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)
I have been playing fantasy hockey since before the internet (it's way easier and more fun now).
Sometimes I win, sometimes I finish dead last.
I would love to be a part of the league. My team preferences would be:
1. Alaska (I live in the Yukon).
2. Winnipeg
3. Seattle
4. Portland
5. Boston
6.the rest
Thanks. Please use dave.white@cbc.ca. It's my work e-mail, and I have easier access to it.
Thanks, Dave White
Follow this site religiously for years now and would love to be a part of it. I've been playing fantasy pools for at least 11 years now, keeper pools, playoff pools and box pools also. Have won a few years and come close in a few also.
Teams I would like to have are...
Atlanta Arsenal
Boston Colonials
Chicago Hitmen
Detroit Motorheads
Hamilton Steelcats
Milwaukee Lagers
North Carolina Nighthawks
Regina Renegades
If not, I will take any team to the promise land
I have been doing fantasy hockey for years and it saddens me to say that my league just broke up and i am looking for a new league to join. I don't care which team I receive
Been playing Fantasy Hockey every year since the late 90's when I first found it on yahoo.com. I play very competitively every season and usually finish at the top of the league. I am a huge Islanders fan and attend almost half of their games every season. I also subscribe to the Center Ice Package on cable, so I am always watching different teams and staying up to date with who's hot and who's not in the NHL. If a defenseman sneezes while defending a break away, I'll know about it. I also happen to know several players in the NHL on a personal level from playing hockey with them at either the youth, collegiate, or minor league level. Lastly, I have been a fan of icethetics since back in the day when it began on blogspot with the Tournament of Logos, and watched it evolve into one of the most respected uniform news sites on the internet.
Now that my professional hockey days are done, I am an NYPD Police Officer in The Bronx, and spend part of my free time playing recreational hockey, NHL franchise on Xbox, and fantasy hockey.
My choices:
1. Milwaukee
2. New York
3. Chicago
4. Boston
5. Seattle
6. Baltimore
7. Regina
8. North Carolina
9. Hamilton
10. New Orleans
I am in my 3rd year of fantasy hockey, last year in 3 different ESPN leagues I placed no lower than 2nd and I check my fantasy teams more than I do my e-mail.
I would prefer to have Milwaukee, Minnesota or Dallas as my team.
I've been playing fantasy for the past three years with two playoff appearances, however I'm from Baltimore so it's difficult to get a solid, competitive league which is taken seriously. I would be really excited to join and would stay committed to the league. I also check the site regularly for new updates.
1. Baltimore
2. New Orleans
3. Chicago
4. Boston
5. New York
6. Minnesota
7. Hamilton
8. Boston
9. Atlanta
Been playing fantasy for 5 years now (17 years old) but its hard to find dedicated players to play with. Love to play in the league.
1. Portland Pioneers
2. Seattle Aviators
3. Milwaukee Lagers
4. Regina Renegades
5. Chicago Hitmen
I've been playing fantasy hockey for only two years, but it has quickly become more than what I'd done in my years of fantasy football. Hockey fans are intelligent and understand passion and devotion. An even more focused league makes fantasy hockey sound that much better. I would love to manage any of the available teams and have no order of preference.
As an avid hockey fan, fantasy player, and loyal reader, I would consider this nothing short of an honor to compete against such furious competition again!
I have been playing fantasy hockey for eight years now, and am often the commissioner of a league. My commitment will not waiver.
For what it's worth, last I year I took home the HockeyIndependent.com fantasy hockey league championship despite being severely ill the whole season.
1) Night Hawks
2) Mammoths.
3) Pioneers
4) Outlaws
5) Motorheads
6) Hitmen
7) Arsenal
8( Beasts
9) Steelcats
10) Gators
Hi Chris,
My name is Donny A, and I'd like to participate this season in IceHL. I've been playing fantasy hockey for the last 5 years and usually hold 2 teams. I always check in at least once a day and am very active. I've also been a long-time reader of Icethetics, since the original days of "NHL Logos". My e-mail is listed under the author e-mail box.
Out of the teams left, my preference would be.
1. Atlanta Arsenal
2. Baltimore Blue Crabs
3. Hamilton Steelcats
4. Milwaukee Lagers
5. Chicago Hitmen
Thanks!
I have been playing Yahoo Sports Fantasy Hockey for 7 years now, and won my league in 05 and 08. I have been reading Icethetics for two seasons now.
My team choices:
1. Minnesota Mammoth
2. Hamilton Steelcats
3. Baltimore Blue Crabs
4. NC Nighthawks
5. NO Gators
6. Boulder Beast
Thanks so much for this interesting league idea.
Frank
I would like to try to get in the league. I've played Fantasy Hockey a few times finishing 2nd last year in my ESPN league.
I would like Seattle since Alaska is taken . BUT I'll take whatever franchise you will let me have
I have done ESPN Fantasy Hockey the last two years and have finished 2nd both times. The first league was okay but most quit when they started falling back from myself and the guy who won. The league I did last year, I think most everyone quit a month into it. I was the most active both years, I'm constantly tweaking my roster. This league looks pretty legit and hopefully more serious, so I'd be happy to participate if I'm selected.
1. North Carolina Nighthawks
2. Baltimore Blue Crabs
3. New Orleans Gators
Just completed a 3-year, 14-team dynasty league that is slated to re-start this year in a perpetual format on Y! Finished 9th, 1st, 5th and was active throughout, using the league limit of waiver claims and making numerous trade proposals (including three- and four-ways). I write myself a draft and trading evaluation model in MS Excel every year, which feeds my nerdy tendencies and keeps me sharp. Can definitely handle a second league and would like to see ESPN's league site.
Also would be happy to design uniforms, though I am a rank amateur and would have to rely on MS PowerPoint to do it. I've done it before with defensible results.
Preference is Dallas (live there), Detroit (grew up near there) or any of the Canadian teams (proud citizen). Thanks!
I have been running a fantasy hockey league since 1997 with seven championships in 14 seasons. I also compete in two other leagues through message boards I am a member of, ALWAYS playing full seasons and maintaining my rosters all season long with a few championships to my credit.
1. Minnesota
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. New York
5. Seattle
6. Portland
7. Boston
8. Milwaukee
9. Hamilton
10. New Orleans
I have been playing fantasy hockey for over ten years, I am a huge hockey fan and host of local hockey sports talk show in Buffalo, I would love to run a team in your league
First preference would be
1)Hsmilton
2) Milwaukee
3)New York
4)Portland
5)New Orleans
Either way hope you guys have a great season
I have been playing fantasy sports for the past year i really wanted to join this league and at this point I dont really care what team you assign to me. I just want to be in the league.
Please disregard my previous team request/ comment. I have joined 3 fantasy hockey leagues in the past week. Also, I've changed my mind now, I'd like either Atlanta, Seattle, or Detroit, and failing that, any team available. My email is erictmqp@gmail.com.
I've been apart of fantasy hockey leagues for about 10 years now. The last couple years I've been in a league that not only makes you manager player but also their salery. The cap is harder to manage then you think.
I don't have a preference for which team I may get.
Competitive fantasy player, have been playing since my high school days (5+ years ago). Our West Coast Hockey League fantasy league is still going on today (4+ years) with 7 of my best buddies and we've had 0 turnover and I've come third for two consecutive years (grrr).
1. Boston
2. Milwaukee
3. Chicago
4. New Orleans
5. Baltimore