dstevensonjr

It is an honour to be an assistant captain again for the Legion! Looking forward to the rest of this season, and hopefully a long playoff run!

If you take a quick look through the top 10 statistical leaderboard for the VHL in terms of skaters and goalies, you'll find a member of the Legion on almost each category, and multiple in some cases. Here is a look at where the members of the Legion sit so far this season: Skaters Points Diego Machado - 64 - 5th Harry Callahan - 61 - 6th Jimi Jaks - 58 - t-8th Goals Diego Machado - 28 - t-6th Jimi Jaks - 27 - t-8th Assists Harry Callahan - 40 - 4th Diego Machado - 36 - t-7th Shots Mac Atlas - 322 - 2nd Harry Callahan - 303 - 6th Jimi Jaks - 300 - 7th Forward Points Diego Machado - 64 - 5th Harry Callahan - 61 - 6th Jimi Jaks - 58 - t-7th Defense Points Bobby Bob - 41 - 9th Plus/Minus Mason Rice - +24 - t-6th Diego Machado - +22 - t-8th Steve Lattimer - +22 - t-8th Powerplay Goals Mac Atlas - 9 - t-2nd Shorthanded Goals Jimi Jaks - 2 - 2nd Game Winning Goals Mac Atlas - 5 - t-7th Hat Tricks Steve Lattimer - 2 - t-3rd Diego Machado - 2 - t-3rd The only categories that the Legion don't have skaters listed in are Rookie Points, Shots Blocked, Hits, Hits Taken, and Penalty Minutes Goalies Wins Joel Castle - 26 - 1st Shutouts Joel Castle - 1 - t-7th Goals Against Joel Castle - 89 - 10th Assists Joel Castle - 3 - t-2nd Penalty Minutes Joel Castle - 2 - t-8th ---------------------------------------------------- As you can see from above, there are Legion players all over the leaderboard, and it has been a balanced approach from the skaters with 7 of the 9 skaters appearing on the lists in some capacity. The breakout star for the Legion has been Diego Machado, who shows up on 6 different top 10's, and is on pace to shatter personal records across the board. Jimi Jaks shows up on 5 different lists, and Harry Callahan shows up on 4. Captain Mac Atlas appears on 3 lists, and Steve Lattimer is in 2 different top 10's. Defenders Bobby Bob and Mason Rice both hold a spot on 1 list as well. In net, it is unsurprising to see Toronto's rock, Joel Castle leading the league in wins. He appears on 5 different top 10's for goalies.

Saskatoon Wild Press Conference - Week Ending April 14 A new week, and new questions from the media to answer! Here are your questions for this week: 1. The trade deadline is approaching next week, what area of the roster do we need to add to, or do we need to stay the course with the current group? 2. Who has been the MVP of the season so far for our team? 3. Is it a surprise seeing the Pittsburgh Penguins get hot late in the season and move into the playoff race after spending most of the season out of it? 4. Which is more likely to win a Championship: a team who can score a ton, or a team who is stingy defensively? 5. Will you be participating in any eclipse festivities today? 6. Which is better: a total solar eclipse, or a total eclipse of the heart?

1. I'll go with Machado. Currently leading in goals, and having a hell of a breakout season. Hopefully it's a close race between everybody all the way to 50! 2. I'll go with the Halifax 21st. I'm sure that there's significant meaning behind the choice, but it's pretty limiting in terms of creativity for what you can do with it from a scheme perspective. 3. My choice for North America would be Montreal, it's an awfully historic hockey city to not have representation in the VHL. For the Europe conference, I'll go with Madrid. Would be cool to bring hockey to Spain. 4. I didn't like it, mostly because I don't have much of a sense of humour when it comes to April Fool's Day. Didn't think that it was the kind of subject matter that should be joked about either. Yes, I'm boring. 5. I've been more of a playmaker this season, and I'm happy with how it has gone. We're having a great year in the standings, so it feels nice to help contribute to a winning club. 6. It's gotta be Reese's Eggies for me. I have to limit myself when I get them, they're bloody addictive.

Congratulations!!

