Claimed:Re-Naming the VHLM Awards, Part 1

[Victor 11,021]

Re-Naming the VHLM Awards



Some time ago now, the VHL completed the process of renaming its trophies after VHL greats. While trophies named after Scotty Campbell, Scott Boulet, and Sterling Labatte have existed for a long time, the likes of Kevin Brooks, Mike Szatkowski, and Alexander Beketov only recently got the recognition they deserved, alongside more recent Hall of Famers such as Daisuke Kanou, Aidan Shaw, and Mikka Virkkunen. Naturally, the next place to look to is the VHLM, which continues to operate in its 34th season with awards named after NHL players. There are two schools of thought on who should be rewarded. The original one is to name VHLM awards after VHLM superstars, such as Tyler Vassell, Evgeni Fyodorov, and Pavle Buric. The flipside of this argument is that this only gives recognition to inactives and players who generally achieved little in the VHLM. So, the proposal quickly gaining popularity is to rename VHLM awards after other VHL players, similar to how they were originally named after lesser players than those who were put on VHL trophies. Not only does this make note of secondary players who couldn't quite make the cut for VHL awards, it also allows for newer generations to leave their mark in history, being overshadowed by some VHL players from the first decade or so. So, without further ado, here is the first of two parts on the renaming possibilities.

MVP: Leeroy Jenkins Trophy



He only won one MVP trophy, and led the league in goals, assists, and points once each. However, when mixed in with a league-record five Continental Cups and a record-tying four Scott Boulet Trophies (since beaten, more on that in the top two-way forward section), Leeroy Jenkins quickly enters the discussion for best forward in league history. He might not have matched the offensive totals of Scotty Campbell or even some ten other all-time forwards, but combined with a strong two-way game and the success that he brought to the teams he played for, Jenkins reigns supreme over all other one-time MVPs.

Jenkins' competition for the award renaming would logically come from players who've been crowned MVP more than once. The list is understandably limited and all of Brett Slobodzian, Kevin Brooks, and Grimm Jonsson already have VHL trophies named after them. That leaves Zach Arce, who won two Scotty Campbell Trophies and three Continental Cups in a short five-season career. That's an impressive record on its own, but nonetheless, it would be hard to make a strong case for Arce as a better candidate for this honour than Jenkins.

Playoff MVP: Alexander Chershenko Trophy



What may seem like simply a case of shameless self-plugging isn't based solely on a large ego and selfish ambitions. Basically the facts present themselves as such: only four players ever have been crowned playoff MVP more than once. Daisuke Kanou, the VHL trophy's namesake, leads the way with three, while Scotty Campbell and Sterling Labatte follow up with two. The fourth player and thus the only one without an award already named after him is the recently retired Alexander Chershenko. Furthermore, Calgary's Chershenko-led run to Game 7 of the S34 finals allowed the Ukrainian center to become the second-best points and goals scorer in VHL playoff history, second to Scotty Campbell of course.

If you're looking for more historical options, then Doug Schneider (made the cup finals every season of his seven-season career), Zak Rawlyk (appeared in the playoffs all eight seasons of his career), and Marek Van Urho (who put up a spectacular goaltending performance in Season 10, the first of its kind) are available. But really, Chershenko all the way.

Top Defenceman: Daniel Braxton Trophy



There's been a lot of debate in recent times about the best defenceman in VHL history. However, while Sterling Labatte may no longer be the consensus choice, he remains the majority's favourite and his trophy is not under serious threat. However, the fresh competition has provided strong candidates for a VHLM renaming with Daniel Braxton leading the way. The defenceman who notoriously failed to win a cup despite five finals appearances made up for it by winning a VHL record four Labatte Trophies, overtaking Jochen Walser, Tomas Jenskovic, and Labatte himself and putting him in prime position as current frontrunner for this VHLM award.

Walser and Jenskovic's time has passed but Braxton still has a couple rivals. Japinder Singh is widely considered a much better defenceman than his lack of awards suggests, although his candidature would be revoked if he would be picked as the name for the VHLM top assist-getter trophy. The larger threat comes from still active blue-liner Ryan Sullivan who has a strong chance of matching Braxton in Labatte Trophies in his last season before retirement, as he plies his trade with the defending champions from Helsinki. However, Braxton undoubtedly has the inside track in this race unless Sullivan catches up to him.

Top Goaltender: Benoit Devereux Trophy



Had the old Tretiak Trophy been renamed around Season 20, before the era of Aidan Shaw and Daisuke Kanou dawned on the VHL, it would have without doubt bore the name of HC Davos Dynamo legend Benoit Devereux. Nonetheless, history can't be changed and after Shaw and Kanou took the title of league's best goaltenders for themselves, with Shaw winning a record four Tretiak (Devereux) Trophies, Devereux's name has in a way been lost in history. Now though, is the time to redeem the great netminder's career by renaming the Sawchuk Trophy (which he won himself) after him.

Devereux's main competition comes in the form of still active goaltender Alexander Labatte. Unlike Devereux, Labatte has changed teams a remarkable amount of time for an elite goalie, making stops in Toronto, Riga, New York, and finally Calgary, winning three Shaw Trophies along the way, matching Devereux. Unless he claims a fourth to join Shaw at the top of the list though, it seems unlikely Labatte would become the favourite for a VHLM award renaming. After all, Devereux had more trophies of his own, was the first truly great goaltender and additionally, 'sterling' already has the Sterling Labatte and Grimm Jonsson Trophies so there's got to be a limit.

The three offensive awards, top two-way forward, and top general manager coming next week.

[Victor 11,021]

For next week since I'll be gone with limited to no internet access for most of it.

[Kyle 667]

Victor is always going on all these trips and such.

[Victor 11,021]

Forced breaks from the VHL tbh. That's why I DDOSed it.

[Doomsday 4,143]

Content: 3/3 - Fantastic, in-depth look at the cases to re-name some of the VHLM Awards. Although, out of curiosity, shouldn't the VHLM Awards be named after players with legendary performances/careers in the VHLM itself?

 

Grammar: 2/2 - Flawless as usual.

 

Appearance: 1/1 - Absolutely.

 

Overall: 6/6 - Stellar work.

[Victor 11,021]

It's in the first paragraph omg you guy.

[Da Trifecta 1,902]

Best center: Davey Jones award

[Toast 887]

Content: 3/3 - I'm afraid I have to give you 0 for this article because you self-plug like a damn loser. Such a loser. Seriously though, fantastic piece with some solid ideas for some new names. Looking forward to the other trophies you have planned for next week. 

 

Grammar: 2/2 - Didn't spot a thing.

 

Apperance: 1/1 - Beauty!

 

Overall: 6/6

 

FINAL: 6/6 

[Guest]

Claimed