John Locke
Hall of Fame Inductee: Season 61
Position: LW
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190 lb.
Birthplace: California, USA
Season 53 VHL Entry Draft: Rd 1 Pick #3 - Stockholm Vikings
User: @Will
“He can skate and score, like many of his fellow prospects. Where he [separates] himself is with his hands. Showing good progress, like all prospects needs to round out his game more.” S53 Draft Article.
John Locke, one of the most surprising players to come out of the management of Will. John had an amazing career in the VHL. It was in the VHLM where he shocked the world. He cleaned up at the award ceremony in S53 in the VHLM, and was projected to be the top of the draft. Falling to 3rd, he proved to be a steal and launched his career with a Cup in only his 3rd year, playing for the Meute. John was stellar throughout the Regular Season, but he shone bright in the Playoffs. 3 back to back Cups, 4 in total, is no small feat, and thus sits a legend among men.
“Locke was one half of the most dominant pairs to play in the VHL of the past 10 seasons and now is one half of a dominant pair entering the VHL Hall of Fame as first ballot inductees.” S61 HOF induction article.
Below is an insight into one of the league's most decorated, respected, and cherished Left Wingers.
Career average season points: 98.9
VHL Career length: 7 seasons
Career awards
S53 Vladimir Boomchenko Trophy (VHLM Assists Leader)
S53 Alexander Chershenko Trophy (VHLM Goals Leader)
S53 Ethan Osborne Trophy (VHLM Points Leader)
S53 Mitch Higgins Trophy (VHLM Regular Season MVP)
S53 Founder’s Cup (VHLM Champs)
S54 Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy (VHL Top Rookie)
S56 Continental Cup (VHL Champs)
S57 Kevin Brooks Trophy (Most Goals)
S57 Daisuke Kanou Trophy (Playoff MVP)
S57 Continental Cup (VHL Champs)
S58 Kevin Brooks Trophy (Most Outstanding)
S58 Brett Slobodzian Trophy (Most Goals)
S58 Continental Cup (VHL Champs)
S60 Continental Cup (VHL Champs)
Career statistics
It is imperative to look at this players Minor League career. John Locke was a powerhouse for the Lynx, and took the team to the Championship. This cemented things for Locke, as he was a proven born winner before he stepped foot into the VHL. He was drafted high, and totaled almost 1,000 shots in only 72 games. Not only that, but he managed a 2.4/PPG, 9.1%/SH%, low pins, and a clutch 13 GWG. In only 8 playoff games, Locke amassed 13 points and 90 shots. Locke solidified himself as a lethal option along the wing.
Although drafted by the Stockholm Vikings, Frank Chadwick packaged a future 1st and a defender to get two left wingers in John Locke and SkateFast McChunky. This would prove to be a huge factor in Locke’s career. In his first season in the VHL, Locke was electric. He managed well over a PPG clocking in at 1.21/PPG, which for a Rookie, is almost unheard of. He had over 500 shots on goal, all while maintaining a sportsmanship demeanor which only netted 6 PIMs throughout the campaign. He was instrumental to the Meute’s playoff success, scoring 2 GWGs as a Rookie. And although their performance in the Playoffs was astounding, it wasn’t enough to muster the championship, however John saw his efforts rewarded with the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy. Not a bad Rookie season at all, and thus starting the path to the Hall of Fame.
S55, John’s Sophomore Season, he was defensively sound, but things were not clicking for the budding forward. Yes, he still managed over a PPG, but due to his excellence in the Minors, and his Rookie season, this was considered by many as the classic Sophomore Slump. The Meute had a strong team, and John was struggling to find his scoring touch during the year. The Meute made the playoffs and John became his old self. Perhaps he was saving fuel in the tank for the long grueling playoff road ahead. John netted 3 GWG in the playoffs, but once again came up short. He worked hard that off-season. He had to.
