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 guys, sorry for any inconvenience, but one of our returning owners has decided to switch teams. This means the Winnipeg Winterhawks team is no longer available. However, the Hamilton Steelcats now are. If this changes your team preference list, you may leave a new comment with your updated list. But be sure to include everything from your original comment as I will probably delete it so there aren't multiple entries for individual applicants.
Again, sorry for the trouble, but I have to take care of our returning owners.
1. Dallas
2. Atlanta
3. really just playing would be amazing, i have 4 years playing on the internet fantasy hockey, Just playing in this league would be enough of a honor, been following this project since day 1.
Hi I have been playing fantasy hockey for 6 years, i would love to play in this fantasy league, my preferred teams are:
1: Alaska Huskies
2: Milwaukee Lagers
3: Hamilton Steelcats
Thanks, i hope you choose to participate me.
I have been in multiple fantasy leagues over the years, even running a few. I have won a few championships, including ones with prizes.
I'll take any team
I have about 3 years experience, ran a league last year. As for the team, it really doesn't matter to me what team I get. I just wanna play, but since you asked for a list.
Alaska, Hamilton, Portland, Boston, Boulder
hi my name is nate and i have played hockey since i was 4 and ihave played on fantasy teams for years winning alot of them this would be an opertunity of a lifetime i have been on your website for a very long time and i would be humbled to be an icehl owner
Played 2 seasons after the lockout with some friends (on Yahoo), the Deep Shit Yankees won the first season (I picked up Lundqvist as a FA in his rookie season so I had 3 top notch Gs), the second season I went to the Semi Finals. After that the league folded I haven't been able to pick up a new league. Although I live overseas, I'm a nocturnal guy, with a fairly flexible schedule this year, so got no problems tagging along all season.
Preferred teams:
1. Chicago Hitmen
2. Hamilton Hellcats
3. Milwaukee Lagers
4. Regina Renegades
5. Dallas Outlaws
6. Detroit Motorhead
7. North Carolina Nighthawks
8. Alaska Huskies
9. New York Guardians
10. Minnesota Mammoths
Hello, my name is Dan A. I have participated in 10 fantasy hockey leagues, 9 of which on Yahoo.com and one on ESPN.com. On my Yahoo leagues I have won one league championship, finished second on two occasions, and finished third on two occasions in the tournament brackets. In my ESPN league last season, my team had a stellar regular season during which it only accumulated two losses in running away with the regular season title, though it lost in the Final. Hockey is my number one sport in terms of both fandom and knowledge, and I am extremely competitive. If you select me, there is absolutely zero chance that I don't operate to the best of my ability and with my full attention. Unfortunately I don't have much experience with design, but I believe that I have a strong ability to manage a team in this league.
Considering there is no Philadelphia team, my team preferences are as follows: North Carolina, Minnesota, Boston, Chicago, Boulder, Alaska, and Seattle. If none of those teams are availiable my only request would be that you don't assign me New York; I can roll with anything else. I hope you decide to choose me.
Hi,
I would absolutely love to join this fantasy pool. Been playing NHL fantasy for a good 15 years, from local pools with friends, aution drafts and some with people all over the map. I love managing fantasy teams on a daily basis. Hopefully I get a chance to join this league. If not, best of luck to all that made it in.
My team preferences:
1. Milwaukee
2. Seattle
3. Alaska
4. Boston
5. Chicago
6. Minnesota
7. New York
8. Boulder
9. North Carolina
10. Detroit
I have been playing Fantasy Hockey for 5 years. I also commish a Yahoo league with 11 other players. I would be interested in owning the Regina Renegades, Hamilton Steelcats or Alaska Huskies...
thanks
Hi, I'm Dan from Buffalo. Here's why I think you should have me as an owner...I only participate in one Fantasy Hockey league per year, and the one I was in from last year is disbanding. Only one, which means I put all my time and effort in fantasy hockey into one team. So when my team starts off slow, I don't bail on it and turn my attention to another team. I've only got one, so I stick with it to the end.
My favorite type of fantasy leagues are the big ones with alot of teams, that forces you to find diamonds in the rough or take a chance on potential, hoping it pans out during the year. 8 or 10 team leagues stacked with superstars doesn't interest me.
