animal74

@v.2
 
Hey everyone, and welcome to the S93 VHL awards! I hope you’re all ready, I would like to just start off by congratulating all the nominees. We will be starting at 8 PM EST, hope you’re all ready to earn some sweet prediction TPE! Your nominees for this season are as follows:

Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy (Top Rookie):
Logan Ninefingers @Scurvy
James MacAvoy @Enraged
Theo Allard @InstantRockstar
 
Dustin Funk Trophy (Most Improved):
Spanish Moon Moth @Renomitsu
Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ
Diego Machado @Dadam30
Tord Yvel @Trazan
David Jokinen @Ahma
King Kisslinger @Kisslinger
 
Scott Boulet Trophy (Two-Way Forward):
John Jameson @Frank
Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ
Vincent Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007
Daryl Dixon @Ricer13
 
Alexander Valiq Trophy (Offensive Defensemen):
Mark Calaway @Beketov
David Jokinen @Ahma
Skor McFleury @Alex
Liv Slater @Subject056
 
Jake Wylde Trophy (Defensive Defensemen):
Tord Yvel @Trazan
Jacob Stone @scoop
Phil Strasmore @Phil
Skor McFleury @Alex
 
Sterling Labatte Trophy (Overall Defensemen):
Skor McFleury @Alex
Jacob Stone @scoop
David Jokinen @Ahma
 
Aidan Shaw Trophy (Best Goaltender):
Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro
Matt Murdock @Acydburn
Lachlan Summers @kirbithan
 
David Knight Trophy (Tom GM):
@Banackock - Winner
@Spartan
@Tetricide
@Frank
 
Daisuke Kanou Trophy (Playoff MVP):
Severus Targaryen @Banackock
Lloyd Braun @Toast
Daryl Dixon @Ricer13
Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ
 
Brett Slobodzian Trophy (Most Outstanding):
Skor McFleury @Alex
John Jameson @Frank
Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ
Lachlan Summers @kirbithan
 
Scotty Campbell Trophy (MVP):
Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ
John Jameson @Frank
Lachlan Summers @kirbithan

Update to the Top-20 All-Time Goal Scorers for Toronto as of S93 inclusive. Mac Altas @v.2  and Jimi Jaks @ke1vi looking to move up the leaderboard (Active).
 
This list has been vetted against the index and various spreadsheets as the Portal had many errors.
 

  Player Name GP G Seasons 1 - Max Molholt 576 407 S45-S52 2 - Zach Parechkin 504 327 S46-S52 3 - Peyton Nydroj 432 279 S19-S24 4 - Kevin Brooks 360 260 S6-S10 5 - Kyle Peace 536 255 S81-S88 6 - Bo Boeser 360 251 S55-S59 7 - Mac Atlas 504 247 S87-S93 8 - Matty Fire 432 233 S80-S85 9 - Lars Berger 288 218 S20-S23 10 - LeAndre St. Pierre 432 217 S47-S52 11 - Jimi Jaks 432 198 S88-S93 12 - Oyorra Arroyo 288 196 S64-S67 13 - Jakub Kjellberg 555 188 S32-S39 14 - Niklas Lindberg 360 184 S34-S38 15 - Teemu Lehtinen 360 174 S32-S36 16 - Phil Gerrard 288 167 S22-S25 17 - Nikita Lebedev 432 167 S31-S36 18 - Dougie Daniels 360 162 S24-S26, S28-S29 19 - Sachimo Zoidberg 253 158 S41-S44 20 - Roman Sokolov 432 143 S54-S59

LET'S GO
 
I can die happy knowing that Hall of Not Bad has served its purpose. I was a bit annoyed that this didn't work out last season (after really no one cared to explain why he didn't deserve it), but I'm very relieved now (especially hearing how hard it's been to induct old players in the past). I don't know if I have as strong a case for the others (even the ones I think are deserving), so we'll see if this happens again. But even so, thanks to BoG for listening.

A player induction and a Builder induction this season, from very different eras...
 
