New NHL EHM game first impressions

[Bea-Arthurs Hip]

I have been pretty obsessed with my FM2006 career but now that hockey season is rolling along I have been feeling pushed to start up a new game with the latest patch.

Before I do can someone give me a feel of the game & the AI with the new patch?

My concerns are that I played just after the NA release and I noticed players like Owen Nolan & Doug Weight getting released. Also there were questionable contract
offers made by the AI while other high caliber players went unsigned. It just did not feel like hockey to me...Could be because I have been spoiled by FM2006 but I am probably an NHL fan before all other major sports and I just could not get into this version.

Also, I saw a post over at SI that mentioned PIM's are way out of wack in the minors, anyone else seeing this?

Thanks

[riz]

I have been pretty obsessed with my FM2006 career but now that hockey season is rolling along I have been feeling pushed to start up a new game with the latest patch.

Before I do can someone give me a feel of the game & the AI with the new patch?

My concerns are that I played just after the NA release and I noticed players like Owen Nolan & Doug Weight getting released. Also there were questionable contract
offers made by the AI while other high caliber players went unsigned. It just did not feel like hockey to me...Could be because I have been spoiled by FM2006 but I am probably an NHL fan before all other major sports and I just could not get into this version.

Also, I saw a post over at SI that mentioned PIM's are way out of wack in the minors, anyone else seeing this?

Thanks

The release of certain players in one of the latest versions was due to the new salary cap and some teams being over the cap with the starting rosters. So releasing older players (especially ones currently injured, like Nolan) was the "least dumbest" thing for the AI to do after being cornered. After the latest roster update that we did last month, the starting rosters are in quite good order as teams in real life had managed to sneak back under the cap so the AI does not need to make big decisions against the cap right off the bat.

The minor league PIM issue has been looked at and we are working towards a small patch that will tone them down as well as tuning and fixing some issues that were still reported on our forums.

I'll leave the "feel of the game" etc to be commented on someone who is not biased :)

[MizzouRah]

Well, right now EHM is getting the most playing time from me... knocking TPB 2005 down to #2.

It's probably the deepest sports sim I've ever played and although I'm still learning as I go, the best part of the game has to be the massive amount of players available to scout. I'm the Blues, in dead last place and I have so many directions I can go with this team AND try to keep my job. Owen Nolan is in FA, because he's out for quite some time with an injury, but after the initial "getting rid of older high priced players" is over with for the CPU teams, the game is quite competitive with the CPU AI teams.

I can't comment on the offseason stuff yet as I haven't made it though a season yet, but a few here can comment on that stuff.

[DeToxRox]

I have been pretty obsessed with my FM2006 career but now that hockey season is rolling along I have been feeling pushed to start up a new game with the latest patch.

Before I do can someone give me a feel of the game & the AI with the new patch?

My concerns are that I played just after the NA release and I noticed players like Owen Nolan & Doug Weight getting released. Also there were questionable contract
offers made by the AI while other high caliber players went unsigned. It just did not feel like hockey to me...Could be because I have been spoiled by FM2006 but I am probably an NHL fan before all other major sports and I just could not get into this version.

Also, I saw a post over at SI that mentioned PIM's are way out of wack in the minors, anyone else seeing this?

Thanks

Some guys don't get signed during the summer because their demands are out of control. I am using Carolina and Erik Cole wanted a 3 year deal worth aprox 7 mil. For a guy who scored 39 points the year before, I said no way. He stayed to those demands and went unsigned. I finally offered him a 3 year deal worth 3.5 million and he accepeted. Forsberg held out too because he was sticking to his guns on making the league max. Columbus finally ponied up a 1 year deal worth 7 mil.

As far as the Minors go, I haven't noticed anything too out of whack. My only complaint is College scoring is too low, as you never see any college guy have 60-70 points, but since it's not a playable league it's not that big of a deal.

The AI though is good. The waivers are sometimes funny but I've never seen a big name go on there who didn't deserve it, much like IRL. (Eg: Curtis Joseph when on Detroit).

EHM is the best game I've played in a long time and is incredibly addictive.

I've never played FM but I am a hockey man at heart.

[MizzouRah]

Hey, the Blues just put LaLime on waivers, IRL. ;)

[Honolulu_Blue]

I'm the Blues, in dead last place.
:eek: NO! :eek:

I'm shocked, I say. Shocked. ;)


As for the game, it's one of the best I've played. Ever. I have been playing it almost consistently for the last year or so now. That said, I have yet to update the game with the NA patch. I just have too much vested in my Caps career. I am not yet ready to give it up...

[condors]

I am in season 3 with the latest patch and while i really enjoy fm2006 i spend more time playing ehm2005. With the salary cap it really adds so much to the offseason as good players can be had but at what price. I loaded up on salary in season 2 going over what management wanted won the cup and couldn't resign any of my players in the offseason. I now have to figure out what a 60 point player is worth and if that 1st round pick is worth resigning at 2+ million a year from 450k (which means exposing a veteran player to waviers to get back under the cap).

One thing i would like to say for next seasons version revamp the practice screen or allow some kind of default setup that works as i spend way too much "brainless" time adjusting it all the time. I have 3 schedules that i rotate to get the most out of guys and it really get tideous switching everyone from one schedule to the next. Like say work on shooting for 2 weeks then say work on conditioning for 2 weeks then work on skating for 2 weeks etc. There is too big a gain from rotating guys to not do it from what i have seen.

[bhlloy]

This is an awesome game.

One minor gripe... I am in season 2 and some computer AI moves (seems to be especially the Devils because of their salary problems) just do not stack up. They have put their two top defensemen, their backup goalie and Scott Gomez (who I picked up and is tearing it up for me :) ) on waivers and lost them all. That's fine. If they are over the cap I can live with that.

But then they go and sign Jamie Langenbrunner for 1.3m a year, and a load more decent/fringe NHL players for around 500k a year. Which added up means they could at least have afforded to keep Gomez and possibly one of the D-men, and they would have been an infinitely better team. They are waiving people who aren't that much better than the guys they are signing to fit the new guys in the team.

This, and the old "trade a third round pick for a guy in the offseason (usually a crappy enforcer) and then waive him when the season starts and watch him spend the whole season in the AHL or get picked up by another team, who will then waive him again" are the only AI issues I really have seen.

Amazing game though. I can't put it down. I love the draft, the scouting is by far the best implementation I have ever seen and developing players is a lot of fun and seems very solid. I can't wait to see what EHM 2007 looks like after another year of development. I'd love to see as much player/fan/media interaction as Riz can possibly code, and more detail in the junior and college leagues.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I keep wanting to go back to EHM 2005 because I was enjoying it so much (I would start a new career with the latest patch, though). I want to try to get the Devils a Stanley Cup. I can't put Worldwide Soccer Manager down. SI, you guys are all awesome, and I hope you continue to put out games like these for a long time to come. :)

[MizzouRah]

Well, I'm 13 games under .500, have the worst record in the league, and basically feel like a let down to the team.

The board tells the press they are still happy with my performance so far. I love those owners. :) I just hope they really mean it, as it's going to take a few years to rebuild this team.

[Hurst2112]

Well, I'm 13 games under .500, have the worst record in the league, and basically feel like a let down to the team.

The board tells the press they are still happy with my performance so far. I love those owners. :) I just hope they really mean it, as it's going to take a few years to rebuild this team.

quit playing my career! hehe.

despite the posts from a few nights ago, i found myself going back to the game and trying to learn rather than trying to win at all costs.

[MizzouRah]

quit playing my career! hehe.

despite the posts from a few nights ago, i found myself going back to the game and trying to learn rather than trying to win at all costs.
Yep, me too. Little things have effects on your team, and I like that. :)

[jbmagic]

Well, I'm 13 games under .500, have the worst record in the league, and basically feel like a let down to the team.

The board tells the press they are still happy with my performance so far. I love those owners. :) I just hope they really mean it, as it's going to take a few years to rebuild this team.


do your own tactrics and do your own practice. it makes a difference

if you let coach handle practice, they will not do a proper job on it.

[MizzouRah]

do your own tactrics and do your own practice. it makes a difference

if you let coach handle practice, they will not do a proper job on it.
Well, it's my first year and I haven't messed with practice, but I do dabble in tactics if only to make a line change or goalie change. Other than that, I feel it's my coach's responsibility. If he can't handle it, I'll get some one who can. ;)

[sachmo71]

Unfake for the newest patch AND Smetana roster update can be found HERE (http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=37&func=select&id=22).

Note: there were some complaints on the Champman boards that the was some crashing with all leagues selected in December of 2005...so be careful! :)

[riz]

NHL EHM 2005 has been reviewed in the latest issue (February) of PC Gamer over on that side of the pond. I knew around Christmas that the review was going to be there and also learned that it scored a nice 90%, but according to the first reports coming in from people who have the mag, the review sounds absolutely fantastic :D

As posted on the OOTP forums:
I cracked open the February 2006 edition of PC Gamer and reviewer Joe Mitch had this as his opening comment on the game......

"I'm just going to come right out and say it: this is the best sports simulation I've ever played. Over the past couple of months I've devoted more than 200 hours to it, and I've got plenty more to go."

The game received an overall score of 90% and was rated an Editor's Choice.

[Coder]

NHL EHM 2005 has been reviewed in the latest issue (February) of PC Gamer over on that side of the pond. I knew around Christmas that the review was going to be there and also learned that it scored a nice 90%, but according to the first reports coming in from people who have the mag, the review sounds absolutely fantastic :D

As posted on the OOTP forums:

That's great news Riz! :)

[Honolulu_Blue]

Very good news and justly deserved. Joe Mitch is a wise man.

[riz]

Oh and btw, 2.1.3 patch is now out :D

[MizzouRah]

Oh and btw, 2.1.3 patch is now out :D
Sweet!!

[sachmo71]

is this gonna break the unfake patch again?

[riz]

is this gonna break the unfake patch again?

No data changes in the latest patch at all. So it won't affect your edited/unedited/customized databases

[sovereignstar]

riz, I got a little question. Last time I fired up EHM was when the big data update came out. I took control of the Brandon Wheat Kings, since I ran them the last time I played a long career. I glanced over the ratings of the returning players and they looked pretty much exactly the way they did in the 2004-05 season.

Am I imagining things or is it possible that the data didn't get updated thoroughly for this particular team/league (if at all)? How does the data get updated? Maybe some tweaking by hand or maybe you let the sim engine roll for a year (or a combo of both)?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Riz,

Another question for you.

I have the original EHM 2005 DVD (European release). After installing the game what patches do I need to download and install to make the game as current as possible?

Thanks.

[JeffR]

Am I imagining things or is it possible that the data didn't get updated thoroughly for this particular team/league (if at all)? How does the data get updated? Maybe some tweaking by hand or maybe you let the sim engine roll for a year (or a combo of both)?

You're imagining things. ;) I've gone over each of the WHL rosters twice since the end of the last season, once prior to the North American update and once before the last big data patch. All of them got many changes, particularly the second time around as I rearranged things in response to how well guys were playing this year. The Wheaties were probably at the lower end of the scale for receiving changes, though, since I had seen a lot of them late last season when they went to the WHL final and was pretty happy with what was in place.

[sovereignstar]

You're imagining things. ;) I've gone over each of the WHL rosters twice since the end of the last season, once prior to the North American update and once before the last big data patch. All of them got many changes, particularly the second time around as I rearranged things in response to how well guys were playing this year. The Wheaties were probably at the lower end of the scale for receiving changes, though, since I had seen a lot of them late last season when they went to the WHL final and was pretty happy with what was in place.

Can't argue with that. Thanks!

[JeffR]

Riz,

Another question for you.

I have the original EHM 2005 DVD (European release). After installing the game what patches do I need to download and install to make the game as current as possible?

Thanks.

Pretty sure just need the newest patch, that should have everything.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Is the unfake patch safe? I was just thinking about starting a new game, and I really want to do it now that a new patch is out. I just wonder if the unfake patch is still crashing people's games before I apply it.

[st.cronin]

What's the fix list for the new patch?

