Claimed: S55 Official IIHF VHL Rankings [1/2]

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S55 Official IIHF VHL Rankings

All of the countries in the world that have VHL and/or VHLM representation

 

In this day and age, the VHL has truly become a global league, with players from over 30 different countries having players either in the VHL or VHLM. We have players from the farthest reaches of the globe, such as the wild Australian Outback, or the jungles of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. I have compiled statistics from every player in the VHL and VHLM (including inactive free agents), and have come up with the following ranking based on three components: # of registered players from that country, the average TPE of players from that country, and total TPE earned by players from that country. This gave me three separate rankings of which I assigned point totals to and added them together to get the final product, so without further  adieu, these are your Official VHL IIHF S55 Rankings. 

 

1.  Canada  

64 Points Overall (# of Players: 57 (1st) / Average TPE: 175 (12th) / Total TPE: 9,987 (1st))

Spoiler

 Canada 
(S48) RW - Rock Soapwart, TPE: 59 @puckman16
(S48) RW - Kendrick Cole, TPE: 201 @DGFX.
(S48) LW - Jamie Benn, TPE: 30 @GayforJamieBenn
(S48) LW - Sid Crosby, TPE: 30 @Nucker
(S48) C - Unassisted, TPE: 1,186 @STZ
(S48) C - Black Velvet, TPE: 1,190 @Higgins
(S48) C - Rene Bergeron, TPE: 30 @Tyler
(S49) LW - Kendrick E. Tsbagsuph-Diks, TPE: 77 @Tsbagsuph
(S49) G - Jacob Worboy, TPE: 46 @snake3001
(S49) RW - Kevin Jalopski, TPE: 111 @Caillean
(S49) D - Kurt Pennyworth, TPE: 30 @DOnlyOne
(S49) RW - Jake Steel, TPE: 34 @riverriverriverriverriver
(S49) D - Tony Pellerin, TPE: 30 
(S49) LW - Ted Doughty, TPE: 334 @Jala
(S49) RW - JJ Dynamite, TPE: 82 @jjdynamite
(S49) D - Jim Lahey, TPE: 224 @Cuffy
(S50) LW - Theo Pavlik, TPE: 30 @HabsFanFromOntario
(S50) D - Alexander Kachur II, TPE: 107 @Creative Name
(S50) LW - Zack Gagnon II, TPE: 48 @iRockstar
(S50) D - Keith Sampson III, TPE: 82 @Quads
(S50) LW - Asher Donovan, TPE: 236 @Dangles13
(S51) D - Brent Hardy, TPE: 57 @Nero
(S51) C - Eric McCloy, TPE: 30 @crutchfield
(S51) C - Chris Fekete Jr., TPE: 58 @ChrisF
(S51) RW - Hailey Cattrall, TPE: 30 @Denver
(S51) C - Josef Adeline, TPE: 30 @Adele
(S52) D - Lee King Snatch, TPE: 606 @Smarch
(S52) C - Johnny Styles, TPE: 103 @Harry F'n Hans
(S52) G - Rhett DeGrath, TPE: 644 @STZ
(S52) LW - Kyle Kasper, TPE: 33 @PapaGrim
(S52) RW - Sami Zayn, TPE: 356 @Tylar
(S53) C - Marc-Alexandre Leblanc, TPE: 333 @Pandar
(S53) RW - Pierre Gaudette, TPE: 411 @Frank
(S53) RW - Motherfucker Sharpe, TPE: 322 @JardyB10
(S53) D - Joshua Delisle, TPE: 30 @JoshuaDel
(S53) LW - Bury Philli,TPE: 30 
(S53) D - Legubrious Tucker, TPE: 30 @Thunderous
(S53) C - Xander Finn, TPE: 390 @Jericho
(S53) LW - Toor Diamond,TPE: 30 @DiamondNHL
(S53) LW - Julien Gallant, TPE: 30 @JulienGallant
(S53) D - Teli Briadora, TPE: 36 @RisingWater
(S53) RW - Beaver Beaverton,TPE: 50 @beaverNBFD
(S54) C - Shawn Gretzky, TPE: 330 @TheLastOlympian07
(S54) D - Ryan Beadle, TPE: 30 @GoFlamesGo
(S54) G - Markus King , TPE: 428 @Kendrick
(S54) C - Rask Rowe, TPE: 101 @Rowe89
(S54) D - Hudson Abbott, TPE: 380 @Bushitroll
(S55) D - Lyle Smallwood, TPE: 123 @gregreg
(S55) D - Felix Savard, TPE: 198 @Frank
(S55) LW - Xavier Laflamme, TPE: 128 @Laflamme
(S55) RW - Les Clarke, TPE: 83 @AwfulHomesick
(S55) C - Corey Klopfenstein, TPE: 74 @crutchfield
(S56) RW - Bradley Marko, TPE: 30 @Marko
(S56) D - Matthieu Bourdon, TPE: 61 @Lunaro
(S56) D - Mr. Shakedown, TPE: 30 @Jericho
(S56) C - Spicey, TPE: 44 @canucks30
(S56) D - Ay Ay Ron, TPE: 111 @boubabi

Is this any surprise to anyone? Canada is the worldwide leader in hockey, and they are rightfully represented at 1st place in this ranking. Canada will always have a huge supply of not only players, but superstars as well, such as their current stars Unassisted and Black Velvet. Those two are getting old fast though, so younger up-and-coming stars like Xander Finn and Hudson Abbott will look to take on bigger roles with the team during international tournaments. Despite only having 3 goalies available internationally at the moment, Team Canada fans can rest easy knowing that 2 of that 3 are Rhett DeGrath and Markus King; one already one of the best goaltenders in the world and the other well on his way down the same path.

