Former VHL Players React to the VHLE

[SlapshotWrangler 864]

With the announcement of the newest addition to the VHL family, Victory Hockey League: Europe, we’ve decided to ask two former Victory Hockey League players to tell us their thoughts on this new upcoming league. 

 

Ryuu Crimson may not be a prominent figure in Victory Hockey League history but he was the first rookie to win the Daisuke Kanou trophy as the Season 63 Playoffs MVP. He played for two teams during his time in the league. Riga, where he helped them win a cup, and for the HC Davos Dynamo. He also played for the Saskatoon Wild in the VHLM. The fast and dynamic left winger was a great scorer but also knew how to drop the gloves. Later in his VHL career, he tended to fight more and even got ejected 3 seconds into a game one time.

 

Jacques Lafontaine is another player we decided to interview. He is currently in the NHL playing for the Golden Knights as a third goaltender. However, more people know him from his VHL career. During his time in the Victory Hockey League, he was a solid number one goalie for the Calgary Wranglers. Another interesting note about him, he was part of the legendary Season 69 Saskatoon Wild team that put up record-breaking numbers and dominated the VHLM. His record that season was 68 wins, 4 losses, and 0 overtime or shootout losses before winning the cup that season with the Saskatoon Wild.

 

When we first asked Ryuu Crimson about what he thought about the Victory Hockey League: Europe, he shrugged his shoulders. “Well, it’s a hockey league in Europe. That’s all I can really say about it. It’s a good idea and I hope it goes well. Three league systems seem to work from what I’ve seen and so I’m excited to see how it goes. I’m imagining that the VHLM will be like the CHL; VHLE like the AHL; and the VHL will basically be like the NHL.” He said about the new league. “Gonna be cool. Anyways, I’m gonna get back to coaching now if that’s okay.”

 

And then he calmly left the room to go coach a Japanese high school team. His calm demeanor was strange, considering he used to be one of the more feisty players in the Victory Hockey League.

 

For our next interview, we flew with Jacques Lafontaine to the top of the Saddledome to eat lunch. We had gotten some poutine from Costco and we enjoyed a nice meal with a nice view. By enjoy, I mean Jacques Lafontaine had fun while I was terrified and trying my best not to throw up from fear. When my nerves settled, I asked him about what he thought. 

 

“I am excited with a capital E.” He went on to remark on the ‘irony’ of that phrase. “Victory Hockey League Europe is an excellent idea. Back when I was in the VHL, you either played in the big league or you played in the VHLM. That meant that you would have fresh-faced rookies going against hardcore veterans who were used to the pace. Eventually, the rookies would be on the same level after some development but I just felt like it wasn’t fair to have experienced players go against new faces. Danny DeYeeto, as much as I loved playing with the guy on the Wild, almost seemed like he should be in the VHL when I played down there. I am so glad that they finally had a middle ground for the VHLM and VHL so that the VHLM could truly be a ‘fresh face’ league. While I know there still will be veteran players on some teams, I hope this helps limit that at the very least.”

 

He added, “Besides, it is super intimidating as a young and fresh goaltender to face an absolute bomb from an older and more refined veteran every game.”

[Matt thunder 444]

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