S98 D.C. Dragons Team Awards

animal74 · Friday at 06:48 PM

S98 Team Awards

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S98 was another step in the right direction for the rebuilding Dragons as they finished 6^th in a strong North American Conference with their highest point total (68) in five seasons. They still missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year, their last trip to the post-season dance being S93 the season after they won the franchise’s second Continental Cup in S92. However, GM Bogdan Trunov @qripll has been aggressively adding young talent to the roster the last few seasons and plugging in skilled veterans to guide the way and slowly the Dragons are getting closer and closer to the playoffs. Only time will tell if these award-winners and their teammates will help D.C. take that next step.

Statistical Leaders:

Goals:	Brandon Petan Jr	35
Assists:	Youre Not Fucking Retiring	43
Points:	Youre Not Fucking Retiring	74
+/-:	Youre Not Fucking Retiring, Brandon Petan Jr, Tommy Shelby	17
PIM:	LaClapbomb Hitstick IV	136
Hits:	Brandon Petan Jr	192
Shots:	Tom Dufour	451
Shots Blocked:	LaClapbomb Hitstick IV	191
PPG:	Brandon Petan Jr	9
GWG:	Youre Not Fucking Retiring, Brandon Petan Jr	6
Fights:	Marek Nowaczyk, Nikita Yolishev	4
Wins:	Herald Benson	28
GAA:	Vladimir Trunov	1.97
SV%:	Vladimir Trunov	0.940
SO:	Herald Benson	4

Here are the S98 Team Awards as voted by the D.C. players and management:

Luciano Valentino Award (Best Defenseman)

Albin Aldgard @animal74, LaClapbomb Hitstick IV @Greasy Gary

The trade of Leif Reingaard to Riga at the trade deadline provided greater opportunity and minutes for the rest of D.C.’s younger defense core. Despite being players of opposing styles, Hitstick IV and rookie Aldgard stepped up and provided value at both ends of the ice. Aldgard led the team in minutes played (2177), power play assists (11) and power play points (17) and led Dragon defensemen in goals (15), assists (40 – second on the team) and points (55) while the more physical Hitstick led the team in PIM (136) and blocked shots (191) and was second on the team in hits (170).

Best Forward

Brandon Petan Jr @sadie

The young captain improved on their rookie-of-the-year season seeing an increase in goals (35), power play goals (9), plus/minus (+17) and hits (192) – all numbers which led the team in S98. Always dangerous whenever they were on the ice – which was often, leading Dragons forwards in ice time – they were also clutch, tying for the team lead with 6 game-winning goals.

Rookie of the Year

Albin Aldgard @animal74

The 4^th overall pick in the S97 Draft, the Swedish blueliner proved his offensive prowess by setting D.C. records of 40 assists and 55 points for a first-year defenseman along with leading the Dragon defense in most scoring categories. He also finished 6^th in the VHL rookie scoring race.

Unsung Hero

LaClapbomb Hitstick IV @Greasy Gary

Hitstick’s strong play at both ends of the ice was key to D.C.’s improvement in the standings. Second to Aldgard in defenseman scoring, he was a contributing member of both special teams. He led the team in PIM and shot blocks and paced Dragons’ defenseman with 169 shots and 170 hits.

Most Valuable Player

Herald Benson @Benson

Harald Benson, who has been the starting goaltender throughout D.C.’s rebuild, set a career-high in wins (28), minutes played (3802), goals against (173) and GAA (2.73) before retiring in the off-season. He finishes his career as the Dragons third-winningest goalie with 97 career wins. He is also third in career games played (320), shutouts (14), shots against (13547) and saves (12471) and fourth in SV% (0.921). Unfortunately, he was never able to make the playoffs in his time with the Dragons.

Dragon’s Roost Award (Locker Room Activity)

Brandon Petan Jr @sadie

Fitting that the captain who leads not only on the ice but also off it, receives this award for being a consistent and positive voice in the locker room. Even though only in their second year in the league and as Dragons’ leader, Petan is one of their most vocal players and always providing advice and/or encouragement.

3-Stars Award

Brandon Petan Jr @sadie

While Youre Not Fucking Retiring @twists led the team with eight 1^st Star selections, they were third with 350 star points. Brandon Petan Jr captured a team-leading 21 total star selections for 410 star points (30 pts for each 1^st Star, 20 pts for each 2^nd Star, 10 points for each 3^rd Star) to win the Dragons’ S98 3-Stars Award. Harald Benson was second on the team with 370 points.