[Pumpy Tudors]

What's the fix list for the new patch?Changes since v2.1.2
News

Tweaked NHL All-Star Game news items about roster selections
Fixed Memorial Cup host selection news item to appear properly

Screens

Fixed last 10 games display on game preview screen when less than 10 games are played
Fixed the line matching options to display matched lines in the order explained in the manual
Added a new line matching option
Tweaked default sorting rules on draft screens

Trades/Transfers/Contracts

Tweaked salary cap rules and calculations for NHL
Tweaked handling of salary cap restrictions and players on injured reserves when human managing but not coaching
Allowed NHL contracted players already playing in minor leagues to be sent on loan without clearing waivers
Tweaked player evaluations in trades and roster management

Match Engine

Tweaked excessive fighting in lower leagues to more realistic levels
Tweaked the occurance of line brawls
Tweaked home ice advantages and team streakiness

Competitions

Fixed storing of league winners/runner ups for QMJHL
Fixed home advantage for the first two rounds of the Finnish league playoffs
Fixed resetting Memorial Cup history
Fixed AAL3 scheduling error
Added an extra goal to the final boxscore for the team winning in shootout
Added an extra goal scored to the standings for the team winning in shootout
Fixed winning percentage calculation in leagues using games won per games played combined with no ties
Fixed European Hockey Tour points calculation for shootout results (fix takes effect for first new season or a new game)
Fixed overtime win points for Finnish First Division
Fixed CHL-Russia Challenge series to play all stages normally even after first season
Changed CHL-Russia Challenge to select only canadian players for the CHL teams

Awards

Fixed evaluation of players for sportsmanship and humanitarian awards

Other

Fixed random name generation when using no real player names from game startup
Tweaked the generic player hall of hame selection limits
Tweaked board update news to evaluate roster costs better for leagues with a salary cap
Fixed some missing NHL rights via the extra_config.cfg file
Tweaked players to try and keep their jersey number when moving teams
Fixed a possible case where user could run out of disk space when saving without getting an error message

[JeffR]

Is the unfake patch safe? I was just thinking about starting a new game, and I really want to do it now that a new patch is out. I just wonder if the unfake patch is still crashing people's games before I apply it.

Can't remember hearing anyone reporting serious problems after using it. I think the guys were fairly careful this time around about not trying anything too risky with their edits.

[riz]

Riz,

Another question for you.

I have the original EHM 2005 DVD (European release). After installing the game what patches do I need to download and install to make the game as current as possible?

Thanks.

Actually, seeing as the 2.1.3 patch only includes game changes and no data at all, then you'll need to update your database with one of the earlier patches first before applying 2.1.3 (or alternatively download some custom data update after installing 2.1.3). Patching first to 2.1.1 should get you the needed official database update for the current season and then applying 2.1.3 will get your game exe up-to-date.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Actually, seeing as the 2.1.3 patch only includes game changes and no data at all, then you'll need to update your database with one of the earlier patches first before applying 2.1.3 (or alternatively download some custom data update after installing 2.1.3). Patching first to 2.1.1 should get you the needed official database update for the current season and then applying 2.1.3 will get your game exe up-to-date.
Excellent. Thanks!

[Swaggs]

If/when you take over an national team, do you get to select the players?

[Honolulu_Blue]

If/when you take over an national team, do you get to select the players?
Yes.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Not a bad spot of press, Rizo. Though it would have been nice to have Canada win the gold...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=154868&hubname=nhl



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=627 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>The Olympic hockey tournament ends in heartache for Canada - at least in a computer simulation of the competition.

Sports Interactive, a London-based leader in the field of sports management games, simulated the Olympic men's hockey tournament for The Canadian Press using its NHL 2006 Eastside Hockey Manager PC game.

There was no virtual happy ending. Despite reeling off seven wins in a row, Canada had to settle for silver after losing to Russia in the championship finale.

Team Canada strolled through the opening round of the Turin simulation, going 5-0 in the first round with Flames sniper Jarome Iginla collecting 10 goals along the way.

The round-robin highlights included a 5-2 win over the Czechs, thanks to a hat trick by Iginla and singles by Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier.


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><!--drop width--><TBODY><TR height=8><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- Begin Ad --><SCRIPT type=text/javascript> if(!sops){if(p.sops){var sops=p.sops;}else{var sops="";}} if(dUnitBox==true){boxAd=true;} if(boxAd){if((!dUnitSky)||(dUnitBox)){place300x250();}} </SCRIPT><!--- End Ad ---></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Canada also defeated Italy 6-0, Switzerland 5-1, Finland 5-3 and Germany 4-2.

Some of the newcomers helped the Canadian cause. Former taxi squad member Bryan McCabe and late addition Jay Bouwmeester both scored for Canada. Todd Bertuzzi also chipped in with a pair in the opening round.

The Czechs finished runner-up to Canada in Group A, while the Finns edged Germany to place third. Host Italy upset Switzerland 4-3, sending the winless Swiss to the group basement.

The U.S. ruled Group B, matching Canada with a 5-0 record including a 5-2 win over Russia and 2-0 victory over Sweden.

Russia and Slovakia also qualified, despite a less than spectacular showing. Sweden struggled to advance, eventually finishing fourth helped by an 8-0 win over Latvia.

Kazakhstan placed fifth in Group B but managed a tie with Slovakia. The Latvians were simply outmatched, outscored 26-2 in the round.

Sweden's tournament ended in the quarter-finals, blanked 4-0 by a relentless Team Canada. Joe Sakic, Joe Thornton, Lecavalier and St. Louis scored for the Canadians while Martin Brodeur stopped all 18 shots.

The Czechs edged Slovakia 5-4 in a barnburner. The Slovaks led 4-2 after 40 minutes but the Czechs rallied, with Ales Hemsky scoring the winner seven minutes from the end as Slovakia paid for some poor goaltending.

The U.S. had its hands full with Germany before posting a 2-1 comeback win on Keith Tkachuk's second-period power-play goal.

In the fourth quarter-final, a previously lacklustre Russian side blew past injury-ravaged Finland 4-1.

That set up a semifinal rematch between Canada and the Czechs while Russia took on the U.S.

Canada dispatched the Czechs 5-2 in impressive fashion after snapping a 2-2 tie with goals by Shane Doan, Dany Heatley and Simon Gagne. Brodeur finished with an impressive 41 saves.

Russia advanced to the final with a 4-2 victory over the U.S. in a game closer than the score indicated. The Russians finally solved an impressive Robert Esche in goal and the Americans failed to handle the Russian power play.

The Americans finished on the podium, however, downing the Czechs 4-1 despite being dominated for long portions of the bronze-medal game.

The Russians turned it on in the gold-medal game, with Alexander Ovechkin opening the scoring early and Ilya Kovalchuk making it 2-0 35 seconds into the second period.

Iginla reduced the deficit with his 11th goal of the tournament, beating Evgeni Nabokov midway through the second.

But five minutes into the third, Pavel Datsyuk made it 3-1 and Kovalchuk capped a beautiful passing play with a man advantage to increase the lead to 4-1 midway through the period.

Iginla (11 goals, no assists) and Chris Pronger (one goal, 10 assists) led Canada, just ahead of Heatley (two goals, eight assists).

Founded in 1994, Sports Interactive is the creator of the hit Championship Manager soccer series. The English company's current titles include Worldwide Soccer Manager 2006 and NHL 2006 Eastside Hockey Manager. A baseball game - Out of the Park Baseball 2006 - is due out in the spring.


</TD><!--spacer--><TD align=right width=10></TD><TD vAlign=top align=right><!--drop width--><!-- Begin Ad --><SCRIPT type=text/javascript> if(!sops){if(p.sops){var sops=p.sops;}else{var sops="";}} if(dUnitSky==true){skyAd=true;} if((skyAd)||(dUnitSky)||(!ad3)){place120x600();} </SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=javascript1.1 src="http://ad.ca.doubleclick.net/adj/tsn/nhl;abr=!webtv;mode=;loc=lower;adpg=nhl;sports;ops=;pos=;kw=;nc=;sz=120x600;tile=1;ord=32885603701512994?"></SCRIPT>http://adcounter.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/AdletCounter?ad1=TSNpg_nhl_120x600
<IFRAME id=abcff932 name=abcff932 frameSpacing=0 src="http://adfarm.mserve.ca/control/adframe.php?n=abcff932&zoneid=150&cb=Insert_Random_Number_Here&ct0=Insert_Clicktrack_URL_Here" frameBorder=no width=120 scrolling=no height=600>http://adfarm.mserve.ca/control/adview.php?&zoneid=150&cb=Insert_Random_Number_Here&n=abcff932 (http://adfarm.mserve.ca/control/adclick.php?n=abcff932&zoneid=150&ct0=Insert_Clicktrack_URL_Here)</IFRAME><!--- End Ad ---></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Marc Duffy]

We couldnt cheat, not even for Canada :)

[FrogMan]

I blame this on the lack of a looney under the face off spot... ;)

FM

[klayman]

I blame Janet.

[cmgdodgers]

Ok, after watching Olympic Hockey the last couple of days I'm ready to fire this up again, after playing very little since I purchased it.

Slight snag though, it is taking forever to download the digital river version of the latest patch.

Does anybody know of a mirror?

For some reason I've had this issue with WSM patches when donwloading directly from the SI site. It is estimating almost 3 hours, and I have DSL.

Any help would be appreciated!

[sovereignstar]

Ok, after watching Olympic Hockey the last couple of days I'm ready to fire this up again, after playing very little since I purchased it.

Slight snag though, it is taking forever to download the digital river version of the latest patch.

Does anybody know of a mirror?

For some reason I've had this issue with WSM patches when donwloading directly from the SI site. It is estimating almost 3 hours, and I have DSL.

Any help would be appreciated!

Sorry, I can't help you find a mirror. I do know your pain though as I have to download the Mac patch and mirrors are few are far between. When the 2nd patch came out, I wasn't able to download it for 2-3 days after it was released.

[General Mike]

Anyone know a store in the US that carries the CD version of the game?

[Blade6119]

Anyone know a store in the US that carries the CD version of the game?
Online stores...like amazon

[TazFTW]

I bought mine in a Gamestop but not every store got it.

[sovereignstar]

Anyone know a store in the US that carries the CD version of the game?

You mean like an actual store with walls and stuff? I've never heard of an American buying the game off-line.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Anyone know a store in the US that carries the CD version of the game?
I can't say I've looked specifically for EHM, but I haven't seen it around anywhere in stores. I would say your best bet would buying the CD version on-line if you can.

[sovereignstar]

I bought mine in a Gamestop but not every store got it.

Well okay then.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I was checking out a friend's issue of PC Gamer over the weekend. It was the "Best of 2005" issue. There was a small blurb declaring "EHM 2005" as the best sports text sim of the year.

Well done.

[General Mike]

Online stores...like amazon

1 used & new from $69.95

That ain't gonna happen. None of these online stores have it either.

GoGamer.com has it for $49.90 but that seems awfully high.

[JPhillips]

I think I found a secret XXX unlock. In my current career I have seen both:

"Woodey Shopped Around"

and

"Unhappy Pecker Put on the Block"

:)

[Blade6119]

1 used & new from $69.95

That ain't gonna happen. None of these online stores have it either.

GoGamer.com has it for $49.90 but that seems awfully high.
I got it from amazon at christmas for 29.99...so i dont know

[Swaggs]

Anyone still into this game?

I am thinking of taking the plunge. I keep seeing one copy of it at the local Gamestop.

I bought last season and loved the universe-type feel of it, but after the first season, I didn't like free agency at all and I also didn't like how coaching records were not kept for the head coaches (assembling a staff was fun for me).

What do you guys like/dislike at this point?

[sachmo71]

I'm playing right now, as a matter of face. Just downloading facepacks from http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/. Good times.

[Bea-Arthurs Hip]

For those who are having a hard time finding this...I have an extra copy that I bought for my brother, he is "not into it" plus he has never paid me so I have planned on taking it back for a while. I would be willing to trade for a TCB License or if that isnt possible then I guess I can just give it away.

It is not doing any good at my bastard brothers house.

Let me know.

[scooter]

I'm still playing, but I play in the WHL so free agency is not an issue. Overage and roster limits are a different issue though. . .

[Honolulu_Blue]

Anyone still into this game?

I am thinking of taking the plunge. I keep seeing one copy of it at the local Gamestop.

I bought last season and loved the universe-type feel of it, but after the first season, I didn't like free agency at all and I also didn't like how coaching records were not kept for the head coaches (assembling a staff was fun for me).

What do you guys like/dislike at this point?
I am still playing it. It's a great, great game. My first career lasted over 10 season long. If you like hockey and like text sims, it's a dream come true. There is really no downside to this game. If you are thinking about taking the plunge, do it. Well, I guess you could check in with the SI gang and see where EHM 2006 is at. If it's coming out in a few months or so, you could hold off.

[NoSkillz]

I am still playing it. It's a great, great game. My first career lasted over 10 season long. If you like hockey and like text sims, it's a dream come true. There is really no downside to this game. If you are thinking about taking the plunge, do it. Well, I guess you could check in with the SI gang and see where EHM 2006 is at. If it's coming out in a few months or so, you could hold off.
FYI, SI will be releasing all future EHM games in September or October to coincide with the NHL seasons.

