Thanks S30! Speaking of noted Falcons fans, we move to the Sava Side:



Yubay Falcons

About the Team: The Falcons were originally founded in 1960 in Trowburgh, Lismane as the Lions by league co-founder Leo Rankin. The team only lasted two seasons before relocating to Yubay, Tamokeva to become the Falcons in 1962. The Falcons have been one of the premier teams in the league but also had tumultuous ownership, particularly after Rankin had a major health crisis in the early 70's. The Falcons have featured many superstars, including one of the best players in league history in Geno Pasternak, who helped the team win three Marcotte Cups. The fans in Sava Side are considered among the most passionate in the league and have a fierce rivalry with crosstown neighbors the Glaciers. The Falcons are now owned by Dwight Dietrich and play in the Rankin Division.

Ownership and Management: Leo Rankin helped found the league with Rey Marcotte with an original team in Trowburgh before moving to Yubay, where he had major businesses to help establish a new arena in a growing market. He was a beloved figure in the league until his illness in 1973 triggered a clause which gave majority control to business friend Barry Boyle, who proceeded to make wholesale changes to the team, much to the chagrin of Rankin's wife Lynette and the fans. A long legal battle gave team control to Lynette in 1975 with Leo's passing. Lynette helped restore the team back to its former standing until she retired and sold the team to local businessman Dwight Dietrich in 1982. Dietrich is a stoic, stable owner and has helped the Falcons remain relevant even during an extended rebuilding era.

The team hired an all-new staff in 1991 beginning with a new GM in Rusty Sykes, who then hired former Heralds coach Kip Weller. The Heralds' dynasty of the early 80's with the famous three-peat was coached by Weller. The Falcons hope Weller can help turn around the protracted playoff drought. Weller hired Fred Campbell, a former Bucks assistant, to fill out the staff.

City and Arena: The Falcons play at the Yertas Arena, situated on the Sava Side in Scarssevain Square in Yubay, Tamokeva. The Yert is a large gothic structure that is home to some of the most passionate fans in the league. Its venerated rafters ooze nostalgia but the overall condition of the arena is in need of new renovations as it is one of the older barns in Torland and subject to the especially tough northern Tamokeva winters. The fan experience is bar none though and it's a popular place to play amongst players in the league for the accommodations and history. Yubay is one of the largest cities in Torland with two distinct “sides” known as Sava and Niko.

Previous Set: 1987 Yubay Falcons

Team Brand and Identity: The Falcons decided to change up their look, taking advantage of the new template by adjusting their brand and leaning into a look that was seen briefly for the '88 Hockey on the Mount with a single-color falcon, this time with a new tail. The new uniform set takes cues from past uniforms but focuses on the single-color motif of the adjusted logo and introduces a new number system. The classic double-striped hems are closed and the red secondary color is reduced to more of a tertiary accent. The outlines on the numbers and letters are removed to suit the new flat scheme. The silver away jersey remains as a staple of classic team look, as well as the pant stripes.

Roster Breakdown

Top Three Players

Bobby Kozun, 20, center
Luke Root, 22, defenseman
Bryan Klein, 23, right wing



Forwards: The team is lead by young phenom Bobby Kozun, heading into his third year after being drafted first overall in 1990. Kozun is the centerpiece of the Falcons' lengthy rebuild and the young centerman has a killer wrister and excellent two-way playmaking abilities. He centers a top line with fan-favorite veteran Cameron Sallee and big winger Bryan “Bazooka” Klein, who was was drafted in '88 and has one of the hardest slapshots in the league. Charlie Holmes, 23, and a brilliant playmaker, centers a second line between young Paul Tudor and scrappy young winger Marlon Cross. Rookie Kirby Hammett is projected to center a third line with Adam Chaney and Trent Schaffer, a pair of 20-year-olds with speed and forechecking abilities. A tough veteran fourth line features Val Redman on the dot and hard-hitting Louie Briseno, along with journeyman Buck Jacks.