The Toronto Legion have been scorching hot lately, going 8-2-0 in their last 10, and starting the season 18-6-0. Despite that hot start, the Legion have not been able to make up any ground on the first place D.C. Dragons, remaining 4 points back of the division leaders. The Dragons own a 9-1-0 record in their last 10, and sit at 20-4-0 on the year. The Dragons also had a remarkable 14 game win streak prior to a loss to Warsaw, so it's been an extended run of great play. The Legion have the second best goal differential in the VHL, carried by the sixth most goals for and third fewest goals against in the league. The offense has seen a bit of a changing of the guard, as third year forwards Diego Machado and Harry Callahan are first and second in team scoring. Machado leads the team in goals and Callahan leads in assists, while the veteran duo of Jimi Jaks and Mac Atlas are not far behind in both categories. The balanced attack from the Legion forward group has made for a difficult team to slow down because the contributions can come from everywhere. Fourth year VHL forward and second year Legion member Steve Lattimer has been a valuable member of the Lattimer/Machado/Callahan trio, currently holding a career best plus/minus, and is on pace for career highs in goals, assists, and points. On the back end, the trio of Bobby Bob, Walter Fitzroy Jr., and Mason Rice have been extremely solid defensively, equally sharing the shot blocking burden in the defensive zone, and making life easier for goaltenders Joel Castle and Toddly Bobbly. Bob has seen a recent rebound on the offensive side, with Fitzroy Jr. enjoying a breakout year in the assists department. Off-season add and positional convert Rice is a plus player for the first time in his career, helping stabilize the beck end for Toronto. Veteran goaltender Joel Castle has been spectacular as always, posting the third best goals against average and the best save percentage among starting goaltenders in the league. All of this for the Legion builds in the lead up to a crucial home and home series with the D.C. Dragons beginning today. In order for the Legion to make up ground, they'll need to do it head to head.

Saskatoon Wild Press Conference - Week Ending April 7 A new week, and new questions from the media to answer! Here are your questions for this week: 1. Following our 9-3-0 start, we're just 7-7-1 since, giving us a 16-10-1 record. What do we need to do to get back to playing the way that we were at the start of the season? 2. Are you a fan of April Fools Day jokes/pranks? 3. Our goalies are both in the top 8 in goals against average and save percentage. Would you stick with a full rotation where they each play every other game, or do you think somebody needs to get the net for a long run? 4. What TV show are you currently watching? 5. Leo Neelson III will be tied for the most games played in Saskatoon history at the end of the season. What should the team be doing to acknowledge that incredible feat? 6. Would you change the NHL's current overtime rules of 5 minutes of 3-on-3 followed by a shootout?

This doesn't really feel like an appropriate kind of joke if this is just an April Fools Day deal.

Welcome to the VHL!

Welcome to the VHL!

Welcome back to the VHL!

Happy Birthday Victor!

Welcome to the league!

Welcome to the league!

Welcome back to the league!

Saskatoon Wild Press Conference - Week Ending March 31 We're now 12 games into the regular season, and a new week means new questions from the media to answer! Here are your questions for this week: 1. How are you feeling about the team after the 9-3-0 start? 2. If you could take one player from the NHL and put them on our team right now, who would it be and why? 3. What is your go to drink when you're relaxing? 4. Are you pleased with your player's first dozen games? 5. What team do you think looks like the biggest threat to us early on? 6. Is the playoff field in the NHL set, or do you think that someone is going to sneak in with only a few weeks left?

Harsh, but fair.