EHM2005 is truly excellent. If you're a hockey fan, you will not be disappointed.

[RPI-Fan]

FYI, SI will be releasing all future EHM games in September or October to coincide with the NHL seasons.

EHM2005 is truly excellent. If you're a hockey fan, you will not be disappointed.

I'm a huge hockey fan, and while not 'disappointed', I don't like EHM all that much. Too much micro-managing, or if you forego that a season that simply drags on too long.

[MizzouRah]

I'm a huge hockey fan, and while not 'disappointed', I don't like EHM all that much. Too much micro-managing, or if you forego that a season that simply drags on too long.I echo this statement. Way too much micro-managing. I just want to GM my NHL team, not worry about all the minor leagues.

[Hurst2112]

FYI, SI will be releasing all future EHM games in September or October to coincide with the NHL seasons.

EHM2005 is truly excellent. If you're a hockey fan, you will not be disappointed.

Weren't they skipping a year anyway? Probably best if that's true. The next addition should be the cat's ass!

[NoSkillz]

Weren't they skipping a year anyway? Probably best if that's true. The next addition should be the cat's ass!
Naw, just a marketing thing. The next game will be EHM 2007 but will be released this year, assuming all goes well. ;)

[JeffR]

I'm still playing, but I play in the WHL so free agency is not an issue. Overage and roster limits are a different issue though. . .

I'm optimistic that stuff will be fixed in junior for the next version.

And yeah, no skipping a year - the next version will be '2007' just to get it in line with the FM titling and all the other sports games that come out in the last quarter of 2006 and are labeled 2007.

[Hurst2112]

I'm optimistic that stuff will be fixed in junior for the next version.

And yeah, no skipping a year - the next version will be '2007' just to get it in line with the FM titling and all the other sports games that come out in the last quarter of 2006 and are labeled 2007.

So there won't be a calandar year without a new EHM, just a title missing the year '2006'?

[Young Drachma]

I really like it. It is really a lot of micromanaging, but I enjoy the game a ton and I've never really been into that level of detail other than in baseball games, but...it's really engrossing.

[Swaggs]

I purchased today.

I saw the one remaining copy at Gamestop and figured it was meant to be.

[JPhillips]

I love it. I've been playing a lot since the Olympic Tourny and I just keep going back.

I am finding some odd waiver choices though. Tonight a 7-0-2 Flyers team waived Esche who had 8 starts and a GAA of under 2. They replaced him with Steve Shields who has lost three in a row and has a GAA north of 3.50.

I have seen a few other odd waiver decisions, notably the Kings waiven Jussi Jokinen after two 70 point seasons and Daniel Sedin being dropped early in the season.

[JeffR]

So there won't be a calandar year without a new EHM, just a title missing the year '2006'?

Right.

[Swaggs]

Well, I got screwed.

Like I said, I took the plunge and bought it yesterday at Gamestop.

Last night, I took it out, loaded it up, and started to play, and thought that it looked like the last version that I had. And, upon further review it was.

This was the first time I have bought anything at Gamestop. It was in in the new release section, cost $39.99, and I had downloaded the previous version and not seen a box, so I figured it was the current one. I am pretty sick disgusted over this.

Gamestop has a no return policy on open merchandise, so I'm guessing I'm SOL here. I sent Marc and riz a message, but I'm not real hopeful that they can do much about it. I am pretty pissed and think it was deceptive of Gamestop to have a game that was released in 2004 in its new release display (when there is a much newer version out) and that it was $39.99 (same price I bought it for in mid-2004).

[Young Drachma]

Well, I got screwed.

Like I said, I took the plunge and bought it yesterday at Gamestop.

Last night, I took it out, loaded it up, and started to play, and thought that it looked like the last version that I had. And, upon further review it was.

This was the first time I have bought anything at Gamestop. It was in in the new release section, cost $39.99, and I had downloaded the previous version and not seen a box, so I figured it was the current one. I am pretty sick disgusted over this.

Gamestop has a no return policy on open merchandise, so I'm guessing I'm SOL here. I sent Marc and riz a message, but I'm not real hopeful that they can do much about it. I am pretty pissed and think it was deceptive of Gamestop to have a game that was released in 2004 in its new release display (when there is a much newer version out) and that it was $39.99 (same price I bought it for in mid-2004).


If you just bought it the day before, you might ask them to at least let you get something else, like not your money back, but at least store credit.

I used to work for them, though it was about 9 years ago...and we were usually pretty understanding, since in most cases the people who work there are gamers themselves and understand how this could happen.

But..their policies might have changed since then, though that was always the good thing about them, was that you had 7 days to try something out and could return it otherwise.

[st.cronin]

Well, I got screwed.

Like I said, I took the plunge and bought it yesterday at Gamestop.

Last night, I took it out, loaded it up, and started to play, and thought that it looked like the last version that I had. And, upon further review it was.

This was the first time I have bought anything at Gamestop. It was in in the new release section, cost $39.99, and I had downloaded the previous version and not seen a box, so I figured it was the current one. I am pretty sick disgusted over this.

Gamestop has a no return policy on open merchandise, so I'm guessing I'm SOL here. I sent Marc and riz a message, but I'm not real hopeful that they can do much about it. I am pretty pissed and think it was deceptive of Gamestop to have a game that was released in 2004 in its new release display (when there is a much newer version out) and that it was $39.99 (same price I bought it for in mid-2004).

That is weak. I would try to bring it back, anyway, on the grounds that you had been decieved.

[Swaggs]

If you just bought it the day before, you might ask them to at least let you get something else, like not your money back, but at least store credit.

I used to work for them, though it was about 9 years ago...and we were usually pretty understanding, since in most cases the people who work there are gamers themselves and understand how this could happen.

But..their policies might have changed since then, though that was always the good thing about them, was that you had 7 days to try something out and could return it otherwise.

I will give it a try if I don't hear back from one of the SI guys before too much longer. The wording on the receipt doesn't seem to leave much open for interpretation, but store credit would be better than buying a game I already own again, I guess. I really hate dealing with the conflict (which will probably be nowhere near as bad as it is in my head) and hassle when I just wanted a game to play.

[Swaggs]

That is weak. I would try to bring it back, anyway, on the grounds that you had been decieved.

Yeah. I guess I will. I feel awkward about it, since it is largely my fault for not checking more carefully. But, at the same time, I am probably more researched than most buyers when it comes to a text-sim game like this and I obviously got screwed. I mean, it was in the new release section, full priced, and there is a relatively new version out, so it just seems wrong to me in that regard.

I would like to think if there was a game like Tiger Woods or Madden that was in the new release section and full priced (even if the packaging and title were not current), people would probably make the same mistake, so maybe they will help me out.

[astrosfan64]

Yeah. I guess I will. I feel awkward about it, since it is largely my fault for not checking more carefully. But, at the same time, I am probably more researched than most buyers when it comes to a text-sim game like this and I obviously got screwed. I mean, it was in the new release section, full priced, and there is a relatively new version out, so it just seems wrong to me in that regard.

I would like to think if there was a game like Tiger Woods or Madden that was in the new release section and full priced (even if the packaging and title were not current), people would probably make the same mistake, so maybe they will help me out.

I almost did the same thing at fry's. Take it back and bitch till they let you exchange it. If they say no, ask for the manager. If the manager says no ask for the District Manager. I had to go up two levels one time, but they took my game back.

[vtbub]

Hopefully Marc Vaughan sees this, there is a marketing snafu here somewhere.

[TazFTW]

Well, I got screwed.

Like I said, I took the plunge and bought it yesterday at Gamestop.

Last night, I took it out, loaded it up, and started to play, and thought that it looked like the last version that I had. And, upon further review it was.

This was the first time I have bought anything at Gamestop. It was in in the new release section, cost $39.99, and I had downloaded the previous version and not seen a box, so I figured it was the current one. I am pretty sick disgusted over this.

Gamestop has a no return policy on open merchandise, so I'm guessing I'm SOL here. I sent Marc and riz a message, but I'm not real hopeful that they can do much about it. I am pretty pissed and think it was deceptive of Gamestop to have a game that was released in 2004 in its new release display (when there is a much newer version out) and that it was $39.99 (same price I bought it for in mid-2004).
Ouch. The Gamestop that I bought it from had both versions. I had to do a double take because the price of the old version was more expensive than the newer one.

[Celeval]

I had a similar issue when I went looking for WWSM - two different EB/Gamestop types had WWSM 2005 in their PC "new releases" section.

[Young Drachma]

I almost did the same thing at fry's. Take it back and bitch till they let you exchange it. If they say no, ask for the manager. If the manager says no ask for the District Manager. I had to go up two levels one time, but they took my game back.

Agreed. District Managers will almost always give the customer want, especially in your case (it wouldn't get that far...I bet an assistant manager on duty would go ahead and take it back) because they'd prefer your long-term business over losing a customer or a huge hassle in the store that could get ugly. But don't wait too much longer or if you wait too many days, it would seem more and more as if you'd played it and just didn't like it.

[sachmo71]

Newest unfake and roster update now avaliable. See this thread...


http://community.sigames.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/6461934525/m/2812079471/p/2

[JeffR]

Bumping just to point out we're looking for team/league researchers again:
http://community.sigames.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/6461934525/m/1412047502

I know there are a few people here who follow minor league/college/junior teams; those are areas we particularly could use some help with. If you can't/don't want to post your information on the SI forum, PM it to me and I'll make sure it winds up in the right hands.

[sachmo71]

applied...again :)

[FrogMan]

As I mentionned in the "What are the text-based sports sims you play ? (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=48081)" and with the family life regaining some sort of normalcy (read: my wife isn't working night anymore and I can play on the computer once the kids are in bed in the evening ;)) and the playoffs coming in just about every hockey league around, I'm getting a possible itch to pick up EHM.

I will certainly dowload the try-and-buy file from sega.com and test it out over the allowed 180 days of pla but wanted to ask this question in the open. How long does it take you guys to play a season? (in hour of playtime or weeks with how many hours a day or week played and with what kind of gamer you are, i.e. extra attentive to details, a fast simmer or other)

When I had time to play FM at least an hour per evening (with some evenings going for 2+ hours and some more in the weekend days) I was able to play a 46 game season in about 2.5, 3 weeks. I'm trying to gauge at what pace I'd see a season, and to a bigger extent a career, go by in EHM.

Oh, and to be sure, one can manage in the QMJHL, right. I could be interested in starting out with the Quebec Remparts :)

Thanks in advance.

FM

[Honolulu_Blue]

As I mentionned in the "What are the text-based sports sims you play ? (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=48081)" and with the family life regaining some sort of normalcy (read: my wife isn't working night anymore and I can play on the computer once the kids are in bed in the evening ;)) and the playoffs coming in just about every hockey league around, I'm getting a possible itch to pick up EHM.

I will certainly dowload the try-and-buy file from sega.com and test it out over the allowed 180 days of pla but wanted to ask this question in the open. How long does it take you guys to play a season? (in hour of playtime or weeks with how many hours a day or week played and with what kind of gamer you are, i.e. extra attentive to details, a fast simmer or other)

When I had time to play FM at least an hour per evening (with some evenings going for 2+ hours and some more in the weekend days) I was able to play a 46 game season in about 2.5, 3 weeks. I'm trying to gauge at what pace I'd see a season, and to a bigger extent a career, go by in EHM.

Oh, and to be sure, one can manage in the QMJHL, right. I could be interested in starting out with the Quebec Remparts :)

Thanks in advance.

FM

I started a response to your post in the other thread, but then decided to hold off. Good thing I did. :)

It's hard to say how long a season takes. It obviously depends on your style of play. I would "watch" all of my games, but at the fastest speed possible, which is pretty fast. I would slow it down near the end, if it was a close game (to pull the goalie, etc.). I would also check between periods to see if any adjustments were needed.

I acted as both GM and coach. I set the lines, called players up/sent them down, made trades, everything. I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to my team. That said, once I find a system that works, I don't tinker obsessively. I would say I move through the season at a decent clip.

I would say, based on 2+ hours at night and some more on the weekend, you should be able to get through a season in about the same time it took you to get through an FM season 2.5 - 3 weeks. That feels about right to me.

I don't know much about the junior leagues. I only did an NHL career.

It's a great game. The drafting/player development aspects are fanastic. I love drafting players and having a large group of prospects/minor leaguers and bringing them up and watching them grow.

I played about 10+ seasons in my career with the Caps and that was before the big North American super patch/update.

Like I said in the other thread, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the current FM games. In many respects, it's like playing CM 02-03 or thereabouts in terms of features and feel.

