PR - Bobcats

After winning the franchises first TFHL cup in only its 3rd year under
GM of the year Glenn Merkir, the Brantford Bobcats seem to be ready and
willing in what is turning out to be a very well rounded TFHL this coming
year. With only 1 major move in the offseason, the signing of perennial
sniper Ziggy Palffy, the core of the Bobcats that took the team all the way
are still intact. GM Glenn Merkir felt it was the out most importance to
allow this team to grow together as a team and build the chemistry required
to compete in a league that is becoming the most competitive league
around.......

Bobcats Preview...

Forwards:
With having only 1 major decision in this years offseason, to try to
resign or to let go allstar RW Jaromir Jagr. GM Glenn Merkir felt that to
keep the team competitive on the ice and financially responsible it was
neccesary to let Jags go to the highest bidder and try to replace him with
another dynamic player in his own rights. With the first day of FA underway
the Bobcats jump in head first with a 1 year deal worth 10 million dollars
to Zigmund Palffy. "We knew we were never going to replace what Jags
brought to this team, but Ziggy will bring a different dimension to the
team. With arguably 1 of the best top lines in all of the TFHL, with team
captain Simon Gagne at center and allstar LW Sergei Samsonov. Zigmund
Palffy on the right side of these two will be a lethal combination again
this year. Keeping the second line of Marjamaki,Legwand and Cole together
for another year will give us a solid 1-2 punch offensively. With the
imergence of rookie Blair Jones on the third line with the veteran
leadership of Mikey Peca and steadiness of Nikky Hagman gives the team a
very well rounded line offensively and defensively. Rounding out the rest
of the forwards may be forth liners but GM Glenn Merkir knows the importance
of the role of these players to be just as important as any other players.
Known as the teams energy line Karlsson, Tenkrat and Willis will be the
thorn in every opponents side for the entire season....

Defence:
With everyone of the 6 defenceman still under contract GM Glenn Merkir
saw no reason to make any changes to a defence core that is matched by no
other.With the combinations of Delmore and Skoula, Klepis and Jones, Shultz
and Boyton there are no weakness to be seen in this armour!!!!!!

Goaltending:
Silencing all the critics Marty Biron proved to everyone the caliber of
goalie he really is. Not only taking the Bobcats to their first ever cup,
but its the way he did it. Series after series Marty proved his value was
well worth the price tag it cost the team dealing rookie sensation Tobias
Stephan to the Ice. "If I have anything to say about it, Marty will be a
Bobcat until hes ready to retire" replied GM Glenn Merkir.

Conclusion:
With every team making significant moves in this years off-season, if
it was through FA or via trades, the defending champs will find it harder
than ever to stay at the top with so many teams nipping at our heels but "I
will do everything possible to keep this team at the top!!!"

PR - Apocalypse

The Coquitlam Apocalypse have had an unusually busy offseason when you
compare it with past years. It seems that GM James Sykes is taking a much
more agressive aproach in trying to improve his team. We'll have to wait
until the start of the season to see if this new tactic pays off but the
fans are already excited.

The first sign of GM Sykes' new attitude was his bold and, some say,
over-priced bid on restricted free agent Eric Brewer of the Atlanta Flames.
"We feel that Eric is well worth the price we put on him. He's a strong,
physical guy who can play a ton of minutes," Sykes said at a meet and greet
for season ticket holders yesterday. "Pat [Amantea, Flames GM] obviously
didn't but I think that that is our gain."

The Apocalypse ended up signing Brewer for a 2 year contract believed to be
a little more than $3M a year. The team also gave up a 2nd round pick in
next year's draft and backup goalie Wade Dubielewicz who became expendable
with the emergence of young Devan Dubnyk and the fact that the Apocalypse
drafted another goaltending prospect in this past draft. "Wade served us
well for the past few years but, to tell you the truth, I never could
pronounce his last name."

The Flames' Amantea then made a bid on Apocalypse superstar defenceman Derek
Morris sparking rumours that it was in retaliation to the Brewer signing.
"I don't think that's the case," Sykes replied. "Pat made bids for a lot of
guys. I would have prefered to have been able to work it out within the
organization but sometimes it doesn't work out that way." The Apocalypse
matched the offer which will see Morris under contract for two more years
when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Then Sykes got word that the Misconduct had a talented young playmaker
available in Brian McConnell. He and Misconduct GM Rob Maxwell pounded out
a deal that eventually saw the under-performing centre Sergei Anshakov and
stable defenceman Tomas Kloucek dealt for McConnell and Kris Beech, a
well-rounded player who could yet be a star.

"I couldn't pass up the opportunity to land a toung talent like Brian, who's
not only a brilliant playmaker but can play a ton of minutes, we've been
missing that at centre. I also wanted to add Kris to shore up our top 3
lines, it really worked out perfectly for us."

