Claimed: Legion Thoughts

[DollarAndADream 3,357]

Stuff and Things

 

Leading into the Season 54 VHL Entry Draft, the Toronto Legion held 1st Overall and were known to have their sights on a goaltender for the franchise. In a wave-making event however, they traded away that 1st Overall selection. The Legion traded down to 3rd Overall, while also acquiring a 2nd Rounder and defenseman Jim Lahey. By making this trade, Toronto basically did nothing but gain value, considering they were picking at 3rd who they would have at 1st.

 

The Toronto Legion were able to select goaltender Torstein Ironside, who many predicted them to select 1st Overall. Acquiring Jim Lahey also brings them a nice asset to possibly trade in the future, as well as a veteran presence to have on the blue line to play alongside rookie Roman Sokolov. Goaltender Ironside will not be totally left hung out to dry in this upcoming season. Additionally, in the 2nd Round they were able to select Jean-Claude Girard, who is eager to make the jump to the VHL right out of the draft. I am sure many would advise another season in the VHLM, but it would either be him or an inactive defenseman anyways. If Jean-Claude wants to make that jump right away, Toronto's GM will not stop him.

 

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JC Girard could potentially be the steal of the draft, after being widely known to have bowed out of practice. But, connections to Girard's player agency in the SHL allowed Toronto's GM to convince JC Girard to give it another shot. So, onto the Legion he goes, and under the wings of Sokolov and Lahey, he could have a decent enough season as a rookie.

 

Going into Season 54 for the Legion is going to be nothing but a developmental rebuilding phase. Torstein Ironside, Roman Sokolov, and Jean-Claude Girard will all get the time they need to improve as VHLers while learning the ropes. The VHLM's Bo Boeser will be showcasing his talents on the Saskatoon Wild while the Toronto brass waits for him to join their team. It will be up to the Legion to try and build something strong from these players, and with a sure star goaltender, centerman, and defenseman already looking promising, it's all positive. If JC Girard has anything to say about it, that is another key piece for the future of this team as well.

 

In Season 54, there are a ton of strong candidates for that Rookie of the Year trophy. The DollarAndADream Agency is 2/2 on winning those trophies, with Travis Boychuk and Zach Parechkin winning it for themselves. A big question will be whether or not Torstein Ironside can push to have a huge season to make it 3/3. However, in the VHL it is a difficult task to be Rookie of the Year as a goaltender. More often than not, rookie goalies have less stellar seasons, while defensemen or forwards get a boost from veteran teammates, giving them good numbers. Just this past season, Alexander Thrower had 120 points as a rookie, and with 100 or more points as a first-year player, it's hard to say a goalie will ever beat that out. In the most likely of scenarios, if a Legion player wins this award it will be none other than Roman Sokolov. Roman showed he has world class talent in the VHLM, and is ready to make that full-time jump to the big leagues.

 

[Phil 5,129]

Matthews is legend