[FrogMan]

I started a response to your post in the other thread, but then decided to hold off. Good thing I did. :)

Funny, after reading your post in the other thread and knowing your love for hockey, I was almost certain you'd be the first to reply to my post in here ;)



It's hard to say how long a season takes. It obviously depends on your style of play. I would "watch" all of my games, but at the fastest speed possible, which is pretty fast. I would slow it down near the end, if it was a close game (to pull the goalie, etc.). I would also check between periods to see if any adjustments were needed.


It's obvious that the time it takes for a season will be different from one player to another. I tend to be very active during games in FM, doing many little adjustments which I may not have to do in EHM. Speaking of which, how is it in-game? What is represented? I know I'm kind of late to the party and I could certainly find all of this by reading some of the previous 20+ pages, but I'm lazy :)


I acted as both GM and coach. I set the lines, called players up/sent them down, made trades, everything. I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to my team. That said, once I find a system that works, I don't tinker obsessively. I would say I move through the season at a decent clip.

I would say, based on 2+ hours at night and some more on the weekend, you should be able to get through a season in about the same time it took you to get through an FM season 2.5 - 3 weeks. That feels about right to me.


I'd say it would be about the way I'd manage/coach the team. Find a system I'm comfortabl with and kinda stick with it.

I don't know if I'll be able to play 2+ hours *every* night, probably more like at least one hour and sometimes more. This was down to about 30 minutes max when my wife was working night and took a nap in the evening (our computer is in our bedroom until we finish the basement at some point this spring).

Right now, the "getting back to care about hockey" itch is making me want to give it a whirl. One more question, can you manage an international squad with this version?


Like I said in the other thread, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the current FM games. In many respects, it's like playing CM 02-03 or thereabouts in terms of features and feel.

I only played a little with CM4 before really getting hooked with FM2005 so I wouldn't know about CM02-03, the fact that it's a different sport and thus a quite different kind of culture and management, I think I wouldn't have much problem with EHM in the state it is now...

Thanks for your input, very much appreciated...

FM

[FrogMan]

dola, and is the digidownload version stable enough to buy?

Even though I've not personally experienced any problems with the digidownload of WSM, let's say it's not been the smoothest of all overall...

FM

[Honolulu_Blue]

Funny, after reading your post in the other thread and knowing your love for hockey, I was almost certain you'd be the first to reply to my post in here ;)


It's obvious that the time it takes for a season will be different from one player to another. I tend to be very active during games in FM, doing many little adjustments which I may not have to do in EHM. Speaking of which, how is it in-game? What is represented? I know I'm kind of late to the party and I could certainly find all of this by reading some of the previous 20+ pages, but I'm lazy :)

I'd say it would be about the way I'd manage/coach the team. Find a system I'm comfortabl with and kinda stick with it.

I don't know if I'll be able to play 2+ hours *every* night, probably more like at least one hour and sometimes more. This was down to about 30 minutes max when my wife was working night and took a nap in the evening (our computer is in our bedroom until we finish the basement at some point this spring).

Right now, the "getting back to care about hockey" itch is making me want to give it a whirl. One more question, can you manage an international squad with this version?

I only played a little with CM4 before really getting hooked with FM2005 so I wouldn't know about CM02-03, the fact that it's a different sport and thus a quite different kind of culture and management, I think I wouldn't have much problem with EHM in the state it is now...

Thanks for your input, very much appreciated...

FM

No worries! I love this stuff. I apologize about not knowing how to do the whole "quote" - post - "quote" - post thing. I've tried it before. It wasn't pretty.

I have had the computer in the bedroom situation before. It's not pretty. You sitting there, hunched over the computer with only the glow of the monitor to light your way, all the while thinking "Ok, one more game. One more game..." and then glancing over your shoulder at each toss or turn from the bed and then thinking, "One more game... Ok, how late can I play this? At what point would my wife wake up and find me still playing my game and get pissed? 1? 1:30? 2?" It can be a dangerous game.

How it in-game? Well, it's pretty decent actually. Instead of the fluid 2-D representation you get with FM, you get a static 2-D representation in EHM. I think the players (dots) move every 3 or 5 seconds or so. It's like a series of snapshots. When simming on the highest speed, it actually looks like it's flowing in real time. Though very, very fast real time. Like in FM, you can click the "tactics" button to pause the game whenever you want to switch a line or adjust a tactic. You also get sent to the tactics screen whenever there is an injury or suspension. The in-game options are very similar to the older CM/FM games. There are no half-time speeches or anything like that, but you can adjust your lines and tactics on the fly, pull your goalie, etc. It works well. Players are also rated over the course of the game, as in FM, on a 1-10, so you can see who is performing how well and who isn't.

You can manage an international squad. I did it quite a few times actually. Once your reptutation is good enough, you just apply for the job and then take over the squad. Typically your role as coach only lasts for one tournament. I coached the U.S. juniors a few times and the U.S. team in the world championships. I never had all that much success in these endeavors, but I kept trying.

The one big difference between EHM and the most recent FM games, in my opinion, are the player and media interactions. I am not sure if it was because I had so much success in my career (I rule! :D ) or whether it was because I had group of great guys or great leadership, but I rarely had any sort personality flare-ups like I did in FM. I think a few other guys had while coaching in lower leagues, but, for whatever reason, the players in EHM seem to lack the personality you find in FM. Then again, that could be the difference between soccer players and hockey players. I also felt the media interaction was a bit lacking.

Still, EHM is only in its second incarnation at SI and so I expect these things to come in time, as they did with FM. Even with those drawbacks, I still played the hell out of that game. Lady H_B was not a fan of "the hockey game." I guess I can't blame her for her reaction when she looks over at her 31 year old husband at 5:30 pm on a Saturday and finds him sitting in his comfy chair, where he's been since waking up at around 9 am, still in his pajamas, unshaved and unwashed, laptop on the lap and still... playing... that... game. :)

Good times... Good times...

[Honolulu_Blue]

dola, and is the digidownload version stable enough to buy?

Even though I've not personally experienced any problems with the digidownload of WSM, let's say it's not been the smoothest of all overall...

FM

Not sure. I have the CD version. I always perfer it to downloading.

[scooter]

I play both FM and EHM. I am the world's slowest player though. After months I'm still only about halfway through my FM season.

I don't coach my games in EHM (lack of knowledge mostly). I do play in the major juniors though with the Everett Silvertips. The CHL leagues have some quirks that you may have to get used to: there are no roster limits on total number of players but you can only suit up 3 overagers, attributes are a little hard to read (much like playing FM in the lower leagues) in that numbers tend to be low but certain ones are higher (like a guy that's got 7 and 8 for most attributes but then has a 14 for passing, etc.). If you want first-hand info, ping JeffR. I'm pretty sure he worked closely with Riz to get things straight in the CHL.

As far as the digital download is concerned, I have the CD, so I can't help you there. Living in Canada, you may be able to find a CD version in a store near you. If it were me, I guess I'd start there.

[FrogMan]

No worries! I love this stuff. I apologize about not knowing how to do the whole "quote" - post - "quote" - post thing. I've tried it before. It wasn't pretty.

It's not very difficult, just have to wrapped the quotes properly, close every one you open. :) That being said, I'm sure I'll f*ck one up here and will look like a fool :D


I have had the computer in the bedroom situation before. It's not pretty. You sitting there, hunched over the computer with only the glow of the monitor to light your way, all the while thinking "Ok, one more game. One more game..." and then glancing over your shoulder at each toss or turn from the bed and then thinking, "One more game... Ok, how late can I play this? At what point would my wife wake up and find me still playing my game and get pissed? 1? 1:30? 2?" It can be a dangerous game.

I had the computer in a separate room until our second son was born in January 2004. Then, my playing time took a hit because, well a newborn takes "some" of your time :) Then my wife went back to work and started working nights. Because of that, she would take a nap in the evening, before going back to work. Since she was having a hard time getting enough rest during the day, me playing next to her when she was napping was simply out of the question. Then she'd go to work around 11pm and knowing I was going to have to deal with two kiddos by myself the next morning, I never felt like playing too much into the night...

As I said, we are finishing the basement and soon I'll have my very own playroom downstairs, with a TV and computer in the same room, next to a nice woodstove to warm up the place. :)

How it in-game? Well, it's pretty decent actually. Instead of the fluid 2-D representation you get with FM, you get a static 2-D representation in EHM. I think the players (dots) move every 3 or 5 seconds or so. It's like a series of snapshots. When simming on the highest speed, it actually looks like it's flowing in real time. Though very, very fast real time. Like in FM, you can click the "tactics" button to pause the game whenever you want to switch a line or adjust a tactic. You also get sent to the tactics screen whenever there is an injury or suspension. The in-game options are very similar to the older CM/FM games. There are no half-time speeches or anything like that, but you can adjust your lines and tactics on the fly, pull your goalie, etc. It works well. Players are also rated over the course of the game, as in FM, on a 1-10, so you can see who is performing how well and who isn't.


Looks cool. I think I will probably fly through games a bit faster in EHM than I do in FM, no real explanation why, just think so. Sure, there are more hockey games in a season so it'll probably even out...


The one big difference between EHM and the most recent FM games, in my opinion, are the player and media interactions. I am not sure if it was because I had so much success in my career (I rule! ) or whether it was because I had group of great guys or great leadership, but I rarely had any sort personality flare-ups like I did in FM. I think a few other guys had while coaching in lower leagues, but, for whatever reason, the players in EHM seem to lack the personality you find in FM. Then again, that could be the difference between soccer players and hockey players. I also felt the media interaction was a bit lacking.


This reminds me a bit of when SI introduced the media interaction and better player personalities in FM2005. They were better yet not as good as in FM2006.


Still, EHM is only in its second incarnation at SI and so I expect these things to come in time, as they did with FM. Even with those drawbacks, I still played the hell out of that game. Lady H_B was not a fan of "the hockey game." I guess I can't blame her for her reaction when she looks over at her 31 year old husband at 5:30 pm on a Saturday and finds him sitting in his comfy chair, where he's been since waking up at around 9 am, still in his pajamas, unshaved and unwashed, laptop on the lap and still... playing... that... game.

Good times... Good times...


I agree, EHM seems like a very good game, especially getting the boost of the SI input but I just never had the time to try it, nor did I want to get away from my FM career for too long. I don't expect EHM to be at the level that FM is at this point but I'm feeling like picking up another game and I really don't feel like starting a new FOF career. I got spoiled by FM a bit ;)

The days of playing from 9 to 5 are kinda gone for me though. :) Used to do that just before our second son was born, when our oldest was almost 7 and could play by himself or would play with his friends for most of the day. Now, I still got a couple years before the young one will be at that level of sitting with daddy and playing quietly while daddy screams at the computer screen :D

FM

[FrogMan]

Not sure. I have the CD version. I always perfer it to downloading.

I would too, but my itch is pretty much right now. Wouldn't want to get into something else and let this itch pass would I? :)

FM

[FrogMan]

I play both FM and EHM. I am the world's slowest player though. After months I'm still only about halfway through my FM season.

I don't coach my games in EHM (lack of knowledge mostly). I do play in the major juniors though with the Everett Silvertips. The CHL leagues have some quirks that you may have to get used to: there are no roster limits on total number of players but you can only suit up 3 overagers, attributes are a little hard to read (much like playing FM in the lower leagues) in that numbers tend to be low but certain ones are higher (like a guy that's got 7 and 8 for most attributes but then has a 14 for passing, etc.). If you want first-hand info, ping JeffR. I'm pretty sure he worked closely with Riz to get things straight in the CHL.

As far as the digital download is concerned, I have the CD, so I can't help you there. Living in Canada, you may be able to find a CD version in a store near you. If it were me, I guess I'd start there.

Being a slow player is cool with me, whatever you like, play it that way, be it LLM in FM or managing Arsenal, it's got stuff for everybody...

Thanks for the CHL tips. The three overagers limit means no more than three 20yo, right? If so, that's pretty standard from what little I know about the QMJHL. I'd think that players could be harder to gauge in that kind of lower league yeah. Sometimes could be more of a feeling kind of thing, "watch" them play and see who are your real stars. There are players like even in higher levels in FM. Players that play above what their skill ratings could indicate.

About the CD version, I don't think I've seen it anywhere in stores in the Quebec area, but I frankly have not searched a whole lot. Maybe I could try a couple stores. I'll at least download the demo and fool around with it a little...

Thanks for your input.

FM

[JeffR]

How it in-game? Well, it's pretty decent actually. Instead of the fluid 2-D representation you get with FM, you get a static 2-D representation in EHM. I think the players (dots) move every 3 or 5 seconds or so.

Every second, actually. But when you figure that an NHL player at full speed can easily cover 20+ feet a second, there's going to be some jerkiness. FM-style smoothness requires updates every 1/10 of a second.