2.  Germany 

63 Points Overall (# of Players: 8 (6th) / Average TPE: 312 (6th) / Total TPE: 2,541 (3rd))

Spoiler

 Germany 
(S48) RW - Tyson Kohler, TPE: 1151 @Kendrick
(S50) LW - Leif Tresler, TPE: 36 @James
(S50) D - Elijah Dotran, TPE: 398 @Paramorise
(S50) RW - Max von Hohenzollern, TPE: 384 @RomanesEuntDomus
(S53) C - Lukas Müller, TPE: 455 @solas
(S54) G - Alexander Wolf , TPE: 30 @thatdamnwalrus
(S56) D - Bastian Stolzschweiger, TPE: 44 @punkhippie
(S56) D - Augustus Gloop, TPE: 43 @evrydayimbyfuglien

The expansion of the VHL to Cologne in the early S30s has done wonders for German enrollment in the VHL. The international team lost out to Canada for 1st place by a hair, and some pundits will say that this ranking is a bit unfair, due to the team not having any superstars other than Right-Winger Tyson Kohler. The Germans will most certainly fall a few slots in next years ranking due to the retirement of Kohler, but they definitely have some very strong young talent in players like Lukas Müller and Bastian Stolzschweiger. They may not reach the level of superstardom that Kohler did, but they will most certainly develop into effective players for Germany on the international level.

3.  Sweden 

59 Points Overall (# of Players: 12 (4th) / Average TPE: 204 (10th) / Total TPE: 2,451 (5th))

Spoiler

 Sweden 
(S48) LW - Adam Holmstrom, TPE: 30 @Austin
(S49) LW - Gustav Stromberg, TPE: 30 @Harry F'n Hans
(S49) D - Tobias Klingberg, TPE: 468 @Mr.Baller
(S50) RW - Theo Axelsson, TPE: 878 @solas
(S50) RW - Elias Forsberg, TPE: 48 @JR95
(S50) G - Joanna Akerfeldt, TPE: 149 @enigmatic
(S52) D - Trazan Apansson, TPE: 30 @Trazan
(S52) RW - Jakub Karlsson, TPE: 70 @R1c3Muncher
(S54) C - Johan Soderberg, 30 TPE @Foehammer
(S54) RW - Verner Reinholdt, TPE: 232 @Devise
(S54) G - Torstein Ironside, TPE: 341 @DollarAndADream
(S55) C - Mattias Forsberg, TPE: 145 @Banackock

Fresh off Bronze Medal finish for Team Scandinavia in which a large majority of the team was Swedish, the Swedes rank in the top 5 globally, as expected. Sweden has always seemed to have a presence in the VHL, whether it be in the form of a team (the Vasteras Iron Eagles/Stockholm Vikings) or in the form of Hall of Fame players Niklas Lindberg, Alexander Valiq, and Anton Brekker. Those players are retired and gone though, and now Sweden relies mostly on their youth; Bruising winger Theo Axelsson brings some much-needed grit to their lineup, but Sweden's biggest strength is their youngsters; they have three young players who are nearly guaranteed to become stars in the VHL. The reigns in the crease have been handed over to Torstein Ironside from Joanna Akerfeldt for good now, and it looks like Ironside will be keeping the net to himself until the end of his career. Alongside Ironside is his new VHL teammate, the ageless wonder, Verner Reinholdt. Reinholdt and the third member of the Swedish youth trio, Mattias Forsberg, should be be striking fear into opposing international teams defenses for a long time. 

t4.  Russia 

58 Points Overall (# of Players: 15 (3rd) / Average TPE: 169 (13th) / Total TPE: 2,531 (4th))

Spoiler

 Russia 
(S48) LW - Pavel Ovechkin, TPE: 36 @Pavel_Ovechkin
(S48) D - Pavel Komarov, TPE: 413 @Gooningitup
(S48) LW - Adrian Kharlamov, TPE: 37 @NPGFX
(S49) D - Nikolai Jakov, TPE: 30 @Tantlaum
(S49) G - Ilya Kopralkov, TPE: 536 @Toast
(S50) D - Maksym Barnyashev, TPE: 321 @Wasty
(S50) D - Misha Tobolsk, TPE: 183 @svb
(S52) D - Grigory Kopralkov, TPE: 187 @Toast
(S53) D - Roman Sokolov, TPE: 291 @Beketov
(S54) D - Ofer, TPE: 30 @xDParK
(S54) D - Aleksei Federov, TPE: 330 @Banackock
(S54) RW - Evgeni Turakov, TPE: 42 @Wilson
(S55) D -Drahoslav Detlev, TPE: 30 @Samee
(S56) RW - Vladimir Zhelezkin, TPE: 30 @GoodLeftUndone
(S56) C - Sergei Komarov, TPE: 35 @Gooningitup

