Claimed:Ranking the Cup winners; Part 4 [Reviewed]

[Victor 10,550]

Ranking the Cup winners: Part 4

 

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After procrastinating to the extent that I missed including this article into VHL Mag Edition 281, I have finally written it up to actually get TPE this week. Although this is also an excuse to make this part slightly longer than I would have otherwise and thus I can cover the rest of the “non-dynasty” section of this ranking. And so, starting with #15 in Edition 282, we will be moving on to the true crème de la crème, the best runs of contention in VHL history. Until then though, here are some of the strongest contenders we've seen, who would have been ranked higher if they only had a bit more luck not just in the season they won it all.

 

16. S7-S10 Toronto Legion  

1 Continental Cup (S9)

2 Finals Appearances (S9, S10)

1 Victory Cup (S10)

14 Individual Awards

6 Hall of Famers

2 Retired Numbers (C Kevin Brooks, #26, G Alex Gegeny, #32)

 

This was oddly one of the toughest teams to rank in this entire list, having to balance the sense of nostalgia from this being one of the teams to beat when I joined the league with the actual facts. In the end, it seems nostalgia won since sixteenth might be a few spots too high for the first great Toronto Legion team. However, I just couldn't convince myself that I was overrating Toronto that much. This was after all a team with a star core of Kevin Brooks, Jochen Walser, and Alex Gegeny, plus two seasons each of the VHL's top two all-time scorers, Scotty Campbell and Mike Szatkowski. The championship in S9 was a hard-fought 7-game battle against Riga, but then only an iconic Game 7 overtime win in S10 by Riga stopped the Legion from repeating. Dethroning a superb Calgary team was also an important achievement, having kept things close in S7 and S8. Four seasons in the playoffs seems a lesser accomplishment in post-expansion VHL but was a very solid run in those days and most importantly there was a very decent chance of a Continental Cup in any of the four, although Toronto could only capitalise at their most dominant.

 

S7 Gretzky Trophy: Scotty Campbell

S7 Lemieux Trophy: Scotty Campbell

S7 Joe Malone Memorial Trophy: Scotty Campbell

S8 Tretiak Trophy: Alex Gegeny

S9 Gretzky Trophy: Kevin Brooks

S9 Howe Trophy: Jochen Walser

S9 Lemieux Trophy: Kevin Brooks

S9 Joe Malone Memorial Trophy: Kevin Brooks

S9 Tretiak Trophy: Alex Gegeny

S9 Orr Trophy: Jochen Walser

S10 Gretzky Trophy: Kevin Brooks

S10 Lemieux Trophy: Kevin Brooks

S10 Mikita Trophy: Kevin Brooks

S10 Orr Trophy: Jochen Walser

Hall of Famers: C Kevin Brooks (S7-S10), G Alex Gegeny (S7-S10), D Jochen Walser (S7-S10), RW Branden Snelheid (S8-S10), C Scotty Campbell (S7-S8), C Mike Szatkowski (S9-S10)

 

17. S40-S44 Cologne Express  

1 Continental Cup (S42)

3 Finals Appearances (S42, S43, S44)

16 Individual Awards

2 Hall of Famers

1 Retired Number (D Ron World Peace, #13)

 

A very recent team on this list but almost a throwback to a time long gone. After a bit of a false start in Thomas O'Malley and Mason Richardson's first two seasons (the 3.5 hour playoff appearance in S40 was a particular low point), the Express really got going in the S42 playoffs and became one of the most entertaining teams to watch ever. O'Malley combined well with other top talents like Bismarck Koenig, Xin Xie Xiao, and Christoph Klose, and at times this attacking juggernaut was an absolute joy to witness. Only two underdog stories in Seattle and Calgary stopped the Express from a very possible threepeat. In the end, Cologne ended up winning the cup after their weakest regular season, although they certainly benefited from career form by goaltender Martin Brookside, a considerable improvement on the homegrown Blaine Olynick and who couldn't truly be replaced by Brock Waldron. Plus of course who can forget the dependable Ron World Peace at the back, a symbol of the Express: turning around a mediocre first decade in the VHL to go on to a memorable run where they were definite fan favourites.

