The World Strat-O-Matic Hockey League Newsletter League Established January 1, 2002 Volume #1, Issue #7 - October 26, 2003* ************************************************************************** Current League Officers: Commissioner: Mike Webb Vice-Commissioner: Dan Irvine Newsletter Editor: Scott Shigemi Email List Administator: Mike Webb Email the whole league: mailto:wshlfun@yahoogroups.com WSHL Games List (WL): mailto:WSHLWL@yahoogroups.com WSHL Games List (NAL): mailto:WSHLNAL@yahoogroups.com Web Page Administrator: Mike Webb League Web Site: http://members.rogers.com/avanderburg9569/ Newsletter Archive: http://www.geocities.com/lugnutgm/ Yahoogroups Main: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WSHLFUN Yahoogroups World: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WSHLWL Yahoogroups N. American: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WSHLNAL ************************************************************************** The North American League had its second night of live drafting. Time and picks flew by until the group called it quits after the 24th round. With only three more rounds to go, the league will go to draft by list, the same as the World League. As a result of finishing the drafts, both leagues are required to submit draft lists to the commissioner by Monday, midnight eastern standard time. What will happen if you have fail to submit a list? You'll fill out your remaining picks after the draft is completed. This means that if you wanted Joe Sakic, but he was taken after your pick came up, tough cookies, you should have submitted your list! If and when the drafting is done, we can all look forward to starting our seasons. To kick things off, Dan Irvine, Aberdeen Flying Scotsmen and Labrador Moose has provided a preview of what the North American League will look like. Poor Dan, he was hard at work this week. In addition to running his two teams and creating a preview, he also helped to finalize the awards and trophies for both leagues. A big round of applause for Dan! ************************************************************************** Important Dates October 27th - Remaining draft pick lists for both leagues are due to the commissioner by midnight EST. Early November - Start of WSHL season. ************************************************************************** Mailing List Name Changes If you didn't know it, the mailing lists for the individual leagues have changed. The wshlone and wshltwo at yahoogroups.com will no longer work. Instead you can send World League messages to "WSHLWL@yahoogroups.com" and North American League messages to "WSHLNAL@yahoogroups.com". The general WSHL mailing list has not changed. If you need the yahoogroups.com web addresses, they are as follows: World League: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WSHLWL North American League: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WSHLNAL General List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WSHLFUN ************************************************************************** Another Departure, Another Arrival It's another sad day as the World League must say good-bye to an original owner. Wayne Fedel had to step down because of personal issues. Taking over his team will be Sal Tesoro (stesoro@aol.com). It is not known if Sal will be relocating or renaming his team. Drop him some absurd trade offers, his office is now open. ************************************************************************** North American Team Name Change In case you missed it, the North Calgary Hawks have undergone a name change. From now on, they will be known as the Red Deer Avros. Said GM and owner Jason McCorrister, "I'd like to thank Mike for approving the change. It will be much easier to keep the Alberta teams separate this way." "Red Deer is a city between Calgary and Edmonton. I can't stand Edmonton so I couldn't put the team there. I did, however, spend a couple of great years at Red Deer College in the mid 80's." "As for the "Avros", well I'll tell you (like you haven't heard) - the Avro Arrow was the ultimate supersonic interceptor jet developed by Canadians after WWII. Yes, indeed, following WWII, Canada had one of the top airforces in the world and they developed one of the world's finest aircrafts. It was ahead of it's time. Still, political intrigue resulted in the planes being dismantled and destroyed in 1959. Its designers went on to work at NASA and other aircraft design teams. http://www.avroarrow.org/" "Cool concept for a hockey team name and logo don't you think?" Jason ************************************************************************** 2003-2004 WSHL North American League Preview by Dan Irvine This Analysis is based strictly on the players cards and does not take into consideration coaching or managerial skill nor possible future trades. Also note that their were quite a number of teams that were very close in ranking especially the teams in the middle section of the rankings. TEAM Alaska Aces STRENGTHS Good team defence with depth especially at center and a solid rotation of defencemen anchored by Lidstrom, Aucoin & up and comer Havelid. Solid goaltending in Roloson. WEAKNESSES Only weakness appears to be lack of natural goal scorers with no one having more than 10 chances. RANK - - 1st OUTLOOK As long as this team can get its share of goals they will go a long way. TEAM Inside Shots STRENGTHS Have a number of star players most notably Naslund, Heatley & Afredsson. Good defence down the middle with a strong core of defencemen lead by big bruiser Chara. One of the top goaltenders in Roy. WEAKNESSES Team scoring depth on 3rd & 4th lines may cause some