VSN Presents: S95 VHLM Awards

[LucyXpher 1,420]

Graphic by @ace_five_

Welcome to the Season 95 VHLM Awards! 

 

My name is Lucy and I'll be hosting the awards presentation which will begin tonight at 8:00pm EST. Season 95 saw the standings shuffle as former juggernauts slipped from dominance and new contenders rose to the occasion, capturing victory for themselves. Across the league, new stars were born as they began their journey up through the ranks towards the VHL.  Tonight, we honor the best in our league, those players whose star shone the brightest in Season 95.  

 

And so, whether you are nominated for an award or not, please come and join us tonight!  It's a great opportunity to show support for your teammates and to build up the VHL community!

 

 

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Tuesday, October 8th, 8:00pm EST

Edited October 8 by LucyXpher

[LucyXpher 1,420]

Here are the nominees for tonight's awards:  

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The Skylar Rift Trophy - Awarded to the VHLM's Most Valuable Player in the playoffs
@Alex Deadpanda (LVA) - 8-5-2, .929 SV%, 1.59 GAA, 5 SO
@BryceP Leifr Eiriksson (PHI) - 5 G, 15 A, 20 P, +18, 8 PIM, 27 HIT, 24 SB
@Plate Joel Jakobs (PHI) - 8 G, 16 A, 24 P, +17, 10 PIM, 30 HIT, 2 SB
@TenIQ Onyekachukwu Chidieber Oluwaseun (PHI) - 12-1-0, .922 SV%, 1.60 GAA, 2 SO
@twists Youre Not Fucking Retiring (PHI) - 12 G, 9 A, 21 P, +1, 6 PIM, 21 HIT, 4 SB
@Quanack Bret Weier (PHI) - 9 G, 13 A, 22 P, +18, 8 PIM, 23 HIT, 1 SB

 

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The Benoit Devereux Trophy - Awarded to the VHLM's top goaltender
@Alex Deadpanda (LVA) - 50-15-7, .924 SV%, 1.75 GAA, 9 SO
@okochastar Draw Mac (MIA) - 34-21-9, .922 SV%, 2.04 GAA, 7 SO
@Xflexz Chazz Michael Michaels (MEX) - 44-23-5, .914 SV%, 1.92 GAA, 11 SO
@samthemancub Samuel Wazinski (MIS) - 45-23-4, .915 SV%, 2.01 GAA, 9 SO

 

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The Mat Bentz Trophy - Awarded to the best two-way forward in the VHLM
@Eb14 Clapbomb Bardownski III (MIS) - 40 G, 54 A, 94 P, +29, 61 PIM, 179 HIT, 45 SB
@barryst Jerry Box (MIA) - 43 G, 40 A, 83 P, +1, 32 PIM, 171 HIT, 61 SB
@Captain nugget Captain Nugget Jr (SSK) - 43 G, 41 A, 84 P, -9, 28 PIM, 160 HIT, 96 SB
@David VanHousen David VanHousen (HOU) - 35 G, 33 A, 68 P, +25, 73 PIM, 205 HIT, 41 SB
@Spartakiller2 Danny Ross (MIA) - 34 G, 51 A, 85 P, +37, 82 PIM, 235 HIT, 31 SB

 

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The Ryan Sullivan Trophy -  Awarded to the top defenseman in the VHLM
@koty_k Dog Jagr (MIA) - 15 G, 48 A, 63 P, +15, 84 PIM, 219 HIT, 148 SB
@TheHockey_pro Victory Hockey League (HFX) - 23 G, 39 A, 62 P, -5, 58 PIM, 155 HIT, 152 SB
@OblivionWalker Slava Kovalenko (MIS) - 24 G, 65 A, 89 P, +24, 54 PIM, 179 HIT, 142 SB
@Gage2 Kasper Saarinen (MIA) - 18 G, 61 A, 79 P, +28, 70 PIM, 191 HIT, 162 SB
@ThatCanadian Mathias Gunnarsson (HFX/LVA) - 19 G, 67 A, 86 P, +18, 84 PIM, 185 HIT, 100 SB

 

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The Jack Reilly Trophy - Awarded to the top General Manager in the VHLM
@McLovin Las Vegas Aces 50-15-7 - 107 points
@mattyIceman Philadelphia Reapers 49-20-3 - 101 points

 

