Monday night marked a historic event in BHL history when Ritchie Hopkinson delivered some stick to stick sauce to his favourite target Vinny Cistrone. To most it was just another assist, but to the BHL history books it marked the first time a BHL player reached 100 career regular season points.
Hoppy has been dominant since taking over the role as number one centre for the Iceholes in the BHL's inaugural season. Since joining the league Ritchie has posted some ridiculous video game type statistics:
In a mere 26 regular season contests over 3 seasons Ritchie has amassed 63 goals, 37 assists for 100 points while maintaining a 3.8 point per game average and posting a +47 career mark.
His name is the only name etched onto the BHL's Pack Hunter Award (Most Points) as he claimed it in both of his first two seasons and the Shooting Star Award (Most Goals) reads his name for the 2014/15 campaign although it should be noted that year one he tied for the award with 26 goals, but due to Vadim Novikov having notched more PP Goals he was awarded the hardware instead of Ritchie.
The feat of 26 games to 100 points reached by Hopkinson will be a tough one to match and might very well be a record that stands for a very long time. Of the current BHLers the only players with a decent shot may be Stephen Mawson of Les Castors who sits 51 points behind with just 12 games to reach the exclusive club and Ritchie's linemate Vinny Cistrone who sits at 46 points with 10 games remaining. BHL newcomer and league leader and Mawson linemate Ondrej Kozak could also make a push for that mark as well as he currently begins his BHL career with just 2 games under his belt yet has recorded 10 points.
To put reaching 100 points into perspective here is where the BHL's top dogs rank:
BHL Career Points Leaders:
R.Hopkinson, IH - 26 GP 100 PTS
V.Novikov, LC/TC - 26 GP 55 PTS
S.Mawson, LC - 14 GP 49 PTS
C.Green, TC - 26 GP 46 PTS
V. Cistrone, IH - 16 GP 46 PTS
D.Peters, TC/LC - 21 GP 41 PTS
I. Kitslitskiy, LC - 21 GP 41 PTS
M.Fuscic, TC/TD - 18 GP 39 PTS
R.Langford, TC - 27 GP 38 PTS
It is obvious that eventually others will join the 100 club but how many games will it take them to get thier shot of Jagermiester ?
Only time will tell ... for now ... Bottom's Up Ritchie :-)
