Higgins 3,618 Posted August 25, 2018 Share Posted August 25, 2018 Helsinki Titans Jersey Retirement The last player to have their number retired by the Helsinki Titans played his final season in S36. Needless to say it is an elite club that have their jerseys hanging from the rafters in the historic Hartwall Arena. Ten jerseys hang from those rafters and today we are adding the eleventh. To be recognized with a jersey retirement you need to play an important role on a team for a long time. Not everyone can commit to one team for the majority of their career and it truly is something worth honoring. With a new era of Helsinki players upcoming it is a perfect time to remember the S50 era in Helsinki with a player that represents it best. Franchise Cornerstone #97 S53-60 There's no debate. Franchise Cornerstone is the greatest player in not only franchise history for the Helsinki Titans, but most likely the greatest player to ever step onto VHL ice. With a name like Franchise Cornerstone, there was a high probability that expectations wouldn't be met, whether that be statistically or team loyalty. Ten seasons after being drafted 1st overall in S53, it's safe to say that Franchise Cornerstone outperformed the namesake. Spending his full 8 season career with the Helsinki Titans as the captain for each of those seasons, he was a leader in the locker room and on the ice. Winning eleven of the most prestigious awards - including 3 MVPs in a span of 4 seasons - the hardware sets him among some of the greatest. Scoring 50+ goals in 5 seasons - with 60+ goals in 2 of those - he was an offensive juggernaut for the Titans explosive offense during the S50 era as their number one centerman the team was constructed around Cornerstone. The Titans made the playoffs in all 8 seasons with Cornerstone and made the finals 4 times, and winning 3 of those, including back-to-back championships. A first ballot hall of fame entry was just a formality when Cornerstone retired. Based on loyalty, TPE, individual awards, championships, leadership, consistency, presence and statistics all combined, Franchise Cornerstone is the greatest player in VHL history. It is with great pleasure and honor that I, as Titans GM for the past 10 seasons and as teammate of Cornerstone, get to announce the retirement of his #97 forever in Helsinki as we forever immortalize Franchise Cornerstone in Helsinki Titans history. FRANCHISE CORNERSTONE #97 Regular Season 576 GP, 384 G, 471 A, 855 P, +456, 465 PIM, 836 HIT, 235 SB, 72 GW Playoffs 93 GP, 40 G, 63 A, 103 P, +26, 66 PIM, 141 HIT, 41 SB, 8 GW Awards S60 Scott Boulet Trophy S59 Scotty Campbell Trophy S59 Brett Slobodzian Trophy S59 Mike Szatkowski Trophy S59 Scott Boulet Trophy S59 Kevin Brooks Trophy S58 Scotty Campbell Trophy S56 Kevin Brooks Trophy S56 Scotty Campbell Trophy S54 Grimm Jonsson Trophy S53 Grimm Jonsson Trophy Three Continental Cups (S54, s55, S60) TheLastOlympian07 1 Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/52358-helsinki-titans-jersey-retirement/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higgins 3,618 Posted August 25, 2018 Author Share Posted August 25, 2018 Congrats @boubabi Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/52358-helsinki-titans-jersey-retirement/#findComment-545418 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Victor 10,955 Posted August 25, 2018 Admin Share Posted August 25, 2018 *checks to see if Campbell and O'Malley got erased from Hall of Fame* Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/52358-helsinki-titans-jersey-retirement/#findComment-545423 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quik 4,113 Posted August 25, 2018 Share Posted August 25, 2018 May not have agreed with the member often, but he did create a helluva player. Spade18 and diamond_ace 2 Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/52358-helsinki-titans-jersey-retirement/#findComment-545429 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Admin Will 4,660 Posted August 25, 2018 Senior Admin Share Posted August 25, 2018 Should grant him 24h furlough to see this! Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/52358-helsinki-titans-jersey-retirement/#findComment-545451 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banackock 8,062 Posted August 25, 2018 Share Posted August 25, 2018 2 hours ago, Higgins said: Congrats @boubabi Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/52358-helsinki-titans-jersey-retirement/#findComment-545469 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higgins 3,618 Posted August 25, 2018 Author Share Posted August 25, 2018 43 minutes ago, Will said: Should grant him 24h furlough to see this! Maybe he can make the banner TheLastOlympian07 1 Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/52358-helsinki-titans-jersey-retirement/#findComment-545472 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da Trifecta 1,899 Posted August 25, 2018 Share Posted August 25, 2018 @Higgins where is mine? Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/52358-helsinki-titans-jersey-retirement/#findComment-545474 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLastOlympian07 2,388 Posted August 25, 2018 Share Posted August 25, 2018 4 hours ago, Higgins said: Maybe he can make the banner the balls on this guy Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/52358-helsinki-titans-jersey-retirement/#findComment-545551 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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