John came back to training camp with a chip on his shoulder. He was determined. This was going to be his year. John had an amazing campaign during the regular season. He far surpassed his rookie numbers, and silenced all the doubters. With a more sound defensive performance, and notable blocked shots, this electric winger also found the net more often than not, averaging a rounded 1.5 PPG. John persevered through the season and led his team to the Championship finals. He was a scoring force finding the net 11 times in 13 games, scoring 2 game winners. The Meute were champions, and so was Locke. In just his 3rd year, he was destined for greatness.
After winning the cup as league champions, Locke was traded to the Riga Reign through the HC Davos Dynamo. John Locke, coming off a stellar performance, as VHL Champions, put up a mind blowing 70 goals in 72 games. With a +/- of 89, he was also making sure to play the 200ft game and didn’t slack in any aspect of his game. He had 21 game winners during the regular season, and this translated into a banner year for him rewards wise, where he brought home some hardware in the Kevin Brooks Trophy (Most Goals). His fans knew the playoffs were where he’d shine, and he put up 13G and 15A in only 11 games. This would earn him the honours of the Daisuke Kanou Trophy (Playoff MVP) as well as the beginning of the Riga Dynasty as The Reign brought home the Championship.
Settling in, very nicely, in Riga, John Locke wasn’t as active in the off-season. There was a ton of hype around this dynamic winger in his prime. Coming off a 70 goal campaign, the Reign were worried if he could repeat, or beat, his previous numbers. Unfortunately, production saw a bit of a dip, but it was still an electric season for the winger as her collected 121 points, and 61 goals, which awarded him the Kevin Brooks Trophy (Most Outstanding) as well as the Brett Slobodzian Trophy (Most Goals). He had 100 hits, and 16 game winners during the regular season, which goes to show that John didn’t shy away from the more physical aspects of the game, and that he could be relied on, as previously proven, as not only a top player, but perhaps, dare say, a Franchise Cornerstone. The playoffs were nothing new, Locke was on fire with 10 goals in 11 games and, although taking some bad penalties, the Reign, continued their reign, as back to back cup champions.
After getting involved in some controversial affairs over the off-season, Locke came back to Riga, a bit off. With the team trying to integrate new talent, Locke saw his production drop significantly. He was still able to maintain over 1 PPG, but had the Locke of old come and gone? At this point in Locke’s career, he has proven and won what every player dreams of achieving. But when we look at what Locke is capable of, was capable of, this season stands out. The Reign made the playoffs, of course, they were a perennial contender, but a -2 effort and a slipping offensive production saw Locke’s family shout out of the buffet before they could enjoy the salad bar. Whether it was the team, the coach, or the GM, or a mix of it all, there had to be a change.
Let go from the Reign, Locke was signed by the Helsinki Titans. He returned to his form of late, and put up an impressive 51 goals, 98 points. He was a leader at this point. And quite frankly, he didn’t have all that much pressure on him. He was able to play his game, and contribute to a well crafted team. He was the secret ingredient to the Titan’s playoff success, and was awarded his third Cup Championship.
Career Overall Statistics
Career Conclusion
John Locke came out of the Will Hockey School of California USA, he had a tremendous career in the VHLM and was an immediate impact in the VHL. He struggled a bit after having the fame and fortune of the league's top Rookie. He worked hard, and stuck with his coaches, and got things back on track. He was instrumental to the Riga Reign’s dominance, and back to back championships, which not many can claim. After his success, Locke fell into a bit of a spell, which may have put him out of the HOF running. But it was his resurgence, his perseverance, and his impact on the Titans that told the league that he was a force, a character, and a legend. Locke was a playoff showman, an elite offensive talent, and a perfect example of a player who can score, back-check, skate, and hit.
“He can skate and score…” and that he did.
---------------------
Word count - 1511
Claiming HOF Article +5 uncapped, plus +3 bonus.
(not sure how free week works, but will claim at some point).
.png.ed69a7260a477fcf4feead7a0e4b7506.png)
