Around the League

[Scurvy 1,724]

The off-season is almost finally over, and we can soon get back to some regular season action.  We had some good events lately to include the VHLM/VHL awards ceremonies that I thought were some of the best ever.  We also had two players, and a builder inducted to the Hall of Fame which I thought was pretty cool and well deserved. 

 

Hall of Fame inductees:

Every season the Hall of Fame inductees come out and I find it to be one of the coolest posts of the year.  We see some absolute legends in this game and it has to be hard to narrow it down with so many high earning players.  This season however the two choices couldn’t be more spot on.

 

Jacob Stone- D (Malmo) @scoop- this dude was an absolute menace and a career Nighthawk.  His best season statistically was his last with 106 points.  A career point per game player he won about every award you can think of but the Continental Cup.  I am always partial to defenseman as that was the position I played growing up and the position of my first player in the VHL.   

 

Next was forward Nico Pearce @Spartan .  The 10^th overall pick in S81- the exact season I joined the VHL.   A beast of a scorer, Pearce scored 774 points in 650 games.  I did get the chance to play with Nico in Vancouver and we came just short of winning a Continental Cup in S89. His Hall of Fame induction is well deserved.

 

Congrats to both these players!!!  

 

 VHLM DRAFT

The VHLM draft came with a flurry and It was a no brainer that Tina Hughes @tinafrombobsburgers went #1 to Mexico City.  The highest TPE player in the draft and an extremely great locker room presence he will do great things for @vatt in Mexico.  The true shock of the draft was Ryan Mantzz @Rkhockey9 falling to Miami at #11.  I mean he’s second highest in TPE at the time of the draft and an absolute earner and gem for the league.  Can’t imagine why GMs passed on him and they better be ready as Mantzz is coming for payback.  Miami is happy to snag such a beauty.  Great locker room guy and a player we are going to see special things from during his VHLM and VHL career.  

 

BAZOOKA JOE @ScottyP

Well..Well….well.  It is a rare pleasure when @Thunder and I get to bag on our dear friend @ScottyP.  A first round draft pick for Malmo the defenseman, Bazooka Joe could be considered a “questionable pick.”   On paper it looks like Bazooka had a great season last year in Philly with 15g 35a.  @LucyXpher took a chance on BJ as he has spurts of greatness followed by bouts of disappointment (in mine and @Thunder eyes anyway). 

I had a quick chat with @LucyXpher and I promised to keep @ScottyP motivated to earn so that he can achieve the greatness we all hope for him.  That being said @Thunder and I will be hounding him all season to make sure his TPE earning is up to Malmo standards!  Be ready @ScottyP

Edited March 9 by Scurvy

[Rkhockey9 107]

Great recap and great read!! Can't wait for this season to get underway!! 

[JCarson 816]

Great article and as you noted the Hall of Fame induction was spot on.  Both players had excellent careers and put their mark on the league. I am excited to see the next few seasons announcements as I joined the league in season 84 so they should start including players I am more familiar with.  

 

I am also very intrigued by drafts and seeing where people go, those that slide down the scale are the most intriguing.  You can never know for sure what it means, what is going through the individual GM minds.  Hopefully Bazooka Joe puts out a banger of a career and GM regret their decision.

 

As I said great article, keep it up.  9 out of 10.