D - Voittu Jannula, S14-S21   
RS: 576 GP, 215 G, 456 A, 671 P, +117, 983 PIM, 1,134 HIT, 870 SB, 35 GW
PO: 56 GP, 11 G, 41 A, 52 P, +5, 228 PIM, 102, HIT, 79 SB, 4 GW
 
S21 Sterling Labatte Trophy (Top Defenceman) (co-winner)
S21 Messier Trophy (Top Leader) (co-winner)
Two Continental Cups (S20, S21)
 
*forward for S14 and part of S15
**unofficially 1x All-VHL First Team and 3x All-VHL Second Team
 
Let's be honest, at least 90% of you have no idea who Voittu Jannula is. I can't make a better case for him than @Gustav 's article which essentially got him this induction. However, I will add a bit of context for whomever lands the unenvious task of writing his HOF article, with 4 seasons of stats missing, and over a decade IRL of history removed. Jannula was a GM player created by GM Alex McNeil (a Hall of Famer himself, who had 3-4 active players but has largely been absent from the league since S25 or so. Jannula entered the league with the S14 draftees, bypassing the draft, and was originally a forward. However, as the Bears completed their rebuild, Jannula was moved to defence to accommodate the squad where he found his success (primarily at the end of his career in S20 and S21). Although the Bears won the cup in S17, this was after McNeil stepped down and Jannula was traded away (to allow Seattle's new GM to recreate). Jannula then entered his prime with Davos, contributing significantly to their surprise run to the finals in S19 and S20 championship, built on a strong defence and the goaltending heroics of one Daisuke Kanou. After the Dynamo entered a retool, Jannula spent a season with Toronto, winning his 2nd Continental Cup on a star-studded roster before retiring.
 
For reasons no one can remember, Jannula never got enough votes to make the HOF after retirement. The only two other S14 players to get inducted, Mikka Virkkunen and J.D. Stormwall, did so at the first time of asking. A season later, there was only 1 induction in Leander Kaelin and somehow Jannula got overlooked then and for the rest of his stay on the ballot. A historical wrong has now been corrected in what is certainly the longest (71 seasons!) wait for an induction and should he ever see it, congratulations @McNeil!
 
Voting results:
Voittu Jannula - 9/14
---
Bo Johansson - 6/14
Pierre Emile Bouchard - 5/14
Papa Emeritus - 3/14
Nico Pearce - 2/14
Hammar Voss - 1/14
Kristof Welch, Paul Atreides, Oskar Lindbergh, Zach Kisslinger II - 0/14
 
---
 
Builder
We also have a much easier decision to make and explain on the Builder side this season. You all know @Acydburn, one of our 3 commissioners, having already led both the VHLM and the VHLE in what is presumably a VHL first. I had the pleasure of being one of the co-founding VHLE commissioners with Acyd and having known the member vaguely beforehand, that stint introduced me to a man with lots of real life events and priorities but one who never failed to communicate or deliver on his sim league job. That same approach has been visible as Acyd moved on to the VHL and I'm sure his teams can vouch the same for his time in Ottawa and Prague, where he is a cup winner and Top GM with both teams and in both leagues. There are some slam dunk decisions in the Builder category and this is without doubt one of them, welcome aboard!

Update to the Top-20 All-Time Goal Scorers for Toronto as of S93 inclusive. Mac Altas @v.2  and Jimi Jaks @ke1vi looking to move up the leaderboard (Active).
 
This list has been vetted against the index and various spreadsheets as the Portal had many errors.
 

  Player Name GP G Seasons 1 - Max Molholt 576 407 S45-S52 2 - Zach Parechkin 504 327 S46-S52 3 - Peyton Nydroj 432 279 S19-S24 4 - Kevin Brooks 360 260 S6-S10 5 - Kyle Peace 536 255 S81-S88 6 - Bo Boeser 360 251 S55-S59 7 - Mac Atlas 504 247 S87-S93 8 - Matty Fire 432 233 S80-S85 9 - Lars Berger 288 218 S20-S23 10 - LeAndre St. Pierre 432 217 S47-S52 11 - Jimi Jaks 432 198 S88-S93 12 - Oyorra Arroyo 288 196 S64-S67 13 - Jakub Kjellberg 555 188 S32-S39 14 - Niklas Lindberg 360 184 S34-S38 15 - Teemu Lehtinen 360 174 S32-S36 16 - Phil Gerrard 288 167 S22-S25 17 - Nikita Lebedev 432 167 S31-S36 18 - Dougie Daniels 360 162 S24-S26, S28-S29 19 - Sachimo Zoidberg 253 158 S41-S44 20 - Roman Sokolov 432 143 S54-S59

