S72 VHL Awards Preview

[Matt_O 896]

 

The S72 Season was a great one, which ended with the Riga Reign winning the Continental Cup. Now that the season is over, it’s time to hand out some awards. Let’s take a look at how each award race could pan out.

 

Make sure to check out other series VSN has to offer, such as our weekly reviews, award trackers, podcasts, and upcoming offseason coverage

VSN Radio | Weekly Review | S73 Draft Coverage | Under 250 | Expansion Draft Coverage

 

 

Mike Szatkowski Trophy

This award goes to the player during the regular season who had the most points in the league. This award has already been decided, and Condor Adrienne’s dominant season earns its first of likely many awards. He had 100 points and was the only player to finish in the triple digits. Jet Jaguar came close with 97 but ultimately fell short of Adrienne.

 

Alexander Beketov Trophy

With 70 assists this year, Lincoln Tate and Berocka Sundqvist will share the Alexander Beketov Trophy for most assists. This is the second year in a row that the Beketov Trophy was shared, but just the fifth time in VHL history. 

 

Kevin Brooks Trophy

Julius Freeman’s 45 goals were enough to win him his second consecutive Brooks Trophy and third overall to his career. If Freeman has a big year in his final season, he will give himself a good shot at making it into the Hall of Fame.

 

Christian Stolzchweiger Trophy

The VHL Rookie of the Year race this year was rather tame and lacked any high point scorers. No one cracked 50 points, but SS Hornet, the 1st overall pick of the S72 draft, came the closest with 47. On the surface, it seems like he would be the favourite, but there definitely is a debate to be made. Pengu is another good candidate, as he had 43 points, just four fewer than Hornet. Zyrok12 is another player that could get some attention, as his 37 points for a rookie defenseman is pretty solid. He also had 75 hits and 122 blocked shots, pretty solid defensive numbers for a rookie. Other players such as Vladimir Shaposhnikov and Gary Neal could enter the discussion, but it seems like this year’s race is only about points.

Nominees: Pengu, Zyrok12, SS Hornet

Favourite: SS Hornet

 

Dustin Funk Trophy

The Dustin Funk Trophy goes to the player that is most improved from the previous season. The number of good candidates from this year is extraordinary. Condor Adrienne, the league's point leader, scored in the 50s for points in the previous couple seasons, before exploding with 100 points this year. He also increased his blocked shots total by 70, which led the league. Mikko Lahtinen also makes a strong case, as his point-scoring went from 29 to 84, and Lahtinen went from 13 goals in his first two seasons to 41 this year. Lewis Dawson of the Nighthawks makes a very strong case as well, as he went from 32 points to 93. He also nearly doubled his hit total from the previous year, from 46 to 88. You also have RJ Jubis and Berocka Sundqvist, who both went from having point totals in the 50s to the 90s this year, with 93 and 92 points respectively. This season put up many great candidates for the Funk, and it’s a shame only one of them will be able to win. It's very difficult to pick a favourite.

Nominees: Condor Adrienne, Mikko Lahtinen, Lewis Dawson

Favourite: Mikko Lahtinen

 

Scott Boulet Trophy

The Boulet Trophy goes to the best two way forward, and the most important stats for this award are blocked shots and hits. The league leader in hits this season was Phil Marleau, with 404. He had 75 more hits than second-place Keven Foreskin, who also is worth taking a look at for the Boulet. Other players that also had high hit totals to complement their high point totals, such as Julius Freeman and Jet Jaguar, who ranked fifth and tenth in the league for hits respectively. Every year this is a pretty tightly contested award, and this year isn’t much different.

Nominees: Phil Marleau, Keven Foreskin, Julius Freeman

Favourite: Phil Marleau

 

Alexander Valiq Trophy

This award goes to the best offensive defenseman. This year, many defensemen put up very high point totals. Last year, the top defenseman had 73 points. This year, the top five defensemen all had 73 or more points, including an incredible 100 points from Condor Adrienne. Berocka Sundqvists 92 points and Lincoln Tates 86 points would be enough to be the favourite for this award in most other years, but unfortunately for them Adrienne’s 100 points this year makes it very unlikely for either Sundqvist or Tate to win the Valiq.

Nominees: Condor Adrienne, Berocka Sundqvist, Lincoln Tate

Favourite: Condor Adrienne

 

Jake Wylde Trophy

The Wylde goes to the best defensive defenseman in the league, but unfortunately, great defence is a hard thing to grasp with just numbers. For any defenseman that hoped they could win an award over Condor Adrienne, this is the award that they would have to do it with. Unfortunately for them, Adrienne is one of, if not the top contender for this award as well. His 188 blocked shots are 30 more than second place, and he also finished second in hits for a defenseman, just one behind Lance Flowers. Flowers had 255 hits and 154 blocked shots. His 154 blocked shots are only one behind second place, and his 255 hits are the most out of all defenseman. Cinnamon Block is also a contender for this award, with 222 hits and 154 blocked shots. If voter fatigue comes into play, Lance Flowers or Cinnamon Block can take this award, but Adrienne is still the likely favourite.

Nominees: Condor Adrienne, Lance Flowers, Cinnamon Block

Favourite: Condor Adrienne

 

Sterling Labatte Trophy

This trophy goes to the leagues top defenseman, and it’s pretty obvious who this trophy will go too. Berocka Sundqvist and Lincoln Tate had great seasons, but Condor Adrienne was simply too good this year. He is the clear favourite to win this award.

Nominees: Lincoln Tate, Condor Adrienne, Berocka Sundqvist

Favourite: Condor Adrienne

 

Greg Clegane Trophy

This is another statistical award, and it goes to the goalie with the lowest GAA. The league lowest GAA belongs to Clayton Park, but he doesn’t fit the requirements for games played, as he has only played nine and it’s required to play at least 20. That means Jacques Lafontaine will win the Clegane, as his 2.31 GAA was the best in the league out of goalies that played 20+ games.

