3 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 2 = 17

1. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 1 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer. This is completed through a Google form linked below. Make sure to spell your answers correctly or you will not get credit. Post your verification word in your CW post.

Denis Victor Helstrom

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)

What if in the history of the SHL, Mattias Holmberg was never traded to the New England Wolfpack from the Portland Admirals? This raises so many questions. One of the first questions that would arise is would he have ever won two Challenge Cups in his career? Looking at it, I don't think he would have won two Challenge Cups. Holmberg would have never got his first cup with New England, but I do believe that he would he still would have won a Challenge Cup. This ties into the next question, pondering if Holmberg would have stayed with the Admirals for the rest of his career. Honestly, I think Holmberg would have left the Admirals soon after the trade anyways. The chances of him being with the team after two seasons would probably be zero, as the direction the GM and Co-GM were taking with the team and team logo would have likely driven Holmberg out. Not to mention what they did to end up getting removed as GMs.

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!

Frozen Islands: The Story of Justin Keahi. A movie highlighting all the key moments Justin Keahi has had in his hockey career. From the very beginning of his career skating in the only ice rink in Hawaii, to getting drafted into the SMJHL and moving to some hick town in Canada where the local populace drank too much of the Kool-Aid. His dreams of getting drafted into the SHL being hurt a bit as he plummeted to 46th overall, having three teams pass on the rest of the draft instead of drafting him. To refusing to play in Kelowna for more than two seasons, ending up with his rights being traded from Chicago to Tampa Bay to accommodate his request. To finally getting stuck in with a team, only to be left exposed in an expansion draft and having to uproot his life once again. To the current day, where he sits unsure of his contract, pondering if free agency is the next move for his career.

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?
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?
c. What is a renegade? What is a steelhawk? Who is Victor Helstrom from the CW trivia?
d. Who is the best player to play for either team? Is it a current player? Retired? Traded? Make your case.

I'd argue Hamilton had the harder path to the finals. Sweeping two teams, you never faced the heartbreak of losing a game you know you should have won. Add on the amount of rest Texas got, and you can tell that Hamilton had the harder road to the finals by a wide margin.

It is way more impressive to remain good for so long, than rebuild to greatness. Most teams only achieve a limited amount of time where they are on top of the world, before they come crashing hard back to the bottom of the league table. The one team that has consistently been at the top is Hamilton, much to the dismay of most SHL fans.

A renegade is like a desperado, a freelancer. A renegade knows no laws, and only answers to themselves. Stay out of the way of a renegade, as you may never know if they will leave you in the dirt or not. A steelhawk is well, I guess a hawk made of steel? Helstrom is a chill dude.

The best player to play for either of the two teams all throughout their histories is obviously Mattias Holmberg or Sulak O'Hritea. Both had spells in Hamilton, for better or worse. What they left behind in their short amount of time with the team is truly legendary though, and I will not hear any slander towards either time as a steel chicken.

12. Milestones, up to 3 TPE
Milestones are folded in with CW. So just link your Milestone claim as task 12 for up to 3 TPE towards your 16 total.

https://simulationhockey.com/showthread.php?tid=119534

Post your claim in the milestones thread for tpe earned per stat, and then link that post in your CW submission. This is done because the person who grades CW will be a different person than double-checks milestones.

https://simulationhockey.com/showthread....pid3120034

15. Written, 2 TPE, The yearly IIHF task (100 words min.)
Write your predictions for this year's IIHF tournament or WJC if you care about that more. Will there be surprises? Will any players make their country proud? Who's gonna suck? Be bold!

My predictions for IIHF this year? A good old fashion Swiss dicking. That's right, the Swiss are here for your wife, your girlfriend, your sister, and your mom. They are hear to pound ass, whether it be on the ice or in the sheets. They are taking no prisoners, and they are looking to bring home the gold. They've been a dumpster fire for so long, but it's finally looking like they'll be the kings of the ice. Look out for that Justin Keahi, as he's ready to take the IIHF by storm and leave a path of broken bodies and glass as he gets his gold medal.