Oh, and to be sure, one can manage in the QMJHL, right. I could be interested in starting out with the Quebec Remparts

Yup, the Q is playable.

dola, and is the digidownload version stable enough to buy?

Even though I've not personally experienced any problems with the digidownload of WSM, let's say it's not been the smoothest of all overall...

I don't have it, but going by the volume of reports in the SI forum it must be pretty stable - I can't remember any download-specific complaints in the last few weeks of posts.

[Bee]

I found that I go through a season of EHM in about 3/4 of the time it takes me to go through a FM season. Not sure if that's just me or normal though.

FrogMan, I think you'll be very happy with EHM. It's a great game.

[Bee]

Oh, I have the download version and it was very stable. No issues that I know of unlike the FM problems.

[JeffR]

Thanks for the CHL tips. The three overagers limit means no more than three 20yo, right? If so, that's pretty standard from what little I know about the QMJHL. I'd think that players could be harder to gauge in that kind of lower league yeah. Sometimes could be more of a feeling kind of thing, "watch" them play and see who are your real stars. There are players like even in higher levels in FM. Players that play above what their skill ratings could indicate.

Yeah, no more than 3 20-year-olds per CHL team (but the game lets you cheat a little by keeping extra ones on your affiliate team, unlike real life - hopefully we get that changed in the next version.) The overall experience playing junior is a little like FOF: TCY - you have to constantly plan around the inevitable departure of your best players. The big difference is the ability to be a little more flexible during the season; if you get off to an unexpectedly good start, you can sacrifice the future (picks, prospects) to pick up players who can help you make a run for the championship in the short-term. Oh, and since you're not losing players automatically once they're drafted, you get a couple of years of tension wondering whether or not your best player's NHL team will let you keep him for the season. ;)

[FrogMan]

Every second, actually. But when you figure that an NHL player at full speed can easily cover 20+ feet a second, there's going to be some jerkiness. FM-style smoothness requires updates every 1/10 of a second.



Yup, the Q is playable.



I don't have it, but going by the volume of reports in the SI forum it must be pretty stable - I can't remember any download-specific complaints in the last few weeks of posts.

Thanks for the answers Jeff, very helpful. The 2D engine seems impressive in its own right...

FM

[FrogMan]

I found that I go through a season of EHM in about 3/4 of the time it takes me to go through a FM season. Not sure if that's just me or normal though.

FrogMan, I think you'll be very happy with EHM. It's a great game.

Thanks. Seeing how we seem to share an interest for FM/WSM, your opinion is highly regarded (was that well said or not, huh ;)).

Also thanks for the comment on the download version (will avoid me a separate reply, not trying to pad my post number too much, you know...)

FM

[FrogMan]

Yeah, no more than 3 20-year-olds per CHL team (but the game lets you cheat a little by keeping extra ones on your affiliate team, unlike real life - hopefully we get that changed in the next version.) The overall experience playing junior is a little like FOF: TCY - you have to constantly plan around the inevitable departure of your best players. The big difference is the ability to be a little more flexible during the season; if you get off to an unexpectedly good start, you can sacrifice the future (picks, prospects) to pick up players who can help you make a run for the championship in the short-term. Oh, and since you're not losing players automatically once they're drafted, you get a couple of years of tension wondering whether or not your best player's NHL team will let you keep him for the season. ;)

Yeah, that's a side of things I thought about and felt kinda weird dealing with. I guess I'll have some thinking about where I want to start in the game.

Is it very tough to get a job in the NHL if I decide to start in the Juniors but don't like it about midway through the season?

Also, how do CHL teams get their players, is there a draft of very young prospects or something like that? Also, are trade windows implemented in the juniors? I know the QMJHL teams can only trade during some trade windows. I think they do that so the kids don't screw up their classes or something like that...

Thanks again for your input. All this hockey talk is getting me excited about maybe playing this thing a bit :)

FM

[Swaggs]

Make sure you buy the current version: NHL EHM 2005.

The older version is still available out there and still full priced, so make sure to get the 2005 version.

[Karim]

After playing FM, I haven't gone back to EHM but the one thing that is better in EHM is the ability to play as GM-only, without having to coach. That will probably change as the 2-D interface gets to FM levels but for now I enjoy leaving the coach in charge. It also makes for much quicker simming.

[JeffR]

Is it very tough to get a job in the NHL if I decide to start in the Juniors but don't like it about midway through the season?

Directly to the NHL from junior? Very tough - NHL GM jobs don't turn over frequently, and there'll be a lot of candidates with better reputations than you. The junior-to-NHL career path usually requires some time spent as an AHL GM. Of course, you could always just add a second GM to the game, take over an NHL team with that one (just like you would at the start of the game), and retire your original guy.

Also, how do CHL teams get their players, is there a draft of very young prospects or something like that? Also, are trade windows implemented in the juniors? I know the QMJHL teams can only trade during some trade windows. I think they do that so the kids don't screw up their classes or something like that...

The Q trade windows in the game are the same as the real ones, if I remember right, so their trading opportunities are a bit more constricted than in the other two junior leagues. As for drafting, the OHL and QMJHL draft 16-year-olds in the spring, who can play full-time the following season. The WHL takes 15-year-olds, so they have to play midget (or Junior A/B) for another year before going full-time in the WHL. New players are generated at age 14-15, depending on region, so you can scout them while they "play" in their background leagues for a season. The background leagues are fleshed-out pretty thoroughly, so most of the Quebec draftees will be from Midget Espoir or the AAA midget league, as in real life, so you wind up with a draft list looking a lot like the real one - http://members.shaw.ca/caldwela/drafts/2005QMJHL.html.

[FrogMan]

Make sure you buy the current version: NHL EHM 2005.

The older version is still available out there and still full priced, so make sure to get the 2005 version.

hehe, don't worry, I'll keep my eyes well open. Was it you who got stuck with a copy of last year's version? If so, did you end up getting some store credit?

FM

[FrogMan]

Directly to the NHL from junior? Very tough - NHL GM jobs don't turn over frequently, and there'll be a lot of candidates with better reputations than you. The junior-to-NHL career path usually requires some time spent as an AHL GM. Of course, you could always just add a second GM to the game, take over an NHL team with that one (just like you would at the start of the game), and retire your original guy.

Okay, good to know (the difficulty of getting a job, not the second GM, I already knew about that. And it also makes sense, as in the NHL, new coaches don't often come straight from the juniors but also spend some time in a team's farm system before going up...


The Q trade windows in the game are the same as the real ones, if I remember right, so their trading opportunities are a bit more constricted than in the other two junior leagues. As for drafting, the OHL and QMJHL draft 16-year-olds in the spring, who can play full-time the following season. The WHL takes 15-year-olds, so they have to play midget (or Junior A/B) for another year before going full-time in the WHL. New players are generated at age 14-15, depending on region, so you can scout them while they "play" in their background leagues for a season. The background leagues are fleshed-out pretty thoroughly, so most of the Quebec draftees will be from Midget Espoir or the AAA midget league, as in real life, so you wind up with a draft list looking a lot like the real one - http://members.shaw.ca/caldwela/drafts/2005QMJHL.html.

Very interesting. The more I read from you, the more it looks like you, well the people involved with that part of the game anyway, have done a good job of getting the QMJHL setup in particular and the CHL/North American setup in general. Reading about the AAA midget league makes the game even more real to me as I used to be a linesman at the provincial level in that league :)

Anyway, got the setup file download and I'll install it shortly to give this thing a whirl :)

Thanks again for the answers...

FM

[sachmo71]

I just finished a season with the new rosters and latest patch in EHM, and it took about 36 hours to finish.

[FrogMan]

one final question, I downloaded the try and buy file from two source: digitalriver and trymedia.

Which one you think I should install?

FM

[sachmo71]

I think mine is trymedia, and i've not had one problem with it.

[FrogMan]

I just finished a season with the new rosters and latest patch in EHM, and it took about 36 hours to finish.

okay, and what kind of player are you?

I mean, are you a micromanager or kind of in the middle?

FM

[FrogMan]

I think mine is trymedia, and i've not had one problem with it.

given DR's general lack of customer support, I'm tempted to go with the trymedia one quite honestly...

FM

[sachmo71]

okay, and what kind of player are you?

I mean, are you a micromanager or kind of in the middle?

FM


Micromanager, but only for my team. I didn't check the progress of my prospects as often as I thought I would, and usually made game day adjustments. I spent a lot of time in scouting and pratice, though. So overall, I would say that I was an average player.

[FrogMan]

Micromanager, but only for my team. I didn't check the progress of my prospects as often as I thought I would, and usually made game day adjustments. I spent a lot of time in scouting and pratice, though. So overall, I would say that I was an average player.

cool, thanks for the info :)

FM

[FrogMan]

my trymedia download seems to be at version 2.1.1, filename is "ehm2005setup_v211.exe". From what I read, the latest patch brought this all to 2.1.3. Can I apply the patch on the try and buy version, I mean prior to buying the thing?

FM

[sachmo71]

my trymedia download seems to be at version 2.1.1, filename is "ehm2005setup_v211.exe". From what I read, the latest patch brought this all to 2.1.3. Can I apply the patch on the try and buy version, I mean prior to buying the thing?

FM


I don't know...I'd install the game first, then patch. The worst thing that could happen is you would have to reinstall the demo, right? Make sure you download the right patch! Also, I would recommend downloading the unfake patch from www.ehmtheblueline so that you can have all of the league with their proper names.

[Swaggs]

hehe, don't worry, I'll keep my eyes well open. Was it you who got stuck with a copy of last year's version? If so, did you end up getting some store credit?

FM

I took some grief from the store manager for a bit, but he eventually gave me a store credit. They didn't have EHM 2005 at any of the three local Gamestops (although one did have both versions of the soccer game, with the older version being $10 more).

[FrogMan]

I don't know...I'd install the game first, then patch. The worst thing that could happen is you would have to reinstall the demo, right? Make sure you download the right patch! Also, I would recommend downloading the unfake patch from www.ehmtheblueline (http://www.ehmtheblueline) so that you can have all of the league with their proper names.

that's what I did, installed with the file I had, downloaded the 2.1.3 trymedia patch and patched the game. It's still saying "unpurchased" or whatever they say it but it's saying the game is at version 2.1.3.

Started a game with the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL and man do I feel lost. :eek: Overwhelmed could be a better word. The whole week before training camp, well, there's no such thing as a training camp per se in FM/WSM, so about everything I see in the game is new stuff.

I'll also have a lot of reading to do on skill ratings and such, try to get a feel for what is important at what position and on what line. Line, another concept that isn't in football management ;)

That unfake patch, can it be applied after I've started a game or only at the start of a new game. I'm not very far into my game that I could start over, but if it's not necessary, I'll keep going forward after applying that patch. Also, any other thing I should download before I start playing for real? Any recommended skins?

I started the game on August 17 and only got to August 28 or so, watching the first game of the team. We lost it 2-0, getting outshot something like 48 to 30 something. I have no clue if we could have done anything different to prevent the loss or if we were simply outclassed by a better team. I'll have to pay closer attention to stats and form ratings...

FM

[JeffR]

That unfake patch, can it be applied after I've started a game or only at the start of a new game. I'm not very far into my game that I could start over, but if it's not necessary, I'll keep going forward after applying that patch.

Nope, you'll have to start over, so the game can set up from the database with the changes in it.

[riz]

After playing FM, I haven't gone back to EHM but the one thing that is better in EHM is the ability to play as GM-only, without having to coach. That will probably change as the 2-D interface gets to FM levels but for now I enjoy leaving the coach in charge. It also makes for much quicker simming.

I'm still reading the latest posts in this thread, but wanted to comment on this bit here.

The "2D" in the current EHM is not a "2D" as such, its more of a tactical board that just updates every second. So not an actual 2D view. An actual 2D view would be a real-time, fluid moving overview of the rink with the players skating around. And yes, I would love to get EHM into the proper 2D era one day in the future, but even when we go all real-time 2D for the games, there would still always be the option of letting your Head Coach take control of the bench and you could just watch the replays after the game if you wish. No point in taking away a feature widely used by users.

[riz]

I just finished a season with the new rosters and latest patch in EHM, and it took about 36 hours to finish.

For a comparison, I did one season per my day at the stand at E3 last year. So one season took about 6-8 hours to complete going from training camp to the draft. But this was with Head Coach taking control of most games and rather careless management of the team overall with very little micromanagement done ;)

I think I clocked another game some time ago where I just started a new NHL only game and left my assistant in charge as I went on vacation for the whole season. It took about an hour and a half to run through the season this way. Not exactly a "press the button to sim a season" type of game, but there are still ways to get a season worth of stats dumped out in a relatively short period of time if you want :)

[SackAttack]

No point in taking away a feature widely used by users.

