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High Stick King · 10-08-2021, 06:37 AM

SHL History for Dummies - Season 1 to 10

Parts in Series

Part 1: This one
Part 2: Season 11 to 20
Part 3: Season 21 to 30
Part 4: Season 31 to 40
Part 5: Season 41 to 50
Part 6: Season 51 to 60+

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Alright, it has been made abundantly clear to me that I need to learn more about the history of the SHL. I know next to nothing about the subject, so this should be a project. I apologize to anyone who has a grasp of the history and will be watching me doggie paddle my way to the end. This article might not be the most interesting, just my way of processing the information and learning it while making fat stacks of cash.

So I figure the best way to tackle this task is to take it by decade... or rather 10 sim seasons per glance. This is going to be an over-view of the team and league. I am not going to be diving into any statistics, sorry if you are looking for a more in-depth analysis. This ain't the place. So here we go, season 1 through season 10 and the broadest of strokes.

Season 1 to 10

Season 1

League

The league began with 6 teams, with each playing a 40 game schedule.

Teams

Calgary Dragons (13-18-9) - Founded by cezar
Hamilton Steelhawks (15-18-7) - Founded by Mikeorfei
Toronto Stars (21-12-7) - Founded by jkrever
West Kendall Platoon (30-5-5) - Founded by Fernando
Winnipeg Jets (23-12-5) - Founded by Leafs4ever
Wisconsin Monarchs (18-16-6) - Founded by Veto, replaced by Mabz & Smzza

Winners

Cup: Winnipeg Jets
MVP: Alex Reay of West Kendall
Goalie: Fernando Garcia of West Kendall
Defender: JJ Krever of Toronto

Overview

A solid start to the league. Winnipeg getting bragging rights with the first cup win of the SHL.

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Season 2

League

The second season saw the league grow by 2 teams with expansion, giving the league 8 total teams and one team having a slight re-branding from Toronto Stars to Toronto North Stars.

Teams

Calgary Dragons (20-17-3) - Founder cezar is replaced by NathanAD partway through season 2
Edmonton Comets (29-8-3) - Founded by McDonald
Hamilton Steelhawks (13-17-10) - Founder Mikeorfei is replaced by Daco
Manhattan Rage (14-24-2) - Founded by Spangle
Toronto North Stars (20-20-0) - jkrever re-branded the team from the Stars to the North Stars
West Kendall Platoon (30-6-4)
Winnipeg Jets (22-13-5)
Wisconsin Monarchs (12-24-4)

Winners

Cup: West Kendall Platoon
MVP: Sarmad Khan of West Kendall
Goalie: Mike Honcho of Edmonton
Defender: Mikey Broomfield of Edmonton

Overview

The Platoon got their revenge after failing in season one despite the best record. Expansion Edmonton came into the league hot while the other expansion Rage, struggled to get wins. A couple of GM changes which is expected from a new league.

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Season 3

League

The third season saw the first re-location of a franchise with the Wisconsin Monarchs moving across the continent and out of the country to Canada with the Vancouver Ice Wolves.

Teams

Calgary Dragons (18-17-5)
Edmonton Comets (28-6-6)
Hamilton Steelhawks (15-21-4) - Daco is joined by Bolt/Theo as GM
Manhattan Rage (22-9-9)
Toronto North Stars (16-23-1)
West Kendall Platoon (28-7-5)
Winnipeg Jets (18-14-8)
Vancouver Ice Wolves (15-17-8) - Mabz & Smzza are replaced by funny_munk and Leafs4Stanley who relocate the Wisconsin Monarchs to Vancouver

Winners

Cup: Edmonton Comets
MVP: Ron Mexico of Winnipeg
Goalie: Mike Honcho of Edmonton
Defender: Damian Littleton of Winnipeg

Overview

Second year team Edmonton Comets take the cup. A lot more parity in the league this season with teams bunched up in the standings. Mike Hocho returns as the best goalie for the 2nd consecutive season.

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Season 4

League

Season four brought a bit of stability to the league with no new or re-located teams.

