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***By-Tor*** · 03-25-2024, 01:48 PM

S76 Winnipeg Aurora Draft Recap

Winnipeg entered Friday's draft with no 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round picks. Having not picked in the first round in three of the past four seasons, Winnipeg management was very familiar with sitting back and watch the peasants fight it out on draft day. Keeping in mind that Winnipeg had 11 first round picks in the next three seasons - S77, S78, S79 - if nothing happened, there would be no worries. The "rebuild on the fly" is totally secure in it's footing, assuming those future picks pan out. The core is aging, there is no denying that. But the timeline of resurgence is well planned.

As the picks started rolling in, though, @Ace and @RashfordU decided to kick the tires of some picks to see if a deal could happen. Early in the second round, they pulled the trigger on a trade that sent a S77 Texas 1st to New Orleans for the 23rd overall pick in S76. With that pick projected to be in the 14 - 20 range of picks next year, sliding down to 23 was a no-brainer to pick up on of their top targets on draft day.

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23rd Overall - Vancouver Whalers - C - NoNo Jo - @AuggieO

Considered one of the steals of the draft, NoNo Jo is a max-earning offensively-minded forward poised to make some noise in the SMJHL next year. Promotion to the second line in S76 will mean a probable increase in their 17:16 of ATOI in S75. Despite the second lowest TOI on an underwhelming Vancouver team, NoNo Jo was able to post some amazing stats. Despite being 15th in TOI for Vancouver, NoNo Jo posted 40 points (6th), 23 goals (4th), 36 even strength points (6th), 155 shots (4th), 2 GWG (3rd), 39 blocks (5th among Fs), and 109 hits (7th). I only expect those numbers to improve over time. With Lily Jin Morrow being called up and talent around the team increasing, opportunity presents itself for a rapid progression.

Winnipeg was able to secure another piece of the new era in the second round, a steal. As NoNo Jo continues to earn, this pick will be highlighted as a smart move. 12 teams had the opportunity to draft Jo in the picks before #23, and the rest of them had every opportunity to trade up to snag this gem. Winnipeg was the ultimate winner, and I have no doubt that NoNo Jo will make them pay in the coming seasons.

Despite Beck now being an SHL senior citizen, he looks forward to playing alongside NoNo Jo in Winnipeg in S78 or S79.

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After offloading the first to pick up NoNo Jo, Winnipeg still has ten firsts in the next three drafts. If they can hit on most of those picks, watch out.

Aurora

Credit to enigmatic, Merica, and tweedledunn for sigs

***Jexter*** · 03-25-2024, 02:08 PM

Welcome to the Light Show! WPG cooked

***Ace*** · 03-26-2024, 12:34 PM

Welcome! Stoked to have you!

AuggieO · 03-27-2024, 10:20 AM

You’re great

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