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The Mitch Higgins Trophy - Awarded to the VHLM's Most Valuable Player during the regular season
@WildfireMicro Inker Belle (LVA) - 48 G, 57 A, 105 P, +69, 30 PIM, 122 HIT, 33 SB
@Alex Deadpanda (LVA) - 50-15-7, .924 SV%, 1.75 GAA, 9 SO
@Ender9511 Ender (SDM) - 42 G, 73 A, 115 P , +64, 40 PIM, 112 HIT, 41 SB
@twists Youre Not Fucking Retiring (PHI) - 58 G, 58 A, 116 P, +38, 40 PIM, 155 HIT, 43 SB

 

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Tuesday, October 8th, 8:00pm EST
 

[Grape 679]

@Pifferfish I feel you may have some choice words regarding the results 

[Lemorse7 1,016]

panda and philly sweep lets go 

[dstevensonjr 402]

Let's go Inker Belle for Regular Season MVP!! 

[WildfireMicro 420]

Happy to get an MVP nomination 

[OblivionWalker 239]

Honored to be nominated for top defenseman!

[mattyIceman 1,214]

Honored to be named alongside my former employer and boiii McLovin

[Alex 3,204]

3 hours ago, dstevensonjr said:

Let's go Inker Belle for Regular Season MVP!! 

Ironically would make zero sense, while they did have a good season, initial team missed the playoffs which should disqualify anyone and they were below a point per game with Vegas..

[Alex 3,204]

3 hours ago, Grape said:

@Pifferfish I feel you may have some choice words regarding the results 

We will riot

[dstevensonjr 402]

11 minutes ago, Alex said:

Ironically would make zero sense, while they did have a good season, initial team missed the playoffs which should disqualify anyone and they were below a point per game with Vegas..

Lit the league on fire on a bad team playing first line minutes, and then went to a team who stuffed them on the 2nd line playing a defensive strategy. Can't punish a player because their initial team only had 4 human players all season, especially since they didn't finish there.

 

In the end, I'm supporting our player for their great year

[Alex 3,204]

Just now, dstevensonjr said:

Lit the league on fire on a bad team playing first line minutes, and then went to a team who stuffed them on the 2nd line playing a defensive strategy. Can't punish a player because their initial team only had 4 human players all season, especially since they didn't finish there.

 

In the end, I'm supporting our player for their great year

No doubt it was a great season, just not a MVP type season. A genuine pre-requisite to win MVP is to make the playoffs (a really low bar in the M), it’s kind of un-written, but you can’t make an argument for someone if they missed. My main point is that in their stretch with Vegas, they weren’t good enough. They are a strong player who has a bright future.

[Mysterious_Fish 386]

2 hours ago, Alex said:

Ironically would make zero sense, while they did have a good season, initial team missed the playoffs which should disqualify anyone and they were below a point per game with Vegas..

So your saying Ender dont deserve?

[Pifferfish 512]

4 minutes ago, Mysterious_Fish said:

So your saying Ender dont deserve?

Yes

[Alex 3,204]

32 minutes ago, Mysterious_Fish said:

So your saying Ender dont deserve?

100%, again great season, but were you really the league's most valuable player if you failed to even make the playoffs? 

Edited October 8 by Alex

[Mysterious_Fish 386]

22 minutes ago, Alex said:

100%, again great season, but were you really the league's most valuable player if you failed to even make the playoffs? 

Fair point but kinda hard to do with 4 actual people and got 1 waiver claim at tdl. Thx @McGriddy10 btw. Which it is hard to get waivers when you arent good in the first place as people want to play less and win then play more and lose. I will say I had a chance at the playoffs especially if I had some more guys join my team

[David VanHousen 24]

I know that I am not going to win but I'm very happy to see my name up there for an award.

[LucyXpher 1,420]

Good evening and welcome to the S95 VHLM awards!  

 

This next hour is a fun way to acknowledge the achievements of the VHLM's top players during this past season.  

 

Maybe it's a bit odd to say this at the beginning of an awards show, but awards don't always tell the whole story-- let me explain!  While we honor the league's best and brightest for their contributions in the games, there are so many fantastic players-- people who may not be recognized tonight that make this community a fun place to be.  While only a handful can be honored with an award, many more deserve a shoutout for the positivity they bring, in the locker rooms and on the forums.  Most of you probably won't receive an award tonight, but you're what makes the VHL great and it wouldn't be the same if all we did was look at sim results.

 

Okay, that's my spiel done, on to the awards-- what you're all really here to see!  

