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***luke*** · 02-04-2024, 07:44 AM

Riley Raycroft
@Shutout
A player some people may remember, others may not. Raycroft was another S1 draft class player. He is also known for being a part of the 2nd trade in SHL history. And the 1st trade involves actual players getting moved rather than draft picks.

Remember that injuries were turned on during this time so he will have less games played than actual seasons played.

S1 goes like this, about 30 games into the season, Toronto acquired Eliseo Zamora and 3.25 mil in cash. Hamilton in return got Riley Raycroft, a S2 1st, a S2 3rd, and a S3 conditional 1st. In that trade they said
“This is a very steep price for the Stars to pay for Zamora, as it looks very similar to the offer Krever made for Sergei Karpotsov of the Winnipeg Jets, but both GMs feel this will significantly improve their teams. For the Steelhawks, it might be a look into the future as they will look to surround Raycroft with four first round picks in two years. With some good drafting, this trade could turn the Steelhawks franchise around.”
Over the 40 games of S1, Raycrof had 10 goals, 21 assists for 31 points. With 15 of those points coming in the final 10 games as a member of the Steelhawks. S2 saw Raycroft regress a bit more, in 38 games he only scored 9 goals, 17 assists for 26 points in a full season with the Steelhawks. Good for 16th in the league in points at that time. In that offseason however, Raycroft was on the move again. In a 1:1 player trade, Hamilton send Riley Raycroft to Vancouver Ice Wolves(now TBB) in exchange for Alexander Cattermole.

3 seasons, 3 teams now for Raycroft. Yet, here is where Raycroft found his home for most of his career. S3 saw Raycroft hit new career highs. 21 goals, 15 assists for 36 points. That's good for 5th in the league in points at that time, and 2nd in goals.

S4 saw him hit another 30+ point season, scoring 13 goals, 18 assists for 31 points. Good for 9th in the league in points. S5 would be another career high, as they switched to 44 GP in a season. Raycroft scored 16 goals, 21 assists for 37 points. Good for 4th in the league in points. Only behind some legends like John Falkirk, JayMcDonald, and Ron Mexico.

S6 is when Raycroft finally got some award recognition. With another amazing season, this time the SHL played 60 games. Raycroft played in 57 GP, scored 24 goals, 38 assists for 62 points. Ranked 3rd in points(1 behind Jeff Dar and 8 behind Ron Mexico). Raycroft managed to get his first Ron Mexico nomination that Season.

S7, where Raycroft only played 47 games. He scored 18 goals, 28 assists for 46 points(6th). S8, he played 49 games played and scored 16 goals, 27 assists for 43 points(12th)

With the inflation era in full swing, S9 was when scoring really went up. As did Raycroft’s. In 50 games played, Raycroft scored 25 goals, 46 assists for 71 points(7th). For his efforts, he received his 2nd Ron Mexico Nomination.

S10 Raycroft scored 26 goals, 36 assists for 62 points(18th). S11 was the same. 26 goals, 35 assists for 61 points(29th). Raycroft was starting to slow down as a player. No longer one of the best players in the league, now just a good one. His run of being in the top 15 in points for the season is over.

S12 was the return to the modern day STHS league as we know it. With Raycrofts minutes going down, and regression hitting harder. S12 only saw Raycroft score 11 goals, 16 assists for 27 points(64th). S13 was similar. 6 goals, 20 assists for 26 points. Then S14 & S15 he was even lower. Only 13 and 6 points the final 2 seasons before retiring.

Ending his career with 705 GP, 227 goals, 350 assists for 577 points. Raycroft ended his career being the best. He has the most points out of anyone in the SHL when he retired, 1st in assists and 2nd in goals. He might not have won any awards. Only nominated twice for the Ron Mexico. But Raycroft was the definition of being a top 15 player for a long time. As scoring went up in the inflation era, Raycroft was there to make the most out of it too.

Raycroft held the most points title from S13-S18. Raycroft overtook Ron Mexico in S12->13 season for the most points. Then in S18->19 lost it to Chris McZerhl and Benjamin Wong.

[Image: duw1pbF.png]

spidey · 02-04-2024, 10:36 AM

An excellent addition. We'll done picking our an often over looked player.

***luke*** · 02-04-2024, 10:40 AM

02-04-2024, 10:36 AMspidey Wrote: An excellent addition. We'll done picking our an often over looked player.

Very well deserved. Yay

grading players like these. where they played during so many short era's. Its good to find the ones who were one of the best throughout like Raycroft. Just looking at the points dont tell the whole story.

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