Veteran Corner

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner 

Two big milestones are taking place in the VHL at the moment, we have our Continental Cup Finals in the milestone Season Fifty taking place, alongside the release of the VHL magazines 300^th edition. After being hired to write on the magazine, I wanted to do something for the 300^th edition but also introduce a new installment I hope to run weekly, regardless of what edition or time of season we were at. That’s when a Veteran piece came into my mind, because without that mix of veterans of your roster, you may not be seeing much success at any stage of the season. So VHL ladies and gentleman, here is my new column. 

The Season Fifty VHL playoffs are in the final stages with the Toronto Legion and HC Davos Dynamo battling it out for the Continental Cup. While everyone expected the Legion to be back as the North American conference representative, not many outside Davos looked at the Dynamo as a serious contender. The Dynamo have quietly went about their business this season in the European conference and their perseverance paid off with a Semi-Finals win against Riga, then a Conference Finals win against the division winning Cologne Express.  The Dynamo have been lead in the playoffs so far by two grizzled VHL veterans in left-winger Jorma Ruutu and goaltender Sandro Clegane. The two players weren’t on the Dynamos roster when the team first committed to going all in back in the Season Forty-Nine off-season, but these two grey beards have been huge in the Dynamos climb to the top of the European Conference this season. We’ll take a look back at these two and briefly touch upon the careers they had in the VHL. 

Jorma Ruutu came to the Dynamo in what is his last season in the VHL via an off-season trade with the New York Americans. Ruutu spent his entire career in New York up to the trade that sent him to Davos, experiencing both team and personal accolades during his time in New York. Ruutu showed the VHL in Season Forty-Nine that although father time was creeping around the corner he wasn’t going to go down without a fight, putting up career highs in goals(56), assists(61), and points(117). Selected eighth overall back in Season Forty-Three, Ruutu hopes that his second and final Continental Cup goes home with him in the upcoming days. 

Sandro Clegane is another player that the Dynamo air lifted in to help with the chase for the Continental Cup. Clegane was in the Season Forty-Five class that produced three VHL goaltenders, being selected Fourth Overall by the team he just beat in the Conference Finals, the Cologne Express. Although Sandro has always been a decent regular season goaltender, he was always been in the shadow of his older brother Greg in terms of success in the VHL. Sandro decided enough was enough and jumped out from behind the shadows in the Season Fifty playoffs and is currently stealing the limelight away from fellow Davos players. Sandro has a 8-3-2 record to go along with his .935 save percentage and 2.15 goals against average. Although the numbers look good, the real telling stat of the off-season would have to be the 445 shots that Clegane has faced over his thirteen playoff starts, which are 178 more than the next closest goalie in the playoffs. If the Dynamo wish to pull off the upset against the Dynasty that is the Toronto Legion, Sandro will need to continue to stand on his head.

Edited September 7, 2016 by Smarch

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Veteran Corner 

History has just been made in the Victory Hockey League in Season Fifty, with the Toronto Legion winning a third consecutive Continental Cup for the first time in VHL history. It’s an amazing feat that will be forever in the history books, but also heading into the history books would be the careers of some great VHLers. Each season we lose some real good players as their time in the VHL comes to an end, with this season being no different. In this week’s edition of Veteran Corner we will look into the careers of some of the players that hung up their skates for good. 

Bronson Faux: 

Faux just finished off an eight year career in the VHL, all that were spent as part of the Riga Reign organization. Faux who was drafted Second Overall by the Reign back in the Season Forty-Three VHL Entry Draft, never reached the expectations that would come with such a high draft pick. After coming into the league as a highly scouted prospect, Faux feel off the track a bit, with practises becoming a thing of the past for the Quebec native. Although the offensive numbers never reached past the eight point plateau, Faux will leave the VHL at the number ten spot for hit leaders, which would make led you to the conclusion that Faux was a reliable power forward over his eight seasons.   

Marcel Faux: 

Like his brother Bronson, Marcel has played his last game in the VHL, albeit his was a bit more eventful than his brothers. Marcel first stumbled onto the VHL scene in Season Forty-Five with the Helsinki Titans, whom were just on the upswing on their rebuild that would take them to three straight Continental Cup Finals. Marcel like his brothers wasn’t an offensive powerhouse while playing with the likes of Thomas O’Malley, Aleski Koponen during the regular season, but come playoff time, Faux always seemed a way to come up with a huge moment for his club. Drafted Third Overall by the Titans in the Season Forty-Four VHL Entry Draft, Faux will leave the VHL in Season Fifty with four Continental Cups to his name. 

Edwin Reencarnacion: 

Edwin Reencarnacion was a force to be reckoned with the moment he stepped foot onto VHL ice back in Season Forty-Four. From the moment till his last game just a few nights ago, Reencarnacion put forth his best effort each and every night, putting up Scotty Campbell and Thomas O’Malley like offensive numbers. Coming from an agency that was more known for celebrating goalie sacks over offensive numbers, many didn’t know what to expect from the young Dominican when he first pulled on a New York Americans sweater. Little did they know at the time, they were getting a player that would have a full trophy case when he would exit the VHL. Reencarnacion would leave the VHL in the top 100 players for points, which is quite the accomplishment in the point heavy VHL. 

Hans Wingate: 

The VHL has always been graced by quality goaltending during the fifty season of existence, but every now and then a game changer comes along in the form of the man that tends the blue ice. In the case of Hans Wingate, he can honestly say that he is amongst the VHL all-time goalie greats. Wingates’ play during his eight VHL seasons earned him the nickname WinGod for his incredible play each and every season. Wingate played for three different clubs during his VHL tenure, winning a total of four cups for two of those franchises. Wingate will leave the VHL in the top ten for wins by a goalie, and top ten in goals against average, well also taking home four Continental Cups to place on his mantle. 

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Veteran Corner

With the VHL off-season beginning to wind down, players are starting to appear at their respective clubs training camps. Like many off-seasons before, VHL players hit free-agency, but this year the feeling was a tad different with the number of superstar players on the market. As we all know Calgary and Riga came out of free agency as the big winners, so today we’ll look at some of the veteran players they acquired through the VHL free agency period

Sir Covington III:

The highly outspoken forward let his play do the talking the past season in Davos with the HC Davos Dynamo, putting up thirty-one goals and sixty-four assists in the Dynamos seventy-two regular season games. This is the second straight season the Covington found himself in the VHL free agent bidding, but this time he didn’t return to the same club as the jetted off to the Latvian Capital. Covington will be looked upon as an offensive threat by the Reign, which they are in desperate need of if they want their upcoming season to go on as planned. With only two players on the roster last season that were over a point per game, Riga will hope Covington will bring over his regular season production and help catapult the team to the Continental Cup finals come seasons end.

Shawn Muller:

Muller is another forward that jumped aboard the Reigns free agency train in the recent weeks. Muller was a team-mate and line-mate of Covington’s during his tenure in Davos, something Riga hopes will pay off with all the new faces trying to gel as the season opens. Muller who will be suiting up for his third VHL franchise, put up the best numbers of his four seasons in the league, amassing thirty-seven goals and fifty assists. Muller who was traded midway through Season Forty-Nine to the Dynamo will now look to impact another new team in Season Fifty-One, and the Reign hopes the impact is felt right off the bat.

Jeff Hamilton

Hamilton was another big name that was signed by Riga during the free agent frenzy, but he might be the biggest singing the team made. With a defensive core that was sorely lacking last season in Season Fifty, the team knew they had to bring in reinforcements to help Titan Kronos on the blue-line. Hamilton comes to the team after spending his last five seasons between Seattle and Quebec. Outside a weaker rookie season Hamilton has been a dependable defenseman both offensively and defensively, and like many of the other players in the free agency pool, Hamilton enjoyed his best season in Season Fifty. After declaring for free agency last year in his first eligible year, Hamilton re-signed with the Quebec Meute and put up twenty-one goals and sixty-six assists. With the finals in the minds of many around Riga, management and fans alike hope Hamilton keeps on his upward progression.

Aleski Koponen

Koponen was the oldest and quite possibly most accomplish forward in the free agent class, and he’ll be taking his services to the Alberta prairies as a member of the Calgary Wranglers. Koponen comes to the Wranglers with a rap sheet of impressive awards and stats a mile long, one that includes two Continental Cups with the Helsinki Titans. Koponen is coming off his second straight 100 point season in the VHL, although he fell short of the amazing 132 point performance from Season Forty-Nine. Joining a roster that is quite younger than him in Calgary, Koponen will be looked upon as a leader both on and off the ice this season, one that Wranglers fans hope ends with a third VHL championship for Koponen.

