animal74

This is just a quick note of appreciation for newly inducted Hall of Famer, Ronan Lavelle @Arce. The Legion were ecstatic when we landed Lavelle and Tomas Sogaard @Brandon from Moscow in the S90 off-season. Paired with the signing of Siyan Yasilievich @badcolethetitan, we felt like we were the team to beat. After years of not only losing, but being at the bottom of the league, there was finally real hope and optimism in the locker room.
 
Lavelle came exactly as advertised. He immediately pushed our offense to new heights, his 40 goals and team-leading 95 points helped the Legion to their best goal output in eight seasons. With his commitment and leadership, the Legion jumped from last in the NA Conference to first in one season, an incredible feat. He laid his body on the line every night and led the team with 205 hits. He showed us what it took to win. Having made the playoffs in every season he had played in, we could only follow his example.
 
While the season didn’t end how we had hoped, Lavelle never gave up. He tied for the team-lead in points (16) and hits (46) in the playoffs. But more importantly is what he instilled in us as a team. We believed in ourselves again – that we could make the playoffs and give any team in the VHL a run for their money. That’s the real legacy of Ronan Lavelle: Not as a scorer, or a winner, but as a leader. And that’s who the Hall of Fame is built for.
 
Congratulations, Ronan. You most definitely deserve your spot in the VHL Hall of Fame.

1. We did it!! Toronto Legion, S91 Continental Cup Champions. How does that statement make you feel?
I'm pretty impartial, to be honest. When I was growing up, Toronto was definitely a punching bag there for a little while, always stuck behind Vancouver and Seattle. Being European, of course I'm always cheering for that conference to take home the cup, but congratulations are definitely due, good for them for sure. 
2. What was your initial reaction when you found out we had won the Continental Cup?
Again, I was more focused on our own playoff run, as we were playing the finals around the same time. I actually didn't see they had won it until a few days later due to all the partying we were doing over here in Saskatoon.
3. Who would be you pick for MVP of the S91 playoffs?
It's hard... I don't want to default to winning goalie, but man are Castle's stats good. But then again, Atlas almost averaging 2 points/game all playoffs long? It's next to impossible to make a choice, but one of those two. BOG voters will probably go with someone out of left field though.
4. What do you think our biggest need going into the off-season is?
Rest. My dad, who was a pro in Slovakia, always said that long playoff runs were the main reason he didn't play as long as he would have liked. It's hard on the body and mind, so take the shortened off-season, party hard the next few days here, and then try and rest up for the repeat. 
5. Former Legion (for his final season) Ronan Lavelle @Arce has been inducted into the VHL Hall of Fame. What words do you have for him?
Many congratulations to him. I owned a Lavelle D.C. Dragons jersey growing up, so that's where I'll always remember him. But being inducted is a great accomplishment, and I can't even think of what that honour must mean.
6. What's your drink of choice to celebrate New Year's?
Depends where I am. Out, probably vodka and 7up, but if I'm at home I'd probably prefer a rum and coke.

1. It still feels pretty surreal! I know that a lot of players go an entire career without winning a Championship, so to win one in my rookie year is very fortunate.
 
2. I was watching the stream when it happened, so there was a good bit of hooting and hollering when I saw the result pop up on the screen. Even cooler that it ended up coming in overtime.
 
3. I'd have to go with co-MVP's for Captain Mac and the brick wall in net Joel. They both deserve the MVP honours, it should be shared.
 
4. I think we're a bit thin on the blueline at the moment, that would likely be my first priority. It looks like we're getting a good chunk of the forwards back though, save for Tomas Sogaard's retirement.
 
5. I missed getting to play with Ronan by a season, but it was an amazing final year in Toronto, and an end of a phenomenal career. The deserving induction to the Hall of Fame is a perfect capper to a great career.
 
6. My favourite drink is Disaronno mixed with some Dr. Pepper, so that's as good a drink as any for me to celebrate with!

