milestones: https://simulationhockey.com/showthread....pid3117149 +3 TPE

2. Written, 3 TPE, What if...? (150 words min.)
Pick a moment in SHL history to change. It could be something large, an expansion draft, sim engine change, or something smaller, like a trade or team punishment. Change something about this moment in the SHL and explain the impact the difference would make in how the league developed since that moment. (think Butterfly Effect)

Moment in SHL history to change is simple: Charlie Serpe refraining from being a fucking idiot and possibly tanking a future New Orleans dynasty by publically bashing teammate Mitchell van der Heijden for no apparent reason. This, of course, led to van der Heijden's trade to the New England Wolfpack for Boris Poroshenko and Rex Kirkby. In this case, it never happens; with a growing van der Heijden scoring 35 points, New Orleans again makes the finals, but instead of losing to the Stampede, van der Heijden's playoff ability from the prior season comes back and the Specters win in 7, going back to back. Obviously, this would impact New Orleans dramatically beyond this as losing their best young player never happens; the Specters never enter their current rebuild and players like Mika Mayfield, Bork Lazer, and Keith Lee would remain as Specters. It's easy to envision them as a continual playoff presence rather than a bottomfeeder, and this means that Chicago and Texas would have major competition in the West.

3. Written, 3 TPE, Draft Kings (150 words min.)
Pick a draft class in the SHL that you believe had the most impact on the SHL. It can be a consensus pick, like S36, 31, or 53, or an off-the-board one (S41?). Explain your reasoning to why this draft class impacted the league; Could be in a good way, or a bad way.

I'm going with an off the board pick in regards to a class that's had an impact in a negative way (despite the stars it's produced at the top of its class) and that is S52. I almost went for my class of S51, which only has 12 active players right now, but S52 is even worse. Yes, it's given us talents like Cal Labovitch, Sven Yxskaft, Rhys Pritchard, Adam Scianna, and Strom Chamberlain. But, and this is a major but, those players alone make up half of the actives from this class. This class is about to enter regression with TEN ACTIVE PLAYERS. The Season Fifty Two Simulation Hockey League Draft Class is an exhibition in how bad a class can be where only 10 players are active and 14 are on SHL rosters at the time I'm writing this. This is how not to impact the league: barely have anyone active in the first place. Arguably, in terms of actives, the worst class ever.


4. Written, 3 TPE, Biopic (150 words min.)
You've been contacted by a big film studio who wants to center the next big hockey movie around your career so far! All you need to do is supply a 150+ word explanation about what will be key scenes of moments or games in your career, the cast, and a general timeline of the film as it follows you from team to team, junior to pro. This one is open ended so how you approach it is up to you!

A biopic of Mitchell van der Heijden's career is reportedly being made soon, and will likely be based around and including the following things:
S50: van der Heijden is drafted 11th by the Anchorage Armada in the SMJHL, and makes a run for ROTY.
S51: Anchorage, with van der Heijden, who was selected 13th overall by the New Orleans Specters in the SHL draft as one of their stars, wins the Four Star Cup. His beloved Switzerland makes a surprise run to the Gold Medal Game where they lose to the USA.
S53: van der Heijden, now captain of the Armada, wins the Ideen Fallah Award as SMJHL MVP.
S54: as a rookie, van der Heijden scores the Challenge Cup winning goal as the Specters sweep the Hamilton Steelhawks. Despite this, conflict with a teammate leads the rookie to question his future on the team.
S55: van der Heijden is traded to the New England Wolfpack, where he gets an opportunity to join a rebuilding team with a bright future.
S58: van der Heijden is traded to the Hamilton Steelhawks and has his best career season following a disappointing three years with New England where van der Heijden's lack of maturity gets in his own way. He helps the Steelhawks win the Challenge Cup against the Buffalo Stampede in 5 games.
S60: van der Heijden leads the SHL in goals (scoring the most in SHL history) and points, winning MVP.


Code:
6. Written, up to 4 TPE - Grab Bag: Pick up to 4 Challenge Cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer must be 50+ words.
a. Hamilton was not taken to 7 games, Texas enjoyed two series sweeps, which team had the harder path to the final in your opinion?
Honestly, if we're looking at who had the closest series of them all, it would be Texas, who needed 7 games to get past the Chicago Syndicate. Hamilton never looked shaky in the yoffs while the Renegades needed to overcome the toughest opponent either team had all playoffs in a Syndicate team who were just as good as Texas in the regular season.
b. Almost ten seasons ago, in S53, Hamilton enjoyed a 40 win season while Texas mustered a measly 9 wins. Now these two teams sit atop the season standings, and the playoff standings. Which is more impressive, to stay good for a decade, or to complete the rebuild and finally achieve greatness?
I think Hamilton's sustained success is much more impressive as they've been able to keep the team together for the most part, and when their old guys leave or retire (Lagerfield, Scarn before he came back, Phelps, Jones) they being in new guys to fill in (Maple, Scott, van der Heijden)
c. What is a renegade? What is a steelhawk? Who is Victor Helstrom from the CW trivia?
A renegade is an outlaw/fugitive, specifically from the American South, characterized by his heavy accent and love of revolvers and bandanas. A steelhawk is a genetically created hawk who is made out of steel, hence the name. He is only found in Hamilton, where the steelhawk was created, hence why the Steelhawks are Hamilton's team.
d. Who is the best player to play for either team? Is it a current player? Retired? Traded? Make your case.
Hamilton's best ever player is the one, the only, Aaron Wilson. While noted one-team man Robert Phelps deserves a mention as he just racked up points across his decorated Steelhawks career, Aaron Wilson has been just as consistent, if not more, and just broke the SHL single season points record by scoring 104 points while being balls deep in regression. Just a massive stud who's been balling his entire career.