1. My goal is to do as much as I can to help the team win at all costs. Whether it be leadership or earning more, the goal is the cup.
2. Well, I never played with him since I was traded for him, but his impact cannot be ignored, all the best in Moscow.
3. It's good to be here, a good team to ride out my career with and hopefully pick up some hardware along the way.
4. The drafts are always the most fun, it's super cool to see how the future of each franchise is altered.
5. I had the Rangers making it to the finals since round 1, still sticking to that.
6. Same thing, had the Stars making it all the way, I think they will do so and create an entertaining final.
 

1. I'm hoping to take the next step offensively this season and try to challenge for the top 5 in points in the VHL. It was good to take a big jump forward last season in points, I'd like to continue that momentum.
 
2. Thank you for your time here, it's never easy trading somebody off of a team that doesn't experience a lot of change. Good luck in Moscow this season, they're getting a great player and person.
 
3. Much like I just mentioned, we're not really a group that goes through a ton of change. We've added both of you for a reason, and look forward to you being a part of this group for multiple seasons! Let's go win a Championship together!
 
4. I enjoy doing the VHFL each season, it's cool to have something else to follow during the season than just the regular standings and stuff. This is the first season that I've put my name forward to be a group leader for it as well, so hopefully that goes through!
 
5. This feels like a tough series to predict, especially with both teams coming off a bit of a rest between each series. I think the Rangers might actually have a shot at breaking the President's Trophy curse this season, so give me them in 7.
 
6. I don't want to short change the talent that the Oilers have, but this series doesn't feel quite as difficult to predict as the East series in my opinion. The only problem for the Stars might be that they're going to have the long layoff in between their last series and this one, while the Oilers are still in their rhythm. I'll take the Stars in 6 for this series.

1. Well, the off-season is upon us. What are your goals to be better for S94?
get another 100 point season with 50 goals! 
2. We say goodbye to Steve Lattimer @pugsood who scored 141 points in 126 games for us. What are your parting words for him?

3. We welcome Nils Andersson @Viper and James MacAvoy @Enraged to the team. What do you want to tell them about this team?
Cup or bust 
4. What off-season tournament/event/fantasy draft are you most looking forward to and why?
Pro-am is always a good time! 
5. Who's your NHL Eastern Conference pick to make it to the Final - Rangers or Panthers?
Panthers in 6
6. Who's your NHL Western Conference pick to make it to the Final - Stars, Oilers, or Canucks?
Stars are a wagon but i think edm might be able to beat them if they get past van i think with out demko is worry some even though silos has been solid 

1. Well, the off-season is upon us. What are your goals to be better for S94?
Win or bust really. We have a great squad and should be able to contend again this season.
2. We say goodbye to Steve Lattimer @pugsood who scored 141 points in 126 games for us. What are your parting words for him?
Thanks for having some great seasons with us - you were a great teammate and wish you the best.
3. We welcome Nils Andersson @Viper and James MacAvoy @Enraged to the team. What do you want to tell them about this team?
We are star studded and much more oriented to score by committee. Looking forward to going on a run with you.
4. What off-season tournament/event/fantasy draft are you most looking forward to and why?
I'm already ready for training camp - not sure what else to look forward to. Lets start playing hockey!
5. Who's your NHL Eastern Conference pick to make it to the Final - Rangers or Panthers?
I picked the Rangers in my pool to go to the finals and I'm going to stick to that.
6. Who's your NHL Western Conference pick to make it to the Final - Stars, Oilers, or Canucks?
I originally picked the Oilers but they seem to have a bit of weakness exposed a few times. The Stars are on a heater.

@pugsood Thanks for being a great teammate. It was awesome having you on the Legion and seeing you post career numbers!
 
