Wanted: 17 New IceHL GMs!
Before you read this, I recommend scrolling down to read last week's IceHL update.
I'm now in the process of getting the 2011-12 IceHL fantasy hockey season off the ground. Last week, I got in touch with the team owners from our inaugural season in 2010-11 to see who would be returning. As it happens only 12 of the 20 are sticking around. But we're also adding in the other 10 IceHL teams that weren't used last year.
We use ESPN's fantasy hockey league website to operate the IceHL. It only permits 20 teams per league. Since there 30 IceHL teams, we'll be opening up two separate leagues this season, split up by conference, with 15 teams each. That means we'll need 17 new owners for 2011. (Really, only 16 because I'll be taking on a team this season.)
Now let's talk about what it takes to become one of the lucky 16.
Dedication
Managing an IceHL team isn't about how much experience you have playing fantasy hockey. It's about how much you're willing to commit to participating and keeping the league competitive and fun. If you're worried you'll lose interest halfway into the season, please sit this one out and give someone else a shot.
Applying for a team
Last year, more than a hundred people applied to own one of 20 teams. I anticipate a similar turnout this year. So if you're not serious about it, please don't apply. Save the space for someone who is.
You may apply for a team by posting a comment below with the following information:
- Your first name and last initial (ex.: Chris S.), no pseudonyms
- Your email address (if you enter it into the box that says "author email," it will only be seen by me and no other users; if you include it in the body of the comment, everyone will see it)
- In the body of your comment, please note your experience playing fantasy hockey and list your preferred IceHL team choices, in order, from the list below. Please pick no more than 10. (If no teams on your list are available, one will be assigned at random.) Also please note whether you designed any of the winning IceHL logos.
You have until the end of this weekend to apply. I need all of the owners decided quickly so we can start making league decisions together. That will include a live chat with all of the owners.
Selecting owners and teams
Last season, owners were selected entirely at random. I think that was the fairest way to handle it and we'll do the same thing this year. Just be aware that demonstrating your dedication and commitment to fantasy hockey will increase your odds. I'm looking for people who aren't going to lose interest halfway through the season.
Keep in mind, however, that simply being awarded a team doesn't guarantee you'll keep it. If any owner becomes inattentive or doesn't respond to communications and emails, I reserve the right to replace him/her with or without notice. Sorry, but I want to keep this league exciting and competitive.
Available teams
Here are a list of all 30 teams. You may select from any of those that do not already have owners.
| Alaska Huskies Owner: Steve S. 2011 Champion |  |
Atlanta Arsenal |  |
| Baltimore Blue Crabs |  |
Boston Colonials |  |
| Boulder Beasts |  |
Calgary Cavalry Owner: Joshua S. |  |
| California Wave Owner: Jon W. |  |
Chicago Hitmen |  |
| Dallas Outlaws |  |
Detroit Motorheads |  |
| Edmonton Kodiaks Owner: Ed P. |  |
Hamilton Steelcats |  |
| Houston Hellcats Owner: James L. |  |
Milwaukee Lagers |  |
| Minnesota Mammoths |  |
Montreal Olympiques Owner: Chris S. |  |
| New Orleans Gators |  |
New York Guardians |  |
| North Carolina Nighthawks |  |
Portland Pioneers |  |
| Quebec Armada Owner: Curtis L. |  |
Regina Renegades |  |
| Salt Lake City Scorpions Owner: Kyle G. |  |
Saskatoon Sharpshooters Owner: Brian H. |  |
| Seattle Aviators |  |
St. Louis Archers Owner: Ryan L. |  |
| Tampa Bay Barracudas Owner: Chris S. (commissioner) |  |
Vancouver Lumberjacks Owner: James W. |  |
| Washington Sentinels Owner: Simon C. |  |
Winnipeg Winterhawks Owner: Daniel R. |  |
If you want to apply, just make sure you follow the instructions outlined above. Good luck!
Chris
Application deadline: Sunday, September 4 at 3 PM Eastern (noon Pacific)
Reader Comments (161)
Been playing fantasy hockey since 03-04. Won a league last year, and placed 2nd in 2 others
1. Alaska
2. N. Carolina
3. NY
4. Milwaukee
5. Minnesota
6. Baltimore
7. Winnipeg
8. Chicago
9. Detroit
10. Boston
Hey,
I have been participating in fantasy pools for about 6 years now, I have won many, be it regular season or fantasy. My friends and I always have a giant 14 team 20 man roster league which I run. I would love a little extra challenge this year, I am used to working with salary caps and negotiating trades all year long. There is nothing I love more then a good Fantasy Draft and this league sounds like a bunch of fun.
I'd love to run the New Orleans Gators, Atlanta Arsenal, Baltimore Blue Crabs, Regina Renegades, or the Minnesota Mamouths
Thank you for your time!
Experience: 2 years of fantasy hockey, among most active owners within the league both seasons, which saw my team play into the postseason both years.
Team Preferences:
North Carolina
Seattle
Winnipeg
Alaska
Regina
Boston
Milwaukee
Baltimore
Owned several fantasy hockey teams over the years but never found a serious league that I really felt like everyone was on board with. Most teams in my leagues would quit midway through the league. Being from Missouri, which is also known as hockey hell, its impossible to get a team going full of friends or co-workers because I'm the only one who really follows the NHL.
