PR - Bobcats

"BRANTFORD BOBCATS TAKE TITLE IN GAME 7"

CP: In only the 3rd year in existence in the TFHL the Brantford Bobcats have done the unthinkable by winning the franchises first TFHL championship from the defending champions Ayton Achaeans. In a series that was a see-saw battle from game 1 the Brantford Bobcats after losing one of their key acquisitions during the regular season Masi Marjamaki in game 6, a unlikely hero emerged from the bench. After being sat for most of the playoffs for inconsistent play, Niklas Hagman was thrown into the lineup for that extra scoring punch!! And scoring punch it was. Hagman opened the game with 2 goals, 29 seconds apart to give the Bobcats the lead that they would never give back and lead them to the franchises first TFHL championship. But not to give any one player all the credit this team was built with a winning mindset, to win as a team, with no one clear leader but a complete team effort. And thats exactly what drove this team through the entire playoffs. Every series saw a different player arise. If it wasnt the strong goaltending from Veznia candidate Marty Biron in every series then it might have been the strong defence led by the strong work horse duo of Andy Delmore and Marty Shoula, and when the team was in a all out score fest then the 3 line rotation of forwards would up their game as well to preserve the win. With key players stepping up at key moments in every game it was only destiny for this team to prevail as your TFHL 16 champions!!!!!

Now with a looming TFHL 17 on the horizon with many decisions to be made the task of repeating as champions is even harder for general manager Glenn Merkir. With key acquisitions from last year like David Legwand, Masi Marjamaki, Erik Cole and Matt Jones we have a nucleus of players that can lead this team, but as every GM in this league knows, theres a different team that steps it up every year making it virtually impossible to maintain a high consistency like perennial power houses Pain and Achaeans and Hurricanes....but for all those GM's out there, it may take 3 years or 13 years but never give up!!!!!!

Good luck to everyone in TFHL 17............................

PR - Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Welcome Seven to the Realm

The Wheat Kings staff celebrated late into Sunday night after what was one of their busiest drafts in history. By the end of the day the Kings had added five players at the cost of one off their pro roster.

Their biggest move of the day was the somewhat suprising deal sending Duncan Keith, along with Craig MacDonald and Alex Ponikarovsky, to the Aces for their first, Joel Kwiatkowski, and Lance Ward. Coupled with an earlier move which saw the Kings dispatch farmers Jason Pominville and Andrei Alberts to the Blackhawks for Sergei Zubov and a fifth rounder (Martin Bartos), the Kings added three solid veteran d-men while losing the mercurial Keith.

"Absolutely exstatic," GM Tyler Young summed up his feelings about the day, "I think we finally have a roster in place which has no real holes, this is a team which can develop and grow together into a dominating force."

In acquiring the 12th overall pick the Kings were able to nab their top two most wanted.

"We had our list for the 10th, Mueller was first by hair, we also really liked Frolik and one other player," Young said, "when the opportunity came up to get two of the three guys we wanted we leapt at the chance, even at the cost of a player of Keith's talent."

Peter Mueller and Michael Frolik are both slated to play pro next year. The Kings' other two picks, both of whom were first on the Kings' priority lists for those two spots, John de Gray and Martin Bartos, will be assigned to the farm. De Gray is a superb stay-at-home d-man with top four potential and Bartos was one of the best pure goal scorers in the draft.

"A year on the farm would probably be wasted on Mueller and Frolik; there'll be no pressure for them up in the bigs since they'll get icetime with guys like Bernier and Kaz, they'll be able just to smile and ride shotgun" commented the GM.

The additions of Kwiatowski, Ward and Zubov give the Kings their deepest d-core in history with eight solid pro d-man.

"We should be tough defensively, which is what I like, aggresive and mean," said Young, "Zubov we got for his skill, we think he will be a more reliable offensive player than Keith and he also provides veteran leadership and experience."

