19. (S35) G (Winnipeg Jets) - Artom Zhumbayev || Even
Grade: 86.20
Past Seasons: S41-100, S42-19

At 19 is Jets goaltender Artom Zhumbayev, sticking right where he was last season with another solid season. Zhumbayev went 21-19-4 in S42, with a .903 save percentage and 2.89 goals against average, and is holding his own each and every game behind a Jets team that could potentially be a perennial contender. At this point, all he really needs to do is be solid and consistent and he could be winning multiple Challenge Cups in the near future.

18. (S36) RW (Edmonton Blizzard) - Tigole Bitties || +45
Grade: 86.50
Past Seasons: S41-66, S42-63

At 18 is Blizzard winger Tigole Bitties, moving up to the top-20 for the first time ever after being unable to crack the top-50 for so long. Bitties scored 29 goals and 58 points in S42, which was even better than the season he had in S41 where he scored 50 points, and in the process improved on his defensive game as well. He still has room to grow, too, which means there is no telling what kind of skills he could improve upon before regression finally hits, and by that time it may be too late for the rest of the league.

17. (S36) LW (New England Wolfpack) - Oisin Fletcher || +78
Grade: 86.60
Past Seasons: S40-86, S41-96, S42-95

Oisin Fletcher comes in at 17, taking the biggest jump in the rankings after one of the biggest jumps in production. Fletcher went from 17 goals and 38 points in S41 to 29 goals and 64 points the very next season, going from -23 to +24 in the process and even doubling up on hits from 40 to 89. Fletcher had a season for the ages, and arguably had the best up and coming seasons we have ever seen from a player. Could he continue this streak and be a dominant force for seasons to come?

16. (S35) RW (Seattle Riot) - Louie Garrett || +16
Grade: 86.60
Past Seasons: S40-48, S41-42, S42-32

At 16 is Riot winger Louie Garrett, moving up into the top-20 with his 30 goals and 53 points. Not quite at the same level as the previous season where he scored 31 and 56, but with two straight 30 goal, 50 point seasons in the books, he is starting to show consistency and ability to bring his A game on a nightly basis. His physical game has also improved, although not to the degree anyone would call him either a two-way winger or power forward.

15. (S31) C (Edmonton Blizzard) - Geronimo Otto || +15
Grade: 86.90
Past Seasons: S36-90, S38-69, S39-36, S40-8, S41-6, S42-30

At 15 is Geronimo Otto of the Blizzard, with continued success despite the previous drop out of the top-10. Otto is still at it, scoring 21 goals and 55 points in S42, his fifth 50+ point season in a row. Now if he could get out of the minus category again he may be an all-world player that the SHL has rarely seen.

14. (S27) LW (Los Angeles Panthers) - Maximilian Wächter || +1
Grade: 87.70
Past Seasons: S32-98, S33-79, S34-56, S35-22, S36-13, S37-16, S38-39, S39-47, S40-55, S41-35, S42-15

At 14 is Maximilian Wächter, getting oh so close to the elusive top-10 spot after another incredible season. While it wasn't up to the same level as S41, he still scored 22 goals and 54 points, and did it despite the lack of a physical game and his shot totals dropping like a rock.

13. (S34) RW (West Kendall Platoon) - Dani Forsberg || +25
Grade: 88
Past Seasons: S41-51, S42-38

At 13 is Platoon Winger Dani Forsberg, moving up just shy of the top-10 but not too far out with the way he has been playing. Forsberg scored 21 goals and 54 points, just shy of his career high of 55 points the previous year. Another model of consistency, and a solid physical resume to boot. Add in the playoff pedigree and you have one of the most clutch players in the league.

12. (S32) LW (Edmonton Blizzard) - Cory Knouse || +5
Grade: 88.30
Past Seasons: S37-100, S38-96, S39-70, S40-34, S41-12, S42-17

Cory Knouse comes in at 12, a player with some ups and downs recently, but the ups have been so high that he is getting national recognition. Knouse scored 24 goals and 55 points in S42, with a plus minus of +29 and even some blocked shots along the way. His physical game has appeared to drop off considerably, so it isn't entirely known if he will be able to stick around the list much longer.

11. (S30) D (Hamilton Steelhawks) - Ben Dover || -3
Grade: 88.70
Past Seasons: S33-88, S34-34, S35-62, S36-29, S37-30, S38-5, S39-6, S40-15, S41-15, S42-8

At 11 is Ben Dover of the Steelhawks, dropping just outside of the top-10 after his top-10 finish last season. Dover continued to produce at an elite level, however, scoring 17 goals and 44 points in S42. His hits continued to be solid, however he was not getting in front of as many shots last season, blocking only 47. Was it because the team was much better offensively or because Dover doesn't feel the need anymore?