 

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[LucyXpher 1,420]

The Prime Minister's Cup

With a regular season record of 50 wins, 15 losses, and 7 overtime or shootout defeats, the Las Vegas Aces are the winners of the Season 95 Prime Minister's Cup.  From beginning to end of the season, @McLovin's team was the class of the VHLM as they recorded the league's best goal differential at +85.  Their 132 goals against were the lowest total in the league and their 217 goals for were the 3rd highest in the league behind Mississauga (249) and Philadelphia (260).  While they possessed a more than capable offense featuring Inker Belle @WildfireMicro, Finneas Finnean O Cleirigh @Gorth, and Mad Villain @Tate, Vegas' strength was in the defense and goaltending positions with the likes of Mathias Gunnarsson @ThatCanadian, Miles Bryant @Kendrick, Manuel Ceson @dylanjj37, and Taavetti Jokinen @Ahma patrolling the blueline while DeadPanda @Alex stood between the pipes.  

 

Winning the league's regular season by 6 points over the 2nd place Reapers, Vegas entered the playoffs as the team to beat and made a strong run to the finals before the Reaper came calling.  Even still, this team has every right to look back on this season with pride as they ran teh gruelling race of the regular season and came out on top.  Congratulations to the S95 Las Vegas Aces on capturing the Prime Minister's Cup!

 

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Edited October 9 by LucyXpher

[LucyXpher 1,420]

The Founder's Cup

 

While Vegas might have dominated the regular season, the Reapers stayed close behind and entered the playoffs with 101 points and a 49-20-3 record.  And as the Aces boasted the league's best defense, @mattyIceman's Reapers were an offensive powerhouse, racking up the league's most goals.  Notably, @twists Youre Not Fucking Retiring (YNFR) topped the league with 116 points in the regular season and an impressive 58 goals-- 10 more than the next highest goal scorer in he league.

 

In the first round of the playoffs, Philadelphia would knock off an outmatch Halifax roster that managed to eke out a win in game 3 before the Reapers put them away in 5.  The second round saw the Reapers take on a much tougher opponent in the Mississauga Hounds, though the outcome was the same.  The Reapers opened up a 3-0 lead in that series before the Hounds scratched and clawed their way to a 3-1 game 4 victory.  In game 5, the Reapers would return to their winning ways, closing out the series 2-1 on home ice.  It was fitting then that the league's top two teams should meet in the finals-- the top defense against the most potent offense.  

 

In the end, the immovable wall succumbed to the unstoppable force that was the Philadelphia offense as the Reapers crushed the Aces in 4 straight games by a total score of 15-6. Joel Jakobs @Plate led the way for the Reapers with 24 points in 14 games while goaltender Onyekachukwu Chidieber Oluwaseun @TenIQ finished the postseason with a stellar .922 SV%, a 1.60 GAA, and 2 shutouts.  After back-to-back Saskatoon cups, the VHLM finally has a new champion.  Congratulations to the Philadelphia Reapers on winning the S95 Founder's Cup!

 

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[LucyXpher 1,420]

Our next awards are all individual awards, starting with the MVP of the playoffs.

 

The Skylar Rift Trophy

 

Awarded to the player deemed to be the VHLM's most valuable player in the playoffs

 

"This award was renamed from the Esposito Trophy to the Skylar Rift Trophy in S42. Rift epitomised the modern VHL by winning two playoff MVPs, in the inaugural season of VHLM expansion franchise Yukon Rush and leading the expansion Quebec City Meute to their first Continental Cup. In addition to his player achievements, Rift's role as VHLM GM and vocal member of the VHL Board of Governors had significant impact on the VHLM" - VHLM Awards Page

 

Here are the nominees:

 

@Alex Deadpanda (LVA) - 8-5-2, .929 SV%, 1.59 GAA, 5 SO
Holding down the fort behind the league's best defense, Deadpanda put in a stellar playoff performance through the first two rounds, recording 5 shutouts and allowing only 10 goals in those first 11 games. This would be a slam dunk pick for the honors had he not struggled in a finals sweep at the hands of the Reapers, allowing 15 goals through those 4 games.  Even still, his .929 SV% was the 2nd highest of the playoffs and his 5 shutouts were a league best.    

