Best player according to goalies.

[cus32]

Ok, I've heard players chime off on who has the best shot, best speed, etc. I want to know from from the "Goalies" on who has the best shot, best moves, and who is the all around best player in the game?

Remember, the goalie has the advantage.

[imasieve30]

This is one of those questions that needs to be narrowed down. The goalies on this board have various experiences in various leagues/tournaments. Some goalies might name people from their house league who none of us know, but to them it fits the criteria. Since I think your looking for a NHL (read organized league) style ranking of players, I'll give you mine based on PIHA and more specifically the Growl since this is what I'm most familiar with at this point.

This is just my opinion.

Best shooter: Ron Tracy - Ron has a quick release and he can disguise the shot pretty well. These two traits combined make him difficult to stop (when he hits the net ;-) ) Shooting on top level goalies in the sport for several years now doesn't hurt in this category either.
Best moves: Sean Sullivan - At this point, its all he practices. Sometimes you think you know what he is going to do, except he spent all last week learning something new...so you don't buy the first 3 fakes, but land flat on your face for the 4th or 5th one. Whoops. Better go review the tapes.
Most unpredictable: John Pinhero - There is no real way to describe how he does what he pulls it off. Go ahead and try to duplicate it. Hello broken knee, ankle, groin, lower back, ect.
Best player in the game: CJ Yoder - It has to be, because he is more then just a well rounded set of skills. He has leadership and consistency on his resume for how long now? I'm hoping if we put him in net, he couldn't stop a beachball though. That'd be funny.
Best Defenseman: Ray Katinsky - Ray will do what it takes to get the job done. He was a goalie at one point so there is no fear of blocking shots. He can hit and although its not part of the league rules, it translates to playing angles and taking people out of the play effectively. He is not afraid to fight if the situation calls for it. Ray is a team player.
Most unbelievable in warm-ups: Every player I've ever played against. You'd think there were NHL scouts in the stands when I take warm-ups. They are all snipers for those few minutes when you are just trying to feel the puck a little. Anyone else have this problem?

Anyway, its all just my opinion and is heavily biased towards guys I see most often. I'm sure some people might agree and some people might know other guys that are better at certain things (in PIHA). The Growl are fortunate enough to be atop the league right now, so I don't feel its unfair to rank a lot of their players in those categories. There should be some sort of official/unbiased panel that could decide this at the end of each season but that might come down the road with a few more seasons under PIHA's belt. Or maybe ESPN will give us a section on their page.

[growl89]

joey don't be mad because you can't stop us in warm ups, we need to practice putting the puck off of the elbow to warm up for the games... and you are the top goalie in the league, so do you really need warm ups!

[imasieve30]

There is a big difference between your "elbow and in" and "my elbow and in".

Yours usually involves about 15 passes between you and another player before you get to within 3 feet of the goal line, at which point you give me 2 head fakes draw the puck as far across the crease as you can at the last minute till I'm flopping like a fish and then flip your blade over and flick it in with the toe because you "got bored and wanted to see if you could pull it off for the 3rd time in a row". Better hurry up and get back in line so you can try for #4 before the buzzer goes off!

Oh yeah and mine involves an great, clean shot that luckily found the bar and I obviously had no chance on.

[PIHAGOALIE]

HARDEST SHOT - by far is Casey Dreax of the Westminster Blizzard, i have felt pucks from many of the leagues best and Casey has the shot that will scare ya into thinking it is going to go through you.

BEST SHOOTER - This may come as a surprise to some people but the one shooter that i have a hard time with is Nick Vehanen (formerly of the Aurora Crimson Catz). Nick can put the puck anywhere and off of anything he wants no matter the angle. Truly a pleasure playing against him.

MOVES - This is a no brainer. breaking ankles and twisting knees and making goalies look like they should not be on the same rink as he is Brian Yingling (Pikes Peak Prowlers). trying to stay with him is one of the hardest things to do on the court. Truly a phenomenal skater.

