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***RAmenAmen*** · 04-08-2024, 04:23 PM

Option 2:

After a whirlwind offseason involving a trade, the IIHF tournament in Norway, and heading straight to San Francisco to settle into a new home, leaving that home for the SHL Global Series doesn't quite have the excitement it would have in a normal season. Growing the game of hockey is great, and the travel opportunity is an amazing one for new and old players alike, but there's a lot to be missed by putting this series at the start of the season. Jet lag, travel, and the additional media obligations cut deeply into training, and kicking off the series without a real home opener just doesn't feel right. Justin Time will be looking forward to making the best of the trip, but inside he's just hoping that he can play well for his new team and get the season started on a good note in spite of this new added pressure.

***sliceruser*** · 04-08-2024, 04:32 PM

Written Option 2: Your team is taking part of this seasons SHL Global Series and they start their season with 2 games in Japan because HO has heard there is untapped market potential there. How does your player feel about the trip? Is it pointless travel to play in front of neutral crowd and missing on actual home opener? Or are they just exited to see the world and thrilled about the opportunity to win over the local fans? Does all this make the game feel more like showmatch than actual regular season game?

Taking part in a global series sounds amazing and a cool and fascinating place like Japan to those that like to watched but have never had the chance to see us? Sign me up! Alexandros would relish the opportunity to share his love for hockey worldwide. Them being a neutral crowd would be more then fine for me because it gives us an opportunity to make them our fans that will support us. For that reason, there is no way we would treat this as a throwaway show match, we will give our opponents and the people there our best performance just like every game we play. The opportunity to see the world and such a storied place like Japan would only make the trip more exciting and I would love the chance to see their culture and explore many places while the team is there. Finally we would also be able to interact with potential new fans and truly show them why we love hockey and why they should love it to.

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***JR95*** · 04-08-2024, 04:54 PM

Cormier's thoughts on travelling to Japan for a game are two fold. On a personal level, he doesnt really enjoy the long travel, followed by an intense game, followed by more long travel. It's a lot to do in just a few short days and it's both mentally and physically exhausting. If they had significantly more time to travel, adapt to a new time zone while recovering from jet lag, play the game, then do the same coming back, it wouldn't be nearly as big of a problem. That said, he definitely understands the positives it can bring to the league. Doing international trips like this creates fans for life in places that may not otherwise have large fanbases. Sure, a few people probably watch SHL games from Japan now and again, but imagine if even just half those people invite a friend out to go watch a game in person and manage to create a new fan out of their friend. Thats potentially extra revenue for the league through merchandise and streaming services, and even more publicity from more people talkint about the game in person and on social media platforms.

***Jexter*** · 04-08-2024, 05:52 PM

Option 1:

Langston Hardison-Laurent has been chosen to go onto Silent Library with a few other Malamutes; Squidwardo Tentacles, Kaarlo Koivunen, and Karter Mendenhall. Silent Library has the players try to complete or perform a very ridiculous task or stunt all while staying as quiet as possible. If they laugh or otherwise disturb the librarian, they lose the cash earnings from the task. I believe that out of all the Malamutes, Langston would be the weak link as he has a hard time taking anything seriously and would be more than likely to break quickly. Langston loves to laugh and have a good time in general so the absurdity would get to him quickly. Of all of the malamutes there, Mendenhall might be the best as they are used to locking in for game time as the goalie.

I think the fact that Langston is a big anime watcher and loves baseball might be better for making him popular in Japan, though it is likely that some of the stunts on the game show may become memes in Japan.

***Leafs4ever*** · 04-08-2024, 06:31 PM

Option 2:

When the SHL selected us to go to Japan for the SHL Global Series, I must say the whole Renegades locker room was ecstatic. We were honoured to be chosen to represent the league in this international event and try and grow the game globally. Being able to showcase our league, but also bring our brand to more fans is something I think we all were excited about.

Yes, the travel is going to be tough, but the positives outweigh that. We have the privilege of travelling and exploring new parts of this world while playing the game we love. You can't ask for more. Japan is such an amazing place and being able to experience that country is going to be amazing. Here in Texas, we're absolutely looking forward to going on this trip. We're going to soak in all the sites and sounds of the country, but also put on a show for the hockey fans in Japan. I can't wait to head over there and represent the SHL and the Texas Renegades.

(175 words)

Guy Incognito - D - #24
Texas Renegades
Season 76
47-17-2
Regular Season - [G 7] [A 13] [Pts 20] [+/- +27] [PIM 36] [Hits 37] [SB 125]
Playoffs - [G 0] [A 2] [Pts 2] [+/- +4] [PIM 0] [Hits 0] [SB 12]
[Image: ERs3IrD.png]

***ValorX77*** · 04-08-2024, 06:38 PM

[Image: ValorSHL_PT1.png?ex=6626e689&is=66147189...b2ece70cd&]

ThisSeemsFishy · 04-08-2024, 07:40 PM

Task 2

It’s a well known fact that Jussi Mutou is Japanese. He’s already acquired a large following from his home nation, with many tuning into games really early in the morning just to watch him play. With the sport’s growing popularity thanks to stars like Sir Devoir, Damien Hirano, and Ho Lee-Smokes, Jussi’s story is already well known.

The moment the Montreal Patriotes stepped off the plane in Tokyo, they were greeted by massive amounts of fans. They held signs and wore the jerseys of Mutou and Hirano, and it was clear that they would have a “home ice advantage” in the 2 game set.

