1. Who would you select for any of the Awards below?

Ron Mexico Award (League MVP)
The Ron Mexico award right now would be a toss-up between Oisin Fletcher and Tigole BItties. Both players are doing great and Bitties has a slight edge with 33 points. However, I would give Oisin some credit with some huge games which include three hat tricks and five game winning goals, Fletcher gets the nod. I would give an honorable mention to Mike Izzy, a player to keep your eye on. @Evok

John McBride Award (Best goalie)
The Best Goalie at this point in the season has got to be Michael McFadden. McFadden is leading all goalies in just about every category which includes save percentage, goals against average, shutouts, and wins. McFadden is the midseason winner of this one.

Scott Stevens Award (Top D)
Oh man! This is a close one. I am going to give the nod to Tor Tuck, myself, and I will tell you why. My fellow Norwegian Isak Odegard is putting up a heck of the season but he is playing a huge amount of minutes and is matched with Tor Tuck at 32 points.Tor Tuck has the second most assists in the league AND the 9th best shot percentage he is being efficient and a team player. Tor Tuck is also 10th in points per minute, second in the league with 3 game tying goals, and like a true defensive men he has delivered a beat down this season by winning a fight. Honorable mentions to Brady McIntyre and Alexis Metzler who are both having great seasons.

Ryan Jesster Award (Top Rookie)
This one is another toss-up between Jax Aittokallio of the Manhattan Rage who is nearly leading the team with 25 points in 19.40 minutes per game. The other contender is Leshaun King who is also sitting at 26 points in 21.06 minutes played. I give the nod here to Jax who has a worse supporting cast and edges out king in efficiency by having a 3% better shot percentage.

Lance Uppercut Award (Best GM)
I am going to give this one to @Nobody and @ml002 of the Toronto North Stars. These guys made a strong push last season to make the playoffs. It did not look like they had the most talent in the league but they are currently sitting as the best team in the east, but also have the most points in the entire league. They have made their team shine to be better than its talent level and look like real contenders. I would give an honorable mention to the Texas Renegades GMs.

Damien Littleton Award (Most Dedicated)
I am going to recommend @TheDangaZone for this one. TDZ seems to be involved with helping run nearly every part of the site. Whenever I go and get involved in something new TDZ is already there. I don’t know how he is so involved but his role in the league is one of great value. I would give an honorable mention to Mike Izzy on this one for his passion in every role including IIHF and revamping the PT team.

Aiden Richan Award (Breakout Star)
This one is going to go to Brady McIntyre of the Edmonton Blizzard. I knew Brady was going to rise and be a star, but I do not think many of the other people around the league anticipating this kind of season from Brady. He is in the conversation for the best defender in the league and currently leagues ALL players in assists. The ultimate team player. @caltroit_red_flames

2. Who would you say is the surprise team in the standings? (for good or bad)
http://simulationhockey.com/games/shl/S4...nding.html
I think there are two big surprises, the Winnipeg Jets are out and the Texas Renegades are in. The Jets are on the outside looking in in a TOUGH conference out West and the Renegades are sitting just ahead of the Jets and tied with Calgary for a current playoff spot. Nobody expected the Jets to fall apart after making the finals last season and be outside the playoffs midseason.
3. What player on the Individual leader board is most surprising?

http://simulationhockey.com/games/shl/S4...aders.html
I think Brady McIntyre leading in assists is the most surprising individual leader. Brady is a defender and was not on the radar of most people last season and now he is showing himself to be the ultimate assist master setting up his teammates and team for success.

4. What is your strongest 2nd half Prediction/Hot take?
My big prediction is that the Minnesota Chiefs DO NOT make the playoffs despite being in the easier conference. I think the Manhattan Rage are going to surpass them and secure a spot to the playoffs despite having a younger, less experienced, and frankly less talented team at the moment.