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S44 Hall of Fame Induction


Higgins

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Welcome to the S44 VHL Hall of Fame Induction ceremony!

 

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The first inductee for this class is defenseman Matt Bentley. Hailing from England he started his VHL career by joining the HC Davos Dynamo and would play in the purple and black for five seasons, winning two Continental Cups as a top defenseman. In Bentley's later seasons he found himself playing for the Quebec City Meute for one season and with the New York Americans for two seasons, where he would win his third and final Continental Cup. For the majority of Bentley's career he was cast as a top defenseman, but never the best as his chief competition, Conner Low, was dominating the position. In a turn of events, Bentley found himself playing on New York with Low for his final two seasons, but Low would switch positions to play forward. This opened the door for Bentley and he didn't take this golden opportunity for granted as he picked up back to back Sterling Labatte trophies as the leagues top defenseman. 3 Continental Cups, 2 Sterling Labattes, and 1 Hall of Fame career.

 

D - Matt Bentley, S35-S42 :hcd::que::nya:
576 GP, 130 G, 507 A, 637 P, +288, 1,150 PIM, 1,601 HIT, 882 SB, 29 GW

S41 Sterling Labatte Trophy
S42 Sterling Labatte Trophy
Three Continental Cups (S36, S38, S41)

 

Next up we have one of the best all-around forwards from the S40 era of hockey, Xin Xie Xiao. This native of China was drafted by the New York Americans in Season 36 with the 3rd overall draft pick. Playing with New York, XXX as he was known, would win two Continental Cups in Season 39 and again in Season 41. He was a threat both offensively and defensively as he scored 360 goals and recorded 2,366 hits over his eight season career with New York and Cologne. In Season 40, XXX would cement himself as one of the best two-way players currently in the league as he picked up a Scott Boulet trophy for top two-way forward, he would also win the award again in his final season. Welcome, Xin Xie Xiao to the VHL Hall of Fame.

 

RW - Xin Xie Xiao, S36-S43 :nya::col:
576 GP, 360 G, 426 A, 786 P, +335, 1,038 PIM, 2,366 HIT, 282 SB, 71 GW
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S40 Scott Boulet Trophy
S43 Scott Boulet Trophy
Two Continental Cups (S39, S41)

 

BOG Final Voting

Xin Xie Xiao 12/12

Matt Bentley 11/12
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Mike Szatkowski Jr. 1/12

 

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The VHL Hall of Fame Builder Wing

 

This season we are happy to announce a new addition to the VHL Hall of Fame Builder Wing. He definitely isn't finished yet, but he has certainly earned his spot in the builders wing as he has been here since Season 3. Without any further waiting, welcome Mike as the newest VHL Hall of Fame builder. Mike has been a very vocal member throughout the VHL's long history and he has especially taken a strong interest in the position of general manager. He was a general manager in Toronto from S9-S12, again in Riga from S28-S39, and currently in Seattle as of S44. Mike has left behind a successful managing legacy as he has led both Toronto and Riga to Continental Cup championships. Aside from GM, Mike has also spent time as a VHL magazine writer and was once the Super Cup commissioner. Mike has also created many great players throughout his time in the league and his first player, Mike Szatkowski, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Season 11. Congratulations on your induction into the Hall of Fame as a builder, Mike.

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  • Admin

Congrats Fong and Mike!

Was very surprised when making the ballots at how good XXX was - really flew under the radar. There is barely any reason not to consider him in the same discussion as David Smalling and Leeroy Jenkins.

Never been on Mike's team but he's got a great track record.

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  • Head Moderator

Congrats Fong and Mike!

Was very surprised when making the ballots at how good XXX was - really flew under the radar. There is barely any reason not to consider him in the same discussion as David Smalling and Leeroy Jenkins.

Never been on Mike's team but he's got a great track record.

 

Making me all warm and fuzzy thar.

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