Pier 21: Season 95 Halifax 21st Team Awards

[LucyXpher 1,416]

There's no doubt that S95 was a challenging one for the Halifax 21st.  Finishing 4th in the Eastern Conference and 6th overall in the league meant that the team managed to make the playoffs, though they were a little out of touch with the league leaders.  With 71 points, it was a respectable showing, all things considered.  After a dominant run of form in S94 that saw the team produce their 2nd best regular season ever, S95 was a step back-- and for good reason as all but one player from the S94 roster graduated to the VHLE.  With limited draft selections and a bare roster, any success Halifax had this season is owed entirely to the players who consistently put their best foot forward and willed the team to victory.  Identifying those key contributors was much easier on a team with fewer players, though it doesn't diminish their contributions in the slightest-- in fact, they're all the more valuable without the insulation of a full team.  This is an opportunity to acknowledge those players for their efforts and to appreciate the silver linings of S95.  

 

The Most Improved Player:

This award is for the player who makes the most significant individual improvement over the course of a single season.

This season's most improved player was selected in the 4th round of the S95 VHLM dispersal draft at only 32 TPE.  By the end of the season they were up to 93.  I think sometimes it's underappreciated how much goes into learning the league and how difficult it can be to be thrown in with only 32 TPE while some recreates turn up with 100+.  In spite of that, this player finished with a remarkable 69 points in 72 games, which was the 2nd highest point total on the team.  In the playoffs, they led the team with 6 points in 5 games against the eventual Founder's Cup champion Reapers.  The perseverance of this player through a challenging season in Halifax to continue earning and building up consistently was commendable, and those qualities earned them the captaincy as the season went on.  This player was also active in our locker room more than most and I'm excited to see how they continue to grow in the league in S96!

 

Spoiler

Congratulations to the Season 95 Most Improved Player: Steven Nichols @SlyDigi

 

The Leadership Award:

This award is presented to the player who demonstrates qualities of leadership and teamwork throughout the season, building up their teammates in the locker room, posting quality team-related content on the forum, and leading by example through individual dedication and consistency.

Though they joined the team later in the season, the two players that will share this award brought a ton of fun and enthusiasm to the locker room and really gave it life after a difficult trade deadline that saw two of the team's best players shipped out for draft picks.  With a playoff berth in the balance, this dynamic duo brought their A game and some exceptional attitude to the locker room.  On top of that, their contributions on the forum and in press conferences were hilarious and always something to look forward to.  Even as the team got into the playoffs and ice time was limited, these two kept their heads up and continued to bring positive vibes to the team.  Now joining forces on the San Diego Marlins for S96, they will be greatly missed for their exceptional leadership and locker room presence.

 

Spoiler

Congratulations to the Season 95 Leadership Award Recipients: Ricky and Bubbles Lafleur @AJW and @DarkSpyro

 

The Jacob Richard Award (Top Defender):

Jacob Richard holds the franchise's single season assists record with 97 in S80.  He finished that season with 141 total points which is the also the highest mark by a Halifax 21st defender in a single season.  This award is presented to the defender who demonstrates excellence at their position, contributing to the team's success through a strong well-rounded game.

The team's top defenseman in S95 was a bona-fide minute muncher-- a player who could be used in any situation and who could be relied upon to stay stalwart defensively, while also jumping up in the rush and contributing to the offense.  With 1988 minutes played, he ranked 2nd on the team in this category while racking up an impressive total of 152 shots blocked, good for the team lead by 100!  This player also dished out 155 hits, making his physical presence known across the ice.  His 23 goals and 39 assists for 62 points in 72 games ranked him 1st among all Halifax defenders this season and 3rd overall in team scoring.

 

Spoiler

Congratulations to the Season 95 Jacob Richard Award Recipient: Victory Hockey League @TheHockey_pro

Honorable Mention: Mathias Gunnarsson @ThatCanadian

 

The Bryn Yrwy Award (Top Forward):

Named in honor of Bryn Yrwy, the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 405 points in 288 games with the Halifax 21st, this award recognizes the team's top offensive player. Yrwy also holds the franchise single season points record with 167, and goals with 76-- both in Season 80. Like the Jacob Richard award for defenders, it is presented to the player who plays the strongest and most consistent all-round game at the forward position, contributing to the offensive and defensive success of the team.
This season's winner scored the 2nd most points on the team, but was only beaten out by 1 point for the team scoring lead.  With 0.73 points/20, they led all Halifax forwards in scoring efficiency while also collecting 45 blocks and 179 hits.  This player was all over the score sheet for the 21st from the drop of the puck and made great strides to progress as the season went on.  He finished the season in a 3 way tie for the team lead with 29 goals and recorded 40 assists in a rookie season that has him primed to do great things in the VHL.  

