The Colorado Raptors had an exciting S58 SMJHL entry draft, moving up the draft order, acquiring a mix of new users, proven veteran users and less known players with potential high upside.

Entering into the draft, the Colorado Raptors were not in bad shape, but as the junior cycle goes, so does rosters holes needing to be adressed. After season 75 ended, the raptors lost Juni Panda, a 20+ goal scorer right wing, Anrijs Asts a powerplay general at the blue line, Jarmo Kekalainen, a point per game left wing and Jed Mosley, another blueline offensive talent.  Those 4 players played ammassed their fair share of points and as such the Raptors had to hit strong if they were to keep their cup aspirations.

The Raptors were supposed to talk first at the 7th rank of the draft, however during the season they acquired Nevada Battleborn's first rounder which became 3rd overall selection and on trade day itself acquired the 2nd overall pick from the Carolina Kraken. While acquiring 1st rounders is a good thing, in the SMJHL draft you can't afford to wasste such picks on overvalued talents or bad attitude players.

The Raptors used their 2nd pick on Russian Left Wing Fedor Sotakov. While not a risky pick,  it was defitly welcomed with some degree of surprise.  The reason why is that Sotakov is a new user on the site, has a smaller bank account than other draft counterparts but already leads his team's points column.  Sotakov moved from Russia to Colorado and already speaks more American than anyone on the team, as heard on his podcast. SHL GM's will follow his promising career with great attention.

On the next pick, 3rd overall, the Raptors went with a safe pick promising extreme value, with KEKW Kekkonen another promising forward. KEKW was leading his counterparts in terms of TPE and having a bank account full enough to cover all his future expenses. As an established GM in the SHL, Raptors made sure to acquire an active player, a veteran's voice in the locker room and also promises of a high scoring player for seasons to come.

With their 7th overall selection, Colorado went with Defenseman Angus McFife XVIII. A user who based on previous SHL stints tends to go inactive after 7-8 seasons, which is not a problem for a SMJHL stint. He also has good bank account. Boring pick overall, on to the next.

In the 2nd round, the Raptors drafted Reidar Gronkjaer, a scoring center. Copenhaguen is also a veteran user with winning experience having won S29 and S32 challenge cups. He is also a recreate who came back from inactivity with a decent bank account of over 20 millions. At this point, raptors drafted 3 promising forwards. A sure value again as Reidar gained all of the possible TPEs so far in his career.

In the 3rd round, the Colorado team went with another scoring winger, Niall Nails. @cally is a new user and this is the second new user the Dinocrew drafted.  Niall Nails has been active during draft day getting to meet his new teamates, however got a little bit shy recently. The team expects Nails to be a good project, developing into his role as the season goes.

We have to wait until round 5 for the next pick but it was worth the wait. Jack Nishimori was drafted, the team's management surprised he was still available at this rank. The Raptors again loaded on a left wing, this time with a playmaking style.  User qWest is new on the site but has had previous experience in other simulated leagues.  Despite starting with an empty bank account, qWest has been earning almost all the TPEs available so far and was also amongst the best on draft day.  This addition to the forward core should allow the team's management to rely on a solid attack during the next seasons.

The draft ended on this selection. With 3 new users and 3 recreates, the team generally went with a safe approach in regards to the expected activity from their players, but combined this safety with potential huge returns in max earners. Most of these picks should be playing at their full potential and peak around the same time, which is a good recipe for cup runs.  The positive lorcker room climate should also have a dynamo effect on players bring their A-game every night.

TL:DR 10/10 draft, would pick the same players.

Approved! +5 TPE @micool132

Angus McFife XVIII RD  7th overall pick by Colorado Raptors
S59 17th OA Pick by Atlanta Inferno
Height: 6''4
Weight:222 lb
Number:23
Nationality : Great Britain
------------------------------------------------------------
SMJHL Career
  S|GP||G||A||P||HIT||PM
S58|0||0||0||0||0||0
TBD
  S|GP||G||A||P||HIT||PM
S40|0||0||0||0||0||0
S0|0||0||0||0||0||0
--S59 WJC Bronze--



Character Page RD- Quarterback


Retired players:
-Toki Wartooth
-Nathan Explosion btw
-Angus McFife XVIII

wow @micool132 get in here, how you gonna let this guy trash your player?

wow @micool132 get in here, how you gonna let this guy trash your player?

mfw face when

Angus McFife XVIII RD  7th overall pick by Colorado Raptors
S59 17th OA Pick by Atlanta Inferno
Height: 6''4
Weight:222 lb
Number:23
Nationality : Great Britain
------------------------------------------------------------
SMJHL Career
  S|GP||G||A||P||HIT||PM
S58|0||0||0||0||0||0
TBD
  S|GP||G||A||P||HIT||PM
S40|0||0||0||0||0||0
S0|0||0||0||0||0||0
--S59 WJC Bronze--



Character Page RD- Quarterback


Retired players:
-Toki Wartooth
-Nathan Explosion btw
-Angus McFife XVIII