 

S40 Scotty Campbell Trophy: Wesley Kellinger

S40 Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy: Thomas O'Malley
S42 Scotty Campbell Trophy: Martin Brookside

S42 Daisuke Kanou Trophy: Martin Brookside

S42 Aidan Shaw Trophy: Martin Brookside

S43 Brett Slobodzian Trophy: Thomas O'Malley

S43 Mike Szatkowski Trophy: Thomas O'Malley

S43 Kevin Brooks Trophy: Thomas O'Malley

S43 Aidan Shaw Trophy: Martin Brookside

S43 Scott Boulet Trophy: Xin Xie Xiao

S43 Dustin Funk Trophy: Bismarck Koenig

S44 Scotty Campbell Trophy: Thomas O'Malley

S44 Brett Slobodzian Trophy: Thomas O'Malley

S44 Mike Szatkowski Trophy: Thomas O'Malley

S44 Kevin Brooks Trophy: Thomas O'Malley

S44 Alexander Beketov Trophy: Thomas O'Malley

Hall of Famers: C Thomas O'Malley (S40-S44), RW Xin Xie Xiao (S43)

 

18. S1-S4 Vasteras IK  

1 Continental Cup (S1)

2 Finals Appearances (S1, S2)

1 Victory Cup (S2)

7 Individual Awards

5 Hall of Famers

2 Retired Numbers (C Scotty Campbell, #91, G Matthew Pogge, #33)

 

Anyone in the VHL knows that Vasteras has not achieved much good in the league, and the move to Stockholm hasn't removed the stigma yet. However, things could have been so much different if they carried on how they started. In the first three seasons of the VHL, Vasteras and Calgary were the standard bearers and teams to look up to. Only a heroic goaltending performance by Helsinki's Maxim Desny in S3 stopped a third straight finals match-up between the two. Sadly, that was the beginning of the end, as the subsequent trade of Scotty Campbell appeared to doom Vasteras to an eternity of mediocrity. GM Lucas Tannahill spent another decade trying to recreate the magic of the inaugural champions, but much like his successors, was unfortunate until Vasteras' failure appeared to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The long-awaited second championship in S26 has long since become an obvious false dawn, but who knew in the heyday of Campbell, Matt Defosse, and Matthew Pogge that things would go so downhill. After the first four VHL seasons, Vasteras was arguably the league's healthiest franchise, but that would be the peak of its existence.

 

S1 Howe Trophy: Matthew Pogge

S1 Tretiak Trophy: Matthew Pogge

S2 Lemieux Trophy: Scotty Campbell

S2 Joe Malone Memorial Trophy: Scotty Campbell

S2 Mikita Trophy: Jonathan McKelvie

S3 Delvecchio Trophy: Matt Defosse

S4 Tretiak Trophy: Matthew Pogge

Hall of Famers: C Scotty Campbell (S1-S3), G Matthew Pogge (S1-S4), LW Matt Defosse (S2-S3), C Mike Szatkowski (S4), RW Brannan Anthony (S4)

 

19. S37-S41 Riga Reign  

1 Continental Cup (S40)

2 Finals Appearances (S40, S41)

9 Individual Awards

3 Hall of Famers

2 Retired Numbers (G Mike Szatkowski Jr., #78, LW Brennan McQueen, #95)

 

The “thirties” were possibly the Reign's greatest decade, starting with the drought-busting victory in S33 and ending with another big win in S40. In between, Riga only missed the playoffs for two seasons as they raised the bar for all franchises in the post-expansion VHL. This team in particular had a set core from the S36 draft, with goaltender Mike Szatkowski Jr., captain Brennan McQueen, and the Gows: Robin and Robert III. Slaeter Fjorstrom and Phil Villeneuve rounded out the team on defence and even more so than the S31 version, this Riga appeared destined for glory. The Reign did achieve great success in the end with an absolutely dominant performance in the S40 playoffs (the sweep of Cologne a particular highlight) and were just a win away from repeating against a heavily-favoured New York team in S41. However, it's not the lack of second championship which brings Riga's ranking down but instead the fact they ran into a brick wall in the shape of Davos from S37 to S39. Only once that was removed did the Reign fulfil their full potential and they did so in style, but their peak was just shorter than their immediate rivals who ended up ranked above them.

