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)
Have been playing fantasy hockey for 7-8 years have won twice and have been runner-up multiple times.
I would be interested in running any team as i am a hockey fan through and through!
Brian
I have been managing teams in Yahoo leagues since 2000. I haven't played any Hockey leagues since 2006 because I did not find any that I wanted to stay with over the long haul. I have been playing in the same two Yahoo Baseball leagues since 2005. I checked my record in Yahoo leagues and found that out of 66 teams that I managed/coached, 21 of them won trophies (third place or better).
I am an active owner in my leagues, setting my lineup and scouring the waiver wire on a daily basis. If you have come across the "San Antonio Eagles" in any Yahoo league, that is me. My team preferences are:
1. Hamilton Steelcats
2. New York Guardians
3. Dallas Outlaws
4. Seatte Aviators
5. Alaska Huskies
6. Regina Renegades
7. North Carolina Nighthawks
8. Baltimore Crabs
9. Chicago Hitmen
10. Boston Colonials
I have been following Icethetics since November of last year. Therefore the season had already started and I was extremely jealous to not be in your league. So, when you posted that you were looking for new owners I wanted to make sure to submit my application. I am a hardcore fan of fantasy hockey but I do not have a league that I am regularly in. I am from Pittsburgh and moving to Tampa and do not have a group of buddies to start a league with. I regularly join a public league. In the past I did yahoo but two years ago I switched over to ESPN. Last year I made it to the Finals but lost in the championship in my league. If you pick me I would be a dedicated member of this league for the rest of my life. If you cannot grant me a team, I understand and will apply again next year. Below is a list of teams that I would to manage in this upcoming season.
1. North Carolina Nighthawks
2. Salt Lake City Scorpians
3. Chicago Hitmen
4. Atlanta Arsenal
5. Alaska Huskies
6. Hamilton Steelcats
7. New York Gaurdians
8. Detroit Motorheads
9. Boston Colonials
10. Milwaukee Lagers
Think I posted on the wrong thread. I have been a reader since day one, back when you started the NHL ToL. I am dedicated to fantasy hockey, and have been in a keeper league for the past 6 years. This year, we decided to disband, so I am looking for a serious league to start back up! I'd be happy with any team, but here's my top 5:
1. New Orleans
2. Seattle
3. Boston
4. Chicago
5. Portland
Thanks Chris, hope to have a chance!
I have been playing the CBC hockey poll for the last 3 years and as a dedicated reader of icethetics would love to join the fantacy hockey pool, as the Seattle Aviators!!!
I've been an avid fantasy player for many years. Since my relocation from Calgary to Houston, it's been much harder to be in a league. I tried for two years to stay in the Rotisserie League that I've been in for a decade, but the multi-hour live draft was too hard over the phone/skype. I've been out for two years, but am up for a new challenge.
As far as a preference, I have none. Whatever team I can get will simply be known as "Champion" next year. :D haha.
- Mike
Hey,
Have been playing fantasy hockey and football for 5 years now. Huge Sabres Fan
Dont care which team i get, If i had to pick one it would be the Alaska Huskies
Been playing fantasy hockey since 2004-05. Never quit half way through on any season ever and that goes for my fantast baseball and football leagues as well
1. Dallas Outlaws
2. North Carolina Nighthawks
3. Regina Renegades
4. New Orleans Gators
5. Alaska Huskies
I have played fantasy hockey for the last five years and have won all five championships (cbssports.clom) and am hungry for new competition. I am the self proclaimed "Ambassador of Hockey in Arizona" and I live for promoting the sport.
I would take any team but prefer:
NY
North Carolina
Detroit
Chicago
Boston
Alaska
I have played fantasy hockey for many years. Devoted hockey fan, and love the icethetics site. I have no specific preference for any one team - it would be a thrill and honour to have any one of the team names. Thanks.
I am interested.
I am in a Keeper League (4th season) and I've been playing Fantasy Hockey for the last ten years.
If I had a choice of teams, I'll go like this:
1) Regina Renegades
2) North Carolina Nighthawks
3) Boulder Beasts
4) Chicago Hitmen
5) Milwaukee Lagers
6) Seattle Aviators
7) Portland Pioneers
8) Minnesota Mammoths
9) Dallas Outlaws
10) New Orleans Gators
I'll take any team. And I'll be stylin' and proflin' my way to the Icethetics Championship! WOOOO!!
