Claimed: Season 50 VHL Entry Draft: Theo Axelsson [1/2]

[TheLastOlympian07 2,388]

Theo Axelsson has a lot to live up to because Diana Maxwell was such a great player during her tenure. Will Theo live up to the hype of the 2nd overall pick?

 

Awards

Season 48 Gold Medal with Team Scandinavia
Season 49 Prime Minister's Cup Winner with Brampton Blades
Season 49 Matt Bentz Trophy Winner as Top Two Way Forward
Season 51 Victory Cup Winner with Calgary Wranglers
Season 54 Continental Cup Winner with Helsinki Titans
Season 54 Terence Fong Trophy Winner with Helsinki Titans
Season 54 Scott Boulet Trophy Winner as Top Two Way Forward
Season 54 Bronze Medal with Team Scandinavia
Season 55 Continental Cup Winner with Helsinki Titans
Season 55 Victory Cup Winner with Helsinki Titans
Season 55 Terence Fong Trophy Winner with Helsinki Titans
Season 55 Daisuke Kanou Trophy winner as Playoff MVP
Season 56 Scott Boulet Trophy Winner as Top Two Way Forward
Season 57 Scott Boulet Trophy Winner as Top Two Way Forward

 

Season 48 - Saskatoon Wild | Scandinavia

Season 48 Regular Season
S48 VHLM - SSK - 26 GP | 16 G | 17 A | 33 P | +13 | 16 PIM | 64 H | 146 SH | 10 SB

Season 48 Playoffs
S48 VHLM - SSK - 9 GP | 10 G | 4 A | 14 P | +5 | 12 PIM | 11 H | 88 SH | 8 SB

Season 48 World Cup
S48 WC - SCA - 10 GP | 1 G | 3 A | 4 P | +3 | 2 PIM | 14 H | 10 SH | 1 SB

Season 48 World Cup Playoffs
S48 WC - SCA - 3 GP | 0 G | 1 A | 1 P | +1 | 0 PIM | 2 H | 1 SH | 1 SB

Coming into Season 49, Theo Axelsson declared his intent to play in the VHL just after the trade deadline so he was able to pick a team he wanted to play for. Axelsson decided to join the Saskatoon Wild who ended up finishing with 48 wins and 102 points. The Wild finished 2nd in the NA Conference just 7 points behind the top ranked Ottawa Lynx. Axelsson was able to get into 26 games and in those 26 games Axelsson scored 16 goals and assisted on 17 goals for 33 points.

 

In the playoffs, the Wild would have to play the Brampton Blades in the quarter finals. It was a easy sweep for the Wild and they would move onto the semi-final to play the Ottawa Lynx. Something odd happened and the Wild fell apart and lost in 5 games themselves. In 9 total games, Theo scored 10 goals and assisted on 4 goals for 14 points in just 9 games. The lack of success wasn't Theo's fault at all.

 

In the off-season, Theo was named to the Scandinavia roster for the upcoming World Cup. Axelsson more than held his own with the best in the World as he scored 1 goal and assisted on 3 goals for 4 points in 10 games. Scandinavia finished 4th in the round robin with 17 points but this was just 3 points behind 1st place so it wasn't as bad as it looks.

 

Scandinavia would play Team Mercenaries in the quarterfinal and beat them in overtime. In the semifinal a tough task in Team Canada was waiting for them. In a surprise, the Scandinavians were able to beat Canada 3-1 and guarantee themselves a medal with a spot in the finals. In the finals, Team Europe awaited and by a score of 2-0, Scandinavia won the gold medal! It was a surprising run for Scandinavia and a great way for Axelsson to start his career with a Gold Medal in just his first season.  

 

Season 49 - Brampton Blades

Season 49 Regular Season
S49 VHLM - BRM - 72 GP | 65 G | 64 A | 129 P | +46 | 114 PIM | 309 H | 547 SH | 23 SB

Season 49 Playoffs
S49 VHLM - BRM - 6 GP | 6 G | 4 A | 10 P | -1 | 14 PIM | 27 H | 33 SH | 1 SB

For Theo Axelsson to complete his VHL dream, he would have to spend one full season in the VHLM and thus was put into the VHLM Dispersal Draft. He was drafted 8th overall by the Brampton Blades which is surprising given the names in front of him that went like Asher Donovan, Izadors Balders and Joanna Akerfeldt.