 

S37 Kevin Brooks Trophy: Kameron Taylor

S37 Scott Boulet Trophy: Brennan McQueen

S38 Scott Boulet Trophy: Brennan McQueen

S40 Daisuke Kanou Trophy: Brennan McQueen

S40 Brett Slobodzian Trophy: Niklas Lindberg

S40 Mike Szatkowski Trophy: Niklas Lindberg

S40 Kevin Brooks Trophy: Niklas Lindberg

S41 Scotty Campbell Trophy: Mike Szatkowski Jr.

S41 Aidan Shaw Trophy: Mike Szatkowski Jr.

Hall of Famers: LW Brennan McQueen (S37-S41), C Kameron Taylor (S37-S38), C Niklas Lindberg (S40)

 

20. S35-S38 Toronto Legion  

1 Continental Cup (S37)

3 Finals Appearances (S36, S37, S38)

1 Victory Cup (S36)

2 Individual Awards

2 Hall of Famers and Retired Numbers (G Remy LeBeau, #39, C Niklas Lindberg, #91)

 

Much like the team immediately above them, this Toronto team was stopped from achieving even greater things by a historic Davos squad. Nonetheless, the Legion made a bit of history themselves by playing against Davos in a record three straight finals, winning one but being very close to winning all three. The iconic member of this team was certainly goaltender Remy LeBeau, one of the all-time greats, as this was a standout team without any other standout individuals. Niklas Lindberg played most of his career in Toronto yet his greatest individual achievements came once he left. Anatoli Zhumbayev, Reggie Dunlop, Jakub Kjellberg were very solid forwards, but rarely spectacular, as Toronto took teamwork to the extreme in their run. While it is commendable how much the Legion achieved while rarely grabbing the headlines, it nonetheless brings them down slightly as Toronto was not completely dominant, but always efficient.

 

S36 Aidan Shaw Trophy: Remy LeBeau

S37 Daisuke Kanou Trophy: Remy LeBeau

 

21. S44-S47 Calgary Wranglers  

1 Continental Cup (S44)

3 Finals Appearances (S44, S45, S46)

5 Individual Awards

1 Hall of Famer

No Retired Numbers.. yet

 

One of the newest entries on the list, Calgary was minutes away from a fourth straight finals appearance in S47, one where they would have been expected to win a second championship, but fell disappointingly short of having a very impressive run. Instead, the Wranglers had to make do with just impressive, not least because they were constantly in contention for the cup despite never being the clear-cut favourites. Starting with an unexpected win in S44, defeating the favoured Quebec and Cologne, the Wranglers continued to be effective rather than spectacular, although we were treated to heroics from Hans Wingate and some stellar performances by the likes of Tyler Cote, Jackson Miller, and Bismarck Koenig. Despite always being considered inferior to someone else in their conference (generally New York), Calgary lifted its game in the playoffs and have a very solid four seasons to look back on now, wiping away the mediocre years preceding S44. Wingate and Koenig will have Hall of Fame aspirations as well, and some numbers are likely to be retired so this team's list of achievements should grow soon, although it's unlikely to affect this ranking.

 

S44 Daisuke Kanou Trophy: Tyler Cote

S44 Aidan Shaw Trophy: Hans Wingate

S45 Daisuke Kanou Trophy: Hans Wingate (co-winner)

S45 Kevin Brooks Trophy: Bismarck Koenig

S46 Daisuke Kanou Trophy: Milos Denis

Hall of Famers: D Jake Wylde (S45)

 

22. S44-S49 New York Americans  

1 Continental Cup (S47)

1 Finals Appearance (S47)
1 Victory Cup (S47)

12 Individual Awards

2 Hall of Famers

No Retired Numbers.. yet

 

