The SHL draft is one of the most exciting times in hockey. The prospects look to start their SHL journey as they wonder where they will next call home. Today, we will take a look at the top picks in the S74 SHL entry draft, and how each of those players fits into their new team.

1. Calgary Dragons select C - Froya Solberg from the Quebec City Owls
S74 SMJHL Stats
G: 30 l A: 29 l P: 59 l +/-: 0 l FO%: 53.0% l HIT: 87 l

Player assessment: With the first pick in the SHL draft, Calgary selected center Froya Solberg. Solberg, one of the smaller players in this draft at 5'9 and 154 pounds, may not present much of a physical presence, but what they lack in size they certainly make up for in offensive skill and creativity. Solberg had that offensive skill on full display in their first SMJHL season, as they finished the season with a very solid 30 goals; not an easy feat to accomplish in a rookie season in the juniors. Solberg may have been drafted for their shot, but they also possess an ability to find the open skater as they showed with the 29 assists to go along with the goals. Solberg's offensive upside certainly makes them worthy of this first overall pick.

Team fit: Calgary had a challenging season, finishing with a record of 22-41-3. While not the worst team, Calgary had a tough time finding their footing and stringing together wins. The Dragons finished 4th worst in the SHL for both goals for and goals against, and they needed help on both sides of the ice coming into this draft. Calgary has a solid forward core at the moment, but they will certainly need more forward/center depth in future years as they look to compete. Solberg will definitely fit the bill for that, as Solberg provides a boost down the middle with their ability to score. Expect Solberg to be a future top line center for Calgary, with even some potential to move to the wing if Calgary decides that the shot would be better suited there.

2. Manhattan Rage select RW - Celeste Desjardins from the Quebec City Owls
S74 SMJHL Stats
G: 37 l A: 50 l P: 87 l +/-: 15 l HIT: 166 l

Player Assessment: The second player selected in the top two picks from Quebec, Celeste Desjardins - like Froya Solberg - is not the most intimidating presence on the ice at 5'9 and 173 pounds. Do not let that size fool you though, as Desjardins proved in their rookie SMJHL season that they can make their presence felt. On the offensive side, Desjardins tallied an incredible 87 points, with 37 of those being goals. On the defensive side, Desjardins registered 166 hits to show that they are not a one way player. This combination of scoring ability and physicality made Desjardins a desirable top prospect, and it looks like the Manhattan Rage got a good one here.

Team fit: Manhattan finished the season as the worst team in the SHL with a record of 10-55-1. As you would expect with a record like that, this team needs help all over. While Manhattan's offense was not the worst in the league (third fewest goals for), it was their defense that really struggled. The Rage allowed 442 goals this past season, 99 more than the next closest team. Desjardins certainly felt like the best player available for the Rage, and they should contribute as soon as they are called up in a few seasons. IN particular, the Rage will certainly enjoy having an offensive minded forward who can also get physical on the defensive side; which should ultimately lead to less goals going in.

3. Seattle Argonauts select LW - Will Tomlander from the Detroit Falcons
S74 SMJHL Stats
G: 20 l A: 22 l P: 42 l +/-: -1 l HIT: 148 l

Player Assessment: Will Tomlander is a player that, when compared to the top two picks, seems to be more of a raw talent. The intangibles are there; as Tomlander has the size at 6'3 that any SHL team would like in their forwards. Scouts expect Tomlander to put on some muscle upon joining his SHL team, as he currently sits at 185 pounds. Tomlander projects to be a physical forward, as evident by the 148 hits this season. Tomlander also had a solid rookie SMJHL season on the offensive side, tallying 42 points on 20 goals. The arrow is pointing up for the young forward, and it is almost certain that Tomlanders point totals will continue to go up as he progresses as a forward.

