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S98 Hall of Fame Induction

Victor

By Victor
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Victor

Victor 11,315

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Welcome all to another season of Hall of Hame induction, a fine moment to gather and celebrate achievements by members and players. 2 inductions to get through today, starting with the player:

 

D - Bo Johansson, S83-S90 :chi:

RS: 576 GP, 111 G, 551 A, 662 P, +80, 616 PIM, 931 HIT, 1,230 SB, 12 GW

PO: 55 GP, 10 G, 54 A, 64 P, -3, 65 PIM, 95 HIT, 125 SB, 2 GW

 

S83 Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy (Top Rookie)

S86 Sterling Labatte Trophy (Top Defenceman)

S86 Alexander Valiq Trophy (Top Offensive Defenceman)

S86 Alexander Beketov Trophy (Most Assists)

1x All-VHL First Team (S86)

 

We've seen cases like this multiple times over the years. A good player retires with the credentials to make the HOF ballot, but not necessarily the full case to get in straight away. But as time passes, and others gets inducted, and others fall away, this player persists because the stats and story keeps holding up. Eventually, their time comes. Today is Bo Johansson's time. Retired 8 seasons ago having spent just as long, his entire career, with Chicago, Johansson was one of the faces of the 2nd Chicago great era, where they would build on the S76 championship. That didn't quite come to fruition, but not for lack of trying on Johansson's part, who was consistently one of the league's premier defenceman throughout his career. He reached his peak in S86, alongside his team, but he remained consistent, hitting at least the 80-point mark 6 times in total. Sadly, @Shindigs' passion for the league ran out at some point along the line, after being crowned the VHLM's top GM in 3 of his 3 seasons in the role, so he won't be here to appreciate this induction. But Johansson's career didn't peter out and his case for the Hall was strong enough to merit recognition at last. He was never one to need the credit, after all, this is a player with the 4th most assists in VHL history.

 

Voting results

Bo Johansson - 13/19

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Papa Emeritus - 2/19

Harry Callahan - 2/19

Kristof Welch - 1/19

Hammar Voss - 1/19

The Frenchman - 1/19

 

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As for Builder, well this is an interesting one for me, as this is a man I drafted as a first-gen, brought to Moscow, then handed over the reins of the team to, and he's run with it ever since. @Spartan  is much more than Moscow GM by now but he's been an amazing successor in that regard, and I couldn't have envisioned the franchise having this much stability and this much success nearly 35 seasons on from its founding, and over 20 seasons since I stepped away from it. But in addition to being one of the the league's greatest GMs, Spartan has followed in my footsteps in other roles, namely as league financier - a hugely underappreciated role in my unbiased opinion - and general doer of admin things that no one else wants to do. That latter role was a big reason why I became commissioner back in the day and it wouldn't surprise me if that's something Spartan ends up doing sooner or later. Of course, he is already a commissioner in the VHLM, and has been for several years now, in a period of continued prosperity and health in the minor league, far from the guarantee that newer members take for granted. I know a lot of work goes into running that as smoothy as it has been with all the natural turnover that it entails. Really, this is one of those inductions that was a no-brainer and simply a case of trying to guess a time when it feels right. It could have been earlier but we knew Spartan wasn't going to disappear anywhere soon, and I won't be surprised if later on down the line this will feel like it was too early too. So I think I speak on behalf of the league when I say thank you for all you've done already and hopefully there is much that you will do.

 

Congratulations to both inductees! :cheers:

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N0HBDY

N0HBDY 1,179

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31 minutes ago, Victor said:

Sadly, @Shindigs' passion for the league ran out at some point along the line

Not to be the bearer of bad news but I do truly believe he passed on

 

Nevertheless super happy to see him get some recognition even though he may never see

Edited by N0HBDY
C-Breeze

C-Breeze 202

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Wow! Still newish but old enough to realize @Shindigs is a massive legend around here.

 

Makes me wish I'd had the opportunity to witness his magic first hand! ✨

 

As for @Spartan , what can I say, except he always conducts himself as an exemplary representative of the league and is a fine individual with whom to sort out issues and dialogue with. Then of course there's that whole Moscow Menace thing. 😉

 

Congrats and congrats, to two Titans that walk among us!! 🏆

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Victor

Victor 11,315

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23 minutes ago, N0HBDY said:

Not to be the bearer of bad news but I do truly believe he passed on

 

Nevertheless super happy to see him get some recognition even though he may never see

It's a crazy coincidence for two once super active Swedes if so... hope not.

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Spartan

Spartan 4,931

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Cheers all, I don't have a fun speech or anything like that. Thanks to all who make this league a fun place to spend time in, and thank you to those who deemed me worthy to be a builder amongst a list of greats. I don't think I'm near the end of my contributions to the league, so just excited to see how I can keep contributing in the future.

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