Rules of the Virtual Hockey League
Updated as of August 12th / 2018 by Eric Wolf
1.0– CODE OF CONDUCT
Courtesy
1.1It is expected of all General Managers (the “GMs”) to remain courteous at all times even though arguments and differences of opinion will occur at various times.Please keep the discussion as civil as possible. Respect the opinions of other General Managers. The Virtual Hockey League (the “VHL) welcomes all kinds of discussion as long as it does not violate the Community Guidelines as directed by ProBoards.
Volunteers
1.2The VHL is a meant-for-fun league that uses a computer program to simulate the hockey games. The VHL has no relation to Electronic Arts’ NHL video-game nor does it use aspects of the video-game to simulate the games. The VHL is operated by Staff Members who volunteer their free time to making this league happen.
Complaints
1.3The Virtual Hockey League encourages General Managers to formulate constructive criticism or to file complaints in order to make the VHL a better experience for everyone. The Staff request that the GMs contact any Staff through the private messaging system (“PM”) on the Forum or to post it in the relevant sub-board under the Suggestions & Support forum. Under no circumstances may any GMs abuse the e-mail system to send their criticism or complaint league-wide.
Possession of more than one VHL team
1.4GMs may only possess one VHL Hockey Team. If any GM possesses more than one VHL team, that person will be automatically barred from the VHL. However, if there is a VHL team currently in need of a GM during an important period such as the trade deadline or free agency, the Staff may take over that team temporarily to take care of the immediate need of the team.
2.0– STAFF MEMBERS
Commissioner
2.1The current VHL Commissioners is: Eric Wolf – GM of the Carolina Hurricanes and Scott Davidson – GM of the Buffalo Sabres. The current Commissioners are in charge of simulation, forum management, final decisions, team ownership and all other executive decisions relating to the VHL.
Staff Members
2.2There is a group of Staff who will assist the current Commissioner in his duties. Some of these duties include: keeping track of roster restrictions, cap scenarios, forum management, player negotiations, development of new ideas, awards, back-up simulation, entry draft management and other duties not noted.
List of Staff Members
2.3The current list of Staff Members are:
(Red Usernames, 6 staff in total)
Scott Davidson – Buffalo Sabres (Commissioner)
Eric Wolf – Carolina Hurricanes (Commissioner)
Louis-Phillip Lafrance – Edmonton Oilers (President of League Operations)
Andre Deblois – Vegas Golden Knights (Vice President of Hockey Operations)
Nik Bon – Nashville Predators (Vice President of Player Relations)
Dustin Mooy – Anaheim Ducks (Vice President of Players Association)
Powers of Staff Members
2.4All Staff Members have the power to remove a GM if the situation was deemed to be necessary. The Commissioner will back-up any Staff Members to the best of his abilities.
Evaluation of Trades
2.5The Staff Members are responsible for reviewing all trades in the VHL made by the GMs. All GMs will be given a great deal of latitude in making transactions. However, there will be some transactions which will force the Staff Members to evaluate the transaction and determine whether it is proper to process or not by flagging it for review.
Flagging of Trades
2.6The process is first initiated when any Staff Member decides to flag a transaction and evaluate the transaction in the board created exclusively for Staff Members. At this point, the Staff Members may contact the GMs involved in the transaction and request a written reasoning on why the transaction should go through. The transaction will be evaluated by the Staff and any decisions will be final.
3.0– SIMULATION ENGINE
Name of Engine
3.1The VHL uses the Simon T Hockey Simulator (the “STHS”) to simulate the games. The website for STHS is located here:
Purpose of STHS
3.2The STHS allows GMs to submit their lines to the Commissioner and to set their respective team rosters. The STHS allows the VHL to have numerous statistics for both individual players and teams. Any questions regarding the STHS should be directed to the Suggestions & Support board in the relevant sub-board. GMs can also submit their questions to the Commissioner regarding the STHS.
Client File
3.3GMs are required to download the correct STHS Client Version in order to set the lines for the team and generate the file that will be sent through the VHL’s e-mail address which is: . Staff Members can help GMs download the correct STHS Client Version.
Change of simulation engine
3.4GMs of the VHL will be notified of any decisions made to shift to a different simulation engine.
Current STHS Client File
3.5The current program that GMs are required to use is named as STHS Client. Please consult the STHS website for the download link or more information about the simulation engine. If you are unsure which version to use, consult a Staff Member.
4.0– GENERAL MANAGER DUTIES
Role of General Managers
4.1Members are required to take on the role as GM of a VHL team and perform their duties such as making transactions and signing free agents to improve the VHL team. This also includes re-signing players from your team which may fall under either the Restricted Free Agents or Unrestricted Free Agents groups. The GMs are expected to perform these duties while in compliance with the VHL salary cap structure.
