VSN Presents: The Season 74 VHL Awards Show

[mattyIceman 1,030]

2 minutes ago, Doomsday said:

Dakota Lamb!!

 

Woo won my prediction

[ThePerfectNut 563]

lol

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

Redemption is a powerful motivational tool, and success stories often result in winning this award, the Dustin Funk Trophy. Awarded to the most improved player in the VHL, there was no shortage of players that became major difference makers. Stone Wolski of the D.C. Dragons ramped up his game in his fourth season, while Jimmy Spyro got even better during what became a championship run. Kefka Palazzo and Aleelee Kiak put up massive numbers on new teams, while an already good Vladimir Pavlov doubled his point total from the season before in a remarkable swan song. You've heard the stories, now it goes to the voters.

 

The winner of the Dustin Funk Trophy, by UNANIMOUS decision, is…

 

Spoiler

 

Kefka Palazzo!!

 

After scoring 28 points with Prague in Season 73, Palazzo headed to the New York Americans, where he had a season that frankly no one saw coming. Scoring more goals, 35, than he had points in Season 73, Palazzo more than tripled his point output from the season before. Scoring 91 points, with 35 goals and 56 assists, Kefka Palazzo was a very busy man for the New York Americans. He even chipped in defensively with 121 hits and blocked a remarkable 67 shots. His stunning performance in his final season was just too much for voters to overlook, and Kefka Palazzo is your Season 74 Dustin Funk Trophy winner! Congratulations to him!

 

 

Voting:

 

Kefka Palazzo: 9, Vladimir Pavlov: 0, Aleelee Kiak: 0, Jimmy Spyro: 0, Stone Wolski: 0

 

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

A prestigious award given to the top two-way forward, the Scott Boulet Trophy has been the ultimate recognition for the league's power forwards. A Scott Boulet Trophy winner isn't simply a goal scorer, it's a player who is equally good defensively, a physical presence willing to separate opposing players from the puck. It's a special breed of player, and not for the faint of heart. Last year's winner, Chad Magnum of the Toronto Legion, again exemplified two-way play in the VHL, and Phil Marleau of the Riga Reign continued his war against anyone wearing a different jersey than him with 418 hits. Brock Louth of the Vancouver Wolves and Mikko Lahtinen of the Moscow Menace both brought more offense to the table, but also excelled in their own end. Let's see what the voters decided mattered more...

 

And the winner of the Scott Boulet Trophy, by UNANIMOUS decision, is...

 

Spoiler

 

Mikko Lahtinen!!

 

Lahtinen was an absolute nightmare for opposing players wherever he was on the ice. With 61 goals, he could score. With 62 assists, he could set up his teammates to score. If you had the puck, Lahtinen had a target on you, with 306 hits. With 21 blocked shots, he wasn't afraid to use his body to stop you, and God help you if you tried to stop him. Mikko Lahtinen simply defined excellence in two-way play in Season 74, and was rewarded for it with the Scott Boulet Trophy. 

 

Congratulations to Mikko Lahtinen, the Season 74 Scott Boulet Trophy winner!

 

Voting:

 

Mikko Lahtinen: 9, Chad Magnum: 0, Phil Marleau: 0, Brock Louth: 0

 

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

Awarded to the top offensive defenseman in the VHL, the Alexander Valiq Trophy had some stiff competition this year, as scoring amongst VHL defensemen absolutely surged yet again. Just about all of the usual suspects are here yet again, as you'd expect. Jeff Downey had another monster season for the Vancouver Wolves for their Cup run, the legendary Condor Adrienne was spectacular as you'd all expect, and Vladimir Pavlov's offensive game absolutely exploded this season for his last run with Moscow. With just four points separating them, the race for the top was tight, but as it turns out, it wasn't nearly as close with the voters.

 

The winner of the Alexander Valiq Trophy is...

 

Spoiler

 

Condor Adrienne!!

 

The legend of Condor Adrienne continues to grow, as he adds his second Alexander Valiq Trophy to his ever-expanding trophy case. With 28 goals and 82 assists, he notched a career-high 110 points, and the lifer with the Malmo Nighthawks simply continues to cement his legacy. What more can you say about Adrienne, other than maybe the Hall of Fame should just spare us all the wait and induct him tonight already?

