VHLM's Most Physical Players

[MD9 139]

VHLM's Most Physical Players

VHL.com // J.S. Augusta

 

When you're talking about statistics to keep an eye on in juniors, hits aren't usually the one to come to anyone's mind. With so many young, smooth skating players, the attention is inevitably placed on skill -- skilled offense in particular. That being said, the VHLM is no stranger to physical play, even if it isn't what the league is known for. The most physical player this year has been Augustus Gloop, clocking 127 hits on the season. The hard-hitting displays from Gloop have been a bit of a highlight in an otherwise dismal Yukon season. Rask Rowe sits at number two for Las Vegas, playing the valuable role of power forward for the team, adding a mix of offense and physicality that will prove useful to the team as it attempts to repeat its championship success, despite a weaker line-up than last season.

 

Jon Snow sits at number three with 103 hits, playing as one of Ottawa's better stay-at-home defenders. Playing the lowest minutes per game of any player in the top five for hits, Snow could definitely be higher up if he was given a bit more icetime. At number four is Daring Do, who has managed to mediate an otherwise slow season by being a physical force on Saskatoon's top line: complimenting Scheel's defensive playmaking and McAllister's offensive brilliance with much-needed grit. At number five is Nicomedus Raven, who is having an oustanding season overall with 52 points. At 99 hits, along with 39 shots blocked and a staggering +38 rating, there's no doubt that Raven has been a key for Oslo's extreme success this season. Although her physical play is more of a cherry on top of extremely solid two-way hockey, it's one more element that separates her from the pack of VHLM defenders.

 

Even if the league itself focuses on skilled play, these types of gritty players can be invaluable to a team's success. In fact, the skilled nature of the league almost guarantees the value of checking players, as they're able to throw a wrench into the otherwise fluid play of top offensive players. You can't dangle around a defender if you're knocked flat on your back, and if a winger comes down and smashes you into the boards -- you might be just a little more prone to let the other team control the boards around your own net.