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Veteran Corner

Twenty games have come and come in the Season Fifty-One season in the VHL, and the season is starting to shape up like many so called experts thought it would. The Wranglers, Legion, and Bears are in on the playoff picture in the North American Conference. While over in the European Conference it’s a four horse race currently with the Reign, Express, Titans, and Dynamo all in the playoff picture early on. In this week’s edition of Veteran Corner, we will be looking at the veterans that are helping these clubs towards the ultimate prize of a playoff appearance and Continental Cup win.

Phil Hamilton (Cologne):

After a very successful start to his career as a Helsinki Titan, Hamilton has patrolled the blue-line in Cologne for the past two seasons. Hamilton is looking for better things in Cologne after a disappointing Season Fifty, which saw his individual numbers dip down to numbers not seen since his sophomore season. Hamilton has been an impact player in the VHL since he entered and last season will likely just go down as a hiccup for what is likely a Hall of Fame career. While Cologne wasn’t a huge player in the off-season in terms of brining in new players they did bring in some new faces, and with a core built around the stud that is Hamilton anything is possible this season for the Express.

Zach Parechkin (Toronto):

Parechkin has been a pillar in the Toronto locker-room since he arrived in the VHL in Season Forty-Six, but over the past two seasons Parechkin has really shown the VHL what he is capable of. With a 193 combined point total over the past two seasons along with over 350 plus hits in each season, Parechkin has turned into one of the greatest power forwards to grace the VHL. After winning three consecutive Continental Cups the landscape is slowly changing in Toronto, but one thing that has remains consistent is the work ethic of the Burnaby, British Columbia native. The selection of Parechkin at First Overall back in the Season Forty-Six VHL Entry Draft over defenseman Jeff Hamilton has paid off wonderful for the Legion.

Sandro Clegane (Riga):

The youngest of the Clegane goaltending family in the VHL, Clegane has been lights out for Riga in his twelve games he has appeared in this season. Sandro came over to Riga this past off-season in a deal with the HC Davos Dynamo, even though the Reign already had goaltending prospect Ilya Kopralkov in the fold for the past two seasons. Although some questioned the move at the time, no one appears to be bringing up the subject of the trade anymore. Clegane currently leads the league with a .952 save percentage, and an 0.92 goals against average. Although the godly numbers may be different if Clegane played the extra eight games that Kopralkov saw action in, but you certainly can’t take any anything from Clegane at this point of the season with those numbers he’s posted.

Felipe Rodriquez (Quebec):

The last member that we will touch upon this week is the man that saw himself shipped off from the Quebec Meute to their conference rival Seattle Bears. Rodriquez who hasn’t found himself putting up the points he believes he’s capable of, will get every opportunity to shine with the Bears and their young and inexperienced defensive corps. With a career high in points set last season with fifty, Rodriquez looks to be on track to grow offensively with the Bears this season with twenty-one points already in twenty games. Although it is early on in the season, the Bears management and fans are hoping that Rodriguez can keep up the offensive production.  

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Veteran Corner:

In this weeks’ edition of Veteran Corner, we’ll take a look at some of the players that are currently on “veteran contracts” with their VHL clubs. These players have been through the thick and thin of many long and rigorous VHL seasons, and while some have seen more success than others during their VHL careers all these guys have seen big moments in their VHL time. The three we will look at today we’ll need to play at an elite level again this season to help their respective clubs reach their potential this season.

D - Biggu Kyanon (Cologne):

After being drafted Fifth Overall by the New York Americans back in the Season Forty-Five VHL Entry Draft, Kyanon has found many different homes during his now seven seasons in the league. Kyanon has been a reliable defensive and offensive defenseman during his years with New York, Seattle, Davos, and now Cologne, putting up sixty or more points in four of his seven seasons. In Season Forty-Eight Kyanon had his most successful season in the VHL with the New York Americans, registering eighteen goals and sixty-seven assists, which was good enough to win the Alexander Beketov Trophy for the league’s most assists.  Kyanon will suit up for the Express for the second straight season, who will be hoping that Kyanon can duplicate their Season Forty-Eight numbers and help the club return back to the Continental Cup for the second time in three years.

C – Max Mølholt (Toronto):

Since entering the league via the General Manager rule and joining the Legion back in Season Forty-Five, Max Mølholt has been one of the best, if not best players in the entire league. Mølholt has also part of VHL history last season when he helped lead the Legion to the league first ever three-peat. On top of the team history, Mølholt has put together a great VHL career not seen in the league since perhaps the Thomas O’Malley years a few seasons back. In four of the six fully completed years in the VHL, Mølholt has reached the century mark in points, including a 145 point performance in Season Forty-Nine. Although the success has been unparalleled for Mølholt throughout his career, the league has really jobbed him over awards that are decided on through a ballot. While many around the league that know Mølholt state he doesn’t care about personal accolades, it’s about time the league took notice of his superstar play and appropriately rewards him.

C – Kerkko Hyvärinen (Toronto):

The Pori Finland native is in his last year of eligibility to play in the VHL, but before the curtain closes on the journeyman defenseman’s career, he hopes to add to his Continental Cup total. With Continental Cup wins in Season Forty-Four with Calgary, then last season with Toronto, Hyvärinen is all in for number three his season with the Legion. Although Hyvärinen hasn’t been able to find a stable home with the three teams he has suited up for in the duration of his career, Hyvärinen has brought stability to all three blue-lines he patrolled. Although Hyvärinen never lived up to the expectations after being drafted by Calgary Second Overall in the Season Forty-Four VHL Entry Draft, but ever after he stopped showing up for regular practise, Hyvärinen still has made the most of his opportunities in the league.

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

In this weeks’ edition we will be looking at the seasons of two right wingers and two goaltenders that play for four different North American VHL clubs. These players in my mind have stepped up to the plate and put their teams on their backs as we enter the half-way point in the season.

RW - Tyson Kohler (Calgary):

Kohler has exploded onto the scene in Calgary since arriving with three other big names in free-agency this past off-season. Kohler left Cologne, the only VHL home he has known since he entered the league Fourth Overall in the Season Forty-Eight Draft. In three seasons with the Express, Kohler and his management team felt that he never reached his potential, and a change of scenery would likely do the young German forward good.  In forty-eight games this season, the move appears to have paid off for Kohler and the Wranglers, as he leads the league in goals with forty-one while also sitting fifth overall in the league with eighty points. Kohler has four years of eligibility left at the conclusion of Season Fifty-One, so the best may still be yet to come.

RW - John Sleeman (Quebec):

Sleeman was a highly touted prospect when he entered the league in the Season Forty-Seven Draft, with the Meute selecting the young Canadian forward First Overall. Although Sleeman took a few seasons to get use to the VHL style and speed, last season Sleeman started to break-out putting up thirty-eight goals and forty-eight assists, while also showing more of his two-way forward game that he was drafted for. Sleeman has his first 300 plus hit season last season in Season Fifty, and he looks well on his way to duplicate that again this season with 211 hits already in the Meute forty-eight games. Sleeman also looks poised to put up career offensive numbers again this season as he already has netted thirty-five goals and thirty assists in those forty-eight games. Although Quebec is currently in a full rebuild, Sleeman will be a key piece for the team to build around going forward.

G - Jakab Holik (Seattle):

Holik is turning into the franchise goaltender the Seattle Bears hoped for when they traded for Holik back near the Season Forty-Nine trade deadline. Holik has been on a tear especially to start the Season Fifty-One campaign, helping lead the way for Seattle as they battle for the third and final playoff spot in the North American Conference. Holik has put up impressive numbers in forty-six starts, including a .930 save percentage to go along with a 1.87 goals against average. Holik has been rounding into form in his fourth VHL season, and second full season in Seattle, and much like Sleeman and Kohler the best years are still yet to come.

G - Greg Clegane (Toronto):

The elder on the list, Greg Clegane has been putting years of decent numbers in the VHL for the past six seasons. Clegane came into the league as a very highly touted goaltending prospect and was subsequently drafted by the Helsinki Titans Second Overall in the Season Forty-Five VHL Entry Draft. Clegane took his services to the defending Continental Cup winners the Toronto Legion this off-season. So far this far into the season the decision seems to have been best for both parties involved as Clegane is either leading the league or sitting second in all the important goalie categories including, a league leading .946 goals against average. Clegane has also put up 1.44 goals against average and thirty-three wins, which are good enough for second in each category. Although the paper may say that Clegane is getting closer to the end of his VHL career, but his play this season wouldn’t give any indication of that.