I would probably play WSM more than I do if I could do something similar...but I realize that soccer doesn't (necessarily) split the coach and GM roles the way more traditional American sports do.

I'm already entering my third season of my current EHM career after just about three days thanks to this feature.

[riz]

I would probably play WSM more than I do if I could do something similar...but I realize that soccer doesn't (necessarily) split the coach and GM roles the way more traditional American sports do.

I'm already entering my third season of my current EHM career after just about three days thanks to this feature.

That's the thing right there. In North American hockey, the separation is usually very clear if there is a GM and a head coach at the team (unless the GM is a pre-lockout Glen Sather and has a walkietalkie to the dummy coach on the bench). With hockey in Europe, the GM role is more in the background and leaning more towards the financials of the team, whereas head coaches have a lot more control for example over player acquisitions here.

However, with soccer in Europe, the Manager is responsible for both managing the team by signing players etc. and also for coaching games from the sidelines.

[SackAttack]

That's the thing right there. In North American hockey, the separation is usually very clear if there is a GM and a head coach at the team (unless the GM is a pre-lockout Glen Sather and has a walkietalkie to the dummy coach on the bench). With hockey in Europe, the GM role is more in the background and leaning more towards the financials of the team, whereas head coaches have a lot more control for example over player acquisitions here.

However, with soccer in Europe, the Manager is responsible for both managing the team by signing players etc. and also for coaching games from the sidelines.

riz, since it looks like you're around, do you know offhand why I can only offer performance incentives to certain players (it looks like the young kids)?

[JeffR]

riz, since it looks like you're around, do you know offhand why I can only offer performance incentives to certain players (it looks like the young kids)?

Part of the new CBA:

Performance bonuses will only be permissible for the following types of players: (1) players on entry-level contracts; (2) players signing one-year contracts after returning from long-term injuries (players with 400 or more games who spent 100 or more days on injured reserve in the last year of their most recent contract); and senior veteran players who sign a one-year contract after the age of 35.

[sachmo71]

Part of the new CBA:

Performance bonuses will only be permissible for the following types of players: (1) players on entry-level contracts; (2) players signing one-year contracts after returning from long-term injuries (players with 400 or more games who spent 100 or more days on injured reserve in the last year of their most recent contract); and senior veteran players who sign a one-year contract after the age of 35.


Well I'll be damned. That's one way to enforce a cap. :)

[FrogMan]

Nope, you'll have to start over, so the game can set up from the database with the changes in it.

cool, I'm not too far into my game that I'll download that unfake thingie and will restart.

Speaking of that unfake and ehmtheblueline.com, is this the thing I need to download:
http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=37&func=fileinfo&id=126

Seems like the only one with any mention of unfaking...

Any other update I should apply to my game? Like the Smetana rosters (http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=37&func=fileinfo&id=129), are they good, or even necessary? They say it's based on the new unfaking database, so I'd assume updating with it must be a good idea but would like some more input...

Thanks in advance.

FM

[FrogMan]

For a comparison, I did one season per my day at the stand at E3 last year. So one season took about 6-8 hours to complete going from training camp to the draft. But this was with Head Coach taking control of most games and rather careless management of the team overall with very little micromanagement done ;)

I think I clocked another game some time ago where I just started a new NHL only game and left my assistant in charge as I went on vacation for the whole season. It took about an hour and a half to run through the season this way. Not exactly a "press the button to sim a season" type of game, but there are still ways to get a season worth of stats dumped out in a relatively short period of time if you want :)

The "more GM, less coaching" way might be the one I'll take with EHM, as opposed to the way I play FM/WSM. As you say in a later post, the manager in European football is much more of an all-around guy, coaching, directing training, acquiring players whereas I see the GM in North American as the guy at the second floor, bringing in players but not necessarily overseeing everything as far as line changes go for example.

That little switch in perspective could mean a whole new gaming experience with EHM for me, building a team over more seasons than what I do with FM/WSM (I'm up to 2010 with my current Luton Town career)...

FM

[FrogMan]

One thing that irks me right now it the seeming lack of shortcuts in the game, or at least to go back to a previous screen. Maybe I'm missing it, but is the "back" button that you click the only way to go back a screen?

If so, one tiny suggestion for EHM2007 would be to implement the use of the left/right arrows to go back and forth through screens, as well as the commonly known backspace to go back. I love those in FM/WSM.

FM

[sachmo71]

cool, I'm not too far into my game that I'll download that unfake thingie and will restart.

Speaking of that unfake and ehmtheblueline.com, is this the thing I need to download:
http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=37&func=fileinfo&id=126

Seems like the only one with any mention of unfaking...

Any other update I should apply to my game? Like the Smetana rosters (http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=37&func=fileinfo&id=129), are they good, or even necessary? They say it's based on the new unfaking database, so I'd assume updating with it must be a good idea but would like some more input...

Thanks in advance.

FM


This is what you need. You can then download the latest roster pack to get the players on the right team. Also, I enjoyed the facepacks and logopacks as well, but if you want to get right into the game, you can skip these.

[FrogMan]

One thing I'll really have to get used is the trading for players part. I'm so used to FM/WSM and the transfer market where I simply offer money and get a player if I can afford him that I'm kind of lost now. Yeah, kinda weird for a North American dude to say that but that's how it is after playing so many hours of FM.

Also, my last experience with trading was in single player FOF almost two years ago and I had implemented that house rule of never instigating trade talks by fear I would take advantage of the AI. Now with EHM, how's the AI as far as trades go? I know the AI won't take a bad offer in FM, is it as good in EHM? Can I go out and try to make offer without fear of taking advantage of a 10 year old GM? I hope you understand what I mean, no offense to 10yo GM out there ;) and FOF has probably gotten much better with the last few patches but I always felt like it was too easy to offer some washed out players I didn't need in exchange or relatively good draft picks...

FM

[FrogMan]

This is what you need. You can then download the latest roster pack to get the players on the right team. Also, I enjoyed the facepacks and logopacks as well, but if you want to get right into the game, you can skip these.

good and by the rosters pack, you mean the Smetana one or another one?

As for facepacks and logopacks, is it like FM/WSM in that I can install them at any point in a career and they will show up anyway?

FM

[sachmo71]

The trade AI is pretty good with EHM. They know what their teams need, and if you offer them crap, you get crap back. Try offering some scrub and a draft pick for Martin St. Louis, and watch what happens. :D

Btw, the AI *WILL* try to screw you in certain instances..make sure you know what your needs are (Roster-Set Team Needs; your coach will tell you what you need) and you should be fine.

[sachmo71]

good and by the rosters pack, you mean the Smetana one or another one?

As for facepacks and logopacks, is it like FM/WSM in that I can install them at any point in a career and they will show up anyway?

FM


Snetana is the best. I think pictures will show up at any point after you put them in the game.

[FrogMan]

The trade AI is pretty good with EHM. They know what their teams need, and if you offer them crap, you get crap back. Try offering some scrub and a draft pick for Martin St. Louis, and watch what happens. :D

Btw, the AI *WILL* try to screw you in certain instances..make sure you know what your needs are (Roster-Set Team Needs; your coach will tell you what you need) and you should be fine.

Good to know, I get the feel that it's similar to FM in that case because, well, the AI has tried to screw me quite a few times in FM :D Offered me $2M for a player valued at $75k, except the offer was for $0 up front and that sweet $2M once he'd scored 20 goals for them... hah!

FM

[FrogMan]

dola, and I hired an assistant GM with the Quebec Remparts yesterday, after seeing how other Q teams were making offers left and right for assistant GMs. I thought I needed one but I'm not too sure what their use is. I don't see a team report as in FM so I'm thinking the assistant GM is only for the show...

FM

[SackAttack]

Part of the new CBA:

Performance bonuses will only be permissible for the following types of players: (1) players on entry-level contracts; (2) players signing one-year contracts after returning from long-term injuries (players with 400 or more games who spent 100 or more days on injured reserve in the last year of their most recent contract); and senior veteran players who sign a one-year contract after the age of 35.

Thanks, Jeff!

[NoSkillz]

dola, and I hired an assistant GM with the Quebec Remparts yesterday, after seeing how other Q teams were making offers left and right for assistant GMs. I thought I needed one but I'm not too sure what their use is. I don't see a team report as in FM so I'm thinking the assistant GM is only for the show...

FM

You need the assistant GM to see the team report in EHM, so it's definitely not just for show.

Pick one up if you can immediately. The team report comes in very handy and has a lot of great info.

[FrogMan]

You need the assistant GM to see the team report in EHM, so it's definitely not just for show.

Pick one up if you can immediately. The team report comes in very handy and has a lot of great info.

Now that I read in the manual where to get the team report, I agree. :)

That was my biggest problem, I couldn't find the darn team report until I saw it in the manual, heh.... I'll look into it tonight.

Thanks for the info though.

FM

[General Mike]

I got my CD copy in the mail today :) I had been playing the demo for the past week or so, so once I patch I'll try to resume the career I started.

[General Mike]

Dola, how do I know if I have the NA version or the European?

[Bea-Arthurs Hip]

General - You have the "European". You need to get the "PC CDrom" 2.1.3 patch:http://www.sigames.com/downloads.php?type=download&id=360&file=417

I assume by demo you mean you were playing the "Try & Buy".. I dont know if these saves are compatible with the CD-rom game.

[JeffR]

I assume by demo you mean you were playing the "Try & Buy".. I dont know if these saves are compatible with the CD-rom game.

Should be able to, I think the only time saves were broken was between the European boxed version and the North American update. The try and buy should be updated to the latter.

[FrogMan]

I got my CD copy in the mail today :) I had been playing the demo for the past week or so, so once I patch I'll try to resume the career I started.

GM, don't know if you know about this, but I came upon a walkthrough guide over at the ehmblueline site. Read some part of it at lunch and wow, it's got some interesting information, stuff that will certainly help me getting started.

Anyway, here's a link to it:
http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=37&func=fileinfo&id=2

I know it was mentionned earlier in the thread but felt it was worth mentionning again. It's a pretty big download, some 69 pages in all in a pdf format...

FM

[General Mike]

GM, don't know if you know about this, but I came upon a walkthrough guide over at the ehmblueline site. Read some part of it at lunch and wow, it's got some interesting information, stuff that will certainly help me getting started.

Anyway, here's a link to it:
http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=37&func=fileinfo&id=2

I know it was mentionned earlier in the thread but felt it was worth mentionning again. It's a pretty big download, some 69 pages in all in a pdf format...

FM

Thanks for the link FrogMan. Will check it out tonight.

[FrogMan]

okay, here's a weird player for you. When looking around for possible addition to my Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL offseason, I came upon this dude:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/QcFrogMan/EHM/th_volk-weird1.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/QcFrogMan/EHM/volk-weird1.jpg)

As you can see, he's supposedly 18 with some interesting skills as possibly a 3rd or 4th line defenseman, adding some depth. Thing is, look at his history screen:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/QcFrogMan/EHM/th_volk-weird2.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/QcFrogMan/EHM/volk-weird2.jpg)

He seems to have been playing since 1995-96 or when he was about 9 or so, IN THE WHL!!! :eek:

He then went on to play in the CIAU (Canadian College hockey) at age 14. Welcome aboard Dr Doogie :D

Talk about an early talent :D

FM

[sachmo71]

probably a researcher error. it happens. :)

[FrogMan]

probably a researcher error. it happens. :)

Oh, I know it happens. I'm sure there are some with FM too but I would probably have less of a chance to spot them. Same with misspelling of player's names. There is a Andrew Andricopoulos with the Remparts in real life. In the game, his name is spelled Andricopolous. Tiny thing but it drove me crazy until I checked with the local paper to make sure I was right ;)


FM

[FrogMan]

Okay, I am very late in giving my first impressions, but what can I do, I'm very late getting into the game :)

Anyway, what strikes me as VERY well done in the game is the fleshing out of the players via scouting. I'm very impressed with the scouting reports. All the tidbits you get in there, just wow. The skill evalutations, the "who's he like" part, the "where would he fit in the team now" and the "what could he develop into for us in the future" are just very well done.

I have no clue if they are accurate, but they are very well done and really help getting an idea as to if I want to pursue that player or not.

As stated before, I manage the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL, so I sent three of my scouts to find potential talents: one for the QMJHL entry draft of next year, one for the CHL import draft and also one to the Midget AAA league. Kinda neat to see reports about 14 and 15yo that are already seen as similar to some NHLers.