Teams

Calgary Dragons (13-23-4)
Edmonton Comets (34-2-4)
Hamilton Steelhawks (18-13-9) - Daco is now gone as GM with Secord joining Bolt/Theo
Manhattan Rage (21-16-3)
Toronto North Stars (18-18-4)
West Kendall Platoon (20-15-5) - Brandon takes over from founder Fernando
Winnipeg Jets (19-19-2)
Vancouver Ice Wolves (17-16-7) - funny_munk is no longer a GM and leaves Leafs4Stanley as sole GM

Winners

Cup: Edmonton Comets
MVP: Sergei Karpotsov of Edmonton
Goalie: Mike Honcho of Edmonton
Defender: Jardy Bunclewirth of Manhattan

Overview

The hot Edmonton Comets team continue their dominance as they become the first team to repeat as champions. Mike Honcho wins for the 3rd time in a row as the best goaltender establishing himself as the best at his position to beat.

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Season 5

League

The league expanded by two more teams once again with the additions of the Los Angeles Panthers and the Minnesota Chiefs. With his expansion also came a longer season schedule going from 40 games played to 44 for all teams.

Teams

Calgary Dragons (21-15-8)
Edmonton Comets (26-12-6)
Hamilton Steelhawks (28-12-4) - Raymond now takes over for Secord as GM
Los Angeles Panthers (13-24-7) - Founded by Deener
Manhattan Rage (24-16-4)
Minnesota Chiefs (8-32-4) - Founded by Boon
Toronto North Stars (22-13-9)
West Kendall Platoon (32-7-5) - After a season absence, Fernando returns to join Brandon in GM duties
Winnipeg Jets (24-15-5)
Vancouver Ice Wolves (22-14-8)

Winners

Cup: West Kendall Platoon
MVP: Ron Mexico of Winnipeg
Goalie: Fernando Garcia of West Kendall
Defender: Scott Stevens of Hamilton

Overview

The league is growing rapidly and is now up to 10 teams. West Kendall Platoon are back as a powerhouse and joined Edmonton as a repeat cup winner. Mike Honcho is finally defeated as the best goaltender by Fernando Garcia. With the exception of the West Kendall Platoon and the Minnesota Chiefs (for opposite reasons) the was a lot of competition this season.

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Season 6

League

The league remains at 10 teams but expands the amount of games played by each team from 44 to 60. There is also a re-branding of the Vancouver franchise from the Ice Wolves to the Nightmare.

Teams

Calgary Dragons (31-24-5)
Edmonton Comets (25-27-8) - Seth joins McDonald as GM
Hamilton Steelhawks (28-25-7)
Los Angeles Panthers (28-17-5)
Manhattan Rage (29-24-7) - diamond_ace takes over from founder Spangle
Minnesota Chiefs (29-24-7)
Toronto North Stars (29-26-5)
West Kendall Platoon (31-24-5) - Original founder Fernando is now the only GM of the team as Brandon is no longer listed
Winnipeg Jets (25-21-14)
Vancouver Nightmare (35-19-6) - MacDaddy takes over the reigns from Leafs4Stanley and rebrands the team Nightmare from Ice Wolves

Winners

Cup: Los Angeles Panthers
MVP: Ron Mexico of Winnipeg
Goalie: John McBride of Winnipeg
Defender: Erik Chisling of Manhattan

Overview

Much like the Edmonton Comets, the Los Angeles Panthers went from an expansion team to champion by their second season in the league. Edmonton Comets are starting to return to earth with a sub .500 record. Ron Mexico takes his 3rd MVP trophy (named after him for a reason right?) and John McBride wins his first namesake trophy.

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Season 7

League

The league dialed the amount of games back from 60 the previous season to 50 this season.

Teams

Calgary Dragons (26-20-4)
Edmonton Comets (13-29-8) - Seth remains as sole GM as McDonald leaves
Hamilton Steelhawks (26-20-4)
Los Angeles Panthers (25-19-6) - Founder Deener is joined in GM duties by JayTee and Munk
Manhattan Rage (31-14-5)
Minnesota Chiefs (24-20-6)
Toronto North Stars (33-13-4)
West Kendall Platoon (22-22-6) - Dylan takes over from founder and re-returned Fernando
Winnipeg Jets (25-19-8)
Vancouver Nightmare (25-21-4) - MacDaddy is joined by Shutout and James_M as GM

Winners

Cup: Winnipeg Jets
MVP: Brodie Witzel of Minnesota
Goalie: John McBride of Winnipeg
Defender: Erik Chisling of Manhattan

Overview

This is the longest point of stability so far for the league with all of the teams remaining the same for several seasons now. The parity is really good with no team running away with anything and no team getting booted. The Winnipeg Jets finally get their 2nd cup after being the winner of the very first season. Erik Chisling becomes the first defender to win twice and does so in a row and John McBride returns as best goalie.