Edited October 19, 2016 by Smarch

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Veteran Corner

We are at the point of the season where the league takes a quick hiatus to have an All-Star week, which includes festivities and of course the main attraction, the game itself. The league launched a new format to spice up the All-Star week and game, which say the game move to the trade deadline week and introduced a two team captain draft format. Currently there are three members tied to the second captain spot, so with the rosters not finalized yet we`ll take a shot in the dark with our picks for a forward, defenseman and goalie.

Tom Lincoln

The long-time face of the Quebec Meute, Lincoln will likely represent at the VHL All-Star game as a member of the Cologne Express this season. After appearing in only two games with the Meute in Season Fifty-One, Lincoln was shipped off to Cologne and wasted no time picking up where he left off the last two seasons in Quebec. As we enter the VHL trade deadline and All-Star week with fifty-six games played, Lincoln has put up thirty-seven goals and forty-three assists. With great offensive numbers Lincoln should be a lock for the All-Star game and whoever has the chance to pick the Vancouver, British Columbia native should do it as quickly as possible. Lincoln has seen action in the past two VHL All-Star games and has put on quite the show during those two appearances. In Season Forty-Nine Lincoln put up two goals and one assist, but not to be outdone the next season, Lincoln took home first star honors with three goals and one assist. What will Lincoln have in store for the VHL fans worldwide when he steps on the ice for the annual festivities?

Black Velvet

When you look at the stat sheet for Velvet, you`d have to wonder what the Toronto native could do to take his VHL game to the next level. With three consecutive Continental Cups with the Legion to go along with three straight All-Star appearances, Velvet has taken the league by storm, outside individual awards. This off-season Velvet saw the end of his entry level contract which saw him become a free-agent. Velvet joined a pretty decent free agent group and in the end Velvet and four other choose to join the Calgary Wranglers. That decision seems to have paid off for both the Wranglers and Velvet as the team sits in first place in the North American Conference and the entire VHL, while Velvet has surpassed his career high in points with eighteen goals and a league leading seventy-three assists. As far as All-Star games go, Velvet is poised to appear in his fourth straight All-Star game. Although Velvet is, somewhat of an All-Star veteran that hasn`t always transitioned into success in those games, as Velvet has been held pointless in two of the three games. Will Velvet turn it around in the Season Fifty-One All-Star game, or will he continue to just show up and done a jersey?

Atticus Von Braxton

Von Braxton came into the league as a highly touted prospect from a very respective player agency. In his rookie season in Season Forty-Eight with the New York Americans, Von Braxton showed that talent as he posted forty-four wins and a .917 save percentage. Von Braxton wasn’t able to continue his winning way once he was brought to the struggling Stockholm Vikings franchise, his focus faded during this time as well and practices became a chore for the young Canadian goaltender. Von Braxton had been seem more around the Vikings locker-room and practices this season, which has led to his numbers increasing in Season Fifty-One. After fifty-six games this year, Von Braxton sits second in the league in save percentage with a .928, which is pretty impressive considering he has faced almost 600 more shots  than any other VHL goaltender. This week has been a busy one for Von Braxton as he retired and was traded to the Cologne Express, all within hours of one another. Von Braxton will be competing in his third and final All-Star game in Season Fifty-One; will he be able to go out on top?

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Veteran Corner

The All Star Game didn’t get blown up like Dixie’s house in Lethal Weapon after all. After much suspense and people just assuming the game wouldn’t take place, much beloved VHLer Phil seemed to take the bull by the horns and get the ball rolling. Team Cocaine and Team Der Meister went neck to neck for three periods and an overtime period before heading to a face-off to decide the game. With last week’s edition of Veteran Corner looking at our pick for one forward, defenseman and a goaltender in the annual All-Star game, in this edition we’ll take a look at some stars that came from last week’s game.

Max Mølholt (Team Cocaine):

Of course future first ballot Hall of Famer Max Mølholt would find himself on top of the VHL world at the All-Star game. Playing on Team Cocaine’s first-line, Mølholt wasted no time putting the puck in the back of the net behind Legion teammate Greg Clegane, as he put home the teams second goal of the frame just a over a minute into the game. Mølholt would find the stat sheet again in the second period when he helped set up line-mate Tyson Kohler to help put Team Cocaine up 4-2 at that time. Not done there Mølholt would break a four- four tie with a nice steal and shoot with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. When the game went to overtime and eventually a shoot-out, there wouldn’t be a better fitting then Mølholt taking the third shot for Team Cocaine and netting the game winner, which of course the legend himself did. Although Mølholt can return for one final All-Star game, if he does retire in the off-season he surely put on one hell of a show for the fans.  

Tom Lincoln (Team Cocaine):

Lincoln was our pick last week as the must have forward heading into the All-Star game draft. He definitely didn’t disappoint on the ice, as he jumped off to a hot start opening the games scoring just a 1:15 into the game.  With one goal under his belt in the first period, Lincoln went looking for more on just his third shift of the game. Just over a minute removed from his first goal of the game, Lincoln won the face-off against Aleksi Koponen and quickly fired a slapper towards the net, which handcuffed goaltender Greg Clegane and found the back of the net to put Team Cocaine up three to one. Although Lincoln was held off the scoresheet the remainder of the game, he was still named the second star for his amazing two goal performance in the opening frame.

Tyson Kohler (Team Cocaine):

Kohler came into the game as on to the top goal scorers in the VHL today, but with new line-mates for one game he showed how we’ll he can adapt to any situation. For the night Kohler put away his goal scoring stick and brought out the playmaking equipment on his way to a three point performance. Kohler and Mølholt seemed to have instant chemistry when the two got together to form a line for the All-Star game as Kohler set up both of Mølholts goals. Not to be totally left out of the party, Kohler made sure to find the back of the net himself at the 13:19 mark of the second period.  Although he was unable to up one past net minder Atticus Von Braxton in the shoot-out, Kohler still had a good overall game, one good enough to give him third star honors.

Unknown Player (Team Der Meister):

One goal, two assists and zero minutes of ice-time in the All-Star game for this veteran journeyman.  That’s right folks, never mind the performances of the others on this list; unknown player was clearly robbed of his rightful place at the top of the three star list. Outside of some sort of witch craft set by Team Der Meister team captain Till Lindermann, we aren’t really able to wrap our heads around the previously mentioned stat line that also included an amazing plus minus of plus five. We’re not sure if we’ll ever see another VHL performance in an All-Star game like this again.

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

The best part of the Victory Hockey League season is upon us now, with the playoffs finally underway. In the North American Conference you have the Toronto Legion and Seattle Bears squaring off, while over in Europe you have the Cologne Express taking on the HC Davos Dynamo. In today’s editions of Veteran Corner we’ll take a look at some veteran players on those playoff clubs that could have an impact on the current playoff series, whether it is positive of negative.

Thaddeus Humbert (Toronto):

Acquired in a mid-season deal with the Quebec Meute, Humbert slowed down slightly after arriving in the hockey crazy Toronto. After putting up fifty-seven points in fifty-two games with Quebec, Humbert only managed thirteen points in his final twenty games on the season in Legion blue and white. Humbert has never been looked at as a superstar forward, but his veteran presence has been sought out by four different clubs as he is making his sixth VHL playoff appearance in his career. So far in the Legion’s first three playoff games, Humbert hasn’t had much of an impact for his club. Humbert is one of three Legion players that has been held of the shore sheet again Seattle, but that hasn’t effected Humberts ice-time as he has averaged over thirty-two minutes a game. Will Humbert pick up his play as the series grows, or will his play be a determent on the Legions quest for a fourth straight Continental Cup?

Joel Järvi (Cologne):

Having spent his entire five year Victory Hockey League career in Cologne, Järvi couldn’t be happier than to be in his fourth straight VHL playoff appearance with the Express. Järvi had a decent season centering the second line for the Express, playing alongside line-mates for most of the season that were absent from Express practise all season long. Even with the tough task of playing alongside others that didn’t believe in practise, Järvi put up thirty-nine goals and thirty-four assists during the regular-season. So far Järvi has played lights out during the teams’ three playoff games against Davos, putting home a team leading four goals in just those three games, with two of those goals coming on the mad advantage for Cologne. With the Express and their fans hoping for a Continental Cup, they will be looking for Järvi to keep up his scoring pace to help them reach that goal.

