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SimonT Hockey Simulator Manual Version 2
IndexNote - The manual may contain information on options in a version that has not yet been released to the public.
1 - A Bit About STHS
The SimonT Hockey Simulator (STHS) is a program that will immerse you in the world of hockey like never before. Depending on the preferences selected by the person(s) running the league, you can run one or more seasons at a time with little background knowledge and resources. The SimonT Hockey Simulator first appeared in a beta version in June 2006 and then Version 1 was released in February 2007 and is only available via the internet. Version 2 beta version was release in December 2009 and a final version will be release in 2010. The SimonT Hockey Simulator has an infinite number of options which let league all around the world simulate games as close as possible to the game of hockey. STHS follows the NHL's structure and already has integrated many of the National Hockey League's most recent changes (the shootout, for example). The SimonT Hockey Simulator is without a doubt the most complete hockey simulator on the market and will bring you years of simulated hockey enjoyment.
All of the features STHS offers as well as the basic configuration of the simulator can be found in the Features section of the website. STHS works hard to stay up-to-date with the fast-moving hockey world and will be implementing new features quickly and accurately as time goes on.
If you are interested in contributing to the STHS Manual simply send me an e-mail (the address is available on the top menu) and after reviewing your suggestions I will be happy to add your contributions to the manual.
2 - Overview, Licensing and Updating
Once you've tried out SimonT Hockey Simulator you'll want to begin enjoying the program with a fully activated license. In order to create and manage a simulated league with STHS, you'll have to purchase a license for $45 CDN. You may go ahead and purchase a fully activated STHS license by clicking the following link: http://sths.simont.info/HowToBuy_En.php
If you've lost your registration number, you'll need to make a $12 CDN donation through PayPal which will allow you to get your registration number back. To avoid having to buy a Recovery Key, ensure you have a hard copy of your registration info printed and kept secure in two separate locations.
If you have not purchased a license with STHS you will be limited by 2 key options:
- You will not be able to save your league
- You will not be able to create the league file used by General Managers
Once you've purchased STHS, you'll need to downloads the demo version of STHS (which will become the complete version once it's registered)
Note - In version 2, there no more support files.
After downloading and unzipping the demo version of STHS in folder on your computer (My Documents), check your e-mail for the confirmation e-mail you have received. Then, open up the SimonT Hockey Simulator, click 'Help' and copy the code from the confirmation e-mail into the 'Register' section and click OK. In order to register your copy of STHS you will have to have an internet connection so the program can access the STHS servers and count how many times the simulator has been registered with the same license. STHS has to double-check with the servers to protect against piracy.
Through the terms of the license you have the right to install SimonT Hockey Simulator on one computer only. If you wish to switch the STHS license from one computer to another you must first click on the 'Help' menu and click 'Unregister'. STHS owners are allowed to move their license a maximum of one time per month.
Now that you've successfully downloaded and installed the STHS demo and have taken the time to register you're ready to start creating your very own simulated hockey league!
It is strongly suggested that you update your version of the simulator even if you're in the middle of simulating a season. To update your version of STHS, download the update file and simply overwrite the existing SimonTHockeySimulatorV2.exe file.
3 - STHS Client V2
The STHS Client V2 is a free utility program used by the general managers of a league to fulfill their duties and update their lines and make changes to their team. In order to be able to install the STHS Client V2 a GM must have the basic system requirements in their computer which are:
Windows® 2000 / Xp / Vista / Seven
Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0
400 MB of available hard disk space
256 MB of RAM - 512 MB or more Recommend
Internet Connectivity
1024 x 768 Screen Resolution Recommend
Windows® Knowledge
From the STHS Client GMs have the following options:
Adjust their rosters (promote, scratch and demote)
Adjust their lines (Pro or Farm)
Adjust coaching strategies (Offensive, Defensive, Physical) based on their upcoming opponents
Adjust their arena's ticket prices
Submitting contract offers to free agents
Creating draft lists (Entry or Fantasy Draft)
GMs should make sure they have downloaded the latest client file from their league (after every simulation) before making changes to their team.
Once a GM has efficiently made changes to their team they are able to save their changes. By saving the changes made, STHS Client V2 automatically creates a team file under the name of the team (Montreal.shc for example). The GM may then submit this file to the Commissioner of their league who may then load it directly into the simulator.
4 - How To: Create A League
Creating a league with STHS is very simple. Simply open up SimonT Hockey Simulator, click 'File', click 'New', now enter the complete name of the league as well as the abbreviation, select the rating file, you can find these files available in the downloads section section of the website). Next choose the number of teams as well as the financial options you wish to start with and you're all set!
IMPORTANT NOTICE - It is highly recommended that prior to starting your league you read over Section 8.13 - League Options because there are several interesting options that can help you create a very unique STHS league (i.e. Manual Fantasy Draft, Automatic Fantasy Draft, Random Coaches, Import FHL Data and Auto Activate Prospect).
4.1 - How To: Import V1 League
Importing a league from V1 us very simple. Simply open up SimonT Hockey Simulator V1, click 'Bonus', click 'Command', now enter 'v1export' without the ''. This should create you 1 CSV file and 12 XML files in your SimonT Hockey Simulator V1 CSVXML folder. From SimonT Hockey Simulator V2 New League Windows, simply click 'V1 Importation' and select the CSV file in your SimonT Hockey Simulator V1 CSVXML folder.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - The 'v1export' can only be run in off-season mode after your entry draft is finished. You cannot import a V1 league in the middle of a season!
Note - I strongly suggest you lower the Default Unknown Players Rating to 15-20 after the migration.
5 - How To: Set Up Your League
Once you've created a league you'll want to customize each team, giving them a general manager, their e-mail address, farm team name etc.
To modify a team's information:
- Double-click on the team name you want to modify
- Manually enter information in each of the boxes
To modify a team's ticket information:
- Double-click on the team name you want to modify
- Click 'Finance'
- Manually enter in the details of the name of the arena, various capacities and ticket prices
Once you have modified the information for each team in your league you can begin assigning players to each team as well as create a list of prospects.
To add an unassigned player to a team's roster:
- Click 'League'
- Click 'Unassigned Players'
- Locate the team and the player you're looking for and click 'Assign Player'
To view a team's prospect list and to add a prospect to a team:
- Double-click on the team name you want to modify
- Click 'Prospect'
- Click 'Add Prospect'
Note - From this menu you may also delete and activate prospects on a team's prospect list
After filling your team's rosters and prospect lists you then have to create a schedule.
To create a schedule:
- Click 'League'
- Click 'Schedule'
- Click 'Make Schedule'
At this time you have to adjust the parameters that you want your league's schedule to use and click 'Make Schedule' to generate a schedule (see Section 8.7.1 - Make Schedule).
If you'd like to create a pre-season schedule make sure you select 'pre-season schedule' before generating the schedule.
Once a schedule has been generated both the pro and minor league teams will have identical schedules.
If you'd like to have 'Rivalry' match-ups in your league which boosts players intensity:
- Click 'League'
- Click 'Rivalry Pro' or 'Rivalry Farm'
- Click one team from each side and check the 'Rivalry' box
After the schedule has been created and you've selected any rivalries you want to have you're ready to start your season! Go to 'Simulate' then 'Start Season' or 'Start Pre-Season' to begin play. If you've created a pre-season schedule you must create a new regular season schedule at the end of the pre-season. Once you have a regular season schedule created click 'Start Season' to start your regular season.
Note - If a team doesn't have the minimum number of players as required by the league settings on its roster and under contract, they will not be able to play a game until the problem is resolved. By default, a hired coach for each team is also required to simulate a game.
As games are being simulated STHS creates a 'Play By Play' section that reports all of the important events that transpire during the game. The 'Play By Play' section is quite useful as GMs may review this section of the boxscore and make necessary changes to his team's strategy for upcoming games. The 'Play By Play' feature is also available for the farm league games.
There are a number of options that may be adjusted within the simulator to enhance your league. They are as follows:
- Number of fights
- Number of goals
- Number of shots
- Number of penalties
- Number of injuries
- Number of hits
- The Coach's influence on a game
- The influence of team / player morale on a game
- Team revenues per game
IMPORTANT NOTICE - Every version of SimonT Hockey Simulator V2 use same STH file who will always be compatible with every new release of the simulator unless its specified otherwise.
6 - Team Management
The following section breaks down how to manage a team in STHS.
6.1 - The Team Window
Note - The following information can be used for both the STHS and the STHS Client as the steps are very similar with the exception of a few small details
If you open the team window you'll see a number of items including those that you've previously edited while creating your league. Some other information found in the team window is:
- The team name
- The team's division
- The team's conference
- The team's abbreviation
- The total salaries of the team
- The team's morale
- The name of the general manager
- The general manager's e-mail
- The general manager's instant messenger ID
- The team's city
- The team's arena name
- The team coach and minor league coach
- The number of times the general manager has submitted a fresh line-up
- Farm team details (name, abbreviation, morale, coach, city)
When the team window is opened up in the STHS Client a number of the above options are grayed out as general managers do not have the simulator's permission to adjust them, that is the responsibility of the commissioner. GMs are able to adjust their own e-mail address, instant messenger ID and if the commissioner allows, their ticket prices. All of that information a GM can change in the Client and save when they're doing their line and roster adjustments. When the commissioner receives the file and opens it within the simulator, all of the changes will be updated automatically.
Note - Your general manager can change their email and messenger ID themselves. When you load lines sent by them, their email and messenger ID will be update. For example, you hired a new general manager and you fill is name, email and messenger ID who were blank. If the new general manager make is lines before you update the STHS Client file and he doesn't update is email and messenger ID, after loading is file, the email and messenger ID will be blank.
Here is a breakdown of some of the other options available in the team window and what they do:
6.1.1 - Finance
Allows you to see information on your team finances:
- The money in the team's bank account
- The number of home games remaining
- The average home attendance
- The average income per game
- The estimated income for the rest of the season
- The number of pro games left in the season
- The pro team's expenses per game
- The number of farm games left in the season
- The farm team's expenses per game
- The estimated team's expenses for the rest of the season
- The estimated amount of money that will be in the bank account at the end of the season
You can also view the various seating levels, capacity and ticket prices of your team`s arena. There`s also an option to set a percentage of the team`s arena for season ticket holders. When you have season ticket holders, you are guaranteed a number of ticket sold each game.
6.1.1.1 - Add / Remove Money
Is only available in the STHS Simulator. It enables a commissioner to add or remove money from a team's bank account. When clicked a box will pop-up asking how much money you wish to add/remove, using only numbers enter an amount (put a negative in front of the number to remove money).
6.1.2 - Password
Is only available in the STHS Simulator. It enables a commissioner to set passwords needed in order to access a team. After the confirmation message, enter the team's password twice (the second time is to confirm the right password). To remove a password leave the fields blank.
6.1.3 - Coach - Change
It enables a commissioner and general manager if the option is enabled, to change coaches for the team. When clicked the coach window will appear and list all of the coaches that are in the league's coach file. In the STHS Simulator, the other coaches listed when changing a pro coach are the coaches of other teams' minor league coaches who will have the name of the pro team beside them. When changing a minor league coach, only the unemployed / available coaches will be listed.
