(S51 Class) Hans Wingate

[Enorama 2,038]

Hans Wingate

Class of S51

Position: G
Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland
Height: 6/5"
Weight: 232 lbs
Jersey Number: 6
Drafted: 3rd OA S43 by Calgary Wranglers
Username: CowboyInAmerica

 

Hans may not have posted stats that would jump off the page for anyone, his (still respectable) wins, save percentage, and goals against average rank 5th, 24th, and 15th among all-time goalies, respectively. However, what was truly impressive was how he was consistently one of the best goalies in the league during his VHL career, winning the Aidan Shaw award for best VHL goalie 3 times in his 8 year career while taking the record for most career games played as a goalie in the VHL at 520. He also saw plenty of team success, particularly towards the end of his career, where he won 3 straight Continental Cups with Toronto from S48-S50 in addition to another Cup with Calgary in S44. In perfect reflection of his storied career, Wingate also won the league MVP and the Most Outstanding player awards in his final VHL season. Beyond his performance in the VHL, Wingate also collected international credentials with 4 World Cup medals (2 gold, 2 silver).

 

Awards

S44 Devon Marlow-Marta Trophy - NA Conference Champions (CGY)
S45 Devon Marlow-Marta Trophy - NA Conference Champions (CGY)
S48 Devon-Marlow Marta Trophy - NA Conference Champions (TOR)
S49 Devon-Marlow Marta Trophy - NA Conference Champions (TOR)
S50 Devon-Marlow Marta Trophy - NA Conference Champions (TOR)
S48 Victory Cup - Regular Season Champions (TOR)
S50 Victory Cup - Regular Season Champions (TOR)
S44 Continental Cup - VHL Champions (CGY)
S48 Continental Cup - VHL Champions (TOR)
S49 Continental Cup - VHL Champions (TOR)
S50 Continental Cup - VHL Champions (TOR)


S44 Aidan Shaw Trophy - Top Goalie
S46 Aidan Shaw Trophy - Top Goalie
S50 Aidan Shaw Trophy - Top Goalie
S45 Daisuke Kanou Trophy - Playoff MVP (Co-Winner)
S48 Daisuke Kanou Trophy - Playoff MVP
S50 Scotty Campbell Trophy - MVP
S50 Brett Slobodzian Trophy - Most Outstanding Player



S43 Gold Medal - World Cup (WEU)
S46 Gold Medal - World Cup (WEU)
S48 Silver Medal - World Cup (WEU)
S50 Silver Medal - World Cup (WEU)
S43 Breakout Star - World Cup

Season 43

VHL Regular Season
S43(CGY) 64GP | 14W - 46L - 4OTL | 0.912 SV% | 3.23 GAA |  2 SO
WORLD CUP ROUND ROBIN
S43(WEU) 10GP | 7W - 2L - 1OTL | 0.926 SV% | 2.40 GAA | 1 SO
WORLD CUP ELIMINATION ROUNDS
S43(WEU) 2GP | 2W - 0L - 0OTL | 0.923 SV% | 2.30 GAA | 0 SO

Wingate's career in the VHL had a bit of a shaky start. Calgary had a very weak season overall, as made apparent by Wingate's 3.23 GAA and 14-46-4 record, but Wingate's .912 save percentage proves that at the very least, Calgary's season going down the drain was not due to any poor play on his part. Having played for the worst team in the league that year could have been the biggest contributing factor to Wingate not getting the nod as the top rookie in S43. In addition to his rookie season in the VHL, Wingate backstopped Team Western Europe to a gold medal in the S43 World Cup, an impressive feat for a young goaltender.

 

Season 44

VHL Regular Season
S44(CGY) 64GP | 40W - 18L - 6OTL | 0.923 SV% | 2.07 GAA |  7 SO
VHL Playoffs
S44(CGY) 16GP | 12W - 4L - 0OTL | 0.926 SV% | 2.19 GAA | 3 SO 

After their embarrassing showing in S43, Calgary very quickly pulled a 180 and nearly completely reversed their record when compared to the year prior, finishing at 40-18-6. Judging by his improvements in his GAA and save percentage, this was obviously Wingate's true breakout season. In the playoffs, he took his game to an even higher level, posting a .926 save percentage across 16 games and leading the Wranglers to a Continental Cup, a far cry from their 14-win 43rd season. That off-season, Wingate also collected his first personal hardware in the form of an Aidan Shaw award for being the best goalie in the VHL.

