Malmo Nighthawks S81 Team Awards

[animal74 1,820]

S81 Team Awards

 

The Malmo Nighthawks surprised many in S81 by using a late surge to overtake the Moscow Menace to win the European Conference with a 52-win, 106-point record. The Nighthawks rode their historic (second best since S20) and league-leading power play to their second 300-goal season in the last three campaigns. They lost out on their ultimate goal, however, as they were defeated in the Conference Final in six games by the Menace. Breakout star Taylor Mourning won the Dust’n Funk Trophy as the VHL’s Most Improved Player after scoring 47 goals and 107 points, a 73-point increase from S80.

 

Here are the S81 Team Awards as voted by the players and management.

 

Condor Adrienne Award (Best Defenseman)

Kristof Welch @Juice

Welch was brought in to help shore up the defense after key losses in the off-season and his all-around brilliance shone all year. His playmaking was key on Malmo’s potent power play as he was second on the team with 32 man-advantage points. He led the team with a career-high 84 assists (7th in the VHL) and led Nighthawk defensemen with 107 points (third on the team) and a career-high +48 rating.  

 

Unsung Hero

Taylor Mourning @scoop

Steve Eso @Eso

Scotty Kaberle @fromtheinside

A tribute to the Nighthawks’ incredible depth in S81, eight players were nominated for the Unsung Hero but there was a three-way tie for the award:

As mentioned above, Mourning was named the league’s most improved player for his career year where he was second on Malmo in goals (47), points (107), hits (314), and shots (503).

Eso’s first season with the Nighthawks was outstanding as he set career-highs in goals (35), assists (63 – third on Malmo), points (98 – fourth on Malmo), and plus/minus (45 – third on Malmo). He also led the team in faceoffs and faceoff wins.

Kaberle led Malmo defensemen with a career-high 25 goals (tied for third in the league) and was second on the team with 154 blocked shots, and third in hits (200), plus/minus (45), and game-winning goals (6).

 

Most Gentlemanly

Scott Kaberle @fromtheinside

Although Kaberle was fourth on the team in penalty minutes with a career-high 118 in his last season, the veteran blueliner was not awarded a major penalty the entire season. The normally laid back Kaberle did increase his physicality as well with 200 hits but remained the perfect gentleman on the ice and in the locker room he was the consummate teammate just as he was his entire career.

 

Rookie of the Year

Nathaniel Minion @Minion

After 100-point seasons in both the VHLM and VHLE, the diminutive Canadian center finally made his VHL debut with one of the best rookie seasons in franchise history. He had a fantastic season finishing fourth in league rookie scoring with 87 points which was also good for sixth on Malmo. His energy, playmaking and well-roundedness was a boon to forward group that had lost a lot of pop the last couple of off-seasons. He was fourth on the Nighthawks with 61 assists, 362 shots and 5 game-winning goals.  

 

Malmo ROY and Most Energetic - Nathaniel Minion

 

Most Energetic

Nathaniel Minion @Minion

Minion brought a lot of fresh energy to the Nighthawks, not only on the ice but also in the locker room where he grew into a vocal leader. He contributed on all areas of the ice and was used in all situations. He even got into five fights, second only to Matt thunder on the team.

 

Most Valuable Player

Brendan Telker @Telkster

After a bit of a down year in S80, Telker bounced back with another stellar campaign in S81 and led the team in goals (56), points (121), shots (563), and power play points (34). He was also second on the team with 65 assists and was the only player in the league to play all 72 games and not receive a single penalty. During the season, Telker became the Nighthawks’ franchise career leader in goals and shots.

 

Nighthawk of the Year

Druss Deathwalker @animal74

Another Nighthawk who had a career year, captain Deathwalker set new bests in most categories while leading the VHL in game-winning goals with 13, second in hits (393) and eighth in PIM (158). He also led Malmo with a plus-49 rating. He was a force on the ice and a vocal and inspirational leader in the room.

 

Congrats to all the award winners!

 

Nighthawks: @Telkster @animal74 @scoop @Juice @Minion @Eso @Molholt @fromtheinside @TMGSosa @kevinscix @Matt thunder @jacobcarson877

Edited February 14, 2022 by animal74

[fromtheinside 1,290]

Nice work Animal! Quite the squad we had last season!