The Christian Stolzschweiger Race

[leandrofg 1,180]

Breaking into the VHL ranks can be challenging for any player, even more for a rookie, especially if you're part of a draft class already hailed as one of the best ever. The transition from VHLM or VHLE to the pros demands more than just skill. It needs physical and mental toughness, speed and intensity, and decision-making ability under pressure. For many rookies, the first season is as much about survival as it is about trying to make an impact.

However, in a stacked draft class, standing out becomes even more difficult. Each player must find their way, showcase their talents, and prove that they can handle the grind of a full VHL season. While some rookies might make an immediate splash, others may take time to adjust, gradually finding their rhythm as the season progresses.

As we track this season's rookies, the race for the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy is shaping up to be the start of many seasons of eager competition between this class. With so many talented players emerging from what could be a historic draft class, the leaderboard is constantly shifting, and the title of "Rookie of the Season" is up for grabs.

 

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1. Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen

29 Games Played, 15 Wins, 0.919 SV%, 2.47 GAA, 1 SO.

2. Maverick Goncalves

37 Games Played, 19 Goals, 21 Assists, +42 Plus/Minus, 130 Hits, 7 Shots Blocked.

 

Tied at the hip, Aleksanteri and Maverick are the current favorites for the Stolzschweiger. Playing in two different positions and different situations could make it difficult for the voting committee. Midway into the season, both have made their statement, with Maverick playing for the league-leading Menace and sliding into one of the best lines around the league, he's thriving. He leads the rookies in goals and assists and leads the league in plus/minus. He has shown that he is ready for the physical game in the VHL after a couple of seasons in the VHLE, and he is now part of the league's top 10 in hits. Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen isn't a name you'd expect to see on this list at the beginning of the season, but the Finnish has shown his worth. 3rd in Goals Allowed and 5th in GAA are key factors for this position, but he will need to keep that going if he wants to keep this spot. He's 10th in wins and save percentage. But with only 16 goalies around the league, those results won't keep Aleksanteri at the top of this list.

 

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3. Lazlo Holmes

36 Games Played, 11 Goals, 21 Assists, -39 Plus/Minus, 36 Hits, 128 Shots Blocked.

4. Pombo

36 Games Played, 14 Goals, 15 Assists, -8 Plus/Minus, 70 Hits, 16 Shots Blocked.

5. Pierre Marc Bouchard

36 Games Played, 13 Goals, 16 Assists, +7 Plus/Minus, 8 Hits, 10 Shots Blocked.

6. Wally Lose

36 Games Played, 13 Goals, 20 Assists, -16 Plus/Minus, 35 Hits, 22 Shots Blocked.

 

There's certainly a gap between the first two and this group. Apart from Bouchard, these players are with lower-rated teams and have been allowed every chance to succeed. Holmes is playing for the worst team in the league, but that hasn't stopped them from having an immediate impact. Pombo and Lose, both playing for the Stars, have had a similar impact on the team, but it seems like Pombo has become more comfortable and the stats show it. Unlike the others, Bouchard is playing for a contender and that creates some difficulties, but he's shown glimpses of his ability and no doubt will become increasingly more comfortable as the season progresses. These four players are just behind the top 2 and could easily jump to this tier above if they can start a small streak of great performances.

 

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7. Alexandros Mograine

37 Games Played, 9 Goals, 20 Assists, -18 Plus/Minus, 74 Hits, 15 Shots Blocked.

8. Med

36 Games Played, 15 Goals, 17 Assists, -29 Plus/Minus, 77 Hits, 20 Shots Blocked.

9. Jillian Jacobs

37 Games Played, 8 Goals, 20 Assists, -5 Plus/Minus, 47 Hits, 83 Shots Blocked.

10. Erik Thorvaldsson

36 Games Played, 5 Goals, 22 Assists, -10 Plus/Minus, 77 Hits, 101 Shots Blocked.

 

Another group of four playing in different situations, with two players from previous draft classes that have found their way into the league this season. Mograine and Med are playing in similar situations with both their teams rebuilding for the future. One can ask if they would be in this position if their teams were contending or whether they would have a place on a contending team. In any case, they've made their presence felt on two of the weakest teams in a weak European Conference. Jacobs, however, comes in as a highly-touted prospect, a possible number 1 draft selection in the S94 VHL Draft, but unlike Maverick, has not found their footing as quickly. Playing for the Moscow Menace, Jillian isn't part of that extraordinaire first line, instead leading the team's defensive efforts on her own. She deserves this spot and can easily jump over Mograine, and Med, and enter the tier above. In 10th, Erik Thorvaldsson, a respectable defenseman from the Los Angeles Stars, but it seems like he should be doing a bit more to help the team offensively, even if they are not that type of player. He's had plenty of opportunities and taken some of them, but without improvement, this 10th place could be Felicia Hardy's.