To hire a new coach simply select the coach's name you want to hire, change his salary and contract term and then click 'Hire Coach' which will be followed by a confirmation message.
6.1.4 - Coach - Fire
It enables a commissioner and general manager if the option is enables to fire a team's coach. Click the button and then follow up with the confirmation message.
6.1.5 - Save To File
It enables you to save any team info, roster and line-up changes made. The STHS Client automatically saves the file in the same folder where the STHS Client is installed on your computer. This is the file used to send to the commissioner of the league for changes to be made.
6.1.6 - Load File
Allows you to manually load a line-up from a previously saved file. When clicked, a window comes up and asks you to locate the file you wish to load.
6.1.7 - Manual History
Is only available in the STHS Simulator. It enables the commissioner to manually enter an event into a team's history.
6.1.8 - Reset Stats (Pro or Farm)
By clicking to reset either your pro or farm stats you create a point in time in your team's history where the simulator begins to tally stats from. All stats generated after this point will be tracked on the TeamStatsVs page for either the pro or farm teams.
Note - Stats don't actually reset this is just a helpful tool to use when a team has made a major change (change of coach, signing, trade etc.) and wants to see how the team is performing from that point forward.
6.2 - The Roster Window
If you open up the team window by double-clicking on any team in your league, you will see a button called 'Roster', clicking that button brings up a team's roster window. Within the roster window you will find fours lists, the pro roster on the far left, the scratched pro roster on the left, the minor league roster on the right and the scratched minor league roster on the far right.
To move a player from one list to another simply click the name of the player you wish to move and then click the button that corresponds with the move you wish to make.
Above the four lists you'll see check boxes with the various positions beside them (Center, Left Wing, Right Wing, Defense, Goalie) selecting or unselecting these will show you or remove the selected positioned players from your roster listing.
When you select a player's name from any list his attributes appear at the bottom of the window.
To have a complete roster a team must have minimum 20 healthy players on their pro roster including positional minimums which are set by the commissioner in the 'League' - 'League Options' menu. You can verify whether or not your team's roster is 'complete' in the top right hand corner of the team roster window.
Using 'Roster Is Incomplete. Why?' shows you what's wrong with your rosters if they're incomplete.
There is also an option in STHS to update your roster for the next 10 days at once which may be enabled or disabled. To be able to adjust your roster for various games cycle through the games using the arrows at the top of the window. This function is not available in the playoffs.
The 'Copy Rosters' button may be used to copy a set of previously used rosters and forgoes having to adjust rosters manually each day. Click 'Copy Rosters' and a window will pop-up asking you which day you wish to copy your roster to. The copied rosters are the set you had open when you clicked 'Copy Rosters' in the first place.
The 'Copy All Rosters' button will copy the current day's rosters to all other days available.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - After each simulation STHS adjusts your rosters according to the following idea:
- The roster for Simulation #2 becomes the roster for Simulation #1
- The roster for simulation #3 becomes the roster for simulation #2 etc.
It's very important to fill your roster completely from Simulation #2 to Simulation #10 to prevent the simulator create roster on your behalf. This action may be disabled by using the Disable Multiple Lines in Row option.
The other options available in the roster window are:
6.2.1 - Make Captain
Select a player and then click this button assigns the team's captaincy to that player.
If the player is in the pros when he's selected he will be made captain of the pro team and if he's on the farm when he's selected he will be made captain of the farm team.
6.2.2 - Make Assistant
Select a player and the click this button assigns one of the team's two assistant captain positions to that player.
If the player is in the pros when he's selected he will be made one of the pro team's two assistant captains and if he's on the farm team when he's selected he will be made one of the farm team's two assistant captains.
6.2.3 - Trade Available
Checking this box informs other teams in the league that the player is available for trade. While this option has no effect on a player's performance it does appear as checked on a team's roster page.
6.2.4 - Release
Is only available in the STHS Simulator. Allows you to release a player from a team's roster. Selecting this button will bring up a confirmation box followed by a second box asking what percent of the player's salary the team pays for the release (if there's no cost enter0).
6.2.5 - Send To Waivers
Allows you to send a player directly to waivers.
6.2.6 - Protected
Is only available during the off-season and allows you to protect a player from the expansion draft.
6.2.7 - Do Not Apply Re-Rate
Is only available in the STHS Simulator. If this option is checked, the player that is selected will not have the off-season re-rate applied to them.
6.2.8 - No Trade
Is only available in the STHS Simulator. If this option is checked, the player that is selected cannot be traded and therefore will not appear in the trade window.
6.2.9 - Auto Made Roster
Is an option in the STHS Simulator and the STHS Client which automatically sets a team's roster based on the players available. This option will use the best players in their best suited positions.
6.2.10 - Partial Auto Made Roster
Is an option in the STHS Simulator and the STHS Client which fills in the missing holes using whatever players are available and will leave the remaining roster in tact. This option tries its best to use scratched players only and will not send players to the farm. This option can be disabled by a commissioner.
Once you're done editing your roster in the roster window, click 'Exit'and the changes are made.
6.3 - The Lines Window
Clicking the 'Lines' button from the team window allows you to create lines for your pro team while clicking 'Farm Lines' allows you to create lines for your minor league team.
When the window opens you'll see a list of dressed players on the left-hand side, the lines with various tabs in the middle and buttons on the right. To select a player to put on a specific line, click the player's name from the list on the left and select the spot you want him to play from the lines section in the middle. When a player's name is selected you'll notice his ratings and condition appear at the bottom of the window as well as a listing of which lines he's already playing on right above that.
In the middle, right above the various lines are nine tabs:
- 'Forward' for your even strength forward lines
- 'Defense' for your even strength defensemen lines
- 'PP' for your power play lines
- '4vs4' for your 4 on 4 lines
- 'PK4' for your 4 man penalty killing lines
- 'PK3' for your 3 man penalty killing lines
- 'Others' for your starting and back-up goalies, your first five choices for penalty shots and your extra forwards and defensemen
- 'Strategy' for your team wide strategy during the game including what your strategy should be when you're winning, losing, and when the goalie should be pulled
- 'Last Min' for your offensive and defensive style lines during the last minute of play (hero lines)
Below that you'll find a 'Time %' scale which can be adjusted based on how much ice time you want that specific line to play. The ice time must be highest at Line 1 and lowest at Line 4 so it's probably best to assign Line 1's ice time first as the simulator will not let another line have more ice time than the one before it.
Before leaving this screen every line must be filled correctly for it to maintain what you've done when you exit. To find out why your lines are incomplete click the 'Why Are My Lines Incomplete?' button in the top right corner.
Along the top of the window there is a list of the various positions which can be selected or unselected (like the roster window) to show only the player that can play those positions.
Using 'Auto Made Lines' in the STHS simulator or the STHS Client will have the program set your lines automatically based on the players dressed. Use 'Partial Auto Made Lines' to not have the computer redo your entire lines but fill in the holes. Both of these options may be disabled by a commissioner.
Using 'Why Are My Lines Incomplete?' shows you what's wrong with your lines if they're incomplete.
There is also an option in STHS to update your lines for the next 10 days at once which may be enabled or disabled. To be able to adjust your lines for various games cycle through the games using the arrows at the top of the window. This function is not available in the playoffs.
Using the 'Copy Lines' button at the bottom right of the window may be used to copy a set of previously used lines and forgoes having to adjust lines manually each day. Click 'Copy Lines' and a window will pop-up asking you which day you wish to copy your lines to. The copied lines are the set you had open when you clicked 'Copy Lines' in the first place.
The 'Copy All Lines' button will copy the current day's lines to all other days available.
The 'Wipe Lines' button will erase the lines for the current day.
The 'Reset Strategy and Time' button will erase the line's strategy, the 'Time %' scale and the team wide strategy to the default value.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - After each simulation STHS adjusts your lines according to the following idea:
- The lines for Simulation #2 becomes the lines for Simulation #1
- The lines for simulation #3 becomes the lines for simulation #2 etc.
It's very important to fill your lines completely from Simulation #2 to Simulation #10 to prevent the simulator create lines on your behalf. This action may be disabled by using the Disable Multiple Lines in Row option.
Note - If your lines for simulation #2 are left empty the lines will not be adjusted.
Lines must either be created in the STHS Simulator or in the STHS Client. The lines files are saved using the team name with an SHL extension. If an SHL file is renamed, the commissioner will not be able to automatically load the files in STHS and will have to load it manually.
Once you're done editing your lines, click 'Exit' to return to the team window.
6.4 - The Prospect Window
Clicking the 'Prospects' button from the team window in the STHS Simulator enables you to scroll through, add, edit, remove or activate prospects. Each of the buttons on the right hand side are outlined below.
Add
Allows you to add a prospect to the team. Once clicked a box comes up where you type in the name of the prospect and then click 'Add Prospect'.
Edit
Allows you to edit a prospect draft year, overall pick and name.
Erase
Allows you to erase a selected prospect from a team's prospect list. Once you have a player highlighted from the left-hand side, click this button to erase the prospect.
Activate
Allows you to activate a prospect which has the program search the player's database for a player with the same name that has ratings*. If you check the 'Add as Rookie' box you will add your prospect to the team's roster as a rookie. If you check the 'Reset Contract to 0' box the contract for the player will be for 0 years as they're added.
Note - Prior to activating a prospect from the prospect list you should review your player database (Edit > Edit Players from STHS Simulator) and ensure the prospect's name matches exactly to the name in the database, otherwise STHS will not be able to find the player and rate them and you will receive a 'Player Not Found Error'.
Exit
Exits the Prospect Window.
6.5 - Making Offers To Free Agents
Is only available in the STHS Client. The 'Free Agents' option allows you to make an offer to free agents.
On the left-hand side you'll see a listing of all of the available players. Once a player is clicked you'll be able to see the type of offer you're making to this player (i.e. you'll be informed if the player is a restricted free agent). To make an offer, enter a salary (no commas, periods, dollar signs, strictly numbers) as well as a value for the duration of the contract. At this point you may also offer up a signing bonus to the player but a bonus is not required to make an offer. You can also make comments to why this players should accept your offer.
Note - The only way for an offer to be considered valid is if it consists of a dollar value and a length of term.
If you'd like to search for a player from the list use one of the following three options.
1 - Use the 'Search Player' button found at the bottom of the window and enter a partial or complete name of the player you're looking for and hit OK.
2 - Select the player at the top of the list, then using your keyboard type the first letter of the first name of the player you're looking for and scroll from there
3 - Manually scroll through the list using your mouse / keyboard
The basic statistics on a selected player can be found at the bottom of the window. If you double-click on a player you'll be able to see his basic info.
By clicking 'Show players who has received an offer only' you will condense the list to only the players who you've made an offer to.
Once you've sent all of your offers, simply press 'Exit'. The offers will be transmit to the commissioner of the league with your rosters and lines changes.
If you want erase all your previous offer, click 'Reset Offers' to return to the team window.
Note - If you make more offers to free agents than your league allows, STHS will not let you exit the windows.
6.6 - Making A Fantasy or Entry Draft List
This option is only available in the off-season and only if the commissioner has started a fantasy or entry draft.
