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trella · 08-10-2017, 05:16 PM

The St. Louis Scarecrows have been a powerhouse team the past two years, winning the Laurifer Trophy the last two years. Despite the regular season success, the Scarecrows have fallen short in the postseason with a finals loss, and a semifinals loss. This year, a number of the best scarecrows from last year are leaving the team to play for their respective teams in the SHL. Losing players like Crossfit Jesus and Matthew Auston of course will hurt the team, but the front office has done a great job retooling to keep the rows competitive like the past two seasons. The Crows traded for Scotty Steele and Jack Hansen from the rebuilding Montreal Militia, which greatly helps their chances of winning a cup this year. With the new trade acquisitions and the strong group of players that remain for last year, the Scarecrows window has not yet closed. Today, I will be going over the s36 Scarecrows roster starting with

FORWARDS

Captain Louie Garrett: Playing more of a support role on the second line last season, Garrett had strong season in his first year of captaincy. With 13 goals and 14 assists, for a total of 27 points, Louie showed some promise that he could produce at a high level with more ice time. Along with his great scoring abilities, Garrett is a great two way player. Usually wingers are more scoring based, but Louie can truly do it all. I can see Louie Garrett making a run for the top defensive forward this year. Also measuring up at 6â€™2 210, Louie has decent size, and he can get in and make physical plays as well. Garrett is a fantastic leader, and he has definitely earned the captaincy for the second year in a row. Loved by his teammates and players around the league, Garrett is the type of player you have to respect as a guy and as a player. He will go out with a bang in his last SMJHL season, making Louie Garrett is definitely a player to keep your eyes on this season

Alternate Captain Tigole Bitties: Bitties, an SMJHL sophomore, went 4th overall in the SHL draft a few weeks ago, and there are many reasons why. Tigole Bitties is an absolute beast of a player already. Some may say he is already SHL ready. Last year, in his rookie season, Bittiesâ€™ numbers werenâ€™t the greatest, scoring 10 points. However, his work in the community, his will to train to get better, and his presence in the locker room was more than enough to warrant him a top 5 spot in the SHL draft. Thanks to his offseason training, Bitties can truly do it all. He can score, take faceoffs, play defense, and being 6â€™3, he can be physical too. Look for Bitties to have a strong showing this season, getting first line minutes compared to his third line minutes from last season.

Scotty Steele: Scotty Steele, the new trade acquisition from Montreal, will round out a strong first line. Scoring 37 points on a less strong Militia squad last season, and with Steele getting better over the offseason, Steele sould be a fine addition to the Scarecrows and will bring a strong presence on the ice. Another great defensive player, there will likely be very few goals scored when Steeleâ€™s line is on the ice. Steele is a better passer than he is a scorer, so expect him to be setting up Bitties and Garrett often, and for him to have a big number in the assists category. Steele is also a great skater, so expect him to make a lot of plays with his quickness and agility. I expect Steele to have a career season on the top line with two stars, maybe even getting into the running for league MVP.

Joonas Rasmussen: Joonas Rasmussen, one of the less known members of the Scarecrows, has been a solid player for them for a few seasons. Rasmussen is a great passer, getting 24 assists and 8 goals. Rasmussen is a powerful player, one of the strongest on the crows. Rasmussen is a great support player to the Crows main scorers. Rasmussen is one of the most loved Crows in the locker room, is always there to talk, or share some banter. Another guy respected around the league, he gives the Crows a great image, and will also be one of the sleeper players on the crows this season/

Finn Jakobsen: Another sophomore, Jakobsen is a similar player to Rasmussen. He is good defensively and a great passer. However, Jakobsen is a much better checker and will bring a more physical presence than any of the players listed above. Finn is one of the more underrated players of his draft class, going early/mid second round, and I believe in any other draft he is easily first round worthy. A great worker and a great teammate, Jakobsen will have a fine season, proving the SHL Gmâ€™s that he will be one of the best picks in the draft and have a great breakout year. I see this year as the year where his value significantly rises. He also has the clutch factor, as seen in last seasonâ€™s playoffs, scoring two clutch OT goals.

Joseph Lombardi: When Joe and Ryan were deciding the line combinations, they definitely chose the right man to round out the second line. A pure sniper, Lombardi will feel off of Rasmussen and Jakobsen all day long. With a disappointing rookie year only scoring 1 goal, I expect Lombardi to break out and for his goal totals to skyrocket, playing alongside two great passers as a primary shooter. Lombardi is the perfect player to give that second line the offensive power that it needs to succeed. Lombardi adds to a strong s36 class on the Crows, and he will likely be the top goal scorer of the future for St Louis. Expect Lombardi to be an under rated player this year, and for him to have a great under the radar season.

Fletcher Carric: Fletcher Carric is a great player at the SMJHL level. He is a beast when handling the puck. Carric is also extremely quick and strong, and a combination of these three attributes makes him hard to handle for defensemen. You will often see him take a defender on, get buy him, then sauce his teammate a great pass for a goal. Unfortunately, Carric has not been training, and his career may be over after this season, because he most likely will not get called up to the powerhouse North Stars.

