World Cup of Hockey XXI sign-ups CLOSED

[Qazox]

Updated to this point.

[Alexandr Land]

Why i'm not on the list?

[The Sova Empire]

I am also not on the list.....

[Estope]

We sign up

[Tursasia]

Tursasia is in

[Leicester tigers]

sorry i have to book out

[Mohawk Clans]

Ze Eagles are back after missing the last Cup.

[Equestrian States]

The Pony Republic of Equestrian States
Official Bid to Host the 21st World Cup of Hockey

Sports & Ice Hockey in the Equestrian States
The Equestrian States made its NS Sports debut in early January 2012 during the World Cup 58 cycle in Baptism of Fire 45. Several months later, the nation made its international ice hockey debut at WCoH 18. However, due to the government not being able to put together and fund a team in time, several higher-up members of the National Equestrian Sports Council (NESC) worked in secret with bribed guards at Alcloptraz Maximum Security Prison to send a team of inmates to compete. This team continued to play for the next two editions of the WCoH as well as the Swamp Soccer World Cup. However, a slip up in security protocols led to the sending of an Equestrian Royal Army patrol to recapture the prisoners who were competing in the Icemark at the time.

The NESC hereby formally apologizes for the poor conduct of the Equestrian States "team" and their staff in WCoHs 18-20. In attempt to make amends and show that the true Equestrians intend to pick up where their "unofficial team" left off, the NESC offers to host the 21st World Cup of Hockey here in the Equestrian States. Although ice hockey is one of the least popular sports here, we are fully prepared to fund the construction and renovation of ice rinks throughout the country to accommodate any and all fans which choose to attend the playoff stages of the tournament.

Previous Hosting Experience
The user behind the Equestrian States has organized and hosted all four editions of the Equestria Cup (the regional association football/soccer tournament for the Pony Lands and Equestria). Additionally, the user hosted World Baseball Classic 25 and is currently hosting Market Cup VI. Finally, the user has also scorinated a number of friendlies over the past year for dozens of nations on the Football Friendly thread, including the two most recent editions of the Pink Cup.

Format
Group Play
Given that it's still fairly early in the signup process, I'm not going to set a specific number of participants I'll be looking for until we get a better idea of what size tournament this will be. However, I will be looking for 6, 8, or 10 groups of 6-8 nations each (with puppets being cut to ensure equal group sizes if necessary). Regardless of group size or number, the group stage will be played in the typical double round robin format in the participating nations, and the top two teams in each group will advance to the playoffs.

Playoffs & Tournament Play
All playoff and tournament games will be played in the Equestrian States. Teams will be seeded based on their group records (see "Tiebreakers" section for tiebreakers) and group winners are assured the top seeds over other teams. Round winners will not be reseeded each round, with the exception of any teams advancing via a play-in game.

Once I have determined the number of groups that I will be looking to fill, I will post a more detailed plan on the exact format of the playoffs. However, regardless of size, any play-in games (Ro20, Ro24, etc.) will be single-game affairs. With the exception of the finals, all other tournament series will be best 2-of-3. The championship will be decided in a best 3-of-5 series.

Tiebreakers
1. Overall Record
2. Head-to-Head Record (Group Tiebreaker Only)
3. Head-to-Head Goal Differential (Group Tiebreaker Only)
4. Overall Goal Differential
5. Head-to-Head Goals Scored (Group Tiebreaker Only)
6. Overall Goals Scored
7. One Game Playoff

Scorinator
If chosen, I will use the latest version of xkoranate (0.3.3). As should be expected, the most recent version of the rankings will be used in addition to the RP bonus to calculate team skill. Speaking of the bonus...

RP Bonus
This bid will use a cumulative bonus, not degrading prior to the playoffs as was the case in my WBC 25 bid. RPs will be judged based on quality and creativity over quantity and frequency. Daily RP bonus values will be calculated so that a mid-ranked team will have a chance for upsets later in the group stage and in the playoffs.

"Why should I vote for this bid?"
Although I may not be as experienced of a scorinator as others when it comes to the WCoH, I believe that I can run a successful tournament. The Equestrian States also offers participants a unique environment to RP in as a nation inhabited primarily by non-human sapients (not just ponies, contrary to popular belief). I strive to make each tournament I host enjoyable for all involved, regardless of the final outcome, and I intend to bring that same philosophy to the WCoH if selected as host.