On the left-hand side you'll see all of the available players and on the right-hand side are all of your selections.
To add players to your selection list click '-->'
To remove players from your selection list click '<--'
To move players up in preference in your selection list click 'Up'
To move players down in preference in your selection list click 'Down'
If you'd like to search for a player from the list use one of the following three options.
1 - Use the 'Search Player' button found at the bottom of the window and enter a partial or complete name of the player you're looking for and hit 'OK'
2 - Select the player at the top of the list, then using your keyboard type the first letter of the first name of the player you're looking for and scroll from there
3 - Manually scroll through the list using your mouse / keyboard
In the fantasy draft you may also check or uncheck the position boxes (C, LW, RW, D, G) to narrow down the positions you're looking at making it easier to find specific players.
Double-clicking on a player in the list will bring up his basic information.
Once your list is finalized, simply press 'Exit'. The list will be transmit to the commissioner of the league with your rosters and lines changes.
7 - Player & Goalie Abbreviations
The SimonT Hockey Simulator offers 17 different rating categories for skaters and 15 different categories for goalies which allows the program to distinguish one player's characteristics from another. To make it easier, some commissioners may opt to simplify things by merging some of the ratings.
STHS has an OV (Overall) rating category which is an indicator as to a player's skill for GMs looking at a roster page but is useless to the program and may be removed if a commissioner feels its not needed. The OV is also variable according to various options' of simulation
Below is a breakdown of the ratings STHS uses.
Roster Page - Skaters - Full Ratings
CK = Checking
FG = Fighting
DI = Discipline
SK = Skating
ST = Strength
EN = Endurance
DU = Durability
PH = Puck Handling
FO = Face Offs
PA = Passing
SC = Scoring
DF = Defense
PS = Penalty Shot
EX = Experience
LD = Leadership
MO = Morale
PO = Potential
OV = Overall
Roster Page - Skaters - Reduced Ratings
IT = Intensity --> Checking / Fighting / Discipline
PY = Physique --> Skating / Strength / Endurance / Durability
PC = Puck Control --> Puck Handling / Face Offs / Passing / Penalty Shot
SC = Scoring --> Scoring
DF = Defense --> Defense
ME = Mental --> Experience / Leadership / Morale
PO = Potential --> Potential
OV = Overall --> Overall
Players Stats
GP = Games Played
G = Goals
A = Assists
P = Points
+/- = Plus/Minus
PIM = Penalty Minutes
PIM5 = Penalty Minutes for Major Penalty
HIT = Hits
HTT = Hit Received
SHT = Shots
SHT% = Shooting Percentage
SB = Shots Blocked
MP = Minutes Played
AMG = Average Minutes Playerd per Game PPG = Power Play Goals
PPA = Power Play Assists
PPP = Power Play Points
PPS = Power Play Shots
PPM = Power Play Minutes Played
PKG = Penalty Kill Goals
PKA = Penalty Kill Assists
PKP = Penalty Kill Points
PKS = Penalty Kill Shots
PKM = Penalty Kill Minutes Played
GW = Game Winning Goals
GT = Game Tying Goals
FO% = Face off Percentage
FOT = Face offs Taken
GA = Give Aways
TA = Take Aways
EG = Empty Net Goals
HT = Hat Tricks
P/20 = Points per 20 Minutes
PSG = Penalty Shot Goals
PSS = Penalty Shots Taken
FW = Fight Won
FL = Fight Lost
FT = Fight Ties
GS = Current Goal Scoring Streak
PS = Current Point Scoring Steak
WG = Current Goal Scoring Slump
WP = Current Point Scoring Slump
S1 = Number of time players was star #1 in a game
S2 = Number of time players was star #2 in a game
S3 = Number of time players was star #3 in a game
Roster Page - Goalies - Full Ratings
SK = Skating
DU = Durability
ST = Strength
EN = Endurance
SZ = Size
AG = Agility
RB = Rebound Control
SC = Style Control
HS = Hand Speed
RT = Reaction Time
PH = Puck Control
PS = Penalty Shot
EX = Experience
LD = Leadership
MO = Morale
PO = Potential
OV = Overall
Roster Page - Goalies - Reduced Ratings
PH = Physique --> Skating / Durability / Strength / Size / Agility
RB = Rebound Control --> Rebound Control / Puck Control
SC = Style Control --> Style Control
HS = Hand Speed --> Hand Speed
RT = Reaction Time --> Reaction Time / Penalty Shot
ME = Mental --> Experience / Leadership / Morale
PO = Potential --> Potential
OV = Overall --> Overall
Goalies Stats
GP = Games Played
W = Wins
L = Losses
OTL = Overtime Losses
PCT = Save Percentage
GAA = Goals Against Average
MP = Minutes Played
PIM = Penalty Minutes
SO = Shootout
GA = Goals Against
SA = Shots Against
A = Assists
EG = Empty net Goals
PS% = Penalty Shots Save %
PSA = Penalty Shots Against
ST = Number of game goalies start as Start goaler
BG = Number of game goalies start as Backup goaler
S1 = Number of time players was star #1 in a game
S2 = Number of time players was star #2 in a game
S3 = Number of time players was star #3 in a game
Coach Ratings
PH = Physical
DF = Defense
OF = Offense
PD = Player Discipline
EX = Experience
LD = Leadership
PO = Potential
IMPORTANT NOTICE - The PO (Potential) rating for both players and coaches is only used during re-rates and has no effect on their performance at all.
8 - The Menu
The SimonT Hockey Simulator has been designed to be fully customizable, giving leagues the opportunity to create a league that meets their needs specifically.
8.1 -Menu - File
Under 'File' you are able to create a NEW league (see Section 4 - Creating a New League), OPEN a league that has already been created, SAVE a league that has been created, save the league file in a different folder for back-up purposes (SAVE AS), and finally EXIT which closes the program.
If you close your league before hitting the SAVE button a confirmation message will pop-up asking you if you want to save it prior to closing the program or opening another league file.
8.2 - Menu - Edit
Under 'Edit' you have three options, you may 'Edit Players' , 'Edit Coaches' or 'Edit Referees and Linesmen'.
8.2.1 - Edit Players
By clicking the 'Edit Players' button you're able to edit the player database your league uses. You may edit an existing player already in the database or add to the database by creating a new player.
On the left-hand side of the window you'll find a list of all the players already in your league's database sorted alphabetically. If you click on a player's name you'll be able to see their information on the right-hand side of the window.
The attributes you may edit are as follows:
- Name
- Country
- Birthday
- Star Power (the higher the number the more revenue teams generate from home games)
- Weight
- Height
- Condition (the health of the player out of 100) (you can enter decimal number like 98.34)
- Injury (if the player isn't 100%)
- Position (more than one position can be selected at a time)
- Can Play Pro (if the player may play Pro games)
- Can Play Farm (if the player may play Farm games)
- Do Not Apply Re-Rate (once this box is checked the simulator will not re-rate this player)
- Rookie (check this box if the player is classified as a rookie in your league)
- No Trade (check this box if the player has a no trade clause)
- Force Waiver (check this box to force player to go on waiver send to farm)
- Excluse from Payroll (check this box to exclude a players from is team payroll)
- Contract (the length of the contract)
- Salary (how much the player makes each year)
- Suspension* (if the player has a suspension this will show how long the suspension is for)
- Allow Edition (once this box is checked you are able to edit the player's information)
- Force Waiver
- URL Link (create a link to a player profile page)
IMPORTANT NOTICE - The 'Allow Edition' box must be checked before the simulator will be able to save any changes you want to make to a player's characteristics.
The 'New Player' and 'New Goalie' buttons allow you to enter a new player or goalie's information into your database. Once you've entered the player or goalie's information in all of the boxes click 'Save Player' or 'Save Goalie' to save the information and add the player to the database.
If you'd like to search for a player from the list use one of the following three options.
1 - Use the 'Search Player' button found at the bottom of the window and enter a partial or complete name of the player you're looking for and hit OK
2 - Select the player at the top of the list, then using your keyboard type the first letter of the first name of the player you're looking for and scroll from there
3 - Manually scroll through the list using your mouse / keyboard
8.2.2 - Edit Coaches
By clicking the 'Edit Coaches' button you're able to edit the coaches database your league uses. You may edit an existing coach already in the database or add to the database by creating a new coach.
On the left-hand side of the window you'll find a list of all the coaches already in your league's database sorted alphabetically with the team their affiliated with in brackets. If you click on a coach's name you'll be able to see their information on the right-hand side of the window.
The attributes you may edit are as follows:
- Name
- Country
- Age
- Contract (the length of the contract)
- Salary (how much the coach makes each year)
The 'New Coach' button allow you to enter a new coach's information into your database. Once you've entered the coach's information in all the boxes click 'Save Coach'.
If you'd like to search for a coach from the list use one of the following three options.
1 - Use the 'Search Coach' button found at the bottom of the window and enter a partial or complete name of the coach you're looking for and hit OK
2 - Select the coach at the top of the list, then using your keyboard type the first letter of the first name of the coach you're looking for and scroll from there
3 - Manually scroll through the list using your mouse / keyboard
8.2.3 - Edit Referees and Linesmen
When you click 'Edit Referees and Linesmen' a window will come up with a list of existing referees and linesmen on the left and options to create a new referee or linesmen on the right.
You can click 'Search Referee' at the bottom left to search through the list of existing referees / linesmen.
You can click 'New Referee' on the right which opens up the ability to create a new referee or linesmen. Once that button has been clicked simply enter in the referee or linesmen's name and check which role he will take on as either a 'Referee' or a 'Linesmen'.
You may also erase an existing referee or linesmen by clicking his name from the list on the left and then clicking the 'Erase Referee' button on the right.
8.3 - Menu - Team
When you click 'Team' on the menu, you'll see the following options:
View Team
Takes you to the Team Window where you can edit information for the team that's highlighted.
Waiver
Is only available in the STHS Client. Takes you to the Waiver Window.
8.4 - Menu - Simulate
When you click 'Simulate' on the menu, you'll see the following options:
8.4.1 - Start Season
Is only available during the off-season and is used to start a new season once a schedule has been created.
If you choose to start a season and you have yet to complete your entry draft, the simulator will ask you if you're sure you want to continue. If you choose 'yes' all unused draft picks for that year will be lost.
If you choose to start a season and you have not started your entry draft you will have to run a fake entry draft unless the 'Skip Entry Draft' function has been enabled. To run a fake entry draft, start the entry draft and exit the windows after.
8.4.2 - End Season / Start Playoffs
Is only available once the regular season schedule has been completed. Use this option to officially complete the regular season and have the simulator set up your playoff match-ups.
8.4.3 - Start Off-Season
Is only available once the playoffs have been completed. Use this option to officially complete the playoffs and begin the off-season.
8.4.4 - Simulate
By clicking this option a window will come up that will allow you to simulate games. In this window you'll see the current day of the schedule that is being simulated as well as the games that are scheduled, in order. The window will clearly label the home and visiting teams for each game.
On the bottom of the window there are five buttons.
Simulate - Allows you to simulate the day of games listed.
Consecutive Day* - Allows you to simulate a number of days at a time depending on which number is entered.