 

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Honorable Mentions: Felicia Hardy, Jorgen Lovstrom, Roger Eagles.

 

Outside the top 10, we have these three players, but we should split them in two. Felicia Hardy deserves to be in the top 10. Playing in that situation in Davos and behaving as she is, entitles her to that. Lovstrom's situation is interesting because it should create moves in this list, depending on what happens in the future. Compared to Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen, Lovstrom would be number 1 and favorite for this award, but without playing time on his glove, there's not much the committee can do. Roger Eagles was the number 1 prospect on everybody's boards but ended up drafted 3rd into a situation where he could thrive and jump to the VHL immediately. So he did and how well the young Pole has played, matching Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen's performances. Eagles goes to show how close our number 1 rookie is to leaving the top 10 and how volatile this ranking can be.

 

Users mentioned

Spoiler

@Snussu, @leandrofg, @Gustav , @samx, @Gaikoku-hito, @youloser1337, @sliceruser, @Med, @jacobcarson877, @Tetricide, @JCarson, @Pifferfish, @Greg_Di

 

[Pifferfish 597]

15 minutes ago, leandrofg said:

Breaking into the VHL ranks can be challenging for any player, even more for a rookie, especially if you're part of a draft class already hailed as one of the best ever. The transition from VHLM or VHLE to the pros demands more than just skill. It needs physical and mental toughness, speed and intensity, and decision-making ability under pressure. For many rookies, the first season is as much about survival as it is about trying to make an impact.

However, in a stacked draft class, standing out becomes even more difficult. Each player must find their way, showcase their talents, and prove that they can handle the grind of a full VHL season. While some rookies might make an immediate splash, others may take time to adjust, gradually finding their rhythm as the season progresses.

As we track this season's rookies, the race for the Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy is shaping up to be the start of many seasons of eager competition between this class. With so many talented players emerging from what could be a historic draft class, the leaderboard is constantly shifting, and the title of "Rookie of the Season" is up for grabs.

 

--

 

1. Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen

29 Games Played, 15 Wins, 0.919 SV%, 2.47 GAA, 1 SO.

2. Maverick Goncalves

37 Games Played, 19 Goals, 21 Assists, +42 Plus/Minus, 130 Hits, 7 Shots Blocked.

 

Tied at the hip, Aleksanteri and Maverick are the current favorites for the Stolzschweiger. Playing in two different positions and different situations could make it difficult for the voting committee. Midway into the season, both have made their statement, with Maverick playing for the league-leading Menace and sliding into one of the best lines around the league, he's thriving. He leads the rookies in goals and assists and leads the league in plus/minus. He has shown that he is ready for the physical game in the VHL after a couple of seasons in the VHLE, and he is now part of the league's top 10 in hits. Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen isn't a name you'd expect to see on this list at the beginning of the season, but the Finnish has shown his worth. 3rd in Goals Allowed and 5th in GAA are key factors for this position, but he will need to keep that going if he wants to keep this spot. He's 10th in wins and save percentage. But with only 16 goalies around the league, those results won't keep Aleksanteri at the top of this list.

