Talented and tough, Hall earns second MVP award
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/05/2010 (5762 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Taylor Hall’s MasterCard Memorial Cup started with a thud, and ended with a bang.
The highly-touted prospect was named the Memorial Cup tournament MVP on Sunday, moments after leading his Windsor Spitfires to a 9-1triumph over the Brandon Wheat Kings in last night’s championship game at Westman Place.
Hall, who is expected to be one of the top two picks in the National Hockey League entry draft this summer, finished the tournament with five goals and nine points while being named the Memorial Cup MVP for the second straight year as Windsor won the title for the second straight time.
While Hall flashed the finesse and skill set that has NHL scouts raving and fans craving for him to join their team, it was Travis Hamonic’s hit on the Kingston, Ont., product on Day 1 that got the tournament off to a raucous start. The image of Hall hitting the end boards head-first was played on highlight reels across the continent, but the left-winger shook off the impact and got back to the task of dismantling the opposition.
"That wasn’t the start I wanted obviously, but I’m tough enough that I can come back from that and help out my team," said Hall, who became the first player ever to win back-to-back MVP awards. "So it kinda woke me up and from there I felt I contributed in a really good way in this tournament."
For most of this junior season, Hall has been the subject of discussion from journalists, scouts and pundits who debated whether he or Plymouth Whaler Tyler Seguin would be the No. 1 pick in this summer’s draft. Hall said he’s soaked that up, too.
"It’s been a lot of fun, to tell you the truth," he said. "Obviously there’s some pressure, but I don’t think that’s anything compared to the pressure I put on myself just to perform and help out my team. It’s been a great year. I only go through (the draft) once obviously, so I wouldn’t expect anything less."
As for his opinion on the debate, Hall wasn’t biting.
"I have no idea. It’s not for me to decide," he said. "I feel like I had a real good season, I did everything I could. If Edmonton feels I’m their guy that’s great, but I’m not going to be depressed, I’m not going to be sad if I don’t go there."
DUMP-INS: With his goal and two assists in the final, Hall also wrapped up top scorer honours. Brandon Wheat King import Toni Rajala was named the most sportsmanlike player and Calgary’s Martin Jones was picked the most outstanding goaltender. The all-star team was Jones and Hall joined by defencemen Travis Hamonic of Brandon and Cam Fowler of Windsor, and forwards Matt Calvert of Brandon and Jimmy Bubnick of Calgary.