problem as there will be a lot of pressure on Naslund & Heatley to score. RANK - 2nd OUTLOOK If this team gets balanced scoring they may be the team to beat. TEAM Labrador Moose STRENGTHS Powerful offence led by Super Mario, Jagr, Palffy & Kovalev. Top goaltender in Turco. WEAKNESSES Defence & intimidation amongst forwards may be an issue. If Turco plays well it may not matter. RANK - 3rd OUTLOOK If their defencemen hold up well and they have the anticipated goal scoring success the Cup may not be far away. TEAM Brandon Wheat Kings STRENGTHS Have some natural goal scorers in Murray, Hull & Bondra and depth at center. Strong defencemen core lead by allstar Blake as well as S Niedermayer & Tarnstrom. Solid power play. WEAKNESSES Goaltending is the main weakness and lack of intimidating forces at forward. RANK - 4th OUTLOOK Team has a good mixture of scorers & defence, if the goaltending holds up this team will be a force. TEAM Kent Kounty Killer Kittens STRENGTHS Lots of scoring depth on the forward lines 1 thru 3 with good power play numbers. WEAKNESSES Team doesn't have a strong presence on the blueline to put fear in opponents. Goaltending might be an issue with Garth Snow in net. RANK - 5th OUTLOOK This team is loaded with scoring especially on PP, if they can keep puck out of their net they will be tough. TEAM Calgary Grizzlies STRENGTHS Top line of Forsberg, Fedorov & Satan will be a force. Solid defencemen core and great goaltending in Belfour. WEAKNESSES Forward depth behind the big line may be a problem. It will depend on how much input part time players such as Bure & Deadmarsh have. RANK - 6th OUTLOOK If Deadmarsh & Bure have any kind of substantial impact this will be one of the teams to beat. TEAM Saratoga Sting STRENGTHS Team defence is good with strong presence down the middle in Sundin, Sackic & Linden. Redden & Zubov are 2 big stars on the blueline. WEAKNESSES Goaltending may be the teams only weakness with the starter Thibault carrying the load. RANK - 7th OUTLOOK Goaltending needs to be strong and this team could go far. TEAM Iowa Wolves STRENGTHS Two great young stars in Jokinen & Hejduk. Defence lead by 2 big intimdators in Stevens & Foote as well strong power play numbers. Good goaltending with Cechmanek. WEAKNESSES Lack of defence among forwards might cause headaches for Cechmanek but if the power play produces it may not matter. A lot of pressure on youngsters Hejduk & Jokinen to carry team. RANK - 8th OUTLOOK If Jokinen & Hejduk produce well, this team will cause a lot of problems for others. TEAM Wellington Dukes STRENGTHS Top 3 defencemen among the best in MacInnis, Johnsson & Morris. Team defence & intimidation is also one of the best. WEAKNESSES Lack of offence will be biggest hurdle for this team. Denis & Kolzig need to play a big role as this team will be in many low scoring battles. RANK - 9th OUTLOOK Defence certainly not a problem on this team, if they can score some timely goals this team will be in every game. TEAM Seattle Tsunami STRENGTHS Teams main goal scoring to come from Hossa & Thachuk. Great young backstop in Luongo. Hatcher will be an intimidating force on blueline. WEAKNESSES Lack of defence among forwards could casue havoc for young Luongo. Will need to have special teams perfoming well. RANK - 10th OUTLOOK If the power play is strong and Luongo plays well they will have a chance. TEAM West Coast Express STRENGTHS Thornton will be the teams leader with a good supporting cast of young talent like, Prospal, Drury, Carter, Tanguay as well as Kariya. Two good young defencemen in Jovanovski & Kaberle. WEAKNESSES Team defence and intimidation may hurt them, as well as lack of goal scoring outside of Thornton. Lalime will have to come up big. RANK - 11th OUTLOOK Thornton will need to carry this team on his back to go far. Lalime will need stellar effort. TEAM Kentucky Ice Tigers STRENGTHS Strong down the middle with Rucchin, Roenick, Nedved & Cassels. Scoring lead by Bertuzzi & Kovalchuk. WEAKNESSES Biggest weakness appears to be lack of impact players on the blueline. RANK - 12th OUTLOOK Keeping the puck out of their own end will be the biggest concern. TEAM North Calgary Hawks STRENGTHS A number of good young stars in Iginla, Zetterberg & Madden. One of the best young goaltenders in Giguere. WEAKNESSES Lack of team offence especially on the power play will put enormous pressure on Iginla to lead team. Giguere will have to be at his best. RANK - 13th OUTLOOK A lot of pressure, maybe too much on the younger players on this team. Have to wait and see if they can handle it. TEAM Hartford Whalers STRENGTHS Lots of youthful exuberence. WEAKNESSES This team is the youngest team in the league with the least experience. May be a force in the future but not this year. RANK - 14th OUTLOOK This team is certainly built for the future and should be a strong force in the years to come. ************************************************************************** Award Names and 1st Year Recipiants Thanks to Dan Irvine for trimming the list of award names! Here are the World League's first season winners. Note, the Statsny trophy was not awarded since it was the league's initial season. Although, I suppose the MVP would be the winner for last season's award. Bobby Hull Trophy Awarded to the league's top goal scorer 2002-03*: Marcus Naslund, Ibiza Corsairs (37) Alexei Kovalev, Hibbing Stink Badgers (37) Gretzky Trophy Awarded to the league's top point scorer 2002-03*: Joe Sakic, Campbell River Canucks (83) Bobby Orr Trophy Awarded to the league's top point scorer for defensemen 2002-03*: Teppo Numminen, Ibiza Corsairs (50) Gainey Trophy Awarded to the league's top defensive forward 2002-03*: Brian