 

Teaming up with 3rd overall pick in Diana Maxwell proved to be a nice combo in Brampton for the season. Theo went off for 65 goals and 64 assists for 129 points to lead the team in scoring. Brampton finished 1st in the entire VHLM with 54 wins and 110 points which was just 3 points ahead of 2nd place Yukon. However, the Blades were given the bye into the semifinal to await the winner of the Yukon Rush vs Ottawa Lynx series.

 

Yukon beat the Ottawa Lynx in a 6 games series meaning we had a 1 v 2 in the semi's in terms of league wide regular season standings. This had the makings of a good series. The Rush surprised everyone by beating the Blades who many thought were going to win the Founders Cup. In 6 games the Rush would move onto the finals to play the Bern Royals. Theo had a great playoff with 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points in the 6 games but it wasn't enough. Theo Axelsson won the Matt Bentz Trophy for top two way forward in the VHLM.

 

Season 50 - Calgary Wranglers | Scandinavia

Season 50 Regular Season
S50 VHL - CGY - 72 GP | 27 G | 31 A | 58 P | +5 | 96 PIM | 324 H | 359 SH | 38 SB

Season 50 Playoffs
S50 VHL - CGY - 4 GP | 3 G | 1 A | 4 P | -2 | 8 PIM | 15 H | 23 SH | 1 SB

Season 50 World Cup
S50 WC - SCA - 10 GP | 1 G | 0 A | 1 P | -6 | 24 PIM | 45 H | 29 SH | 3 SB

Season 50 World Cup Playoffs
S50 WC - SCA - 1 GP | 1 G | 0 A | 1 P | -4 | 2 PIM | 8 H | 6 SH | 0 SB

In the off-season, Theo was ready for the VHL and the draft happened. Theo Axelsson was drafted 2nd overall by the Calgary Wranglers. It was a toss up between either Diana Maxwell or Theo for 1st overall in this draft and the Stockholm Vikings went for Diana. After that it was obvious at the time who would go 2nd.

 

In his first season, Theo would not light the world on fire like his first full season in Brampton in the M. Theo scored 27 goals and assisted on 31 goals for 58 points. This team was mostly comprised of rookies, veterans who nobody wanted and the great Ariel Weinstein. Theo finished 2nd in team scoring behind defenseman Marquis Hyvarinen. The Wranglers finished with 33 wins and 76 points which was almost 30 points behind the 2nd place Meute.

 

In the playoffs, the Wranglers would have to play said Meute in the quarterfinals. It wasn't pretty, the Wranglers were swept in 4 games and that was that. Theo scored 3 goals and assisted on 1 goal for 4 points in 4 games. He looked prime for a breakout by next VHL season.

 

Theo was named to the defending Gold Medalist Scandinavian team for the Season 50 World Cup. The team this time dropped to 5th place with 14 points but they were just 5 behind the 1st place Europe team. Theo had a very disappointing world cup with just 1 goal in 10 games. Scandinavia would have to play USA in the quarterfinals and after 7-4 loss, the defending Gold Medalist were out. Theo scored 1 goal in the game.

 

Season 51 - Calgary Wranglers

Season 51 Regular Season
S51 VHL - CGY - 72 GP | 28 G | 37 A | 65 P | +54 | 84 PIM | 253 H | 391 SH | 11 SB

Season 51 Playoffs
S51 VHL - CGY - 5 GP | 0 G | 1 A | 1 P | -2 | 14 PIM | 15 H | 22 SH | 2 SB

In the off-season the Wranglers made a lot of free agent signings which included forwards Aleksi Koponen, Tyson Kohler and Unassisted with defenseman Black Velvet. What followed was pretty amazing as the Wranglers finished with 64 wins and 132 points which won them the Victory Cup. With all the new signings, Theo's big break out didn't happen but he did improve with 28 goals and 37 assists for 65 points.