Welcome to the Legion @Viper

@pugsood Thanks for being a great teammate. It was awesome having you on the Legion and seeing you post career numbers!
 
Welcome to the Legion @Viper

@pugsood Thanks for being a great teammate. It was awesome having you on the Legion and seeing you post career numbers!
 
Welcome to the Legion @Viper

@pugsood Thanks for being a great teammate. It was awesome having you on the Legion and seeing you post career numbers!
 
Welcome to the Legion @Viper

1. My main goal is to finish PPG this year
 
2. I never talked to you or played with you which is rather unfortunate looking at your point totals, good luck in the future!
 
3. Look forward to playing with y’all
 
4. I don’t really pay attention to the offseason stuff, I’m not too particularly excited for anything
 
5. I have the rangers losing in the finals
 
6. I have the stars winning in the finals

Thank you to @Spartan  for getting this done!

Welcome to the Legion @Viper, looking forward to having you on the team!
 
A big thanks to @pugsood, it was awesome having you be a part of the Legion group over the last two seasons, and great seeing your player break out offensively last season. Good luck in Moscow, they're getting a good one!

Let the Pandamonium begin! Congrats @Lemorse7! Good for you dude!

Let the Pandamonium begin! Congrats @Lemorse7! Good for you dude!

Congrats @Lemorse7 well deserved.
 
Now just need to rename the team to Riga Red Pandas!!

Bit of a quick turnaround on this one given we were a bit late putting the job posting up.
 
Anyway, the league would like to once again thank @hedgehog337 for a very extended stint as GM of the Riga Reign but all reigns…. Sorry I couldn’t resist… must come to an end eventually.
 
After consideration of all the great candidates that applied the @Commissioner team has decided it’s time for @Lemorse7 to take his place among the VHL GM ranks as the new GM of Riga. Congratulations Lemorse and long may you reign.
 
Yeah I’m not sorry for that one.

Halfway There
A look back and forward at the midway point of Harry Callahan's VHL career
 
It's been a fun and enjoyable journey in the VHL so far as I begin my fourth season in the big league, and my seventh overall. I've now been a part of the VHL for more than a year (started in March of 2023), and I only feel my joy for the league growing.
 
Harry Callahan joined the Toronto Legion in S91, and had both the blessing and the curse of winning a Continental Cup in his first season. It was such a blessing to win right off the hop because there are players who aren't lucky or fortunate enough to win a Cup over their entire career, and Callahan got to experience that as a rookie pitching in on an established contender. Winning that Cup was a dream, but it also came with the curse of trying to chase that dream without realization over the following two seasons. It was a mixed bag of success in S92 and S93, with S92 seeing a weaker regular season and stronger postseason, and S93 seeing a fairly dominant regular season followed by a colossal disappointment of a postseason. Callahan has grown from a smaller support contributor in his rookie season to a solid member of the core, one who held a slight edge to lead the team in scoring in S93.
 
Entering this upcoming season, the Legion are still in position to be a team that can compete for a title. Callahan has had the good fortune of becoming a leader in the Legion locker room, having worn an 'A' for the past two seasons. The hope over the final four seasons of his career is to continue to be a leader in the room that is looked at to set an example for the team, as well as attempt to reach the summit of the VHL again and be a multi-Cup winning Champion before retirement. Continuing to grow in the statistics department is a priority for Callahan as well, having made the jump to the top 10 in the VHL in points last season. Entering what will be a prime season for Callahan, he has designs on challenging for the league lead in points this season.
 
Off the ice, Callahan has entered the management side of the game. Following a Founder's Cup title as an Assistant GM for the Saskatoon Wild last season, Callahan will make the move to become a player and Assistant General Manager for the Toronto Legion this season in hopes of helping in all ways possible to continue to improve the Legion organization.

Over the many seasons of the VHL’s existence, there have been many goaltenders who have made an impact and left us with many enjoyable memories. For many Nighthawks fans, Ash Sparks has been 1 such goalie to the Malmo franchise but this wasn’t always the case. 
 