 

Season 45

VHL Regular Season
S45(CGY) 64GP | 42W - 19L - 3OTL | 0.917 SV% | 2.28 GAA |  7 SO
VHL Playoffs
S45(CGY) 16GP | 11W - 5L - 0OTL | 0.936 SV% | 1.94 GAA | 2 SO

Hot off their success as Continental Cup Winners, the Wranglers continued their tear with Wingate at their backs. He posted another 40+ win season, and although his personal numbers did slide a little bit compared to the previous season, he brought his game to an entirely new level in the playoffs, where the Wranglers lost in the finals, 4-3. Even though the Wranglers went home without a trophy for the team, Wingate came back with one of his own. He finished tied for 1st in votes for the playoff MVP, a rare occurrence for someone on the wrong side of the finals.

 

Season 46

VHL Regular Season
S46(RIG) 64GP | 49W - 20L - 3OTL | 0.923 SV% | 2.05 GAA | 11 SO
VHL Playoffs
S46(RIG)  4GP |  0W - 3L - 1OTL | 0.924 SV% | 1.87 GAA | 0 SO
World Cup Round Robin
S46(WEU)  9GP | 8W - 0L - 1OTL | 0.919 SV% | 2.19 GAA | 1 SO
World Cup Elimination rounds
S46(WEU) 2GP | 2W - 0L - 0OTL | 0.949 SV% | 1.00 GAA | 0 SO

In the offseason leading to S46, the league was totally blindsided by a trade sending Hans Wingate to Riga in return for Bernie Gow, Griffon Simmons, and a S48 1st round pick. Wingate had made it clear that he wasn't interested in signing an extension with Calgary unless they made moves to get younger, and when Eaglesfan, the Wranglers' GM, either didn't want to or wasn't able to do so, he made the decision to pull the trigger on the blockbuster and get something in return for his star goalie. Wingate brought his winning mentality to Riga, posting 49 wins in the regular season, but this year wasn't their year, as they were swept in the playoffs, despite Wingate putting up a .924 save percentage and a 1.87 GAA, all while collecting another Aidan Shaw trophy.

 

Season 47

VHL Regular Season
S47(RIG) 64GP | 32W - 25L - 7OTL | 0.910 SV% | 2.09 GAA |  8 SO
VHL Playoffs
S47(RIG)  4GP |  0W - 2L - 2OTL | 0.927 SV% | 2.07 GAA | 0 SO

In his second year with Riga, Wingate suffered his worst showing since his rookie year, only winning 32 games in the regular season. Personally, he still did well, with a .910 save percentage and a 2.09 GAA, but he looked a far cry from the superstar he'd been for the three preceding seasons. This continued on into the playoffs, which saw Riga going a second straight playoffs without a win. At the end of the year, it was apparent that Wingate needed another change of scenery, and with him hitting unrestricted free agency, now was the perfect time.

 

Season 48

VHL Regular Season
S48(TOR) 64GP | 47W - 16L - 1OTL | 0.928 SV% | 1.82 GAA | 12 SO
VHL Playoffs
S48(TOR) 11GP |  8W - 1L - 2OTL | 0.938 SV% | 1.53 GAA | 2 SO

To begin his fifth season in the VHL, Wingate signed a free agent contract with the Toronto Legion. It was quickly apparent that he was back to his old self as he posted yet another 40+ win season, but his true success was to come in playoffs. Toronto waltzed their way through the playoffs, going 8-1-2, and Wingate posted some solid personal numbers on his way to his first solo Playoff MVP while leading the Legion to the Continental Cup. Entering the next season, the goal for Toronto and Wingate was to prove that they were the powerhouses they'd seemed to be this year.