The Russians, despite ranking 4th, are a team that appears to be longing for glory days of old. Gone are the times of Hall-of-Famers, Maxim Desny, Pavel Koradek, and Alexander Beketov; gone are the days of Team USSR as well, a former VHL World Cup team that has since dissolved. Russia's biggest problem is that they lack superstar, or more specifically, a playeer who can lead the country and team back to the prominence it used to have. Right now, the team has many solid depth players, like Maksym Barnyashev, Misha Tobolsk, and Grigory Kopralkov, but they lack a superstar level player (i.e. Kohler/Unassisted/Maximoff) that would propel them higher in these rankings. The team has two promising young defenders in Roman Solokov and Aleksei Federov, but not much outside of that. Journeyman goaltender Ilya Kopralkov isn't any younger either, and with no young goaltenders in the pipeline, the Russians may find themselves dropping a few spots in the next few years.

t4.  United Kingdom

58 Points Overall (# of Players: 4 (t-9th) / Average TPE: 399 (5th) / Total TPE: 1,596 (6th))

Spoiler

 United Kingdom 
(S50) C - Essian Ravenwing, TPE: 720 @der meister
(S52) RW - Phil Shankly, TPE: 552 @Phil
(S55) LW - Rusty Trombone, TPE: 287 @Smarch
(S56) G - Brienne O'Tarth, TPE: 37 @murguy

Here we find perhaps our first big surprise of these rankings: the United Kingdom. While their nations may not produce a large quantity of VHL talent, they certainly make up for it in the quality of the talent they DO produce. The country already has two bonafide stars in New York American (lol ironic) teammates Essian Ravenwing and Phil Shankly, as well as another future star and possible Rookie-of-the-Year candidate in the HC Davos-bound Rusty Trombone. Bringing up the rear is a very young goaltender, Brienne O'Tarth, who may not be very impressive at the moment, but could possibly develop into a serviceable goaltender. If she can become half the player that her idol, Scottish HOFer Adrian McCreath was, she'll be set. The team's oldest member is Ravenwing, and even at that, he still has more than a few decent years left in him, which means that the only thing really needed for Team UK to advance higher in these rankings is for O'Tarth to trend upwards on the development track.

 

5.  USA 

57 Points Overall (# of Players: 53 (2nd) / Average TPE: 147 (17th) / Total TPE: 7,812 (2nd))

Spoiler

 United States of America 
(S48) C - P.J Jackson, TPE: 30 @xarzi
(S48) D - Dope Fiend, TPE: 85 @Ninetyfourgoalie
(S48) D - Sean Connery, TPE: 30
(S49) G - Sam Wall, TPE: 37 @Milldaddy
(S49) RW - Ryan Bucheler, TPE: 30 @Butch
(S49) D - Shayne Gow, TPE: 495 @Fire Hakstol
(S49) LW - KYLO, TPE: 40 @FueledByRamen
(S49) D - Titan Kronos, TPE: 405 @Evans
(S49) D - Robert E. Lee, TPE: 30 @Ramicus
(S49) RW - AK47, TPE: 353 @701
(S49) C - Josiah Kleveland, TPE: 30
(S50) RW - Smelly Fingers, TPE: 30 @smellmyfinger
(S50) LW - Spit Fire, TPE: 30 @Yman
(S50) D - Luke Matthews, TPE: 52 @Digg
(S50) RW - Diana Maxwell, TPE: 820 @Street x Lite
(S50) C - Travis Gowecny, TPE: 530 @eaglesfan036
(S51) C - Buddy Nielsen, TPE: 42 @BPH
(S51) C - Mike Ross, TPE: 33 @HawksFan19
(S51) G - Apollo Skye, TPE: 664 @Velevra
(S52) C - Ryan Nichollson, TPE: 30 @mixmasterswitch
(S52) LW - Angus Mustang, TPE: 30 @jfranzen
(S52) LW - Maximillian Ferrero, TPE: 30 @fatstacksofmacks
(S52) RW - Crash McClannahan, TPE: 30
(S52) LW - Austin Hickey V, TPE: 104 @Mr. Hickey
(S52) G - Roy Marshall, TPE: 30 @Boomcheck
(S52) G - M.T. Power, TPE: 437 @Devise
(S52) RW - Daryl Dortch, TPE: 324 @evrydayimbyfuglien
(S53) G - Zegonis Zalduendo, TPE: 30 @bar_down15
(S53) RW - Brock Dragonslayer, TPE: 330 @Advantage
(S53) LW - John Locke, TPE: 411 @Will
(S53) D - Marty McDouglas, TPE: 54 @GordonBombay66
(S54) G - Arthan Lawrence, TPE: 30 @Jeffsan21
(S54) D - JourneyMan, TPE: 129 @eaglesfan036
(S54) D - Jon Snow, TPE: 131 @ChiefNoka4
(S54) RW - Harambe, TPE: 53 @Seth
(S54) G - Vernon Von Axelberry, TPE: 219 @BobertZ
(S54) D - Jean-Claude Girard, TPE: 94 @Cope
(S54) D - Pablo, TPE: 283 @Pablo
(S55) D - Christian McKenzie, TPE: 47 @BOFish
(S55) C - Peter Quill, TPE: 146 @Green
(S55) RW - Alexander McKinley, TPE: 30 @Caillean
(S55) D - Michael Kinkaid, TPE: 101 @Symmetrik
(S55) D - Ryan Hamilton, TPE: 30 @BeanSobie
(S55) C - Jake Scheel, TPE: 136 @MD9
(S55) D - Dexter Lane, TPE: 118 @Advantage
(S55) C - Bo Boeser, TPE: 181 @DollarAndADream
(S55) LW - Alexander McManahan, TPE: 41 @Wikiplaysgames
(S56) C - Jack Shephard, TPE: 104 @Higgins
(S56) LW - Gabriel McAllister, TPE: 188 @CowboyinAmerica 
(S56) C - Charles Murphy, TPE: 41 @Doomsday
(S56) LW - Elijah Mikaelson, TPE: 30 @The Trollfecta
(S56) D - Jonathan Low, TPE: 30 @Daniel
(S56) RW - The Process, TPE: 44 @eaglesfan036