Defensemen: The blue line features two rising offensively-minded defenders in the Finnish Erik Karppenin and Luke Root, both 22, on a top pairing. Both are smooth skaters and have slick handles. The defensive prowess of Owen Nabholz, 28, is paired with veteran team captain Malcolm Jackson who has been with the team since he was drafted in 1978 as the first African American in the THL. Jackson is a 3-time All-Star, now 33 and focused on mentoring the young players. A third pairing of Melvin Manzur and Arnold Fleming has experience and potential with excellent PK work.

Goaltenders: The Falcons are backstopped by the duo of Sid O'Neil, whom they drafted in '88 after he fell due to legal troubles, and Mac McFarlane, who has been an average starter since being drafted in '86. Both are still under 25 but neither has ascended into an everyday starter for the team as they hoped. The pipeline is pretty barren with aging veteran Larry Lietzow on his last legs and certified bust Blaine Thibodeau.

Three Key Storylines: 

• Can Kozun and Co break through soon? The team hasn't made the playoffs since 1983 and the fanbase has endured a lengthy and painful rebuild.
• Can the new regime with Sykes make the right moves? The team has drafted well and have infused the team with young talent but now need those extra pieces to put it all together.
• Can Dietrich convince the city to help renovate the Yert? The team coffers aren't flush with cash after such a long playoff drought but the Yertas Arena is in need of modern renovations.

Future Projection: The Falcons are close to breaking through but it will be tough to do so in the tight Rankin Division. If Kozun continues to level up the team could contend for a wildcard berth but shaky goaltending and depth will be difficult to overcome. The Sava Side looks like they can be contenders again in the next couple of seasons though.

Marquee Series Sig:



C&C much appreciated! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the new presentation, detailed write-up, new logo and uniforms, anything. Also always happy to answer any questions about teams or Torland!

Big fan of the new look for my Falcons! Those jerseys are instant classics. I do miss the Y in the logo, but I like the simplification to one color for the logo and numbers.

Looking at how many of our top guys are below the age of 25 gives me a good feeling about our future, but for now I just want to see us back in the playoffs.

Go Birds!

Oh my god, they're gorgeous! The Glaciers reclaim their spot as the best-looking team in Torland. I am living for the reintroduction of purple and the swap to white makes the teal really pop. Honestly I hope the purple sticks around full-time.

​Life has been super crazy but we're back with the first of the two expansion teams to start finishing out this team reveal portion of THL 2.0! 


Cobantle Cardinals

About the Team: The Cardinals are one of the two newest teams in the league after the THL finally expanded into Granago to bring hockey to the southeast of Torland. With the bigger emphasis on Waterdee as one of the largest markets in the nation, the franchise in Cobantle is seen more as a marketing ploy for an in-state rival for the Dragons, playing on the two cities having massive mutual dislike for each other in other sports and collegiate interests. However, that all aside, the city of Cobantle is extremely excited for their new team and new owner Paul Leonard is committed to bringing a top-tier experience for both players and fans to make Cobantle a future hockey destination. The Cardinals will be assigned to the Elam Division.

Ownership and Management: The new franchise is owned and operated by Paul Leonard, a Cobantle businessman. Leonard has ties in nearly ever sector of the city. He's got real estate experience as well as manufacturing interests. Leonard is heavily invested in collegiate sports with nearby Granago State and has funded dozens of youth sports initiatives in the area. He's successful although not flush with extra cash but seems able to bring the city together on funding.

The team will be managed by first-time executive Marc Wilkins, who has a good relationship with Leonard and has previously served as athletic director for several different universities. Wilkins hired Craig McMurray as head coach, recently the assistant coach in Kirlow but had previously served as head coach of the Glaciers, where he won his first Cup, and later with the Serpents in a less stellar tenure. McMurray won Best Coach in 1979. Longtime collegiate assistant Ned Musser was added to the staff.

City and Arena: Cobantle is located in Granago along the eastern coast of Torland where the fast-flowing Penny River meets the narrowing of Messenger Bay. Cobantle is a blue collar working town, originally driven by mills and textile factories. Situated in a fertile river valley underneath the Penny Mountains, Cobantle's nickname is the “City of Roses” for their many parks and gardens throughout the city. The city population is ranked 13th overall (similar to Portarra, Chasonne, Port Alrene, Prestonburg)

While professional hockey hasn't graced the mid-eastern shores of Torland until now, the city of Cobantle has a blue collar sports fanaticism that should apply well to hockey. Their natural deep seated rivalry and hatred of nearby Waterdee would also translate to the THL. Cobantle could also compete in rivalries with teams in Forstana such as Chasonne or Narva, or even Guilden should they get another team. The area has also begun producing young hockey talent that has begun to make it to the THL.

