S97 Mexico City Kings team awards

[VattghernCZ 1,150]

S97 was a down season for the Kings. But it doesn't mean there were no individual standouts deserving recognition. For this purpose, I've thought about a few team awards I'd like to introduce, and perhaps expand on them in the future.

 

 

In my first year of being trusted with the privilege to help this group succeed, I'd like to highlight these players' contributions and individual performance.

 

 Rey del Hielo Award

(The King of the Ice Award)

The player who was the king among the Kings last season. The player who made things happen every time their skates touched the ice. The player putting the team on their shoulders. The most valuable Kings player of the season.

 

Spoiler

Pepe Silvia @STZ 64GP 28-28-8 .916SV% 2.21 GAA 7SO

Being named the 1st star of the game TWELVE rimes, the Kings brick wall quietly had a strong season, giving our team a chance to win, even though the team often wasn't able to do so. I'm extremely happy Pepe is staying with the team for one more season, and is primed to be one of the league's best this time around.

 

 Sombra del Rey Award 

(The Shadow of the King Award)

The unsung hero of the team (borrowing @Gaikoku-hito 's Vancouver award here). The player who is often in the shadow rather than in the spotlight, but is quietly one of the most important players on the team. A player who often goes unnoticed and underappreciated by everyone except their own teammates, who know how much of a gem they really are.

 

Spoiler

Old Man On Skates @Jason 2.0 72GP 24G 50A 74P +7

The team leader in points and assists, one of the very few players with plus rating and the most played forward on the team, Old Man really was the best skater on the team more often than not.

 

 Guerrero de Acero Award

(The Iron Warrior Award)

Every team needs a player with a proper F-you attitude, who gets under the opponents' skin and puts their body on the line for the team. Hits given and taken, shots blocked, fights fought, I'd like to think of this award as the "toughest SOB on the team" award.

 

Spoiler

Carl Erhardt @Elite Steel 72GP 134PIM 234HIT 76SB 153HT 0FIGHT

Carl Erhardt has just set the all-time franchise records in PIM and hits, how could he not be the toughest MF on the team, when he's arguably the toughest MF in the Kings history? He's been absolute menace punishing everyone for entering our zone and not taking crap from anyone.

 

 Guardia del Rey Award

(The King's Guard Award)

The player who's been the last line of defense in front of the goaltender, while providing elite support for the offense from the back. The all-round best defenseman on the team.

 

Spoiler

Ronan Amnon @Breeze837 72GP 22G 30A 52P -33 76HIT 167SB

Before acquiring a waiver defenseman after the trade deadline, the King only had two defenders on the roster - Erhardt and Amnon. While Erhardt was a more intimidating physical presence and had edge on Amnon in overall points, Amnon was more of a 2-way defenseman, being one of the league's most active shot blockers and powerplay goal scorers, as well as leading the team in puck retrievals and pass interceptions. Despite the box stats not being elite, Amnon has been a great example of how these don't tell the full story. Look forward to him being one of the league's best next season.

 

 Cañón Azteca Award

(The Aztec Cannon Award)

The most feared shooter on the team. Not necessarily the player who recorded the most goals, but rather a combination of the most goals, the most shots and the best shooting percentage. Simply put, the most natural shooter on the team. With the team's top 3 goal scorers recording 25, 24 and 23 goals respectively, this one is not easy to award.

 

Spoiler

Old Man On Skates @Jason 2.0 72GP 24G 259SHT 9.27SHT%

Second on the team in goals scored and leading the team in shots on goal 31 shots clear of the second place, Old Man was enjoying letting the puck fly. While his shooting percentage was "only" the third highest among Kings forwards, his shot totals show he was always a threat to pull the trigger and score.

 

 Commandante del Ataque Award

(The Commander of the Attack Award)

The best playmaker on the team. Just like with the Aztec Cannon Award, I'm not looking for just the assists totals, I'm looking at players who actually distribute the puck to create offense, keep track of each player's position, see plays develop and put their teammates in position to score.

 

Spoiler

Spallsy McDavid @Lochlan Chisholm 72GP 23G 42A 65P +7

Spallsy joined the team after the last offseason's dispersal draft and immediately became a mainstay on the top line. While still managing to finish 2nd on the team in shots and 3rd on the team in goals, McDavid is definitely a pass-first forward rather than a sniper. He probably already has the best pass in the league, and he's constantly using it to create advantages for his linemates. I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to pick a player like this in the 3rd round and I'm looking forward to how he will build on his first season with Mexico.

 

 Ascenso del Rey Award

(The King's Rise Award)

The player who stepped up the most, compared to their last season. Maybe it's their new offseason training program. Maybe they've found their confidence. Maybe it's a superstition thing. But there's definitely something that made them the most improved player.

 

Spoiler

Old Man On Skates @Jason 2.0

S96: 72GP 10G 7A 17P -2

S97: 72GP 24G 50A 74P +7

 

There's no question this is Old Man's award. More than quadrupling his points total is just insane. There's not really much more to be said here. From a depth player to a fringe team MVP in just one season...just wow.

 

 Soldado Incansable Award

(The Relentless Soldier Award)

The player who works his butt off the most. The first one on the ice, the last one off the ice. The player who never takes a day off, always looking for the ways to improve themselves.

 

Spoiler

Agustin Martinez @SleepyPlayz

Before drafting Martinez, I knew Sleepy is going to be an absolute gem and a draft steal. And she has absolutely delivered! Earning like crazy and showing how familiar she is with the sim engine (being an SBA legend) with Agustin's build. Are we looking at one of next season's top goal scorers? Maybe a first gen Hall of Famer? If Sleepy keeps it up, why not. DC got themselves a gem at 4th overall.

 

 Alma del Equipo Award

(The Soul of the Team Award)

When I think of the Kings, who's the first player that comes to mind? Which player lets the rookies crash at their place? Who offers to pay the bill on the team's night out? It doesn't have to be the best player on the ice. but the player who engages with the locker room the most, who's invested in the team the most. Who's the fan favorite and the teammate favorite. Let's call this award a "best teammate award", or less fancy, the "locker room activity award".

 

Spoiler

Ronan Amnon @Breeze837

The team captain has been showing why he was voted by his peers. A positive locker room presence even during a lean season, I couldn't be happier about having someone like him in the locker room to make my first GMing experience easier and less intimidating 

 

[SleepyPlayz 90]

3 minutes ago, VattghernCZ said:

Before drafting Martinez, I knew Sleepy is going to be an absolute gem and a draft steal. And she has absolutely delivered! Earning like crazy and showing how familiar she is with the sim engine (being an SBA legend) with Agustin's build. Are we looking at one of next season's top goal scorers? Maybe a first gen Hall of Famer? If Sleepy keeps it up, why not. DC got themselves a gem at 4th overall.

Aw, well thank you! I appreciate it!

 

[Gaikoku-hito 2,284]

38 minutes ago, VattghernCZ said:

(borrowing @Gaikoku-hito 's Vancouver award here)

Which I borrowed from @animal74 as I loved these awards write up at the end of the season when I played for Prague. Tried to make them my own but won`t lie I really borrowed a ton from @animal74 awards!! I think he also used to do the Malmo Nighthawks awards as well!!

 

And I love the fact that you are running a teams awards as these are something that means a bit more since the players are being recognized by the GM, AGM or even the other players. As I used to love hearing what the players had to say and allowed them to vote! Now we have a bit of a old man attitude in the Vancouver locker room as most of the players are like nah you can do it!! We are good aspect!!

 

Also congrats to everyone winning these awards as they are special!!