transition into the league, easing his ability to mourn his former self. K.J Daniels's chapter to glory starts with the Newfouldland Berserkers, and all eyes are on him.

Prayl07 · 02-10-2025, 10:26 AM

It is finally finished. The packing, the saying of good byes, the last family get together, and the long flights. I was excited to have my dad come with me, my mom wanted to but we both felt it was too much for her. Landing in Anchorage brought so many different feelings: excited and scared mostly. As soon as I get off the plane and into the terminal Skip Daniels was waiting with his notepad. I love giving interviews but I really just want to get over to the excited couple of kids wanting to meet a hockey player.

I had guesses on where I was going to end up. Out of a list of 5 teams I had 5 locations I needed to look into getting a place. Once Anchorage became official I reached out to a nice townhouse about a mile from the arena to rent for my time in the city. When my dad arrived he gave me the list of things I needed to keep an eye on, of course. He then went to the hardware store to get me a tool box and tools, I will cherish this forever.

I went to the arena by myself for check in. First person to greet me was Figgy, ready to make me feel at home. Introductions were fast and frantic. Head Coach, assistants, media relations and scouts. Met with the training staff for my physical and there was food crumbs all over the floor, evidently Moodano came first. Once the physical was done, i was sent to equipment. The staff seemed stressed. I figured having 7 new players was a huge workload, but that wasn't the cause. As I was talking to the assistant equipment man he mentioned Pano just came through and was complaining about every piece of equipment they had. Pano is going to be a fun story this year.

After equipment I finally got to see my locker stall. It was what I had been working towards for so long. I sat on the bench and just dreamed of how many great things were coming. Figgy came through the locker room to remind me that we were going to have a team lunch in 30 minutes and to be prepared to meet my new team mates. I smiled the fun starts now!

Tmoney6996 · 02-10-2025, 10:44 AM

I think the first week of being in Vancouver for Passarelli was an absolute whirlwind. From all of the media days, the photo ops, and getting settled at the new apartment, there's barely been time to breathe. I think in the move, Passarelli definitely would have help from his family on the move. They've been with him every step of the way, encouraging him and helping get to where he needs to be, so it only makes sense that they'd help with the long trek from Fresno all the way to Vancouver.

From the jump, the rest of the VAN LR has been there to welcome and support Passarelli on the team. They got him all settled in the LR on day 1, and gave him all the time and space needed to really get acclimated with the new digs. Everyone has been absolutely electric so far, and the energy that this time has is infectious. Passarelli. is AMPED to get the season started.

egregious · 02-10-2025, 11:36 AM

Chubby Barista is a person of particular appetites, namely coffee and bloody teeth. Before even flying from Vancouver to Quebec, an electrician was contacted to ensure an uninterruptible power supply was set up for Barista's various coffee-making paraphernalia in an apartment near QCC's arena. A distracted Barista monitored texts with that electrician while nodding through various introductory speeches and zingers from QCC brass, all the way from the airport to the rink.

Once at the locker room, the Barista makes coffee meticulously, efficiently, quickly with meaty hands that could grind dark roasted Tanzanian peaberry between knuckles, though the result might only be suitable for a French press. Chubby Barista really, really hoped no one on the Citadelles liked their coffee made with a French press - such people were heathens.... the meaty fists tightened and reddened at the thought, veins popping up to the Barista's full 6'11" height.
In the absence of better implements, teammates were to be served Aeropressed coffee today, with Aeroccinoed milk for lazy convenience in a new setting. The rituals of coffee preparation were soothing.

The rituals of mashing fists into the sinus cavities of others were also soothing. But... anyone around was a teammate.... Maybe there would be some unenlightened teammate who advocated for French Pressed coffee. Barista rubbed some Turkish-ground coffee into leather hockey gloves, just in case.