Felipe Rodriguez (Seattle):

Rodriguez was brought over to Seattle in an early season trade; one that Seattle hoped would help solidify their blue-line for this season and more importantly future seasons. While moving from the only VHL home he has known might have been a bit nerve racking for Rodriguez, he never showed that in his play as he put up a career high in goals, assists and points this season in Seattle. Rodriguez put up nineteen goals and forty-three assists to make up his sixty-two points on the season, while also continuing to throw his weight around with 238 hits. Rodriguez and the Bears were hoping to silence some outspoken critics during their playoff series against Toronto, which they did during game one of the series. While the next two games didn’t go the way the Bears were hoping, Rodriguez and the club now know they are able to run with the big boys.

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Veteran Corner

The Victory Hockey League Playoffs are in the final stage currently with the Continental Cup taking place between the Toronto Legion and Riga Reign. These two clubs have meet before in the biggest stage of the VHL, but of course this year it will be a different story with different players and headlines waiting to be played out. In this weeks’ edition of Veteran Corner we’ll take a look at some of the players for the two franchises, those players who have helped their respective clubs get where they are today.

LeAndre St. Pierre (Toronto):

St. Pierre has been playing lights out for the Legion in the clubs twelve playoff games this season. His seven goals and eight assists put St. Pierre second on both the right wing and Legion point’s leaderboard. Although St. Pierre hasn’t been reporting to practise for the season and a half, his chemistry he build with fellow teammates Max Mølholt and Zach Parechkin has helped him keep up his great scoring pace. If the Legion wish to pull off the unheard of four-peat, St. Pierre will need to keep up the over point per game pace.  

Zach Parechkin (Toronto):

Another career member of the Legion, Parechkin was one of the first pieces that the team brought in to cement the rebuild behind the Season Forty-Five addition of Mølholt. Parechkin really showed his worth though this season as he put up career numbers in all offensive categories including, goals (65), assists (66) and points (131).  Parechkin led the way offensively for the Legion all season long and has continued to do so in the playoffs so far against Seattle, Calgary and now Riga. Parechkin currently has four goals and twelve assists in those twelve playoff games helping the Legion reach the Continental Cup finals once again.

Shawn Muller (Riga):

Muller signed in the off-season with Riga to help the Reign back to the Continental Cup finals, somewhere they haven’t been in ten seasons. The choice to jump ship to the Reign from the European rival HC Davos Dynamo has paid off wonderful for the Germany native, as he like Parechkin put up career highs in goals (49), assists (55) and points (104). While the Reign haven’t been the most offensive team during the eight playoff games they have played, Muller has done his best to help his team putting up four goals and five assists in those eight games against Davos, Cologne and Toronto. After scoring the game winner and series clincher in game seven, what will Muller pull off in the cup finals?

Sir William Covington III (Riga):

The outspoken sometimes brash forward is backing up all that talk with a good playoff series after an amazing regular season with the Reign. Another member of the Season Fifty-One Dynamo that came over during the off-season, Covington III lead the way this season offensively for Riga putting up team highs in assists (82) and points (122). Covington who openly talked about his intentions of heading to free agency again this off-season, has showed VHL General Managers around the league over the course of the regular season and playoffs to this point, that he is still a go to forward in the league. Covington is currently leading all center-man in scoring in the playoffs with three goals and five assists in the Reigns eight playoff games. Will Covington be able to bring glory to the city of Riga during his short tenure with the club?

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

First off I would like to extend my congratulations to the Riga Reign on their big Continental Cup win. A great way to cap off a very interesting season in the Victory Hockey League, which was a great start to the next fifty seasons of this great league. Now with the finals coming to a close in seven games, some VHL players have played their last games in the league. In this week’s edition of veteran corner we’ll take a look at four players that played out their final season for their respective VHL clubs.

Alexander Davidson:

Davidson finished his career off with the Quebec Meute this season after signing a massive seven million dollar contract to finish off his career. Originally drafted Eighth Overall by the New York Americans in the Season Forty-Four VHL Entry Draft, Davidson never really hit the ceiling he entered the VHL with. Davidson suited up for 177 VHL games during his eight year career, putting up eleven goals and twenty-three assists. While Davidson didn’t put up some of the godly offensive numbers we have grown accustom to in the VHL, he did manage to last eight seasons in a very competitive league.

Maxime Perron:

Another member of our list that signed with the Quebec Meute during the past off-season, but Perron was lucky enough to find a home with a playoff bound team around trade deadline week. After playing fifty-two games this season with Quebec, Perron was shipped to Toronto to finish off the final twenty games. Perron came within one win of his first Continental Cup with the Legion in his final VHL season, but even without the ring Perron still had a very respectable VHL career. Perron played in 502 games during seven year career, putting up 155 goals and 193 assists. Perron won’t go down as the greatest VHL player to ever grace us, but as we all know in this day and age of the VHL, his depth was a very valuable piece.

Thaddeus Hambert:

Hambert entered the VHL via the General Manager rule with the Cologne Express where he would spend parts of two and a half seasons playing for. Hambert wasn’t the most offensively gifted individual to play the game of hockey but playing for five different VHL clubs in 575 games, Hambert managed to net seventy-five goals and 301 assists. One of the great character guys in the league Hambert was sought out by those clubs for his off-ice impact just as much as the on-ice impact. Although Hambert didn’t have the same enthusiasm that we have come to expected from the Devise agency he still will go down as a serviceable player in the league.  

Kerkko Hyvärinen:

One of the biggest blunders in the hockey operations in the Austin Gow era after being drafted Second Overall by Calgary in the Season Forty-Four VHL draft; Hyvärinen left the league after a eight season career with two Continental Cups. Hyvärinen didn’t amount to what you would expect from the second pick in a professional draft, but he managed to put up decent numbers in his time split between Calgary, New York, and Toronto. Playing in 576 games between those three clubs, Hyvärinen was able to put up sixty-nine goals and 205 assists. While he wasn’t a superstar on the blue-line Hyvärinen will be surly missed by those in Toronto.

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

After a week long hiatus, we at the VHL Magazine are back at it this week with our usual nonsense. With the missing week coming at the same time we happened to open Season Fifty-Two, I never had the chance to remind everyone of the Season Forty-Five draft class that will be playing their final VHL games this season. So in today’s edition of Veteran Corner we will be taking a look at a few of the remaining players from that draft class and what they have achieved in their past seven years in the league.

Phil Hamilton (Toronto Legion):

The First Overall pick in the Season Forty-Five entry draft has had a stellar career over the past seven seasons with three different VHL clubs. Entering the league as a rookie in Season Forty-Five with the eventual Continental Cup champions, the Helsinki Titans, Hamilton never looked back since his first game. With two Continental Cups, two Sterling Labatte trophies, and two goal and silver medals in the world cup, Hamilton hasn’t got much left on his list of things to check off in the VHL before he leaves. Signing with Toronto in the off-season, Hamilton hopes that decision will bring him on more cup before heading off into the retirement sunset.

Greg Clegane (Toronto Legion):

One of the best VHL goalies in my opinion of all time, Greg Clegane can always be counted on to help his team when they need it the most. Clegane was also part of the Helsinki Titans that won back to back Continental Cups in Season Forty-Five and Season Forty-Six, the first championship also came with a Christian Stolzschweiger win for the league’s top rookie for Clegane. Heading into his last season in Toronto Clegane leads all VHL goaltenders since the league opened in goals against average and shutouts, now fans and management in Toronto hope he can deliver one more Continental Cup in his eighth season.

Max Mølholt (Toronto Legion):

As close as you come to sure bet for the VHL Hall Of Fame, Mølholt has been a dominant force since he put on a Legion jersey in Season Forty-Five. With 100 points in all but two of his VHL seasons, Mølholt has been one of the key offensive forces that helped lead the Legion to three straight Continental Cup wins. Joining the Legion in Season Forty-Five due to the General Manager rule Mølholt has therefore spent his entire career in Toronto which will lead to his name being brought up with the likes of the other greats thought Legion history. Can Mølholt lead the Legion to another cup with a veteran laden roster in Season Fifty-Two?