1. Boulder Beasts
2. Seattle Aviators
3. Baltimore Blue Crabs
4. Minnesota Mammoths
5. Milwaukee Lagers
Robyn H.
hunterridgefarm1901@hotmail.com
-been playing fantasy hockey for many years, mainly local ones. Flames fan, but watch pretty much all the teams play via Centre Ice
Team preference: 1. Milwaukee 2. Portland 3. Dallas 4. New Orleans 5. North Carolina 6. Alaska 7. Baltimore 8. Salt Lake 9. Regina 10. Atlanta
Cheers.
Three years of experience playing fantasy hockey at Yahoo and seven years of experience (including one league championship) in Yahoo fantasy football. I take pride in keeping up with my team and actively updating my roster, and I would love to join a league filled with active owners!
I'm a big Hurricanes fan and have been since the Greensboro days (and yes, I did go to some of those sparsely attended games!), but I love to follow the entire league as well.
My team preferences, in order:
North Carolina, Winnipeg, Baltimore, Alaska, New Orleans, Atlanta, Boulder, Detroit
several years exp. from footbal fantasy leagues, one year of hockey fantasy league. as a czech native I strongly support Milwaukee Lagers! :) then my preferences go: New York, Dallas, Boston, Alaska, Baltimore, North Carolina.
Experience: Played fantasy hockey since 2002, usually 2 or 3 leagues per season, 9 total championship teams. I'm also the commissioner of a league which has been going for 4 years now.
Teams: 1. Boston 2. Milwaukee 3. Winnipeg, 4. Salt Lake City 5. Baltimore 6. Chicago 7. New York
Hello,
I've never played fantasy hockey before, but I plan on playing this year. Been a lifelong fan of the game. Played three seasons of fantasy football, and stayed with it the entire season finishing rather well each year.
1. New Orleans Gators
2. Dallas Outlaws
3. Boulder Beasts
4. North Carolina Nighthawks
First year of fantasy hockey was last year. Did reasonably well for my first year. I am primarily a Leafs, Jets, Stars, and Flames fan, but if there is any hockey on, I'll watch it. Preferences: 1 Winnipeg, 2 Alaska, 3 Atlanta, 4 New Orleans, 5 Seattle, 6 North Carolina, 7 Detroit.
Ryan H.
I personally run a Playoff pool amongst my friends every year. It has been running, uninterrupted, for 11 years now.
I will take any team that is given to me.
I'm in would prefer the Alaska team or any other team really
But I am in Alaska so ... Anyway let me know
Won CBS platinum leagues for two consecutive years now. Have played for many years in many leagues. I'm definitely what you would call an active owner. No team preference, just be glad to land a spot.
Been a long time fan of the website and active in fantasy hockey leagues and usually the only one left at the end of the year still paying attention to their team at the end of the year. Big hockey fan from the South and am a dedicated hockey fan no matter where I'm at in Dallas or at school in Arkansas
Team Preferences
1.Dallas Outlaws
2. North Carolina Nighthawks
3. Boulder Beasts
4. New Orleans Gators
5. Baltimore Blue Hawks
6. Minnesota Mammoths
7. Seattle Aviators
8. Milwaukee Lagers
I live in San Francisco, so it's always a struggle to find the interest necessary to get a league together. I've played 3 years of fantasy hockey but I've never won. I'm a huge Leafs fan, so I'm kinda used to losing. Nonetheless, I remain tentatively optimistic. If you're looking for someone to stay committed throughout the season (and possibly defeat handily on a consistent basis), I'm your guy.
Preferences (though I'm not all that picky):
1. Winnipeg Winterhawks
2. New York Guardians
3. New Orleans Gators
4. Chicago Hitmen
5. Boston Colonials
6. Minnesota Mammoths
I have been participating in Fantasy Hockey for a couple years, and two years ago, I won my league's championship. I have been following Icethetics since it was the NHLToL and I would love to join the IceHL.
Team Preferences:
New York Guardians
Alaska Huskies
Milwaukee Lagers
Boston Colonials
Minnesota Mammoths
I've been playing fantasy hockey for 5 years, managing 20+ teams in that time, including 6 last season. I finished no lower than 3rd in any of my leagues, finishing 1st in 2 leagues. I am an avid hockey fan and i love playing fantasy hockey. i'll never abandon a team mid-season or lose interest. thanks for considering me, and good luck this season even if i'm not picked. thanks!
1. New York Guardians
2. Chicago Hitmen
3. Boston Colonials
4. Seattle Aviators
5. Winnipeg Winterhawks
6. Dallas Outlaws
7. Boulder Beasts
8. Detroit Motorheads
9. Portland Pioneers
10. Milwaukee Lagers
I have played fantasy hockey for many years but recently joined the Yahoo public pool last year and ended up winning it. So basically last year was my first public pool I have been in. This year I am returning to defend my title in Yahoo and would love to own another and try to win one on ESPN. I check up on my teams almost everyday to assign starters so should be no problem on the maintainance of my team. I would perfer the New York Guardians based on the fact that the Rangers are my favourite team but I would be happy with any team I get (if I am picked)
i Have been Playing Fantasy Hockey For As Long As I Can Remember, Winning a Majority of my leagues, 2nd and 3rd in others, Huge Icethetics fan and huge Hockey Fan in General
1.Winnipeg
2.Alaska
3.CHicago
4.Boulder
5.Boston
6.Millwaukee
7.Regina
8.Detroit
9.North Carolina
10.Minnesota
Been playing many years, both Yahoo & ESPN leagues, enjoy playing and enjoy talking about it.
I have no preference for any team since they are all good logos that I would be proud to represent.