Activity Level
4.2GMs are required to remain active at all times while posting on the forum, engaging in discussions among fellow GMs, and ensuring that their team is in compliance with the Rules of the VHL.
Vacations
4.3If a GM is expected to be absent from the VHL for 72 hours or more, it is encouraged that they notify all members of the VHL on the league forum. The relevant Vacation sub-board can be found under the VHL Lounge board.
Responding to Private Messages
4.4GMs are required to answer all PMs from other GMs in regards to trade discussions. A simple “yes” or “no” will suffice as a response, but do not continue to ignore PMs from your fellow GMs for an unreasonable time period. If any GMs is experiencing issues with a lack of communication from other GMs, please contact the Commissioner and other Staff to let them known of the situation.
Submitting Lines
4.5GMs are required to send lines on a regular basis and to ensure that they have players assigned to their proper positions. The VHL does not expect lines to be sent for every game but GMs should send in lines whenever they believe their team needs a change in strategy and positions, and to adjust rosters in case of injuries or transactions.
Where to send client file
4.6Send the client file to . Please refer to Section 3: Simulation Engine for information about the computer program used to create the files for the lines. GMs are encouraged, in the subject line, to include their team name information to make things easier to upload.
Abiding by rules
4.7GMs are required to abide by all the rules of the VHL. Any GM deemed not to be active or disregarding league rules will be removed with or without notice to the discretion of the Commissioner and the Staff. All decisions made by the Commissioner and the Staff are final.
Regarding Departure from VHL
4.8It is up to the discretion of the Commissioner and the Staff to permit removed GMs to return to the VHL. Any GM who leaves the VHL on a voluntarily basis are welcome to return to join the VHL at any time. Some GMs can become permanently banned from the VHL and will never be permitted to return.
Waiting List
4.9Any person who wants to join the VHL must join a waiting list, if applicable, in order to become a GM of the VHL. The waiting list can be found in the Waiting List Sub-board in the VHL Lounge board.
5.0– ROSTER RESTRICTIONS
Number of Players Required for Simulation
5.1VHL teams are required to have a minimum of four (4) centers, four (4) left wingers, four (4) right wingers, six (6) defensemen, and two (2) goaltenders dressed. The simulation requires at least twenty (20) players to be dressed for game time.
Minimum Roster Requirements
5.2The twenty (20) players must consist of eighteen (18) skaters (forwards and defensemen) as well as two (2) goaltenders. GMs can have up to twenty-three (23) players on the Team Roster but only twenty (20) must be dressed for games. Total number of goaltenders between the Team Roster and the Farm Roster Team must be no less than four (4).
Farm Roster Requirements
5.3There is no specific minimum requirement for the total number of players on the Farm Team Roster. However, the maximum total of players a team can possess on both the Team Roster and the Farm Team Roster cannot be more than fifty (50).
Captains and Assistant Captains
5.4Each GM can choose the Captain and Alternative (or “Assistant”) Captains of their respective teams by using the STHS Client when doing the lines. The Captain and Alternative Captains can be changed as often as you wish during any time in the season.
The One-Million Dollar Rule
5.5Any player who makes one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more must remain on your Team Roster at all times, either as an active player or a healthy scratch. Players who make under a million dollars may be called up to the Team Roster or down to the Farm Team Roster at the GM’s discretion.
Discipline for failing to meet requirements
5.6If a GM does not constantly meet the requirements as laid out in this section, then it is up to the discretion of the Commissioner and Staff to deliver punishment. Punishment may involve suspension of players, loss of draft picks, and in some cases, removal from the VHL.
Player Position Changes
5.7If a GM wishes to change the position of his or her players, they may request it on the forum in the Player Position Changes/Prospect Creation sub-board under the Front Office board. GMs are not required to provide evidence to change player positions except in one situation. One situation being that, in the NHL, a forward has been converted to a defenseman or vice versa. In this situation, the evidence will be required.
Coaches
5.8GMs can hire coaches for their Team Roster and their Farm Team Roster.
Signing Coaches
5.9GMs can sign or re-sign coaches as long as they provide a PM to the Commissioner with contract details. Coaches have no effect or influence on the simulation of games.
Goalies Maximum Minutes
5.10Effective for the 2016-2017 season, no goaltender will be able to play more than 4200 minutes during the regular season. This rule is in effect for any goaltender including those who have been traded, or whatsoever. Any goaltender playing more than 4200 minutes will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
6.0– PLAYER RATINGS
Rating Packages
6.1The Players of the VHL are rated using rating packages. These rating packages are provided through the STHS website, and it is up to the discretion of the VHL, and all Members to determine which rating package is suitable. Most rating packages are typically released in the summer which gives the VHL time to decide what rating packages to use for an upcoming season.