Toronto Legion Press Conference 
(2 TPE for answering all six questions)
 
1. We did it!! Toronto Legion, S91 Continental Cup Champions. How does that statement make you feel?
2. What was your initial reaction when you found out we had won the Continental Cup?
3. Who would be you pick for MVP of the S91 playoffs?
4. What do you think our biggest need going into the off-season is?
5. Former Legion (for his final season) Ronan Lavelle @Arce has been inducted into the VHL Hall of Fame. What words do you have for him?
6. What's your drink of choice to celebrate New Year's?

1. Game 5 tonight. What's your predicted score?
Idk I smell a legion win though
2. Which Legion will score our first goal tonight?
Mac for sure.
3. What did you like best about our two 4-2 victories in Games 3 & 4?
Our awesome tendy holding down the fort. 
4. What part of your game do you feel you need to elevate?
My goal scoring for sure.
5. What food do you slide by during Christmas dinner and not put on your plate?
Vegies Christmas is not for the healthy food lol. 
6. Do you believe in Santa Claus?
Only if i win the lottery.

WOW!!!  What a huge honor, especially with so many deserving people. Thank you so much!  I am so happy I clicked the "create a player" link after surfing the forum for so long back in the day.  What a great community and I am honored to be a part of it.  

'tis a wonderful time, the week between Christmas and New Year's, and I am pleased today to announce the induction of two wonderful S83 draftees into the VHL Hall of Fame.
 
LW - Ronan Lavelle, S83-S90 
RS: 576 GP, 322 G, 417 A, 739 P, +175, 686 PIM, 1,473 HIT, 303 SB, 47 GW
PO: 70 GP, 44 G, 51 A, 95 P, -3, 93 PIM, 212 HIT, 37 SB, 8 GW
 
S84 Dustin Funk Trophy (Most Improved)
S85 Daisuke Kanou Trophy (Playoff MVP)
S88 Brett Slobodzian Trophy (Most Outstanding)
S88 Mike Szatkowski Trophy (Most Points)
S89 Mike Szatkowski Trophy (Most Points)
S89 Kevin Brooks Trophy (Most Goals)
2x All-VHL First Team (S88, S89)
3x All-VHL Second Team (S84, S85, S90)
One Continental Cup (S85)
 
We've seen some big blasts from the past return to the VHL recently. v2's comeback with Tui Sova was a huge success, making the Hall of Fame some 80 seasons, over a literal decade, after Josh Vestiquan's induction. Sova's last act, captaining D.C.'s maiden championship was in part made possible by playoff MVP Ronan Lavelle, a return to glory for one Zach @Arce who himself was last inducted around the same time as Vestiquan. For Lavelle, that playoff run in S85 was just the start of a dominant run, one of the finest forward careers we have seen in the 16-team era. He led the league in points twice and notched 7 consecutive seasons of 90 points or more, an unprecedented feat in the modern day. A guaranteed scorer wherever he went, Lavelle is a fine addition to the Hall and a great return to form for a VHL legend.
 
 
 
D - Brian Payne, S83-S90 
RS: 576 GP, 147 G, 476 A, 623 P, +184, 1,684 PIM, 2,064 HIT, 1,326 SB, 26 GW
PO: 72 GP, 17 G, 46 A, 63 P, -2, 227 PIM, 260 HIT, 184 SB, 4 GW
 
S85 Sterling Labatte Trophy (Top Defenceman)
S85 Jake Wylde Trophy (Top Defensive Defenceman)
S86 Jake Wylde Trophy (Top Defensive Defenceman)
1x All-VHL First Team (S85)
4x All-VHL Second Team (S86, S88, S89, S90)
One Continental Cup (S84)
 
Lavelle looked like a star from the start, but Brian Payne simmered under the surface. Warsaw located an uncut gem at 26th overall, because he worked his way to the top through grit and stayed there through sheer consistency. Payne started to become noticed when he would without fail end up in the conversation for at least one defenceman award each season. He was no slouch offensively with 6 straight 80-point seasons, but it's the all-around game where he stood out. There's only 1 previous Hall of Famer, Patrice Reynaud back from the VHL's first decade, with more than 1,300 blocked shots, because very few can combine that with over a point-per-game pace. When you add 2,000+ hits, Payne stands in a league of his own. No wonder @Scurvy stood out even on a star-studded Warsaw team, one of the most recognisable of the decade.
 