Jussi is excited at the opportunity to play in front of his home nation. His entire family will be at a game for the first time in years. He knows he has to show out to prove that it was worth it to come overseas to play hockey. And to show to Japan that ice hockey is the best sport in the world.

credit to MuNk22 for the sig

karey · 04-08-2024, 08:59 PM

[Image: IMG_9197.png?ex=662707dc&is=661492dc&hm=...63942d64a&]

Prince Marius and his mates riding a Japanese bullet train for the first time

*Zerg* · 04-08-2024, 09:14 PM

Grzegorz is always happy to play in international games, he is not from Los Angeles and plays plenty of games in his new home anyway. He just wishes the SHL would play an exhibition game in Krakow or Warsaw one day (though if the league did, they probably wouldn't send the Panthers, because this is how the universe works for Poland). Anyway, being in Japan is a great time. Much more fun than playing against Japan's IIHF team. Grzegorz was concerned that maybe the Japanese fans wouldn't care as much about an SHL game, given how good their IIHF team already is, but the crowds turned out to be far more energetic than the average SHL home crowd, even rivaling Krakow during Cracovia vs Wisla Krakow football matches. Maybe they want to see more games played in Japan next season and that's why they cheer so loud. Maybe they just like to see Grzegorz, but probably not. He's just happy they cheer when he makes a good save now; usually they boo, because he saved for France against Japan. This is better.

Renomitsu · 04-08-2024, 09:30 PM

A "showmatch" in Japan seems to suggest that the games in question don't count and that the players are strictly trying to be flashy rather than win the game. I don't think Violet would view the game that way - instead, she'd just try her hardest and try to appeal the hard work-oriented culture in Japan to try and make a splash. It's an opportunity to literally be on the other side of the world -- maybe suffering from jetlag at the same time -- but I suspect the league would make adjustments to ensure the lengthy flight across the Pacific doesn't negatively affect the other games, and also probably make the games consecutive rather than interspersed throughout the season. As a result, it'd be hard to make a strong impression on anyone in Japan and the goal should just be to expand love and appreciation for the game. Let's go to a touristy place or two, and make the games in Japan be over the course of 5-7 days so players don't feel pressured to make a big deal out of tight time windows. I don't think anyone would have a problem with playing if that were the case, it'd be more like a vacation with the right infrastructure.

SFresh3 · 04-09-2024, 01:22 AM

Graphic Option:

Ryu took new linemates, Lord Raiden and Dogwood Maple on a trek up Mt. Fuji.
[Image: YjNsU0A.jpeg]

Kalakar · 04-09-2024, 02:16 AM

Oh man, Demir Bellona would be ecstatic about going to Japan to play hockey. The SHL Global Series is an important event to showcase the league's best players, so I would assume both games would be played in Tokyo. The Meiji Jingu Gaien rink would fill the needs for the league as well as being in a great location. Neighboring the Japan National Stadium in Shinjuku, Tokyo, the arena would probably be the place Demir would spend the least amount of time in, considering there is so much to see in Tokyo, so he would probably take the time between games to sightsee the amazing capital. The Ottawa Highlanders and the San Diego Tidal would make for a great SHL Global Series to showcase the talent from both expansion teams. Hopefully this event will spearhead future fans and players of the game that could eventually be drafted in the SHL. Bellona would definitely make sure to eat incredible ramen before having to go back home in North America.

NUCK · 04-09-2024, 03:09 AM

The SHL Head Office is at it again creating pointless gimmicks and circus acts, this time it comes in the form of a 2 game global series in Japan. I am all for growing the game and can see some benefits to opening up exposure to non traditional markets. I do feel that your hurting the quality of the product at home when players are forced to add extra travel and increased media relations. The league does actually creat revenue from at home pre season games but comes out owing money when playing away from natural hockey markets. Playing away from home ends up with some local show boating of their traditional games and lacks any true determination from the players on the ice. Add to that the fact that there is extra wear and tear on the players. Nobody likes to spend an entire day on a airplane let alone there and back making 40+ hours.

dankoa · 04-09-2024, 06:45 AM

Written Option 1:

While Bangkok is more known for spending one night in than Tokyo, that's not to diminish what the city is able to offer, as Emil Karlsson was recently able to find this out upon arriving in the great city. Met with a legion of eager fans at the airport, someone who to this date had only really enjoyed a fairly middling career in the SMJHL was confused at what he could have done to earn this but it soon became clear when he saw a billboard showing some of his most notorious chirper posts. His newfound social media fame combined with this accomplished defensive prowess as a junior player earned him an honoured spot as a guest participant on famed gameshow Takeshi's Castle, a legendary spectacle where competitors demonstrate their physical capabilities through a series of obstacles and challenges in an attempt to earn a cash prize. Emil's participation was met with a great deal of clamour, but unfortunately he was unable to progress to the final round and bowed out earlier than he would have liked. This resulted in him spending more time signing autographs which I'm sure the fans were nonetheless very grateful for!

Code:
196 words

WildfireMicro · 04-09-2024, 07:55 AM

Option 2:

Sir Devoir has a unique perspective on this debate, considering he is actually from Japan. So he actually finds the trip to be a spectacular opportunity to be back in front of his home country's fans outside of the IIHF, and he is thankful that he is able to use it as an excuse to talk to some old friends and family while he is there. He does understand the argument against it however, as it is playing in front of a neutral crowd for most players, and the ones who do have history in the country have a slight advantage over those that don't.

But overall, he still thinks that it is a good start to what could be a great idea in the SHL Global Series. The league just needs to do it's level best to foster a relationship with the countries that they visit, and the best way to do this is to have activities and media scrums that introduce the players to the country and it's traditions.

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