Login

***Leafs4ever*** · 08-13-2023, 11:53 AM

1. C Erik Erikson - Newfoundland Berserkers

The league leader in points right now with 56, Erik Erikson is my clubhouse leader for MVP of season 72. He's been dynamite at even strength and on special teams and brings a balanced attack to the ice, potting 21 goals (7th highest) and 35 assists (3rd highest). What puts Erik ahead of the rest this season is he has helped carry Newfoundland to 4th in the standings without as much help as the others on this list. The next closest point getter on his team has 41, 15 points behind Erikson. A one man wrecking crew, if Erik keeps this up he should be looking at some nice hardware at the end of the season.

2. C William Tree - Maine Timber Timber

There is a tight race behind Erikson for the rest of the MVP ladder, but right now I'm giving Wiliam Tree the slight edge. Being the leading scorer on the top SMJHL team has to mean something, even though his supporting cast is very strong. William has potted 28 goals (2nd highest) and 52 points (3rd highest) and has done most of his damage at even strength, which we know is crucial. He also leads the league in game winning goals with 8. What I think will hurt his case at the end of the season is the strong players around him. William has 3 players within 5 points of him on his own team.

3. RW Mercedes Baylé - Regina Elk Elk

Maybe a surprise here since Mercedes doesn't even lead the Elk in points, but there are some strong points in favour of Baylé for MVP. The biggest factor is Baylé is leading the league in goals with 31 and has put up 51 points, which is only 5 off the league lead. Mercedes also does most of the damage at even strength, putting up 40 of their points at even strength. Mercedes also brings a physical side that few bring when you look at the top point getters, putting up 110 hits. What Mercedes has the least of, though, is time on ice. Every player at the top of the league in points has played over 600 minutes except for Baylé. Mercedes is putting up fantastic numbers and could really jump into the lead for MVP if they continue on this pace.

4. RW Inactive Forever - Vancouver Whalers Whalers

The points leader on the 3rd best team in the league comes in at 4th on the MVP ladder. Inactive has put up amazing numbers for Vancouver, potting 52 points (3rd highest) and 28 goals (2nd highest) on the season so far. Forever also lays the body a lot with 114 hits. Like Tree, though, Inactive has very good support with 2 players within 4 points.

5. C Thomas Sawschuk - Nevada Battleborn

Rounding out the top 5 on the MVP ladder is Nevada's points leader Thomas Sawschuk. Thomas sits 3rd in points in the league with 52, but doesn't score as much as the others on the list. He has only scored 16 goals, but facilitates a lot to his teammates. What strengthens Sawschuk's case is the lack of support on the team. Nevada sits 7th in the league with really only Thomas putting up meaningful numbers. The 2nd highest scorer on the team is 7 points away, but the next 2 closest are 20 and 21 points away! It's been barren in Nevada outside Sawschuk.

Honourable Mentions:
C Rowan O'Beirne Elk

C Dominik Winters Scarecrows

There are a lot of great players this season and very little separates each one at the top of the heap. This is going to be a very fascinating race for the MVP this season. I can't wait to see how it shakes out at the end of the season.

(629 words)