 
Voting results
Brian Payne - 14/16
Ronan Lavelle - 13/16
---
Kristof Welch - 1/16
Papa Emeritus - 1/16
Nico Pearce - 1/16
Hammar Voss - 1/16
Oskar Lingbergh, Zach Kisslinger II, Bo Johansson - 0/16
 
---
 
And that's not all, this season we are back with a Builder induction. S91 has seen a whole generation of players retire who have played since the player build changes of S83, as well as one season removed from the 10-season anniversary of the VHLE. So what better time to recognise the man who played an integral role in the testing and refining of the new attibutes and is one of the current VHLE commissioners? @Enorama has been actively involved in two of the biggest novelties of the 80s and it's no surprise he's carved out such an impressive legacy. To me, it was obvious he would have a big role to play in the league from Ryan Kastelic's impressive pre-draft performance when in S61 he became the 1st first-gen drafted 1st overall in 30 seasons, but a trend-setter for several of the subsequent drafts. Kastelic didn't make the HOF and I hope Eno's hard work is rewarded at some point with a player induction, but he was the first (and only, before 9-season careers) player to earn 2,000 TPE. Plus, a Builder induction without HOF players only says more about the extracurricular work Eno's done. Founder of the aforementioned D.C. Dragons, guiding them through a few seasons of bad luck to finally get the Continental Cup nearly 20 seasons later (feat. the aforementioned Sova and Lavelle), Enorama has also been a productive long-term member of the BOG and this doesn't feel like the end of the story yet.
 
 
Congratulations all!

🏆 Cup Buddies 🏆
🏆
 
An interesting thing has happened in my time in the VHL. I have been fortunate to win three Continental Cups now with my four players: One each with Gunnar-Rune Rorvik (Seattle, S12), Druss Deathwalker (Malmo, S79), Joel Castle (Toronto, S91). Incredibly, I’ve had one teammate with me on each of those championship teams despite 67 and 79 seasons between the first Cup in S12. That teammate is @v.2 . We were v2 and animal back in S12, then we both took a hiatus of over 10 years and then returned to the VHL. His players (Josh Vestiquan, Tui Sova, Mac Atlas) have been much more prolific than mine ( two HOFers) so maybe I’ve been riding his coattails, but it’s been great to be able to share three Cups with the same person. So, this is just my appreciation post for v.2 and how hard he works. He has now won six Continental Cups (S7, S8, S12, S79, S85, S91) which puts him in a tie for 33rd in league history with 13 others.  
 

🏆 Cup Buddies 🏆
🏆
 
An interesting thing has happened in my time in the VHL. I have been fortunate to win three Continental Cups now with my four players: One each with Gunnar-Rune Rorvik (Seattle, S12), Druss Deathwalker (Malmo, S79), Joel Castle (Toronto, S91). Incredibly, I’ve had one teammate with me on each of those championship teams despite 67 and 79 seasons between the first Cup in S12. That teammate is @v.2 . We were v2 and animal back in S12, then we both took a hiatus of over 10 years and then returned to the VHL. His players (Josh Vestiquan, Tui Sova, Mac Atlas) have been much more prolific than mine ( two HOFers) so maybe I’ve been riding his coattails, but it’s been great to be able to share three Cups with the same person. So, this is just my appreciation post for v.2 and how hard he works. He has now won six Continental Cups (S7, S8, S12, S79, S85, S91) which puts him in a tie for 33rd in league history with 13 others.  
 

🏆 Cup Buddies 🏆
🏆
 
An interesting thing has happened in my time in the VHL. I have been fortunate to win three Continental Cups now with my four players: One each with Gunnar-Rune Rorvik (Seattle, S12), Druss Deathwalker (Malmo, S79), Joel Castle (Toronto, S91). Incredibly, I’ve had one teammate with me on each of those championship teams despite 67 and 79 seasons between the first Cup in S12. That teammate is @v.2 . We were v2 and animal back in S12, then we both took a hiatus of over 10 years and then returned to the VHL. His players (Josh Vestiquan, Tui Sova, Mac Atlas) have been much more prolific than mine ( two HOFers) so maybe I’ve been riding his coattails, but it’s been great to be able to share three Cups with the same person. So, this is just my appreciation post for v.2 and how hard he works. He has now won six Continental Cups (S7, S8, S12, S79, S85, S91) which puts him in a tie for 33rd in league history with 13 others.  
 