Full Season* - Allows you to simulate the entire season at once.
Rest Day - Allows you to give all teams and all players in the league an entire day off to rest.
Exit - Allows you to exit the window.
* - If you simulate consecutive days the simulator will ask you if you want to output the web pages after each day is simulated. By clicking 'yes' the simulator will output the pages as well as increase the overall time of the simulation.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - When simulating consecutive days or full seasons, the simulator does not ask questions it normally would (such as prompting you to change playoff series length between each series) and output the CSV/XML automatically.
If you click 'Simulate' the simulator will simulate the games for the day listed and give you the results in real time.
After a simulation a button will appear at the top right-hand corner of the window that says 'Show Tomorrow's Games' which if clicked will enable you to see the following day's games in the same window.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - If you receive an error during simulation, refer to the Frequent Errorssection for help.
8.4.5 - Auto Load Lines
Use this option to have the simulator automatically load lines files for all teams from the lines folder set for your league.
8.4.6 - Rest Day
Use this option to give all teams and all players in the league an entire day off to rest.
8.4.7 - Exhibition Game
Use this option if you want to simulate an exhibition game between any two teams in your league. An exhibition game can be simulated at any time during the season and does not effect your team's record, health, finances etc.
Once clicked a window will pop-up asking you to choose a team in each box.
Check the 'Farm' box if you want the exhibition game to be between two farm teams of your choice.
Enter the 'Rivalry' number between 0 (No rivalry) and 5 (Very high rivalry).
Check the 'Shootout Only' box if you want to simulate only an exhibition shootout between the two teams of your choice.
Check the 'Debug' box to have the simulator create files to debug the simulator incase a bug appears.
Once you've decided on the format click 'Simulate Exhibition' to simulate the game.
8.4.8 - All-Star Game
Use this option to simulate an All-Star Game.
Near the top on the left side you'll see three lists 'Visitor Team', 'All Players' and 'Home Team' which is where the All-Star team rosters can be created. Simply click a player's name and select '<--To Visitor Team' or 'To Home Team-->' to assign the player. Once you're happy with the rosters selected you may edit either team's lines by clicking 'Visitor Lines' or 'Home Lines'.
Below these three lists are fields where you may edit the home and visitor team's names and abbreviations.
On the right side are the options for the All-Star Game which may be manipulated separately from the league options to give the game a more authentic feel. There are also several options at the bottom of this section to activate or deactivate several options for the game (injuries, suspensions, coaches and morale).
When you're happy with the setup click 'Simulate' to simulate the All-Star Game.
8.5 - Menu - Output
The only option that appears under 'Output' in the menu is the 'Output' option. This section is where the html pages are created and outputted for the creation of your league's website.
STHS creates 43 HTML pages, the Client files File as well as CSV/XML files.
As was explained in 'Section 3 - STHS Client', the Client file is used by the GMs of your league to edit their roster and adjust their lines. In order to be able to do this a file has to be created and uploaded to your league's website so that they can download it, use it and send it back with the changes made.
Note - It's normal that the STHS Client file is 8 MG.
The CSV/XML pages are created for use with third-party programs.
Below is a brief description of what each HTML page contains.
Today's Games - Shows the games played that day
Pro Standing - Shows the team standings of the league (Overall, by Conference and by Division)
Pro Team Roster - Shows each team's roster complete with player ratings
Pro Team Scoring - Shows the statistics of players organized by team
Pro Team Players Info - Shows details about each player organized by team
Pro Team Lines - Shows the current lines of each team
Pro Team Schedule - Shows the complete schedule for each team
Team Finance - Shows the financial picture for each team, complete with expenses and revenue information
Team Prospects - Shows each team's draft picks by year as well as the prospect list
Team History - Shows the history of each team
Team Injury - Shows the injuries and suspensions for each team
Pro Team Stats - Shows team stats for each team
Pro Team Stats Vs - Shows the team stats for each team when compared to the other teams in the league
Coaches - Shows the complete list of coaches in the database, their ratings, contract information and the team they're with
Waivers - Shows the players currently on waivers
Today Transactions - Shows the transactions that have occurred in the league for the current date only
Transactions - Shows the transactions that have occurred in the league to date (by date)
Schedule - Shows the complete league schedule (by date)
League Records - Shows the statistical records for the league
Team Records - Shows the statistical records for each team
Pro Leaders - Shows the top skaters in points as well as the top goalies in the league
Pro Individual Leaders - Shows the top players in various statistical categories
Unassigned - Shows the players in the database who are not on a roster and their rating information
Farm Standing - Shows the team standings of the league (Overall, by Conference and by Division)
Farm Team Roster - Shows each team's roster complete with player ratings
Farm Team Scoring - Shows the statistics of players organized by team
Farm Team Players Info - Shows details about each player organized by team
Farm Team Lines - Shows the current lines of each team
Farm Team Schedule - Shows the complete schedule for each team
Farm Team Stats - Shows team stats for each team
Farm Team Stats Vs - Shows the team stats for each team when compared to the other teams in the league
Farm Leaders - Shows the top skaters in points as well as the top goalies in the league
Farm Individual Leaders - Shows the top players in various statistical categories
Index - Contains links to the other pages that are outputted
Teams And GM Info - Shows the information of the GMs in the league and their teams
Pro Power Ranking - Shows the power ranking for teams in the pro league
Farm Power Ranking - Shows the power ranking for teams in the farm league
Free Agents - Shows the free agents of each team (Only available in the off-season)
Entry Draft - Shows the results of the entry draft (Only available in the off-season)
Expansion Draft - Shows the results of the expansion draft (Only available in the off-season)
Awards - Shows the trophy winners (Only available between the end of the playoffs and the start of the off-season)
Re-Rate Difference - Shows the difference in ratings for players after the re-rate has been done
Each box is automatically checked based on the setup chosen in the Output Options.
You can pick and choose which boxes you want to output each time you view this window and when you're ready click 'Output' at the bottom of the window.
To make it easier, you may click 'Click All' or 'Unclick All' to have all the boxes checked or unchecked automatically for you.
Click 'Exit' when you're done.
STHS automatically links all outputted pages to one another as well as it creates direct links to the teams in your league. If you setup your output to only include certain pages, the ones you do not output will not be linked.
If you are simulating a pre-season schedule, you'll notice at the top of every page it'll say 'Simulating a Pre-Season'.
8.6 - Menu - League
When you click 'League' you'll see the following options:
8.6.1 - Transactions
This is the area of the simulator that the commissioner uses to make trades between teams. Once 'Transactions' is clicked, a window will come up which is divided into two parts.
The first thing that has to be done is a team has to be chosen from the top half and one for the top half of the window. These two teams represent the teams involved in the trade. Once a team is chosen for each half of the window more options become available such as: players, prospects and draft picks.
Based on which tab you choose, the right side of the window for that team will change. Select the tab you want and then the part of that tab you want to add to the trade and click 'Add To Trade'. Once that's clicked the item you selected will be added to the right-hand side of the window which details the contents of the trade. You can click multiple players, prospects or draft picks at a time by holding down the CTRL key while clicking. Continue this process for the second team in the trade.
You can remove players, prospects or picks from a trade by selecting the players from the trade box and clicking the 'Remove' button.
To add money to the trade, type in the amount of money you wish to have exchanged in the 'Money' box using only numbers (no spaces, commas or dollar signs).
If you wish to erase the deal and start fresh simply click the 'Reset' button.
Once both teams have had all parts added to the trade, click the 'Trade' button and the trade will be processed by the simulator.
8.6.2 - Waivers
When you click 'Waiver' you will see a window pop-up with two listings, 'Teams' on the left and 'Players' on the right.
If the waivers option is enabled in your league, any player that is placed on waivers by a team will appear under the 'Players' listing during his time on the waiver wire.
If you want to assign a player to a team that is on waivers simply click the player's name, click the team name you wish to assign him to and click 'Assign Player to Team' at the bottom of the window.
In STHS the waiver priority order is based on the current league overall standings and has the worst team at the top of the list and the best team at the bottom. Although a team may claim a player before his time expires on waivers, he will not be transferred to the team until the waiver time has past. When a claim is made for a player, it is recorded in the transactions log.
Clicking 'Remove From Waiver' to manually remove a player from waivers.
This option is also available from the STHS Client. From the STHS Client, only the team you have selected is show in team. Any players assign to a team in the STHS Client will be transmit to the commissioner of the league with your rosters and lines changes.
8.6.3 - Auto Rosters
Select this option to have the simulator automatically fill out every team's roster in your league. The simulator will inform you if the minimum players needed to fill out a roster are not available.
8.6.4 - Auto Lines
Use this option to have the simulator automatically fill out the lines for every team in your league. The simulator will inform you if the minimum players needed to fill out the lines are not available.
8.6.5 - Rivalry (Pro / Farm)
In this portion of the menu the commissioner can select rivalries between teams in the league. When teams play against one another as rivals the intensity levels of the players increases.
To create a rivalry between two teams in either the pros or on the farm simply select the part of the league you want to have a rivalry in. You'll see a window pop-up that is split in half, on both sides is a list of the teams in the league you selected. Click one team name in each window who you want to set up as rivals. Once a team is selected in each window, enter a number between 0 (No rivalry) and 5 (Very high rivalry) in the 'Rivalry' box at the bottom of the window. STHS does not limit the amount of rivalries a league has.
If you want to cancel a rivalry between two teams, select the two teams (one in each side of the window) and enter 0 in 'Rivalry' box.
8.7 - Schedule
This option is available during the off-season and is a requirement of the simulator in order to start a regular season or a pre-season.
8.7.1 - Make Schedule (Pro or Farm)
When 'Make Schedule' is clicked a window will pop-up with the following options.
Minimum Games vs Own Division - Enter the minimum number of games each team will have to play against teams in its own division.
Minimum Games vs Own Conference - Enter the minimum number of games each team will have to play against teams in its own conference.
Minimum Games vs Other Conference - Enter the minimum number of games each team will have to play against teams in the other conference.
Total Games Per Team - Enter the total number of games each team will play over the course of the season (the total varies based on the other numbers entered).
Target Games Per Day - Enter the ideal number of games that will be played each day of the season.
Variance For Target Games Per Day - Enter the maximum number you want each day's total games to vary by (example - Target is 5, Variance is 2, Games Per Day will range from 3 - 7 games per day).
Max Consecutive Home Games - Enter the maximum number of home games each team may play in a row during the season.
Max Consecutive Away Games - Enter the maximum number of away games each team may play in a row during the season.
You'll be able to see the estimated number of days in your schedule based on the numbers you've inputted into the 'Total Games Per Team' and 'Target Games Per Day' boxes.
If you wish to create a pre-season schedule be sure to check the 'Pre-Season' box at the bottom of the window. During a pre-season schedule the simulator does not take finances into account and also does not run a playoff upon completion.
Once you're happy with what you've entered click 'Make Schedule' and the simulator will generate a schedule for you.
8.7.2 - Edit / Import Schedule
Using this option you're able to edit an existing schedule you've created with STHS or import an already edited schedule from an external file.
When 'Edit/Import Schedule' is clicked a small window opens.
