Tourney: July 6 2019

Awards, Statistical Leaders and All-Star Teams have been added. Tournament Records have been updated.

Team Standings and Round Robin Player Stats have (finally) been completed.

Tournament Rules have been updated. Also, Tournament Records have been added.

Check out the Tournament History page and Mush's Corner

NOTE: not all the players may have been mentioned on each Championship team. If you are aware of one who was not mentioned, please let me know so we can update it.

The Official Round-Robin Schedule is now up!

NOTE: the round-robin should end around 4:30pm insha-Allah.

by Mushahid Ali

With this debate of who are the best players it got me excited into creating this particular list - I've been fortunate enough to play in these tournaments since they started over 10 years ago and feel that that present crop of top players have not reached the level of players in the past - Believe or not I had to re-write this because I lost it the first time! -

So here we go with my list:

1 - Faisal Shahabuddin (F) - Well what more can said that has not already been said - An acute vision, floor generalship, creative playmaker, clutch as hell, blah blah blah - Studies the game like no other -He led the veteran laden 'Brothers' to 4 championships - The only knock on him was that he came prepared with a stacked team - Hence as great of a player he was, he is an even better talent evaluator - Ultra-competitive Faisal became the best b/c he was the only set out to accomplish that incomparable goal - The next 5 guys rank ahead of him in pure offensive prowess, Faisal answers by playing better defence and winning -

2 - Sami Serhan (F) - Personally I have never seen anybody more skilled, talented or better - He was so good it was dirty - Eats Scoring titles for breakfast lunch and diner - Snacks on them too - He led the 786ers to a surprise championship in his first tournament - Funny story, when he teamed with the Brothers in their most stacked team ever, he won the playmaking award as well as leading them in points - His reward? A one-way ticket to the laughable 'Defenders' where he was literally treated like royalty - Most of the time he did not play a lick of D, but did Gretzky? - Put it this way if the NHL scouts were to descend upon our tournaments and they were to take one player with skating being equal...Folks Sami Serhan would be the one air lifted

3 - Sami Ullah (F) - He was the superstar next door - A one man wrecking crew - We all loved the fact that he never took himself so seriously - Put him on a team of Refs or Stars his production never wavered - Displayed a unique artistry to his game like no other - Not the fastest guy but was able to create enough room to unleash his vicious accurate slapshot where he would score at will - Had a cult like following who copied his Shalwar fashion attire - Was part of the 'Lions' squad that lost an epic game to the 'Brothers' - Made his first appearance in Reno-Depot parking lot where he displayed a magical performance causing Faisal to say he was better - Maybe so, but not not that night - Aside from him not being familiar with his zone the knock on him is that was not physically aggressive enough - Something he readily admits - Judges goods players based on their ability to shield the ball and control the play

4 -Ansar (G) - The only goaltender to make the list - A Glove from God - Ansar's performances for the 'Brothers' in the playoffs have been legendary - He almost single-handedly prevented the 'Sharpshooters' from winning at least one championship - A regal like presence, he played with cheesy junior street hockey pads found at Canadian Tire - Not the most technically sound but a big net minder who relied on his excellent reflexes - His detractors say he was blessed with the best defence - True, but then who was better or even close - Still not convinced? Just ask Faisal on how good he was....case closed

5 -Sokat Sheikh (F) - What a great hockey name, eh - One of my favourites, He was a star right from the get go - Played for his home team the 'Sharpshooters' an offensive powerhouse squad - Won 4 scoring titles - And what a shot - His shot is the standard where all other hard shots are judged against - I can right a thesis on his shot but lets just say that Omar Hussein banned the full-wined up slap shot for a couple of early tournaments b/c of him - At first he possed an awesome one-timer an art I feel he should re discover - An underrated passer, good size and physical when need be - The only knock on him was that he was unable to pull one out for the 'Sharpshooters' - Also the best dressed player from the gloves, jersey, hat, stick to his shoes - He looks like a hockey player -

6 - Shaquille Zaidi (F) - A relative unknown among the casual onlooker; however all he needed were the two tournaments to cement his place in Muslim tournament history - Led the physical Le Onda squad to the finals in their inaugural appearance where he won the scoring title - Lost to the brothers in a one sided affair 5-1 but did beat them in the Round-Robin - A game that resembles Faisal's, a heady player who plays a complete game - Faisal has a deep respect for his ability - A top flight player who plays still plays against elite level competition in Dollard -

7 - Jan (F) - A multi faceted player who is regarded has the first real superstar of our community - Simply, terrorized MCQ pick-up hockey in the late 80's and early 90's - Can put on a stick -handling clinic - He dared kids to take the ball off of him for fun - Was part of one of the potent lines in history with Sami Serhan and the 786ers - His two-way game allowed Sami to be even more explosive offensively - A mythical figure - A legend

8 - Faheem Kotwal (D) - The most respected player of the bunch - He was the quite superstar who let his game do the talking - A natural who was extremely efficient in his own zone, wonderful breakout passes, capability to join the rush who just knew how to pick his spots - A Fluid game who should be the standard bearer for which all defenseman’s - A true quarterback on D, while with the Asian Express Faisal considered him his equal - The only knock on him was an average shot at best but did manage to get it on net most of the time - A smart player as well - Played most of time with the strong 'Lions' teams -

9 - Ilyas Rashid (D) - Physically the most skilled and talented player right now - The sky is the limit for this still young phenom - Quick, strong, fabulous shot and a cat on defence - Although at times his decision-making remains in question, his uncanny ability to correct mistakes within the same play is absolutely amazing - Is emerging as a true leader - His most memorable performance was when he took a team of 3 guys at Westwood and practically won a Round-Robin game by himself -  But he should get better with maturity and for that all he has to do is learn from the guy who sits ahead of him

10 - Amir Sheikh (D/F) - I already know I'm going to take a beating for this - Call it the captains pick reminiscent of the Ryder Cup selection - He is the only role player to make the list - Won an incredible 6 championships and your wondering 3 w/o Faisal's 'Brother'  - Provided much needed leadership for the 'Lions' to finally win one - A true class act, great locker room guy, big, strong as an Ox and possessed the best wrister in his day - A gentleman like player who knew how to play the game – Would have a hard time making the list of the top 25 players based on skill and talent but he makes this particular list in my humble opinion -

Montreal-Wide Hockey Tournament
 
At Vanier College
Saturday, March 11 (all day)
Limited spacing: 12-15 teams - first come, first serve
Cost = $125/team
 
More details to follow.spread the word!!
 
Registration:
 
- Send in your FINALIZED teams in an email to Sy.Wasty@bigfoot.com
- Make sure to put "team - (team name)" in the subject title
- Indicate who the captain is
- Indicate who the goalie is
 
 
For more info:
Shujaat Wasty:  Sy.Wasty@bigfoot.com
Nabil Hasnany:  nabil_hasnany@yahoo.com
Riaz Lasania:    riazl_2003@hotmail.com