The Kings were rumoured to have been extremely active in the week preceeding the draft seeking deals to help improve their team. The Wheaties diligently sought both draft picks and veteran talent.

"To be honest I was looking at filling out our roster now and not looking to free agency," Young stated. "If there's someone there whom we like for the right price, we will look into it, but now we don't need to worry."

It has been suggested that the Kings may seek to sign or deal for a veteran goaltender, but those are rare and the price may exceed the value of adding one; for all intents and purposes the Kings are planning to go into next year with the firm of Howard and Weekes.

PR - Misconducts

Price and Maxwell Headline Draft

The Misconducts where finally able to do what they have been trying to do in the draft for past couple of seasons and that is land a potential franchise goalie. They came close to landing Al Montoya a few years ago but had no such luck. Today was a whole different story. They got one of the two players they covetted in the draft when they selected Carey Price with the ninth overall selection. They even attempted to trade up earlier in the week in hopes that could assure themselves of landing the top rated goalie in the draft, but found no such takers. There were even talks today with the Blackhawks in hopes of getting the eigth overall pick but they fell through at the last minute when Derek Brassard, the player the Blackhawks wanted, was still available. However, the Misconducts couldn't be any happier. Price is expected to backup Tomas Vokoun this season and will play at least 20 games according to GM Rob Maxwell. Ben Maxwell, no relation to Rob Maxwell, was picked with the other first round selection the Misconducts had. He looks to fill the void left by Martin Hanzal who was traded yesterday. The plans right now are to bring him along slowly and let him develop in Phoenix. He is expected to play on a lineup with holdover Brent Burns and 2nd round pick Cal Clutterbuck. They believe that in given time Maxwell will develop into a playmaker at the center position which is something this team has lacked since Mike Modano left in free agency a few years ago. Other draft picks included defensemen Joe Ryan, Kevin Montgomery, Joonas Lehtivouri, and Tysen Dowzak as well as forward Igor Makarov. With the number of young defensemen already on the team, it was a shock to see the Misconducts take four defensemen. GM Maxwell assured that we drafted the best prospect available at the time regardless of position and commented that defense of this team is still a liability.

Draft Day Trade Rumors

There were many rumors floating around during the draft involving the Misconducts. One had future star LW Yuri Artemenkov coming to the Misconducts in exchange for a number of picks including the 22nd OV. Another rumor that has been floating around all week was the imminent arrival of defensemen Tomas Kloucek from the Apocalypse. Rumor has it the Misconducts where offered up a late third round pick in exchange for the defenseman however the Apocalypse wanted a second. The hottest rumor of the day was that Misconducts were desperately trying to move up in the second round to selected high scoring forward Michael Grabner. It is believed that the contacted the Canucks, the Flames, and even contacted the Mauraders all three times they were on the clock. Apparently they were offering up 44th OV and 57 OV to anyone who make the swap. GM Maxwell refused to comment on any of these rumors stating that most rumors are just that . . .rumors. He would however confirm that with drafting of Carey Price that the rumors of Martin Brodeur not returning to the Misconducts are true.