 

Spoiler

Congratulations to the Season 95 Bryn Yrwy Award Recipient: Steven Nichols @SlyDigi

Honorable Mention: Kokko Miskinen @MikkoKoskinensMistress

 

The Anton Edvin Award:

Anton Edvin is the Halifax 21st franchise leader in games played with 426-- 138 more than the next highest games played mark.  This award honours a player who has played parts of at least two seasons with the franchise and has exhibited a high level of play throughout their time with the team.
Though this player didn't finish the season with the team, his impact on the 21st's season was undeniable.  Having played for the 21st for a short stint in S93, this player signed in the offseason to rejoin the team for S95 and was the team's starting netminder through the first 40 games.  In those games he recorded a solid 22-17-1 record with a .923 SV%, a 1.92 GAA, and 6 shutouts!  He was dealt to the Mississauga Hounds at the trade deadline, but was the league's top goaltender at that point in the season, leading in multiple categories.  Though the decision to trade him was a difficult one, it ultimately gave him the best chance to chase a Founder's Cup and helped the 21st recover some much needed assets to be used in the S96 draft.

 

Spoiler

Congratulations to the Season 95 Anton Edvin Award Recipient: Samuel Wazinski @samthemancub

 

Season 95 SuperSailor:

This award is like the weekly SuperSailor honor, but is presented to a player who best exhibits SuperSailor qualities throughout the full campaign.  A SuperSailor is involved not only in the locker room as a good teammate, but also on the forums as an ambassador for the team, and also demonstrates effective play on the ice.
There's no denying that S95 was a difficult season for the 21st.  After 105 points in S93 and 121 points in S94, the team's 71 point showing in S95 paled in comparison. That being said, it was still a respectable showing for a team that was left bare after graduating nearly the whole roster at the end of S94.  The fact that the team made the playoffs and still managed a regular season record near .500 is a silver lining that the 21st will cling to.  The Season 95 SuperSailor also established himself as a bright spot in the Halifax locker room and on the ice.  With impressive rookie point totals and positive contributions around the team. This player deserves a ton of commendation for their effort and persistence through a challenging season and for their clutch performances down the stretch and into the playoffs.  Their positive attitude, work ethic, and consistency were certainly noticed and worthy of recognition.

 

Spoiler

Congratulations to the Season 95 SuperSailor: Steven Nichols @SlyDigi

 

༻❁༺

 

As with all awards in every season, there are players who probably deserved acknowledgement but didn't receive it.  Congratulations to all of our Halifax 21st players for making S95 a fun season, even if the game results left something to be desired.  A special honorable mention needs to be given to our 5 waiver players from this past season as well.  Though most of them didn't play enough to warrant recognition with a team award, their contributions were no less important down the stretch and it was an honor to have you all choose to play for Halifax this past season!

 

As the S96 draft concluded yesterday, a new crop of talent is fresh off the boat in Halifax, ready to make an impact.  S96 offers hopeful new horizons for the 21st and I, for one, can't wait to move forward!

 

LucyXpher

10/13/2024

1500+ words

 

Edited October 8 by LucyXpher

[AJW 2,156]

Holy fahk Ricky that’s us!! @DarkSpyro

 

[SlyDigi 20]

I appreciate the love!  

[TheHockey_pro 27]

8 hours ago, LucyXpher said:

The Jacob Richard Award (Top Defender):

Jacob Richard holds the franchise's single season assists record with 97 in S80.  He finished that season with 141 total points which is the also the highest mark by a Halifax 21st defender in a single season.  This award is presented to the defender who demonstrates excellence at their position, contributing to the team's success through a strong well-rounded game.

The team's top defenseman in S95 was a bona-fide minute muncher-- a player who could be used in any situation and who could be relied upon to stay stalwart defensively, while also jumping up in the rush and contributing to the offense.  With 1988 minutes played, he ranked 2nd on the team in this category while racking up an impressive total of 152 shots blocked, good for the team lead by 100!  This player also dished out 155 hits, making his physical presence known across the ice.  His 23 goals and 39 assists for 62 points in 72 games ranked him 1st among all Halifax defenders this season and 3rd overall in team scoring.

 

  Hide contents

Congratulations to the Season 95 Jacob Richard Award Recipient: Victory Hockey League @TheHockey_pro

Honorable Mention: Mathias Gunnarsson @ThatCanadian

Hey thats me

[Spartan 4,402]

Review because people ask the dumbest trivia questions! One thing people who don't write media spots won't appreciate is the use of consistent and extensive formatting and design within a written piece. Having done mock drafts or recaps in the past where I color coordinate teams and grades, I can attest to how much time these things take. Add in spoilers, additional writing for each award winner (which, congrats to all the winners!) - it's a long process so props to you for doing it. It's always great to recognize your team players for various accomplishments and I can only wish I had that kind of motivation and patience to do it myself.