VHL S70 Top 25 Players, Part 3: 15-11

[FrostBeard 2,061]

 

 

VHL Top 25 Players

Part 3: 15-11

 

With the usual suspect @McWolf unable to post this, I am here to do the thing. Part 3 is here for you lovely people and our list is coming to closer to the final 5 with each day. So let's look at those who nearly crossed the Top 10 mark. Just chill back and relax reading through praises that our writers give to players ranked from 15 to 11.

 

 

15. Joseph McWolf

 

The second overall pick in the Season 63 VHL Entry Draft, Joseph McWolf is hoping for a storybook ending to his storied VHL career as he returns to the place it all began, the New York Americans, for the final season of his career. Although he was a member of the Season 62 Ottawa Lynx that brought home the Founder's Cup, he has yet to hoist the VHL's ultimate prize in the Continental Cup. After making the VHL, McWolf quickly established himself as one of the league's best offensive defenseman and a dangerous threat on the power play. After four seasons in New York, in which he never scored less than 60 points and won the Sterling Labatte Trophy as the VHL's top defenseman in Season 64, McWolf was traded to the Riga Reign following Season 66. He proceeded to score a career-high 27 goals, 16 on the power play and tacked on 50 assists for a 77 point season. It would prove to be the most decorated season for McWolf, as he won a second Sterling Labatte Trophy and the Alexander Valiq Trophy as the VHL's top offensive defenseman. After another solid season in Riga, McWolf was traded to Malmo. Although he only scored 11 goals, 10 were on the power play, his third consecutive season scoring at least 10 goals on the man advantage. It was also his seventh straight season recording at least 50 assists, giving him 61 points on the season. Joseph McWolf may be at the end of his career, but he remains among the league's best blueliners and power-play specialists, landing him at #15 in our rankings. 

Doomsday

 

14. Rayz Funk

 

Rayz Funk has been one of the more consistent goaltenders over the past few years, which is impressive, considering he is going into only his fourth season in the VHL. A clutch performer, Funk has backstopped his Seattle Bears now to two straight Continental Cups and has earned two Daisuke Kanou trophies for his efforts as the playoff MVP. Funk is only improving, and as the highest TPE goalie in the entire league, one can only assume he will dominate this era’s goaltending awards. Despite his consistency and spectacular playoff performances, there are still some questions surrounding his regular-season form, as he has so far failed to win the prestigious Aidan Shaw for top goaltender during the regular season. However, when so much is expected of him, it is easy to look past some truly incredible performances from a goaltender that has yet to cross his halfway mark of seasons in the VHL. His first Kanou and Victory Cup in only his sophomore season showcased his potential, with a .935 SV% and 1.79 GAA. The hockey world is waiting to see if he can keep up such numbers throughout the length of a season, and it would be unwise to count him out just yet. 

Mr_Hatter

 

13. Acyd Burn

 

Acyd Burn likely takes the title of “Most Successful S67 Player” also known as “The Player That Was Lucky Enough to be Drafted by Seattle”. However, Acyd has contributed heavily to Seattle's success, taking the role of powerplay specialist in S69 with 13 PP Goals. Interestingly enough, a typically disciplined player, sitting in the box for only 17 minutes in the regular season, almost matched that number in the postseason with 11. With Wilinsky and Frostbeard moving on to other teams, Acyd Burn will likely take the role of top scorer for Seattle. It is going to be a tall order to try to replicate the success he has seen in his first three seasons, but that responsibility now rests firmly on Burn’s shoulders.

Erik Summers

 

12. Mikko Aaltonen

 

From there, we continue our list to the weird case that is Mikko Aaltonen. Last season’s sole representative of the D.C. Dragons in the Top 25 list definitely was the main beneficiary of the team’s lack of depth at the front, as he scored north of 35 goals in each of the last two seasons, adding over 30 assists on both occasions, a clear upgrade from the numbers he set in Riga during his rookie and sophomore campaigns. Now entering their third season since their foundation, the Dragons should be better than ever, especially after adding two-time Continental Cup winner John Frostbeard from the Seattle Bears, a much-needed support for Aaltonen, who’s mainly been playing with younger players since joining the expansion team. Both players should benefit from playing with another solid player, though it’s hard to say if the Latvian winger will be able to score as many goals since his new teammate is also a shoot-first forward. Therefore, he might lose his signature high goal totals, but there’s no doubt in our mind that he’ll still score enough points to justify him placing this high on our list.

McWolf

 

11. Apollo Hackett

 

A player that becomes better and better with each season, a player that has been a huge part of S68 and S69 Riga Reign playoff runs? Yes, it is Apollo Hackett, an S66 draftee selected 16th Overall. Apollo has been playing lights out past 2 seasons and considering that he just recently entered his prime it is scary to think what this beast of a defenceman can become. With 68 points last season and +34 rating, Hackett is going to be an important piece for Riga this next season when the most consistent playoff team will return and try to add another Continental cup to their name. After adding goal-scoring ability to the repertoire, Hackett will clearly be an even bigger threat this season because if last season’s goal totals were anything to go by, we are looking at one of the better offensive defenceman in the league currently. The big question will be about Hackett’s ability to play high-quality defence when his main role will be to carry the blue line offensively. Still, 11th best player rated by VSN? Not a bad place to be for anyone. 

FrostBeard

 

 

What do you guys think of this part? Who do you think is ranked too low or too high? Gives us your opinion and be sure to predict who is taking the 1st spot on our list!

 

People mentioned: @McWolf, @Rayzor_7, @Acydburn, @GRZ, @FrostBeard, @oilmandan, @Renomitsu

[Acydburn 1,618]

I think i'm getting a bit too much credit here...