Questions?
Got a question? Feel free to ask it here, or shoot me a TG if you prefer. I’ll try to answer it as best I can, as soon as possible.

[Qazox]

OK Updated to the above post.

I apologize to both Alexandr Land and The Sova Empire for not having them on prior updates.

EDIT: Host bids will be due @ 12:01am EDT on May 19th.

[Quakmybush]

Quakmybush is back in for some hockey action.

[Qazox]

Quakmybush is back in for some hockey action.

Updated to Quakmybush...

Quakmybush's is back again? Welcome back old timer!

[Neu Engollon]

Neu Engollon is in for this.

Edit: Just noticed the theme. Bringing the beer. Duh! Check my sig. Burgunden Breu y'all.

[Sjovenia]

May i signup for this as well?

Team: Sjovenia Scorpions

[Galnius]

The Empire of Galnius would like to send the "Galnius Mystic" team to join this Hockey World Cup.

[Qazox]

The Empire of Galnius would like to send the "Galnius Mystic" team to join this Hockey World Cup.

Signups updated to this point.

[Sjovenia]

We would like a Sjovene brewery "Bitburger Pils" to be a proud sponsor at any and all of these games.

[Galnius]

The ORION ALTERNATE FUEL COMPANY would like to sponsor any and all games

[Sjovenia]

The ORION ALTERNATE FUEL COMPANY would like to sponsor any and all games

[Havl]

The ORION ALTERNATE FUEL COMPANY would like to sponsor any and all games

The Havl Hockey Players' Association (HHPA) urges the as-yet-determined host nation to respect the nature of pure sport and forgo any and all sponsorship of this international event.

[Galnius]

The ORION ALTERNATE FUEL COMPANY would like to sponsor any and all games

The Havl Hockey Players' Association (HHPA) urges the as-yet-determined host nation to respect the nature of pure sport and forgo any and all sponsorship of this international event.

Do you like hockey rinks and equipement? That is why sports have sponsors

[Havl]

The Havl Hockey Players' Association (HHPA) urges the as-yet-determined host nation to respect the nature of pure sport and forgo any and all sponsorship of this international event.

Do you like hockey rinks and equipement? That is why sports have sponsors

Perhaps that is how sport is funded in Galnius, but in Havl, player equipment, rinks, and arenas are free from sponsorship logos.

The HHPA accepts that the host nations' rinks may have existing sponsorship agreements, but it urges the host nation to keep all official World Cup titles free from sponsorship.

[OOC: I'm assuming the WCoH is modeled after the IIHF World Championships which, to date, remain sponsor-free.]

[Galnius]

Do you like hockey rinks and equipement? That is why sports have sponsors

Perhaps that is how sport is funded in Galnius, but in Havl, player equipment, rinks, and arenas are free from sponsorship logos.

The HHPA accepts that the host nations' rinks may have existing sponsorship agreements, but it urges the host nation to keep all official World Cup titles free from sponsorship.

[OOC: I'm assuming the WCoH is modeled after the IIHF World Championships which, to date, remain sponsor-free.]

Makes Sense, but you misunderstand the title of sponsor in Galnius. Sponsorhip simply means providing money for the sport, more of a donation than anyhting.

[The Sova Empire]

I'd rather my players not have to have to have emblems of anything on their equipment...but it will make for a great RP idea should that pass.

[Qazox]

Do you like hockey rinks and equipement? That is why sports have sponsors

Perhaps that is how sport is funded in Galnius, but in Havl, player equipment, rinks, and arenas are free from sponsorship logos.

The HHPA accepts that the host nations' rinks may have existing sponsorship agreements, but it urges the host nation to keep all official World Cup titles free from sponsorship.

[OOC: I'm assuming the WCoH is modeled after the IIHF World Championships which, to date, remain sponsor-free.]

Yes the WCoH is similar to the IIHF Championships.. and guys/gals... only the Host can make a determination of any sponsorships, just to let you know.

[Galnius]

Perhaps that is how sport is funded in Galnius, but in Havl, player equipment, rinks, and arenas are free from sponsorship logos.

The HHPA accepts that the host nations' rinks may have existing sponsorship agreements, but it urges the host nation to keep all official World Cup titles free from sponsorship.

[OOC: I'm assuming the WCoH is modeled after the IIHF World Championships which, to date, remain sponsor-free.]

Yes the WCoH is similar to the IIHF Championships.. and guys/gals... only the Host can make a determination of any sponsorships, just to let you know.

Works for me