Week 4 - 2000+ article

Week 3 - 2000+ article

Week 2 - 2000+ article

As we roll into the VHLM season here, I thought it would be a fun idea to take a look at the members of the Saskatoon Wild at this point of the season. This is a group comprised of new first generation members finding their footing in the VHLM and recreates who are starting fresh following previous careers. I want to thank @Dadam30 for the opportunity to help with this group, and hopefully be able to assist in getting this team to the promised land at the end of the season. Here is the team: Forwards #35 Jacob Longstreet (S93) Username: @Dynamicmlb_42 Saskatoon Wild S93 Draft Pick - 29th Overall VHLE Draft - Cologne Express - 48th Overall VHL Draft - London United - 51st Overall Position: C Height: 5'9" Weight: 179 lb. Age: 18 Nationality: USA S93 Stats: 12 GP 5 G 9 A 14 PTS +13 38 SHT 8 PIM 15 HIT 2 SB 1 GWG 1 PPG 0 SHG This is the first recreate player following William Wallace (S91) for Longstreet, who joined the San Diego Marlins last season as a mid-season free agent add before being drafted by the Wild this season. In 26 games for the Marlins last season, Longstreet added 1 goal and 2 assists. This season has seen an offensive explosion relative to last season, with multiple multi-point games already in the books just a dozen games into the season. Longstreet's quick improvement is due to diligent earning, having picked up TPE in six of the last seven weeks. Longstreet is currently tied for the second best +/- in the league at +13, and was part of the silver medal winning Steel team at the Junior Showcase Tournament. #9 Jerry Box (S94) Username: @barryst Saskatoon Wild Free Agent Signing VHLE & VHL S94 Draft Eligible Position: RW Height: 6'3" Weight: 180 lb. Age: 17 Nationality: CANADA S93 Stats: 0 GP 0 G 0 A 0 PTS +0 0 SHT 0 PIM 0 HIT 0 SB 0 GWG 0 PPG 0 SHG The newest addition to the Wild roster having just signed last night, Box will be looking to get into the first game for the Wild tomorrow. This is the second player for Box, after Barry Bigman (S83) played in the VHLM and VHLE from S82-S91. Box will be looking to make an immediate impact on the right wing with the Wild forward group. #27 Leon Bruhmaninho (S93) Username: @BigBruhman Saskatoon Wild Trade Acquisition VHLE Draft - Oslo Storm - 23rd Overall VHL Draft - Warsaw Predators - 41st Overall Position: RW Height: 6'3" Weight: 171 lb. Age: 17 Nationality: GERMANY S93 Stats: 12 GP 7 G 6 A 13 PTS -4 59 SHT 4 PIM 13 HIT 2 SB 2 GWG 2 PPG 0 SHG This is the first player in the league for Bruhmaninho, who was drafted by Miami last season (24th overall) before being traded to Saskatoon mid-season. Now 84 games into their VHLM career, Bruhmaninho has consistently been right around a point per game forward who has been both a playmaking and scoring threat. It's been a solid start to the season for Leon, who has been the scoring threat on the second line for the Wild. This start has Bruhmaninho sitting in a tie for 8th in the VHLM in goals currently, while also being 7th in the league in shots, tied for 8th in powerplay goals, and tied for 3rd in game winning goals. Bruhmaninho will continue to be counted on as a play driver for the Wild this season. #31 Leo Neelson III (S91) Username: @silentnyrf31 Saskatoon Wild S91 Draft Pick - 28th Overall Position: LW Height: 5'10" Weight: 186 lb. Age: 16 Nationality: CANADA S93 Stats: 12 GP 7 G 11 A 18 PTS +16 43 SHT 14 PIM 23 HIT 1 SB 1 GWG 0 PPG 1 SHG As the name suggests, this is the third run for Leo Neelson in the VHLM. Neelson III has been a mainstay on the Saskatoon roster since S90, and is expected at the completion of this season to be in a tie for the most games played in Saskatoon Wild history. Leo is currently in a tie for 11th in goals in Wild history, 13th in assists, 12th in points, 12th in plus/minus, and 9th in game winning goals. All of that is a testament to how talented a player that Neelson III is, and that has shone through again this season. Much like the Wild's all-time leaderboard, Neelson III's name is littered across the VHLM's leaderboard so far this season. 4th in points, tied for 8th in goals, tied for 4th in assists, 1st in plus/minus, and tied for 1st in shorthanded goals, it has been an extremely good season for the Wild legend thus far. #32 Micah Cederbaum (S93) Username: @MicahC Saskatoon Wild S93 Draft Pick - 23rd Overall VHLE Draft - Cologne Express - 54th Overall VHL Draft - Chicago Phoenix - 46th Overall Position: C Height: 6'0" Weight: 180 lb. Age: 18 Nationality: USA S93 Stats: 12 GP 1 G 11 A 12 PTS -1 48 SHT 11 PIM 27 HIT 1 SB 0 GWG 0 PPG 0 SHG Another first gen forward, Micah Cederbaum joined the Houston Bulls last season as a free agent signing before being drafted by the Wild this season. Similarly to Jacob Longstreet, it was a tough start offensively for Cederbaum last season, notching 2 points in the 48 games with Houston. Much like Longstreet, this season has seen Cederbaum take a large step forward offensively as a playmaker (one who has also seen a run of terrible shooting luck that is due to change). Cederbaum