animal74

Gotta love a 3-0 Sim!!

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S91 Toronto Legion Assistant Captains Jimi Jaks @ke1vi Tomas Soogard @Brandon Both Jaks and Soogard have brought valuable skill and leadership to the Legion and we're thrilled to name them Assistant Captains for S91! Captain Mac Atlas @v.2 And for the third consecutive season, none other than Mac Atlas leads the Legion into battle. Also, the Toronto S90 Team Awards have been announced.

S90 Team Awards The Toronto Legion made a huge splash in the off-season acquiring stars Ronan Lavelle, Tomas Sogaard and Siyan Yasilievich hoping their skill and championship experience would blend with their young talent and lead them to a Continental Cup. While the regular season went almost as well as they could have hoped, missing out on the Victory Cup on the last day of the regular season, the playoffs left a bitter taste as the Legion were ousted by the Los Angeles Stars in the Conference Final in seven games. For a team who had pushed all their chips in to the middle of the table and went into the season with Cup aspirations, it was a somber way to end S90. There obviously were positives, as the young core continued to improve and the expectation is that improvement along with some prized prospects will be enough to lead the team to the playoffs again for another shot at a Continental Cup. Here are some of the individual highlights: - Ronan Lavelle finished 7th in VHL scoring with 95 points and T-7th in shots with 510 - Mac Atlas was T-7th in the league with a career-high 43 goals - Siyan Yasilievich finished 9th in the league in assists (60) and defenseman scoring (78 points) - Jimmy MacElroy and Mac Atlas were T-7th for Plus/Minus with career-highs of +35 - Ronan Lavelle, Mac Atlas, and Bobby Bob were all T-3rd with 2 shorthanded goals - Ronan Lavelle led the league in shorthanded points with 5 - Joel Castle faced the most penalty shots against (51) Statistical Leaders: Goals: Mac Atlas 43 Assists: Siyan Yasilievich 60 Points: Ronan Lavelle 95 +/-: Mac Atlas, Jimmy MacElroy 35 PIM: Jimmy MacElroy 104 Hits: Ronan Lavelle 205 Shots: Ronan Lavelle 510 Shots Blocked: Siyan Yasilievich 174 PPG: Tomas Sogaard, Bobby Bob 9 GWG: Jimi Jaks, Mac Atlas 8 Fights: Ronan Lavelle 5 Wins: Joel Castle 38 GAA: Evan Bihler 1.63 SV%: Evan Bihler 0.935 SO: Joel Castle 4 Here are the S90 Team Awards as voted by the Toronto players and management: Best Defenseman Siyan Yasilievich @badcolethetitan After signing with Toronto for what ended up being his last VHL season, Siyan Yasilievich provided his usual elite two-way playmaking and in doing so, had one of the best seasons by a Legion blueliner in recent memory. The Russian veteran led the team in assists (60) and blocked shots (174) and led Toronto defensemen in goals (18) and points (78). His 60 assists were Top-10 in the league and he was also Top-10 among defensemen in goals and points. Personally, it was one of his best seasons offensively and he set career-highs with a +23, 271 shots and 168 hits. He was a vital cog in Toronto’s resurgence and provided a steadying presence on and off the ice. Rookie of the Year Montgomery Burns @LastOneUp Toronto’s 3rd overall selection in the S89 Draft, Burns was the only rookie skater to make the Legion’s roster and while he started slowly, he gradually gained confidence as the season went along and finished with a solid 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points. He was a fixture on the power play and scored three game-winning goals. His 21 penalty minutes was the least on the team and his shooting percentage (9.16%) was third. His +25 lead all VHL rookies. Unsung Hero Evan Bihler @Eb14 While Bihler may have taken the scenic route to get to the VHL (four seasons in the VHLM and three in the VHLE), the American netminder made the most of his limited starts this season. He went 7-0-1, with a sparkling 0.935 SV% and 1.63 GAA which led all goalies in the VHL. With Toronto gaining 15 out of a possible 16 points in his games, that may have just been the difference in the tight North American Conference. His perseverance and humbleness epitomizes the Unsung Hero. Most Energetic Mac Atlas @v.2 For the second season in a row, the captain led the way with his infectious energy on and off the ice, setting career-high numbers in almost every offensive category. He was especially active around the net as he led Toronto in goals for the second time in his career with 43, the highest total by a Legion player since Paul Atreides scored 45 in S84. He was among the leaders in all categories for Toronto forwards as well. Most Gentlemanly Dens Oden @Snussu Much beloved by his teammates, veteran winger Dens Oden had another solid season and one that had him receive the third-least penalty minutes on the team with 28 – a career-low. He also set a career-low in hits with 55. He seemed to focus on his offensive play more which helped him lead the team in shooting percentage on the way to a career-highs with 28 goals and 5 game-winners. And while one of the quieter leaders in the locker room, he was always positive and respectful. Most Valuable Player Joel Castle @animal74 Ronan Lavelle @Arce Another tight vote for team MVP led to a tie between Ronan Lavelle, the leading scorer, and Joel Castle, the star goaltender – both of whom had outstanding seasons for the Legion. Future HOFer Lavelle came in the off-season to get one last shot at another Continental Cup and proved his value all over the ice. He did everything for the Legion, leading the team with 95 points good for 7th in the VHL (his 7th consecutive season of 90 or more points), shots (510, T-7th), hits (205) and even fights (5). A key player on special teams, he even set a career-high with 2 shorthanded goals. Going into S90, his fourth VHL season Castle was determined to have his best season yet and backstop Toronto to their Cup aspirations. Despite falling short of their ultimate goal, Castle was one of the stingiest netminders in the league setting career-highs in wins (38, T-5th) and GAA (2.29, 2nd among starters). He gave the Legion a chance to win every night as showed by his league-leading 12 overtime and shootout losses. Legionary of the Year Joel Castle @animal74 Mac Atlas @v.2 Both of these drafted and developed stars have been through some tough times with the Legion but are now starting to see the success they envisioned the team having. Atlas and Castle are tireless ambassadors for the double-blue and do everything in their power to help the team succeed on and off the ice. Their dedication has been rewarded as Atlas has been named the captain for the last two seasons and Castle has been voted a recipient of this award for the third straight season. 3-Stars Award Mac Atlas @v.2 The captain’s best season to date ultimately led him to earning the most 3-Star points during the S90 season for the Toronto Legion. He tied for the most 1st Star selections in the VHL with 14 and was 2nd in the league with total selections with 27, the most a Legion player has garnered in a long time. He led the team in goals and tied for the lead in game-winning goals and plus/minus. Full 3-Star standings below: Player 1st 2nd 3rd Star Points Total Stars Mac Atlas 14 7 6 620 27 Ronan Lavelle 4 10 9 410 23 Joel Castle 8 5 6 400 19 Jimi Jaks 4 7 7 330 18 Tomas Sogaard 5 2 3 220 10 Siyan Yasilievich 2 5 4 200 11 Dens Oden 4 3 2 200 9 Jimmy MacElroy 1 2 4 110 7 Bobby Bob 2 0 3 90 5 Montgomery Burns 1 2 1 80 4 Evan Bihler 0 1 0 20 1 Congratulations to all the award winners and good luck in S91!

