Didier Verhault, Captain of the Aces

[FTK 49]

WRITTEN BY FTK

 

DIDIER VERHAULT, ACES CAPTAIN

 

 

While some may have not projected such a breakout season for defenseman Didier Verhault, some of the post-draft hype that arose after being selected first overall has come true for Verhault in the Vegas lineup. With this breakout from the Las Vegas captain, the entirety of the newly established Vegas lineup has managed to find success in the new season following a down year where the franchise qualified for the first overall pick (which they would select Didier Verhault with). 

 

So far in his first season with the Las Vegas Aces, the team has a record of 11-3-2, good for second in the Western Conference and third in the entire VHLM. This turnaround happened quickly, with the Aces managing a hot start and maintaining the hot streak so far into the season. Verhault, as well as many of the players on Vegas' roster do not anticipate on the hot streak ending anytime soon and have said they would do their best to maintain the winning streak coming to the Vegas fans. 

 

Many questioned naming Verhault as the captain, as he wasn't exactly expected to have the pedigree of a first overall selection prior to the start of the season, but he has managed to quiet his doubters, as have many of Vegas' players when met with doubt about a team-wide turnaround just after finishing with the first overall selection in the draft. Despite being over a point per game, and having an assist per game, Didier has not been the highest producer on the Vegas roster so far into the season. Las Vegas is led in points by Left Winger Stinky, who has a stat line of 12-11-23 in just 16 games. Just a point behind of Stinks is Didier's linemate, Bric Sheithaus, who is having a better season than the captain points wise, with a line of 4-18-22 in 16 games as well. Finally above Verhault is Quinndillus Whopper, who has a line of 7-14-21 in 16 games. Verhault has totaled out at 3-16-19 in 16 games, which while over a point per game, is a little lackluster from a captain whose leading scorer is a full 4 points ahead of him. 

 

Despite a lack of high-end point totals, Verhault does lead the Aces in Shots blocked and is tied with total hits. He also has an impressive +6 alongside his statline, signaling his ability to work well with his linemates, boosting the overall productivity of any line he plays alongside. Didier has made it known to both his teammates and the organization; he does not consider points to be an all defining stat during his tenure in Vegas. His ambition for the Aces is bringing the Founder's Cup to the team and ending the drought in Vegas. While he will attempt to score as many goals and grab as many helpers as he can to lift the team up, he expresses how proud he is of his teammates, saying that he couldn't imaging serving as the captain to a finer locker room in the entire league.  Verhault wishes to send a message to the entire league with his point totals and the wins that Vegas accumulates at such a high rate, the message being that Vegas will only stop after they have won the cup, and that anything else is considered a dissapointment in the eyes of the captain of Juan Ceson Arena.