 

The Wranglers would get their spot in the semifinal and would await the winner of the Toronto Legion vs Seattle Bears. The Bears gave them all they had but after 6 games the Legion would play Calgary. In the semi's something amazing happened and the Wranglers fell apart and lost to the Legion in 5 games. Yes you read that right the 64 win team lost in 5 games to a team that finished 26 points behind them in the standings. Theo had just 1 assist in the series and it seems since his bad World Cup showing, Theo has been low on confidence.

 

Season 52 - Calgary Wranglers | Scandinavia

Season 52 Regular Season
S52 VHL - CGY - 72 GP | 38 G | 42 A | 80 P | +60 | 136 PIM | 381 H | 421 SH | 23 SB

Season 52 Playoffs
S52 VHL - CGY - 7 GP | 5 G | 5 A | 10 P | +1 | 14 PIM | 41 H | 24 SH | 0 SB

Season 52 World Cup
S52 WC - SCA - 10 GP | 3 G | 3 A | 6 P | -5 | 16 PIM | 46 H | 55 SH | 5 SB

Season 52 World Cup Playoffs
S52 WC - SCA - 1 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 P | -1 | 2 PIM | 4 H | 6 SH | 0 SB

After Season 51, the Wranglers couldn't afford everyone they signed meaning one of the 4 players signed would have to leave so Unassisted left Calgary and packed his bags for New York to join the Americans. The Wranglers regressed to 50 wins and 106 points which is still great but in the cutthroat North American Conference, this was just 3rd in the standings. Theo had a mini breakout season with Unassisted out of town to the tune of 38 goals and 42 assists for 80 points.

 

In the playoffs, the Wranglers would play the Americans in the quarterfinal. This could have been a Continental Cup final series and people would have been happy with it because that is how good these two teams are. In the end it went the whole distance to 7 games but the Wranglers lost. Theo scored 5 goals and assisted on 5 for 10 points in the series so he busted out of his funk in a big way.

 

In the off-season, Scandinavia came calling again for Theo and he accepted of course. This team though was in a transition and fell all the way to 6th with just 9 points. Theo scored 3 goals and assisted on 3 goals for 6 points in the 10 games so he was doing all he could. Scandinavia would once against play USA in the quarterfinal and once again the Scandinavians would lose 5-1.

 

Season 53 - Helsinki Titans

Season 53 Regular Season
S53 VHL - HSK - 72 GP | 45 G | 46 A | 91 P | +36 | 162 PIM | 402 H | 432 SH | 28 SB

Season 53 Playoffs
S53 VHL - HSK - 13 GP | 11 G | 6 A | 17 P | -1 | 38 PIM | 73 H | 95 SH | 8 SB

In the off-season, the Calgary Wranglers felt it was time to throw in the towel and rebuild. What followed was just a plain out bad move. The Wranglers traded Black Velvet, Theo Axelsson and Season 54 Calgary 1st Round Pick (traded to Toronto for 1st OA, Hudson Abbott) for Jacob. Just let that sink in.

 

In his new home in Helsinki, Finland, Theo continued to gradually improve this time to 45 goals and 46 assists for 91 points. He was oh so close to the 100 points plateau. The Titans finished 2nd in the European Conference with 48 wins and 101 points just 8 point back of the Stockholm Vikings.

 

The Titans would play the Cologne Express in the quarterfinal and would be pushed to the limit by the Express. The Titans though did prevail in a 7th game and move onto the semifinal to play their heated rival at the time in the Stockholm Vikings. Both these teams did not like each other at all at the time. It was a series both teams did not want to lose. However, the Titans were too exhausted and the Vikings proved to much and won in 6 games. Theo in 13 playoffs games had scored 11 goals and assisted on 6 goals for 17 points. He was just coming into his own now.