If you told me before these rankings were made that the United States would be ranked 5th overall, I wouldn't believe you. How could a team with such talented stars like Diana Maxwell, Apollo Skye, and Travis Gowecny be ranked only 5th? Well, the answer to that question is pretty simple; the US has it's stars of course, but after examining their overall roster it appears that for every big-name VHL player, there are 2 or 3 nobodies who never even got close to sniffing the VHL. for every Shayne Gow/John Locke/M.T. Power, there are about three Buddy Nielsens. Despite this leading to low placement in these mathematical rankings, the States still usually do very well in international play, with their recent S54 World Cup Silver Medal as evidence of this. The team doesn't need to worry about the future either, with generational talents Gabriel McAllister and Jack Shephard in the pipeline. The cupboards are well stocked to support those two, with players like Jake Scheel, Pablo, Dexter Lane, and Bo Boeser waiting for their opportunity to prove their worth to the land of the free and home of the brave.

 

6.  Czech Republic

54 Points Overall (# of Players: 6 (8th) / Average TPE: 220 (9th) / Total TPE: 1,317 (7th))

Spoiler

 Czech Republic 
(S48) G - Jakab Holik, TPE: 936 @Beketov
(S49) G - Thomas Smith, TPE: 30 @Shark
(S51) D - Robert Jelen, TPE: 172 @Gunner
(S51) RW - Ales Blasek, TPE: 30 @McNeil
(S53) LW - Jakub Pastrnak, TPE: 115 @mpclardy
(S53) C - Vaclav Hrdina, TPE: 34 @diamond_ace

Up next are the Czechs, who are similar to Germany in that the biggest reason for their high ranking is a single superstar player (New York Americans goaltender Jakab Holik). Holik is a household name in the Czech Republic, and for good reason; talent-wise he's the best goaltender in the world right now. Unfortunately for the Czechs though, Holik is extremely close to hanging up the pads for good, and when that happens, they're in trouble. Unlike the Germans though, the Czechs don't have the depth behind Holik to hold their spot in the rankings after he retires. Once Holik is gone, the reigns will be passed to...Robert Jelen? Jelen is the only other Czech to have played in the VHL, and even at that, he is a depth player at most. Once Holik skates off into the sunset, the Czech's average and total TPE counts will surely drop well past 20th overall. The country needs help, and fast.

 

7.  Ukraine

53 Points Overall (# of Players: 2 (t-11th) / Average TPE: 453 (3rd) / Total TPE: 906 (11th))

Spoiler

 Ukraine 
(S49) D - Bobby Digital, TPE: 789 @gorlab
(S56) D - Aackckqz Ky, TPE: 117 @YEAH!stlemania

At 7th overall, and like the United Kingdom, they benefit from having a talent pool that prides more on quality than quantity. Their player pool is extremely small, consisting only of two defensemen, New York Americans Captain Bobby Digital and S56 Draft prospect Aackckqz Ky. Digital is already known for being one of the best defenders in the world right now, and many Ukranians hope that Digital can serve as a mentor to Ky, and help him to achieve the same level of worldwide acclaim that his countryman did. Ky is still very raw at this stage of his career and development, and his future isn't exactly clear; will he be known for his pure offensive prowess like Daniel Braxton, will he turn into a purely defensive shutdown blueliner like James Lefevre, or will he settle in as somewhere in between, equally adept in both ends of the rink like Shayne Gow? No one can be sure yet, however one thing is for sure; Ky is a wildcard who many are interested in seeing develop as a VHL player.