Sandro Clegane (Riga Reign):

Coming off his finest season of his VHL career where the younger Clegane brother found himself hoisting the Scotty Campbell trophy and the Continental Cup. Sandro has had a decent career splitting his time between four VHL teams, finding the perfect home in Riga via an off-season trade heading into Season Fifty-One. Clegane also put another notch on his belt last season as he beat the VHL’s all-time shutout record with twenty-two shut-outs, beating the previous record of nineteen set way back in Season Twenty-Seven. Clegane is back with the Reign for his final season and is looking to add some more hardware to his cabinet before he heads into retirement.

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

As the Victory Hockey League enters the thirty game mark, we see the Seattle Bears and the Riga Reign on top of their respective conferences.  With many playoff races still very much alive in both conferences, veteran leaders on the teams will need to do their most to give their VHL teams that extra push. In today’s edition in Veteran Corner, we’ll take a look at some older players that have made an impact in the first twenty-eight games.

John Sleeman (Cologne):

Sleeman has fit right in with the Express in his first and only season with the German hockey club. Sleeman has taken advantage of his over thirty-two minutes a game, putting up a league leading twenty-nine goals to go along with his twenty-seven assists on the season so far. With the Express just three points out of first place in the European Conference, Sleeman will need to continue to light up the league to help Cologne overtake the Riga Reign. It also appears as though Sleeman will finally break the century mark in points, this sixth season in the league, which will be something to celebrate one it happens.

Dmitri Dadanov (Cologne):

Another former member of the Quebec Meute, Dadanov has also found another level to his game playing for the Express. After finishing the season with thirty-three wins and a .928 save percentage split between Helsinki and Quebec, Dadanov has already won seventeen of his twenty-eight starts and put up a league leading .933 save percentage this season with Cologne. Dadanov has been busy in net with only four non computer players on the roster, facing the third most shots for far this season with 930 shots faced. Dadanov will be a key piece heading forward for the Express if they have any hopes of making any playoff magic in Season Fifty-Two.

Tom Lincoln (New York):

Lincoln who is playing on his third VHL club in two seasons has found a good home this season in the North American Conference with the New York Americans. With the Americans looking to climb out of their most recent rebuild they went out looking for some offensive help, the trade for Lincoln did just that. In the Americans twenty-eight games this season Lincoln leads the team in assists with thirty-six and in points with fifty-eight. Lincoln is looking to register his fourth straight 100 point campaign in the VHL, but first and foremost the Vancouver native is looking to bring home his first Continental Cup this season with New York.

Phil Hamilton (Toronto):

One of the most reliable defenders in the VHL, Phil Hamilton is looking to make an impact in a new city this season. After jumping ship from the Express to the Toronto Legion Hamilton was expected to help lead the aging club back to the playoffs and Continental Cup finals in Season Fifty-Two. So far even though Hamilton has put up eleven goals and twenty-nine assists on the season, the Legion are finding it tough in the North American conference this season as they sit three points out of the playoff picture at the current moment. Hamilton and the rest of the veteran roster in Toronto will need to up their games if they wish to see post-season action this year

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

As we enter the holiday season in the Victory Hockey League, the hockey action has entered the stretch run. With each team playing thirty-eight games at the time of writing, the playoff picture is still as clear as mud in the North American Conference. In this week’s edition of Veteran Corner, we’ll throw a bit of holiday cheer into our article and look at the naughty and nice list of veterans around the league.

Arcturus Mengsk (Naughty):

Coming off an eight-eight point performance in Season Fifty-One with the Express, Mengsk was re-signed to a one year contract during the off-season. Mengsk hasn’t been able to duplicate the numbers from last-season on a very lonely roster, putting up a team low twenty-three points in the teams’ thirty-eight games. Mengsk first entered the league back in Season Forty-Five with the Seattle Bears, so he will need to make the most of the next thirty plus games, as they will be the last regular seasons games he ever plays in the league. The Express are currently sitting in second place in the VHLs’ European Conference, sitting only eight points out of first place at the moment, so any extra points Mengsk can pull out of his bag of tricks will help the German club.

Maxime Deschamps (Naughty):

Another member of the Season Forty-Five draft class, Deschamps hasn’t put up the numbers that Seattle hoped for when they first drafted him Eleventh Overall in the Season Forty-Five VHL Entry Draft. Setting a career high in points last season with forty-one points in Quebec’s seventy-two games, Deschamps hoped to match or even improve on those career highs in his last season in the VHL. Fast forward to the thirty-eight game mark in Season Fifty-Two and Deschamps has only managed eleven points in those thirty-eight games. With Quebec on the outside looking in for the playoffs, Deschamps will likely play out his career in the Canadian capital in the next few weeks.

Niels Skovgaard (Nice):

Coming off a huge break-out season in Season Fifty-Two, which saw Skovgaard put up career highs in goals (49), assists (60), and points (109), Skovgaard jumped right back into the scoring mold this season. Skovgaard signed a one year extension during the season last year and Skovgaard has been repaying the team ever since, as he appears to be playing at a level that will see him surpass most if not all the career highs he set last season. In thirty-eight games this season Skovgaard has put up twenty-nine goals and forty-four assists, which is good enough to tie him for first in the entire VHL. Cologne will need Skovgaard to lead the way offensively for the remainder of the season, as they will be seeing playoff hockey for sure in the upcoming weeks in Cologne. 

Jeff Hamilton (Nice):

Hamilton has been having a good season in Toronto, after signing in the Ontario capital during free agency this season. Playing on an extremely veteran roster, Jeff and his brother Phil were brought into Toronto to anchor the blue-line. Jeff has had the slight upper hand in the race between the brothers for points, with Jeff putting up fifty-three points in the Legions thirty-eight games played so far. With Hamilton currently leading the points race for defenseman at this point in the season, Legion fans are talking about the possibility of Hamilton taking home the second Labatte trophy of his career. With the Legion sitting four points behind the Americans in the race for the final playoff position in the North American Conference, Hamilton will need to continue to produce the points as he currently is.

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

Shawn Muller (Riga Reign):

Muller decided to stick around after last season’s Continental Cup win with Riga, and so far in Season Fifty-Two it is paying off for the seventh year forward. Coming off his first 100 point season in the championship season, Muller has almost reached that milestone already in the Reign’s fifty-three games this season. After being drafted Fourth Overall by the Seattle Bears in the Season Forty-Six VHL Entry Draft, Muller would put up decent numbers in the two and a half seasons as a Bear, but once he made his way to Davos Muller started to really show what he could bring to the table. After going to the finals the past two seasons Muller hopes that with a weak conference and a good nucleus still around in Riga, that he can make it three straight Continental Cup appearances here in Season Fifty-Two.

Unassisted (New York Americans):

Unassisted has been everything and more the Americans could have hoped for when they signed him as a free agent this past off-season. Now in his fifth season in the VHL, Unassisted is finally getting to play a lead role on a VHL club rather than a supporting role, which has allowed the Richmond Hill native to breakout in the Americans fifty-four games this season. Unassisted is currently leading the league in goals with forty-six, assists with sixty, and points with 106. With spots in the top twenty of all time goals, assists, and points in reach this season for Unassisted the stretch run for Unassisted and the Americans will be a fun one to watch as we may witness some history being made in the upcoming weeks.

Joel Järvi (Seattle Bears):

Järvi seems to be fitting in nicely with the Bears after being acquired by the club as we heading into the beginning of Season Fifty-Two a month or so back. Järvi is in his sixth season in the VHL, but this will be his first season outside of Cologne after being automatically selected to the Express via the leagues General Manger rule, so many around the league were wondering how the Finnish forward would handle the new team. Currently is looks as though Järvi is doing just fine with his new surroundings as he leads his new club in goals (34), assists(46), and points(80). With the Bears currently holding onto the top spot in the North American Conference, Järvi will be looked upon in the next few weeks to help keep putting the put in the net and hopefully help catapult his club to a first round bye.

