Claimed: Strong, Youthful Legion (1/2)

[DollarAndADream 3,356]

Legion Strong

 

Going into Season 56, the Toronto Legion look like a great up and coming, young team. With Season 55 behind them, they are looking to make a bigger mark on the VHL this season. Last season, the Legion were a non-playoff team, but their young core took some strides in growing their skillsets. Bo Boeser won Rookie of the Year and Roman Sokolov was in the running for Defenseman of the Year. Not only that, but their youth in Verner Reinholdt and goaltender Torstein Ironside continued to grow.

 

This season, some call-ups from the minors are going to get their chances to shine. Dexter Lane, a top defenseman in the VHLM, is jumping straight into a pairing with established Legion defenseman Roman Sokolov. Lane will get all opportunities to become a serviceable shutdown defenseman in the VHL, if not more.

 

Daring Do is another player coming up from the VHLM. One of the minor system's top players, he's stepping on to Toronto's top six, and will find himself playing with everyone. His main line right now will be with Xander Finn and AK47.

 

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Through trade acquisition, Xander Finn will be notched right onto the second line center position, giving Toronto the depth behind Bo Boeser. Finn has proven himself to be a great scorer in the VHL, and the Legion will surely benefit from that.

 

Toronto also picked up a talented defenseman in the S56 VHL Entry Draft. Aackckqz Ky was taken at 4th overall, and will be jumping into the team's defensive pairings. Ky has an interesting depth of talent, and will only continue to get better. He will get his chances with all of Sokolov, Lane, and Jean-Claude Girard.

 

At Free Agency, the Toronto Legion picked up some big pieces to add to the wings, giving them some amazing forward depth. Left wing veteran Ted Doughty has found himself in an interesting spot in his career, where he's on the verge of retirement, alongside right wing veteran AK47, both finding themselves in the same boat. Doughty and AK47 will both be getting all the opportunities to shine on this Legion squad, and go out with a bang in their respective careers.

 

So, with a full forward lineup, some respectable depth at defense, and a young and talented goaltender in Torstein Ironside, the Legion are primed to show the VHL what they can do. Maybe they aren't cup favourites, but they will have their fun this season. If they can go far in the playoffs with that depth, that will be something to see.

[Fire Tortorella 2,653]

REVIEW:

 

Toronto has definitely improved over the past couple of seasons through smart drafting, trades, and free agency. The North American Conference has a large number of teams rebuilding/retooling that are on the cusp of becoming true contenders. It'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out over the next couple of seasons.