Players not in Rating Packages
6.2Players who have a VHL contract with a team but are not in the selected rating package will be rated on a range from fifty (50) to fifty-seven (57) in all categories. Most STHS rating packages typically rate all players that have played at least one (1) game in North America professional hockey in the previous NHL season. It is typical of the ratings to be based on a combination of performance over the previous two NHL seasons.
Re-rates
6.3Re-Rates are an opportunity for GMs to argue their case if they feel that the ratings don’t accurately reflect the strengths of their players. GMs are in no way obligated to submit Re-Rate arguments, but the option is there for any GM to use.
Limitations
6.4GMs may submit arguments to change up to four individual ratings, for no more than two different players. You can chose to use all four on one player, split them up three and one or two and two between two players or you can chose to argue for fewer than four ratings. Only individual ratings (SC, DF…etc) may be changed. Do not ask for your player’s OV to be changed as OV is just an average of all the other ratings.
Arguments
6.5At their base, arguments must provide two key factors: (a) the statistical proof demonstrating that your player is underrated, and (b) the comparable players whose ratings you feel better reflect your player’s actual ability
Statistical Proof
6.6All arguments must be fact based and require statistical evidence. Both traditional and advanced statistics were used to determine these ratings so feel free to use them when arguing your case. If you use traditional counting stats (goals, assists, points, blocked shots…etc) ensure that you convert them to “per-game” statistics for an accurate comparison. If you are using unconventional statistics to attempt to argue a rating without definitive statistics (perhaps using Power Play time and Shootout attempts to prove Puck Handling ability) please include an explanation as to why that stat reflects that ability. Some ratings are straightforward (SC pretty much equals Goals per Game) and some are a little more broad (DF can be proved by using +/-, PK Time on Ice, Blocked Shots, Turnovers, Zone Start%). The more relevant stats you have, the stronger your case.
Comparable Players
6.7Once you have your stats compiled, you need to demonstrate that other players with similar stats where rated better than your player. This ensures that your player was indeed rated unfairly rather then it just being a case of your feeling that the rating should have been higher. You should use at least two comparable players, though the more comparables you have, the stronger your case will appear (in principle).
Example Argument
6.8Wayne Gretzky – SC rating of 84
Gretzky: 64GP, 30G, 0.47GPG
Lemieux: 53GP, 25G, 0.47GPG, SC rating on 91
Hull: 82GP, 38G, 0.46GPG, SC rating of 90
Mogilny: 82GP, 39G, 0.48GPG, SC rating of 92
Based on these arguments, we request that Gretzky’s SC be rerated to 91
Submitting re-rates
6.9Please submit your arguments directly to Staff Members via PM where the Staff Members will look at it. Once Staff Members have made a decision, Staff Members will inform you of the result of your request and, if the rating needs to be changed, will be submitted to be updated in the sim. There is no guarantee that your re-rate argument will result in a better rating, but the decision will include the reasoning why.
7.0– SUSPENSIONS
Automatic Suspensions
7.1The STHS program can issue automatic suspensions for players after a set of simulated games. These types of suspensions will not be reversed by the VHL. The suspension will vary in length based on the type of infraction and the result to the opposing player due to this infraction. A suspended player cannot be dressed until the full suspension has been served.
Video Reviews
7.2A video review suspension can be requested by a GM if a player suffers an injury and a player on the opposing team was given a penalty at the same time. The infraction is submitted to the Commissioner and is subject to review by the Staff Members.
Process for Video Reviews
7.3The application should be initiated through the PM system. The application should appear in the form of a video-tape (i.e. explain what people would see when watching the incident). The Commissioner and Staff Members will then decide whether or not the player should be given a suspension. Factors that may influence the length of the suspension, if given, are: the seriousness of the injury suffered by the player, other incidents in the game and the player’s general reputation.
8.0– TRADING
Process for filing transactions
8.1– GMs in the VHL can make transactions with players under contract, draft picks and prospects. Upon completion of a transaction, GMs must submit the details of the transaction to the Commissioner or any Staff Member to be posted in the Proposed Trades/ Waivers sub-board under the Front Office board. GMs are not permitted to post their own transactions unless they are the Commissioner or one of the Staff Members. The GM(s) involved in the transaction must confirm the details of the transaction once it is posted.
Retaining Salary
8.2A maximum of 50% of a player’s total contract can be included in a transaction. That means if a team retains 50% of a contract which is three (3) years at $3 million each, that team retains 50% of $9 million which is $4.5 million. The $4.5 million is spread over the remainder term of the player contract which is three (3) years. That means the team will have a player called CAP HIT on the roster with a cap hit of $1.5 million over the course of three (3) years.