Don't know if managing a CHL team has been discussed much in here (maybe I should read the first 7 pages of this thread at one point ;)) but I found the start of our season to be an interesting experience. Our top 5 players missed the first two games of the season while being away on tryouts to various NHL teams. At the same time, we had our #1 and #2 centers suspended for the first game of the regular seasons after incidents in the last two exhibition games, talk about harsh...

We started the season with a 2nd place overall predicition and five games into the season, we're 4-1 with our one loss coming to our arch nemesis Chicoutimi.

So far, I'm enjoying the game very much. Don't know much about what makes the lines work, but I'm guessing this'll come over time, as it did with tactics in FM/WSM. The tactics are a bit stricter with hockey than with soccer/football though, in the sense that you don't have a gazillion formations that you can choose from, so I'll have to learn what instructions work and who plays well with who...

FM

[riz]

Okay, I am very late in giving my first impressions, but what can I do, I'm very late getting into the game :)

Anyway, what strikes me as VERY well done in the game is the fleshing out of the players via scouting. I'm very impressed with the scouting reports. All the tidbits you get in there, just wow. The skill evalutations, the "who's he like" part, the "where would he fit in the team now" and the "what could he develop into for us in the future" are just very well done.

I have no clue if they are accurate, but they are very well done and really help getting an idea as to if I want to pursue that player or not.

FM

Thanks for the feedback.

We've actually rewritten parts of the scouting reports for the next game, trying to make them more lifelike and have more variations. And while I remember, I'll have to thank these forums for the "who's he like" feature in the scouting reports, as it was on these very forums where someone once posted something along the lines of "if someone ever makes scouting reports in a text-sim compare the player to an existing player, that would be so cool" or something...and naturally I just had to take it as a challenge and code it in :)

[FrogMan]

Thanks for the feedback.

We've actually rewritten parts of the scouting reports for the next game, trying to make them more lifelike and have more variations. And while I remember, I'll have to thank these forums for the "who's he like" feature in the scouting reports, as it was on these very forums where someone once posted something along the lines of "if someone ever makes scouting reports in a text-sim compare the player to an existing player, that would be so cool" or something...and naturally I just had to take it as a challenge and code it in :)

no problem on the feedback. Sounds cool on the new features. Looks like I've just found two games that will alternate about eveyr six months in my playing rotation ;) (FM/WSM is the other one in case anybody was wondering, hehe)

While I got you here, I'll repeat my one tiny suggestion. It's regarding navigabilty in the game. I'm almost certain you have probably already coded this in for next version, but you have to implement some use of the keayboard arrows and/or shortcuts to make it easier to go back one screen. That's my one complaint so far. The rest, where the stuff is located, I can get used to. But having click the "back" button to simply go back a screen instead of the left arrow on the keyboard, or even the good old backspace, well it's annoying. Not a game killer, nowhere close, just annoying. :)

FM

[st.cronin]

no problem on the feedback. Sounds cool on the new features. Looks like I've just found two games that will alternate about eveyr six months in my playing rotation ;) (FM/WSM is the other one in case anybody was wondering, hehe)

While I got you here, I'll repeat my one tiny suggestion. It's regarding navigabilty in the game. I'm almost certain you have probably already coded this in for next version, but you have to implement some use of the keayboard arrows and/or shortcuts to make it easier to go back one screen. That's my one complaint so far. The rest, where the stuff is located, I can get used to. But having click the "back" button to simply go back a screen instead of the left arrow on the keyboard, or even the good old backspace, well it's annoying. Not a game killer, nowhere close, just annoying. :)

FM

This is absolutely essential. Lack of keyboard shortcuts actually makes this game hard to play for me.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Wait, does FM have keyboard shortcuts besides pressing the space bar? I never touch the keyboard when I play FM, so it's not a problem for me with EHM. I use the mouse exclusively. Wow, I guess I learned something today. :)

[FrogMan]

Wait, does FM have keyboard shortcuts besides pressing the space bar? I never touch the keyboard when I play FM, so it's not a problem for me with EHM. I use the mouse exclusively. Wow, I guess I learned something today. :)

oh, absolutely. It used to have the usual MSIE alt-left arrow to go back (or backspace too) but they have now added the simple use of the left and right arrows to go back and forth respectively. Very, VERY useful when looking at numerous players one after another. Right hand on the mouse, left hand on the arrows to go back...

FM

[Graeme Kelly]

I'll be looking into using left and right arrows for back/next in EHM 2007. I'd tend to agree that it should be the same as the Internet Explorer (and presumably other Windows applications?) shortcuts - but I think some form of SI standard would supercede those so I'll likely stick with the FM way. I've already added the function keys to move between different screens like in FM too.

You should get an Intellimouse - the back/next buttons work in EHM 2005 and in FM2006; much easier than the arrow keys. Thinking of making the mousewheel click do a continue game, but if I do that then I'll need to add a setting in the preferences page to turn it off since some might be prone to accidental clicks ;-)

[FrogMan]

I'll be looking into using left and right arrows for back/next in EHM 2007. I'd tend to agree that it should be the same as the Internet Explorer (and presumably other Windows applications?) shortcuts - but I think some form of SI standard would supercede those so I'll likely stick with the FM way. I've already added the function keys to move between different screens like in FM too.

You should get an Intellimouse - the back/next buttons work in EHM 2005 and in FM2006; much easier than the arrow keys. Thinking of making the mousewheel click do a continue game, but if I do that then I'll need to add a setting in the preferences page to turn it off since some might be prone to accidental clicks ;-)

Thanks for the reply Graeme. The MSIE/Windows (yes, the alt-left works the same with Windows Explorer as it does with MSIE) standard works just fine for me and will be a great addition to EHM. I got used to using the straight left/right arrows in FM simply because I learned they were in there at some point :) The function keys shortcuts will be great too. Now that I think of it, I don't think the team name or the username at the right corner of the screen are currently clickable in EHM while they are in FM. Out of habit, I often find myself trying to click on the team name to get to my roster screen, or to my own name to get to the Manager homepage, although I know it still doesn't exist in EHM, doh. :)

As for a new mouse, well let's say that budget was really tight in the last year and FM (and now EHM) have been pretty much the only entertainment buys I've allowed myself. I mean, we don't go out much but I got tons of hours out of FM and will likely get almost as many with EHM so they paid for themselves. Now as to getting a new mouse, I'd have a hard time justifying it to my Sinister of Finance (read FrogWoman :D)...

FM

[Bea-Arthurs Hip]

I am trying to get a career going in one of the Major Junior leagues of the CHL. However, I am having a little bit of a hard time understanding some of the "Rules".

If I am a GM for an OHL team, can I trade with a QMJHL or WHL team?

I have a couple of 16 year olds on my roster who only have 1 year of eligibility left. Then I look at their stats and they have only played one year of juniors. Why would this happen? I thought they could play juniors until they turned 20. Can I get him to stay?

Also, has anyone else played a decent amount of time in the CHL? Is gameplay as challenging / fun?

Thanks

[FrogMan]

I am trying to get a career going in one of the Major Junior leagues of the CHL. However, I am having a little bit of a hard time understanding some of the "Rules".

If I am a GM for an OHL team, can I trade with a QMJHL or WHL team?

I have a couple of 16 year olds on my roster who only have 1 year of eligibility left. Then I look at their stats and they have only played one year of juniors. Why would this happen? I thought they could play juniors until they turned 20. Can I get him to stay?

Also, has anyone else played a decent amount of time in the CHL? Is gameplay as challenging / fun?

Thanks

I just started my career in the QMJHL so I might be able to help you out in some areas, as your first question (re: trades). Not definitive in that, but I don't think you are allowed to trade from league to league in the CHL. I know that I can't even sign some free agents (read players whom no team have the rights in the CHL) if they are in a protected region of another league. Say a guy is player in a lower junior league in Alberta, I am not allowed to approach to sign him.

As for the 16yo with only one year left, is that one year left after this year? anyway, that shouldn't be the case. I think the OHL can play players as young as 15, so he could have used one year there, then another at 16 and a third at 17. I think there's a maximum number of seasons on top of the max age of 20 where a player can play in the CHL.

As for your last question, I have not played a decent amount of time, but I can already see some very interesting challenges for future season. For example, you don't entirely control who may disappear from your roster in a given season so you always have to keep on scouting to "refresh" your roster. Also, the start of the season can be rough. I had my top 5 players at various positions, all out on tryouts to NHL teams. Made for a rough start...

FM

[scooter]

You can't trade between CHL leagues. Strangely enough, every once in a while, you will check a player's information screen and it will say they are wanted by a team from another league (bug). If a team from another league cuts a player that has played for a few years (he's an 18 or 19 year old), I think you can sign them as a free agent - it's just the younger players that you can't do that (what Frogman ran into).

I pretty much ignore what the information screen tells you as far as number of years of eligibility remaining. Figure out what year your overage (20 year old) players are and count backwards. I always mentally group together the 86s, 87s, 88s, etc. I haven't had any problems doing it that way yet.

The biggest challenge (for me) is the turnover of your team. Drafting new players, players "graduating" as overagers, players leaving for the NHL - that's where the challenge is in the CHL. Which 19 year olds do you hold on to for next season? Do you ship them off for prospects or draft picks? It plays much differently than the NHL, but it can be fun. It's also fun to see where your players go after they graduate.

[FrogMan]

The biggest challenge (for me) is the turnover of your team. Drafting new players, players "graduating" as overagers, players leaving for the NHL - that's where the challenge is in the CHL. Which 19 year olds do you hold on to for next season? Do you ship them off for prospects or draft picks? It plays much differently than the NHL, but it can be fun. It's also fun to see where your players go after they graduate.

very well summarized. The bolded out part is probably what I'm looking forward to the most...

FM

[JeffR]

I pretty much ignore what the information screen tells you as far as number of years of eligibility remaining. Figure out what year your overage (20 year old) players are and count backwards. I always mentally group together the 86s, 87s, 88s, etc. I haven't had any problems doing it that way yet.

Yeah, same here. The "eligibility remaining" thing is just informational (the game really determines eligibility by birth year), and it seems to get confused when guys move from bantam/midget leagues to the juniors. I'm half-inclined to tell Graeme just to remove it completely, since it's just as easy to get that information from checking the birth year.

[Graeme Kelly]

You sound like every tester I've ever dealt with. Just because it's on a screen doesn't mean it's a screen bug...

[JeffR]

You sound like every tester I've ever dealt with. Just because it's on a screen doesn't mean it's a screen bug...

I don't care if it is or not, just get rid of the damn thing and we won't have to worry if it's bugged at all. ;)

(And I sound like every tester you've ever dealt with because I probably generate half the bug reports that are worthwhile for you to fix. Or do you prefer the kind from those guys that tell you 'family name' needs to be changed to 'last name' in order to avoid confusing the Americans? :p)

[Honolulu_Blue]

Thanks to Frogman's enthusiasm and my general boredom at the moment (waiting to move into my new house), I just started up a new career in EHM. I downloaded the big North American patch and the most recent updates. It says I am playing version 2.1.3.

I am a few months into the season and I just realized that there are no U.S. college players in the game. At all. No Phil Kessel. No Jack Johnson. No real players currently playing in the U.S. college system. Is there a reason for that? Teams that drafted these guys just have nothing in their draft histories. For example, Carolina, who drafted Jack Johnson, has no first round pick listed for 2005. The Wings, who drafted Justin Adbelback (out of Michigan State), have no second round pick.

Am I missing something? Doing something wrong?

[General Mike]

Thanks to Frogman's enthusiasm and my general boredom at the moment (waiting to move into my new house), I just started up a new career in EHM. I downloaded the big North American patch and the most recent updates. It says I am playing version 2.1.3.

I am a few months into the season and I just realized that there are no U.S. college players in the game. At all. No Phil Kessel. No Jack Johnson. No real players currently playing in the U.S. college system. Is there a reason for that? Teams that drafted these guys just have nothing in their draft histories. For example, Carolina, who drafted Jack Johnson, has no first round pick listed for 2005. The Wings, who drafted Justin Adbelback (out of Michigan State), have no second round pick.

Am I missing something? Doing something wrong?

Did you remember to install/re-install the unfake patch? I had to restart with Carolina because my Rangers career went to crap, and the first time I started with Carolina, I did not have the Jack Johnson, Phil Kessel et al, but then I reinstalled the unfake and started again and was fine.

Note: I suck at tactics.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Did you remember to install/re-install the unfake patch? I had to restart with Carolina because my Rangers career went to crap, and the first time I started with Carolina, I did not have the Jack Johnson, Phil Kessel et al, but then I reinstalled the unfake and started again and was fine.

Note: I suck at tactics.