(figured a Ric Flair reference would help).
- Kevin F.
I would be interested. been 6 years in various types of hockey pools. which type of pool is this one?
all the logos seem awesome so not going to be picky
Ive been playing for a few years on espn, but they were free leagues and only two or three of the teams actually paid attention and it ruined the experience. It would be awesome to be in a league where more than 10% of the owners actually cared! Not to picky on the team name, but it would be cool to have on of the teams from Oakland, dont know if its possible? Like the Oakland Arsenal or the Outlaws, or NightHawks. Thanks
Experience: I've been playing Fantasy Hockey on Yahoo since 2007, but it could have been earlier than that. 2007 is the earliest Yahoo has on record. Every year I've played, I had 3 or more teams per year except in 2008. In 2007 I played in 4 leagues, 2009 I played in 3 and last year I played in 5 leagues. Despite the amount of teams I've played with, I stayed completely active in all of them and have statistically finished very high at the end of the season . Although I've played consistently since 2007, I have never been apart of a league that hasn't been randomly created. I want to be apart of a fantasy league that has 100% involvement from october until the end of the league.
My Preferences:
1. Seattle
2. Minnesota
3. Milwaukee
4. Alaska
5. Portland
6. Boulder
7. Baltimore
8. Boston
9. Hamilton
10. Atlanta
I live in Buffalo, and my favorite team is the Sabres. I have a lot of expierence with fantasy hockey. I have been playing it for about 4 years, and I've been in nearly 20 leagues (I played on espn.com, where you can be in multiple leagues at a time.) Also, I have won a lot the leagues that I have been in. So please Chris, consider me as one of the owners for an IHL team!
Teams I would like
1. North Carolina Nighthawks
2. New Orleans Gators
If neither of these teams are available, I would be more then happy to take any available team.
I was in this last year. Chris and I shared a team. I use the word share very loosely... I managed the team and Chris was just there because he has to be but he really didnt interfere in the way I ran my team. Although I finished near the bottom it was a great pool wih lots of action. ie. Trades, waives, releases, singings... I' d love to participate again this year but its time for a new gm for the Hitmen. Good luck to all lucky team owners. GO HITMEN GO!!!
I am interested, though I have no prior experience in fantasy hockey. I have put plenty of time into video game leagues before, but they tend to fall apart during their first or second seasons (if they allow anyone to join) so I'm not involved with any of them anymore. That time would go toward this instead, since it seems to be well run and have a good community. I've known about this site since the Tournament of Logos days and I now check it multiple times per week so it would be basically impossible for me to forget about/abandon the league. It would be an honor to be allowed to join.
My preferences, should I be lucky enough to get in:
1.) New York Guardians
2.) Alaska Huskies
3.) North Carolina Nighthawks
4.) Boulder Beasts
5.) Minnesota Mammoths
6.) Baltimore Blue Crabs
7.) Seattle Aviators
8.) New Orleans Gators
9.) Atlanta Arsenal
10.) Regina Renegades
- Alex P.
- alexpenvose@gmail.com
- I've been playing fantasy hockey for 5 years, all on yahoo. I've played four teams each year, finishing 1st 4 times, and last only once. I am only currently playing one serious league and would love to be a part of this one as well!
- I have no preference for team name, I would just love to be apart of the league and will accept any team given to me!
I have played fantasy sports for about 8 years. I have been a hockey fan since 1990 (I was 6). I always do at least 2 fantasy baseball leagues (with all the daily roster rotations that go along them) and have also done football. All this said, I have never played fantasy hockey, but with my knowledge of hockey, experience of the fantasy grind of baseball, and desire to play, I don't see it as a problem. Team preferences are (1)North Carolina, (2)New Orleans, (3)Seattle, (4)Atlanta, (5)New York, (6)Portland, (7)Dallas, and (8) Detroit. Thanks.
Been playing fantasy hockey since for at least 8 years, always competitive and dedicated all season.
1) Alaska
2) North Carolina
3) Chicago