Riley Jako: Jako has not been around much lately, and therefor he has not grown much as a player. However, he is still a serviceable bottom six player in the SMJHL. A solid two way forward, Jako can play good defense, while chipping in a few goals here and there. We hope to see a return from Jako in the future.

Teddy Cuddles: Teddy Cuddles will be entering his first full season this year, playing on the third line. A power forward, Teddy is a physical presence on the ice but his scoring is also one of the best things about him. He is also very quick for a man of his size, so with a good passer in Carric on his line, Cuddles should be able to make space from himself and feed off of Carric, resulting in a solid sophomore season for the third liner. Donâ€™t expect him to get too many assists however, he is not the greatest passer, and without an elite scoring threat on his line, assists will be unlikely. Although Teddy is not yet a star, he should have a breakout season with more ice time and playing on the second powerplay unit, where he is the main scorer.

Sam McGrizzley: Sam McGrizzley is the newest member of the Scarecrows, just signed yesterday, and he will be centering the fourth line. McGrizzley is obviously a little behind the rest of hes class, joining after the draft, but he has already started training with the team. McGrizzley is a great scorer, but has a good defensive game for a sniper. He should be able to develop quickly not being under pressure to be a star. McGrizzley should be able to pot in a couple goals and points from the fourth line, while filling in an empty center spot. This was a great signing by management to increase the depth for the team.

Sinn Nolan: A free agent signing during last yearâ€™s season, Nolan is the main physical presence on the Scarecrows. Think of him as a Shawn Thornton type player. Can not do much offensively, but will throw around his body, drop the gloves, and get under his opponentâ€™s skin. Unfortunately, Nolan has not been training so he has not been getting better, but we would all love to see him return and further develop as a physical force on the ice.

Logan Jensen: A rookie this season, Logan will be rounding out the forward core and the fourth line. Another scorer on the fourth line. If he continues to develop he will be in the argument to move up to the third line or get power play time. There is little pressure for him on the fourth line, so he will be able to have a quiet but strong season and develop under the radar before he is drafted into the SHL.

DEFENSEMEN

Chuck Goody Jr: The workhorse of the team last season, Goody returns to the Crows and slots in on the top D pairing once again. A great shut down defensive defenseman with elite skating abilities, Goody had an unexpectedly good offensive season last year, scoring 25 points with 20 assists. Goody has the very valuable ability to log a lot of ice time, and he will be the main defensemn in all defensive situations. A great, reliable player, who may be in the discussion for defenseman of the year at the end of the season.

Jack Hansen: The second player who was traded over from Montreal, Hansen is a superb defenseman who will be rounding out the first D pairing. Hansen is a better two way defender than Goody, and he should boost the offense of everyone on the team. Scoring 37 points on a weaker Militia team from the back end brings Hansen some great promise as the defenseman to lead the Scarecrows offensively from the back end. With 75 hits last season, Hansen is not afraid to throw the body and will bring a physical aspect to the Crowsâ€™ D

Alternate Captain Roman Augustus: Roman Augustus, a SMJHL sophomore will be taking a leadership role after a solid rookie season in the league. Drafted late in the SMJHL draft, Augustus proved the whole league wrong and was one of the best players in the draft class, being drafted 10th overall by the Calgary Dragons. Augustus scored 21 points last season with limited ice time, playing on the third pairing for most of the year. A great two way player, you can count on Augustus to make a great defensive play, then break the puck out and get up the ice. Augustus was a great choice for an alternate captain for the Crows. Ever since coming into the league he has been a leader and one of the most respected guys out there. He is always willing to help others and should be a great player to look up to for newer players.

Seth Paige: Another sophomore, Paige had a great but quiet rookie season for the Crows. A physical defensive defenseman, he is a great fit to play alongside Augustus. He covers up for the lack of physicality in Augustus and will always be there to make a great defensive play. However, Paige is decent offensively as well, scoring 16 points with limited ice time. Paige should have a great year, while being one of the most underrated players in the league this season. Expect Paige to be high on the league list in shot blocks.

Cameron Dubios: An offensive defenseman, Cameron Dubios led all Scarecrows defensemen in points last season. Another underrated defensemen, Dubios will bring the most offensive ability the the Crow's defense. With 28 points last season, Dubios should have another strong offensive season. Being a great passer, Dubios will be dishing out assists left and right. Also a great skater, he will be able to jump into the play offensively and make plays up the ice. Do not expect him to score goals however, as scoring is his weakness.

Hermanis Villy: Hermanis Villy is an absolute monster physically. Being the best checker on the team, he will absolutely clobber his opponents. A great compliment to the offense of Dubios, the two gel together well with their playing styles. Unfortunately, Villy does not train that much, but he is still serviceable and is great defensively as well.

GOALIES

Johnny Yuma: Yuma who is a rookie, and being a started right out the gate will undoubtably will be tough, but behind a great defense, Yuma should have a fine season. He has great size and reaction speed, making his very promising for the future.

Dominik Tretiak: Tretiak, a player who does not train often, has been a career backup for the crows. Filling the roll very well last season, we expect much of the same from him this season. If Yuma struggles a lot he may even be viable as a starter.

That is the Crowsâ€™ roster for s36! Cheers for a great season in St Louis! Scarecrows