 

t8.  China

52 Points Overall (# of Players: 4 (t-9th) / Average TPE: 265 (8th) / Total TPE: 1,059 (9th))

Spoiler

 China 
(S53) G - Astrid Moon, TPE: 444 @The Trollfecta
(S54) C - Fook Yu, TPE: 329 @tfong
(S55) C - Rudy Ying, TPE: 173 @punkhippie
(S56) D - Ho Lee Fook, TPE: 113 @Will

The Chinese are a team on the rise, all of their players are still young and have a huge amount of potential as a group. The group is headlined by recent S54 Playoff MVP Astrid Moon, who had a turnaround season for the ages in S54, improving by large margins in all major categories, as well as rising to the occasion when it mattered most in the playoffs, en route to the young netminder's first Continental Cup. The rest of the roster is nothing to sneer at though, as there are certainly Continental Cups in the possible future for centers Fook Yu and Rudy Ying. Bringing up the rear is defenseman Ho Lee Fuk, who is still pretty rough around the edges, but is signed to a player agency who has yet to produce a non-superstar player yet, so there are no worries there. All of these players are young and have a huge amount of potential; look for China to rise quite a decent amount in these rankings in the coming seasons.

 

t8.  Romania 

52 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 728 (1st) / Total TPE: 728 (13th))

Spoiler

 Romania 
(S49) LW - Pietro Maximoff, TPE: 728 @Green

Romania is an army of 1 in terms of VHL talent. Pietro Maximoff is all the former Soviet Bloc country has, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in talent level. The Stockholm Viking has more talent in one leg than some entire countries lower on this list. Maximoff's star power is bright, but stars don't shine forever, and it won't be long before this Romanian's supernova turns into a white dwarf. Until then the Romanians are riding Maximoff for all he's worth, as he is arguably the best Romanian-born player in VHL history.

 

9.  Mongolia 

51 Points Overall (# of Players: 2 (t-11th) / Average TPE: 421 (4th) / Total TPE: 842 (12th))

Spoiler

 Mongolia 
(S52) LW - Conrad Jenkins, TPE: 258 @Kylrad
(S53) C - Franchise Cornerstone, TPE: 584 @boubabi

For me this was the biggest surprise of the Top 10. I wouldn't even think of Mongolia as having ONE VHLM player, let alone two established VHL players. Both Conrad Jenkins and Franchise Cornerstone have already been to the VHL Finals, with the latter being successful at winning the VHL's ultimate prize. Despite being less skilled than his countryman, Jenkins has had some decent seasons as a mainstay on the Stockholm Vikings' 2nd line. Cornerstone meanwhile, is the heart and soul of the Helsinki Titans, and only appears to be getting better season by season. Despite their low enrollment, Mongolia should look to continue to rise in the rankings alongside their Chinese neighbors.

 

10.  Latvia 

49 Points Overall (# of Players: 7 (7th) / Average TPE: 168 (t-14th) / Total TPE: 1,174 (8th))

Spoiler

 Latvia 
(S49) D - Matthew DeLong, TPE: 30 @FootF3tish
(S50) D - Izidors Balders, TPE: 177 @bukss_a
(S50) D - Guntis Petenis, TPE: 558 @hedgehog337
(S52) LW - Miguel Pettyfer, TPE: 30 @LB.
(S53) C - Fredinamijs Krigars, TPE: 242 @hedgehog337
(S55) D - Nicodemus Raven, TPE: 107 @Fowll
(S56) G - Reinis Skele, TPE: 30 @Reinis Skele

Ahh, who could forget the Latvians. These lovable Baltic guys always manage to find a way to squeeze into contention, but ultimately, they lack the starpower needed to make a serious statement as an emerging power in the international hockey landscape. You would think that the country would be more well-represented in the VHL community, given the popularity and success of the Riga Reign. Their best player right now is Guntis Petenis, who did actually manage to stun many VHL experts by winning not only the Sterling Labatte Trophy in S54 as the leagues best defenseman, but the Scotty Campbell Trophy for being the leagues Most Valuable Player as well. Petenis can't do this forever though, and many think that his production is certainly going to drop in the coming seasons given his trade to the Quebec City Meute, where he goes from being the #1D to #2/#3 and less minutes. The offensive future of Latvia lies in the hands of Fredinamijs Krigars, a young player from the same agency as Petenis. Many Latvians are banking on Krigars becoming their own Maximoff or Kohler, and while the potential for that to happen is there, it doesn't look likely. If anything, Krigars is more likely to follow a similar career to Petenis.

 

11.  Dominican Republic 

48 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 550 (2nd) / Total TPE: 550 (16th))

Spoiler

 Dominican Republic 
(S52) G - Edwin Threencarnacion, TPE: 550 @YEAH!stlemania

Following in the footsteps of Romania is the Dominican Republic, a country certainly not known for their prowess in developing hockey talent. But despite all odds, Edwin Threencarnacion has found a way to make it to the VHL after spending his childhood in the favelas and jungles of the DR. The struggles don't appear to be over for Threencarnacion yet though, as he has been stuck as a skilled backup VHL goalie behind even more skilled VHL starters, mainly Apollo Skye. Despite joining a new team in this past offseason, the HC Davos Dynamo, Threencarnacion still looks to be in a platoon role at best, given that Davos management has given indication that they would like to stick with mist4ke. Even if he never reaches full stardom levels due to being stuck behind better goalies, Threencarnacion is still by far the best hockey player the Dominican Republic has produced, and the inspiration he has provided to children in his homeland is enough to be proud of.