 

--

 

3. Lazlo Holmes

36 Games Played, 11 Goals, 21 Assists, -39 Plus/Minus, 36 Hits, 128 Shots Blocked.

4. Pombo

36 Games Played, 14 Goals, 15 Assists, -8 Plus/Minus, 70 Hits, 16 Shots Blocked.

5. Pierre Marc Bouchard

36 Games Played, 13 Goals, 16 Assists, +7 Plus/Minus, 8 Hits, 10 Shots Blocked.

6. Wally Lose

36 Games Played, 13 Goals, 20 Assists, -16 Plus/Minus, 35 Hits, 22 Shots Blocked.

 

There's certainly a gap between the first two and this group. Apart from Bouchard, these players are with lower-rated teams and have been allowed every chance to succeed. Holmes is playing for the worst team in the league, but that hasn't stopped them from having an immediate impact. Pombo and Lose, both playing for the Stars, have had a similar impact on the team, but it seems like Pombo has become more comfortable and the stats show it. Unlike the others, Bouchard is playing for a contender and that creates some difficulties, but he's shown glimpses of his ability and no doubt will become increasingly more comfortable as the season progresses. These four players are just behind the top 2 and could easily jump to this tier above if they can start a small streak of great performances.

 

--

 

7. Alexandros Mograine

37 Games Played, 9 Goals, 20 Assists, -18 Plus/Minus, 74 Hits, 15 Shots Blocked.

8. Med

36 Games Played, 15 Goals, 17 Assists, -29 Plus/Minus, 77 Hits, 20 Shots Blocked.

9. Jillian Jacobs

37 Games Played, 8 Goals, 20 Assists, -5 Plus/Minus, 47 Hits, 83 Shots Blocked.

10. Erik Thorvaldsson

36 Games Played, 5 Goals, 22 Assists, -10 Plus/Minus, 77 Hits, 101 Shots Blocked.

 

Another group of four playing in different situations, with two players from previous draft classes that have found their way into the league this season. Mograine and Med are playing in similar situations with both their teams rebuilding for the future. One can ask if they would be in this position if their teams were contending or whether they would have a place on a contending team. In any case, they've made their presence felt on two of the weakest teams in a weak European Conference. Jacobs, however, comes in as a highly-touted prospect, a possible number 1 draft selection in the S94 VHL Draft, but unlike Maverick, has not found their footing as quickly. Playing for the Moscow Menace, Jillian isn't part of that extraordinaire first line, instead leading the team's defensive efforts on her own. She deserves this spot and can easily jump over Mograine, and Med, and enter the tier above. In 10th, Erik Thorvaldsson, a respectable defenseman from the Los Angeles Stars, but it seems like he should be doing a bit more to help the team offensively, even if they are not that type of player. He's had plenty of opportunities and taken some of them, but without improvement, this 10th place could be Felicia Hardy's.

 

--

 

Honorable Mentions: Felicia Hardy, Jorgen Lovstrom, Roger Eagles.

 

Outside the top 10, we have these three players, but we should split them in two. Felicia Hardy deserves to be in the top 10. Playing in that situation in Davos and behaving as she is, entitles her to that. Lovstrom's situation is interesting because it should create moves in this list, depending on what happens in the future. Compared to Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen, Lovstrom would be number 1 and favorite for this award, but without playing time on his glove, there's not much the committee can do. Roger Eagles was the number 1 prospect on everybody's boards but ended up drafted 3rd into a situation where he could thrive and jump to the VHL immediately. So he did and how well the young Pole has played, matching Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen's performances. Eagles goes to show how close our number 1 rookie is to leaving the top 10 and how volatile this ranking can be.

 

Users mentioned

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@Snussu, @leandrofg, @Gustav , @samx, @Gaikoku-hito, @youloser1337, @sliceruser, @Med, @jacobcarson877, @Tetricide, @JCarson, @Pifferfish, @Greg_Di

 

PT will kill my chances sadly. Great numbers but no volume.

[leandrofg 1,180]

2 hours ago, Pifferfish said:

PT will kill my chances sadly. Great numbers but no volume.

 

The situation could always change for the second half of the season!

[Snussu 135]

Wooo, thank you leandrog

[Pifferfish 597]

58 minutes ago, leandrofg said:

 

The situation could always change for the second half of the season!

Sadly I think I'd need to lead the league in Save % to even be considered for ROTY if I play around half the games

[Pifferfish 597]

58 minutes ago, leandrofg said:

 

The situation could always change for the second half of the season!

And even still it may end up going elsewhere

[Pifferfish 597]

On 8/26/2024 at 11:01 AM, leandrofg said:

 

The situation could always change for the second half of the season!

SOOOOO I ended up leading the league in SV% lol.