Toronto Legion Press Conference (2 TPE for answering all six questions) 1. We started slow and have slowly worked our way up the standings. Can we catch the top two teams LA and Chicago? 2. After leading the league in OT/SO losses last year, we have yet to lose in the SO (3 wins). What have we done better? 3. What do you have to say about our rookies, Callahan (27 points T-3rd), Machado (16 pts) and Fitzroy Jr (15pts)? 4. If you could rock one VHL jersey in real life, which one would you choose? 5. Tomas Sogaard is currently 3rd in the VHL in hits (144). Does he have a shot at a Scout Boulet nomination? 6. What's the best hockey game you've watched this season (any league)?

Great article, @Alex and sick graphic @kirbithan!

Which is why it's now 0.925!

Completed Draft @Spartan 1. @hedgehog337 F - AK92 Wit da Hoodie F - Tomas Sogaard F - Alfred Champagne D - Skor McFleury D - Elias Lampi G - Fuukka Rask 2. @Dom F - John Jameson F - Landon Wolanin F - Napoleon Dynamite D - Pierre-Emile Bouchard D - Deron Nesbitt G - Art Vandelay 3. @RileyL F - Wann Kerr F - Leandro Goncalves F - Henry Eagles D - Jake Thunder D - Mark Calaway G - Matt Murdock 4. @Fradin99 F - Daryl Dixon F - Molly the Cat F - Leonard Triller D - Malum Maellard D - Jacob Stone G - Jesse Teno 5. @Jason kranz F - Jason F - Vincent Laroche-Gagnier F - The Frenchman D - Phil Strasmore D - Velociraptor Greg G - Lachlan Summers 6. @animal74 (GM) F - Todd Cooke F - Yaroslav Bogatyrev F - Larry Abass Jr D - Brian Kowalski D - Ryuji Sakamoto G - Joel Castle

Early in his fifth season with Toronto Legion, Joel Castle was looking for his 100th career win. After averaging 20 wins a season in his first three with the struggling Legion, he won a career-high 38 games as the Legion topped the North American Conference in S90. Now, in S91, he needed two wins to reach 100. He accomplished that in his third start against the London United. After stopping all seven London shots in the 1st period, the United kept Castle busier in the 2nd with 12 shots, one of which did get by him for the first goal of the game. Before the period was finished though, Legion sniper Mac Atlas @v.2 tied the game up with less than 20 seconds to go. In the 3rd, Atlas gave Toronto the lead before the period was halfway done and then Tomas Sogaard @Brandon guaranteed the win at 13:41. Castle stopped all 12 shots the United threw at him in the 3rd and earned his 100th career win stopping 30 of 31 shots and was named the game’s 3rd Star in the process.