 

@BryceP Leifr Eiriksson (PHI) - 5 G, 15 A, 20 P, +18, 8 PIM, 27 HIT, 24 SB
Leading all playoff skaters with a +18 rating through 14 games, Eriksson ranked 4th in the league in playoff points with 20, and 1st among all playoff defensemen.  His 24 shots blocked were the second highest total in the playoffs, demonstrating his value in influencing play at both ends of the ice.

 

@Plate Joel Jakobs (PHI) - 8 G, 16 A, 24 P, +17, 10 PIM, 30 HIT, 2 SB
Jakobs was the league's leading point-getter with 24 in 14 games, collecting a league high 16 assists in the process and the 3rd most goals.  A +17 rating also reflects the effectiveness of his line when they were on the ice as they dominated possession and outscored the opposition by more than one goal per game.  

 

@TenIQ Onyekachukwu Chidieber Oluwaseun (PHI) - 12-1-0, .922 SV%, 1.60 GAA, 2 SO
As the Founder's Cup winning goaltender, it's hard to look past OCO for playoff MVP honors as he only lost a single game and recorded impressive statistics across the board.  Though his SV% and GAA weren't tops in the league, sometimes it's the consistency and clutch factor that matters much more. OCO was stellar in the final round of the playoffs, only allowing 5 goals in the team's 4 game sweep over the Aces.  

 

@twists Youre Not Fucking Retiring (PHI) - 12 G, 9 A, 21 P, +1, 6 PIM, 21 HIT, 4 SB
YNFR was the playoffs leading goal scorer, potting nearly a goal per game with 12 in 14.  Compared to some of his teammates, his +1 rating seems to come up a little short, though his prolific offense and shot volume make up for any defensive proficiencies.  

 

@Quanack Bret Weier (PHI) - 9 G, 13 A, 22 P, +18, 8 PIM, 23 HIT, 1 SB
Weier finished the postseason with the 2nd most goals, 3rd most points, and tied with a league best +18 rating.  As a balanced playmaker in the Reapers' top-six, Weier was a consistent scoring and passing threat throughout the Reapers' playoff run and a big part of their dominant offensive performance.

 

And the winner is...

 

Spoiler

@TenIQ Onyekachukwu Chidieber Oluwaseun!

Votes: OCO 8 / Deadpanda 1 / Jakobs 1

 

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[LucyXpher 1,420]

The Alexander Chershenko Trophy

 

Awarded to the player who leads the VHLM in goals during the regular season

 

"This award was renamed from the Hull Trophy to the Alexander Chershenko Trophy in S42 to honour the career of VHL Hall of Famer Alexander Chershenko. Though trophyless in a respectable VHLM career, Chershenko is one of two three-time winners of this award in the VHL. In addition to this, Chershenko was honoured for his contributions to enhancing the VHLM experience while VHL commissioner." - VHLM Awards Page

 

This season's Chershenko Trophy winner completed the regular season with 58 goals and an equal number of assists.  That impressive goal total was the best in the league by 10!  This player also managed to outshoot all other players by 32 and recorded an astounding 502 shots over 72 games-- that's an average of nearly 7 shots per game!  Shooting at an 11.55% clip, it was nearly a foregone conclusion that the puck would find the back of the net in every game he played.  As the only player to cross the 50 goal plateau this season, he has well earned the crown as the league's top goal scorer.  

 

Spoiler

Congratulations to the S95 Alexander Chershenko Trophy winner, @twists Youre Not Fucking Retiring!

Top 5: YNFR 58 / Inker Belle 48 / Jacob Longstreet 48 / Ozzy Batty 46 / Bret Weier 44

 

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[LucyXpher 1,420]

The Vladimir Boomchenko Trophy

 

Awarded to the player who leads the VHLM in assists at the end of the regular season

 

"This award was renamed from the Oates Trophy to the Vladimir Boomchenko Trophy in S42. Boomchenko won this award in S25 and mirrored the achievement in S29 in the VHL. A vocal member of the Riga Reign, Calgary Wranglers, and Cologne Express, Boomchenko also contributed, in a co-GM capacity or as a volunteer, to many VHLM teams and locker rooms, most notably the Yukon Rush and Saskatoon Wild." - VHLM Awards Page

 

The S95 Boomchenko winner played for the league's last place team, though that unfortunate distinction can hardly be blamed on them.  With the league lead in assists with 73 in 72 games, this player dished out 5 more apples than the next highest player while also potting an impressive 42 goals!  This player also recorded the highest P/20 of any player with 1.25, the next highest being 1.14.  Putting the puck in the net is one of the most difficult skills for an offensive player, doing so 42 times while racking up 73 assists on a last place team is no easy feat when the team is generally lacking for talented offensive options.  