Team fit: It is odd to talk about Seattle like this given their dominance for multiple seasons, but this one was a rebuild year as Seattle finished with a record of 15-48-3, third worst in the SHL. As the vets moved out and young players moved in, Seattle did an alright job keeping the puck out of the net, finishing close to middle of the pack in that department. What they did struggle with was putting pucks in the net, as Seattle scored just 162 goals; second worst in the league. Tomlander was drafted by Seattle for that offensive upside previously discussed. Tomlander should continue to refine their offensive game in the SMJHL, and if all falls into place, we can expect Tomlander to be a future top line winger for Seattle.

4. Montreal Patriotes select LD - Peanut from the Great Falls Grizzlies
S74 SMJHL Stats
G: 2 l A: 14 l P: 16 l +/-: -20 l SB: 161 l HIT: 90 l

Player Assessment: The first defenseman selected in the draft, Peanut fits the bill of a player that can help keep pucks out of the net. Not known for their scoring ability, Peanut put their defensive ability on full display in this SMJHL season with an impressive 161 shot blocks to go along with 90 hits. On the offensive side, Peanut registered a respectable 14 assist to go along with a couple goals. It is pretty apparent that Peanut is a defensive defenseman, who still shows the potential to become more of a two-way defender with the right team around them. At 5'11 and 200 pounds, Peanut has the build to round out their game.

Team fit: Like Seattle, it is odd to be talking about Montreal at the top of the draft, given their recent success in the SHL. But, the team found themselves in a rebuild with this pick int he top 5. Montreal finished as the second worst team in the SHL with a record of 10-54-2. It was a rough season for Montreal, as they could not score (last in the league in goals) and had trouble stopping opposing offenses (third worst goals against). Montreal needs prospects from all positions, and it seems they identified Peanut as the best player available that can contribute to their future success. In the SHL, it is never a bad idea to take a defenseman to contribute to both ends of the ice. With Peanut, Montreal knows they are getting a sound defender. What will truly make Peanut great and Montreal happy will be if Peanut can develop their offensive game and become a force on both ends of the ice.

5. Tampa Bay Barracuda select C - Dag-Otto Björntjänst from the Carolina Kraken
S74 SMJHL Stats
G: 9 l A: 22 l P: 31 l +/-: -29 l FO%: 59% l HIT: 80 l

Player Assessment: Bjorntjanst is your do it all type of player, with solid playmaking ability from the center position. The 22 assists show their ability to find the open player and get the puck across the ice. Bjorntjanst stands at a solid 6'1, 196 pounds and has the ability to lay the body when needed. On top of that, Bjorntjanst had an impressive 59% faceoff percentage, something that any SHL team would like out of their center. This player looks to be a two-way center that is often desired at the SHL level, and it would not be a surprise to see Bjorntjanst content for two-way forward awards in the future.

Team fit: Tampa Bay has been in a bit of a rut as a franchise, and this past season they once again found themselves towards the bottom of the league with a record of 25-40-1. Tampa Bay is hoping that their upcoming group of prospects will change their luck, and Bjorntjanst will certainly be a part of that group. Tampa Bay could use help on both ends of the ice, and Bjorntjanst will almost certainly contribute to both scoring as well as defending. This is exactly the type of player that leads to future cup competition; as Tampa Bay will need depth forwards to conect. Expect Bjorntjanst to become an excellent player and addition to a young Barracuda squad.



While there are never any guarantees with drafted players, the top five picks are where SHL teams expect not only early contributions, but also potential all-star and franchise players. The players selected in Season 74 head to teams that are in need of high level contribution, and it looks like this group will be incredibly important to the future success of each team.