Rolston, Portland Buckaroos Borque Trophy Awarded to the league's top defenseman 2002-03*: Teppo Numminen, Ibiza Corsairs Sawchuk Trophy Awarded to the league's top goaltender 2002-03*: Roberto Luongo, Campbell River Canucks Statsny Trophy Awarded to the league's top first-year player 2002-03*: Unawarded, first season of WSHL Howe Trophy Awarded to the league's most valuable player 2002-03*: Joe Sakic, Campbell River Canucks Beliveau Trophy Awarded to the league's top postseason performer 2002-03*: Joe Sakic, Campbell River Canucks Bowman Award Awarded to the league's top coach and manager 2002-03*: Mason Harris, Campbell River Canucks "Tiny" Thompson Award Awarded to the team with the fewest goals against 2002-03*: Campbell River Canucks (121) Olier Award Awarded to the team with the most goals scored 2002-03*: Campbell River Canucks (180) Presidents Trophy Awarded to the team with the morst points in the standings 2002-03*: Campbell River Canucks (65) * - Denotes shortened season of 44 games. ************************************************************************** Common Questions & Answers (CORRECTION!) In the last newsletter, I mistakenly used the common method for rounding up, but for the WSHL, any number of games that produces a remainder will allow a skater to play one more post season game. The correct Q&A from the previous newsletter should have read: Q: Playing requirements for the post season, what are they for skaters? A: For the post season, skaters with 60 or more NHL games played, may play in any number of post season games. Dany Heatley (when not in jail), played 77 NHL games last season. He could play every game in each WSHL playoff series. For players with fewer than 60 games played in the NHL, they may play a number of games in each series equal to their NHL games played divided by ten (rounding up with any remainder). Using Eric Daze as an example, he played 54 NHL games, so he could play six post season games in each series. The correction is that ANY REMAINDER when you divide a player's NHL games played, is rounded up! Got a question that you think needs an answer in the Newsletter, e-mail me and just ask! ************************************************************************** WORLD LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS: HOWE DIVISION GP W L T OL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Aberdeen Flying 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Barbary Coast Wha 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Chicago Cougars 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Floral Park Falco 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Monarch Lions 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Ottawa Axemen 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Portland Buckaroo 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 MANIAGO DIVISION GP W L T OL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Campbell River Can 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Dakota Mustangs 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Hibbing Stink Badg 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Ibiza Corsairs 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Kodiak Attack 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Saginaw Sentinels 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Saskatoon Blades 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 ************************************************************************** NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS: SITTLER DIVISION GP W L T OL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Alaska Aces 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Hartford Whalers 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Inside Shots 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Kent Kounty Killer 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Kentucky Ice Tiger 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Labrador Moose 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Wellington Dukes 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 ORR DIVISION GP W L T OL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Brandon Wheat King 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Calgary Grizzlies 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Iowa Wolves 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Red Deer Avros 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Saratoga Sting 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 Seattle Tsunami 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 West Coast Express 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0- 0- 0- 0 0- 0- 0- 0 ************************************************************************** ASSOCIATE LIST: SINCE GP If you're still an active associate, and aren't on this list, please get in contact with me. Thanks! Mike (avanderburg9569@rogers.com) ************************************************************************** TRANSACTIONS WORLD LEAGUE: IBI - RELEASE Mike Ribiero, Dmitri Kalinin and Rhett Warriner KOD - Kodiak TRADES KOD04#6 to Ottawa for OTT03#8, OTT03#9, OTT03#10 OTT - Ottawa TRADES OTT03#8, OTT03#9, OTT03#10 to Kodiak for KOD04#6 ************************************************************************** TRANSACTIONS NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUE: ************************************************************************** League Governing Boards Responsibilities of the following governing boards are outlined in the Constitution. Mike Webb, Commissioner Dan Irvine, Vice-Commissioner **************************************************************************