At the Beginning of last season, the Colorado Raptors were expected to finish at the bottom of the SMJHL. They shocked everyone with their performance and are now favourites to win it all this season. They've been able to improve so quickly because of some very good strengths. First, their locker room atmosphere is extremely inducive to success. Anyone who enters the locker room gains a pep in their step because of all the positivity and good-natured fun! Everyone on the team is friends with everyone. Nobody takes a night off on the ice with the Raptors because no one wants to let their teammates down. Another strength is our actual playing skill. We've got the most top-end players in the entire league after having very few in the past seasons. We're going to take this new-found player strength and use it to destroy the rest of the SMJHL. Finally, our last strength is the quality management Colorado currently has behind it. We've already made a move to bring in 2 more top-end players and our GM is excited to become the most-hated GM in the SMJHL with all the cunning moves he makes. With the combination of these three strengths, it's easy to see why the Raptors barely have any weaknesses. the SMJHL needs to watch out for the Raptors this season!
Three things that are positive about the season 43 Deteiot Falcons. Where to start, you could have asked for ten things and I still,wouldnt be able to think of three, but here we go anyway.....
A.) The locker room.
The Detroit locker room is, in my opinion, the best place to be in the entire SMJHL/ SHL. The banter, the friendships that have blossomed, they are great. The thing that stands out the most for me is Matt Paligma. He is such a team guy that he says late after each practice to spitshine jock straps and he will prepare snacks if you ask him to. Did I mention that his trumpeting is like listening to an angel sing? I didn't? Well I meant to. So now I guess I did. Love the trumpet. Love the paligma. MVP in our hearts.
2.) The new management.
Nothing against the old management, but this new group? Aces....not that its really a new group. Just Benjamin Waters is now the GM and JSS Lagerfield is the co-GM. They work so well together. There is nothing more welcoming than walking into the locker room and the first thing you hear is Jss lovingly telling waters to go fuck himself. Or waters telling jss how inept he is. Good times. Love it. Everyday feels like thanks giving in the detriot lr. Except everyone is the drunk uncle.
C.) The new rookies
Love em. Thier great. Little TPE whores gobbling up all the juicy points the off season has available. Wipe off your chin Stammer, leave some for the rest of tge litter. Fuck these guys. They are going to pass me before the season is over probably. Damnit, I'm supposed to stay positive. Well fuck you. You stay positive with crippling depression and social anxiety, you judgemental prick. Sorry I didnt mean that.
Our absolute biggest strength is that we're a young team and we are growing together consistently. We are in second place for the most total TPE in SMJHL, and we have a fantastic mix of recreates and, new generation players. We are strong on defense, and strong on the puck, there is no single "star" of the team, we all shine when we need too, and are all capable of stepping up when needed. If we keep up with this trend, I think we will be able to over take the Whalers when it comes to total TPE, and with that, we will be set up with the best opportunity to take home that Four Star Cup, and hell if we do it once. I think we can even keep up the momentum and, do it again next season. But, im sure every team agrees they have what it takes to bring it all home season after season. So we'll see if the training and dedication will be enough for us.
When one thinks of the upcoming season for the Halifax Raiders, one can only feel optimistic. The rookie stuffed team that just missed the playoffs last season is now full of veteran presence which includes the number one and two picks of the most resent SHL draft. Eleven of the now-seasoned Raiders were taken in the first three rounds of that draft, four in the first round alone. This incredibly active and ambitious class of skaters have improved tremendously since making their debut in the SMJHL. In addition to a strong class of skaters returning, Halifax also had the first overall pick of this most recent SMJHL draft and used it to draft Rainbow Dash. Dash is joined by fellow first round pick Ray Bork and ninth overall pick Michael Choybuk. The Raiders enjoy a large amount of young players that have seen substantive ice time and new depth in each position. The competition for lineup positions should bring the very best out of an already competitive squad. Expect this young squad to improve upon their last season and quite possibly a deep playoff run.
09-04-2018, 05:11 PM(This post was last modified: 09-06-2018, 06:22 PM by RomanesEuntDomus.)
The Colorado Raptors and their strengths... Really, they have strengths!
1. Surging Sophomores
Last season Colorado surprised quite a few people by finishing 3rd in the regular season and comfortably making it into the playoffs in what many had considered a rebuilding season. The team had traded away multiple veteran players for draft picks at the start of the season, and the young rookies that those draft picks were used on weren't expected to do much damage. And while many of the youngsters instantly exceeded expectations, it was clear that the team wasn't built for last season. It was built for this season and possibly next. Now all those rookies have grown into seasoned sophomores, many of them with the maximum amount of training hours possible and a great retention rate for last years draft class in general. Now the Raptors cup window is expected to really open up and the team has to prove that they can't just surprise people as the underdog, but also not falter when taking on the role of the favorites.
2. Young Leadership
Many teams are carried and led by their seasoned veterans. Having lots of people in their second or third send-down season can pay big dividends, as can having proven recreates who know how to build a player and who are unlikely to go inactive. But Colorado is a team who doesn't just rely on that but has developed organic young leadership from within as well, showcased by some of last seasons best first-generation rookies such as Andrew Martin and Alex Winters who have instantly turned into fan-favorites and who are expected to wear a letter this season. On top of that, Colorado will go into the season with a rookie-GM duo who is bringing some experience from other sports organisations, but is taking on its first management role in the SHL/SMJHL. Having both veteran leaders and young guns who are always ready to mix it up could be the perfect mixture for a deep run.
