Toronto Legion S90 Team Awards

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S90 Team Awards

 

The Toronto Legion made a huge splash in the off-season acquiring stars Ronan Lavelle, Tomas Sogaard and Siyan Yasilievich hoping their skill and championship experience would blend with their young talent and lead them to a Continental Cup. While the regular season went almost as well as they could have hoped, missing out on the Victory Cup on the last day of the regular season, the playoffs left a bitter taste as the Legion were ousted by the Los Angeles Stars in the Conference Final in seven games. For a team who had pushed all their chips in to the middle of the table and went into the season with Cup aspirations, it was a somber way to end S90. There obviously were positives, as the young core continued to improve and the expectation is that improvement along with some prized prospects will be enough to lead the team to the playoffs again for another shot at a Continental Cup.

 

Here are some of the individual highlights:

-        Ronan Lavelle finished 7^th in VHL scoring with 95 points and T-7^th in shots with 510

-        Mac Atlas was T-7^th in the league with a career-high 43 goals

-        Siyan Yasilievich finished 9^th in the league in assists (60) and defenseman scoring (78 points)

-        Jimmy MacElroy and Mac Atlas were T-7^th for Plus/Minus with career-highs of +35

-        Ronan Lavelle, Mac Atlas, and Bobby Bob were all T-3^rd with 2 shorthanded goals

-        Ronan Lavelle led the league in shorthanded points with 5

-        Joel Castle faced the most penalty shots against (51)

 

Statistical Leaders:

 

Goals:	Mac Atlas	43
Assists:	Siyan Yasilievich	60
Points:	Ronan Lavelle	95
+/-:	Mac Atlas, Jimmy MacElroy	35
PIM:	Jimmy MacElroy	104
Hits:	Ronan Lavelle	205
Shots:	Ronan Lavelle	510
Shots Blocked:	Siyan Yasilievich	174
PPG:	Tomas Sogaard, Bobby Bob	9
GWG:	Jimi Jaks, Mac Atlas	8
Fights:	Ronan Lavelle	5
Wins:	Joel Castle	38
GAA:	Evan Bihler	1.63
SV%:	Evan Bihler	0.935
SO:	Joel Castle	4

 

 

 

Here are the S90 Team Awards as voted by the Toronto players and management:

 

Best Defenseman

Siyan Yasilievich @badcolethetitan

After signing with Toronto for what ended up being his last VHL season, Siyan Yasilievich provided his usual elite two-way playmaking and in doing so, had one of the best seasons by a Legion blueliner in recent memory. The Russian veteran led the team in assists (60) and blocked shots (174) and led Toronto defensemen in goals (18) and points (78). His 60 assists were Top-10 in the league and he was also Top-10 among defensemen in goals and points. Personally, it was one of his best seasons offensively and he set career-highs with a +23, 271 shots and 168 hits. He was a vital cog in Toronto’s resurgence and provided a steadying presence on and off the ice.

 

Rookie of the Year

Montgomery Burns @LastOneUp

Toronto’s 3^rd overall selection in the S89 Draft, Burns was the only rookie skater to make the Legion’s roster and while he started slowly, he gradually gained confidence as the season went along and finished with a solid 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points. He was a fixture on the power play and scored three game-winning goals. His 21 penalty minutes was the least on the team and his shooting percentage (9.16%) was third. His +25 lead all VHL rookies.

 

Unsung Hero

Evan Bihler @Eb14

While Bihler may have taken the scenic route to get to the VHL (four seasons in the VHLM and three in the VHLE), the American netminder made the most of his limited starts this season. He went 7-0-1, with a sparkling 0.935 SV% and 1.63 GAA which led all goalies in the VHL. With Toronto gaining 15 out of a possible 16 points in his games, that may have just been the difference in the tight North American Conference. His perseverance and humbleness epitomizes the Unsung Hero.

 

Most Energetic

Mac Atlas @v.2

For the second season in a row, the captain led the way with his infectious energy on and off the ice, setting career-high numbers in almost every offensive category. He was especially active around the net as he led Toronto in goals for the second time in his career with 43, the highest total by a Legion player since Paul Atreides scored 45 in S84. He was among the leaders in all categories for Toronto forwards as well.

 

Most Gentlemanly

Dens Oden @Snussu

Much beloved by his teammates, veteran winger Dens Oden had another solid season and one that had him receive the third-least penalty minutes on the team with 28 – a career-low. He also set a career-low in hits with 55. He seemed to focus on his offensive play more which helped him lead the team in shooting percentage on the way to a career-highs with 28 goals and 5 game-winners. And while one of the quieter leaders in the locker room, he was always positive and respectful.

 

Most Valuable Player

Joel Castle @animal74

Ronan Lavelle @Arce

 

Another tight vote for team MVP led to a tie between Ronan Lavelle, the leading scorer, and Joel Castle, the star goaltender – both of whom had outstanding seasons for the Legion.

 

Future HOFer Lavelle came in the off-season to get one last shot at another Continental Cup and proved his value all over the ice. He did everything for the Legion, leading the team with 95 points good for 7^th in the VHL (his 7^th consecutive season of 90 or more points), shots (510, T-7^th), hits (205) and even fights (5). A key player on special teams, he even set a career-high with 2 shorthanded goals.

 

Going into S90, his fourth VHL season Castle was determined to have his best season yet and backstop Toronto to their Cup aspirations. Despite falling short of their ultimate goal, Castle was one of the stingiest netminders in the league setting career-highs in wins (38, T-5th) and GAA (2.29, 2^nd among starters). He gave the Legion a chance to win every night as showed by his league-leading 12 overtime and shootout losses.

 

Legionary of the Year

Joel Castle @animal74

Mac Atlas @v.2

 

Both of these drafted and developed stars have been through some tough times with the Legion but are now starting to see the success they envisioned the team having. Atlas and Castle are tireless ambassadors for the double-blue and do everything in their power to help the team succeed on and off the ice. Their dedication has been rewarded as Atlas has been named the captain for the last two seasons and Castle has been voted a recipient of this award for the third straight season.   

 

3-Stars Award

Mac Atlas @v.2

The captain’s best season to date ultimately led him to earning the most 3-Star points during the S90 season for the Toronto Legion. He tied for the most 1^st Star selections in the VHL with 14 and was 2^nd in the league with total selections with 27, the most a Legion player has garnered in a long time. He led the team in goals and tied for the lead in game-winning goals and plus/minus.

 

Full 3-Star standings below:

Player	1st	2nd	3rd	Star Points	Total Stars
Mac Atlas	14	7	6	620	27
Ronan Lavelle	4	10	9	410	23
Joel Castle	8	5	6	400	19
Jimi Jaks	4	7	7	330	18
Tomas Sogaard	5	2	3	220	10
Siyan Yasilievich	2	5	4	200	11
Dens Oden	4	3	2	200	9
Jimmy MacElroy	1	2	4	110	7
Bobby Bob	2	0	3	90	5
Montgomery Burns	1	2	1	80	4
Evan Bihler	0	1	0	20	1

 

 

 Congratulations to all the award winners and good luck in S91!

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