Jakab Holik (Seattle Bears):

One of the best goaltenders in the league currently, Holik has a lot to do with where the Bears find themselves currently in the standings. Holik has been stellar this in his fifth season in the VHL and third with the Bears organization. Holik put up decent numbers last season for the Bears, and has really built on those numbers this season, posting a .928 save percentage, 1.54 goals against average. One thing to keep our eyes on as the season winds down is the fact that Holik currently sits with 15 shutouts on the season, a number that is just seven short of tying Sandro Clegane who set the record this last season. Holik should have a season to remember with or without tying or beating the shutout record

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

The best time of year is upon us again in the VHL, with the post-season ready to ramp up in both the VHLM and VHL. In the two semi-finals series we’ll see the New York Americans and Calgary Wranglers battle it out in the North Americans series, while over in Europe we’ll see the Cologne Express battle the HC Davos Dynamo. While most people will look to the North American playoffs as the one to watch, followers of the VHL know that anything is possible in the weird VHL playoff landscape led by the equally weird STHS. In this weeks’ edition of Veteran Corner we’ll take a look at some veterans that will need to step up their game to help their club move on in the VHL playoffs.

Ariel Weinstein; Goalie- Calgary Wranglers

It’s not often we here at Veteran Corner talk about our own agency, but this time I couldn’t help but pass by Weinstein. Calgary was expected to win it all last season, that didn’t happen and a slightly different roster was assembled in hopes of making the Continental Cup dream a reality in Season Fifty-Two. With two quality franchises in front of the Wranglers as they enter the VHL playoffs, Weinstein will need to play his best hockey of his career to help the Wranglers defeat New York and then Seattle. With a less then spectacular VHL career so far, we don’t see Weinstein pulling a playoff MVP performance out of his hat, but anything is possible at this time of the hockey season.

Sir William Covington III; Center- New York Americans

Coming off a Continental Cup win last season with the Riga Reign, the New York Americans are hoping that Covington will repeat with them this season. After putting up career numbers last season in Riga with, forty goals and eighty-two assists, you could say Covington III had a down year in his first season in the big apple. Covington was fifth on a very deep and talented New York roster in scoring in Season Fifty-Two, scoring thirty-six goals and helping set up another thirty-seven. Although Covington had his worst offensive season since entering the VHL back in Season Forty-Eight, Covington never let that affect his work ethic during off days. Covington had just surpassed the 600 TPE mark this season and will be looking to put all that to work for the Americans in the post-season.

Niels Skovgaard; Right Winger- Cologne Express

Skovgaard is coming off an amazing season with the Express, one that saw Danish winger hit the century mark in points for the second straight season. With bare cupboards in Cologne heading into Season Fifty-Two, Skovgaard was expected to be a key piece to the puzzle in Cologne, but not many inside or outside the German city saw Skovgaard having this all-star like season. Regardless of how the playoffs end for Skovgaard and the Express, the seventh year forward will be taking home some individual hardware home at the year-end awards ceremony. Skovgaard put up fifty-one goals on the season, but it’s his eighty-two assists on the season that will led to Skovgaard taking home the Alexander Beketov trophy for the league’s most assists. Although the regular-season success is great, the Express will need Skovgaard to bring that game into the playoffs if they have any chance against the reigning VHL champions, Riga Reign.

 

sorry for the lateness again @STZ

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

Season Fifty-Two has come and gone with the finale of the Continental Cup taking place in New York this past week. The New York Americans proved to be too much for the European champion Riga Reign. New York had the second best offense during the regular season and that offensive talent carried them during the post-season as well. In this weeks’ edition of Veteran Corner we’ll do something a little different as we’ll take a look at the veterans on the Americans roster that stepped up their games and helped the franchise to their sixth VHL championship.

Bobby Digital (New York):

After a decent regular season that saw Digital setting up sixty of his teams’ goals, Digital was the same play-maker in the playoffs, putting up eighteen goals in the teams’ seventeen playoff games. After spending the past three seasons with the club, Digital finally broke out in Season Fifty-Two, putting up a career high in points with sixty-two. Digital was a key piece in the championship run the Americans went on this season, holding down the fort on a suspect defensive core at best. With one great season behind him, we can only imagine that Digital will have more great seasons ahead.

Tom Lincoln (New York):

Lincoln was a huge part of the Americans championship roster this past season. Lincoln was acquired from the Cologne Express during the off-season and his impact was felt immediately in New York. Lincoln led the team in goals with fifty-nine and was second on the roster in points with 121, and this was all in his first season with the club. Although the regular season was impressive by all accounts, they saw the post-season is where legends are born, and this season Lincoln might have turned into a legend in New York. Lincoln put up twelve goals to go along with seventeen assists to lead the league in post-season points. Although Lincoln just put up a career year that ended with a championship, Lincoln might find himself with some individual hardware to cap it off after his amazing playoffs.  

Unassisted (New York):

Unassisted was another player that came to the Americans this year during the off-season, and another player that paid off dividends for the team right off the hop. Season Fifty-Two saw Unassisted put up his fourth consecutive 100 point season, but the 137 points were a career year for the Richmond Hill native. Unassisted was near the top of the leaderboard in points for most of the season and his fifty-seven goal and eighty assist season put him in second in the league for overall points. When the playoffs started the Americans were hoping that Unassisted would be able to take some of his regular season production into the post-season, and he did that and more during the teams seventeen games. Unassisted put up ten goals and eighteen assists for the Americans during the franchises championship run, which put him only one point behind team-mate Tom Lincoln for the playoff lead in points.

Ilya Kopralkov (New York):

Kopralkov got the ultimate send off from the Americans after taking home the Season Fifty-Two Continental Cup. Kopralkov had an up and down year in his first and only season in New York, but finished strong behind a very good New York roster, putting up a .920 save percentage and a 1.54 goals against average. Kopralkov continued that trend of up and down play in the first two rounds of the playoffs, but when it came to crunch time of the Continental Cup Finals, Kopralkov put forth extra effort to ensure his team would walk away victorious during the finals putting up a .927 save percentage and a 1.91 goals against average. Kopralkov can now walk away the game and call himself a champion whenever he so chooses. 

[Smarch 3,185]

 

Veteran Corner

I personally can’t believe that we are upon the VHLs Fifty-Third Season, as it seems like just yesterday the league was just starting and Scotty Campbell and Brett Slobodzian were just lacing up the skates for the first time. In today’s edition of Veteran Corner, we’ll take our usual look at the beginning of the season at those players around the league that will be skating on VHL ice for the final time this season. So without further ado we’ll take a look at some of those who are doing their swan song in the VHL in Season Fifty-Three.

Jeff Hamilton (Seattle):

One of the three Hamilton brothers currently in the VHL, Jeff is returning to the club that originally drafted the Gerrards Crossing native. After spending three and a half seasons in the with the Bears Hamilton was shipped out of town to quicken the Bears rebuild, to the teams North American rival Quebec Meute. Now as we sit to enter the Fifty-Third VHL season, Hamilton will have a chance to close the books on what should be a hall of fame career, with what will hopefully be a long championship run. Hamilton has been the picture of consistency since entering the VHL, putting up over 70 points and over 100 shots blocked in all but his rookie season. Seattle hopes that Hamilton will bring that much needed veteran presence to the Bears to take them over that hump and into the Continental Cup finals.

Zach Parechkin (Seattle):

Parechkin will be a name you’ll hear in VHL circles for many seasons to come, even after he hangs up his VHL skates at the conclusion of Season Fifty-Three. After being drafted First Overall by the Legion in the Season Forty-Six VHL Entry Draft, Parechkin wouldn’t dare look back and took the league by storm. Parechkin would go on to win nine individual awards and three Continental Cups during the past seven seasons in Toronto. Fast forward to Season Fifty-Three and Parechkin finds himself on a different franchise for the first time in his VHL career, a move that hopefully will find Parechkin his fourth VHL championship. Parechkin currently sits on the outside of the top fifty scorers of all time in the VHL, but with Parechkin back on a team built to win this season, he will likely slip himself into that elite company before the end of the season.

World B. Free (Stockholm):

World B. Free is another ex-Toronto Legion that has saw his fair share of success in his time in the VHL. Although Free isn’t the sexiest option when it comes to defenders in the VHL, if you listen to his former General Manager rave about him you’d figure out pretty quickly that Free has other intangibles that make him so important to hockey clubs. Now World B. Free finds himself in the European Conference with the Stockholm Vikings, a young franchise that brought players like Free to give them a much needed veteran presence. Known around the league more for his rough and tumble defensive play, Free will fill a much needed position with Stockholm only having two natural defenseman of their roster. 