has blossomed into a solid physical playmaker, leading the Wild in assists and hits. That playmaking ability also has Cederbaum tied for 4th in assists in the VHLM so far. Micah has been another consistent earner so far, grabbing TPE in every week since joining the league. #59 Oliver Loo (S93) 'C' Username: @Misty Saskatoon Wild S93 Draft Pick - 5th Overall VHLE Draft - Cologne Express - 18th Overall VHL Draft - Calgary Wranglers - 23rd Overall Position: RW Height: 5'10" Weight: 153 lb. Age: 21 Nationality: CANADA S93 Stats: 12 GP 10 G 10 A 20 PTS +13 53 SHT 14 PIM 21 HIT 3 SB 3 GWG 5 PPG 0 SHG A first gen player who has taken the league by storm, Oliver Loo has an extremely bright future ahead in the VHL. After joining Miami midway through the season last year, Loo has already obliterated last seasons 48 game totals through just 12 games this season. Loo's strong start to the season has resulted in appearances all over the VHLM leaderboards so far this season in points (1st), goals (1st), assists (t-10th), plus/minus (t-2nd), powerplay goals (1st), game winning goals (2nd), and hat tricks (t-1st). Taking a quick look at the monstrous early career TPE earning for Loo shows why it is no surprise that they were taken 5th overall in the draft (1st first gen player taken), and their involvement in the locker room early on shows why they were named Captain of the Wild. #20 Reona Kirishima (S94) Username: @KRug Saskatoon Wild Free Agent Signing VHLE & VHL S94 Draft Eligible Position: LW Height: 5'10" Weight: 145 lb. Age: 18 Nationality: JAPAN S93 Stats: 10 GP 3 G 1 A 4 PTS -4 19 SHT 4 PIM 15 HIT 3 SB 1 GWG 1 PPG 0 SHG The final member of the forward group for the Wild is another first gen player who joined the team right after the season started this year. It has been an eventful 10 games for Kirishima so far, managing to join the lineup and not miss a beat playing on the second line. The Wild were pleased to add the left winger to the group, and it has paid dividends early on with 3 goals in the first 10 games. Adding onto that is the physical dimension that Kirishima brings, averaging more than a hit per game so far and almost 2 shots per game. Kirishima's impact early on has been impressive, as has their TPE rate in just their first week in the league. As Kirishima continues to grow as a player, they'll keep making an impact for the Wild forward group. Defenders #22 Bollos de Trueno (S94) 'A' Username: @Thunder Saskatoon Wild S93 Draft Pick - 19th Overall VHLE & VHL S94 Draft Eligible Position: D Height: 6'3" Weight: 213 lb. Age: 17 Nationality: MEXICO S93 Stats: 12 GP 1 G 7 A 8 PTS +9 25 SHT 6 PIM 21 HIT 13 SB 0 GWG 0 PPG 0 SHG If Jake Thunder's multiple award winning career was any indication, Bollos de Trueno is going to have a very long and prosperous career in the VHL. That career is off to a strong start for the Wild 2nd round pick, forming one half of the strong top pair for Saskatoon. de Trueno has been a good presence at both ends of the ice for the Wild, leading the blueline in hits while chipping in 8 points so far. de Trueno has been a bit snakebit from the goal perspective, shooting only 4.0% this season, so that can be expected to bump up at some point. Unsurprisingly, de Trueno has been an exceptional earner, much like Thunder was. de Trueno joins other Saskatoon teammates on the plus/minus leaderboard, sitting 6th in the VHLM at +9 so far. It was easy to see that this veteran player was going to be a key part of the leadership group for the Wild coming into this season. #14 Carson Tripp (S93) Username: @Cartripp14 Saskatoon Wild S93 Draft Pick - 25th Overall VHLE Draft - Stockholm Vikings - 34th Overall VHL Draft - Calgary Wranglers - 29th Overall Position: D Height: 6'0" Weight: 160 lb. Age: 16 Nationality: CANADA S93 Stats: 12 GP 4 G 10 A 14 PTS +3 30 SHT 18 PIM 8 HIT 16 SB 0 GWG 3 PPG 0 SHG Carson Tripp has the unique achievement of being a Saskatoon Wild player last season while being drafted by the Wild this season. In 50 games last season, Tripp managed almost a point a game on the back end for Saskatoon. That level of offensive production has continued this season, as the Wild offensive leader on the blueline has put up points at an above a point per game pace thus far. Not wanting to have a game that is too biased towards one side, Tripp is also second in shot blocks this season, and leading in penalty minutes. That presence at both ends of the ice for the Wild has enabled the ability to let Tripp bring along and mentor a rookie defender, a luxury that most teams don't have. Tripp sits 3rd in the VHLM in points by defenders, 7th in penalty minutes, and t-2nd in powerplay goals. #42 Dakota Nachbaur (S94) Username: @Wiliestjester56 Saskatoon Wild Free Agent Signing VHLE & VHL S94 Draft Eligible Position: D Height: 6'1" Weight: 180 lb. Age: 27 Nationality: CANADA S93 Stats: 12 GP 1 G 5 A 6 PTS -1 14 SHT 14 PIM 15 HIT 9 SB 1 GWG 0 PPG 0 SHG Dakota Nachbaur is a recreate in name only, as the previous player Dakoulas Nakamora (S75) was a while back. Nachbaur was a late addition to the Wild, getting