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Season 8

League

The often moved re-branded, once again, moves and re-brands. The Wisconsin Monarchs, Vancouver Ice Wolves, Vancouver Nightmare are now the Las Vegas Kings.

Teams

Calgary Dragons (25-20-5) - xDPark takes over from NathanAD
Edmonton Comets (23-25-2)
Hamilton Steelhawks (26-21-3)
Las Vegas Kings (28-17-5) - MacDaddy, and James_M not returning as GM, Shutout and Duey takes over and does a complete re-location and re-branding from Vancouver Nightmare to Las Vegas Kings
Los Angeles Panthers (21-20-9) - Deener, JayTee, and Munk are replaced by Checkmate as GM
Manhattan Rage (17-23-10)
Minnesota Chiefs (30-16-4)
Toronto North Stars (26-20-0)
West Kendall Platoon (33-14-3)
Winnipeg Jets (21-20-9)

Winners

Cup: Calgary Dragons
MVP: Charlie Chiclets of Las Vegas
Goalie: Ryan Jesster of Calgary
Defender: Scott Stevens of West Kendall

Overview

Calgary Dragons win their first ever championship and the league looks to be pretty healthy from the narrow view. Scott Stevens wins his second best defender trophy (named after him).

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Season 9

League

The league remained the same from the previous season. Still playing 50 games and have 10 teams with no re-locations occurring.

Teams

Calgary Dragons (34-16-0)
Edmonton Comets (14-31-5)
Hamilton Steelhawks (27-16-7) - Stud and Jorec replace Raymond as GM
Las Vegas Kings (31-18-1)
Los Angeles Panthers (21-21-8)
Manhattan Rage (8-38-4)
Minnesota Chiefs (28-20-2) - JumpierPegasus replaces founder Boon as GM
Toronto North Stars (18-27-5)
West Kendall Platoon (37-12-1) - JayTee (the first to GM 2 different teams -- Los Angeles Panthers S7) takes over GM from Dylan
Winnipeg Jets (32-14-4)
- edit: revised thanks to post by Leafs4ever

Winners

Cup: Calgary Dragons
MVP: Ron Mexico of Winnipeg
Goalie: John McBride of Winnipeg
Defender: Jason Due of Las Vegas

Overview

The Calgary Dragons repeat as champions. Only the second team to win back to back, rival Edmonton Comets being the first to do so. Manhattan Rage had a season to forget with only 8 wins. Ron Mexico wins his 4th and final MVP trophy. While John McBride has many more to go winning his 3rd trophy as best goaltender.

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Season 10

League

Season 10 was ushered in with an expansion of two more teams bringing the total now to 12. The two new teams were the Texas Renegades and the Hartford Hydras. Jesster was originally going to be the expansion founder for the Buffalo Thunder but opted to go with Calgary. Buffalo Thunder became the Hartford Hydras instead before playing any games. Bob's your uncle.
- edit: revised thanks to post by luketd
- edit #2: revised thanks to post by OrbitingDeath

Teams

Calgary Dragons (41-7-2) - Jesster replaces xDPark as GM
Edmonton Comets (12-31-7)
Hamilton Steelhawks (40-7-3) - Jorec remains as the only GM as Stud is no longer GM
Hartford Hydra (5-44-1) - Founded by Fernando
Las Vegas Kings (29-17-4)
Los Angeles Panthers (23-22-5) - Dooley takes over from Checkmate
Manhattan Rage (11-37-2)
Minnesota Chiefs (31-15-4) - Founder Boon returns as GM after one season hiatus taking over for JumpierPegasus
Texas Renegades (21-20-9) - Founded by Wadey
Toronto North Stars (27-17-6)
West Kendall Platoon (30-18-2)
Winnipeg Jets (30-14-6)

Winners

Cup: Minnesota Chiefs
MVP: Robert Spezza of Toronto
Goalie: John McBride of Winnipeg
Defender: Jed Mosley of West Kendall

Overview

The season had the Minnesota Chiefs winning their first ever championship. Some teams struggled quite a bit, especially the expansion team Hartford Hydras who only managed to squeak out 5 wins. As far as individual awards go, McBride is right in his golden era capturing the award for best goalie for the 4th time.