 

Congratulations to Condor Adrienne, your Alexander Valiq Trophy winner!!

 

Voting:

 

Condor Adrienne: 8, Jeff Downey: 1, Vladimir Pavlov: 0

 

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

Awarded to the top defensive defenseman in the VHL, the Jake Wylde Trophy is a tremendous badge of honor for the gritty blueliners of the VHL. Offensive numbers go right out the window here, as this award focuses purely on defensive contributions. Alex Bridges showed that he could still get it done on a contender after being traded to Calgary, while Cinnamon Block showed that she could make her Prague Phantoms a contender. Oskar Lagesson and Hugh Jass proved to be anchors for their clubs, and rounding out the list are two legends who need no introduction, Condor Adrienne and Lincoln Tate. Folks, the voting for this one was tighter than the coverage these six players provided on the ice.

 

And the winner is…

 

Spoiler

... excuse me, winners... of the Jake Wylde Trophy are...

 

Spoiler

 

Condor Adrienne and Lincoln Tate!

 

How about that, ladies and gentlemen?! Two legends that annually duke it out for VHL honors will instead both be named the winners of the Jake Wylde Trophy! Condor Adrienne was dangerous on offense, but he's always been known for his defense, and this season was no exception. +33, 242 hits and a staggering 176 shots blocked marked another year of excellence for the Condor. Not to be outdone, Lincoln Tate racked up 264 hits, blocked 165 shots, and did it with 24 less penalty minutes than Adrienne. In the end, voters were split, and we instead see two legends reaching the pinnacle together. 

 

Congratulations to Condor Adrienne and Lincoln Tate, winners of the Jake Wylde Trophy!!

 

Votes:

 

Condor Adrienne: 4, Lincoln Tate: 4, Cinnamon Block: 1, Alex Bridges: 0, Hugh Jass: 0, Oskar Lagesson: 0

 

 

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

One of the most prestigious awards in the VHL, the Sterling Labatte Trophy has been awarded to the player deemed to be the best defenseman in the VHL. It's an absolute must for any defenseman seeking immortality in the VHL Hall of Fame. Vladimir Pavlov could really cap off a dominant final season in style with a Labatte win, but he'll need to outdo two of the game's best first! Lincoln Tate has a shot to really solidify his Hall of Fame chances with another Labatte win, while Condor Adrienne has a chance to make his induction even more of a slam dunk tonight by being the first player in VHL history to win all three defensive awards in one season. No more anticipation required, the votes are in!

 

The winner of the Sterling Labatte Trophy is…

 

Spoiler

 

Condor Adrienne!!

 

For the first time in VHL history, one player has won all three of the major awards for VHL defensemen in a single season!! Adrienne caps an incredible season by making VHL history, and honestly, this guy is going to the VHL Hall of Fame. There was already no doubt, but even the shadiest of haters, if you could somehow hate this charming devil, cannot deny the greatness of Condor Adrienne any longer. Induct him tonight, Blue Team! Or at least get him fitted for his jacket ahead of time. 

 

Congratulations to Condor Adrienne for winning his second Sterling Labatte Trophy, and making VHL history with his unprecedented (well, technically) sweep of the VHL's three defensive awards!

 

Votes:

 

Condor Adrienne: 8, Vladimir Pavlov: 1, Lincoln Tate: 0

 

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

Is this applause for Condor's amazing moment, or because Doom is properly using spoiler tags? The world may never know.

[NotAVHLM-GM 1,858]

Thats fantastic, as a teammate of @Tatein a different league im so glad to win this Wylde together ♡♡♡♡

[NotAVHLM-GM 1,858]

Holy hell, this didnt happen before? 

 

Thanks everyone for the votes and thanks to everyone in Malmo for making awesome players around me, could not have done this alone!