I've never installed the unfake patch. I didn't know it was required to get these players into the game. I never used it before in my pre-North American patch career and they were all there.

[General Mike]

I've never installed the unfake patch. I didn't know it was required to get these players into the game. I never used it before in my pre-North American patch career and they were all there.


Interesting.

[DeToxRox]

Yeah since the update made during the NHL season you had to. They're all there just need to edit them. And it's because you can't make money on NCAA Players, like NCAA 2006 and such, so those kids are in under their fake names.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Yeah since the update made during the NHL season you had to. They're all there just need to edit them. And it's because you can't make money on NCAA Players, like NCAA 2006 and such, so those kids are in under their fake names.

It's odd, because if that were the case, why isn't Carolina's 2005 first round pick not just named "Jack Smith" instead of Carolina not having a first round pick in 2005? Or the Wings 2005 2nd round pick named "Justin Ackers" instead of them having no 2nd rounder...

In this game Carolina didn't have a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round pick in the 2005 draft.

[General Mike]

It's odd, because if that were the case, why isn't Carolina's 2005 first round pick not just named "Jack Smith" instead of Carolina not having a first round pick in 2005? Or the Wings 2005 2nd round pick named "Justin Ackers" instead of them having no 2nd rounder...

In this game Carolina didn't have a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round pick in the 2005 draft.

HB, I don't know why the Jack Johnson renamed guy isn't listed as being Carolina's 1st round pick from 2005 in his info, but I know Carolina has a guy who's ratings translate to Jack Johnson and who is on Michigan as an unsigned prospect.

[Honolulu_Blue]

HB, I don't know why the Jack Johnson renamed guy isn't listed as being Carolina's 1st round pick from 2005 in his info, but I know Carolina has a guy who's ratings translate to Jack Johnson and who is on Michigan as an unsigned prospect.

Thanks for that, GM! I just checked it and you're right. In my game, Carolina has an unsigned prospect named "Brian Ratchuk" who is a star defenseman playing for Michigan. Very odd that he's not listed as a draft pick...

[Honolulu_Blue]

I am about 40 games into the new season. So far, so... ok. I am around 5th-6th place in the West. I just traded Osgood and Franzen for Ryan Miller and everyone was very upset with me. The board. The fans. What do they know?

I've noticed one thing. I am not sure why this is, but I have been in about 5 or 6 shootouts so far this season and my goalies have never made a save in them. Ever. Not one. It's very odd...

[General Mike]

I suck at this game. I thought I set decent tactics after restarting with Carolina, but I just can't get out of the basement. I'm a guy who doesn't really want to do much coaching in game so any suggestions?

[Honolulu_Blue]

I suck at this game. I thought I set decent tactics after restarting with Carolina, but I just can't get out of the basement. I'm a guy who doesn't really want to do much coaching in game so any suggestions?

I hear ya...

I don't do much coaching. I do set the lines and tactics. I switch lines around pretty rarely, usually only subbing guys in for injuries or when a player is particularly playing like crap or tired. I tinker with the lines.

I usually set the tactics up early on and rarely change them at all, unless the composition of a line changes dramatically.

This is taken from an old post I made in this thread back in the day. It gives a basic run down of the strategies I use and have been relatively successful with.

Carolina should be a fun team to play. They have some pretty good guys in their system (eg, Andrew Ladd and those two Swedish guys, Nordgren and Khanberg (if he ever agrees to come across the pond).

I rarely have had success with the game in the first couple seasons. I usually feel the need to mold the team quite a bit.

------------------------------------------------------

In-Game Tactis:

Off System:
I tend to go with mixed here more often than not. But, like everything else, it depends on the players you have. If they have all around talent (good skaters, good passing, etc.), I think mixed seems to work the best.

If they are all great skaters, but may lack a little in the way of passing skills, skating might work.

If they are grinders/forecheckers, I would go with dump & chase.

Off Zone:
I tend to use either "positional" or "crash the net." I use Crash the net if I have a big, strong centerman who can get there. At the moment I have Nathan Horton and Jeff O'Neil. Both big lads who have flourished under this system.

If I have a less physical center, I tend to go with positional. My other center, Stephen Weiss (no I am not the Panthers, I just like to trade with them), isn't as big and strong, so I used this system with him.

Forecheck:
The neutral zone trap, while dull, appears to be the way to go. I recently switched to the neutral zone trap and it has worked wonders. Been very pleased with the results. We have drastically reduced the shots on goal and goals against. I used to go with the "high forecheck" but was letting in way too many goals. Way, way too many...

Backchecking/Pressing:
I tend to keep both at "normal." I have had limited success by moving these to "hard."

Mentality:
Again, I tend to keep this at "normal." Like above, I have had limited success in moving this to attacking or defensive.

Pass/Shoot Bias
Have your best shooters set on "shoot" and the rest on pass. I like to have at least one forward on shoot (though never more than two) and at least one d-man per pairing, or at least one d-man per pairing on the powerplay.

Board Battles:
I tend to leave this as "unit" which is mixed. Though if I have any hulking bruts with high strength (e.g., Hal Gill, Nathan Horton, etc.) then I make it "power." Likewise if I have a wee, speedy lad, I use "finese."

Hitting:
I always have hitting set on "hard." I tend to get a lot of penalties, but I like to hit. It's in my idiom. If there is one player getting waaaay too many penalties, I turn him down to "normal".

Carrying the puck:
I tend to let my offensive defensemen do this. If they can skate well and pass well, I don't see the harm.

Join the rush:
Again, the offensive d-men join the rush, the others do not. I like to have my pairings, the top two at least, a mix between an offensive guy and a stay-at-home guy. The third pairing is usually two stay-at-homers who see time on the PK.

PP/PK Units:
I really haven't messed with this in EHM 2005. One thing I try to do, is balance who plays where. If at all possible, I try not to have any of my forwards on the powerplay killing penalties and vice versa. They get way too tired during the game. For the defensemen, the two d-men who don't see PP time are my top PK pair.

Line Combos:
I tend to try to have my top two lines be strong all around. The focus tends to be offense, but I like to have all six forwards have some decent defensive ratings as well. For example, at the moment my top two lines are as follows:

Ovechkin - Jeff O'Neil - Phil Kessel
Hartnell - Weiss - Justin Williams

While they are all good offensive players, most are pretty sound defensively.

I usually like to have my third line be a "crash" line/"grind" line/"checking" line or whatever you want to call it. These tend to be players who can hit, play solid defense, and chip in the occasional goal. I usually have these guys on "dump and chase" and "crash the net." Sometimes, if my roster gets too talent heavy (a nice problem to have), the third line becomes more interchangable with the top two and loses its "grind line" identity. As is the case with my current squad. The third line is:

Zetterberg - Nathan Horton - Magnus Khanberg

The fourth line varies. Sometimes the fourth line becomes the "grind line." This works because these forwards can bu used as your penalty killers. This makes sure your PK unit is always fresh and you're not wearing down your forward on your top two lines who will already be on the powerplay unit.

Other times, my fourth line is less a "grind" line and more of a "goon" line. This tends to happen with my teams every so often. When the talent is a bit thin and I grab players like this off waivers. I don't mind the physical stuff, so it's not all bad.

Most frequently, I try to put out a "kid" line with the fourth line. These are usually rookie players or younger players (20-22) who I want to give some ice time in the NHL. At the moment, this is what I am doing. The kid line currently is:

Tomas Pospisil - Anze Kopitar - Michael Blunden

Over all, don't hesitate to mix and match lines. I have found that tweaking lines or tactics just a little bit, is a good way to get out of a slump. I also like to try to have lines that fit together. Have a great playmaking center? Put him with a sniper or two?

I used to play A LOT of Strat-o-Matic hockey back in the day. I think it heavily influences how I put my lines together. I don't think the two games work the same at all, but it is what it is. These influences mainly include:

1. For each defensive pairing at least one of the blueliners should be able to move the puck: good skating/passing. I love me some big, tough hard-hitting defensemen, but if both guys are hulking pilons with no puck skills, you are in for a long shift: turnovers, penalties, etc.

2. If I have a checking line, there should be no defensive weak spot. All three forwards should be good checkers, hitters, etc.

3. Never trust your goalie. No matter how good he appears to be on paper, he will screw you over.

4. Hitting is fun.

5. You need at least one guy who can fight if things get out of control.

[Dutch]

Can you play using the Central Hockey League? Or can you customize it to play with them?

[sovereignstar]

Can you play using the Central Hockey League? Or can you customize it to play with them?

Yes. It's called All-American League One or something though. There is an unfake patch that will fix that though (and I think the unfaking patches are safe to use now).

[Dutch]

Yes. It's called All-American League One or something though. There is an unfake patch that will fix that though (and I think the unfaking patches are safe to use now).

Oh great, that's not what I wanted to hear. I actually downloaded the demo and couldn't quite put my finger on the CHL. But what you mention did tend to look familiar.

I'll have to add this to my list of things I must buy down the line.

[General Mike]

Thanks for posting that stuff HB. I will post what I have in a little while.

[Swaggs]

Bump... I got a copy of the European CD version.

Can someone give me the rundown on what patches I need and where to find them?

[riz]

Bump... I got a copy of the European CD version.

Can someone give me the rundown on what patches I need and where to find them?

Patch 2.1.1 gives you the latest official data and the basic "season update" that brings the euro version up to 2005/06 season rules. After that, patch to2.1.3 to get the latest code.

Or you can patch to 2.1.3 straight away if you don't want the official data and are planning on installing a third party roster set right after patching.

[Swaggs]

Patch 2.1.1 gives you the latest official data and the basic "season update" that brings the euro version up to 2005/06 season rules. After that, patch to2.1.3 to get the latest code.

Or you can patch to 2.1.3 straight away if you don't want the official data and are planning on installing a third party roster set right after patching.

Thank you. I should be ready to roll tomorrow. :)

I took a quick look at the game and wanted to mess around with and start with a national team, but I don't seem to be able to hire any staff (head coach, asst. GM, etc.). Is there a certain time or way to do this?

[General Mike]

Patch 2.1.1 gives you the latest official data and the basic "season update" that brings the euro version up to 2005/06 season rules. After that, patch to2.1.3 to get the latest code.

Or you can patch to 2.1.3 straight away if you don't want the official data and are planning on installing a third party roster set right after patching.

Oops.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I finished the first season with the Wings (lost in the Western Conference finals to Nashville).

Yzerman's contract was up and he had "non-player" attributes. I took a look at them and they were astoundingly good. I can't recall stat lower than an 18. While I wouldn't give him anything lower than, say, a 20, still it's not too bad. ;)

So, I signed Yzerman as an assistant coach. He'll be the head coach soon enough. Don't worry.

Anyway, the off-season progressed and sometime in August or early September I got an news message that the Wings were going to retire Yzerman's #19. There was some more information than that, but I'd never recieved one of those messages before. It made me very happy. While I would certainly have enforced that rule myself, it's good to see the game recognize greatness like that.

[Blade6119]

Final game of the season, against the team im tied with for the league title, and i win in shootout(first season i have ever played)...i think im happy with my purchase. Off to the playoffs to prove the critics wrong about how they ranked my team going into the OHL season!

[riz]

Final game of the season, against the team im tied with for the league title, and i win in shootout(first season i have ever played)...i think im happy with my purchase. Off to the playoffs to prove the critics wrong about how they ranked my team going into the OHL season!

I love those moments. Had an identical situation (not a shootout win though, just a regular win) against the Islanders when playing with Atlanta in the first edition of the game at E3 two years ago. And that was after I had dumped all my veterans at the trade deadline assuming I had no longer a chance to make it to the post season :)

Just don't ask if I got swept in the first round by the top seeded Devils ;)

[SirFozzie]

I love those moments. Had an identical situation (not a shootout win though, just a regular win) against the Islanders when playing with Atlanta in the first edition of the game at E3 two years ago. And that was after I had dumped all my veterans at the trade deadline assuming I had no longer a chance to make it to the post season :)

Just don't ask if I got swept in the first round by the top seeded Devils ;)

Did you get swept in the first round by the top seeded devils?

[riz]

Did you get swept in the first round by the top seeded devils?

I told you guys not to ask. Now I won't spill the beans on the upcoming NHL EHM 2007 announcement in advance.... :D

[Blade6119]

I told you guys not to ask. Now I won't spill the beans on the upcoming NHL EHM 2007 announcement in advance.... :D
DAMN YOU FOZZIE!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

:)

[SirFozzie]

MWahahahahahaha!

[Blade6119]

Won the OLH playoffs after all 4 of my series went to 7, and i never led a series until the finals. Swept the round robin in the memorial and am in the finals against quebec in a game im fearing. Are all seasons this much fun?