With the addition of McConnell the Apocalypse can boast two of the best
young playmaking centres in the game to help distribute the puck to snipers
like Sundin and Bondra. And we haven't even mentioned last year's team MVP
Michael Tessier who was having a break-through season until he fractured a
vertabrae in his neck in a game against the Flames. So it seems the fans
have much to be excited about.

PR - Flames

The Atlanta Flames roll into the new season boasting a top 6 that commands elite respect in the TFHL. An organization that was once rated as one of the worst in the league, now boasts a TFHL team that sits near the top in the league, followed by a very strong farm team as well. Last season, the Flames managed to finish 1st overall in the league but once again, fell victim to the Achaeans in the post season.

Instead of remaining content with their team, GM Patrick Amantea decided to take matter into his own hands. "I have managed to improve the top 6 of the team and be financially responsible for the future". The Flames boast arguably the best 1-2 punch at center. Going into the new season they have newly acquired, super star Erik Christensen from the Blackhawks and previous Flames #1 center Milan Michalek. Both players are lethal playmakers, can control the puck with the best of them and score. On the wings, the team has Gaborik, Calder, Ryznar and Kolanos.

This offseason was tough for the Flames, where they had to make a few tough decisions. Eric Brewer was let go, who Patrick felt was overrated and the price was way too much for his services. Also, they let future #1 goalie Pascal Leclaire go due to salary constraints as well. Leclaire with the right development can be lethal but as it sits right now, his OV is bloated and he isn't very well rounded. To fill the backup gap, the Flames acquired Marc Denis from the Maurders. The Flames also boast some top end picks for next seasons draft.

Possibly the biggest threat will come from the blueline. The Flames look to have one of the best top 5 bluelines in the league, lead by Denis Grebeshkov. His development has skyrocketed and he looks to be an early candidate for a Norris. His supporting cast will contain Brad Stuart, Tomas Kaberle, Marek Chvatal and Erik Johnson. The #1 goalie will of course be Jose Theodore.

Rumors floating around is that the Flames may be looking for a physical, defensive dman for the #6/7 spot if Kuba cannot perform the job.

Award Winners

Congraluations Tyler, you have an additional 10 TC's.


HART TROPHY (LEAGUE MVP)
Gregory Campbell (Achaeans)


LADY BYNG TROPHY (SPORTSMANSHIP)
Christopher Higgins (Saints)

NORRIS TROPHY (DEFENSEMAN)
Sergei Gonchar (Blackhawks)

CALDER TROPHY (ROOKIE)
Jeff Carter (Raiders)

VEZINA TROPHY (GOALIE)
Roberto Luongo (Blackhawks)

SELKE TROPHY (BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD)
Gregory Campbell (Achaeans)

EXECUTIVE TROPHY (TOP GM)
Glenn Merkir (Bobcats)

JACK ADAMS (TOP COACH)
Joseph Ratzinger (Saints)


BEST PR:
Wheat Kings

PR - Wheat Kings

WHEAT KINGS FACE REVOLUTION

The off-season for the Kings was nothing short of a revolution, with eleven new faces slated to join the team at the cost of only three regulars from last season.

"In the end we were able to use our cap space better than I expected," GM Tyler Young commented, "we also made some smaller moves, trading away some younger prospects that didn't really have much of a future in the organization in return for tried and tested veterans. We kept our core together, like I said we would, and we managed to add several quality players."

"Our objective going into the offseason was to make changes that would get us about 15 more goals and shave about 15 off our goals against, or at least get us back under 25 shots against per game. Hopefully with all these maneuvres we've done that. I can honestly say that this team is the best one we've iced since TFHL14, and factoring in pure potential it might just be a better group."

In other personnel moves, Head Coach Mike Keenan's contract was not renewed and will join the team in a scouting capacity. Keenan coached the Wheat Kings for five seasons and was a respectable 221-174-45 in that time. But while he managed to lead the team into the playoffs four of five years, the Kings have managed only one playoff round victory. Keenan won the Jack Adams trophy for coach of the year in TFHL14. Tyler Young named himself to the top coaching post and hired Brent Sutter and Don Hay as associate coaches.

"I think as coach-GM my position as GM will be improved - I'll know the players, know the pieces I need, who's really good for this team and who's a problem - and as coach I can shape this group in the image I want. I also wanted some help so I brought in two excellent coaches to head up this team, Brent and Don are great motivators and tacticians, good, smart hockey people, plus they're both good ol' farm boys from Western Canada. For too many years this team hasn't played with a strong enough work ethic and grit, so I wanted to get a strong Western element to make this team a champion."

Besides the coaching staff, several of the new player additions are from the Heartland: Kwiatowski is from Kindersley, near to the boss' hometown of Kerrobert - "yeah, he's from Kindersley," Tyler Young joked, "but we won't hold that too much against him" - Lance Ward is from Lloydminster, Cam Barker is from Winnipeg, Dafoe grew-up on Vancouver Island, plus long time King Eric Fehr is from Winkler and prospect Byron Bitz will play in his hometown of Saskatoon. Bitz and the Young boys grew up on the same street and played street hockey against each other - "I always though Byron's younger brother Joey was the best of the Bitzs, but I guess Byron's the one who made it," Mr. Young commented with a smile.

