Ay Ay Ron HoF Article

[Siddhus 72]

Position: D/RW
Birthplace: Windsor, Ontario
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 216
Jersey Number: 5
Drafted: S56 1st round, 2nd overall, Helsinki Titans
Username: boubabi

 

Despite waiting a few seasons after becoming eligible before finding his way to the VHL Hall of Fame, Ay Ay Ron's recognition as one of the all-time greats could not have come at a more relevant time. The same season that the user boubabi's indefinite ban was overturned, his last player is invited into the annals of the HoF. Long recognized as a phenomenal regular season performer, especially in his time as a defenseman, Ron overcame the critics of his playoff performances by collecting the Daisuke Kanou trophy in S60 as the Playoff MVP. Tacking that on to his trio of Alexander Beketov trophies (tied for the most by any single player) demonstrates the all-round dominance that Ron had shown at times throughout his career. Following a late-career position change to forward, his career point total slid in just under a point per game at 572 points in 575 career games played.

 

Career Awards

S59 Alexander Valiq Trophy (Top Offensive Defenceman)
S59 Alexander Beketov Trophy (Most Assists)
S60 Continental Cup
S60 Daisuke Kanou Trophy (Playoff MVP)
S60 Alexander Valiq Trophy (Top Offensive Defenceman)
S60 Alexander Beketov Trophy (Most Assists) 
S61 Jake Wylde Trophy (Top Defensive Defenceman)
S61 Alexander Beketov Trophy (Most Assists) 

 

S56

Regular Season
56 (HSK) | 72GP | 10G - 22A - 32P | 55 | 116SHT | 131PIM | 217HIT | 2GWG
Playoffs
56 (HSK) | 7GP | 0G - 0A - 0P | 0 | 4SHT | 20PIM | 24HIT | 0GWG

Drafted 2nd overall by the Helsinki Titans, Ron had some high expectations as he entered the VHL after two seasons in the VHLM. Like most defensemen, Ron started his career with a not impressive but respectable rookie season, posting 32 points and 217 hits. His Helsinki Titans made it to the VHL playoffs, but went out in the first round, while Ron himself had an entirely unspectacular performance, with no points and only 4 shots on goal across 7 playoff games. Ay Ay Ron played on the first line and third line for the Helsinki Titans, already proving his big impact in his first season.

 

S57

Regular Season
57 (HSK) | 72GP | 12G - 41A - 53P | 75 | 169SHT | 132PIM | 201HIT | 3GWG
Playoffs
57 (HSK) | 9GP | 2G - 3A - 5P | 12 | 15SHT | 16PIM | 22HIT | 1GWG

Ron's performance skyrocketed as he entered his sophomore season. In today's VHL, his 53 points (41 of which being assists) might not turn any heads, but in S57, this meant that a new young gun had entered the scene. Ron finished 10th in points for a defender that season and 8th in +/-,  but this was just the start of a great career. Helsinki won out the first round in the playoffs, but unfortunately lost to the Reign in a 4-1 series.

 

S58

Regular Season
58 (HSK) | 72GP | 16G - 58A - 74P | 45 | 259SHT | 155PIM | 254HIT | 4GWG
Playoffs
58 (HSK) | 7GP | 0G - 3A - 3P | -1 | 35SHT | 14PIM | 25HIT | 0GWG

Ron finally got his one point per game season, with 74 points in 72 games. A component of this was his increased shot count, with Ay Ay getting 90 more shots this season, to amass 259 shots in total. With this increased scoring output, he moved in to the top five offensive defensemen of the season. Along with this offensive improvement, Ron improved his defensive game, getting 254 hits. The Helsinki Titans, unfortunately lost out in the first round of the playoffs, losing in a tight series that went all the way to 7 games, against the New York Americans.

