Claimed:Claimed:Legendary Leaders

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Legendary Leaders

 

NEW YORK - The Grimm Jonsson Trophy (originally the Messier Trophy) is a trophy awarded to the VHL player deemed to be the best leader for his team. Being that it is a trophy in which the criteria for winning it is open to many different opinions and ways to interpret it, so naturally controversy and arguments have materialized as to the decisions made towards deciding a winner. It is also one of the few awards where public opinion is part of the process used towards determining a winner, in that the final ballot is made up of the public's selections. To some, the Grimm Jonsson Trophy is a kickback for those who get to wear the C, while to others, it is the ultimate nod of approval for a captain. Regardless of your opinion of how the Grimm Jonsson Trophy is awarded, it cannot be questioned that to those who have won the trophy, it is one of the most deserved awards the league can offer. Following are tributes to the two players who were legendary and inspiring leaders during two different eras of the VHL.

 

Grimm Jonsson

 

 

When the then-lowly New York Americans selected Grimm Jonsson with the second overall pick, many knew that a future great had come to town. He immediately became a vocal presence for the rebuilding club, winning the Messier Trophy as a rookie. As New York's struggles continued, Jonsson remained a beacon of hope for the Americans during their dark teams, remaining ever positive and he won the Messier Trophy yet again after his second season. Thanks to his continued efforts, the Americans broke free from the status of being a laughingstock as they would reach the playoffs in Season 12 behind 40 goals and 105 points from their captain, Grimm Jonsson. Although they did not win the series, losing 4-1 to the eventual Continental Cup champion Seattle Bears, the Americans were very much alive, for New York surged to the Continental Cup Finals in Season 13. Despite their defeat to the HC Davos Dynamo in Game Seven, Jonsson had his best season yet, winning his third Messier Trophy along the way. The next year was the season the Americans finally broke through and won the Continental Cup, with their fearless leader a pivotal reason to their successful turnaround. Jonsson claimed his fourth Messier Trophy, making him the winner for the award in 4/5 of his professional seasons. Jonsson went on to finish his career with the Seattle Bears, with the highlight being scoring the Continental Cup-winning goal in Game Four against the Riga Reign in the final game of his career. Among his lasting legacies was being the only four-time winner of the Messier Trophy, a feat unmatched until the next player took the ice.

 

Ethan Osborne

 

The 5'11 center from Peterborough, Ontario was a hardly-known player when he first joined the ranks of the Victory Hockey League, but it did not take long for the first-generation player to become a household name throughout the league. Despite not having the most practice hours of draftees in the Season 30 VHL Entry Draft, Osborne was selected first overall by the Helsinki Titans, a move that General Manager Mitch Higgins would never forget. After a year in the VHLM with the Turku Outlaws, Osborne took the VHL by storm with an amazing 106 point season as a rookie, winning the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy. His sophomore slump resulted in only 91 points, but he also brought in his first Grimm Jonsson Trophy, newly christened in his name in Osborne's rookie season. This would be one of only two seasons in which Osborne finished with less than 100 points. Behind Osborne's leadership on and off the ice, the Helsinki Titans became a powerhouse in the European Conference, eventually winning the Continental Cup in Season 34. It also marked the third consecutive season that Osborne had won the Grimm Jonsson Trophy, a feat unmatched by any player in VHL history. He had the best season of his career in Season 36, scoring 65 goals and 135 points along with his fourth Grimm Jonsson Trophy in a four-way tie with Thomas Landry, Connor Low and Kameron Taylor. Like Jonsson, Osborne ended his career with the Seattle Bears, although he did not get the storybook ending Grimm was able to. However, his place in VHL lore was secured and Ethan Osborne ended his career as quite possibly the best first-generation player ever.

 

 

When discussing top leaders in VHL history, Jonsson and Osborn are always guaranteed to pop up. There are many who have won the award twice: Ansgar Snijider, Oliver Scarlett, Kameron Taylor and Thomas Landry to name a few. But there is a clear difference in tiers between those players and the likes of Jonsson and Osborne, one that may remain that way for quite a long time. But regardless of the era, you can go into any chapter of VHL history and find a leader that defined the attitude and effort of those times. If you look today, you will see elements of those two in the new generation of players. The next time you chat up your captain, keep it in your mind that they could very well be the next Grimm Jonsson or Ethan Osborne.

 

Jethro Novacek is a contributor for the MSFL Times, kicking off the career of Jack Kowalski in style. He enjoys earning double TPE, making donations to the VHL and waxing nostalgia with his peers.

[Da Trifecta 1,896]

Content: 3/3 Great write up and research here bro. Ethan Osborne was a stud in his day. Wished I had the chance to play with him though.

Grammar: 2/2 Nothing here

Appearance: 1/1

 

FINAL: 6/6 (doubled 12/12)

Edited September 26, 2014 by Da Trifecta

[Victor 10,571]

Good job, saves me from doing a captain article one day. Nice and concise, and two good choices to profile.

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