Overall the Kings are much deeper, younger, and improved. Goaltending remains something of a question mark, but the defensive corp is now (and probably for the first time) a serious strength for the Wheaties.


OUT: Duncan Keith (trade), Craig Conroy (free agency), Mike Rathje (farm)

IN: Peter Mueller (draft), Michael Frolik (draft), Joel Kwiatowski (trade), Jason Smith (free agency), Sergei Zubov (trade), Byron Bitz (farm), Niklas Bergfors (farm), Cam Barker (farm), Karol Rachunek (trade), Lance Ward (trade), Byron Dafoe (trade)

PR - Misconducts

Misconducts Yet To Land Free Agent

Free agency for the Miami Misconducts has been much like a trip to the strip club . . .a lot of flirting, even some with high priced talent, yet at the end of evening you go home without what you came in looking for and with a lot less money than you had to start. The Misconducts have spent a lot of money bringing in free agents including Jason Smith three times and Jaromir Jagr once. However they have been unable to sign a single free agent. Jagr was thought to be the only free agent this team really covetted in the offseason. They viewed him as the perfect replacement for Petr Forsberg. But Jaromir Jagr quickly became out their price range when his asking price to sign went higher than 11 million. When efforts to sign Jagr went sour, the Misconducts turned their attention to suring up their defense and went hard after Jason Smith. But the same thing happened with Smith as did Jagr, he quickly became out the Misconducts price range. Rumors have it that the Misconducts are now looking at bringing back Craig Conroy who signed with the Misconducts this time last year. He has already two trips to South Beach and a third is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon sometime.

The New Face Of Miami

When the free agency market turned cold for Miami, GM Rob Maxwell had to get creative in his offseason moves. He said last month their goals of free agency where to add a solid dman or two and some much needed scoring up front. Since the draft he has reshaped much of this team. The first deal saw starting goalie Martin Brodeur traded for Chris Osgood and Radek Dvorak. Dvorak will be switched to RW during camp this year and looks like a good bet to end up playing on the second. Osgood on the other had was dealt to the Aces in exchange for D Aaron Rome and LW Perttu Lindgren. Also going back to the Aces in this deal where D Joonas Lehtivouri and the Misconducts 2nd round pick next year. Rome was acquired to play on the third line and the top power play unit. He appears to be just another one of those young dmen that GM Maxwell continues to stock pile. Lindgren was acquired to provide some much needed LW depth in Phoenix. Another one of their big moves this offseason was trading for former captain Mike Modano. Many in Miami are very happy to see the former captain return home. The cap space to trade for Modano was openned up when Jagr refused the team's 11 million dollar offer. While Modano was the better PR move, the really gem of the Modano deal was landing first round pick Nigel Williams. The Misconducts tried frantically to move up in the draft to select Williams as they had him ranked the number 3 defenseman coming out. They even had a deal worked out prior to the draft with Blackhawks to move up to pick number 8 so they could take Carey Price and Nigel Williams back to back, however Derek Brassard, the player they covetted, was still available when they picked so the trade fell threw. Williams is expect to play on the first or second line this season and be one of their main penalty killers. They believe with in two years he will be a force in this league. In order to get Modano and Williams the Misconducts parted with leading scorer from last season Jan Hrdina, a future 1st, and a future 3rd. It was a very small price to pay for the Misconducts in order to get the stay at home defenseman they covetted. Another former Misconduct is returning. Former draft pick Kyle Chipchura was acquired for a fifth round pick and veteran defenseman Karel Rachunek. Other new players coming in include Rosario Ruggeri and Stephen Weiss acquired for Daymond Langkow, Jeff Jillson, and three minor league players. The Misconducts also got three future draft picks back in the deal.

Trade Rumor

A rumor floated around right now is that the Misconducts have made yet another move since the draft. Rumor it has the Misconducts and Apocalypse have already agreed upon a trade and our just waiting for league approval before official announcing the deal. The Misconducts would receive muched rumored about defenseman Tomas Kloucek and Sergei Anshakov, who the team plans to switch to LW. The Apocalypse in turn would receive Brian McConnell and Kris Beech. There are also draft picks involved in this deal but they will not be known until the trade is official. This move comes a total shock to everyone in the organization as Kris Beech was viewed as one of the build blocks on this team. Rumor has it that the Misconducts have been very impressed by the development of Eric Nystrom this offseason thus making Beech available. The team was not actively shopping him but when the Apocalypse came dangling Anshakov in front of them they couldn't resist. They plan to move him to right wing and give Nystrom yet another premier passer to team up with. Kloucek was finally brought in after several discussions with the Apocalypse including before and after the draft. He will allow players like Carlo Colaiacovo, Boris Valabik, Mark Fistric, Nathan Guenin, and Rosario Ruggeri more time to develop in the minors this year. He will be team up with recently acquired Aaron Rome on the third lining defensive pairing.