 

Season 54 - Helsinki Titans | Scandinavia

Season 54 Regular Season
S54 VHL - HSK - 72 GP | 52 G | 46 A | 98 P | +67 | 165 PIM | 363 H | 455 SH | 16 SB

Season 54 Playoffs
S54 VHL - HSK - 17 GP | 12 G | 11 A | 23 P | +7 | 24 PIM | 100 H | 109 SH | 5 SB

Season 54 World Cup
S54 WC - SCA - 10 GP | 8 G | 7 A | 15 P | +1 | 22 PIM | 39 H | 69 SH | 8 SB

Season 54 World Cup Playoffs
S54 WC - SCA - 3 GP | 4 G | 1 A | 5 P | +3 | 6 PIM | 13 H | 23 SH | 2 SB

In Season 54, the Titans once again finished behind the Vikings who had a great regular season, the Titans finished with 49 wins and 108 points compared to the Vikings and their 134 points. Theo though had a little milestone this season, breaking the 50 goal mark for the first time in his career. Theo finished with 52 goals and 46 assists for 98 points. Just 2 points away from the 100 points plateau. Theo won the Scott Boulet Trophy as top two way forward in the VHL.

 

In the playoffs, the Titans would play the Riga Reign who they easily dispatched in 5 games. This set up another rematch between Helsinki and Stockholm in the semis. In a huge upset the Titans would beat the Vikings in 6 games and move onto the finals. In the finals, the Titans would play the Quebec City Meute. In just 6 game, the Helsinki Titans pulled it off and won the Cup when no one thought they would. Theo proved to be a big part of it with 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points in 17 games. After 5 seasons in the league and 5 seasons after being drafted, Theo was a champion.

 

Scandinavia came calling for Theo once more and this time he helped he team finished higher than 6th climbing to 5th with 13 points but was just 4 points behind 3rd. Theo had a huge world cup with 8 goals and 7 assists for 15 points in the round robin.

 

Scandinavia would play in the quarters once again and this time they would play the Mercenary team. It was a back and forth game but the Scandinavians would win 5-3 and move onto the semifinals. In the semi's the Sandinavians would play a familiar foe in the form of USA. It was a very close came and it came down to just 1 goal and the Americans would beat Scandinavia 1-0, dropping the Scandinavians to the Bronze Medal game. In the game, the Scandinavians would play the World team. Theo would score 2 big goals in a 3-1 win to win the Bronze Medal. Overall, Theo scored 4 goals and assisted on 1 goal for 5 points in 3 playoff games.

 

Season 55 - Helsinki Titans

Season 55 Regular Season
S55 VHL - HSK - 72 GP | 44 G | 60 A | 104 P | +56 | 82 PIM | 245 H | 558 SH | 19 SB

Season 56 Playoffs
S55 VHL - HSK - 12 GP | 7 G | 6 A | 13 P | +6 | 18 PIM | 34 H | 77 SH | 5 SB

After the surprising Continental Cup win, the Titans came out in Season 55 on a mission to prove it wasn't a fluke. The Titans finished with 58 wins and 118 points to win the Victory Cup as regular season champions. Theo had his best season yet with 44 goals and 60 assists for 104 points, he finally broke the 100 point plateau in his career.

 

In the playoffs, the Titans would wait for the winner of the Dynamo vs Vikings battle in the quarters. Many predicted the Vikings would win but the Dynamo upset the Vikings and the Vikings were sent home. In the semi's the Titans proved to be too much for the upstart Dynamo and won in 5 games. The Titans would move onto the finals for the 2nd straight season and would play the Quebec City Meute in the finals for the 2nd straight season. This series went to the full 7 games with the Titans winning their back to back Continental Cups. Theo Axelsson was named Daisuke Kanou Trophy winner as Playoff MVP.

 

Season 56 - Helsinki Titans | Scandinavia

Season 56 Regular Season
S56 VHL - HSK - 72 GP | 47 G | 63 A | 110 P | +66 | 144 PIM | 352 H | 535 SH | 37 SB

Season 56 Playoffs
S56 VHL - HSK - 7 GP | 2 G | 4 A | 6 P | 0 | 12 PIM | 37 H | 38 SH | 2 SB

Season 56 World Cup
S56 WC - SCA - 10 GP | 6 G | 4 A | 10 P | -2 | 37 PIM | 52 H | 81 SH | 6 SB

Season 56 World Cup Playoffs
S56 WC - SCA - 1 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 P | 4 PIM | 8 H | 5 SH | 0 SB

After back to back Cup wins, the Titans regressed in Season 56 but were still a formidable team. The Titans finished with 44 wins and 91 points. Theo on the other hand kept up on his upward trend. He improved to 47 goals and 63 assists for 110 points. He won the Scott Boulet Trophy as top two way forward for the 2nd time in his career.

