animal74 1,822 Posted August 7, 2023 Share Posted August 7, 2023 S89 Team Awards Hopes were high in Toronto for S89 after bringing in some veteran players in defenseman Jimmy MacElroy and forwards Phoebe Bridgers and Weenuk Warrior to solidify the roster and provide much needed depth. Legion fans were also excited for the debut of the team’s 3rd overall pick from the S88 draft, slick Canadian blueliner Bobby Bob. Along with the assumed development of the young core, the playoffs seemed a realistic goal. Unfortunately, despite being tied for 5th in goals against and a hope-inducing 10-3 run late in the season, the Legion could not put the puck in the net and finished last in the North American Conference yet again with a record of 26-37-9 for 61 points even though that was an 11-point improvement from S88. But, the Legion hope the continued work put in through the season and new players coming up will help propel them to the next step in S91. Here are some of the individual highlights: - Bobby Bob finished 5th in rookie scoring with 36 points - Jimi Jaks led the team with 31 goals, 62 points and 6 GWG - Phoebe Bridgers set career-highs of 27 goals and 122 hits - Jimmy MacElroy led the team with career-highs of 150 PIM and 156 hits Statistical Leaders: Goals: Jimi Jaks 31 Assists: Quinn Clark 36 Points: Jimi Jaks 62 +/-: Jimi Jaks -5 PIM: Jimmy MacElroy 150 Hits: Jimmy MacElroy 156 Shots: Mac Atlas 345 Shots Blocked: Tater Tottingham 148 PPG: Phoebe Bridgers 7 GWG: Jimi Jaks 6 Fights: Jimi Jaks 5 Wins: Joel Castle 23 GAA: Joel Castle 2.48 SV%: Joel Castle 0.930 SO: Joel Castle 4 Here are the S88 Team Awards as voted by the Toronto players and management: Best Defenseman Jimmy MacElroy @Xflexz MacElroy was brought in last off-season to provide stability and championship experience (S83 & S84 Founder’s Cup, S86 Continental Cup) to a defense that allowed the third-most goals against in the VHL in S88. His defensive acumen made a difference as Toronto allowed 30 less goals in S89 as he helped his goalies by blocking 147 shots. His physical play also left a mark as he led the team with career-highs of 150 PIM and 156 hits. He was able to chip in offensively as well, ranking second among Legion blueliners with seven goals, 35 assists for 42 points. Rookie of the Year Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer As the lone rookie on the team this season, defenseman Bobby Bob may be the defacto winner for this award but he was definitely deserving as well. He was 5th in VHL rookie scoring with 36 points and he led Toronto in powerplay assists with 11, powerplay points with 15, and ice time (2155). He also played with a chip on his shoulder as shown by his 85 penalty minutes which was good for second on the team. The team had so much faith in him, he was selected as an assistant captain even though he was a rookie. Fun fact: Bobby Bob was the only Legion to score a shootout goal in S89 going 1-for-2 with the rest of the team going 0-for-24 Unsung Hero Phoebe Bridgers @PhoebeIsQueen Although originally drafted by Toronto in the 2nd round of the S82 draft, Bridgers finally played their first games with the Legion after suiting up for four other clubs in four seasons. Bringing exactly what Toronto was looking for – additional scoring punch – Bridgers ended up second on the team in goals with a career-high 27 and was a dangerous player every night. They also provided some sandpaper as they narrowly set new career-highs in PIM (49) and hits (122). Most Energetic Mac Atlas @v.2 Dens Oden @Snussu Along with having similar statistical seasons Atlas and Oden were also dually selected as “Most Energetic”. Despite scoring less than expected, captain Atlas’ motor never stopped running on the ice. He led the team in shots (345), was second in game-winning goals (5, career-high) fights (4) and blocked shots by forward (39), was tied for second in powerplay points (13), and third in goals (24), points (47), and minutes played (2125). His voice was trusted and respected in the locker room. Oden was very vocal in the locker room as well, keeping things light during a trying season with humor and encouragement. He led all Toronto forwards in ice time (2134) and was third in hits (118, tying his career-high) and shots (285). Most Gentlemanly Joel Castle @animal74 Only taking one minor penalty throughout the course of the season wasn’t the only reason Castle was named “Most Gentlemanly” by his teammates. His overall sportsmanship and kindness help set the tone in the locker room. Most Valuable Player Joel Castle @animal74 Castle won a tight vote against leading scorer Jimi Jaks for team MVP. He continued to embrace the starter’s role and posted career-high numbers (65 GP, 0.930 SV%, 2.48 GAA) as he established himself as one of the elite goalies in the VHL. His improved skills were a big reason for Toronto’s drop in goals against. A Top-3 goalie in save percentage and goals-against average for most of the year, a hard stretch during the last 11 games of the season saw his numbers drop slightly. Legionary of the Year Joel Castle @animal74 Castle enjoys helping grow the new iteration of the Legion culture and setting an example by working hard on and off the ice. But he knows it’s a team effort as other teammates also received votes for this award. He hopes his dedication to the double blue will help the young players joining the Legion to reach their full potential. 3-Stars Award Joel Castle @animal74 Although he didn’t top the Legion for 1st Star selections for the first time in his career (Jimi Jaks paced the team with 9), Joel Castle did lead the team in 3-Star points (430) and total Star selections (20) for the third year in a row. His consistency (and some nights, his utter brilliance) kept the Legion in most games and gave them a chance to win. Full 3-Star standings below: Player 1st 2nd 3rd Star Points Total Stars Joel Castle 7 9 4 430 20 Jimi Jaks 9 4 1 360 14 Mac Atlas 3 4 5 220 12 Dens Oden 2 4 5 190 11 Pheobe Bridgers 2 3 3 150 8 Quinn Clark 2 1 3 110 6 Tater Tottingham 1 2 3 100 6 Bobby Bob 1 2 2 90 5 Jimmy MacElroy 0 1 5 70 6 Weenuk Warrior 1 0 1 40 2 DJ Fire Dragon 0 2 0 40 2 Alex Bridges III 0 0 2 20 2 Congratulations to all the award winners and good luck in S90! Legion: Spoiler @v.2 @Moon @Snussu @animal74 @KnightRiley @PhoebeIsQueen @Oatex @Xflexz @Firekiss @kelvi @axtron @Baby Boomer @Trunkxolotl Baby Boomer, Brandon, AJW and 2 others 1 4 Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/139183-toronto-legion-s89-team-awards/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snussu 133 Posted August 7, 2023 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Lets go team! Its only up from here animal74 1 Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/139183-toronto-legion-s89-team-awards/#findComment-994249 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Boomer 728 Posted August 7, 2023 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Congratulations everyone!! Brandon and animal74 2 Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/139183-toronto-legion-s89-team-awards/#findComment-994261 Share on other sites More sharing options...
animal74 1,822 Posted August 9, 2023 Author Share Posted August 9, 2023 Claim 2/2 Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/139183-toronto-legion-s89-team-awards/#findComment-994736 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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