The Penny Center was just recently renovated and is a multi-use facility geared toward hockey, basketball, and other indoor professional sports located near downtown that would make it one of the more state of the art buildings in the league. It has an old brick facade that blends in with the more industrial look of the cityscape.



Team Brand and Identity: The Cardinals chose cardinal red, messenger blue, and white as their team colors. Their logo features a cardinal perched on a hockey stick within a roundel that includes their team name, meant to mimic a faceoff circle. The team features a unique rounded serif font and number system. The logo and jersey numbers feature double outlines. The NOBs and TV numbers are single outlined. The home jersey is primary red with full-length sleeve yokes and inner insets. The jerseys feature a three-stripe hem stripe that is also seen on the navy pants and red socks. There were some manufacturing inconsistencies on the away jersey sleeve yoke but Leonard decided to stick with it.

Roster Breakdown

Top Three Players

Elisha Nadeau, 31, forward
Peter Voronin, 18, defenseman (rookie)
Randy Wiseman, 35, goaltender



Forwards: Skilled veteran forward Elisha Nadeau, 31, formerly a longtime Pioneer who played a single season in Vensessor before being selected by Cobantle is the projected primary scorer and team captain for the new team. He's paired with late-blooming winger Mickey Coats, 27, and steady young Polish forward Kris Gorecki, 22, on a top line light on offensive skill. A second line with tough youngster Tim Houston, 23, on the dot is paired with scrappy wingers Mo Lundquist and CC Baldwin, both twenty-somethings with speed and forechecking. Venerable veteran Don Hawes mans the center position on a third line with rookie winger Kris Schaffer and career minor-leaguer Vince Rooney. A fourth line features journeyman Zach Haughney, 35, with big Norman McCollough and Fedrico Kuntz, both tough veteran wingers nearing their thirties.

Defensemen: The blue line is headlined by incoming rookie Peter Voronin, taken with the 2nd-overall pick. He shows a lot of leadership potential with a high hockey IQ and solid defense. He's paired with Zach Flynn, 22, a developing youngster from the Whales who had been lost in the shuffle in Portarra. Neal Caldwell, 25, was selected from Chasonne and is on a second pairing with former Kodiaks veteran Roy Obenhaus. Another longtime vet in Dino Reichert is on the third pair with scrappy minor-leaguer Roscoe Nieves.

Goaltenders: The veteran goaltender Randy Wiseman was chosen from Bancana where he had played his entire career starting in the UHA. Wiseman is 35 but still a capable starter with Cup-winning experience. Backing him is a selection from Dosa City in 23-year-old Teddy Gruber who has great potential but had stalled out for the Snappers in his fifth year. He's still young and has an opportunity to learn under Wiseman. The system is filled out with Rodney Cragle, 28, a career minor-leaguer from the Pioneers system, and rookie Steve Patterson.

Three Key Storylines: 

• Can the Cardinals establish themselves? Being an expansion franchise is no easy task but its up to the players and fans to create an atmosphere that will bring legitimacy to the league.
• Can McMurray resurrect his head coaching career? The former champion spent several seasons in Kirlow as an assistant hoping for a new opportunity. It didn't go so well in Sina but the team hopes he can use it as a learning experience in Cobantle.
• Which young player will turn into a star? The league is all about star players now and an expansion roster is hard to turn into something star-caliber but perhaps a rookie like Peter Voronin can become a star that the new team needs.

Future Projection: The Cardinals will likely be really bad at first, such is the reality of most expansion teams. But with a focus on player development and good drafting and signing, the goal will be to minimize the headache of the growing pains.

Marquee Series Sig:



C&C much appreciated! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the new presentation, detailed write-up, new logo and uniforms, anything. Also always happy to answer any questions about teams or Torland!

New team!!!

The Cardinals look nice, those jerseys are... something, but it fits right in in the 90s. Big fan of the bird on a stick logo.