Click 'Export Pro CSV' and/or 'Export Farm CSV' to export the current pro and/or farm schedule you've made within STHS to a CSV file which will be outputted into the simulator's CSV folder.
Click 'Import Pro CSV' and/or 'Import Farm CSV' to import a schedule you've modified or created from a CSV file.
To import a pre-season schedule, check the 'Pre-Season Schedule' box.
To add a rest day at the end of your schedule, check the 'Add a Rest Day at the end of Schedule' box.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - In version 2, the import function take a look at the team name! You don't need to know the team numbers anymore.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - Prior to importing a CSV file into STHS it is recommended that a back up of the file is created first as an error during an import will cause the CSV to be wiped out.
8.8 - Free Agents
8.8.1 - Manual Free Agents
Use this option if you wish to manually sign free agents to teams in your league. Once clicked a window will open up with two lists available.
Team List - Select the team you want to be the one that is signing the player.
Player List - Select the free agent who is signing the contract.
To sign a player to a team simply click the team you want and the player you want from each list then click 'Sign Player' at the bottom of the window.
After that a small window will come up asking you the length of the contract you want to sign.; This has to be filled in with a number. Once done a new window comes up asking for the value of each year of the contract which also has to be filled in with a number only (no commas). The third window asks how much the signing bonus is for the contract that is being signed which may be left blank if there is no bonus. The contract information will appear in the final window which will ask you to confirm the deal. Once you've confirmed the player will be removed from the free agent list and assigned to the team's roster that just signed him.
You may also choose to re-sign a player automatically by clicking 'Resign Player Automatically' at the bottom of the window. This option will figure out the average salary from within the league based on the player's ratings and sign him to a deal.
If you'd like to search for a player from the list use one of the following three options.
1 - Use the 'Search Player' button found at the bottom of the window and enter a partial or complete name of the player you're looking for and hit OK
2 - Select the player at the top of the list, then using your keyboard type the first letter of the first name of the player you're looking for and scroll from there
3 - Manually scroll through the list using your mouse / keyboard
8.8.2 - Automatic Free Agents
This option enables GMs to submit offers to free agents through the STHS Client and have them automatically sorted by the simulator.
Once clicked a window opens containing three sections:
On the left-hand side is a listing of all of the free agents in the league.
In the centre is the area where you will see all of the offers received by a player.
On the right-hand side is the details of each offer received by the player.
Click 'Only show players who received an offer' at the bottom of the window to only show the players that have received an offer.
Any player that has received more than one offer has to have the contract he signs determined by the commissioner based on the rules of the league. Once a selection has been made click 'Sign Player' to complete the contract.
Click'Print how many offers a player has received in the transaction log'to show how many offers the player received on the transactions page.
Click'Print the offers a player has received'to show the offers the player received either in a text file (a window will pop-up asking you if you want to save it in a text file) or if not they will be displayed on the transactions page.
The 'Erase All Offers' button erased all the offers send by general managers.
Note - If you do not erased the offers, they will stay forever in the simulator. Since there is a maximum of 100 offers who can be keep the simulator, it's good to erase all offers after you went throw them.
The 'Analyse Offer' option will figure if the offer should be accept or not the offers out by comparing the average salary from within the league based on the player's with the same ratings.
8.9 - Off-Season
STHS makes off-season options available once the regular season and playoffs have been completed and 'Begin Off-Season' has been selected.
8.9.1 - Re-Rate
This option becomes available after a league has simulated its first season. This option enables commissioners to automatically re-rate the players in the league via the simulator.
A player's re-rate is based on the player's stats compared to other players in the league at the same position as well as the player's potential rating. Therefore, it is possible for a player with a high potential rating to receive a decrease in ratings during the re-rate if his stats are poor.
A player who spends more time with the farm team than the pro team will have his re-rate based on the statistics with the farm team.
Coaches are only re-rated based on their potential.
Click 'Rerate' and a small window will open with a list of the categories you do not wish to have the simulator re-rate. In this window you may also decide on the maximum increase or decrease a player can receive during the re-rate process. Once that's decided, click 'Rerate Players and Goalies' to begin the re-rate or click 'Rerate Coaches' if you want to re-rate the coaches.
8.9.2 - RFA/UFA Automatic Re-Signing
Use this option to have the simulator automatically sign contracts for the league.
For each of the types of free agents (RFA, RFA and UFA) choose the percent chance a player has to re-sign with his current team and then click 'Run RFA/UFA Automatic Re-Signing'.
The simulator then searches through the average salary and contract length of players at the same skill level to determine the contract of a player. The results are posted in the transactions log.
8.9.3 - Income Divider
This option enables commissioners to divide league income between the rich and poor teams in the league.
Once clicked a window opens containing four sections:
Current Funds Now - lists the amount of money each team has at that time
Current Funds After - lists the amount of money each team will have after the income is divided
Money Remove or Add - lists the amount of money each team would lose or receive when the income is divided
The fourth section lists how the income is divided by the simulator.
Maximum Money a Rich Team Can Lose in % - a percentage showing the maximum amount of money one team can lose
Radio & TV Rights (in millions) - shows the amount of income the league made from radio & TV (in millions)
Maximum Bank Account - is the cap limit to what a team may have in its bank account before its considered 'rich' and has to share money among the other teams
Once you're happy with your setting click 'Generate' to begin dividing the income. Once that's done review the 'Current Funds After' and 'Money Remove or Add' lists to see the results. If you're happy with the results click 'Save & Exit' to save the changes made. If you're unhappy with the results you may modify the settings and hit 'Generate' again to start over.
Click 'Exit Without Saving' if you don't want to save any changes you've made.
8.9.4 - Auto Activate Prospects
This option enables commissioners to have the simulator take players on the prospect list and have them automatically given ratings from the database and placed on their respective teams.
Once clicked a window opens asking whether or not you want to activate all of the prospects in your league. If you click 'Yes' another window will appear asking if you want to create all of those created prospects as rookies.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - For a prospect to be activated he must first be included in the database with the exact name he has in the prospect list. You can verify that he's in the database by looking over the unassigned player page.
8.9.5 - Random Contract and / or Salary
This option enables commissioners to have the simulate random contracts or salaries for each player, or both.
Once clicked a window opens asking if you wish to generate random contracts and salaries for each player in the league. Click 'Yes' to start.
A new window will open asking if you want to have the simulator generate a random contract length for each player, click 'Yes' or 'No'. The next window will ask if you want the number of years randomly generated to possibly include '0' (free agent) and again click 'Yes' or 'No'. The final window that you'll see asks if you want the simulator to generate random salaries for each player based on their Overall rating (OV), click 'Yes' or 'No'.
8.9.6 - Align League (Pro or Farm)
This option enables commissioners to re-align either your pro league or your farm league's divisions and conferences.
To change a team's division, click on the team's name and then click the name of the division you want to move it to.
To rename a conference or a division, double-click on the name of it and enter a new name.
To create a new team (only available for aligning the pro league), click 'New Team' at the bottom of the window which will bring up a window asking which division you wish to place the team in (1,2,3,4,5 or 6 - left to right, top to bottom) and click OK. The team will now appear in the division you selected.
To erase a team (only available for aligning the pro league) click 'Erase Team' which will bring up a window asking you to confirm your choice.
Don't forget to realign your farm league after you create or erase a team.
To save your changes and return to the main screen click 'Save and Exit'. If you click 'Exit Without Saving' all the moves you made will not be saved, although you will receive a confirmation message in case you hit the wrong button.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - You are unable to re-align your league during the entry draft. Once the entry draft is started it has to be completed before changes can be made.
8.9.7 - Manual Fantasy Draft
This option enables commissioners to run a manual fantasy draft for the league.
Once clicked a window opens up which is divided into three sections. The 'Players' section lists all the players available, the 'Teams' section which allows you to determine the order of the draft, and finally, the middle section which keeps you updated on the progress of the draft listing the selection number as well as the team selecting.
Before beginning the draft, you can modify the order of the 'Teams' by selecting a team and clicking either 'Up' or 'Down' based on where you want them to pick in comparison to the teams around them. While the order is available in the transactions log for the league's general managers to see, it can be re-outputted at any time should the order change by pressing 'Output Order'.
Once you're ready to begin, click on the first team, click the player they're selecting and click the middle 'Assign Player' button to draft a player.
You may also use draft lists from General Managers who made their list via the STHS Client. If a team made a list, click 'Search Select Player' to have the simulator search through the database for the player on that team's draft list. Once the simulator has found the player click 'Assign Player' to draft the player for that team. If a team has not submitted a draft list, you will see 'List Exhaust of Empty' and their draft list will be empty.
You can skip a team's pick at any time by clicking 'Skip Pick'.
If you'd like to search for a player from the list use one of the following three options.
1 - Use the 'Search Player' button found at the bottom of the window and enter a partial or complete name of the player you're looking for and hit OK
2 - Select the player at the top of the list, then using your keyboard type the first letter of the first name of the player you're looking for and scroll from there
3 - Manually scroll through the list using your mouse / keyboard
8.9.8 - Automatic Fantasy Draft
This option enables commissioners to run an automatic fantasy draft for the league.
Once clicked a window will open asking if you're sure you want to start an automatic fantasy draft. Click 'Yes' or 'No' if you don't want to.
After that you'll be asked to enter how many players you want to be assigned per team (the maximum number will be listed in the same window).
Once started STHS uses a snake draft (Round 1 order 1-10, Round 2 order 10-1, Round 3 order 1-10 etc.) For the first 5 rounds the simulator takes the best available player Overall (OV). After that the simulator takes the best player available Overall (OV) by the position needed by the team. This continues until there is not enough players remaining to complete a round.
8.9.9 - Random Coach
This option enables commissioners to have the simulator randomly assign coaches to the pro and farm teams.
Once clicked a window will open asking if you're sure you want to randomly assign coaches to the pro and farm teams. Click 'Yes' or 'No' if you don't want to.
8.9.10 - Entry Draft
This option becomes available after a league has simulated its first season. This option enables commissioners to run an entry draft for the league.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - There is an option to 'Skip Entry Draft' which will deactivate this section.
Click 'Entry Draft' and a window will open. On the left-hand side is the information about the pick, the team that's selecting and where the pick is from. On the middle is the list of prospect available and on the right-hand side is the team order in the draft.
Before beginning the draft, you can modify the order of the 'Teams' by selecting a team and clicking either 'Up' or 'Down' based on where you want them to pick. The default order is based on those rules. Should the order change, it can be re-outputted at any time by pressing 'Output Order'.
The first step is to load a prospects list. Click on 'Load Prospects Lists' and a new window will open asking you to locate the CSV file* which contains the names of the players eligible to be selected in the draft.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - The CSV file needed for the entry draft is different from others type of CSV file. In the CSV file for the entry draft all that is needed is the name of the prospect separated by either commas or typed on separate lines.
Add Prospect
Allows you to add a prospect to the list. Once clicked a box comes up where you type in the name of the prospect and then click 'Add Prospect'.
Edit Prospect
Allows you to edit a prospect name.
Erase Prospect
Allows you to erase a selected prospect from a team's prospect list. Once you have a player highlighted from the left-hand side, click this button to erase the prospect.
