Unsung heroes: Veteran players

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As the VHL looks forward to all the new players joining in Season 70 and 71, and with theme of the week being unsung heroes, I think now is a good time to look at the players in their 2nd last or currently in their final season of the VHL. While these players may have been heroes in their prime it can be easy for our focus to change to the younger players on the team and the next generation as the years of play takes a toll on these players, yet their experience is crucial for each team's new players. I realize not every player here may not be an unsung hero but they all deserve the extra shoutout for their years of play and contribution.

 

Moscow Menace:

The team has 3 players nearing their end in the VHL, Jorgon Weyed is a staple right winger for the team, playing in his 4th season with the team, he has scored 14 goals, 6 of them game winners and 4 of them power play goals, and 9 assists in 69 games, His points total has been trending down since his first season with the team, we'll see if Moscow keeps him for his final season or trades him.

Randoms has been a great left wing for the team, despite being in his 2nd last season he is posting career numbers, 36 goals, 49 assists for 85 points. This is the most assists and points he's gotten in a season, and if he can score 2 more goals he can tie his record for most goals in a season.

Paolo Nano is playing his final few games of his VHL career, with 6 goals, 5 of them being on a power play, and 20 assists for 26 points, the lowest of his career. Nano has been a solid defenseman no matter where he played, the league will miss him.

 

NYA:

Kisshan Shan is playing in his 2nd last season and it has been a struggle for the veteran right wing, having failed to score any points yet this season. Still his veteran leadership is important for a team that has plenty of players in their first or 2nd year.

Konstantantin Mulligan has just a few games left, and his physical play has likely taken a toll on the defenseman, having thrown more then 130 hits each season with the exception being this season where he has just made 76 hits, he has 2 goals that he got on power plays, 7 assists for 9 points. Thank you for physical play Mulligan.

 

Vancouver Wolves:

This team is pretty young, no players in their last or second last season.

 

DC Dragons:

Same deal as the wolves.

 

Prague Phantoms:

Just one player in his second last season, Mountain Thunderfist. The defenseman has scored 3 goals, 2 of which are power play goals, and 2 assists for 5 points, which is actually not the least amount of points he has scored. With just 12 penalty minutes he's a solid defensive defenseman and should not be overlooked.

 

Riga Reign:

Rauno Palo is a center in his final season, despite the years of play he's still produced more then a point a game in his last season. 30 goals, 43 assists for 73 points, It's clear he wants his final season to go out with a bang, and there is no doubt the team will miss him and the presence he brings on the ice and in the locker room.

Ryan Kestelic, a staple of Riga, he has played every season with the team and the center seems to get better after each season, while he's had a drop in points in this season then last season which was a career year for him with 88 points. This season he has 30 goals and 33 assists for 63 points in 70 games which is still remarkable. With one more season still to go, I'm sure Kestelic will give us a great swan song of a season.

Kallis Kriketers, much like Kestelic, is a staple of Riga. The goalie has provided the team with solid to amazing goaltending in every season and this season he has been playing out of his mind, posting a .932 save percentage and a 1.64 goals against average. In 65 games he has 44 wins and 10 shutouts. With both Kestelic and Kriketers entering their final seasons after this season ends, Riga is gonna loose 2 iconic players that have made such a huge impact for the team.

 

Calgary Wranglers:

A fairly young team, no players to mention.

 

Malmo Nighthawks:

Joseph Mcwolf is a fantastic defenseman currently for the Nighthawks, he has 10 goals, 9 of which are power play goals, 48 assists for a total of 58 points. He has 148 penalty mins, 226 hits, and 110 shot blocks. He's a great all around player being able to fill any role. I hope the nighthawks keep him around for his final season.

Jake Davis is a right winger who was brought in by the nighthawks for this season and he's proved to bring a great balance between knowing when to take the shot or to pass, currently sitting with 26 goals and assists for 52 points. He's a pretty clutch player to with 8 game winning goals. The league will miss this veteran player who has a great hockey IQ.

 

Helsinki Titans: Home of veteran players.

Sorry I couldn't help myself with the name but the team has 5 players in their semi-final season and one player who is in his last season.

defenseman Jesse Wilson has played all 6 of his VHL seasons with the team, right wing Joey Boucher is playing his 1st season with the Titans, left wing Julian borwinn has played all of his 7 seasons with the team, defenseman Sidney Crosby has been with the team for all 7 seasons, and goalie Alexander pepper has been with the team since the start of his career. Going in order of their goals, assists and points for this season are: 7G, 30A, 37P/13G ,27A, 40P/39G, 50A, 89P/13G, 31A, 44P and for Pepper, he has 36 wins, 4 of them shutouts, in 61 games with a .912 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average.

The one player in his final season is Dan Montgomery, Dan has devoted his entire career to the Titans, he has 137 career goals 5 this season, 321 assists 20 this season for 458 career points and 25 this season. He's not a huge goal scorer and better known for his great passing, regardless he has helped lead the team for 8 seasons and the team will miss his presence on and off the ice.

 

HC Davos Dynamo:

The one player retiring this year with the team is Lando Baxter. He has 6 goals and 23 assists for 29 points and he also has 84 shot blocks. It was a good decision to bring him in for the many 2nd season players on the team, help mentor them. He's a consistent player and lets all wish him the best for his retirement.

 

Toronto Legion:

Ryan Peace and Tzuyu are a center and defenseman for the team in their second last seasons. Peace has 35 goals, 34 assists for 69 points in 70 games, just shy of a point a game. His extreme physical play is worth mentioning as he has thrown 239 hits this season, more than double any of his previous seasons. With his extra physicality he's added another level to his game and shows that he can still improve his game while staying around a point a game. Tzuyu is a familiar face in Toronto having been their all of his 7 seasons so far, this season posting 18 goals, 8 of which are power play goals, 36 assists for 54 points and has 136 shot blocks. He will finish with roughly 20 less points than last season but he should never be overlooked on the ice.

 

Seattle Bears:

Dan Wilinsky is the one player on the 7th season of his career. 38 goals, 39 assists for 77 points for the right winger, on top of that has 151 penalty minutes, 261 hits and a clutch 11 winning goals. He's still above a point a game and contributes in many ways. We'll see what Dan does in his last season.

Left winger Leph Twinger has 14 goals, 24 assists for 38 points. He'll be ending the season with over 20 less points than last season but he's still very important in other areas of his game, 145 penalty mins, 209 hits, 91 shot blocks and 5 of his 14 goals are game winners. No matter what team he could do whatever you ask him and the league will miss having his flexibility.

Maxim Kovalchuk is no stranger to Seattle fans, 7 of 8 seasons have been with the team and it's good he is retiring with the team, the team where he started his career with. 17 goals, 23 assists for 40 points. The years of physical play has slowed him down but he still remains a threat on the ice. Seattle will miss this long stay player.

 

So lets all congratulate these players! Most of these players have become unsung heroes, and I want them all to know we appreciate their hard work, no matter what team they played on.

 

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