Toronto Legion Press Conference (2 TPE for answering all six questions) 1. What is one goal you have for yourself for S91? 2. Do you think Toronto will make the playoffs again in S91? 3. What area did you work on the most this off-season? 4. Who's your preseason pick to win the Continental Cup? 5. Who's your preseason pick to lead the Legion in points? 6. Who's your preseason pick to lead the Legion in goals?

After the VHL S91 Entry Draft, Toronto AGM Joel Castle was asked for his analysis of the Legion’s three newest prospects. He discussed the players in the order they were drafted: Round 2, 14th pick, 30th Overall: G Toddly Bobbly @ToddlyBobbly Canada Round 3, 4th pick, 36th Overall: RW Kel Varnsen @JayF Azerbaijan Round 3, 13th pick, 45th Overall: C Rory Sullivan @Odette.Boudreaux Ireland “Bobbly is a really tall goaltender who’s played well in just a few pro games and we like his raw tools. He’s got a solid skillset and a good work ethic and we think we’ve picked up a really good prospect in net.” “I think Kel Varnsen is unique – kind of a defensive power forward – and he has the size to be a massive disruption on the ice. He was tied for the VHLM lead in hits and also provided some offense and had a good playoffs too. If he keeps working on his skills, he can become a very impactful player for us.” “Sullivan is a skilled center with good offensive instincts. He’s not really big but he does use his body. Like most young players, he needs to work on his play away from the puck but there are good tools there and can score timely goals.” “Not a lot of picks for us this draft but I think we added some good players for our organization and I look forward to seeing how they develop.”

Going for gold, baby!!

Congrats to the GMs! LFG Canada!!

That Wolves mask is sick! And the 56 with Vancouver in the background. Super clean!

Congrats! And I am ashamed to admit that I didn't get the Star Trek reference until very recently.

Congrats Prague on your 1st Continental Cup!! Murdock @Acydburn should have been 1st Star stopping 60 shots! What a way for Laperriere @KaleebtheMighty to end his career: Cup-winning goal in OT! #Phamily

Toronto Legion Press Conference (2 TPE for answering all six questions) 1. What has been your favorite memory of this playoff run so far? 2. What has been your favorite moment from the regular season? 3. Who do you think has been Toronto's MVP of the playoffs so far? 4. What is your favorite thing about autumn? 5. What change would you like to see the league make regarding standardizing rosters? 6. Which member of the Prague Phantoms has impressed you the most this postseason?

Claim 2/2

For the first time since S83, the Toronto Legion have won a playoff series. In a hard-fought seven game battle against the Vancouver Wolves, the Legion continued on to the Conference Final. After winning Game #1 on the strength of Tomas Sogaard’s @Brandon 4-goal performance, the Legion lost the next two games including being shutout 1-0 by Wolves Brandt Fuhr @Tate in Game #2. Game #4 was a 5-4 barnburner that saw Legion defenseman Siyan Yasilievich @badcolethetitan end the series’ only overtime game with his first goal at 6:53 of the first extra period. Vancouver’s Oreo McFleury @JB123 would put Toronto on the ropes in a 4-3 seesaw Game #5 after scoring his second goal of the game with one minute left in the 3rd period to break the tie and put the Wolves up 3-2 in the series. With their season on the line, Legion goalie Joel Castle @animal74 buckled down and after letting in the first goal of Game #6 on an early Vancouver power play in the first minute of the game, he would stop the next 59 Vancouver shots including a 30-save shutout in Game #7 to give Toronto a ticket to the next round.

Wow! So much for defense!

@Tate it was an honor to duel with you! @Girts & @Scurvy Congrats on amazing careers!

@Frank Great series Wolves! That was a close fought battle.

Two Game 7s!!

Toronto Legion Press Conference (2 TPE for answering all six questions) 1. Biggest question of the season: Will will come back and win the series against Vancouver? 2. What team has surprised you the most these playoffs? 3. Knowing what you know now, which two teams make it to the Final? 4. How do we stop the Wolves' Oreo McFleury? 5. Only Lavelle and Sogaard have scored more than two goals in the series. Who needs to catch fire for Toronto to make it to the next round? 6. What lucky charm is GM Moon hoping in right now?

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Maybe next season!