Select a player's name from the right-hand side and click 'Select' to draft the player.
You may also use draft lists from General Managers who made their list via the STHS Client. If a team made a list, click 'Search Select Player' to have the simulator search through the database for the player on that team's draft list. Once the simulator has found the player click 'Select' to draft the player for that team. If a team has not submitted a draft list, you will see 'List Exhaust of Empty' and their draft list will be empty.
8.9.11 - Expansion Draft
This option becomes available after a league has simulated its first season. This option enables commissioners to run an expansion draft for the league. This option may also be used as an intra-league draft.
The parameters for the expansion draft can be preset in the Options#2 Tab section of the menu.
General managers may use he STHS Client to decide which of their players they wish to protect and then save the roster file and e-mail it to the commissioner.
Click 'Expansion Draft' which will open up a window that's divided into two sections. On the left-hand side is a list of the teams in the league and on the right-hand side is a list of all the players available to be drafted.
To make a selection simply click on a team name and then on a player's name and click 'Assign Player'.
8.10 - Update Ratings
This option enables commissioners to update the ratings of the players and / or coaches and / or referees in the league database using a CSV file.
Note - This option is also available during a season but is only available for player ratings.
To update player ratings, click 'Select Rating File' and find the STR file that contains the ratings you want to use and modify the following options.
Update Players - check this option to update players rating
Update Salaries and Contracts - check this option to update the salaries and contract length of players
Update Age - check this option to update the players' age
Update Position - check this option to update the players' position
Send Players not Updated to Prospect List - check this option so player not found in the rating file are sent to his team's prospect list.
Update Coaches - check this option to update coaches rating
Update Salaries and Contracts - check this option to update the salaries and contract length of coaches
Erase Coaches Not Updated - check this option so coaches not found in the rating file are delete.
Update Referees and Linesman - check this option to update referees and linesman information
Erase Referees and Linesman Not Updated - check this option so Referees and Linesman not found in the rating file are delete.
To start updating click 'Update Rating' at the bottom of the window. A window will pop-up asking you to confirm your selection.
8.11 - Unassigned Players
This section lists all of the players in the league's database that are currently not assigned to a team in the league.
Click 'Unassigned Players' which brings up a window that is split into two sections. On the left-hand side is a list of all of the teams in the league and on the right-hand side is all of the unassigned players in the league.
To assign a player to a team simply click on the team name and then on the player's name and click 'Assign Player'. If you wish to have the player be added to the team as a rookie be sure to check the 'Add as Rookie' box. If you wish to have the player's contract length set to 0 years once he's added to the team be sure to check the 'Reset Contract 0' box.
Note - If a player doesn't have contract and the 'Reset Contract 0' is not check, the simulator will give him a 1 year contract with the league's minimum salary.
If you'd like to search for a player from the list use one of the following three options.
1 - Use the 'Search Player' button found at the bottom of the window and enter a partial or complete name of the player you're looking for and hit OK
2 - Select the player at the top of the list, then using your keyboard type the first letter of the first name of the player you're looking for and scroll from there
3 - Manually scroll through the list using your mouse / keyboard
8.12 - Overall Formula
This section allows you to manipulate the formula that calculates a player's OV (Overall) rating.
Along the left you'll see a list of each rating category followed by the various league options (fights, goals, injuries, morale, penalties, shots, hits). Then there are five columns (one of which is used for goalie rating categories) with scales that you may adjust based on how much of an affect you want each to have on the OV rating (the higher the number on the scale the more of an affect).
At the bottom is an option which says 'Total Points Available' which is the highest rating possible for a single player to have. The numbers in each column must equal this number however they're manipulated. This number may also be adjusted higher or lower depending on the needs of the league.
When you've finished adjusting the formula for each type of player click 'Save and Exit' to save what you've done (you still need to save the league file) or 'Exit without Saving' and no changes will carry back to your league.
To understand in what categorie a player fall, follow this logic.
Play Forward Only : If (Scoring + Passing) / 2 higher than Defense then Offensive Forward, otherwise Defensive Forward.
Play Defense Only : If Scoring higher than Defense then Offensive Defenseman, otherwise Defensive Defenseman.
Play Forward and Defense : If Scoring higher than Defense then Offensive Forward, otherwise Defensive Defenseman.
8.13 - Output Options
This section allows you to modify the way in which your html pages are outputted.
8.13.1 - 'General #1' Tab
General:
Output File Format - choose the file extension you wish to have STHS associate with your league files (HTML is the default extension)
Auto Output After Simulation - check this option if you want STHS to automatically produce all the league's pages after a simulation
Output All Players in Unassigned - check this option if you want STHS to include all players in the unassigned players list (including players assigned to a team) or uncheck it to only list players not currently on a team
New Record In Transactions Log - check this option if you want STHS to record new league records on the transactions page
Output RSS Feed With Today's Games - check this box if you want STHS to generate an RSS feed for the day's games
Output Simulator Setting in Index - check this box if you want the index.html file to contain the details of the way you've set the simulator to run the league
Output CSVXML File for Database - check this box if you want STHS to output a CSV and XML file with each output
Output Index Without League Prefix - check this box if you want STHS to remove the league's prefix from Index page (i.e. index.html instead of Simon1-Index.html)
Teams:
Output Team Order - check one of the three options listed here to determine which order your teams will be listed in on the outputted pages (either alphabetically, by division and then alphabetically or by conference and then alphabetically)
Merge Pro and Farm Roster in 1 Output - check this option to have the pro and farm pages merged into one output
Do Not Output Multiple Player Scoring - check this option if you do not want STHS to break down a player's stats by team if they've been traded during the year
Add Some Player Info in Roster Page - check this option if you want to have player ages, salaries and contract length added to the roster page
Output Salaries Left in Finance - check this option if you want STHS to determine the amount of money due to each player and post it on the finances page
Output Team Link in Roster Page - check this option if you want STHS to create links to each team's roster at the top of the roster page
Height - choose how STHS will output a player's height (feet or inches)
Weight - choose how STHS will output a player's weight (kilograms or pounds)
8.13.2 - 'General #2' Tab
Simulation:
Pro Full Play By Play Output - check this option if you want to have more details included in the play by play in each box score for every game
Farm Full Play By Play Output - check this option if you want to have more details included in the play by play in each box score for every game
Output Game Lines With Games - check this option if you want to have the teams' lines included in your box score
Output Lines Times With Games - check this option if you want to have the teams' lines ice times included in your box score
Output Game XML Data - check this option if you want to have the boxscores in XML format
Standing:
Playoff Race - check this option if you want to have a column added to your standings to show how many points a team needs to clinch a playoff spot (the PR column)
Standard Standing - check this option to have the NHL's standings settings or if you want STHS to break down wins and losses in overtime and shootout for you
Leaders:
Number of Players League Leaders - enter in the number of players you want to appear on the league leaders page
Number of Goalies League Leaders - enter in the number of goalies you want to appear on the league leaders page
Number of Players in Individual Leaders - enter in the number of players you want to appear under each category on the individual leaders page
Output Top 5 with Leaders Page - select this option if you want to have the Top 5 (PTS, G, GAA) pages outputted with the leaders page
Schedule Date:
Use Date Instead of Day - select this option to use a date instead of 'days' for your schedule and then select the starting date to be used
8.13.3 - 'Output #1 & #2' Tabs
Modifying these options enables commissioners to change the way their pages look when they're outputted.
Use Output Page - check each of the boxes in this column that you want STHS to output for your league
Overall Header - check each of the boxes in this column that you want to use a common overall header
Overall Footer - check each of the boxes in this column that you want to use a common overall footer
File Header - click 'change' beside each page you wish to modify the header of
File Footer - click 'change' beside each page you wish to modify the footer of
IMPORTANT NOTICE - In the header and footer options you may use HTML, PHP, ASP and more however your header must contain a </header> and <body> tag for it to be valid W3C.
8.13.4 - 'Folder' Tab
Input Folder - select the path to the folder where you are going to store your received lines files, free agent bids and or draft lists
Output Folder - select the path to the folder where STHS will place all of the outputted pages it creates
CSVXML Folder - select the path to the folder where STHS will place the CSV and XML pages it creates
Backup Folder - select the path to the folder where you want STHS to create backup files for your league
Headers and Footers Folder - select the path to the folder where you are going to place your information for your headers and footers
For all of the options above there is a default path selected by STHS, if you wish to change it click 'Change' above each option line.
Website URL - enter the website address for your league
8.13.4 - 'FTP' Tab
Download Lines From FTP before simulation - select this option to have the simulator automatically download lines in your input folder from your FTP server prior to simulations
Upload Output to FTP after simulation - select this option to have the simulator automatically upload the contents of your output folder to your FTP server after simulations
FTP Input Path - enter the location of the folder your lines will be stored on your FTP server. Must start by ftp://
FTP Output Path - enter the location of the folder you want your files to be uploaded to on your FTP server. Must start by ftp://
FTP User Name - enter the username for your FTP server
FTP Password - enter the password associated with your username for your FTP server
8.14 - League Options
This section allows you to modify the various options available to your league through STHS.