 

12.  Finland

43 Points Overall (# of Players: 9 (5th) / Average TPE: 117 (20th) / Total TPE: 1,057 (10th))

Spoiler

 Finland 
(S48) D - Xavier Laine, TPE: 30
(S49) RW - Viljo Metsala, TPE: 30 @Finster
(S49) C - Roope Toivanen, TPE: 30 @Roope Toivanen
(S49) C - Sebastian Laine, TPE: 56 @WoldenGhore
(S51) LW - Lasse Koskela, TPE: 30 @WannabeFinn
(S52) D - Fabio Jokinen, TPE: 529 @jRuutu
(S53) LW - Apollo Aho, TPE: 105 @iRockstar
(S53) D - Diego Jokinen, TPE: 217 @Ahma
(S56) D - Jussi Jokinanegg, TPE: 30 @HearnNation67

You really wouldn't expect the Finns to be ranked so low on a list of International Hockey talent, but alas, here they are. The country still sent a handful of players to the S54 World Cup to represent Team Scandinavia, and those players (Fabio Jokinen, Apollo Aho, and Diego Jokinen) came home with bronze medals for their efforts. The Jokinen brothers are really the only players that the Finnish can be proud of right now, as the rest of their representatives are VHL fodder. Combine that fact with how Finland lacks a goalie prospect as well, and you can see why we think that Finland will stick around this spot in the rankings next time around.

 

13.  Denmark 

42 Points Overall (# of Players: 3 (t-10th) / Average TPE: 184 (11th) / Total TPE: 553 (15th))

Spoiler

 Denmark 
(S52) D - Aksel Syndergaard, TPE: 84 @754
(S52) D - Tomas Syndergaard, TPE: 79 @457
(S53) G - mist4ke, TPE: 390 @Strtlght

The Danes come next in the rankings, with nothing too impressive about them but nothing too embarassing either. They are a lesser version of higher-ranked quality over quantity countries like the United Kingdom and China. Their roster consists of the Syndergaard brothers on the blueline and netminder mist4ke. Aksel and Tomas Syndergaard started out with a lot of promise early on in their VHL careers but their careers quickly derailed, leaving many supporters wondering only what could have been. Denmark has had it's share of VHL talent, with Hall-of-Famers Aksel Thomassen, Zach Arce, and Lars Berger, any many Danes hoped that the Syndergaards could become a fraction of what those players were. There still is hope for mist4ke though, as he hopes to become the first Danish goaltender to make the Hall of Fame; it's certainly possible, he's still young and his agency has produced a Hall of Fame goalie before. Only time will tell.

 

14.  Singapore

41 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 271 (7th) / Total TPE: 271 (18th))

Spoiler

 Singapore 
(S54) RW - Takashi Fujimoto, TPE: 271 @BOOM@ASIANBOOM

Following in the footsteps of Romania AND the Dominican Republic is Singapore, the tiny nation on the coast of Indonesia. Takashi Fujimoto is perhaps the only VHL player to come from the country, and he is certainly the only player from there playing in the league now. Fujimoto is just one of the latest in what appears to be an influx of Asian players into the VHL, with countries such as China and Mongolia seeing huge booms (pun) in their hockey enrollment. Fujimoto will certainly bring attention to the sport in his country as a budding young superstar for the HC Davos Dynamo.

 

15.  Switzerland 

40 Points Overall (# of Players: 4 (t-9th) / Average TPE: 166 (15th) / Total TPE: 662 (14th))

Spoiler

 Switzerland 
(S54) LW - Rudolph Schmeckeldorf, TPE: 334 @Corco
(S54) D - Luca Volkov, TPE: 160 @Kyle
(S55) G - Key Perought, TPE: 138 @NUCK
(S55) RW - Nino Gisler, TPE: 30 @djlista

In terms of producing hockey talent, the Swiss appear to be a very hot or cold country in the VHL's history. Despite being a relatively small country, Switzerland has produced the 2nd most Hall of Fame players in VHL history, those players being: Matthew Pogge, Scotty Campbell, Petr Shirokov, Scott Boulet, Tomas Jenskovic, Leander Kaelin, Branden Snelheid, Matt Bailey, and Alexander Sauve. That list is certainly nothing to joke about, considering how it contains arguably the best player in VHL history, Scotty Campbell. The team arguably lacks any future Hall-of-Famers right now, but 3 of the 4 current players have a decent amount of promise. Rudolph Schmeckeldorf recently won a cup with the Helsinki Titans despite a disastrous statistical rookie season, defenseman Luca Volkov won a Four Star Cup with the Las Vegas Aces in the VHLM last season, and goaltender Key Perought had his first taste of international action as Team Europe's starting goaltender in the S54 World Cup. Youngster Nino Gisler appears to be playing in the VHL this season, but he doesn't look to have the talent level that the other three have, so don't expect to see him in the big leagues for long. Next year the Swiss should see their spot rise on this list due to the development of the aforementioned three players.

 

16.  Australia

36 Points Overall (# of Players: 2 (t-11th) / Average TPE: 168 (t-14th) / Total TPE: 336 (17th))

Spoiler

 Australia 
(S52) RW - Kaylan Noffke, TPE: 33 @Daniel
(S52) D - Alexander Thrower, TPE: 303 @gregreg

The Australians have 2 registered players, although the lesser of the two, Kaylan Noffke is more or less the afterthought of a once-proud player agency. Their other player can do no wrong though; Alexander Thrower is the pride and joy of the land down under. Thrower is the best hope for Australian hockey, especially after his Rookie of the Year performance in S53. The pressure appears to be getting in the head of Thrower though, as he has not been showing up to his usual off-season training facility. Whether he improves or not is unimportant, the Australians are just happy to call him one of their own.

