Joseph McWolf HoF Article

[Spartan 4,531]

Position: D
Birthplace: London, England 
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 199 lbs
Jersey Number: 49
Drafted: S33 Round 1, Pick 2 (New York)
Username: McWolf

 

Joseph McWolf can only be described as the epitome of consistency. Despite no Continental Cup wins, McWolf put together a career of success and strong play everywhere he went. In just his second season, he was named the top defenseman in the league – a feat not easily accomplished. His style of play was magnificent to watch, as he was a defensemen who simply did it all. A physical defender with elite passing and athleticism, Joseph McWolf is sure to have inspired a generation of defensemen who try to mimic his two-way prowess.

 

Career Stats

Regular Season
576GP / 114G / 433A / 547P / +5 / 1259 SHT / 1243 PIM / 1887 HIT / 1130 SB / 20 GWG / 75 PPG
Postseason
37GP / 5G / 19A / 24P / -5 / 87 SHT / 88 PIM / 131 HIT / 68 SB / 0 GWG / 4 PPG

 

Career Awards
(S63) Founder’s Cup (OTT)
(S64) Sterling Labatte Trophy (Top Defenseman) (NYA)
(S67) Alexander Valiq Trophy (Top Offensive Defenseman) (RIG)
(S67) Sterling Labatte Trophy (Top Defenseman) (RIG)

 

S62 Ottawa

Regular Season
72GP / 8G / 27A / 35P / +18 / 52 SHT / 107 PIM / 238 HIT / 75 SB / 2 GWG 
Postseason
9GP / 0G / 4A / 4P / +8 / 4 SHT / 16 PIM / 30 HIT / 17 SB / 0 GWG 

 

In his lone VHLM season, Joseph McWolf took the opportunity of being on a stacked Ottawa squad to focus heavily on his defensive skillset. Paired alongside more offensively-minded defensemen such as Lando Baxter and Ryan Kastelic, McWolf was content to leave the point scoring to the other skaters on the team as he racked up the hits and provided stout defensive play for the Lynx. McWolf’s defensive contributions helped lead the team in the playoffs, where they downed the Aces in 5 games, and proceeded to sweep Halifax in the finals, finishing his first season with a prestigious award – the Founder’s Cup.

 

S63 New York

Regular Season
72GP / 6G / 58A / 64P / -25 / 98 SHT / 126 PIM / 257 HIT / 196 SB / 0 GWG 

 

McWolf’s defensive play caught the eye of the New York Americans who traded up from 3rd overall to 2nd overall, while also giving away the 10th overall pick for the chance to pick McWolf. The cost was steep, as the two picks given to Helsinki in exchange for the 2nd overall pick turned into Julian Borwinn – a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and Alexander Pepper, a goalie with over 300 career wins. Both players remained in Helsinki for their entire careers and played a key role in Helsinki’s 4 championship appearances in a row from S64-S67. However, the gamble for McWolf paid off, as he immediately displayed a penchant for being more involved offensively, generating 64 points on top of a 257 hit season along with 196 shots blocked. Despite the contributions from McWolf and fellow stars Scott Shawinganen and Roctrion King, New York missed the playoffs.

 

S64 New York

Regular Season
72GP / 18G / 62A / 80P / -7 / 216 SHT / 122 PIM / 205 HIT / 189 SB / 3 GWG 
 

In Season 64, McWolf and New York continued to take steps forward. Joseph McWolf peaked offensively in just his second season in the league, posting 80 points to lead the team in points after a rookie season where he displayed a glimpse of more than just being a defensive defenseman. Along with the points, the defensive stats continued to flow, as McWolf posted yet another 200 hit season, and another 189 blocked shots. McWolf’s performance this season earned him his first Labatte Trophy, but New York missed the playoffs yet again, only able to earn 26 wins and 58 points.

 

S65 New York

Regular Season
72GP / 10G / 55A / 65P / +4 / 139 SHT / 136 PIM / 224 HIT / 143 SB / 2 GWG 
Postseason
2GP / 0G / 0A / 0P / +1 / 2 SHT / 2 PIM / 10 HIT / 7 SB / 0 GWG 

 

With the addition of star Left Winger Leph Twinger, and the re-emergance of forwards Dan Wilinsky and Vaydar Odinson, Joseph McWolf went back to his stout defensive ways. The defensive team captain put up 65 points, 224 hits, and 143 blocked shots while playing the most minutes on the team. The team’s performance led by the ever-consistent McWolf snuck past Davos in the standings to finally reach the playoffs in McWolf’s 3rd season with the team. However, New York was promptly swept by Helsinki in the first round, and McWolf’s brief playoff experience was over.