8.14.1 - 'League #1' Tab
#1
League Name:
Full Name - enter the full name of your league
Abbreviation - enter the abbreviation of your league name (up to a maximum of 5 letters)
Year - enter the current year your league is in
Output File Name - enter the name you want associated to the files you output through STHS
Point System:
NHL - allows you to adjust the amount of points awarded on the standings page for each win, loss, tie, OT win, OT loss and also can include a shootout*
* - a tie is no longer available when the 'Use Shootout' option is selected
International Tournament - allows you to create an international tournament setting (see Section 9 - International Tournament for more information)
Playoff:
How many teams in playoffs - allows you to select how many teams make the playoffs in your league (either 16, 8 or 4)
Playoff Lengths - allows you to adjust the length of the series in your playoffs (best of 7, best of 5, best of 3, or single elimination)
Use Division Leader - allows you to give the division leaders the top seeds in the conference regardless of the amount of points they have
First round bye for Conference Leader - allows you to give the conference leader a first round bye in the playoffs
Fast Playoff - check this option if you want both conferences to play on the same day and give players one day's rest after their game or leave it blank to have the conferences alternate game days
Manual Playoff - check this option to let the commissioner decide who plays who when the playoffs begin
Miscellaneous Options:
Trade Deadline at % of Season - enter how far into the season you want to have your trade deadline (make it 100% if you don't want to incorporate a deadline)
Players Cannot Be Sent to Farm after Trade Deadline - check this option to prevent GMs from demoting players to the minors after the trade deadline
Pro Team Eliminated Cannot Send Players to Farm - check this option to prevent GMs of teams that are eliminated from playoff contention in the pros from sending their players to the farm team
Disable Multiple Lines in a Row - check this option to disable the option for GMs to be able to send multiple lines in a row for the next 10 games
Pro Roster Player Limit - enter the maximum number of players allowed to be on the pro roster at one time
Farm Roster Player Limit - enter the maximum number of players allowed to be on the farm roster at one time
Maximum Farm Overall - enter in the maximum OV (overall) rating a player on the farm team may be allowed to have
Default Team Morale - enter the default team morale level to start the season
Default Player Morale - enter the default player morale level to start the season
Default Unknown Player Rating - enter the default rating level for unknown players and unknown goalies used to fill your farm teams
Minimum Players Per Team - enter the minimum number of players a team must have under contract (this option doesn't apply in the off-season)
Maximum Players Per Team - enter the maximum number of players a team may have under contract (this option doesn't apply in the off-season)
Automatic Save After Simulation - check this box if you want the simulator to automatically save your league file after a simulation has been run
Use Date Instead of Now For Age Calculation - adjust the date listed here as the date to use for calculating player ages
8.14.2 - 'League #2' Tab
Entry Draft:
Number of Draft Picks By Year - select the number of rounds your league will hold for their entry draft
Draft Lottery - check this option if you want the first round to be determined by a draft lottery
Use New Draft Rules - check this option if you want the first round of the draft decided by the new NHL draft rules where the playoff results from the previous year decides the order
Number of Teams in Lottery - enter the number of teams that are entered into the draft lottery if the option is selected
Maximum Rank Gain - enter the amount of teams entered in the lottery that can land first pick overall
Skip Entry Draft - check this option if you do not wish to hold the entry draft within STHS (Version 1.1 only)
STHS Client Option:
Block Ticket Price Change - check this option to disable ticket price changes from being made with the STHS Client
Block Auto Roster Functions - check this option to disable the auto roster function within the STHS Client
Block Auto Pro Lines Functions - check this option to disable auto lines function for pro teams within the STHS Client
Block Auto Farm Lines Functions - check this option to disable auto lines function for farm teams within the STHS Client
Block Free Agents - check this option to disable the possibility to make free agents offers within the STHS Client
Block Coaches Change - check this option to disable the option to change coaches within the STHS Client
Force Correct Lineups before Saving - check this option to prevent GMs from being able to save their files in the STHS Client without having properly filled rosters & lines
Maximum STS File Age - enter in the maximum number of days old an STS file can be before the STHS Client will stop loading it
Max Free Agent Offers - enter in the maximum number of free agent offers a team may submit with the STHS Client
Off-Season:
Remove 1 from Contract Length - check this option to have the simulator decrease each player's contract length by one at the end of the season
Remove Rookie after how many pro games - enter the amount of games a player has to have played in order to lose his status as a rookie
Remove Rookie if older than - enter the age a player has to be for him to automatically stop being listed as a rookie
Retirement Chance %
This option is used to determine the chance of a player retiring at the end of the season.
For each level enter the minimum age and the percent chance players have of retiring. Level 2 must be higher than Level 1, Level 3 must be higher than Level 2 etc. If you leave the ages at 0, the levels are not used.
Retirement Age: Players who are older than this age will retire automatically when you start your off-season.
Only Affect 0 Year Contract Player: When check, the Retirement Chance % option only apply to players who have 0 year contract.
Rating:
Show Overall - select this option to have the simulator show the player's OV (overall) rating on the roster page and in the STHS Client
Full Rating - select this option if you wish to have the full rating system instead of reduced ratings on the roster page
No Rating - select this option if you wish to have no ratings displayed on the roster page
Hide Potential - check this option if you want to hide the PO (Potential) rating on the roster page and in the STHS Client
Please see Section 7 - Player & Goalie Abbreviations for more information.
Default Arena Capacity:
Use this option to set default arena capacity levels for every arena in the league.
Expansion Draft:
Maximum Number of Protected Players - select the maximum number of players a team can protect
Age Exemption - enter the maximum age players may be under for an exemption from having to be protected in the draft
8.14.3 - 'Players' Tab
Player Salary:
Minimum Salary - enter the amount you want to set for your league's minimum wage
Maximum Salary - enter the amount you want to set for your pro league's maximum wage
Farm Salary % - enter the percent of the salary a player makes while he's playing on the farm
Farm Player Pay As Pro After X Games - enter the amount of games a player has to play before he is given a one-way contract (meaning how many games he has to play before he is paid his full pro salary regardless of him playing in the pros or on the farm). Enter 0 to disable this option
Maximum Farm Salary - enter the amount you want to set for your farm league's maximum wage
Remove Exclude From Payroll at 95 of Condition - check this option if you want the Exclude From Payroll option to be automatically remove from players who have 95 or more of condition
Waivers:
Waiver Age Exemption - enter the minimum age a player has to be to be required to clear waivers
Waiver Minimum Games - enter the minimum number of games a player has to have played before he is required to clear waivers
Time Spent on Waivers - enter the amount of time a player has to spend on waivers before he may be claimed
Waiver Financial Compensation - enter the waiver fee given to the team that loses a player on waivers from the team claiming the player
Note - If you modify any of the first 3 options during the season it will not affect players that are already on waivers. A player that is on waivers will appear to be suspended indefinitely in the simulator.
Fatigue For 100 Endurance:
Note - The setting you choose here are apply for players and goalies that have 100 in endurance. A players or goalies that have less endurance can lost condition even if he play less minute that you select.
Pro Players & Farm Players:
Set these levels to determine how many condition points a player loses by X amount of minutes (based on a player having 100 DU [endurance]). There are 3 levels available to you and the settings should gradually increase in ice-time and points removed.
Defense Bonus - defensemen need to play the 'Players' level of ice-time plus the bonus to take the condition hit
Pro Goalies & Farm Goalies:
The main difference from players is condition points are removed based on how many shots they face instead of their ice-time. There are 2 levels available for goalies and the settings should gradually increase in shots as well as points removed.
Pro Injury Recovery Speed - enter in how quickly pro players heal from an injury
Farm Injury Recovery Speed - enter in how quickly farm players heal from an injury
Note - You can enter decimal number in all the option.
Free Agents:
RFA Age - enter the age when a player becomes a restricted free agent
UFA Age - enter the age when a player becomes an unrestricted free agent
Unassigned Available in Free Agent - check this option if you want to have the unassigned players listed as available in the free agent list
Minimum Free Agents Salary Offer - enter the minimum allowable salary that would be accepted by a free agent in any offer
Maximum Unassigned Players who can be signed in one season by a team - enter the maximum amount of unassigned players one team may sign in a season
IMPORTANT NOTICE - The age entered for 'RFA Age' and 'UFA Age' is included in that range.
8.14.4 - 'Teams' Tab
Pro Roster Limits:
Maximum Players - select the maximum amount of players allowed to be dressed for a pro game (18-25)
Maximum Goalies - select the maximum amount of goalies allowed to be dressed for a pro game (2-3)
Minimum Centers - select the minimum amount of centers allowed to be dressed for a pro game (0-10)
Minimum Left Wings - select the minimum amount of left wings allowed to be dressed for a pro game (0-10)
Minimum Right Wings - select the minimum amount of right wings allowed to be dressed for a pro game (0-10)
Minimum Defensemen - select the minimum amount of defensemen allowed to be dressed for a pro game (5-13)
Farm Roster Limits:
Maximum Players - select the maximum amount of players allowed to be dressed for a farm game (18-25)
Maximum Goalies - select the maximum amount of goalies allowed to be dressed for a farm game (2-3)
Minimum Centers - select the minimum amount of centers allowed to be dressed for a farm game (0-10)
Minimum Left Wings - select the minimum amount of left wings allowed to be dressed for a farm game (0-10)
Minimum Right Wings - select the minimum amount of right wings allowed to be dressed for a farm game (0-10)
Minimum Defensemen - select the minimum amount of defensemen allowed to be dressed for a farm game (5-13)
Salary Cap:
No Salary Cap - check this option if your league does not use a salary cap
Fixed Value - check this option if your league uses a fixed value for the cap
Fixed Value + Current Bank Account - check this option if your league uses a fixed value that is added to a team's bank account as the salary cap
Salary Cap Fixed Value - enter the amount of your league's salary cap
Farm Salary Cap - enter the amount of your farm system's salary cap
Minimum Salary Cap - enter the minimum payroll required in your league (the least amount a team has to spend on its players)
Pro Luxury Tax:
Luxury Tax per Game - enter the maximum amount of money a pro team may spend per game to be under the tax
PCT Over to Pay - enter the percentage of the money a team loses if it exceeds this amount
Example - A pro team that exceeds the maximum amount by $100,000 at a percentage of 50% will lose $50,000 per game.
Lines:
Automatically Load Lines from Input Folder - check this option to have the simulator automatically load the lines files from the input folder prior to each simulation
Block Players from Playing in Lines #1 and #2 - check this option to prevent GMs from having the same players used over again on lines 1 and 2
Fix Incorrect Lines with the Partial Auto Lines Function - check this option if you want the simulator to attempt a partial lines roster adjustment for times when lines are incorrect rather than a complete auto made lines which may erase any currently set lines
Use Normal Auto Lines Function When Partial Auto Line Failed - check this option to have the simulator run a complete auto lines when the partial auto lines functions still cannot fix the error(s).
Use Normal Auto Roster Function When Partial Auto Roster Failed - check this option to have the simulator run a complete auto roster when the partial auto lines functions still cannot fix the error(s).
Print Line Error in Transaction Log - check this option if you want to have any roster or line errors shown on the transactions page
Note - The simulator always try to fix incorrect rosters with the Partial Auto-Roster Function before running full auto-roster
8.14.5 - 'Pro Simulation' Tab
General Options:
Finance Active - check this option if you want to have finances in your pro league
Waiver Active - check this option if you want to have an active waiver wire in your pro league
Injuries Active - check this option if you want to have injuries in your pro league
Suspension Active - check this option if you want to have suspensions in your pro league
Coaches Disabled - check this option if you do not want your pro league to use coaches
Morale Disabled - check this option if you do not want your pro league to use morale
Forwards Play All Positions - check this option if you want to have forwards be able to play any of the forward positions without losing ability (if this is not checked a RW plugged in at LW will not perform as well as if he were at RW)
Pro Players Ratings Change Active - check this option if you want pro players to be re-rated during the season
Pro Players Ratings Change Scale - if you have selected to activate pro ratings changes during the year you will have to decide how important the re-rate is (very high, high, medium (the default), low and very low) and the maximum amount ratings can change ('Max Stats Modification')
Pro Goalies Ratings Change Active - check this option if you want pro players to be re-rated during the season
Pro Goalies Ratings Change Scale - if you have selected to activate pro ratings changes during the year you will have to decide how important the re-rate is (very high, high, medium (the default), low and very low) and the maximum amount ratings can change ('Max Stats Modification')
Game Options:
These options allow you to adjust how your league games are played. Adjust the level for each option to fit your league's needs (the scale ranges from 1 being the lowest to 100 being the highest).
Coaches - the influence the coach has on a team (default is 50)
Fight - the tendency of players to fight (default is 40)
Finance - the ability for teams to make profit (default is 50) - deactivated during a pre-season schedule
Goals - the chance of scoring a goal on one shot (default is 45)
Injuries - the tendency for players to get injured (default is 30)
Morale - the influence of a player's morale to effect his abilities (default is 25)
Penalties - the tendency for players to take penalties (default is 50)
Shots - the tendency for players to take shots on goal (default is 45)
Hits - the tendency for players to hit other players (default is 50)
Default Number of Simulations Per Day - adjust this number to increase or decrease the default number of simulations your league has in one day
IMPORTANT NOTICE - All of the above options have an effect on the overall ability of all the players in your league
Information on Morale (MO)
Morale is concept that is very hard to explain. It's impossible to list what effects it and what it does.