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

Time for some more tendie love, because it's time to present the Aidan Shaw Trophy! Even with scoring seemingly going off the rails, the goaltenders of the VHL continued to be outstanding, in particular our three nominees. Jacques Lafontaine continues to elevate the Calgary Wranglers even more as his career unfolds, and this year was no different. Jimmy Spyro was already a good goaler for Vancouver, but he stepped up big this season, a big reason the Wolves wound up going all the way. Raymond Bernard was up to his old tricks, pulling save after save out of his hat, leading Moscow to a Victory Cup. All three shines, but to the voters, there was one that was brighter than all.

 

The winner of the Aidan Shaw Trophy is…

 

Spoiler

 

Raymond Bernard!!

 

Rayz Funk is the goalie everyone thinks of when you talk about the great goalies of this era, but Raymond Bernard is quietly showing us all that he's right up there. He takes home both the Greg Clegane Trophy and the Aidan Shaw Trophy this year, and combined with a Daisuke Kanou Trophy for Moscow's Continental Cup victory in Season 70, along with a Scotty Campbell Trophy as VHL MVP in Season 72… there's real talk of Bernard being a Hall of Famer himself. We're lucky to get one last season of this great tendie, as he gets one last shot at the Cup and VHL immortality. 

 

Congratulations to Raymond Bernard, the Aidan Shaw Trophy winner!

 

Votes:

 

Raymond Bernard: 8, Jimmy Spyro: 1, Jacques Lafontaine: 0

 

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

Time for the decision-makers to earn their bragging rights, as it's time to present the David Knight Trophy, awarded to the top General Manager of the VHL. There's a lot of debate over what makes a general manager truly great. Cups are of course a great way to cement a legacy, but how do you determine who was the best GM for one season? Is it making the big move? The right signing? Trusting the pieces you do have to come together and make it work? Each voter had different takes on it, as Victor Alfredsson, Blake Campbell, Keaton Louth and Rylan Peace all received votes as the top general manager of the VHL. We did, however, have a clear winner.

 

And the winner of the David Knight Trophy is…

 

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

 

Victor Alfredsson!

 

The Moscow Menace went from 89 points in Season 73 to 104 points in Season 74, a massive jump in the standings that saw them secure the top spot in the standings and a Victory Cup. It's easy to pinpoint where the jump came from, and that was a trade made with the Calgary Wranglers before the season that saw Mikko Lahtinen come to Moscow. As anyone who has been awake and paying attention during this show can tell you, Lahtinen was pretty, pretty, pretty good. Adding the MVP candidate took Moscow from being a good team to a great team with real Cup aspirations in one fell swoop, and that was what the voters felt gave Victor Alfredsson the designation of the VHL's top GM in Season 74.

 

Congratulations to Victor Alfredsson, the David Knight Trophy winner!

 

Votes:

 

Victor Alfredsson: 5, Keaton Louth: 2, Blake Campbell: 1, Rylan Peace: 1

 

 

[ThePerfectNut 563]

And when we look at S72 between Lafontaine and Bernard. Hmmmm okok

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

Last season we witnessed history when presenting the Daisuke Kanou Trophy, awarded to the MVP of the Playoffs, but tonight it's time for some new blood. Dating back to Season 68, when Rayz Funk won his first Kanou, the winner of the award for playoff MVP has been the goalie of the Cup winning team. Well, sorry to spoil it for you, Jimmy Spyro, but you can stay in your seat: that run ends tonight. A trio of Vancouver players are up for the award: Jeff Downey, Brock Louth, and Andrew Su, the three biggest Wolves of the pack this postseason. This was a tight race, with the winner decided by a single vote!

 

The winner of the Daisuke Kanou Trophy is…

 

Spoiler

 

Brock Louth!!

 

Edging out Jeff Downey by a single vote, Louth has the fairytale ending of not only winning the Cup, but the Kanou in his farewell season. Downey was incredible as well, with 29 points as a defenseman and also racking up remarkable defensive statistics. But what put Brock Louth over the edge was not his 32 points, which by the way was the single highest point total for a Kanou winner since some legend named Alexander Chershenko scored 36 in Season 34, but his clutch factor. For five of Vancouver's playoff victories, Brock Louth scored the deciding goal. In the biggest games of the year and perhaps his career, Brock Louth delivered precisely when he needed to the most. That's what an MVP does, and Louth absolutely was an MVP on the biggest stage, in the biggest moments. 

