S91 Toronto Legion Team Awards... yes this is late

[animal74 1,824]

 

S91 Toronto Legion Team Awards

 

After failing to reach their Cup aspirations in S90, the Toronto Legion were ready to take another swing at a championship with a big injection of youth while saying farewell to a couple of their veteran acquisitions from the year before. Gone were superstars Ronan Lavelle and Siyan Yasilievich. Chomping at the bit were rookies Harry Callahan, Diego Machado and Walter Fitzroy Jr. Dens Oden unselfishly switched to defense for his last season and together the Legion entered S91 with lower expectations but with the ultimate prize still as their goal. Even after a slow start and backed by career years by many players and fantastic rookie years by the three first year players, the Legion finished second in the North American Conference and then went on a run for the ages only losing three games in the playoffs on route to a 12-3 record including coming back from being down 0-2 in the Cup Final against Helsinki to win four straight and Game 6 in overtime to give Toronto their 10^th Continental Cup and first since S65!

 

Here are some of the individual highlights:

-        Mac Atlas was T-7^th in the VHL in goals with 46, 4^th in shots (539) and T-4^th with 10 GWG

-        Tomas Sogaard was 6^th with 268 hits while posting his 7^th straight 30-goal season

-        Bobby Bob’s 66 points were 10^th among defensemen and his +37 was T-6th

-        Dens Oden was T-6^th in the league with 19 PPA and T-9^th with 28 PPP

-        Harry Callahan was 5^th in rookie scoring (55 pts), T-6th in VHL with +37 and T-10^th with 11 PPG

-        Diego Machado was 7^th in rookie scoring (50 pts)

-        Joel Castle led all starters in SV% (0.938), 2^nd in GAA (2.06), and 4^th with 42 wins

-        Castle was nominated for five awards, winning the Daisuke Kanou Trophy and was named to the All-VHL Second Team

 

Statistical Leaders:

 

Goals:	Mac Atlas	46
Assists:	Bobby Bob	56
Points:	Mac Atlas	88
+/-:	Bobby Bob, Harry Callahan	37
PIM:	Tomas Sogaard	120
Hits:	Tomas Sogaard	268
Shots:	Mac Atlas	539
Shots Blocked:	Dens Oden	139
PPG:	Harry Callahan	11
GWG:	Mac Atlas	10
Fights:	Mac Atlas	3
Wins:	Joel Castle	42
GAA:	Joel Castle	2.06
SV%:	Joel Castle	0.938
SO:	Joel Castle	3

 

 

Here are the S91 Team Awards as voted by the Toronto players and management:

 

Best Defenseman

Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer

The silky smooth Canadian blueliner had another solid season for the Legion, taking over the number one spot from the retired Siyan Yasilievich. Bob posted his second straight 66-point campaign which led Toronto defensemen and was 10^th among league defensemen. He posted career-highs in many categories and his 56 assists (5^th among VHL defensemen) led the team and his +37 rating tied teammate Harry Callahan for the team lead and for 6^th in the VHL. A vital part of Toronto’s special teams, Bob also was one of only four players in the league to garner three short-handed assists.

 

Rookie of the Year

Harry Callahan @dstevensonjr

Toronto’s first selection in Round 2 of the S89 Draft (17^th Overall), Callahan turned a lot of heads in the VHL as he immediately made an impact in the Legion’s lineup. The Canadian power forward finished the season 5th among rookie skaters with 55 points on 24 goals (4^th on the team) and 31 assists. His +37 rating and 11 power play goals led or co-led Toronto and were among league leaders while his 23 power play points and 7 game-winning goals were 2^nd on the Legion. 

 

Unsung Hero

Tomas Sogaard @Brandon

Although his offensive effectiveness slowed in his last VHL season (career-lows in assists, points, and +/-rating), veteran winger Tomas Sogaard showed his leadership by stepping up and being the physical catalyst the team needed. He led the team in penalty minutes (120) and hits (268 – 6^th in the VHL) both the second-best marks of his career while still scoring 30 goals (3^rd on the team) for the seventh consecutive season. His experience shone brightest in the playoffs as he led the Legion with 12 goals, including both of the team’s overtime winners, the last of which was the Cup-winning goal.

 

Most Energetic

Harry Callahan @dstevensonjr

Not only did Callahan provide a youthful spark on the ice, but his enthusiasm carried over into the locker room where he quickly became one of the vocal leaders for the team. He played a prominent role on both special teams units and his infectious attitude was a big part of Toronto’s resurgence and journey to the Cup.

 

Most Gentlemanly

Harry Callahan @dstevensonjr

Joel Castle @animal74

Both fierce competitors on the ice but at different stages of their careers, rookie Callahan and veteran Castle tied in the voting for the Legion’s Most Gentlemanly player in S91. Callahan was one of the least penalized players on the Legion with only 26 minutes in the sin bin and Castle only was nailed for three minor penalties. They also combined to create a friendly locker room environment.

 

Most Valuable Player

Joel Castle @animal74

After slowly working his way to elite status, Castle finally had the breakthrough season he was hoping for. Setting career-highs in wins (42), SV% (0.938 which led the VHL) and GAA (2.06), he was a finalist for the Shaw, Clegane, Campbell and Slobodzian Trophies and kept Toronto in the playoff race until their second half surge. He elevated his play even higher in the playoffs winning the Daisuke Kanou Trophy as playoff MVP.

 

Legionary of the Year

Harry Callahan @dstevensonjr

As mentioned previously, Callahan burst onto the Toronto scene not only on the ice but also off of it. He quickly cemented himself in the Legion culture and his strong leadership and outgoing personality endeared him to his teammates, management and the fans. He was also selected as an alternate captain in only his second season.  

 

3-Stars Award

Mac Atlas @v.2

The captain continued to build off his career season in S90 and was even better in S91. He set new career-highs in most statistical categories and was the difference for the Legion between winning and losing many nights. He was tied for 2^nd in the VHL with 13 1^st Star selections which was more than double the next closest player on the Legion although Castle tied him with 22 total Star selections.

 

Full 3-Star standings below:

 

Player	1st	2nd	3rd	Star Points	Total Stars
Mac Atlas	13	5	4	530	22
Joel Castle	6	7	9	410	22
Jimi Jaks	4	8	9	370	21
Tomas Sogaard	5	5	4	290	14
Harry Callahan	1	8	7	260	16
Dens Oden	4	2	2	180	8
Montgomery Burns	2	3	2	140	7
Diego Machado	3	0	3	120	6
Bobby Bob	1	2	4	110	7
Jimmy MacElroy	1	1	2	70	4
Evan Bihler	2	0	0	60	2
Walter Fitzroy Jr	0	1	2	40	3

 

 

Congratulations to all the award winners!

 

Spoiler

@Moon @Eb14 @ke1vi @Snussu @Dadam30 @Xflexz @LastOneUp

 

 

[dstevensonjr 406]

I'm honoured to have won these awards, and to have the support of my teammates! I hope to be able to continue to hold myself to this standard moving forward as a Legion player!

[Snussu 134]

It was a honor playing along side everyone and getting the cup win in the end!

[animal74 1,824]

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