Jack McCarthy ll D ll Texas Renegades ll Team Ireland
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Jack McCarthy
Height: 6' 2
Weight: 212 lbs
Number: 10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHL Career Statistics
S75 TEX l GP: 66 l G: 7 l A: 33 l P: 40 l +/-: 28 l PIM: 32 l H:46 l SB: 182 l TA: 44
S74 TEX l GP: 66 l G: 6 l A: 23 l P: 29 l +/-: 21 l PIM: 22 l H: 60 l SB: 184 l TA: 46
S73 TEX l GP: 66 l G: 5 l A: 16 l P: 21 l +/-: 15 l PIM: 42 l H: 38 l SB: 134 l TA: 35
S72 TEX l GP: 66 l G: 3 l A: 17 l P: 20 l +/-: 0 l PIM: 43 l H: 54 l SB: 105 l TA: 36
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHL Playoff Statistics
S75 TEX l GP: 14 l G: 1 l A: 5 l P: 6 l +/-: 6 l PIM: 4 l H: 12 l SB: 51 l TA: 14
S74 TEX l GP: 13 l G: 0 l A: 7 l P: 7 l +/-: -1 l PIM: 4 l H: 13 l SB: 27 l TA: 4
S73 TEX l GP: 4 l G: 0 l A: 1 l P: 1 l +/-: -3 l PIM: 0 l H: 3 l SB: 19 l TA: 2
S72 TEX l GP: 7 l G: 0 l A: 1 l P: 1 l +/-: -4 l PIM: 2 l H: 2 l SB: 10 l TA: 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IIHF Career Statistics
S75 IRL l GP: 12 l G: 0 l A: 2 l P: 2 l +/-: 0 l PIM: 4 l H:5 l SB: 36 l TA: 10
S74 IRL l GP: 12 l G: 1 l A: 4 l P: 5 l +/-: -12 l PIM: 0 l H: 11 l SB: 32 l TA: 8
S73 IRL l GP: 12 l G: 0 l A: 4 l P: 4 l +/-: 7 l PIM: 4 l H: 11 l SB: 31 l TA: 3
S72 IRL l GP: 12 l G: 0 l A: 5 l P: 5 l +/-: 3 l PIM: 12 l H: 9 l SB: 22 l TA: 6
S71 IRL l GP: 12 l G: 0 l A: 2 l P: 2 l +/-: 4 l PIM: 6 l H: 10 l SB: 11 l TA: 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SMJHL Regular Season Statistics
S71 REG l GP: 66 l G: 11 l A: 34 l P: 45 l +/-: 1 l PIM: 22 l H: 113 l SB: 135 l TA: 49
S70 REG l GP: 66 l G: 6 l A: 22 l P: 28 l +/-: -3 l PIM: 29 l H: 83 l SB: 165 l TA: 47
S69 REG l GP: 66 l G: 9 l A: 16 l P: 25 l +/-: -35 l PIM: 32 l H: 93 l SB: 92 l TA: 54
S68 REG l GP: 22 l G: 0 l A: 8 l P: 8 l +/-: 8 l PIM: 4 l H: 34 l SB: 38 l TA: 14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SMJHL Playoff Statistics
S71 REG l GP: 11 l G: 1 l A: 5 l P: 6 l +/-: 1 l PIM: 2 l H: 12 l SB: 36 l TA: 8
S69 REG l GP: 6 l G: 0 l A: 1 l P: 1 l +/-: -3 l PIM: 0 l H: 26 l SB: 12 l TA: 9
S68 REG l GP: 11 l G: 1 l A: 1 l P: 2 l +/-:-2 l PIM: 2 l H: 18 l SB: 10 l TA: 8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transactions
SHL S69: Drafted by the Texas Renegades 15th overall
SMJHL S68: Signing rights traded from Yukon Malamutes to Regina Elk
SMJHL S68: Claimed off waivers by Yukon Malamutes
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awards & Achievements
S75 IIHF: Bronze medal with Team Ireland
S71 IIHF: Gold medal with Team Ireland
S69 WJC: Gold medal with Team USA
SMJHL S69: Voted Captain of the Regina Elk
SMJHL S68: Regina Elk Chris Chelios Jr. Award for Perseverance and Determination w/ Regina

Celeste plays good D? Why not when im on the ice???

Celly has played d the same amount of seconds as their draft spot lmao