I love leagues that have city names and logos rather than bizarro clever sayings like "Bits of Real Panther" or "Aunt Sue's JuGGies ".
I would be looking forward to trying ESPN's fantasy hockey, as the league I was in formerly was on Yahoo. I'll take any team availble and love it as my own, there are some really great names/logos, but if I had to pick a top 3, I like:
1. Atlanta (Great Logo)
2. Hamilton (Close to Buffalo)
3. Milwaukee (Great Logo)
I see there's another Dan R. as an owner. Don't let that get in the way or make things confusing, I'll go by a nickname if I have to.
Have been playing fantasy hockey since I first got my yahoo account back in the late 90's. Have won my work pools twice and several Yahoo Hockey pools. Check my team daily even while running multiple sports at the same time.
Also can't seem to find the junior hockey updates, did you stop doing them?
Team preference
1.Alaska Huskies
2. Milwaukee Laugers
3. Baltimore Blue Crabs
4. North CArolina Nighthawks
5. New Orleans GAtors
6. Boulder Beasts
Thanks
I have been playing all sorts of Fantasy Hockey/Fantasy Football Leagues since... well always! Even before the Internet, here I was, sketching logos for invented teams of invented leagues. And now with my new job I have a lot more free time on my hands so I will be fully dedicated!
1. New York Guardians
2. Portland Pioneers
3. Chicago Hitmen
4. Boston Colonials
5. Alaska Huskies
6. Atlanta Arsenal
7. Seattle Aviators
8. Boulder Beasts
btw, it would be nice to have a section with each years results, standings, champions banners or maybe even a page for each team with players statistics, team infos, etc... maybe I'm getting too excited... ! :p
I've played fantasy hockey for about ten years now. I have won 3 championships, two as a member of the Continental Hockey League on the Chris Creamer's Sportslogos.net messageboard.
I would LOVE to run the Milwuakee Lagers. That's my favorite identitiy in the league, so it would be a tremendous honor.
I'm a big fan of icethetics and would greatly appreciate your consideration.
Rankings:
1. Milwaukee Lagers
2. Minnesota Mammoths
3. New Orleans Gators
4. Baltimore Blue Crabs
5. Detroit Motorheads
6. Hamilton Steelcats
7. New York Guardians
8. Alaska Huskies
9. Regina Renegades
10. Atlanta Arsenal
I've played fantasy hockey for 10 years, and have read your blog from the very beginning. I missed out on playing last year and would love to play with the boys this year and seasons to come. Thanks for the chance!
Teams:
Milwaukee
Baltimore
Alaska
Winnipeg
New York
North Carolina
Boston
Chicago
Boulder
Regina
Minnesota
Hamilton
Seattle
Dallas
Detroit
Atlanta
Portland
Good afternoon Commissioner,
I represent a group in Milwaukee named Wilwaukee for Ice Hockey. Our group has owned numerous minor league hockey franchises in the past here in the Milwaukee area and we would like to submit our bit to own the Milwaukee Lagers. It would be an honor for us to own one of your major league franchises. Your league is attractive to us because of the full body favor and the richness of the participation level you offer. If selected to own the Milwaukee franchise we will make crisp, clean decisions that will honor the city. We vow not to be nutty or fruity. We will be earthy and genuine.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your response.
Wilwaukee for Ice Hockey LLC.
Honestly, I have played fantasy sports since 2001. I have never had the chance to play fantasy hockey because I was employed as a designer with an organization. I have been a follower of Icethetics for about 5 years, I would enjoy participating in your league because involves more then just drafting players and setting lineups.
I have been playing yahoo! fantasy hockey for the past 10 years. My top 3 logos would be MILWAUKEE LAGERS, SEATTLE AVIATORS and ATLANTA ARSENAL. However I love all the logos and would be excited to represent any one of them.
hey i would love to join up i love playing fantasy hockey and am very competitive person i been playing fantasy hockey for awhile now in a private league on yahoo and in four years won twice and made it to the finals 3 out of the last 4 years and now looking to try some new people so i would love to join. and for teams i would prefer any team thats left but dont give me new york just cause their too similar to the rangers and im a devils fan so i would like not to have them.
I haven't played fantasy hockey since pre-internet days, when I was going to Albany, my friend was going to Tulane, and we made decisions via phone for our Sporting News mail-in league. Love to get back in again.
No team preference.