Claimed: From Chershenko to the Hall of Fame

[Gudnason 607]

"Some people, if they like something, they try hard and they become good eventually. But that's only a few people. Another method is whatever you do, if you just try really hard, you will become good at it, and if you become good at it, you'll like what you do." - Lee Young-Pyo

 

The likes of Mike Szatkowski, Ethan Osborne, Alexander Beketov, Matt Bentz, Volodymyr Rybak, and Zach Parechkin must have fell into the first category of trying hard and becoming good eventually, because these eventual Hall of Famers all excelled right off the bat. These six snipers were all recipients of the Alexander Chershenko Trophy (previously the Hull Trophy), awarded to the player who leads the VHLM in goals during the regular season.

 

One might notice that the above forwards are all either centers or left wingers. Despite the number of quality right wingers inducted into the Hall of Fame, none of them were good enough to win the scoring title in their VHLM careers. Icelander Birkir Holm Guðnason is hoping to one-up the likes of Branden Snelheid, Cam Fowler, Odin Tordahl, Xin Xie Xiao, and Max Molholt to name a few.

 

The Cologne-affiliated winger is well aware of the fact that he will only have one chance to earn this unique accomplishment and distinction. "I have plenty of time to state my case for the Hall of Fame, but I know that there is only one season, one opportunity to win the Chershenko."

 

VHLM goalies should be on red alert next season as Guðnason is out with a vengeance, his fiery eyes dead set on becoming the next greatest sniper and household name, both in the VHLM, and starting the year after in the VHL with Cologne as well. It is understood that Guðnason will be joining the Las Vegas Aces for the remainder of the playoffs on a professional tryout contract as he awaits his paperwork and international certificates to be completed ahead of the S56 VHLM Dispersal Draft.

 

"I know the Aces have had troubles scoring this season. They have tremendous players in Slava Aleksei and Rudi Ying, and I look forward to joining them for a few games. Everyone loves to win, but let's be realistic, we're big underdogs but I will give it my all to change that narrative. We're all looking to take it one game at a time. Let's build some momentum first against Yukon, and we'll deal with Oslo after that. I hope that I can make a difference in my time with Las Vegas, and maybe remind the fans of Rusty Trombone and Takashi Fujimoto."

 

Vegas fans should also not count out Rudi Ying catching fire once against in the playoffs. The young Chinese center has had a worse season than the previous statistically, as his 36 points are down from the 49 he scored in his rookie season. Hardcore fans will however remember that Ying notched 11 points in 11 playoff games for the Aces last year in their playoff run that culminated with a championship. It would not be out of the question for Ying to once again step up in the playoffs and increase his production; the addition of Guðnason will no doubt help.

[Gudnason 607]

*for Birkir Holm Guðnason