 

Season 49

VHL Regular Season
S49(TOR) 64GP | 51W -  9L - 4OTL | 0.929 SV% | 1.71 GAA |  9 SO
VHL Playoffs
S49(TOR) 16GP | 12W - 4L - 0OTL | 0.924 SV% | 2.34 GAA | 0 SO

This is the year that Wingate set a few personal best for regular season wins with 51. Once again, Toronto entered the playoffs flying, and while they suffered two more losses overall on their way to the Cup, they nailed the Continental Cup for the second year in a row. With his final year on the horizon, all eyes were on whether Wingate and Toronto could achieve the holy grail that is a three-peat with an aging superstar in the net.

 

Season 50

VHL Regular Season
S50(TOR) 64GP | 49W - 10L - 4OTL | 0.935 SV% | 1.52 GAA | 13 SO
VHL Playoffs
S50(TOR) 13GP |  8W - 4L - 1OTL | 0.928 SV% | 1.84 GAA | 2 SO

Although his win total slipped slightly in his final season, Wingate actually set personal records in both regular season save percentage (.935), regular season GAA (1.52), and regular season shutouts (13). It's astounding that over a quarter of his wins this year came without allowing a single goal. Entering playoffs, Toronto looked in good shape to achieve the three-peat. Wingate himself showed no sign of slowing down, posting a .928 save percentage and a 1.84 GAA on his way to another Continental Cup. After ending his playing career on a high note, Wingate even won the league MVP and the most outstanding player trophies at the end of S50. A thrilling end to a star career.

 

Career Overview

VHL Regular Season
S43(CGY) 64GP | 14W - 46L - 4OTL | 0.912 SV% | 3.23 GAA |  2 SO
S44(CGY) 64GP | 40W - 18L - 6OTL | 0.923 SV% | 2.07 GAA |  7 SO
S45(CGY) 64GP | 42W - 19L - 3OTL | 0.917 SV% | 2.28 GAA |  7 SO
S46(RIG) 64GP | 49W - 20L - 3OTL | 0.923 SV% | 2.05 GAA | 11 SO
S47(RIG) 64GP | 32W - 25L - 7OTL | 0.910 SV% | 2.09 GAA |  8 SO
S48(TOR) 64GP | 47W - 16L - 1OTL | 0.928 SV% | 1.82 GAA | 12 SO	
S49(TOR) 64GP | 51W -  9L - 4OTL | 0.929 SV% | 1.71 GAA |  9 SO
S50(TOR) 64GP | 49W - 10L - 4OTL | 0.935 SV% | 1.52 GAA | 13 SO
VHL PLAYOFFS
S44(CGY) 16GP | 12W - 4L - 0OTL | 0.926 SV% | 2.19 GAA | 3 SO 
S45(CGY) 16GP | 11W - 5L - 0OTL | 0.936 SV% | 1.94 GAA | 2 SO
S46(RIG)  4GP |  0W - 3L - 1OTL | 0.924 SV% | 1.87 GAA | 0 SO
S47(RIG)  4GP |  0W - 2L - 2OTL | 0.927 SV% | 2.07 GAA | 0 SO
S48(TOR) 11GP |  8W - 1L - 2OTL | 0.938 SV% | 1.53 GAA | 2 SO
S49(TOR) 16GP | 12W - 4L - 0OTL | 0.924 SV% | 2.34 GAA | 0 SO
S50(TOR) 13GP |  8W - 4L - 1OTL | 0.928 SV% | 1.84 GAA | 2 SO
WORLD CUP ROUND ROBIN
S43(WEU) 10GP | 7W - 2L - 1OTL | 0.926 SV% | 2.40 GAA | 1 SO
S46(WEU)  9GP | 8W - 0L - 1OTL | 0.919 SV% | 2.19 GAA | 1 SO
WORLD CUP ELIMINATION ROUNDS
S43(WEU) 2GP | 2W - 0L - 0OTL | 0.923 SV% | 2.30 GAA | 0 SO
S46(WEU) 2GP | 2W - 0L - 0OTL | 0.949 SV% | 1.00 GAA | 0 SO

