The World Strat-O-Matic Hockey League Newsletter League Established January 1, 2002 Volume #1, Issue #1.24 - August 20, 2004 ************************************************************************** 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/ WSHL Archive: http://www.geocities.com/lugnutgm/wshl_archives.html 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 ************************************************************************** This newsletter was supposed to be released the day after the roster cuts were made, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, things have been delayed. On a related note, the World League teams must submit their 14-man protection list to the Commissioner's office by August 21st. ************************************************************************** ANOTHER ORIGINAL LOST For undisclosed reasons, Mike Lilja has stepped down from running his two franchises, the World League Portland Buckaroos and the North American League Alaska Aces. The league wishes him well and hopes that he can make a return at a future date. ************************************************************************** TEAM NAME AND LOCATION CHANGES If a team was going to change cities and names, you're running out of time to do so. Doug North has submitted his new franchise location and name (see below for the announcement). Please don't wait until the last minute since working out a possible realignment will affect the schedule and changing the schedule could drive one nuts. ************************************************************************** Hartford is on the move to Kansas City!!!!!!!!!! By Doug North The mean-lookin' dude carrying a hockey stick will be coming soon to a patch of ice near you. The new WSHL franchise in Kansas City finally has a name. Outlaws. The move to Kansas City is to be completed before the WSHL draft in mid August but Wednesday night was more about celebrating the name of the hockey team. Outlaws seemed to meet with approval from hockey fans who crammed into the Granfalloon Bar & Grill on the Plaza, where the official announcement was made. The team colors are burgundy, black, white and gold, and stars are stripped across the shoulders in the front and the back of the jersey. "This community is hockey starved," said GM Doug North. "Now it's time for us to prepare for the draft and hopefully bring a winning team to Kansas City." ************************************************************************** WORLD LEAGUE ROSTER CUTS AND DRAFT World League teams must submit their roster cuts by August 21st. Send them to Mike Webb or the WL mailing list. You can keep up to 14-players, plus three right-of-retention players. Once the cuts have been finalized, e-mail drafting can begin on the 23rd. The live draft will be held mid-week during the first full week of September. Mike will send out more information after the cuts have been made. ************************************************************************** NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUE ROSTER CUTS We weren't successful in getting all the roster adjustments in on time. Kudos to the ten teams that submitted their cuts, though obviously Alaska's ownership change threw a major wrinkle into the mix. The league (commissioner's office) will make the roster cuts for the Aces, unless a new owner is found in the next couple of days. Two owners asked for and received extensions. I hope their cuts are submitted in a timely manner. For the rest of the league, the updated roster and draft information will be posted on the WSHL Archive site. As the last cuts are made, the files will again be updated. The same goes for a preliminary Strat ver 4.0 league file in the Yahoo Groups (NAL) files section. ************************************************************************** LIVE DATE FOR NAL DRAFT It has been decided that the North American League will hold its live draft over the course of two weekday nights. Ink the following nights on your calendar, September 13th and 14th. With the time zone differences, the draft chat room opens at 9 PM Eastern, 6 PM Pacific. See the Draft FAQ below for specific details. ************************************************************************** 2004 WSHL-NAL Entry Draft Primer and Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) CONTENTS 1.0 When is the 2004 NSHL Entry Draft? 1.1 Where is the 2004 NSHL Entry Draft? 1.2 What if I don't have AIM? 1.3 Why do I need a draft list? I'll be there anyway! 