 

17.  Serbia

29 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 149 (16th) / Total TPE: 149 (21st))

Spoiler

 Serbia 
(S55) D - Niko Bogdanovic, TPE: 149 @Jonessee27

Here is where this list really begins to thin out, as many countries have less than two or three players. Serbia only has one, Niko Bogdanovic, a defender for the Ottawa Lynx who was recently drafted by the Riga Reign. Bogdanovic looks to be on track to make the VHL, and although he may not have the pedigree to become a one-hit wonder like Pietro Maximoff or Takashi Fujimoto he definitely looks to be a steady all-around defender in the future.

 

18.  Italy 

27 Points Overall (# of Players: 3 (t-10th) / Average TPE: 89 (22nd) / Total TPE: 266 (19th))

Spoiler

 Italy 
(S53) LW - Luigi Linguini, TPE: 57 @Spangle
(S53) RW - Mario Falconi, TPE: 35 @BigTittySmitty
(S53) LW - Luigi De Rossi, TPE: 174 @KitRas

 

The Italians stroll into the rankings at 18th, and they couldn't care less, as soccer will always be #1 in their eyes. Despite this, they still have managed to produce three players, one of whom (Luigi De Rossi) is about to play his first season in the VHL. He is the younger brother of former VHLer Mario De Rossi, a steady depth player in his time. Italy also has Mario Falconi and Luigi Linguini on their roster, and while the latter did appear to have a slim chance at making a VHL roster some day, that hope has faded by now.

 

t19.  Belarus 

26 Points Overall (# of Players: 2 (t-11th) / Average TPE: 112 (21st) / Total TPE: 223 (20th))

Spoiler

 Belarus 
(S48) RW - Pavel Varushkin, TPE: 49 @GoodLeftUndone
(S54) RW - Slava Aleksei, TPE: 174 @Tyler

Slava Aleksei is hoping to become a one-hit wonder like his fellow neighbors Pietro Maximoff and Niko Bogdanovic, and we wish him the best of luck. At his current rate of development, it doesn't look likely, but hey, anything could happen. Whatever happens, Aleksei has the weight of his entire country on his shoulders after VHLM vet Pavel Varushkin hangs up the skates after a dissapointing career.

 

t19.  Iceland

26 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 141 (18th) / Total TPE: 141 (22nd))

Spoiler

 Iceland 
(S50) LW - Jack Kraken, TPE: 141 @jack

Perhaps the only person in the country with a last name that doesn't end in "sson" Jack Kraken recently got his little taste of Icelandic glory when he was named to the S54 Team Scandinavia World Cup roster, although he only registered one point at the tournament, the Icelandic people were jubilant to see their nation represented. The country is notable for having produced Hall of Famer Grimm Jonsson, although beside from that there isn't much to them in terms of hockey.

 

20.  Palestine

24 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 123 (19th) / Total TPE: 123 (23rd))

Spoiler

 Palestine 
(S52) G - Our Lady of Perpetual Motion, TPE: 123 @frescoelmo

This is one of the most peculiar countries on this list. Palestine has more things to worry about than producing hockey talent but they're just saying fuck it and doing it anyway! Our Lady of Perpetual Motion was a key piece during last season for the VHLM's Oslo Storm, although sadly it appears that he development has stalled. Perhaps she enlisted in the military at home?

 

21.  Greece 

19 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 86 (23rd) / Total TPE: 86 (24th))

Spoiler

 Greece 
(S56) D - Aeschylus Jigglejawns CXXXVIII, TPE: 86 @.sniffuM

After the failure of the latest model, Aeschylus Jigglejawns CXXXVIII is Greece's latest attempt in producing a hockey-playing robot. Their last attempt, Aeschylus Jigglejawns CXXXVII was nearly a success, although he couldn't make it out of the VHLM due to problems with his circuits freezing up during games. Thankfully now the Greeks have fixed this problem and Jigglejawns CXXXVIII definitely appears to be headed to the VHL if he sticks to his developmental track.

 

22.  Brazil 

17 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 85 (24th) / Total TPE: 85 (25th))

Spoiler

 Brazil 
(S55) RW - Daring Do, TPE: 85 @Eggy216

Is Daring Do a real player? Or is Daring Do actually a Amazonian Tribesman? Is Do actually both of those things? I'm not sure, but whatever Do is, they're doing a pretty good job for the Saskatoon Wild. Could Do be the first Brazilian to make the VHL? It's very possible.

 

23.  Bulgaria 

14 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 61 (25th) / Total TPE: 61 (27th))

Spoiler

 Bulgaria 
(S56) D - Emil Martinov, TPE: 61 @daBenchwarmer

Emil Martinov actually looks like a pretty promising prospect for the Bulgarians. His development track is definitely trending upwards right now, especially after being given increased minutes from Saskatoon management. Could he turn out like geographical neighbor Bobby Digital? The Bulgarian Hockey Federation certainly hopes so.