 

S66 New York

Regular Season
72GP / 12G / 51A / 63P / -8 / 147 SHT / 140 PIM / 250 HIT / 146 SB / 2 GWG 
Postseason
6GP / 2G / 2A / 4P / -4 / 11 SHT / 16 PIM / 24 HIT / 10 SB / 0 GWG 

 

McWolf’s final season with New York displayed the same level of consistent play seen in his past 3 seasons, with yet another 60+ point season, accompanied with 250 hits and 146 blocked shots. Leaving the scoring to Leph Twinger and Dan Wilinsky, McWolf focused on protecting his goalie and laying down his brand of physical play. His leadership and consistency led New York back to the playoffs, this time where they were eliminated in 6 games by Vancouver in the first round. With the lack of playoff success, McWolf waived his No-Trade Clause, and he began the next chapter of his career with Riga.

 

S67 Riga

Regular Season
72GP / 27G / 50A / 77P / +9 / 197 SHT / 219 PIM / 239 HIT / 118 SB / 6 GWG 
Postseason
12GP / 0G / 6A / 6P / 0 / 34 SHT / 34 PIM / 44 HIT / 25 SB / 0 GWG 

 

A new era began for McWolf here in Riga, where he experienced a mild career resurgence. Of course, McWolf has long been the epitome of consistency, so the performance really wasn’t too surprising. A career season all-around, with his new high in goals and 2nd highest points total, and one of his stronger defensive performances as well, with 238 hits and 118 blocked shots. Looking back on this team, there were stars or future stars all over this roster. McWolf took on a lead role on a team that featured Apollo Hackett and Lincoln Tate on defense, and Ryan Kastelic and Hunter Hearst Helmsley on offense. For him to explode offensively on this team is quite a feat, one that earned him the Valiq and Labatte trophies. However, the strong season fizzled out in the postseason, where Riga overcame Moscow in round 1, but fell to Helsinki in 6 games in the second round.

 

S68 Riga

Regular Season
72GP / 15G / 52A / 67P / +21 / 177 SHT / 162 PIM / 224 HIT / 101 SB / 2 GWG 
Postseason
11GP / 1G / 7A / 8P / +5 / 28 SHT / 22 PIM / 37 HIT / 17 SB / 0 GWG 

 

Riga’s time to win the cup was now, and they made a move this season to acquire Rauno Palo to boost their already formidable offense. As expected, McWolf took a slight step back offensively, while seeing Hackett and Tate developing quickly, but was able to maintain his consistent all-around play for one of the cup favorites. The goals didn’t come as easily, but McWolf added assists from his S67 season, and sharply cut down on his penalty minutes. Another strong season from the London native wasn’t enough to overcome Malmo, as they exited the playoffs in the second round for the second straight season.

 

S69 Malmo

Regular Season
72GP / 11G / 50A / 61P / +4 / 123 SHT / 154 PIM / 231 HIT / 110 SB / 2 GWG 
Postseason
6GP / 2G / 4A / 6P / -7 / 12 SHT / 14 PIM / 16 HIT / 9 SB / 0 GWG 

 

If you can’t beat them, join them right? McWolf flashed even more of his trademark consistency in Malmo, while still fighting for the chance to finish his career with just one cup win. Surprisingly, Malmo struggled offensively, which gave McWolf the chance to step up and be the team’s scoring leader with 61 points. Almost more importantly, McWolf was in place to guide future stars Jerry Garcia and Condor Adrienne, both of whom had displayed some flashes of the style McWolf used to play with. Despite the point per game pace in the playoffs, and putting his team on the back through the regular season, McWolf and Malmo made an early exit from the playoffs at the hands of Riga – the very team McWolf had just been on a season ago.

 

S70 New York

Regular Season
72GP / 15G / 55A / 70P / +7 / 162 SHT / 184 PIM / 257 HIT / 127 SB / 3 GWG 

 

And then, there was one. One final season for McWolf to make a push for a ring. Another extremely strong season from McWolf, despite his age, led New York and their very young core to a strong 36-28-8 record. McWolf had his third strongest point total in his final with 70 points in 72 games, carrying a young roster featuring future stars Lance Flowers, Keven Foreskin, Owen Nolan, and Boris the Forest. Despite his age, McWolf kept up his physical style of play with 257, and continued to block shots to protect his goalie. However, the Americans barely missed out on the playoffs, by just 1 point, and McWolf would announce his retirement shortly after.

Edited September 11, 2020 by Spartan

[Victor 11,021]

Played for both unlucky NY teams and still comfortably in the HOF - elite.

[Banackock 8,142]

WHY DID YOU NOT SHOW CAREER STATS

 

3/5 for that alone. Other than that, GG. 

[Spartan 4,531]

Just now, Banackock said:

WHY DID YOU NOT SHOW CAREER STATS

 

3/5 for that alone. Other than that, GG. 

ope, will fix

[Banackock 8,142]

1 minute ago, Spartan said:

ope, will fix

LMK and I will edit my google review 

[Spartan 4,531]

Just now, Banackock said:

LMK and I will edit my google review 

done

[Banackock 8,142]

4.4/5 stars.