1.4 Why such a short time? And what happens if I take a little extra time? 1.5 But I'm not prepared! How can I get a draft update? 1.6 What's a draft list? 1.7 How large can my roster get? 1.8 What about trading picks/players? 1.9 What about releasing players? 1.10 What if the Commissioner or Draft Moderator !@#!@$s up? 1.11 What about such-and-such? 2.0 FAQ History 3.0 Acknowledgements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.0 When is the 2004 NSHL Entry Draft? The draft will be held on two mid-week nights, Monday, September 13th at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST and concluding Tuesday, September 14th at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.1 Where is the 2004 NSHL Entry Draft? The league uses a private AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) chat room. At the time of the draft, Mike Webb will invite everyone into the room. You will need AIM installed and running on your computer. You will also need to supply Mike with your AIM screen name. If you don't have AIM, other options may be available. See below for other options. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.2 What if I don't have AIM? If you don't have AIM installed, or lose your connection for an extended period of time, you have a few options that may work. In case there's a connection failure, it is highly recommended that you submit a draft list to the Commissioner and/or Draft Moderator eight hours prior to the draft day. The list will only be used if you are not available when it becomes your turn to make a draft pick selection. This is probably the best solution to any connection problem. Another option is to have a proxy voice in the chat room. The proxy is normally another member who will voice your draft pick selections. Just be sure that the Commissioner and Draft Moderator know who you have making your picks. The person making your selections can be doing it by list, over the phone or through another messenger program (ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, etc.). If for some reason you need to call me the day of the draft, my phone number is (206)409-8533. I'll have my ICQ up and running too, #72036109. Mike may also supply additional contact information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.3 Why do I need a draft list? I'll be there anyway! For two reasons. First, because of the possibility that you will be unexpectedly pulled away. It happens. Computer problems, etc., and if you haven't turned in a list, you've got no draft picks. Secondly, you will only be given 90 seconds to make your selection. Having a draft list created and submitted ensures us that you've prepared for the draft. It's not fair to make the rest of the league - at least thirteen other people - sit and wait while you thumb through seven or eight hockey preview magazines. If you want to update your draft list, you can do so anytime after submitting your original. Send it to the Commissioner and/or Draft Moderator with the heading "UPDATED DRAFT LIST FOR XXXXX". In this case, "XXXXX" is your franchise name. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.4 Why such a short time? And what happens if I take a little extra time? We have 14 teams drafting up to the 27-man roster limit from an average starting roster of 14 players. That's 182 picks to make. If a team takes no longer than 90-seconds to make a selection, it'll take 2734 minutes or four and a half hours. If we draft in halves, the East Coast managers will be up until close to midnight two nights in a row. If you're prepared, it shouldn't take you longer than 60-seconds to make your selection. As the Draft Moderator, I'll be drafting from a list(s). I sort of have to since I'll be updating the drafted list, current rosters, and the list of eligible players in the draft. I have an Excel file with lists for each position. Each team will have a single 90-second timeout to use each night. Use this time at your own discretion. You won't get more than one, unless the situation warrants one. The grace period will not be carried over if you don't use it on day one of the draft. If you fail to make a selection and don't have a list to draft from, a "PASS" will be filled in for your selection. You'll be able to make up the passed pick once you get back on track or at the end of the draft, which ever is sooner. But the 90-second rule will still apply. Be thankful that you'll be able to do this, in any other league if you miss a pick, you'd have to wait until the very end to make up a skipped pick. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.5 But I'm not prepared! How can I get a draft update? The draft will be updated on a pick-by-pick basis on the following website: http://www.geocities.com/lugnutgm/wshl_archives.html If you have multiple web viewing windows, you simply hit the "reload" button once you've opened the files. Which brings us back to (1.4); if I can keep this page updated, and moderate the draft, and answer people's questions, and still get my picks in under the deadline, don't think I'm going to be too lenient if you're not able to. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.6 What's a draft list? A draft list is a list of players, ordered by preference, that an outside party can use to make your selection in the event that it becomes necessary. A list can be simple, e.g.: Take the first player from this list: Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Maurice Richard, Jacques Plante Lists can also be more complicated. For example, I will have six lists, one each for left wings, right wings, centers, left and right defenseman and goaltenders. My instructions will then describe from which list to draft depending on the size of my roster. Make your lists as long as you think you'll need them - if your list runs out of players, your selection will be recorded as "PASS". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.7 How large can my roster get? You can draft until you have reached twenty-seven (27) players on your roster. Non-carded and ROR players count towards that limit. You may also choose to stop drafting at any time in the draft once you've acquired 20 players to fill all the positions for every game (4 RW, 4 LW, 4 Centers, 6 defensemen, and 2 goalies). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.8 What about trading picks/players? Trading is fine, just remember that you are on a deadline, so try and make your trades before it's your turn to pick. Once the clock is on you, you will have 90-seconds. If you need additional time, and you (or your trading partner) hasn't used your "time-out" (1.4), use it if you like. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.9 What about releasing players? Releasing players is not allowed until after the draft. If you needed roster space, you had your chance when teams were forced to cut down to a maximum of 14 players, plus three RORs. Releasing and signing free-agents won't be allowed until the season begins. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.10 What if the Commissioner or Draft Moderator !@#!@$s up? This is my second attempt at running/updating a live draft. I've participated in several others, five total. If a problem crops up, I'm sure we'll be able to fix things. It is my hope that nothing unforseen goes wrong and that the draft is a fun event for everybody that participates. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.11 What about such-and-such? If you feel I haven't covered something in this primer/FAQ, please let me know and I will add it to the list. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2.0 FAQ History Version 1.0 - Initial information, what, when, where, and how. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3.0 Acknowledgements: I've got to thank the NSHL (National Strat-o-Matic Hockey League), Doug Norris, Andy Bartalone, Mark McNeil and Tom Vinacci for helping to lay the foundation for this primer. Scott Shigemi Draft Moderator, North American League - World Strat-o-Matic Hockey League ************************************************************************** Important Dates August 21st - World League Roster Cuts are due to the Commissioner September - Live Draft for WL! September 13th & 14th - Live Draft for NAL! October 25th - 2004-05 Season begins! And let's all hope the NHL doesn't have a lockout. ************************************************************************** NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS: SITTLER DIVISION GP W L T OL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Labrador Moose 82 53 18 10 1 117 .713 319 192 28- 5- 7- 1 25-13- 3- 0 Alaska Aces 82 45 23 9 5 104 .634 264 212 25-10- 5- 1 20-13- 4- 4 Inside Shots 82 44 25 11 2 101 .616 266 195 27-10- 4- 0 17-15- 7- 2 Kent Kounty Killer 82 38 38 6 0 82 .500 265 290 21-15- 5- 0 17-23- 1- 0 Wellington Dukes 82 33 34 11 4 81 .494 253 285 16-19- 4- 2 