This is part two to my SHL History for Dummies series where I take a quick look at each season of the league and figure out who GM'd what team and what everyone's records were that year. The warning in the first part of the series still stands, this might be boring for a lot of you so apologies but I want cash and need to learn.
So for this part we will be looking at the next decade of games from the league.
Season 11 to 20
Season 11
League
The league finds the Edmonton Comets stayed where they are but changed their name to the Blizzard. - edit: revised thanks to post by OrbitingDeath in Part 1 of the series
Teams
Calgary Dragons (26-19-5)
Edmonton Blizzard (33-16-1) - Teztify joins Seth as GM and they re-brand the team from the Comets to the Blizzard
Hamilton Steelhawks (27-19-4) - Joecool37 takes over as GM from Jorec
Hartford Hydras (14-30-6)
Las Vegas Kings (20-25-5)
Los Angeles Panthers (21-24-5) - Dooley is replaced by Alex and Chris-McZehrl as GM
Manhattan Rage (24-20-6)
Minnesota Chiefs (38-11-1) - Munk takes over from founder Boon as GM
Texas Renegades (25-17-8)
Toronto North Stars (28-22-0)
West Kendall Platoon (8-38-4) - Maxy takes over from JayTee as GM
The Hamilton Steelhawks win their first championship after 11 seasons. The almost always powerhouse West Kendall Platoon have an abysmal season while the rest of the league battle it out. Fairly competitive season with the exception of the previously mentioned team. Texas looking dangerous with both the MVP and best defensemen. John McBride continues his best goalie streak, now with his 5th win.
The Minnesota Chiefs win their 2nd championship in the last 3 years. Boon keeps returning and the Chiefs keep winning cups. Really tight standings this season, maybe the closest one yet? Not sure the math on that but it is at least the closest in the newest era with 12 teams. John McBride is the winner for the record setting 6th time as best goalie. It will be his last one but he got it named after him. Jason Due winning his 2nd best defender award. Only the second player to do so with the other being Erik Chisling.
The Edmonton Blizzard win the championship for the first time as the Blizzard but it is the 3rd win for the franchise, the most of any team. Solid season from a competitive stand point and not a lot of changes from teams so the league is stabilizing a bit more. New names for the individual awards as well.
Texas Renegades win their first championship. You could see it coming a couple seasons ago from the award winners that they would be a tough team. The league is humming right along now. Stable teams, real competitive standings and a new team winning the cup. Jason Due with the massive season winning MVP and best defender award (his third total). He might be the first defender to win MVP but I am not positive. The section I am using doesn't have positions listed.
The Edmonton Blizzard extend their league leading championships by winning their 4th cup and their second repeat. I swear I spend half my review updating the Wisconsin Vancouver Las Vegas Seattle franchise. They would be Mike Sillinger if they were a retired NHL player. Edmonton dominated defensively having Jakub Aittokallio win both the MVP and best goaltender. Right after Jason Due winning MVP last season, it looks like the league has been tough on forwards. Not to mention Edmonton also having the best defender.
Don't look now but a team is starting to run away with the championship record. The Edmonton Blizzard win and extend the record to 5 cup wins. They are also the first team to win three cups in four years which is what a lot of people determine what defines a dynasty. Another season where a non-forward wins MVP. This time it is Chris Partlow who takes home the MVP and best defender award.
I believe this is the first time in league history where it is two seasons in a row without any teams or game amounts changing.
Teams
Calgary Dragons (29-15-6)
Edmonton Blizzard (27-20-3)
Hamilton Steelhawks (31-13-6) - LVShark replaces Malcontentcapsfan as GM
Los Angeles Panthers (29-16-5)
Manhattan Rage (15-30-5)
Minnesota Chiefs (22-23-5)
New England Wolfpack (29-16-5)
Seattle Riot (21-24-5)
Texas Renegades (24-20-6)
Toronto North Stars (29-17-4) - Maxy changes teams from GM'ing the Platoon between S11 and S16 to replacing founder jkrever after 16 seasons running the club
West Kendall Platoon (22-23-5) - Syckez takes over for Maxy as GM
Defender: Darian Scherbluk of Toronto / Chris Partlow of Texas
Overview
Los Angeles Panthers win the championship for the 2nd time in their franchise history (last won in S6). The league appears as stable as it has ever been with relatively low GM turnover and team changes. Mike Verminski wins the best goaltender award for his 2nd time in his career. There is a tie for the best defender award for the first time in league history. This is now Chris Partlow's 2nd career best defender award.
Finally something positive about the Seattle franchise! They win their first championship in franchise history. This is a record in stability for the league with only one rookie GM this season. The standings look tight, another new team won the cup. League looking strong. Scherbluk wins his 2nd consecutive best defender award, this time without sharing it with Chris Partlow.
Winnipeg wins their franchises 3rd cup making them the 2nd most successful team behind Edmonton and their 5 cups. I have to point out a dismal season by the Minnesota Chiefs with only 9 wins. The rest of the teams seem fairly balanced. Darian Scherbluk wins his 3rd consecutive best defender trophy and only the 2nd defender to win it 3 times. Jason Due being the other one in S9, S12, and S14.
We finish out the decade with a Texas Renegades championship. This is their 2nd in franchise history. Once again the Minnesota Chiefs hit single digit wins with 8 after a 9 spot last season. Rough few years for that franchise. Joe McKeil wins his 2nd MVP of his career while Chris Partlow wins his 3rd career award for best defender.
This decade of games really represents stability. We started with 12 teams and finished with 12. There were a few re-locations of teams but far fewer than the first decade and the amount of GM turnover really settled down in the last 5+ seasons. A dynasty popped up in Edmonton but other teams from the league got a chance and won as well. Overall a very successful looking decade of games.