NamesMonday · 02-10-2025, 11:53 AM

Hunter Cross steps off the plane in nice sunny Nevada, an upgrade from cold northwestern ohio! He didn't make this trip alone though Harland Saunders was also going to be arriving in Nevada anytime now. He was excited to see am old freind and have a fimilar face on this new journey! A lot the players and staff were very welcoming. JFK and our Alternate Captain Rosie have seen to it that us rookies be shown the ropes. The locker room was unlike anything I had ever seen before, coming from a small hodunk town in Ohio alot of the arenas were poorly managed and falling apart. To see such care for the facility as a whole was astounding. Walking past all of the lockers to finally reach mine , my name in full print above my gear. It sent shock waves through my body all I could think was how excited I am to get out on the ice. This was the first day of the rest of my life!

dude_man · 02-10-2025, 01:10 PM

Gappy has hardly been on the West coast, and for him to move there and settle in was a hard transition at first. Nothing but flat land, city living and straight up hot weather constantly. He was used to playing outside on custom rinks since it would get cold enough constantly over in Connecticut. But there was one person that was definitely willing to help him out get accustomed. Their name was Phoenix-Orion Söderberg-Tremblay. They made sure Gappy knew where everything was at, to the stadium, the best places to eat, and even underground areas where we could easily party. When Gappy walked in, he was greeted by a few of the veterans of the team and was able to see where his locker was so he can change into his game attire. It was a nice and chill introduction and wasn't some big grand gesture where it made the rookies feel out of place but also didn't feel ignored. Just a sweet spot right in the middle of everything.

***CapnCooper*** · 02-10-2025, 01:19 PM

Bull takes a deep breath. His first steps into the Detroit Falcons locker room. He had no idea what to expect but he knew no matter what that his mother was going to be proud of him. Bull steps in the room and like a movie it's bright glaring light coming back at him while his eyes adjust until he sees... The Janitor cleaning up a pile of beans off the floor?

"Well hey there fellah!" Says the janitor. He puts his mop back in the bucket and walks over with his hand out after wiping it in his coveralls. "You must be one of the new guys! Welcome to the team! No one seems to be around yet. You must be one of those early risers! Here let me show you around in case you want to work out or whatever it is you rookies like to do to impress the team!"

The janitor indeed takes Bull and shows them around. I mean this guy has all the keys, so he's got to know his way around. It all seems somehow familiar to him, like he's been here before. The janitor does a great job at showing him around and even shows him all the great spots in the rink including areas to hang out if he wanted to get away from management. A lot of those spots had names wrote on the walls, the most common one being "Sconnie was here". They head back to the locker room and the Janitor holds the door open for Bull as they see someone else in the room.

"Hey! I'm Quazon Brosonchi! Team Captain and teammate!" Quazon looks over Bull's shoulder and back at Bull. "Who was that?"
Bull opens the door again and sees a pair of coveralls and a fake moustache on the ground and a man running down the hallway. Behind him is a trail of dirty boot marks.

***EmoLeBron*** · 02-10-2025, 02:14 PM

Benoit's move from France to Thunder Bay was a slight lesser culture shock than most, and that was due to the amount of the French language that is present in Canada. Although Thunder Bay isn't a French predominate city, its still easy to find a french speaker or french written somewhere. But on the ice, theres nothing different. Benoit's comfort zone and safe space is on the ice between the boards, and he quickly slotted into the team chemistry with his work ethic and team first mentality. The feeling of seeing his number nine Boucher jersey hanging up in his personal locker is something that has been unmatched to this point in Benoit's life. This will quickly be eclipsed by his first win, the first goal, assist, but maybe no more so than lifting that first cup. The first cup of many in Benoit's childhood dreams. Boucher is ready.

Zamrael · 02-10-2025, 03:08 PM

Settling into Kelowna: Yuki Satoshi’s First Days with the Knights

After hearing his name called at the SMJHL Draft, Yuki was easily both excited and nervous about his movement to Kelowna, and his debut within the sport. Being across the world from Osaka, his hometown in Japan would be a massive adjustment to overcome. A new country, language, and team was daunting, but fortunately, he wasn't the only one alone in the process.