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

Last time Veteran Corner and the VHL magazine were released, the league was still patiently waiting for the VHLs Fifty-Third season to begin. Now as I write another magazine article, we are in the full swing of things with all ten VHL teams being involved in at least thirteen games this season. In this week’s edition of Veteran Corner, we’ll do something slightly different with our theme and look at the top goal scorers across the VHL right now, as the players that find themselves at the top of the leaderboard as all now onto their Prime or Veteran contracts.

Tom Lincoln (New York):

Lincoln is becoming a household name in the VHL, as he has been finding himself at or near the top of the scoring leaderboard the past few seasons. After helping the Americans capture another Continental Cup, Lincoln was hoping for bigger things this season, as he and the Americans looked poised to defend their title in Season Fifty-Three. Lincoln has put together four consecutive 100 point seasons with three different franchises, so it appears Lincoln is comfortable no matter the surroundings, which show tons about his mental preparation and work ethic. Lincoln is currently tied for the goal scoring race in the VHL with four other players, with his 13 goals in 13 games. It’s hard to imagine a player keeping up his goal per game pace as they season goes on, but if Lincoln keeps up his practise hours anything could be possible.

Joel Järvi (Cologne):

Järvi finds himself back in Cologne after being traded back from Seattle after just one year in the Emerald City. Järvi had a breakout season last year with the best club in the VHL, putting up his first 100 point season in his career with forty-seven goals and sixty assists. Playing on a depleted roster in Cologne, Järvi has taken advantage of the over thirty minutes of ice-time he is currently seeing with the Express with thirteen goals and eighteen assists on the season. Although the Express weren’t expected to make much noise in the European conference this season, a strong showing by Järvi could possibly help them upset someone when the calendar turns over to playoff hockey.

Diana Maxwell (New York):

Maxwell turned a corner offensively last season with the Americans, and it looks like that trend will continue here in Season Fifty-Three. Maxwell didn’t have the start to her VHL career she wanted after being drafted to a rebuilding Stockholm Vikings that were in the very early stages of their rebuild. Maxwell had a high of forty-nine points in her rookie season in Season Fifty, but with an impressive core around him last year in New York, Maxwell showed what she was capable of putting up thirty-nine goals and fifty-five assists. With the same forward group this season as the Continental Cup winning season last year, Maxwell wasn’t really expected to carry the offensive load for the Americans but she is doing that in the team’s first thirteen games. Maxwell has put up thirteen goals and twelve assists so far in those thirteen games, tying her for first in the goal lead, while his twenty-five points puts her fourth in the league. Critics and her own agency can finally lay off Maxwell, as she has finally broke out of her shell and gotten the monkey off her back.

Tyson Kohler (Stockholm):

Kohler was an important free agent acquisition for the Vikings in the off-season, as the veteran forward brings in that much needed veteran presence into a young and learning locker-room. After feeling like his game was somewhat compromised in Cologne during his rookie contract, Kohler and three other big name free agents announced during a nationally televised event that they would be taking their talents to the Calgary Wranglers. Although the decision was a great one for his personal statistics, Kohler and the Wranglers were unable to even make it to the Continental Cup finals, let alone win one. Kohler showed off his touch the past two seasons in Calgary though putting up a combined 225 points during those two seasons in Calgary. Now a member of the Vikings here in Season Fifty-Three, the singing of Kohler has paid off wonderful for the franchise as he’s tied for the league lead in goals with thirteen while also leading the team with twenty-three points. If the Vikings are to make it to the Continental Cup this season, they know they will need Kohler to play a huge role for that to take place.

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

As we sit down to write another version of Veteran Corner for the week the VHL is about ten games away from the mid-way point of the season. Teams around the league are starting to either find their footing, or recognize they aren’t ready to compete just yet. In the North American conference is appears to be a two dog race as the New York Americans and Seattle Bears are just separated by one point in the standings, with forty-two and forty-one points respectively. Looking over to the European conference, the Stockholm Vikings have finally been able to gel after many different pieces where brought in during the off-season as the hold a four point lead for the conference lead at the current moment. In today’s magazine article we’ll look at some players on those rosters that have helped catapult near the top of the league.

New York Americans: (Bobby Digital):

Bobby Digital has been a great defensive force for the Americans since being picked up by the club in a trade shortly after the Season Forty-Nine VHL Entry Draft. Digital is coming off a career year with the Americans during their cup run last season, in which Digital put up two goals and sixty assists. Things appear to be on the same track for Digital this season as during the Americans twenty-six games played so far this season, Digital has yet to net a goal, but has a league leading thirty-four assists on the season. With the Americans in first-place in their title defense season and Digital at the top of the leaderboards in assists, things are certainly on the upswing for the young defenseman from Ukraine.

Seattle Bears: (Bogdan Podarok):

Coming off his first 100 point season of his short four season VHL career, Podarok is looking for more in Season Fifty-Three. Podarok put in tons of work in the off-season to improve on his fifty-two goal and fifty-nine assist season from last year, and as we approach the half-way mark it appears as though Podarok is on his way to another 100 point season. Podarok sits second on the Bears in goals behind Pietro Maximoff with twenty-four in the Bears twenty-six games. Sitting seventh in the league in points currently with forty-four, Podarok and the Bears hope he can continue to light the lamp as the search for the clubs first Continental Cup since Season Forty-Three.

Stockholm Vikings: (Travis Gowecny):

After being automatically drafted to the Calgary Wranglers via the General Manager rule back in Season Fifty, Gowecny spent the past three seasons with the North American club. Now that he no longer has any ties to the franchise, Gowecny finds himself playing a huge part in the quick turnaround of the Stockholm Vikings. Although Gowecny and the team have an agreement to let the youngster still attend college while playing for team, which has led to some missed practises, Gowecny is still a very welcome site in the locker-room come game time. Gowecny showed what he was capable offensively with the Wranglers last season, as he was given a bigger role with the club and rewarded them with a ninety point season. Gowecny isn’t looking like he’ll reach those numbers quite yet with the Vikings, but the touch he has displayed with his twenty-two assists on the season; the Vikings are excited for what the future may hold with Gowecny involved.

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

In our usually bullshit we spit out each week, we look at the veterans around the league that are still producing at a high level for competing teams. This week as we struggled to come up with another idea to write about, we stumbled upon a few games where the Cologne Express took down the superior on paper Stockholm Vikings. So we decided to look around the league for veterans that are putting their craft to work for teams that are not really in the thick of things in the playoff race. So without further ado, here are some veterans around the league that might have been forgotten as we dwindle down Season Fifty-Three.

Joel Järvi (Cologne):

This was an obvious one after the opening paragraph. Järvi has been putting up MVP numbers in his seventh year in the VHL. Cologne has been a hot spot for players putting up amazing numbers even though the rosters have been pretty slim in the German city in recent seasons.  Järvi has been on fire in the teams forty-one games so far, putting up and amazing forty-four goals and fifty-seven assists. Järvi had his best season of his career last year with the Seattle Bears, putting up forty-seven goals and sixty assists, but Järvi will without a doubt top those numbers this season, as he sits only six points behind that amazing total already. If Järvi can continue at even half his current pace, he’ll see his names echoed amongst the VHL greats with this amazing season.  

Pavel Komarov (Davos):

Komarov entered the VHL as a very rugged centerman, and things really haven’t changed over the past four seasons with Davos outside his move to defense back in Season Fifty Komarov put up a career high ten goal thirty assist season back in that season, but since then Komarov hasn’t reach more than forty points in any other VHL season.  Since moving from forward to defense, Komarov has worked very hard in becoming the best stay at home defenseman in the league today. Komarov has put up amazing shot blocking numbers and hit totals since the move in Season Fifty, including last seasons’ 257 hits and 147 shots blocked. Although Davos hasn’t been relevant in the VHL for a couple of seasons, you can always count on Komarov to give his all each and every night.

Ted Doughty (Quebec):

Doughty is spending another season in Quebec after being acquired by the franchise before the start of Season Fifty-Two. Doughty quickly let his presence be felt with the Meute as he led the team in scoring last season with twenty goals and forty-five assists. Doughty spent two seasons in Calgary with the Wranglers buried behind some very good talent on the blue-line, so the deal to Quebec worked wonders for all involved as Doughty was finally able to bloom. Doughty has continued to play well for the Meute this season, as he once again leads the team in scoring at this point with seventeen goals and twenty-eight assists. Although the Meute are expected to take the final playoff spot this season, Doughty and the team are just hoping to not get blown out of the water in the North American Semi-Finals.

[STZ 5,376]

I'll put this one near the end, so the reader can at least get through the mag before blowing their brains out. lololol..