 

Congratulations to Brock Louth, the Daisuke Kanou Trophy winner!!

 

Votes:

 

Brock Louth: 5, Jeff Downey: 4, Andrew Su: 0

 

[BOOM 8,399]

Congratulations to all award winners so far. 

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

After a tight race for the Brett Slobodzian Trophy last season, will we see another close result this year? After all, this is the award that you, the VHL community, decide! It was a season filled with great performances, and the VHL had a tough task with selecting the Most Outstanding Player of the Year. We had four nominees, and I don't think it's much of a coincidence that they all have won an award tonight. Condor Adrienne, Raymond Bernard, Mikko Lahtinen, and Patrik Tallinder all put in elite performances this season, as you're all aware.

 

Well folks, this is it! All votes have been counted, and after a close race, the winner of the Brett Slobodzian Trophy as the VHL's most outstanding player is…

 

Spoiler

 

Mikko Lahtinen, receiving 35 votes!

 

A big night for Lahtinen just gets even bigger, with yet another award! A close race between him and Patrik Tallinder, with Condor Adrienne also receiving a solid share of votes, but Lahtinen's brilliant campaign in Season 74 won him over with the VHL community, and he probably needs to order a bigger trophy case after tonight.

 

Congratulations to Mikko Lahtinen, your choice as the Brett Slobodzian Trophy winner, the Most Outstanding Player of Season 74!

 

Votes:

 

Mikko Lahtinen: 35, Patrik Tallinder: 27, Condor Adrienne: 15, Raymond Bernard: 8

 

[Mr_Hatter 1,603]

15 minutes ago, Jtv123 said:

And when we look at S72 between Lafontaine and Bernard. Hmmmm okok

[ThePerfectNut 563]

Nah sorry for the misunderstanding. I do think Bernard 100% deserve this award this season NO CAP, but when you look on some votes from other season. Don't add up that much

 

Congratz to Bernard tho, HOF goalie 100%

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

It's the time you've all been waiting for, ladies and gentlemen: it's time to crown the VHL MVP!! The Scotty Campbell Trophy is awarded to the player deemed to be the most valuable player in the VHL, and it has been a goaltender's award to win recently. Five of the past seven seasons, the Scotty Campbell Trophy has been awarded to a goaltender, and this season it's in the hands of the Calgary Wranglers' Jacques Lafontaine to continue the trend! But he's got some stiff competition: Mikko Lahtinen and Condor Adrienne have dominated tonight, and have their eyes set on the biggest individual honor in the VHL. Additionally, Patrik Tallinder and Brock Louth have also staked a legitimate claim to the award with great seasons of their own. But enough talk, enough suspense. We have an MVP to crown!!

 

This is it, ladies and gentlemen. The votes are in, and the Scotty Campbell Trophy as the most valuable player of the VHL is…

 

Spoiler

... by UNANIMOUS decision...

 

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

 

MIKKO LAHTINEN!!

 

The run of goaltenders winning the Scotty Campbell Trophy takes a reprieve this year, and Mikko Lahtinen caps off a dominant season with MVP honors! In the attacking zone, in his own zone, Mikko Lahtinen was just simply dominant. It was a monster season that not only cemented his status as an elite player, but he elevated Moscow to the top of the standings. Lahtinen's elite play, along with his ability to elevate his teammates, made him an easy choice as the VHL's most valuable player to the Awards Committee. 

 

Congratulations to Mikko Lahtinen, winner of the Scotty Campbell Trophy as the most valuable player of the VHL!!

 

Votes:

 

Mikko Lahtinen: 9, Patrik Tallinder: 0, Jacques Lafontaine: 0, Condor Adrienne: 0, Brock Louth: 0

 

 

 

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

Stay tuned, folks, because we're not done just yet. We've got the All-VHL Teams coming up next, starting with the All-Rookie Team!