under contract right before the regular season started and sliding onto the second pairing immediately. Even as a player starting behind the eight ball in terms of TPE, Nachbaur has handled the minutes well so far, contributing offensively with half a point per game, as well as defensively with over a hit per game. Adding in that Nachbaur is averaging more than a shot per game and almost a shot block per game, and it's been a well rounded game thus far. Dakota has been a consistent earner so far, picking up TPE in every week since being signed, and will continue to grow on the Wild blueline. #18 Lazlo Holmes (S94) 'A' Username: @Gustav Saskatoon Wild S93 Draft Pick - 3rd Overall VHLE & VHL S94 Draft Eligible Position: D Height: 5'10" Weight: 194 lb. Age: 24 Nationality: USA S93 Stats: 12 GP 4 G 8 A 12 PTS +13 40 SHT 4 PIM 17 HIT 28 SB 0 GWG 0 PPG 0 SHG A significant positional focus shift for the man formerly known as Art Vandelay, who was an accomplished architect, latex salesman, and marine biologist. Lazlo Holmes' focus has moved to putting the puck in the net, along with blocking shots instead of stopping them. Holmes has wildly succeeded in both of those areas so far after being taken third overall by the Wild, as the defender leads the Wild in shot blocks and is 2nd on the team in points by defenders. That level of production on both sides of the puck also carries over to the VHLM leaderboards, as Holmes is tied for 5th in points by defenders, tied for 2nd in plus/minus, and tied for 3rd in shots blocked. This half of the veteran top pair has been great so far for the Wild after winning a silver with the Steel at the Junior Showcase Tournament. Much the same for Holmes' defense partner, it was unsurprising to see Holmes be voted as a big part of the leadership group. Goaltenders #30 Austin Goulet III (S93) Username: @Tuchy Saskatoon Wild S92 Draft Pick - 30th Overall VHLE Draft - Stockholm Vikings - 46th Overall Position: G Height: 6'8" Weight: 210 lb. Age: 21 Nationality: CANADA S93 Stats: 6 GP 5-1-0 .888 SV% 2.47 GAA 0 SO 363 MP Following the previous winger, Austin Goulet III shifted focus to become a goaltender. Goulet III is a holdover after being drafted in S92 by the Wild and starting 42 games last season. Following a 14-21-7 campaign last season, Goulet III is off to a 5-1-0 start while seeing improvement in both save percentage and goals against. With the Wild employing a tandem in net to start this season, Goulet has only had 6 starts in net, yet is 6th in the VHLM in wins. That placement is tied for the most wins among goalies under 10 games played. Goulet III is also tied for the 7th best goals against average in the M, and has been a large part of the Wild's good start. Goulet III has been a mostly consistent earner, picking up TPE in three of the last four weeks, and was also a part of the Steel's silver medal at the JST. #1 Da TypThond (S93) Username: @Erik Saskatoon Wild S93 Draft Pick - 70th Overall Position: G Height: 6'7" Weight: 220 lb. Age: 20 Nationality: SWEDEN S93 Stats: 6 GP 4-2-0 .926 SV% 1.85 GAA 0 SO 357 MP Following stints as a centre and a right winger, it was time for a return to the crease for Da TypThond. A mid-season add for Las Vegas in the crease last season, he got into 11 games with the Aces before being drafted by the Wild this year. TypThond has been stellar in the crease for Saskatoon so far this year, with a win/loss record that is not reflective of the quality of play in net. 4 wins in 6 starts has TypThond eighth in wins, but with the third most among goalies under 10 games played. The real accomplishment thus far has been owning the second best save percentage and second best goals against average in the VHLM, a sign that the win/loss record will likely improve if those numbers remain the same. Consistent earning in 9 of 10 weeks since being drafted will help that. ------------------------------- Thank you for reading this breakdown, let's go Wild!!

The Toronto Legion are off to a hot start at 7-3-0, one that has them in a tie for first place in the VHL. The interesting part behind the start to the season is that most of the team has started the season in a shooting slump. Six of the nine skaters on the roster have started the season shooting 7.06% or worse, including two forwards who are shooting 3.12% or worse. This slump has shown up in the goals for total for the Legion. Toronto sits tied for ninth in the league in goals for this season with 31 through the first ten games, yet they sit fifth in the league in shots for with 436. Despite the struggle to convert shots into goals, the Legion have the sixth best goal differential in the league at +8. This is in large part to the goaltending of Joel Castle and Toddly Bobbly combining for a .933 save percentage, as well as the Legion limiting shots against (t-6th fewest in VHL). The Legion will be counting on the defensive side of the game to maintain while the offensive side finds its way and regresses back to normal shooting luck.

Welcome back to the VHL!

96 points! That's a lot of W's!

Lifetime Legion what upppp