[Smarch 3,185]

Mag 321:

Veteran Corner

After producing last week’s article and getting yelled at by the mean magazine editor, we have decided to back to what’s worked for Veteran Corner and talk about those veterans around the league that are making a difference for a team making a post-season run. In today’s edition of our magazine article, we’ll take a look at those veteran members who will likely be representing thier clubs at this years All-Star festivities. 

Sir William Covington III (New York):

Covington is finally spending a second season with a VHL club since his rookie contract expired back in Season Fifty. After winning a Continental Cup with the Riga Reign in Season Fifty-One, Covington saw the Americans as a good up incoming roster and jumped shit to the big apple. That move paid off for all those involved as Covington won his second consecutive Continental Cup with the Americans, and was so impressed with the club that Covington re-signed to spend one more season in New York. Covington is looking to rebound personally after what was a down season in Season Fifty-One, as Covington failed to reach the eighty point plateau for only the second time in his VHL career.  Covington has put up better numbers so far this season, posting twenty-two goals and forty assists in the teams forty-seven games this season. Covington and the Americans currently sit in the top spot in the North American conference, but with the Bears close on their tails, Covington will need to lead by example to help catapult the Americans back into the Continental Cup finals.

Tom Lincoln (New York):

Lincoln is the second member of the New York Americans we’ll look at today. Lincoln is another member of the Americans that is on his second season with the club. Now in his seventh season in the VHL, Lincoln is looking for his fifth straight 100 point season, something that will likely book his ticket to the Hall Of Fame in the not too distant future. Coming off a career high 121 point season last year, Lincoln looks to be picking up where he left off offensively last season. In the Americans forty-seven games this season, Lincoln has amassed forty goals and thirty-eight assists, which puts him third on the team in scoring. Lincoln has another year of eligibility to play in the VHL after Season Fifty-Three, so the young man from Vancouver, British Columbia, could probably inch even closer to the top of the all-time scoring leaderboard.   

Jeff Hamilton (Seattle):

As we move our attention to the biggest threat to the Continental Cup repeat in Season Fifty-Three, Jeff Hamilton will be the first mention from the Seattle Bears. Hamilton has been a consistent VHL defender in his now eight seasons in the league, but the loyalty he shows for teams around the league, likely hindered his cup total in the end. Hamilton was a member of the Season Fifty-One Continental Cup winning Riga Reign, a season that saw the Englishman put up a career high 108 points. After an off year that saw Hamilton joined his brothers in hopes of bringing another cup to the Toronto Legion, Jeff jumped back to a team with playoff aspirations here this season. Hamilton has been having an alright season with the Bears this year as he has put up eighteen goals and forty-six assists in the teams forty-seven games. Hamilton and the Bears still have a bit of work to do if they wish to take down the North American favorite in New York come playoff time.

Zach Parechkin (Seattle):

After spending the past seven seasons with the Toronto Legion and being part of the history that was three straight Continental Cups, Parechkin was dealt to the Bears during the off-season. One of the best pure goal scores in the VHL in the last decade, Seattle has the feeling that Parechkin would get them over that Continental Cup hump. Parechkin has provided the Bears with a much needed secondary scoring punch this season, as Parechkin has put up twenty-nine goals and thirty-four assists in the teams forty-seven games. With the team not far behind the first place Americans, the Bears are hoping the best move the team makes for the season will be brining Parechkin on board to help lead the way to the Continental Cup finals, something he knows a lot about.

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

In edition 322 of the VHL magazine, we are going to look at some names that haven’t popped up in Veteran Corner for some time.  After going back and looking from the annual beginning of the year look at players in their last years in the league up till edition 321, we have come up with some active players that we believe deserve come recognition.

Essian Ravenwing (New York):

Since entering the VHL with the Stockholm Vikings back in Season Fifty, Ravenwing hasn’t had the easiest ride in the league. After struggling with the rebuilding Vikings in Season Fifty, Ravenwing was acquired via trade by the upswing New York Americans. While Season Fifty-One in New York wasn’t the results Ravenwing was looking for either, he kept showing up to practice each week putting in the necessary work to get out of his early funk. The last season the VHL finally saw Ravenwing come out of his shell on the Continental Cup winning Americans roster, putting up over a point per game for the first time in his career, with seventy-nine points on the season. Now in his fourth season in the VHL, Ravenwing is starting to consistently see his name on the scoring sheet each night. Ravenwing is currently centering the second line for Americans, finding some chemistry with his line-mates allowing him to put up seventy-eight points in the team’s fifty-six games. Ravenwing will without a doubt put up new career highs in points this season, one that will hopefully lay the ground work for Ravenwing putting up career highs each season from this point forward.

Jakab Holik (Seattle):

Holik wasn’t playing to his elite calibre early on in the VHL season but he has really turned in on for the Bears recently. Holik has backstopped the Bears into First Place in the North American conference at this point in the season. Holik has been putting in a great amount of work to get better each season and this season is no different for Holik as he finds himself near the top of most individual goalie categories as we wind down Season Fifty-Three. Holik has put up forty-five wins in his fifty-six played this season, while also sporting a .927 save percentage and 1.59 goals against average. Holik has been putting up these numbers constantly over the past few seasons, making sure the Bears problems aren’t coming from the blue-ice. With eight games remaining for Holik to participate in he should still find himself at the top of the leaderboard come seasons end, even possibly capping off the season with his first Aiden Shaw Trophy.

Theo Axelsson (Helsinki):

Axelsson is another player that appears to have found his game once he left the organization that drafted him. Axelsson was drafted in the Season Fifty VHL Entry Draft, Second Overall by the Calgary Wranglers, whom he played three seasons for. Axelsson is coming off a eighty point performance last season in Calgary, his best performance to date, but this season Axelsson looks to put those numbers in the rear-view mirror. In fifty-six games with the Titans this season Axelsson has managed to put up an amazing thirty-eight goals and thirty-seven assists.  With the Titans in the thick of the playoff race in the European conference, Axelsson will be looked upon even more to carry the offensive load for the Titans in the coming weeks. With his best years in front of him Axelsson should turn into a superstar very soon in the VHL.

[Smarch 3,185]

Veteran Corner

As I sit down later than normal in the week to write my article for magazine issue 323, I looked over the league leaders to find something to write about. Of course the first name I stumbled upon was Joel Järvi and his amazing 162 point season. Soon after the idea came to me to write about some of the veteran players around the VHL that hit the century mark in points, so that is what we will be looking at today. Here are some of the best offensive players that put on a VHL sweater in Season Fifty-Three.

Felipe Rodriguez: The first players on the list of some on those who hit the century mark in points, Rodriguez also hit the mark for the first time in his VHL career. Rodriquez entered the VHL back in Season Forty-Seven when he was drafted Third Overall by the Quebec Meute. Rodriguez spent the first three years of his VHL career with the Meute before being dealt to the Seattle Bears prior to Season Fifty-One. Rodriguez made the switch to forward before the current season to help off-set the backlog the Bears had accumulated on the blue-line heading into Season Fifty-Three. Rodriguez finished the season tied for the team lead in points, putting up forty-nine goals to go along with sixty-six assists. With one season remaining for Rodriquez in the VHL, if he doesn’t go out on top with Seattle this season he could be back next season in search of another season with one hundred plus points.

Tyson Kohler: In his first season in Stockholm with the Vikings, Kohler put up his third straight hundred point season in the VHL. Kohler was brought into the fold in Stockholm to bring his veteran leadership to a club that was looking to turn the corner from rebuilder to contender. Kohler was everything and more that management hoped for when they reached out to Kohler during free agency as he put up a team leading fifty-eight goals and 114 points. With the Vikings entering the playoffs as the number one seed in the European Conference the pressure will be squarely on the shoulders of Kohler and only time will tell if he can translate his regular season play to the playoffs.

Diana Maxwell: Maxwell finds her name on our list as he is another VHLer that reached the century mark in points for the first time in her VHL career. After struggling through some real tough times in the early part of her VHL career, things started to turn a corner last season with a great personal season and topping it off with a Continental Cup championship. Maxwell had a great season that saw her put up sixty-four goals and 137 points, while helping lead the Americans to a fifty-four win season. Although the team enters the playoffs in a slightly different position as last year, but Maxwell hopes she can match or build on her amazing twenty-four point performance in last year’s playoffs and help her team lift another championship.