Presenting the S78 London United, also captains announcement.

[McWolf 3,116]

FORWARDS

 

Julian Nousiainen (C)

@okochastar | S74 | C | 786 TPA

 

Julian Nousiainen’s career started off slow, but he enjoyed a massive breakout last season, when he registered career highs in goals (37), assists (59) and points (96). The S77 Dustin Funk Trophy Winner’s point total is actually the single best point total for a single season in franchise history. After a couple years of playing second-fiddle to Alec Volchenkov and needing support from wingers to appear on the scoresheet, it seems like the Finnish center is finally a household name in the Londonian offense. It might just be hopeful thinking on my end, but Nousiainen seems poised to repeat his success from this past season and, who knows, he might achieve the first 100-point season in team history.

 

Projected statline: 32 goals, 56 assists, 88 points.

 

The Terrible Trivium (A)

@der meister | S73 | RW | 748 TPA

 

The Terrible Trivium is the only player from the S73 edition of the London United to still be with the team. Since he’s been selected in the 2nd round of the S73 VHL Draft, he has undoubtedly been the face of the franchise, as the offense has literally always gone as far as Trivium let it go. A reliable goalscorer, Trivium has netted at least 30 goals every single season of his career, culminating with him being far and away the franchise leader in goals (182) and points (375). He also holds the record for most goals in a single season with 41, which he has done in both S74 and, more recently, in S77. Now entering regression, it’ll be interesting to see if his best seasons are behind him, or if he can still manage to reach the 30-goal plateau.

 

Projected statline: 40 goals, 48 assists, 88 points.

 

Kevin King

@IamMOOSE | S73 | C | 691 TPA

 

There aren’t many players in the league that can claim to be as efficient as Kevin King has been recently. Despite the move from Vancouver to London midway through S76, the veteran centre managed to finish the season at exactly 80 points, a mark he has reached every season for the past three years. With Lahtinen retiring this offseason, King will be one of the players that gets relied upon more than he was before, especially when it comes to putting pucks in the opposing net, as he has a real knack for it.

 

Projected statline: 38 goals, 42 assists, 80 points.

 

Alec Volchenkov

@SirRupertBarnes | S73 | C | 661 TPA

 

Forever the answer to a trivia question as the first ever draft selection of the London United, Alec Volchenkov has been a great partner to the team’s shoot-first forwards, as the only Londonese forward that seemingly prefers to pass the puck around. He broke out last season - like pretty much every player on the team - setting new career highs in assists (66) and points (89). This statline pushed his assist total up to 206, making him the all-time franchise leader in the category. He also places second all-time in franchise points with 292. The Russian centre will be looking to repeat his success from this past season, but his legs are getting heavier each passing season. It’ll be interesting to see if he still has enough gas in the tank for another great performance.

 

Projected statline: 24 goals, 58 assists, 82 points.

 

That Dude

@Cornholio | S77 | C | 440 TPA

 

S77's Londonese rookie extraordinaire, That Dude was limited in his role by the addition of Mikko Lahtinen before the previous season, but the future Hall of Famer hanging the skates this past offseason opened a clear path to stardom for Dude. He'll be a breakout candidate as a new regular on the top line, making his career highs of 13 goals, 16 assists and 29 points easy marks to achieve in his sophomore season. We wouldn't even be surprised if he doubles each of these numbers.

 

Projected statline: 28 goals, 34 assists, 62 points.

 

Vlad Imir

@Big Dee | S73 | RW | 417 TPA

 

The only newcomer among the United’s forwards, Vlad Imir was the team’s only free agent acquisition this past offseason. The right winger spent the first three seasons of his VHL career as a member of the HC Dynamo, so we bet he is excited about his first shot on a team that doesn't have bottom-dwelling ambitions. He'll be looking to add some secondary scoring, as he fills a depth role in London forward's corps.

 

Projected statline: 12 goals, 16 assists, 28 points.

 

Jon Strider

@Strider | S75 | LW | 363 TPA

 

Jon Strider is back for a second season in London, and he’s in better form than ever before. In fact, the sophomore was just named the MVP of the S77 World Junior Championships, after he led Team Asia to a bronze medal with a tournament-leading haul of 16 points. He’ll be looking to keep that up and possibly break out, after posting a statline of 4 goals, 17 assists, 21 points and 114 hits as a rookie with limited time on ice.

 

Projected statline: 10 goals, 18 assists, 28 points, 160 hits.