Misconducts Make Three Draft Weekend Trades

The Misconducts started off draft day a day early when they sent Kristian Huselius and Martin Hanzal to the Mauraders for Paul Kariya and Nathan Guenin. Jan Hrdina was extremely upset to see Huselius go as the two of them had great chemistry together. The two were members of The Game line which also included Ian Huml. Hrdina is the only remaining member of the group. Hanzal apparently fell out of favor with the organization with his lackluster play last season. He seemed to be disinterest with hockey once he was demotted. Also he was picked up in late April for DUI just outside of Phoenix. The organization felt it was time for change. Coming back to the Misconducts where young defensemen Nathan Guenin who will be playing with the Felony this season and Paul Kariya who should see some time with the first unit this season. " Paul was a guy we really liked for a long time. He brings a lot to this team. We believe that Kris Beech can learn a lot from this guy. Guenin on the other hand is a very interesting prospect. We believe that if given the right coaching that he could become a top two d pairing for us. With him, Blaze, Colaiacovo, Valabik, Fistric, and the guys we picked up today . . .The Felony should have one of if not the best defensive corps in the minors. We wish Kristian and Martin the best of luck with the Mauraders, " GM Maxwell stated at his post draft press conference. With the addition of Paul Kariya's 9.5 million dollar contract, the Misconducts had to make a few moves to give the team ample cap space for free agency. Two of those moves came today, the first one being the annoucement that Martin Brodeur won't be back and the other in the form of a trade. Glen Murray was sent to the Aces today in exchange for Evgeny Tunik and a third round pick which was used to select Joonas Lehtivouri. Tunik is expected to play RW on the second or third line this season. Lehtivouri adds some depth to their already stacked defensive corps in Phoenix. With several defensemen coming into the organization yesterday and today, one or more where surely expected to be traded. One of the guys let go was Dmitri Kalinin. Kalinin was traded to the Blackhawks for two future draft picks.

SWK - Press Release

First off, congrats to Glen for using all the players I lent him to win the
championship, now I'd like them back... 

Glen was one of only a small number of GMs who were active over the season (or
at least open to legitimate trade discussion), so his victory is a sign of his
attention and design, which makes it impressive and deserved.  Congratulations
also to Matthew who nearly made it back-to-back.


Wheat Kings Prepare for Offseason

With the Wheat Kings having a solid, young core in place for the first time in
their history, they enter the off-season not looking to make many drastic
changes.  The team's objective will be to look for some improvement through the
draft, free agency, and minor deals, but in general to let this group develop
together. 

Prior to the beginning of the playoffs, where the Kings put up a scrappy fight
against the Sioux succumbing in seven, the Kings named Josh Hennessy the team's
captain, replacing Daymond Langkow who was dealt midseason.  Hennessy was
perhaps the best news of last season, not only taking the lead of the team on and
off the ice, but also finding a grove late in the season with super-sniper
Dimitri Kazionov.

Forwards
Nik Bergfors and Byron Bitz are penciled-in to roster spots next year, Kazionov
will likely exceed his league-leading 46 goals riding shot-gun to Hennessy, and
Steve Bernier will anchor the team's second line.  Mat Ritola and Eric Fehr
provide solid depth.  With a decent group of about seven players, the team needs
to pick-up another forward or two.  Kyle Chipchura, Mark Bell, Rico Fata, Lubos
Bartecko and Brad Larsen could all make the team in some capacity.
In general, priority will be given to youth, but where there is no one ready
the Kings might look to free agency. 

Defence
The Kings seriously need to find another top four d-man without subtracting
from the team, which may prove a tricky proposition.  Duncan Keith may or may not
be a number one d-man, Mark Stuart is a solid #2/3, and Cam Barker is looking
like a great addition as a #4 man.  John Adams will manage as a fifth with the
aging but reliable Mike Rathje and Slava Suchy rounding out the core.

Goaltending
Jamie Howard is now the team's number one and will probably get the job this
year as he develops.  Kevin Weekes is slotted right now as the back-up, however
the Kings will probably look into getting another goalie since the combo of
Howard and Weekes is not exactly invocative of confidence.

Draft
Drafting 10th overall, the Wheaties have their highest pick since the distant
days of the old TFHL.  Since the Kings need both forwards and defencemen, they
will probably pick-up a player of any position who catches their fancy.  With
only two first rounders in four years (including the old TFHL, four picks in
eight years), the Kings have still done quite well at the draft table: Bernier was
their first round selection in TFHL14 (13th overall) and Bergfors in TFHL15
(12th overall), both are core players and slotted into the team's top six
forwards.

Free Agency
The Kings have over 25 million dollars to spend this year, although don't
expect any more 15 million dollar additions like last year's Peter Forsberg, rather
the Kings will be looking to add some depth players if needed.