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

John Merrick - Dakota Lamb - Alec Volchenkov

Matty Socks - Victor Grachev

Doug Dimmadome

 

Season 74 delivered some top-notch rookies, and this group recognizes the best of the best. The Warsaw Predators boast two players, Christian Stolzschweiger Trophy winner Dakota Lamb and Victor Grachev on the blue line, forming the start of an exciting young core for the Poles. Matty Socks rounds out the blue line, stealing plenty of hearts with his play for the Chicago Phoenix. Alec Volchenkov was a tremendous bright spot for an up-and-coming London United squad looking to make a lot of noise, and we're rounded out with Doug Dimmadome surviving the season in Los Angeles to make the All-Rookie Team.

 

Remember these names, or they'll be torching your teams for years to come! Congratulations to the Season 74 All-Rookie Team!!

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

Kyl Oferson - Kris Rice - Chad Magnum

Lincoln Tate - Jeff Downey

Jacques Lafontaine

 

What a powerhouse group of forwards! Kris Rice and Kyl Oferson are both capable of putting up points in a hurry, and Chad Magnum as the physical presence ensures no one dares touch his linemates. Oh, and I hear he's handy at scoring points to boot. It arguably gets even better on the blue line, with Lincoln Tate and Jeff Downey, two of the very best the VHL has to offer at the position, and perfect compliments to each other, I might add. Throw in Jacques Lafontaine, Calgary's stud netminder, and oh man, what a group. And this is the Second Team, folks. 

 

Congratulations to the Season 74 All-VHL Second Team!!

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Patrik Tallinder - Mikko Lahtinen - Brock Louth 

Condor Adrienne - Vladimir Pavlov

Raymond Bernard

 

Is there any combination of players out there capable of stopping this group? Three of the VHL's absolute best scorers, who include the points leader, the MVP, and the playoff MVP. Tallinder, Lahtinen, and Louth is a dream combination, and VHL blue liners are very happy they won't have to face it. Condor Adrienne and Vladimir Pavlov are a deadly tandem at defense, capable of both scoring and shutting down opponents with ruthless proficiency. Add Raymond Bernard in net, and this is an absolute force of a team. Be thankful they won't all be able to play together… but let's not give Victor any more evil ideas.

 

Congratulations to the Season 74 All-VHL First Team!!

[Doomsday 4,029]

 

As the show winds down to it's conclusion, stay tuned for some closing remarks from your host.

[Doomsday 4,029]

Well folks, it has been a memorable evening full of fun, history, and recognition of elite play and contributions to the league. We're entering Season 75 now, as hard as it is to believe. 75 VHL seasons. That's a lot of history, a lot of members, and a lot of stories. Each one of you, along with those before us, have made all 74 of the previous seasons possible. All of you have been, and will continue to be, essential for keeping our great league alive.

 

I personally want to thank all of you for making this league so great through it's community. It has personally done a lot for me, even when I didn't deserve it. I always cherished my memories from the 30s and 40s VHL while I was away, and the league always welcomed me back with open arms in spite of the several failed comebacks. It felt great to finally reward your faith in me after so many comeback bids that never were. I truly love this community. It has been a godsend during this pandemic, and a great source of true friends and joy. My shortcomings as Editor-In-Chief of VSN were disappointing to me, as I felt I had left them, and the community as a whole, down. I did not expect the outpouring of love and support that I did, and frankly, that meant the world to me. I was on the path to slowly vanishing again, until I recognized what was happening and put a stop to it… and the community ensured that I stayed. Being able to go back to writing, even after all that, I was still entrusted to present this award show to you. That's the faith and support that builds a strong community, and I don't care what anyone says, you guys and gals are the absolute best. Thank you to all of the members, @Mr_Hatter, @Beaviss, @fromtheinside, @bigAL, @a_Ferk… everyone who helped make tonight happen.

 

So, once again, this is not a farewell, but an until next time. We're out of hardware to present, so unfortunately it's time to go home. So I bid you all good night, good hockey, and let's make this upcoming season the most memorable one yet.

 

Happy 75th, Victory Hockey League.