[S85] VHLM Drafted 15th Overall, 2nd Round by Halifax 21st
[S86] VHLE Drafted 34th Overall, 5th Round by Geneva Rush
[S86] VHL Drafted 6th Overall, 1st Round by Seattle Bears
 
 
VHLM Stats
[S84] Houston Bulls - [S85] Halifax 21st
 
Reg Season GP: 74
W/L/OTL: 40 - 31 - 3
Save%: 0.913
GAA: 2.53
Shutouts: 3
 
Playoff GP: 6
W/L/OTL: 1 - 3 - 2
Save%: 0.889
GAA: 3.98
Shutouts: 0
 
Awards: None
 
S84 Houston Bulls - Entry Season (pre-draft eligibility)
The Canadian born netminder played his first game back in S84 for the Houston Bulls prior to his draft eligibility. He managed to play in 12 regular season games, sporting a 9-2-1 winning record with a .900 save% and a 2.24 GAA while in the back-up role. He also got a taste of playoff action seeing 2 games when starting goalie “-“ was injured. He managed to win 1 game but sadly fell short in his 2nd appearance, losing that elimination game in OT. A bitter end and a lot to go through as a rookie in the VHLM, but this upset would only forge him in fire just before the upcoming draft.
 
S85: Halifax 21st- VHLM Draft Eligible
The S85 draft was a historic event, mostly remembered being the class this an elite group of goaltenders known as “The Heavenly 7”. These 7 goalies were almost close to the cap and showed extreme promise, meaning almost every team would be fortunate enough to have a top goalie for the season. 1 of these “Heavenly 7” goaltenders was none other than Ash Sparks, almost being overlooked in comparison to his peers when he was drafted 7th among them as the 15th overall pick in the 2nd round. Despite that on top of being drafted to a “weaker” team, Ash Sparks had a fantastic season in which he posted great numbers and delivered many impressive performances. He ended the season with a 0.914 save%, a 2.58 GAA, a respectable 4 shutouts, and a record of 31-29-2 during 62 games played. Sparks made it into the playoffs for a 2nd time in a row but yet again he did not find any post-season success. The Halifax 21st were swept in 4, leaving Sparks with an abysmal 0-3-1 record and a bitter end to his time in the VHLM.
 
VHLE Stats
[S86] Geneva Rush
 
Reg Season GP: 37
W/L/OTL: 6 - 28 - 1
Save%: 0.929
GAA: 3.73
Shutouts: 1
 
Awards: 0
 
S86: Geneva Rush - VHL/E Draft Eligible
This season was a rollercoaster for Ash Sparks due to the VHL and the VHLE draft. Being drafted last among the “Heavenly 7” in the VHLE during the 5th round as the 34th overall pick. This meant his time playing in the VHLE was going to be spent as a 1-b goalie behind fellow “Heavenly 7” alumni, Joel Castle, who was drafted earlier by the Geneva Rush in the same draft. Even though the team had no real players on a lacklustre roster, this strong goalie tandem proved to be an elite combination. Sparks showed how underrated he was and the lack of scouting done on him quickly changed. He was then drafted by the Seattle Bears 6th Overall in the 1st round for the VHL draft, higher than all the other “Heavenly 7” goalies. This would place a lot of pressure on him but also give him the nod that he is indeed 1 of the top goalies of his draft class.
 
VHL Stats (ongoing)
[S87-88] Seattle Bears - [S89-S91*] Malmo Nighthawks (Currently active on the S92 Malmo Nighthawks)
 