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Season 1 to 10 Overview

So there we have it. After going through the first ten seasons, the league doubled in size from 6 teams to 12. There were a few re-locations and another couple re-branding, one team being more responsible than the others (looking at you Wisconsin Vancouver Las Vegas). Games played fluctuated between 40, 44, 50, and even 60 games per season. In the end, games got played, seasons completed, and the league grew. Pretty successful period judging from the distant glance taken here.

[ 2,572 words ]

***luke*** · 10-08-2021, 07:41 AM

I didn’t read it all but I will

Tampa Bay Hydra (5-44-1) - Founded by Fernando. Jesster is also listed but I assume he changed his mind and went to Calgary to GM them instead, not sure

Jester got the expansion team, named it the Buffalo thunder. Then decided he didn’t want it so went back tonCGY. Fernando took over and moved them to Tampa

High Stick King · 10-08-2021, 08:04 AM

10-08-2021, 07:41 AMluketd Wrote: I didn’t read it all but I will

Tampa Bay Hydra (5-44-1) - Founded by Fernando. Jesster is also listed but I assume he changed his mind and went to Calgary to GM them instead, not sure

Jester got the expansion team, named it the Buffalo thunder. Then decided he didn’t want it so went back tonCGY. Fernando took over and moved them to Tampa

Ah OK, I saw the Buffalo Thunder team name listed as an alternate name for one of the teams but haven't come across it anywhere else and was wondering what happened to it. Thanks, I'll update the article.

**OrbitingDeath** · 10-08-2021, 10:21 AM

Before the Hydras played a single game in Tampa, they were already moved to Hartford iirc.

Grapehead · 10-08-2021, 10:29 AM

Wowza this is excellent!

High Stick King · 10-08-2021, 10:32 AM

10-08-2021, 10:21 AMOrbitingDeath Wrote: Before the Hydras played a single game in Tampa, they were already moved to Hartford iirc.

I am doing the next decade and Tampa relocated to Hartford in season 11 and then moved from there to New England Wolfpack in season 13.

High Stick King · 10-08-2021, 07:06 PM

10-08-2021, 10:32 AMHigh Stick King Wrote:
10-08-2021, 10:21 AMOrbitingDeath Wrote: Before the Hydras played a single game in Tampa, they were already moved to Hartford iirc.
I am doing the next decade and Tampa relocated to Hartford in season 11 and then moved from there to New England Wolfpack in season 13.

Just to update this point. OD was correct, the tool I was using to look up the team locations had an error. The New England Wolfpack (as the Hydra) played in Hartford for S10 and not Tampa Bay. I will update the article to reflect that.

Thanks again OD for looking that up for me.

DeletedAtUserRequest · 10-09-2021, 12:12 AM

Ooo wow.
++1

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***Leafs4ever*** · 10-13-2021, 11:31 PM

Just getting to this now, on Season 9 you wrote that JayTee took over Winnipeg. You have him beside the wrong team, he did not take over for me.

Guy Incognito - D - #24
Texas Renegades
Season 76
15-6-0
Regular Season - [G 2] [A 3] [Pts 5] [+/- +6] [PIM 10] [Hits 12] [SB 38]
[Image: ERs3IrD.png]

High Stick King · 10-14-2021, 03:36 AM

10-13-2021, 11:31 PMLeafs4ever Wrote: Just getting to this now, on Season 9 you wrote that JayTee took over Winnipeg. You have him beside the wrong team, he did not take over for me.

You are right (obviously), that one was a typo on my part. I updated it to reflect the proper team now. Thank you.

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