 

Spoiler

Congratulations to the S95 Vladimir Boomchenko Trophy winner, @Ender9511 Ender!

Top 5: Ender 73 / Laimdots Sarkanis 68 / Mathias Gunnarsson 67 / Slava Kovalenko 65 / Joel Jakobs 62

 

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[LucyXpher 1,420]

The Ethan Osborne Trophy

 

Awarded to the player who leads the VHLM in points at the end of the regular season

 

"This award was renamed from the Dionne Trophy to the Ethan Osborne Trophy in S42 to honour the VHL Hall of Fame career of Ethan Osborne. VHLM MVP and top scorer in S30, he repeated the feat in the VHL in S36, in between founding and managing one of the VHLM's most successful franchises: the Bratislava Watchmen." - VHLM Awards Page

 

With an even goals to assists ratio, this player possessed a dynamic offensive arsenal.  Capable of beating goaltenders and filling the goal, he could also dish crisp, clean passes to teammates, forcing defensive breakdowns.  With 116 total points, this player won the league's scoring race by a single point and was the focal point of the league's top offensive team, beating out his next closest teammate by 21 points.  He would continue this dominant form into the playoffs, leading the league in goals and capturing the Founder's Cup with the Philadelphia Reapers.

 

Spoiler

Congratulations to the S95 Ethan Osborne Trophy winner, @twists Youre Not Fucking Retiring!

Top 5: YNFR 116 / Ender 115 / Inker Belle 105 / Ozzy Batty 102 / Joel Jakobs 95

 

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[LucyXpher 1,420]

The Benoit Devereux Trophy

 

Awarded to the player deemed to be the top goalie in the VHLM

 

"This award was renamed from the Sawchuk Trophy to the Benoit Devereux Trophy in S42 to honour the illustrious career of VHL Hall of Famer Benoit Devereux. The HC Davos Dynamo legend won this trophy in a spectacular S9 campaign with Toledo before becoming the first three-time top goalie in the VHL. He would have been a worthy name for that award if it wasn't for a younger generation to follow and so is at last honoured in this way." - VHLM Awards Page

 

Here are the nominees: 

 

@Alex Deadpanda (LVA) - 50-15-7, .924 SV%, 1.75 GAA, 9 SO
As the goaltender masterminding the league's top defensive team, Deadpanda was a brick wall for the Las Vegas Aces as he led the league with the best SV% and GAA, and his 9 shutouts were good for 2nd most in the league.  Despite playing all 72 games for his team, he faced the 6th most shots against of all goaltenders.  The combination of Vegas' stingy defense and Deadpanda's rock-solid play was the stuff of nightmares for opposing offenses.

 

@okochastar Draw Mac (MIA) - 34-21-9, .922 SV%, 2.04 GAA, 7 SO
Recording the 2nd highest SV% while playing 64 games for the Miami Marauders, Mac stakes his claim for being the league's best goalie. The 2.04 GAA is good for 4th in the league, as are their 7 shutouts.  It should be noted, however, that Miami certainly didn't have the defense of Las Vegas and Mac was a big part of their solid regular season.

 

@Xflexz Chazz Michael Michaels (MEX) - 44-23-5, .914 SV%, 1.92 GAA, 11 SO
The league leader in shutouts with 11 behind a defensively optimized Mexico City team, CMM was the backbone of the team with the 2nd fewest goals against.  Don't be fooled by the .914 SV% as that number is dragged down by low shot totals against-- only the 8th most in the league despite playing all 72 games.  

 

@samthemancub Samuel Wazinski (HFX/MIS) - 45-23-4, .915 SV%, 2.01 GAA, 9 SO
Wazinski started the season with the Halifax 21st and was one of the league's top goaltenders statistically through the first half of the season.  In 40 games, he recorded an impressive .923 SV%, 1.92 GAA, and 6 shutouts on a middling Halifax squad.  Behind a better defense, his numbers took a bit of a dip as he had a .903 SV%, 2.12 GAA, and 2 shutouts in 32 games with the Hounds.

And the winner is...

 

Spoiler

@Alex Deadpanda!

Votes: Deadpanda 8 / CMM 1 / Wazinski 1

 

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Edited October 9 by LucyXpher