In researching for these rankings, the one fact I found surprising was that New York is currently in the midst of a six-season playoff run. This shouldn't be a huge shock as after all the Americans have been in the playoffs for all but four seasons since S23, however the ongoing generation seems to be weaker than its predecessors. Of course, the standard was raised high and nonetheless S47 was a deserved victory (although the margins were very thin as New York was down late in Game 7 to Calgary). Edwin Reencarnacion in the meantime has continued the recent tradition of great individual success in New York, backed up excellent goaltending performances first by Niklaus Mikaelson, then Blake Campbell, and now Ariel Weinstein. Veterans Thomas O'Malley and Lloyd Light also came in handy in S47. However, just one finals appearance in six seasons is under par for the VHL's top organisation since expansion. If S49 is the end of the run then there will be some regrets, although perhaps there is another shot at glory to come in S50.

 

S44 Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy: Edwin Reencarnacion

S45 Alexander Beketov Trophy: Nicolas Caprivi

S45 Aidan Shaw Trophy: Niklaus Mikaelson

S47 Daisuke Kanou Trophy: Edwin Reencarnacion

S47 Kevin Brooks Trophy: Edwin Reencarnacion

S47 Aidan Shaw Trophy: Blake Campbell

S48 Scotty Campbell Trophy: Edwin Reencarnacion

S48 Brett Slobodzian Trophy: Edwin Reencarnacion

S48 Mike Szatkowski Trophy: Edwin Reencarnacion

S48 Kevin Brooks Trophy: Edwin Reencarnacion

S48 Alexander Beketov Trophy: Biggu Kyanon

S48 Scott Boulet Trophy: Edwin Reencarnacion

Hall of Famers: C Thomas O'Malley (S47), RW Bruno Wolf (S45)

[CowboyinAmerica 2,711]

Middle of the road for Calgary? TBH, I'll take it.

[Victor 10,550]

Just a quick rundown of who was involved with the older teams. (I'm gonna ignore Calgary and NY since they were so recent but maybe @eaglesfan036 and @YEAH!stlemania wanna tag people).

 

Only @Smarch remains from S1 Vasteras! RIP scotty and Quik and many others.

 

Quik and scotty also for S9 Toronto, as well as Brooks and marshall and just about sticking around I believe are @Mike and @Kachur

 

Kachur also on S42 Cologne of course, also featuring @Green @flyersfan1493 @Mr. Power @RomanesEuntDomus @Kendrick @stevo @diamond_ace

@der meister @boom and @tfong then joined in S43-S44 to make Cologne a very fun team in the sim.

 

Green of course the star man of both Cologne and S37 Toronto. That also included @boubabi @fever95 @jack

 FueledByRamen if he's still around? Also Sandro and Greg GMed that thing.

 

And finally S40 Riga. Actually that run included many of the same people - Gows, Mike, Kendrick, boubabi, Jack. But also @Phil @Molholt and of course @Jamie

[der meister 2,923]

Still bummed that we fell short in Cologne twice. We could have been legendary. 

[Tagger 2,722]

I think the biggest disappointment about this current NYA run is that, outside of that S47 Championship victory, we didn't win any of our playoff series. Team has always struggled to bring regular season form into the playoffs for some reason. 

[Baozi 1,635]

That time in Cologne was really fun

[Cuffy 343]

wtf is dis no mention #hurleyship

@eaglesfan036

[hedgehog337 3,480]

S47...

 

[NotAVHLM-GM 1,858]

Cologne, was a great time Love to see so many prices won there.

[Kendrick 4,724]

Not fave cup win, but always good to win!

[eaglesfan036 4,585]

Middle of the road sounds about right for that Calgary era. Like you said, if we could have just won 1 more cup out of those 4 deep playoff appearances, it would have turned pretty good into greatness. Still, happy to win a cup with the members I did #hurleyship @Cuffy

[Evans 305]

Review: I don't know much about the VHL history so anytime one of these types of articles pop up I greatly appreciate it. Allows me to catch up on some of the history without going through hundreds of threads to do so.

[Kendrick 4,724]

Claimed