 

Aidan Shaw Trophy

This award goes to the league’s top goaltender. Jacques Lafontaine is probably the favourite, as he has the lowest GAA and was tied for the highest save percentage out of all starting goalies, as well as the most wins. However, Raymond Bernard of the Menace could give Lafontaine a run for his money, as his .924 save percentage was the same as Lafontaines, and his 2.47 GAA wasn’t far behind Lafontaine either. He also led the league in shutouts with four. Michael Johnson also can make a case, as his .922 save percentage was just barely behind both Lafontaine and Bernard. He also had a GAA of 2.55, which was third amongst starters. These three were the top three goaltenders this year, and it’s tough to pick a favourite.

Nominees: Raymond Bernard, Michael Johnson, Jacques Lafontaine

Favourite: Jacques Lafontaine

 

Daisuke Kanou Trophy

The Riga Reign won the Continental Cup in dominating fashion this year, going 12-1 in the playoffs. While the contributions of Lincoln Tate, Apollo Hackett, and Kyl Oferson played a big part in their success, no player was more important to the Reign than goaltender Greg Eagles. His .936 save percentage and 2.03 GAA were instrumental in taking down the Victory Cup-winning Wranglers. Calgary averaged 3.4 goals per game during the regular seasons, but only 2 goals per game in the finals. Greg Eagles will most likely continue the streak of goalies winning the Kanou with his stellar postseason run.

Nominees: Apollo Hackett, Lincoln Tate, Greg Eagles

Favourite: Greg Eagles

 

Scotty Campbell Trophy

The final award on our list goes to the league's most valuable player. This year we saw some really big names traded midseason, which is a huge damper on their chances to win the Campbell. The most notable player to be traded was Jet Jaguar. His 97 points were very impressive, but being traded to Davos midseason seriously hurt his chances at the Campbell. Condor Adrienne is definitely worth looking at simply because of his point production. The biggest drawback is that Malmo finished in the last place, which could pretty much destroy his case for MVP. Julius Freeman of the Americans has a good case, with 87 points. The only problem is that his teammate Owen Nolan had 82 points, not far behind Freeman. Regardless, Freeman’s elite two-way game and high point total, as well as New Yorks success, could be enough to get him some serious consideration. Scott Greene of Seattle could also get a look, with 93 points, although his two-way game took a huge drop off. Seattle also has plenty of other players with similar point totals which hurts his chances. RJ Jubis or Jacques Lafontaine of the Wranglers could be in the conversation too, as Jubis had 93 points and led his team, while LaFontaine led the league in GAA and save percentage, the two most important goaltending stats. Lincoln Tate of the Reign also deserves a shot, as his 86 points lead the team and he remains one of the leagues top defenseman. It is a really tough award to pick a favourite for. If the voters are willing to turn a blind eye to Malmo’s team success, then Adrienne will most likely win this award. But if they do pay attention to team success, then this award is clouded with uncertainty.

Nominees: Condor Adrienne, Julius Freeman, Lincoln Tate

Favourite: Julius Freeman

 

Thank you for tuning in for the S72 Awards Preview. Good luck to all those that are in the running!

 

Spoiler

@OrbitingDeath @gorlab @Tate @Berocka @rjfryman @McWolf @Pengu @ng1291 @Zyrok @LittleRiDog @Beketov @Kendrick @Jubis @Phil @Esso2264 @CowboyinAmerica  @omgitshim @SlapshotDragon @Mr_Hatter @fonziGG @Greg_Di @DoktorFunk

 

[NotAVHLM-GM 1,858]

Awesome preview Matt , quite nervous now that i might fail to deliver on the ones were im the favorite lol.

 

Mvp and most improved i dont think i will get even close

[Mr_Hatter 1,608]

Excited to see who will clean up good luck to all my fellow competitors! 

[Berocka 2,256]

1 hour ago, OrbitingDeath said:

Awesome preview Matt , quite nervous now that i might fail to deliver on the ones were im the favorite lol.

 

Mvp and most improved i dont think i will get even close

This whole article is Berocka had a great year if it wasn't for Adrienne congratulations mate

[gorlab 4,321]

FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY 

[CowboyinAmerica 2,840]

 

13 hours ago, Matt_O said:

Jake Wylde Trophy

The Wylde goes to the best defensive defenseman in the league, but unfortunately, great defence is a hard thing to grasp with just numbers. For any defenseman that hoped they could win an award over Condor Adrienne, this is the award that they would have to do it with. Unfortunately for them, Adrienne is one of, if not the top contender for this award as well. His 188 blocked shots are 30 more than second place, and he also finished second in hits for a defenseman, just one behind Lance Flowers.

 

Malmo also had a bunch more shots against them this season too, I think Adrienne still has me by percentage of total shots blocked but it's a lot closer. Plus my plus-minus is much better, though that can be an imperfect measurement. I think I've definitely got an argument, but whatever happens, happens.

[Victor 10,830]

Knowing the answers always makes this an amusing read but good stuff overall.

 

Freeman is pretty much a HOFer regardless of what happens next season though.

[NotAVHLM-GM 1,858]

2 hours ago, CowboyinAmerica said:

 

 

Malmo also had a bunch more shots against them this season too, I think Adrienne still has me by percentage of total shots blocked but it's a lot closer. Plus my plus-minus is much better, though that can be an imperfect measurement. I think I've definitely got an argument, but whatever happens, happens.

 

Goodluck CIA, it could roll either way, especially since you also have a positive plus/minus on top of things. Hope I'll beat you though

[Kendrick 4,741]

I'd be over the moon if I won, but I don't think they are my awards to win given the competitions performances