 

S59

Regular Season
59 (HSK) | 72GP | 19G - 81A - 100P | 53 | 184SHT | 145PIM | 255HIT | 3GWG
Playoffs
59 (HSK) | 14GP | 2G - 7A - 9P | 1 | 34SHT | 38PIM | 53HIT | 0GWG

Ay Ay Ron's development reached an all-time high, with him hitting the 100 point mark. This gave him a .91 Points per 20 minutes, which put him at 7th in the league. With this accomplishment, he was voted in for the Alexander Valiq and Alexander Beketov Trophy, given to the players with Top Offensive Defensemen, and Top Assister. Ron's performances, helped the Titans go all the way to the finals where they lost in a 7 game series against the Seattle Bears. 

 

S60

Regular Season
60 (HSK) | 72GP | 13G - 73A - 86P | 23 | 198SHT | 106PIM | 245HIT | 3GWG
Playoffs
60 (HSK) | 13GP | 2G - 15A - 17P | 3 | 32SHT | 36PIM | 47HIT | 0GWG

Ron's point totals dropped in Season 60, but that did not stop Ay Ay from repeating in his awards. He won Top Offensive Defensemen and Top Assister, once again gaining 86 points. Despite the drop in production, this was Helsinki's season, as they won the Continental Cup against the New York Americans, who had elimated the Titans from the playoffs two seasons prior. Ron played a vital part in the Titans' run, securing himself playoff MVP. With this win, he was able to prove everyone who said, he was only good in the regular season, wrong.

 

S61

Regular Season
61 (HSK) | 72GP | 11G - 91A - 102P | 61 | 199SHT | 140PIM | 238HIT | 4GWG
Playoffs
61 (HSK) | 7GP | 3G - 4A - 7P | 0 | 21SHT | 26PIM | 45HIT | 0GWG

Season 61, was a bounceback year in terms of regular season stats, as Ron passed the 100 point mark again. He was able to get his third straight Alexander Beketov Trophy, as he accumilated the most assists. But instead of winning the top offensive defensemen, he stepped up his game, and won the Top Defensive Defensemen Trophy(Jake Wylde Trophy), with 238 Hits and 140 Shots Blocked. Helsinki could not go back to back as they lost in the second round to the eventual champions, HC Dynamo.

 

S62

Regular Season
62 (DAV) | 71GP | 26G - 49A - 75P | 6 | 285SHT | 140PIM | 252HIT | 4GWG
Playoffs
62 (DAV) | 7GP | 2G - 3A - 5P | -6 | 23SHT | 6PIM | 32HIT | 1GWG

In Season 62, Ron was traded to the HC Dynamo for Konstantin Mulligan and two 3rd round picks. Ron had a hard time, adjusting to his surroundings and was not able to capture any awards in this season. HC Davos lost in the semifinals against Meute, in a tough seven game series. Ron was getting older, and regressing, and with that his performance took a big hit. But with him still averaging over a point per game, he was a big part for Dynamo.

 

S63

Regular Season
63 (TOR) | 72GP | 22G - 28A - 50P | 24 | 201SHT | 98PIM | 215HIT | 2GWG
Playoffs
63 (TOR) | 2GP | 0G - 2A - 2P | 3 | 4SHT | 2PIM | 9HIT | 0GWG

In Season 63, it was announced, that it would be Ron's final season. He was traded to Toronto, in hopes to give them a chance at the playoffs. He switched to Right Winger, to help Toronto more, but the season ended with him only accumulating 50 points. In terms of team, Toronto got sweeped in the playoffs, ending Ron's career.

 

Career Totals

Regular Season
Totals | 575GP | 129G - 443A - 572P | 342 | 1611SHT | 1047PIM | 1877HIT | 25GWG
Playoffs
Totals | 66GP | 11G - 37A - 48P | 12 | 168SHT | 158PIM | 257HIT | 2GWG

Ay Ay Ron led a very HoF worthy career as a defensemen. He was the only player to have won three Alexander Beketov trophies, while also adding in a Jake Wylde and two Alexander Valiq trophies. He also ended his career as a one time champion with the Helsinki Titans. In terms of all-time statistics, Ron is 10th in assists and 40th in all time points on the offensive side. For Defense, he is 17th in Hits and 37th in Shots Blocked. Ay Ay Ron is a well deserved Hall of Famer, with his awards resume and stats, and gets the ending that he deserves in the Hall. 

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[boubabi 4,725]