Even as a rookie, Wingate never put up a save percentage below .910, and although his GAA fluctuated over the years, that was mostly a marker of how good the team he would have been playing on was at the time. Where he really stood apart from the crowd was in the playoffs. He ranks 1st all time in playoff wins, games played, and shots faced, and is top 5 in both GAA and shutouts, so he is clearly a competitor who steps up to the plate when the pressure's on. Once you factor in his consistency in the games played column as well, the picture of Wingate is that of a player that met and exceeded his expectations as an elite starter at every bend.

Edited August 30, 2018 by Enorama
i did a dumb (Reign->Legion)

[hedgehog337 3,483]

12 minutes ago, Enorama said:

Toronto Reign

 

13 minutes ago, Enorama said:

the Reign

 

 

he def knows the current Reign GM was a part of that Toronto squad.

 

but it's Toronto Legion though

[Enorama 2,038]

Just now, hedgehog337 said:

 

 

 

he def knows the current Reign GM was a part of that Toronto squad.

 

but it's Toronto Legion though

lmfao I have no idea why I thought that, didn't even bother to check. Fixing it now though lol

[Victor 10,954]

Good but not quite Clegane.  @CowboyinAmerica

 

(Just don't look at the playoffs)

[CowboyinAmerica 2,891]

14 minutes ago, Victor said:

Good but not quite Clegane.  @CowboyinAmerica

 

(Just don't look at the playoffs)

 

Yeah an underrated part of his career was that he was like highest or second highest in TPE for goalies from his second season on since nobody was making goalies (or retired them early) - it was great for awards and playoffs, but not regular stats since everything was so offense-oriented. I only caught the beginning of that S49-53 stretch where goalies just dominated and there was like no scoring.

[Victor 10,954]

4 minutes ago, CowboyinAmerica said:

 

Yeah an underrated part of his career was that he was like highest or second highest in TPE for goalies from his second season on since nobody was making goalies (or retired them early) - it was great for awards and playoffs, but not regular stats since everything was so offense-oriented. I only caught the beginning of that S49-53 stretch where goalies just dominated and there was like no scoring.

Yeah I guess I always stick you with the Cleganes and Weinstein in my mind but in reality those 2 earlier seasons made a difference. WinGod was WinGod, no denying that though. I think we all did quite well to get into the HOF in such a highly competitive era for goalies. And enter the discussion of top 5 goalies ever probably.

[Enorama 2,038]

Any feedback on the write-up while you're here @CowboyinAmerica @hedgehog337 @Victor?

[Victor 10,954]

1 minute ago, Enorama said:

Any feedback on the write-up while you're here @CowboyinAmerica @hedgehog337 @Victor?

Looks good to me. 

[CowboyinAmerica 2,891]

7 minutes ago, Enorama said:

Any feedback on the write-up while you're here @CowboyinAmerica @hedgehog337 @Victor?

 

Looks good to me as well - only thing I might think is worth a mention is some of the playoff overall stats. Know Wingate's first all-time in playoff wins, think he's up there in GAA and shutouts too. Much better playoff goalie than regular season.

 

(Victor's spreadsheet from the other day for reference)

Edited August 16, 2018 by CowboyinAmerica

[Enorama 2,038]

8 minutes ago, CowboyinAmerica said:

 

Looks good to me as well - only thing I might think is worth a mention is some of the playoff overall stats. Know Wingate's first all-time in playoff wins, think he's up there in GAA and shutouts too. Much better playoff goalie than regular season.

 

True, I forgot to look at his rankings in playoff stats, I only checked the regular season. I'll add a little blurb to the last paragraph.

 

@CowboyinAmerica I added a couple sentences to reflect that.

Edited August 16, 2018 by Enorama

[Quik 4,113]

18 hours ago, Enorama said:

Calgary had a very week season overall

 

[Victor 10,954]

3 hours ago, Quik said:

 

Everyone else plays for 2 months, Calgary decided not to bother.