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)
Hi! I'm Sean. I've been playing Fantasy Hockey for about 8 years. I commission leagues every year, and participate in somewhere between actively in 3-5 leagues a year. I am also the webmaster for the dynasty/keeper league I have taken part in for four seasons.
My preferred teams:
1) Winnipeg Winterhawks
2) Seattle Aviators
3) Portland Pioneers
4) Boston Colonials
5) Alaska Huskies
6) Regina Renegade
7) New York Guardians
8) Milwaukee Lagers
9) Atlanta Arsenal
10) New Orleans Gators
Thanks in advance. Excited for the chance to play!
Hi,
I've played 3 pools where a roster is picked then stays the same for the season no exceptions but last year was my first year seriously getting into it. I have to say playing fantasy hockey made me love watching hockey even more (though living on the East Coast its hard to watch all the west games). Last year I placed 1st in both leagues I was in, recording a 20 game win streak in a 22 week season. Playing in all my leagues made me more aware of hockey transactions, finding out who was starting, who played on whose line etc. I would love the chance to be able to showcase my passion for the game here.
Top ten teams by choice: 1. Winnipeg Winterhawks 2. Regina Renegade 3. Alaska Huskies 4. Boulder Beasts 5. New York Guardians 6. North Carolina Nighthawks 7. Seattle Aviators 8. Minnesota Mammoths 9. Dallas Outlaws 10. Milwaukee Lagers
I've been playing fantasy football for about 5 years now, and I played my first year of fantasy hockey last year, coming in 9th out of 63 participants.
Team preferences (in order):
1. North Carolina Nighthawks
2. New York Guardians
3. New Orleans Gators
4. Alaska Huskies
5. Winnipeg Winterhawks
6. Boston Colonials
7. Chicago Hitmen
8. Baltimore Blue Crabs
9. Seattle Aviators
10. Portland Pioneers
I've been playing fantasy hockey for about 6 years now. I've won a friendly league among some of my buddie 3 times, and also won a season ticket holder/fan league with the Lake Erie Monsters 2 years ago. Been a followed of your sight for a few years now, and would love a chance to compete in the IceHL.
1. Minnesota
2. Atlanta
3.Boston
4. Seattle
5. Regina
6. North Carolina
7. Portland
8.Milwaukee
9. Dallas
10. Boulder
I have played fantasy hockey for 4 years in 2 leagues per season. Im always highly competetive.
1.Regina Renegades
2.Baltimore Blue Crabs
3.Chicago Hitmen
4.Atlanta Arsenal
Little experience in a pool like this, but have experience in hockey pools. Am definitely an active owner though, Would love to participate!
1) Detroit
2) North Carolina
3) Winnipeg
4) Chicago
5) Dallas
6) New York
7) New Orleans
8) Portland
9) Regina
10) Seattle
I have been a part of fantasy hockey for the past ten seasons, and am currently preparing for my upcoming eleventh season.
Team Preferences:
1) Winnipeg
2) Milwaukee
3) Baltimore
4) Alaska
5) New York
1. Alaska
2. North Carolina
3. Atlanta
I have only played one season of fantasy hockey, but wanted to get more involved than before and this seems like a great way to do it!
I've been playing fantasy hockey competetively for three years now on Yahoo! I love it. I'm competetive in fantasy baseball and football too. I'd love to get involved in this, being that I have been a long time fan and I look up this site twice a day.
1. Detroit Motorheads
2. North Carolina Nighthawks
3. Baltimore Blue Crabs
4. New York Guardians
5. Portland Pioneers
this will be my 3rd or 4th year of fantasy hockey. and i do mostly casual leagues
any team is fine but i'd prefer the Alaska huskies or if not, Milwaukee
kris_lutes@hotmail.com
I want to join the IceHL
My preferred teams are:
Boston Colonials
Seattle Aviators
Alaska Huskies
Been playing fantasy hockey for four years. Placed second in a league last year.
Teams:
Portland Pioneers
Seattle Aviators
Regina Renegades.
Been playing fantasy hockey for about 5 years straight now always land top 2 and looking to do that here. Top 10 teams are
1. Boston Colonials 2. Alaska Huskies 3. Chicago Hitmen 4. New York Guardians 5. Portland Pioneers 6. Winnipeg Winterhawks 7. Regina Renegades 8. Milwaukee Lagers 9. Dallas Outlaws 10. North Carolina Night hawks
I've in fantasy pools for 5 years. I ran one for two years, and won the first year I was involved with a different pool. This summer I moved too go too school this fall, so I can't participate in the same pool because the draft is in person. I would love too be a part of the IceHL, and I would be proud too own any of the available teams. If I had too choose a top 5 I would take,
1. Seattle Aviators
2. North Carolina Nighthawks
3. New Orleans Gators
4. Winnipeg Winterhawks
5. Chicago Hitmen
I've been playing fantasy hockey for about 6 years. I'm a big icethetics fan, and just a huge hockey fan as a whole. I have a few first and second place trophies in fantasy to show for my dedication. I can 100% guarantee I won't lose interest.
1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Winnipeg
4. Detroit
5. Milwaukee
6. Boston
7. Boulder
8. North Carolina
9. Baltimore
10. Minnesota
Honestly I'd be fine with any team, I'm just really hoping you'll accept me.
I've done fantasy hockey before, but always wanted to get in the IceHL. I've done well, but nothing worth bragging about.
If accepted, my preferred teams are as follow:
Seattle
Winnipeg
Baltimore
Milwaukee
Chicago
Thanks,
North Carolina nighthawks or regina renegades this will be my first year im a huge fan of hockey, the canucks, jets and icethetics.
I have been playing fantasy hockey since I've been about 14, and have been rather successful. Last year alone, I got 1st and 3rd in two different Yahoo leagues, and 1st in an ESPN dynasty league. I am always dedicated to my teams year-round, and being a college student, nothing really breaks the mundane cycle of classes like some good old fantasy hockey. The following is my list of preferred teams, but I would gladly accept any available.
1: North Carolina Nighthawks
2: Milwaukee Lagers
3:Chicago Hitmen
4: New Orleans Gators
5: New York Guardians
As an avid NHL/hockey fan, fantasy hockey participant, and loyal Icethetics reader ever since the off-season switch to the RBK Edge jerseys, I hope you choose me to participate.
Jonathan B
jonathan.brodie@sympatico.ca
Hey, I love fantasy hockey. I joined 6 leagues last year, staying active in all. I consisenly made trades and made the league fun for everyone. I would be honored to get chosen for a francise
1. North Carolina Nighthawks
2. Baltimore Blue Crabs
3. Alaska Huskies
4. New Orleans Gators
5. New York Guardians
6. Winnipeg Winterhawks
7. Milwaukee Lagers
8. Seattle Aviators
9. Boulder Beasts
9.
Marko H.
matadoralonso@hotmail.com
I had a espn nhl fantasy league last year and joining one this year,I love this website and would love to be a part of the the fantasy league.
1.New Orleans Gators
2.Winnipeg Winterhawks