Reg Season GP: 205
W/L/OTL: 101 - 78 - 22
Save%: 0.924
GAA: 2.55
Shutouts: 15
 
Playoff GP: 5
W/L/OTL: 2 - 2 - 1
Save%: 0.922
GAA: 2.91
Shutouts: 0
 
Awards: None
 
S87-88: Seattle Bears
The first season Ash Sparks entered the big leagues, was by far his worst season to date. The nerves of jumping up into his role in the VHL, mixed with a few traumatic events leading up to it during the off-season, was a recipe for a disastrous entry season for the upcoming netminder. Sparks made 10 appearances during S87 and recorded some poor numbers in those few games. His save% was an 0.889 and he had a 3.51 GAA with a losing record of 4-5-0, which really was not the expect start of such a high draft pick.
The following season faired a little better, but not good enough to give any confidence to his GM for playing him more- leaving him seeing the crease only 8 games during his 2nd season. Compared to the previous season, he did much better with a 0.916 save%, a 2.36 GAA, a winning record of 5-3-0, and also got a single shutout for his efforts in goal. Hoping this improvement would give him a chance to make a run at being Seattle’s starter for S89, the GM had already given up on him. The former 6th Overall pick was on the edge of being considered a bust, so it was time for Seattle to move on and recoup what they could for Sparks during the off-season. This nearly made Sparks feel defeated enough to outright retire, but instead he decided to give Malmo a chance and proceed onwards to join his new team. The following trade ensued;
 
Malmo receives:
Ash Sparks - G
S89 SEA 4th
S90 SEA 3rd
S91 SEA 2nd
S91 SEA 4th
 
Seattle receives:
Ilya Bryzgalov - G
Rex Wolffe Gregor - D
 
S89-present: Malmo Nighthawks
Ash Sparks was longer a member of the organization that drafted him, but his new teammates would welcome him with open arms. His first season as a Nighthawk was his best season in his career to date, playing as if he had something to prove. Over the course of 67 total appearances, he managed a 30-26-8 record which would give a new light and sense of confidence to the young Nighthawks team who had been a struggling franchise for some time. What made this season so impressive was that not only was he playing in his first season on a new team, becoming their full time starter, he had some ridiculously good numbers too! Sparks was top 2 in the league with a 0.931 save%, top 3 in the league with a 2.49 GAA, and led the league comfortably in shutouts with 9 which doubled the next closest goalie. Sparks would become the top goalie for season 89 but even with incredible stats despite not being on a strong team, he would fail to receive a single vote towards any of the awards he was nominated for. This enraged and upset many but sadly in the end, Sparks got screwed over after a godly season.
Ash Sparks took a step back the following season due to some injury resulting in only 56 appearances in net for S90. He still managed a 24-23-9 record and had a 2.48 GAA with a .921%, but he only had 2 shutouts this time around. 
Last season (S91) was a rollercoaster for Sparks. He had a 3-4-1 record, a 0.880 save%, and a GAA that was over 4.50 to start the season. He then proceeded to go on a 10 game winning streak, followed by 2 overtime losses, and then another 10 game winning streak- going absolutely nuts in goal with a 23-4-3 record! As the season started to normalize, Malmo was still near the top of the league in points and would hang on till the end- finally make it to the playoffs. Ash Sparks ended the regular season with a winning record of 38-21-5, a solid 0.923 save%, a decent 2.56 GAA, and 3 more shutouts to his name. While Malmo would give it their best efforts, they came up short in the wildcard round to the Helsinki Titans who would end up losing to the Toronto Legion in the finals. A bittersweet end for S91 but Sparks would end up with a 2-2-1 record in 5 playoff games, earning a 0.922 save% and a 2.91 GAA. 
As this is being written during the off-season before S92, only time will tell how Ash Sparks will do this season. He may play till the very end, so a final update for his remaining seasons will resume on another article. To be continued..
 
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Inevitable, really. You've been a huge asset to the Legion on and off the ice since you came on aboard, @dstevensonjr. Congrats on a well-deserved appointment!

Inevitable, really. You've been a huge asset to the Legion on and off the ice since you came on aboard, @dstevensonjr. Congrats on a well-deserved appointment!

S94 Payouts
@Hogan-2
@jacobcarson877-2
@leandrofg-2
@Grape-2
@UghSike-2
@animal74-2
@Triller-2
@Enorama-2
@Royski-1
@Mysterious_Fish-1
@MubbleFubbles-2

I am grateful for this opportunity to continue working in Toronto!
 
Thank you to @Moon for allowing me the chance to prove myself in the VHL, as well as @animal74 and @v.2  for helping get to this point. All of you have been in this league far longer than I have, and it's great to have your knowledge to learn from. I also want to thank @Dadam30 for the training in Saskatoon last season, that experience was invaluable.
 
Now, let's all go win another Cup together!