You are able to manually modify the morale level for your teams in the team window and can also adjust the morale setting for all players through the Mass Edition option.
8.14.6 - 'Farm Simulation' Tab
General Options:
Farm Active - check this option if you want to have an active farm league coincide with your league
Full Farm For All Teams - check this option to force all farm teams to play with a complete farm roster (no 'unknown players')
Injuries Active - check this option if you want to have injuries in your farm league
Suspension Active - check this option if you want to have suspensions in your farm league
Coaches Disabled - check this option if you do not want your farm league to use coaches
Morale Disabled - check this option if you do not want your farm league to use morale
Forwards Play All Positions - check this option if you want to have farm forwards be able to play any of the forward positions without losing ability (if this is not checked a RW plugged in at LW will not perform as well as if he were at RW)
Farm Players Ratings Change Active - check this option if you want farm players to be re-rated during the season
Farm Players Ratings Change Scale - if you have selected to activate farm ratings changes during the year you will have to decide how important the re-rate is (very high, high, medium (the default), low and very low) and the maximum amount ratings can change ('Max Stats Modification')
Farm Goalies Ratings Change Active - check this option if you want farm players to be re-rated during the season
Farm Goalies Ratings Change Scale - if you have selected to activate farm ratings changes during the year you will have to decide how important the re-rate is (very high, high, medium (the default), low and very low) and the maximum amount ratings can change ('Max Stats Modification')
Game Options:
These options allow you to adjust how your league games are played. Adjust the level for each option to fit your league's needs (the scale ranges from 1 being the lowest to 100 being the highest).
Coaches - the influence the coach has on a team (default is 50)
Fight - the tendency of players to fight (default is 40)
Goals - the chance of scoring a goal on one shot (default is 45)
Injuries - the tendency for players to get injured (default is 30)
Morale - the influence of a player's morale to effect his abilities (default is 25)
Penalties - the tendency for players to take penalties (default is 50)
Shots - the tendency for players to take shots on goal (default is 45)
Hits - the tendency for players to hit other players (default is 50)
8.15 - Bonus
Fix Incorrect Rosters / Lines:
Select this option to have the simulator look over all team rosters and lines and automatically fix any errors.
History Cleaner:
Select this option to have the simulator automatically clean the transaction page history for your league. When clicked a window will ask you how many events you want to erase, selecting 1 erases the oldest event, 10 the 10 oldest events etc. Up to a maximum of 32000 events.
Team History Cleaner:
Select this option to clean the team history of each team in your league. When clicked a window will ask you how many events you want to erase, selecting 1 erases the oldest event, 10 the 10 oldest events etc. Up to a maximum of 32000 events.
Mass Edition:
Select this option to edit multiple players at a time from your league database.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - It is strongly advised that you do a backup of your league files before running 'Mass Edition'.
To begin, select to edit either players, goalies or coaches. Then, select the category you wish to edit (all the ratings, age, weight, size, length of contract, contract value, condition, rookie status, protection status, protection, 'do not apply re-rate' status and an option to erase).
Next, choose a condition from among an extensive list of over 100 varying conditions. Certain conditions require that a value is inputted while others do not require a value.
Example - The condition 'Is in a team' do not requires a value while 'Age equal' requires a value be entered.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - If you do not enter a value, the default value entered is 0.
Then, you have to choose the result between adding, removing, set at the value or to change according to a percentage and to write the value.
Add - Add the value to the selected category
Remove - Remove the value from the selected category
Set To - Set the value in the selected category
% Change - Multiply the value in the category by a given %
Finally, click 'Run Mass Edition' where a window will open confirming your selections and ask you to confirm what you want to do.
Note - If you chose the 'Erase' option there will be a second confirmation window.
Prospect Import by CSV:
Select this option to import a list of prospects into your league (this does not replace the entry draft feature)
To import prospects a CSV, the file must be created in the following setup (copy exactly, changing only the words): TeamName, PlayerName, TeamName, PlayerName etc.
Output Rating CSV:
Select this option to create a Rating CSV of your players, coaches and referees to share with the STHS Community.
Assign Players to Team CSV:
Select this option to assign players to team with a CSV
To assign players to team with a CSV, the file must be created in the following setup (copy exactly, changing only the words): TeamName, PlayerName, TeamName, PlayerName etc.
8.16 - Help
Register:
This option helps you register STHS. Enter the registration name and identification code you received when you purchased STHS (case sensitive). It may be easiest to copy and paste the information to avoid case sensitivity errors. Once that's completed the simulator will communicate with its server to authenticate the request (requires an online connection).
Unregister:
This option helps you unregister STHS and remove the license off your computer. This should only be done when you are formatting your computer and or you wish to move the license from one computer to the next. This option may only be done once a month.
License:
This option contains the entire license of the SimonT Hockey Simulator.
You must read it over and then accept the terms of use for STHS. A copy of the license in its entirety is available at the link below.
Web format : http://sths.simont.info/License_En.php
Text format : http://sths.simont.info/License.txt
Last Backup:
This option enables commissioners to find out the most recent backup that is automatically created by STHS.
Restore:
This option enables commissioners to restore the most recent backup. Simply select the backup you want to restore.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - This will delete the current league file!
Command:
This option enables commissioners to run special commands, generally used to repair errors in the league files.
Reset League Off-Season - reset the league to the off-season mode
Reset League Playoff - restart the playoff
Reset Folder - reset the folders list options to the default settings
Reset Line Counter - reset all of the 'Lines Loaded' values for all teams
Reset Default Team Morale - reset all team's morale to the default value
Print Random Team Order - print a random team order in the transactions page
Reset Waiver - remove all players from waivers
Fire All Coaches - fire all league coaches
Stop Entry Draft - stop a currently running entry draft
Reset League Record - reset all of the league records
Reset Team Record - resets all team records
Reset Players Goalers Record - resets all player / goalie records
Reset Game Record - resets all game records
Add 1 Year to All Draft Pick - Add 1 years to all draft pick
Erase All Prospect - erase all prospect from all teams
Reset Fantasy Draft - reset your fantasy draft to the beginning
Erase Draft Pick - Allow you to erase draft pick (Very dangerous command)
Created New Draft Pick - Allow you to create draft pick (Very dangerous command)
Disable Auto Output - Disable all automatic output
Reset Player Rerate - Reset all players rating to the beginning of the season
Random Waiver - Create a waiver priority list randomly
Check All Team - Check all teams rosters and lines
Clear all GM - Clear all GM information from league file
Reset Rivalry - Reset all Rivalries to 0
Release RFA - Release all RFA and UFA players who didn't sign a contract
Release UFA - Release all UFA players who didn't sign a contract
Load And Output XML Games - Recreate box score HTML from XML Boxscore
About:
This option gives you details about the current version of STHS and also shows a thanks section to the support team.
9 - International Tournament
This option enables commissioners to simulate an international style tournament but requires the league setup to have four divisions with an equal number of teams in each division.
When selected, an international style tournament automatically changes league setup options which are not allowed to be adjusted. The options are as follows:
How Many Teams in Playoff - 4
Playoff Lengths - 1
Use Division Leader - Deactivated
Playoff Bye for Conference Leader - Deactivated
Point System - 2-0-1-2-2
Farm Active - Deactivated
Waiver Active - Deactivated
IMPORTANT NOTICE - If you select international tournament and then decide to go with NHL style setup again, the above options will become available to be adjusted once again however the settings will remain as international format.
After selecting international tournament you must go on to make your schedule by clicking 'League' 'Schedule' 'Make Schedule' which will bring up a window informing you that your schedule setup is special due to the international style tournament. There will only be 2 options available to you during the creation of an international tournament schedule, the number of games per day and the variance. The remainder of the tournament may be simulated as you would any other season.
10 - Others Information
Command Prompt:
This option enables commissioners to run the simulator without having to do anything in one of two ways.
'SimonTHockeySimulator.exe Auto' will load the last league saved, load all the lines in the 'Input' folder, simulate one day, create the output pages, save the league and close.
'SimonTHockeySimulator.exe LoadOutput' will load the last league saved, load all the lines in the 'Input' folder, will NOT simulate one day, create the output pages, save the league and close.
Backup:
Errors happen in the STHS. You might have done something and wish you didn’t save when you exit the simulator. Don’t worry! The SimonT Hockey Simulator Version 2 always take a backup of your files until your manually delete them! The process is very simple. Every time you save your league file and you are overwriting your previous league file, the previous league file is copy in the backup folder before being overwrite. In the copy process, the league file will be renamed with the date and time of the day. A file backup at 20:45 on November 17th 2009 will be name ‘File-2009-11-17_20-45.sth’.
STHS file size:
Both STHS and STHS Client file size is very big (Around 7-8 Mg) in the version 2 and it’s completely normal. I know it might be a problem for some users but there is nothing I can do. Visual Basic .Net take a lot more hard drive space when saving information’s on the hard drive that the original Visual Basic 6.0. I also keep in the league file a lot more stats and record who in return make the file bigger.
MIME Type:
With some web site providers, you might have some problem downloading the .STC file. If it's the case, you have 2 options:
1. Zip the .STC file manually before uploading it.
2. Ask your website providers to add the MIME Type "type x-application/attachment" for the STC file.
11 - Frequent Errors
This section of the manual provides some background information on the occasional known error that may occur during the running of STHS. Below you'll find the errors as well as some tips on how to go about avoiding them.
The simulator freezes when I open a file.
Please be patient. The STHS or STHS Client can take up to 2 minutes to open. Be sure to double-check that your computer meets the minimum system requirements.
General Error
Should you receive 'General Error', please submit the league files to STHS via e-mail and explain what you were trying to do when the error occurred.
'Unknown Player' Statistics
When simulating farm games, there is a possibility that one or more 'unknown players' are used in the line-ups (unless you've select to not use unknown players in your league and required full farm rosters). An unknown player is used as a filler in the roster and on the lines.
At any point where there is more than one unknown player in a line-up it is common to have strange looking statistics for those players (-10) when only 4 goals against are scored) as they all have the same name.
Playoff Error
If you simulate 14 days at a time in the playoffs (one complete 7 game round) it may be possible to simulate a few days into the following round if no series goes to 7 games. Be careful when simulating a number of days at a time that you are paying attention to the series results so you do not get too far ahead.
The option to edit lines up to 10 days in advance is disabled during the playoffs.
12 - Need Help? Have a Question?
If you have a problem using STHS or simply have a question about the simulator that you want to ask, register with the STHS Forum where you'll be able to ask your question.
Out of respect to anyone who may be able to answer your question or solve your problem, it's asked that you review the forum topics for a good 10-15 minutes to ensure the question hasn't already been asked.
Of course the support team is always available to answer questions and they're available at the e-mail address posted on the STHS website. Please be as clear as possible in your e-mail so that your question or concern is understood and you will receive an answer in a reasonable amount of time.
SimonT - I would like to personally thank Jay kaShman who contributed to the manual with me.