Claimed: Holik & Da Bears

[Banackock 8,141]

 

Jakab Holik - Seattle Thanks You!

 

"It's safe to say he was easily one of the biggest players this franchise has seen during the Blake Campbell era" - VHL Times Magazine

"Always the backbone of the team. Saving us when we didn't think saving was possible" - Sven Wolf, Stockholm Center

 

As VHL Times Magazine said best, he was one of the better players to enter the Bears organization during Blake Campbell tenure so far. During an abrupt, tricky transition from a contending team to an absolute tear down and rebuild, the Bears were sent into hibernation mode and immediately went looking for answers. With one of the big deal during the S49 season, we seen the Bears and Davos make a blockbuster swap which seen 3 players and a couple picks change places. In a deal that saw Shawn Muller and Sandro Clegane heading to Davos, the Seattle Bears picked up a 1st and 2nd round pick, along with their future starter in Jakab Holik.

 

"It was a tough trade to make. To complete and commit to the rebuild at that time wasn't something we wanted, but we knew in order to get the most out of our assets the time was then and now. Losing a player like Sandro Clegane is never easy, but we knew the type of guy Jakab was going to turn into and we hit it right on the head with that one. He showed up to practice early, was always one of the first and last ones on the ice and came up huge for us throughout his entire career. We owe a lot to him for the success, fun and times that we had. Holik will always be remembered as one hell of a Bear'

 

S49 - Picked up at the deadline - but we don't feel dead.

 

The deal happened at the S49 deadline. The Bears sent their best players packing with the rebuild just fueling up. He was one of the first few pieces that Campbell put together when putting acquiring his assets for the organizations future and can confidently be noted that it was also one of his best. Holik was struggling in Davos, sporting a record of 13-18-4, Save percentage of .911 and a GAA of 2.86. The moment he was sent to Seattle, the statistics rose and so did the atmosphere in Seattle hockey. Finishing his short stint with the Bears playing 37 games, he went 18-18-1 while nabbing a 0.923 SV% and a 2.10 GAA. Safe to say? Holik was here and it didn't take him long to make a name for himself.

 

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S49(DAV/SEA) 72GP | 31W - 36L - 5OTL | 0.916 SV% | 2.47 GAA | 6 SO

 

S50 - The Climb Begins

 

It's gotta get shitty before it becomes great and every rebuilding team has to start somewhere. While this season wasn't anything special and the Bears did miss the playoffs (almost a given), there was some signs of promise. AK-47 and Petenis were added to the organization during the off-seasons draft. Bogdan Podarok finally hit a point per game, getting 74 in 72 and Jakab Holik was once again showing management, the fans and the entire league that despite losing conditions and lack of talent, he's able to stand tall and play strong.  Though his record was dipping below 0.500, it shouldn't be looked at as the biggest stat for the season. Posting a record of 25-33-6 was sub-average, but his save percentage  of 0.923 and GAA of 2.34 were well above standards and what Campbell has expected at the time.

 

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S50(SEA)     64GP | 25W - 33l - 6OTL | 0.923 SV% | 2.34 GAA | 5 SO

 

S51 - They're back, baby!

 

Title speaks for itself. The rebuild could technically be said to be over as the Seattle Bears finally made their way back into the playoffs. With the playoff birth, the 2 year "drought" was officially over and it was thanks to a weaker conference but also a stronger team. Petenis and Wolf were both full-time VHLer's now, Bubba Nuck made a return and the team picked up Gow and Rodriguez on the back end. Things were finally starting to look up for the Bears! Another thing going up? Holik's stats. 35-25-4, with a 0.923 SV% and 1.97 GAA easily had Holik as one of the higher up goalies in the league and also easily made him a fan favourite in Seattle.

 

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S51(SEA)     64GP | 35W - 25l - 4OTL | 0.923 SV% | 1.97 GAA | 12 SO

 

S52 - We're going for it!

 

The Seattle Bears were back and they completed their climb to the top. Hibernation was over and the Bear woke up pissed off. This was the usual chatter of Seattle fans throughout the city during the regular season. The team was the best team in the regular season and earned the crown for that, but the playoffs were a whole new tango where they couldn't learn the dance in time and lost out to the eventual champions, New York. Despite the shitty loss, the team had quite a few highs during the season. They added huge pieces in Odinsson, Jarvi and Kyanon  and also seen career years from a majority of their own players. This included, Jakab Holik. 64 games played and he managed to win 54 of them.  54-9-1 was the record to beat and no one did it better that season. Aside from the playoff loss, A+ from Holik all year.

 

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S52(SEA)     64GP | 54W - 9l - 1OTL | 0.927 SV% | 1.57 GAA | 16 SO

 

S53 - One last time, One final season

 

This season had its highs, and it had its lows. The high's being that the team brought in elite players in Jeff Hamilton, Pietro Maximoff and Zach Parechkin. With this, the team had amazing seasons from each of their players during the regular season and once again were crowned the regular season champions. As always, Holik followed suit and stood on his head for the complete season - taking 50 wins from his opponents and icing the cake off with a similar GAA as last season with 1.58. Little did Holik know, but during these playoffs, would be the last time he'd place a Seattle Bears jersey over himself and skate out on the ice with the organization. 

 

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S53(SEA)     64GP | 50W - 10l - 4OTL | 0.927 SV% | 1.58 GAA | 12 SO

 

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The Seattle Bears organization would like to thank @Beketov / Jakab Holik for their time with the organization. Despite never winning a cup, you brought us so much success over the past seasons and seasons. Holik was one of the first few pieces I added to the organization and it was easily one of my best moves adding you to the roster and locker room. Amazing player and person and a very important person to the VHL. I'm sorry I couldn't find a way for us to win a cup. You stood by the team during most of your career and showed a crazy amount of loyalty and commitment and I feel like I failed a lot of you guys. Really hope you find that cup you've been chasing. You deserve it.

 

Take it easy Holik - hope to see you on the other side (not gates of heaven, huh. Just a new player  ) 

 

For Federov (last double for 12 TPE)