 

In the playoffs, the Dynamo and Titans would renew their rivalry from the semis. This time the Dynamo came out on top as the aging Titans weren't as good as they used to be. Theo scored 2 goals and assisted on 4 goals for 6 points. It was kind of a let down this season after back to back Cup wins.

 

For the last time, the Scandinavian team would call on Theo for his last World Cup as the next one would be in Season 58 but Theo would be retired at the end of Season 57. Scandinavia though, fell to last place again in the round robin with just 6 points. Theo tried his best to put the team on his back with 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points in 10 games.

 

In the quarterfinal, the Scandinavians would play Team World. It was a close game for the most part but after a 3-1 loss, this would end Theo's World Cup career. He did win a Gold Medal and a Bronze Medal but other than that he never got past the quarterfinals.

 

Season 57 - Helsinki Titans

Season 57 Regular Season
S57 VHL - HSK - 72 GP | 50 G | 63 A | 113 P | +76 | 120 PIM | 409 H | 573 SH | 22 SB

Season 57 Playoffs
S57 VHL - HSK - 9 GP | 6 G | 9 A | 15 P | +11 | 26 PIM | 47 H | 70 SH | 3 SB

Rather than rebuild in Season 57, the Titans decided to go for it one more time for their old core. The Titans finished with 49 wins and 101 points which was 24 points behind the 1st place Reign. Theo continued to get better with old age as he scored 50 goals and assisted on 63 goals for 113 points a career high in his last season. Theo would end up winning the Scott Boulet Trophy for top two way forward for the 2nd straight season and 3rd time in his career.

 

In the playoffs, the Titans would play the young Express team who were just happy to be there. It was a 4 game sweep and the Titans would move onto the play the Riga Reign. In a almost equally easy series, the Reign ended up booting the Titans from the playoffs in 5 games. In the 9 games, Theo kept showing how good he was with 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points.

 

Career Stats

Career Regular Season
S48 VHLM - SSK - 26 GP | 16 G | 17 A |  33 P | +13 |  16 PIM |  64 H | 146 SH | 10 SB
S49 VHLM - BRM - 72 GP | 65 G | 64 A | 129 P | +46 | 114 PIM | 309 H | 547 SH | 23 SB
S50 VHL - CGY - 72 GP | 27 G | 31 A |  58 P |  +5 |  96 PIM | 324 H | 359 SH | 38 SB
S51 VHL - CGY - 72 GP | 28 G | 37 A |  65 P | +54 |  84 PIM | 253 H | 391 SH | 11 SB
S52 VHL - CGY - 72 GP | 38 G | 42 A |  80 P | +60 | 136 PIM | 381 H | 421 SH | 23 SB
S53 VHL - HSK - 72 GP | 45 G | 46 A |  91 P | +36 | 162 PIM | 402 H | 432 SH | 28 SB
S54 VHL - HSK - 72 GP | 52 G | 46 A |  98 P | +67 | 165 PIM | 363 H | 455 SH | 16 SB
S55 VHL - HSK - 72 GP | 44 G | 60 A | 104 P | +56 |  82 PIM | 245 H | 558 SH | 19 SB
S56 VHL - HSK - 72 GP | 47 G | 63 A | 110 P | +66 | 144 PIM | 352 H | 535 SH | 37 SB
S57 VHL - HSK - 72 GP | 50 G | 63 A | 113 P | +76 | 120 PIM | 409 H | 573 SH | 22 SB

Career VHLM: 98 GP | 81 G | 81 A | 162 P | +59 | 130 PIM | 373 H | 693 SH | 33 SB
Career VHL: 576 GP | 331 G | 388 A | 719 P | +420 | 989 PIM | 2729 H | 3724 SH | 194 SB