 

t24.  Morocco 

12 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: / Total TPE: 60 (28th))

Spoiler

 Morocco 
(S48) LW - Sterling Archer, TPE: 60 @Tixe

Sterling Archer is merely here on a mission. There's nothing else to see here. Morocco will have a decent player the day I stop over-valuing 3rd and 4th round picks.

 

t24.  South Africa

12 Points Overall (# of Players: 2 (t-11th) / Average TPE: 41 (29th)/ Total TPE: 81 (26th))

Spoiler

 South Africa 
(S50) C - Logan Xylon, TPE: 38 @Nonsense
(S51) D - Shaka, TPE: 43 @Shaka

I'm pretty sure there has been a handful of South African players in the VHL before, it was definitely a trivia question or something. Logan Xylon and Shaka aren't going anywhere though. South Africa enjoys sitting just comfortably above the basement.

 

25.  Estonia

10 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 56 (27th) / Total TPE: 56 (29th))

Spoiler

 Estonia 
(S56) LW - Kristjan Härmä, TPE: 56 @InciteHysteria

Kristjan Härmä could possibly become a VHL caliber player. Is it likely? No, but I like his name and that's gotta be worth something. It would certainly help Estonia compete with their neighbor Latvia for Baltic hockey dominance.

 

26.  New Zealand 

8 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 45 (28th) / Total TPE: 45 (30th))

Spoiler

 New Zealand 
(S55) D - Darryl Took, TPE: 45 @suggestiveavocado

What happened to the other half of the Took twins. Darryl is lost without Carryl, and Carryl is lost without Darryl. I'm serious, I know for a fact they both created players together, somebody help. Until then the Kiwis in New Zealand are going to be overshadowed by Australia's Alexander Thrower.

 

27.  Iraq 

5 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 36 (30th) / Total TPE: 36 (31st))

Spoiler

 Iraq 
(S50) LW - John Syeschel, TPE: 36 @Storm

The Iraqis are very happy that John Syeschel practiced hockey in their country for six hours and then left, that way they don't have to be tied for last place with the countries below.

 

t28.  Japan

3 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 30 (t-31st) / Total TPE: 30 (t-32nd))

Spoiler

 Japan 
(S54) LW - Emiya Shirou, TPE: 30 @cheeseisstupid

Emiya Shirou joined the VHL with a VERY controversial username and then left? Coward.

 

t28.  Argentina

3 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 30 (t-31st) / Total TPE: (t-32nd))

Spoiler

 Argentina 
(S52) D - Ciro Pertuzzi, TPE: 30 @UnderDog

Ciro Pertuzzi definitely sounds more Italian than Argentinian.

 

t28.  India

3 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 30 (t-31st) / Total TPE: (t-32nd))

Spoiler

 India 
(S56) D - Pradeep Padmanabhan, TPE: 30 @pdp

Pradeep Padmanabhan HAD to have actually been from India. No way any non-Indian could come up with something so Indian by themselves.

 

t28.  The Philippines

3 Points Overall (# of Players: 1 (t-12th) / Average TPE: 30 (t-31st) / Total TPE: (t-32nd))

Spoiler

 The Philippines 
(S55) C - Carlo Capitulo, TPE: 30 @CarloC

CarloC does NOT look like he will turn out to be a Thrilla in the Manilla.

 

[gorlab 4,321]

Digital + Aackckqz = Ukraine is POWERFUL

[Kendrick 4,741]

This is my favourite article written all-time. Great work and I would argue this is worth two maybe three weeks worth of PT's right here. Great work @Corco

[boubabi 4,725]

real mvp media spot

[Corco 1,266]

give me lotto tickets @Devise

[Bushito 1,945]

Insane work Corko, my hats off to you

[Da Trifecta 1,902]

#GETWRETCHED

[.sniffuM 1,741]

Ayyy, not last!

[Gudnason 607]

You just came from the SHL where article length means more TPE?

[KitRas 188]

MARIO a depth player? Lmk when u score a double hatty boi

[jRuutu 2,475]

Damn we got dangerously few Finnish players

 

Great work with the article!

[DollarAndADream 3,357]

Review:

God DAMN! That's an article!

Love the mentions of Ironside for Sweden and Boeser upcoming for USA. Can't wait to hold down the fort for many seasons with Ironside, and for Boeser to take over some of the scoring for USA.

[der meister 3,246]

Excellent work!

[STZ 5,389]

Holy hell.

[Higgins 3,618]

Where's Jacob and the Island? 3/10

[STZ 5,389]

10 minutes ago, Higgins said:

Where's Jacob and the Island? 3/10

 

It was the afterlife the whole time..

 

????????

[CowboyinAmerica 2,911]

Surprised Canada doesn't suffer as much from the same average TPE effect as the U.S. This is awesome.

[MD9 139]

Awesome article! 

[Baozi 1,662]

Dang what an article

[BOOM 8,817]

Sweet read Corco. 

[boubabi 4,725]

Mongolia in the top 10. POWERHOUSE

 

[Guest daBenchwarmer]

bulgarian legend

[NotAVHLM-GM 1,858]

Best Romanian player? Arent there others then?