 

DEFENSEMEN

 

Micah Adrienne

@Poptart | S73 | D | 768 TPA

 

Micah Adrienne will be making his debut with the London United on Opening Day. The Vancouver Wolves S73 draftee spent the first 4 and a half seasons of his career with them, before moving to the Toronto Legion as part of a blockbuster midway through this past season. He was again moved a week ago with Erik Killinger, the Sterling Labatte and Jake Wylde Awards winner, going the other way. Adrienne has big shoes to fill, but he seems more than up to the task. It wouldn’t be surprising to finally see him break the 80-point mark that he barely missed these past two seasons.

 

Projected statline: 18 goals, 60 assists, 78 points, 130 hits, 140 shots blocked.

 

General Zod

@Matt_O | S72 | D | 758 TPA

 

Entering the offseason, London possibly had the best 1-2 punch on defense of any VHL team. Various reasons forced us to move some pieces around, but we managed to keep a top pair that's among the league's best. General Zod will be skating for a 4th team in less than 3 seasons, having moved from Calgary to Riga, to Seattle, and finally to London in a very short time. His passage in Seattle at the end of this past season might have been short, but Zod leaves the Bears as a Continental Cup winner. This experience should prove in handy if the United want to make a deep playoff run this season.

 

Projected statline: 8 goals, 62 assists, 70 points, 160 hits, 120 shots blocked.

 

Markus Schauer

@Plate | S74 | D | 464 TPA

 

Another trade acquisition from this past season, Markus Schauer was acquired from the Moscow Menace after he expressed his desire to reach the playoffs for the first time of his four-season VHL career. The New York Americans 7th overall pick from the S74 Entry Draft never reached his potential, but he should still help London United make it back in the post-season tournament, in a supportive manner. His career numbers are most likely out of reach, with Adrienne and Zod commandeering most offensive opportunities from the blueline, but after four seasons playing for bottom-dwellers, Schauer has turned his focus to team success. Here’s hoping this match is beneficial to both him and his new team.

 

Projected statline: 6 goals, 28 assists, 34 points, 90 shots blocked.

 

Sven Reikkinen

@Devise | S78 | D | 314 TPA

 

The youngest player to make the team out of training camp, Sven Reikkinen is one of only a handful of S78 rookies to make their debut this season. The 5th overall selection showed glimpses of his ceiling during his only complete VHLM season. He finished dangerously close to a point-per-game pace as a member of the Las Vegas Aces, so it'll be fun to see him as he transitions into his new role with the London United.

 

Projected statline: 10 goals, 20 assists, 30 points, 120 shots blocked.

 

Rusty Knale

@HatrickRoy | S76 | D | 311 TPA

 

Rusty Knale is the only defenseman back from this past season edition of the London United, who allowed the fewest shots, allowed the fewest goals and helped Jacob Tonn win his second straight Greg Clegane award. The physical defenseman with the funny name isn't scared to step up and defend his teammates if they get bullied, as evidenced by his 9 fights in his rookie season and his mention among four favourites to take the VFF belt at some point this season.

 

Projected statline: 6 goals, 14 assists, 20 points, 160 hits, 100 shots blocked.

 

GOALTENDERS

 

Jacob Tonn (A)

@MexicanCow123 | S73 | G | 975 TPA

 

We are keeping the best for last, as we finish our preview of the upcoming season with the TPA leader of the London United and one of the main reasons why the team did so well this past season, Jacob Tonn. The six-season veteran announced before this offseason that this would be his ultimate season, and management is keen on sending him off in style, with a Continental Cup, or at least another strong showing like in S77, when Ton helped the team finish 2nd overall in the regular season and he manage to go home for the summer holding the Greg Clegane Trophy for the second straight time.

 

Projected statline: 36 wins, 4 shutouts, 2.75 goals against average, 0.920 save percentage.

[McWolf 3,116]

1,500+ words, good for 3 weeks (ending on May 23, May 30, June 6)

cc: @Victor for the captain list

Edited May 30, 2021 by McWolf

[MexicanCow123 916]

Proud to wear an A for London in my final season. Really looking forward to it! Now let's do this London!

[McWolf 3,116]

Just now, MexicanCow123 said:

Proud to wear an A for London in my final season. Really looking forward to it! Now let's do this London!

It's well deserved. Let's make this last season count!

[mattyIceman 1,230]

I'm more hyped now!  Let's friggin win this thing!

[Banackock 8,168]

3 hours ago, MattyIce said:

I'm more hyped now!  Let's friggin win this thing!