Career Playoffs
S48 VHLM - SSK - 9 GP | 10 G |  4 A | 14 P | +5 | 12 PIM | 11 H |  88 SH | 8 SB
S49 VHLM - BRM - 6 GP |  6 G |  4 A | 10 P | -1 | 14 PIM |  7 H |  33 SH | 1 SB
S50 VHL - CGY -  4 GP |  3 G |  1 A |  4 P |  -2 |  8 PIM |  15 H |  23 SH | 1 SB
S51 VHL - CGY -  5 GP |  0 G |  1 A |  1 P |  -2 | 14 PIM |  15 H |  22 SH | 2 SB
S52 VHL - CGY -  7 GP |  5 G |  5 A | 10 P |  +1 | 14 PIM |  41 H |  24 SH | 0 SB
S53 VHL - HSK - 13 GP | 11 G |  6 A | 17 P |  -1 | 38 PIM |  73 H |  95 SH | 8 SB
S54 VHL - HSK - 17 GP | 12 G | 11 A | 23 P |  +7 | 24 PIM | 100 H | 109 SH | 5 SB
S55 VHL - HSK - 12 GP |  7 G |  6 A | 13 P |  +6 | 18 PIM |  34 H |  77 SH | 5 SB
S56 VHL - HSK -  7 GP |  2 G |  4 A |  6 P |   0 | 12 PIM |  37 H |  38 SH | 2 SB
S57 VHL - HSK -  9 GP |  6 G |  9 A | 15 P | +11 | 26 PIM |  47 H |  70 SH | 3 SB

Career VHLM: 15 GP | 16 G | 8 A | 24 P | +4 | 26 PIM | 18 H | 121 SH | 9 SB
Career VHL: 74 GP | 46 G | 43 A | 89 P | +20 | 154 PIM | 362 H | 458 SH | 26 SB

Career World Cup
S48 WC - SCA - 10 GP | 1 G | 3 A |  4 P | +3 |  2 PIM | 14 H | 10 SH | 1 SB
S50 WC - SCA - 10 GP | 1 G | 0 A |  1 P | -6 | 24 PIM | 45 H | 29 SH | 3 SB
S52 WC - SCA - 10 GP | 3 G | 3 A |  6 P | -5 | 16 PIM | 46 H | 55 SH | 5 SB
S54 WC - SCA - 10 GP | 8 G | 7 A | 15 P | +1 | 22 PIM | 39 H | 69 SH | 8 SB
S56 WC - SCA - 10 GP | 6 G | 4 A | 10 P | -2 | 37 PIM | 52 H | 81 SH | 6 SB

Career WC: 50 GP | 19 G | 17 A | 36 P | -9 | 101 PIM | 196 H | 244 SH | 23 SB

Career World Cup Playoffs
S48 WC - SCA - 3 GP | 0 G | 1 A | 1 P | +1 | 0 PIM |  2 H |  1 SH | 1 SB
S50 WC - SCA - 1 GP | 1 G | 0 A | 1 P | -4 | 2 PIM |  8 H |  6 SH | 0 SB
S52 WC - SCA - 1 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 P | -1 | 2 PIM |  4 H |  6 SH | 0 SB
S54 WC - SCA - 3 GP | 4 G | 1 A | 5 P | +3 | 6 PIM | 13 H | 23 SH | 2 SB
S56 WC - SCA - 1 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 P | -1 | 4 PIM |  8 H |  5 SH | 0 SB

Career WC: 9 GP | 5 G | 2 A | 7 P | -2 | 14 PIM | 35 H | 41 SH | 3 SB

Theo had a long and eventful career in the VHL starting in the VHLM in Season 48 and ending in Season 57. He finished his career with 331 goals and 388 assists for 719 points in 576 games. In 74 playoff games, Theo scored 46 goals and assisted on 43 goals for 89 points. He is a 2 time Continental Cup champion, a 1 time Daisuke Kanou Trophy winner as Playoff MVP and a 3 time Scott Boulet Trophy winner as Top Two Way Forward. He has a Gold Medal and a Bronze Medal plus a Matt Bentz Trophy as VHLM Top Two Way Forward. He will go in the Hall of Fame one day and that is saying something with all the great players the VHL has had over the years.

 

Congrats @solas on such a great player. 

 

4900 words.

 

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Edited January 17, 2018 by CowboyinAmerica

[solas 1,951]

[DollarAndADream 3,356]

Review:

Axelsson was a phenomenal player, and a huge playoff performer. He stacked up a lot of individual awards, as well as some cups. Great career for him.

Nice write-up.