SPEED - Being as i have not plyed against the east coast as of yet, this would have to go to Shane Hayden (Pikes Peak Prowlers). Shane has the fastest skates in the league from what i can see and is such a pain in the ass haha. Shanes hands are almost as quick as his feet. very difficult to stop Shane when he is on the breakaway!!

UNPREDICTABLE - Matt Turner of the Westminster Blizzard is as unpredictable as they come. Just when you think you have figured him out, BANG something else happens. Rarely does he use the same move twice. A great innovater at what he does makes him very difficult for us goalies to stop.

BEST PLAYER - Hands down this honor has to be C. J. Yoder. His leadership and willingness to help out others as well as his god given talent in all areas of the game makes him the best. He does things on the rink that is awe inspiring and when you think he is done with that 3rd or 4th move he passes it right on the tape to a teammate that buries the puck. CJ makes everyone around him accountable and helps them become the players that makes PIHA so special.

WARM UPS - Everyone is a super star. If the players can play or shoot the puck in a game as they do in warm ups they would all be all-stars. Guys, we are trying to get a feel for the puck. Its not a chance for you to razzle and dazzle the crowd. help out your goalie. let him feel the puck and get warmed up. Just my advice.

Again I am a bit biased to the Rocky Mountain Division of PIHA. Since these are the players I see all the time. I am sure if i played against the other divisions maybe some of my opions would be different.

[Hystyk28]

Best player in the game: CJ Yoder - I'm hoping if we put him in net, he couldn't stop a beachball though. That'd be funny.

I believe CJ has a MVG trophy on his resume.

[yokes]

Best shooter:No doubt Ron Tracey, quick release and hard as well as accurate. Can shoot just as good off his back foot!
Best moves:Pinhero just nudges out Sully. Anybody with the word HERO in their last name just spells problems for a goalie!!!
Most unpredictable:Mike Cianfrani, when he wants to play he can turn a defense and a goalie inside out and do the same to himself.
Best player in the game:Ummmm yea CJ something?? Followed closely by Brian Ying.
Best player not in PIHA...yet:Ed Smith, used to play with Glads and anyone that knows him would agree.
Best Defenseman:Kevin "Holly"Hollenbush, hard nosed as they come, seems to break up all passes near him and blocks numerous shots.
Most unbelievable in warm-ups:Any a$$wipe that dings me in the head from 2 feet out. Its warmups, take your time and aim.

[GROWL]

Hey Yokes its spelled Pinheiro. However I guess there should be an I in hero.

[Dead34]

Unfortunately, I havnt had the chance to play any teams out west. However, there were guys in the east that were a lot of fun to play against. My picks for best players in Piha - that ive actually played against at some point are:

Best shooter: Ron Tracey - if you give him a hole the size of a quarter he'll find it - and his release is incredible.
Best Moves: I agree with Yokes - Pinheiro and sully are in a close race. Sully made some huge noise last year short handed - and Pinheiro...well like I even need to say anything; if you've played against him you know what I'm talking about.
Best Player in the Game: Has to be CJ Yoder - I've played against the Mud Cats several times and when he's on the rink - there's no question who's in charge; his leadership is amazing.
Best Defenseman: With out a doubt this goes out to our own Nate Scharff from Pittsburgh! When he's on the rink - just try and stop him. I've played against a number of people, but few match his intensity.

[TheSnake22]

you goalies are all crazy... everyone knows that cj gamble has the best shot in 3 states... any angle, he'll find the back of the net... just kidding... but seriously...

[born2runPROgm]

Wow... what a compliment Snake... Too bad your not coming out tomorrow night! You could see my miraculous shots for hours... We all know that your really the best player out there... You slither your way under other teams radar and then bite them when they're not ready!

[TheSnake22]

good thing we have new jerseys this season, but i imagine that the poop in my pants face might give it away...

[born2runPROgm]

lol... I'm going to miss the purples!

[GROWL]

Best shot in three states? Other then the state of confusion, what two am I missing? Perhaps we are talking about golf shots Snake...

[GROWL]

What about best playmaker?