17-15- 7- 2 Kentucky Ice Tiger 82 24 41 13 4 65 .396 226 295 15-20- 4- 2 9-21- 9- 2 Hartford Whalers 82 14 62 3 3 34 .207 165 329 7-30- 2- 2 7-32- 1- 1 ORR DIVISION GP W L T OL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Iowa Wolves 82 43 28 8 3 97 .591 260 248 24-12- 4- 1 19-16- 4- 2 Red Deer Avros 82 37 23 17 5 96 .585 236 217 20- 9-11- 1 17-14- 6- 4 Saratoga Sting 82 40 28 11 3 94 .573 246 222 24-11- 5- 1 16-17- 6- 2 Brandon Wheat King 82 43 34 5 0 91 .555 279 265 27-12- 2- 0 16-22- 3- 0 Calgary Grizzlies 82 33 39 6 4 76 .463 236 247 16-20- 4- 1 17-19- 2- 3 West Coast Express 82 29 37 14 2 74 .451 245 273 16-16- 8- 1 13-21- 6- 1 Seattle Tsunami 82 27 37 16 2 72 .439 227 252 16-19- 5- 1 11-18-11- 1 ************************************************************************** WORLD LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS: HOWE DIVISION GP W L T OL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Monarch Lions 82 46 21 12 3 107 .652 303 242 24- 9- 7- 1 22-12- 5- 2 Aberdeen Flying 82 47 25 7 3 104 .634 283 233 26-11- 3- 1 21-14- 4- 2 Ottawa Axemen 82 41 30 9 2 93 .567 279 249 23-13- 4- 1 18-17- 5- 1 Floral Park Falco 82 41 31 9 1 92 .561 253 238 26-11- 4- 0 15-20- 5- 1 Portland Buckaroo 82 33 37 10 2 78 .476 273 289 18-18- 5- 0 15-19- 5- 2 Peoria Rivermen 82 24 44 9 5 62 .378 224 295 16-16- 6- 3 8-28- 3- 2 Barbary Coast Wha 82 15 56 8 3 41 .250 164 288 9-28- 4- 0 6-28- 4- 3 MANIAGO DIVISION GP W L T OL Pts Pct GF GA Home Road Campbell River Can 82 47 26 8 1 103 .628 266 197 29-10- 1- 1 18-16- 7- 0 Hibbing Stink Badg 82 45 24 10 3 103 .628 239 204 24-12- 4- 1 21-12- 6- 2 Kodiak Attack 82 48 29 4 1 101 .616 278 210 29- 9- 3- 0 19-20- 1- 1 Ibiza Corsairs 82 40 33 7 2 89 .543 249 235 20-17- 3- 1 20-16- 4- 1 Saginaw Sentinels 82 37 34 9 2 85 .518 222 202 18-16- 6- 1 19-18- 3- 1 Saskatoon Blades 82 30 43 7 2 69 .421 212 268 14-22- 4- 1 16-21- 3- 1 Dakota Mustangs 82 21 50 9 2 53 .323 213 308 11-25- 5- 0 10-25- 4- 2 ************************************************************************** Common Questions & Answers Q: Can a team trade a future draft pick in the 2005 draft? A: Yes, teams may begin to trade 2005 draft picks. Got a question that you think needs an answer in the Newsletter, e-mail me and just ask! ************************************************************************** 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) ************************************************************************** INCENTIVE POINTS Just keeping track of who's putting in a little extra effort. Total number of incentive points listed in parentheses. Doug North (KCO) +1 newsletter article (+1) Dan Irvine (ABE/LAB) (+9.5) Jason McCorrister (RDA) (+2) ************************************************************************** TRANSACTIONS WORLD LEAGUE: AFS - TRADES Olli Jokinen and Marc Savard to Kodiak for Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier and Robert Reichel. TRADES Derek Morris and AFS04#5 to Peoria for Dallas Drake. TRADES Michael Handzus and Mathieu Garon to Hibbing for Rod Brind'Amour. HSB - TRADES Rod Brind'Amour to Aberdeen for Michael Handzus and Mathieu Garon. KOD - TRADES Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier and Robert Reichel to Aberdeen for Olli Jokinen and Marc Savard. PEO - TRADES Dallas Drake to Aberdeen for Derek Morris and AFS04#5. ************************************************************************** TRANSACTIONS NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUE: BWK - TRADES BWK04#4 to Labrador for Luc Robitaille. KKK - TRADES Brett Hull, Petr Cajanek, Steve Konowalchuk and KKK04#2 to Labrador for Dave Andreychuk and KKK04#1. LAB - TRADES Luc Robitaille to Brandon for BWK04#4. TRADES Dave Andreychuk and KKK04#1 to Kent Kounty for Brett Hull, Petr Cajanek, Steve Konowalchuk and KKK04#2 TRADES LAB04#5 to Saratoga for Patrice Brisebois SAR - TRADES Patrice Brisebois to Labrador for LAB04#5 ************************************************************************** League Governing Boards Responsibilities of the following governing boards are outlined in the Constitution. Mike Webb, Commissioner Dan Irvine, Vice-Commissioner Review Board, North American League Steve Izumi, Wellington Dukes Jason McCorrister, Red Deer Avros Kevin Webber, West Coast Express Review Board, World League Joe Wagner, Hibbing Stink Badgers Dave Sheedy, Saskatoon Blades Mike Yancharas, Saginaw Sentinels **************************************************************************