Excited about the revamp! Glad that this series has made a comeback

The ‘90s, it it isn’t your favorite era of sports design, you’re not fun. BRING ON THE ZANY!

Been following since 2021, let's go snappers!

Editor's Note: Before I start this offseason, I want to mention that this offseason will be a little different than the usual format. As I will be doing an in-depth look into each team individually, things like draft picks, signings, trades, etc, will not be shown in their usual order. I will recap those parts of the offseason after the team reveals to show the new graphics but that information will also be in the individual team looks. Future offseasons will go back to the regular format order. The winter jerseys will be revealed at the end of the offseason as usual. That being said, this will be a long offseason in many posts but I think it will be worth it! THL 2.0 is now ready to commence.

1992 OFFSEASON




After the league announcement in '91 of a new uniform manufacturer, Elite Vision was formally introduced to the league. Their new Prime Hockey System will be the flagship of the brand, including branded merchandise and fan apparel. Run by CEO Ben Marcotte, grandson of THL league founder Rey Marcotte, Elite Vision signed an exclusive deal with the THL for 10 years with a renewal option of five years to be decided in 2000. Creative director Jake Steele spearheaded working with each team to fit a design on the new Prime system. Approximately 60% of the league made significant changes. With a large manufacturing facility in Trowburgh, Elite Vision is prepared for an influx of apparel orders among the fans.




In addition to Elite Vision, another announcement came through quietly that may have an even larger impact on the sport of professional hockey in Torland. Elite Vision's parent company, Elite Sports Inc, owned by media magnate and politician Stanley O'Shea, announced an exclusive TV contract with the THL on Elite Sports Network (ESN) on a 10-year contract to mirror the Elite Vision deal. O'Shea, also a prominent political figure within the Unionist Party, wanted to take advantage of new broadcasting infrastructure in Waterdee where many of the largest broadcasting networks are headquartered and give the rapidly growing ESN a higher profile in professional sports. ESN's broadcasting numbers are among the best in the country and will give the THL a massive national boost, especially in non-traditional markets. O'Shea is also the father of current first female Vice President Glory O'Shea. ESN has broadcast studios in Waterdee and Bancana and is more readily available on local televisions in Torland than other older networks and has developed a reputation for big announcer personalities and hard-hitting journalism and sports coverage. ESN and Elite Vision will partner on presentation for the THL, a role that Commissioner Pete Byrd was all too happy to pass on to professionals and bring the THL into a new era.

Up next: League news and expansion results

Last edited by Steelman (5/07/2023 9:19 pm)

League News

With a pivotal new THL season approaching, the 1992 expansion results were leaked to the media a day before Commissioner Byrd was set to introduce them. Despite the anticlimactic release, Byrd announced that the two cities joining the THL in 1992 would be Waterdee and Cobantle. Both cities are located in Granago on the eastern seaboard of Torland, a location that has been notoriously devoid of professional hockey. Both cities have a fierce rivalry and it was thought that some extra passion would help the teams in their early stages while they gained their footing in the modern THL. Both cities have rich historical significance in Torland's history and figure to be popular hockey destinations in the future. The Waterdee bid was made by Brett Cavanaugh, while the Cobantle bid was submitted by Paul Leonard. The league narrowed down dozens of bids to six finalists, though they remained tight-lipped about the other nominees. The league plans to release the winning bid proposals to the media that will include detailed information on ownership, viability, arena plans, and city history.

Cobantle Cardinals
Waterdee Dragons

The league announced that the amateur draft order would be tweaked to include a lottery for the top four picks from the four teams with the worst records the previous season. The new lottery system hopes to help avoid any obvious tanking and with new expansion teams joining the league during the decade also help other teams have a chance at gaining a top pick. The lottery will be drawn during the first week of the offseason at the League HQ in Trowburgh by Commissioner Byrd and Donovan Marroquin while observed by a top financial and security firm. Byrd will then announce the draft order the same evening to give teams time to prepare. For the 1992 draft, the two new expansion teams will be added to the bottom four teams from the previous season for a lottery of six. All future expansions will be handled in this manner.

Trowburgh finished with the worst record in 1991, followed by Abrieden, Chasonne, and Narva. With the addition of the two expansion teams, Byrd announced the 1992 lottery results as follows:

1. Abrieden Bucks
2. Cobantle Cardinals
3. Trowburgh Herons
4. Waterdee Dragons
5. Chasonne Heralds
6. Narva Neptunes

The league changed their order of schedule, moving the free agency period to after the amateur draft to allow teams to have a better understanding of their prospect pipelines before signing or letting players go to free agency. The change will take place immediately to allow the new expansion teams a chance with potential free agents.

The league also announced tweaks to the rosters, with teams now required to roster at least 20 players for game day, up from 17 in previous years. Teams are also allowed to designate a third backup goaltender from their minor league affiliate to be available in case the starter and regular backup become unavailable with no waiver penalties.


What do you think of the new draft lottery and expansion locations?
Up next: Retirements, coaching changes, and expansion draft rosters