A Helping Hand
As soon as Yuki Arrived, he was greeted by a multiple of the Knight's veteran players, plenty of who mentored him so far with more to come. Yuki felt at home, helping him navigate the city, showing him the best spots to eat, and even introducing him to some of his other teammates.

First Visit to the Arena and Locker Room
Walking into the Arena for the first time, Yuki felt the aura of the moment. The ice smelling fresh, the cooling systems going off to keep the rink cold, and the sight of our team logo hanging above the rink. it all made everything feel real. When he stepped into the locker room, something he didn't suspect to see yet, his stall was already set up, a completely new jersey, pads, and a welcome note from the coaching staff.

Teammates’ Reactions & Welcome Celebration
His new teammates were eager to welcome him, many of them giving him pats on the back and cracking jokes to break the ice.

Settling In & Looking Ahead
Though it is a big transition, Yuki will quickly find a rhythm and transition with the help and support of his new teammates, coaching staff, and a few key mentors. He will embrace the challenge ahead, now it is time for him to prove himself on the ice.

Matty7478 · 02-10-2025, 03:20 PM

Having been drafted to the San Diego Tidal, David O’Connor first had to struggle through a long flight from Scotland to reach the West Coast. Naturally, even though he absolutely was excited to get involved on the new stage of the SMJHL, there was definitely a sense of grumpiness about his character as he first reached the arena. He knew being a Scottish person in the heat of California was going to be a tough adaptation to make, and there wouldn’t be anyone from home there to support him. However, upon arriving he was instantly taken under the wing of some of the top defensive players on the team; namely, Jeremy Snugglemuffin III and Phoenix-Orion Söderberg-Tremblay. While they didn’t throw a massive party to welcome David to the locker room, they did exactly what they needed to at that time based on their own adaptation to life at the SMJHL level. They brought him into their conversations wherever possible, and made sure he knew they would always be there for them. This helped make David feel quickly settled in what was a massively different environment to what he was used to previously.

MN_Moosey · 02-10-2025, 03:36 PM

Kelly McMahon was part of a large rookie class coming into Great Falls. The pack of rookies were flown in to the team facilities by way of a long Salt Lake City layover where they all grouped up for the final stretch. They touched down and were escorted to the facilities by team bus. McMahon watched out the window, gazing in awe at the bright and varied terrain that they rode passed. A far cry from the dreary hills and sky from Yorkshire in the UK. The bus pulled up and a few player staff and front office members greeted them. They were given a tour of the pretty brand new barn and got the opportunity to sit on their bench for the first time. Taking in the sight of the arena around them; the place they will be beginning their professional careers. The group was then escorted to the equipment room to get fitted in their new gear and get sticks ordered. Soon this band of new grizzlies will be taking over the ice. (175)

ColonelSaunders · 02-10-2025, 04:03 PM

Columbus, Ohio is a great city, but Las Vegas is a SPECTACLE. After the last nights spent with family and bittersweet goodbyes, Harland Sanders was stoked to travel to his new home. He wouldn’t go it alone either, as Harland quickly found Hunter Cross when he stepped off the plane. Outside of the airport were the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip, and Harland knew immediately that he was going to love it here. What better place to play hockey than The Entertainment Capital of the World. Harland was used to playing in front of the friends and families of teammates, and the small crowds of hockey enthusiasts, but for the first time in his career, he’ll play for a team with thousands of fans, paying to see him and his teammates play. With that in mind, it was right over to the Dodge Ram 1500 Hellcat Memorial Arena, where the staff and a few vets gave Harland and the other rookies a tour. Finally, they approached the locker room, where all the rookie stalls were already set up. Harland walked to his locker, and seeing his name on that beautiful navy and gold sweater was a sight he’d never forget. After the formalities were all wrapped up it was time to celebrate, and well, you know what they say about Vegas…

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