🏆 Cup Buddies 🏆
🏆
 
An interesting thing has happened in my time in the VHL. I have been fortunate to win three Continental Cups now with my four players: One each with Gunnar-Rune Rorvik (Seattle, S12), Druss Deathwalker (Malmo, S79), Joel Castle (Toronto, S91). Incredibly, I’ve had one teammate with me on each of those championship teams despite 67 and 79 seasons between the first Cup in S12. That teammate is @v.2 . We were v2 and animal back in S12, then we both took a hiatus of over 10 years and then returned to the VHL. His players (Josh Vestiquan, Tui Sova, Mac Atlas) have been much more prolific than mine ( two HOFers) so maybe I’ve been riding his coattails, but it’s been great to be able to share three Cups with the same person. So, this is just my appreciation post for v.2 and how hard he works. He has now won six Continental Cups (S7, S8, S12, S79, S85, S91) which puts him in a tie for 33rd in league history with 13 others.  
 

I have to admit that there are some strong nominations this year. Two strong forward candidates and two strong goalies. The interesting thing is that on the surface there is minimal difference between the candidates in each group.
 
On the forward side of things we have Leandro Goncalves and Scotty Sundin.  Both ended the season with 112 points. The minor differences between goals and assists may result in someone choosing one way or the other but I am just going to accept that a 112 point season is impressive. But is it impressive enough to choose one of these two for this trophy.
 
On the other side you have a battle between Jesse Teno and Joel Castle.  Teno posting an impressive 0.937 GAA and 2.02 Sv% with 6 SO, Castle with an equally impressive 0.938 GAA and 2.06Sv% with 3 SO. Both of there are impressive seasons but are they strong enough to oust the offensive players for the award.
 
So how am I going to make my decision.  Now some of you will probably point out that Teno is a teammate of mine and yes that will have some impact but I am a fairly analytical individual so want to ensure i can justify my decision.  So the first thing I did was go back and look at the season 90 winner.
 
For those of you who don't know the Season 90 winner is Lachlan Summers who posted a 0.938GAA, 2.06Sv% and 7 SO. Lachlan beat out Todd Cooke who had a tremendous 118 points on the season.  So my first conclusion is that a goalie having a stat line of that nature deserve the award above a 118 point achiever than  the 2 goalies that have almost identical stat lines to last years winner deserve the award over 2 players with 112 point.
 
Sorry Leandro and Scotty but you have been eliminated from my consideration, however congratulations on tremendous seasons.
 
Now down to our 2 remaining players, Teno takes Sv% and SO, while Castle takes GAA, the only clear difference is in SO where Teno has 6 to Castles' 3.  In the end I think that difference is enough to separate Teno as the winner but to anyone who chooses Castle I can also understand that decision as it is a very close race.
 
All players should be proud of their season as they had significant accomplishments but in the end I am voting Teno.
 
 

all but one

Leandro Goncalves led the league in goals, game-winning goals, game-tying goals, shots, hat tricks, AND face-off percentage while taking the 2nd-most faceoffs. He was also T-2nd for plus/minus.

Honored and humbled by the nomination!

Great season, great playoffs! So many strong teams but the Legion kept believing in themselves and kept marching on!! S91  🏆

Great season, great playoffs! So many strong teams but the Legion kept believing in themselves and kept marching on!! S91  🏆

WOOOOO!! 
 

 
GG Helsinki, all the games were super close and you had me shook from the start.

great series/ season!

gg Toronto

Congrats Toronto and @Moon. Enjoy the win. Glad the cup is where it belongs - NA! 

TORONTO WE FREAKING DID IT!!! Y'all are a bunch of legends
 
GG to Helsinki, who knows what would have happened if it went to game 7, that was insanely close
 
If that isn't a fitting end to Sogaard's career then I'll be damned. Can't dream of a better ending 🥲

Game 88:
Toronto Legion vs. Helsinki Titans

Go to Playoff Tree

Game 87:
Helsinki Titans vs. Toronto Legion

Go to Playoff Tree