3. Proving Them Wrong
While players such as Alex Winters and Andrew Martin jumped quite a bit in the rankings prior to the draft and ended up being drafted in the first round or early second, many other Raptors saw the opposite happen to them. Philipp Winter was considered a Top-3 pick and dropped to #7, Ignatius Blunt was among the top-TPE earners in the class and didn't even make it into the first round, Sulak O'Hritea, already frustrated with his low SMJHL-draft position dropped to #24 again and, maybe most criminal of all, one of the best rookies in Gvidas Kazlauskas ended up falling all the way to the 4th round. All these players weren't happy with their draft position and all of them have something to prove now. The four were already among the top of their class in training hours but expect them to work even harder now in their effort to prove GMs wrong and make them regret not picking them earlier! Colorado will sure be happy to see that kind of drive and anger carry over to the ice!
So looking back at last season, the young Halifax Raiders team that just missed out on the playoffs, it was clear that the the team was lacking experience. Many whom say that because of that lack of experience was the only reason they missed out on the dance. Well the calendar has turned to a new year and a new team that is losing only one player due to a call up. That player being capped veteran Geezus Kryyst. Whats one way to fill that giant hole? Veteran Goaltender Kata Vilde. Vilde who recently won a Four Star Cup with Kelowna this past year, looks to help win the cup in back to back years with multiple teams.
Looking at the rest of the team, the young team has had a full off season to get bigger, faster, and stronger. With the young Raiders having a full year under their belt they intend to use the knowledge thy have gained to win more games, make it into the playoffs, and ultimately winning the Four Star Cup. With as much talent as the Raiders have and a full off season to get better, its going to be hard to imagine a championship without the Halifax group playing for it.
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DRAFTED 30TH OA S43
S42 WJC GOLD MEDAL
JESTER AWARD FINALIST S45
S45 ALL ROOKIE TEAM
S50 IIHF GOLD MEDAL
S52 CHALLENGE CUP CHAMPION
thedangazone Rookie Mentor Committee
S40 & S42 Challenge Cup Champion
Coming off of a Challenge Cup win in Season 42 the Dragon's look to get even stronger headed into Season 43. Veteran leadership alone is off the charts with Esa Anrikkanen alone. But we also bring back veteran leaders in Alex Mack, Randy Randleman, and Mikko Linna as well as the entire leadership group of captains in Kurczewski, Augustus, and Izzy. Speaking of Augustus I also switched from Defense to Forward going from a position of strength and helping out an area that needed some extra help. By switching to forward the top 6 of the dragons is once again off the charts strong and with the addition of Shirobokov on the blue line we never miss a beat on the defensive side of the game. Another good addition is the help of prospects from this draft in Crush Cile and Nicky Pedersen Jr to go along with young Shooter McGavin who will help provide help for the team for a long while to come.
09-04-2018, 06:01 PM(This post was last modified: 09-04-2018, 06:02 PM by Beaty.
Edit Reason: Word Count
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Vancouver Whalers Three Strengths
Veteran Presence
The first strength that I feel the Whalers have is the veteran presence the team has. Rookies are welcomed with open arms and are guided by some of the most experienced players in the league. This turns into a cycle, as next season the rookies will have the opportunity to show what they learned and help out the next crop of rookies.
Forward Depth
It is no secret that the Whalers have some dangerous star power up front, but what often gets overlooked is the depth that they have. They have lots of players that can play up and down the lineup when needed which will prove to be key come playoffs time.
Mix of Youth and Experience
The last point I will talk about is the mix of youth and experience the Whalers will have this season. There are a number of 2nd year players who will have increased roles, as well as opportunities for rookies to earn some trust as well as some playing time.
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Troy_McClure03 Registered
Raptors Captain and Czech Janitor
The Winnipeg jets are in a prime position to win the cup this year. We have new talent, the same veteran players, and new leadership in the role of GM (and a killer hot tub idea)
Called up from the Colorado Raptors after carrying the team, rookie Troy McClure III looks to build on his career highs in the jr. league. He has been training non stop and has become more defensively aware while picking up speed and puck handling. If he can keep his PIMS down, look to him to be a powerhouse and continue his assist giving ways in a new league. Not to focus just on Troy, however, the same veteran players are returning to the Jets locker room but one. Some have regressed slightly, but the core is still strong and is expected to be tough to beat. Lastly, lets not forget that this year will be Flappy's first year as GM. He is expected to be a stable force in this already rock solid franchise, a hometown boy who will retool when needed but build a winner. He also stole a very good Hot Tub idea from the Colorado Raptors Locker Room Think Tank Division.
Colorado Raptors Capitan S42-Until Forever! Czechia Wants you! Ask about a transfer!!
As it sits right now, things are looking up in Montreal. We have some solid depth moving forward, however, there are some concerns throughout the lineup.
Before those worries, let us take a look at where the Militia are set. Left wing. Montreal currently has 5 left wingers who either were drafted this year, or were with the team last year. All of them are eligible to play on the Militia, and pending any surprise call-ups, they have astounding depth on the wing. Two of our LW's are at the SMJHL cap, while two others are rapidly approaching it and should reach it before the start of the season. Other than that we have our one rookie LW, Willy Mack, making it so that even if we lose one of our players to call-ups, we still can fill out all of our lines.
The Militia also have little to worry about on defence, boasting 8 defenders on their roster. This includes two capped players, two rookie defenders, two around the 250 mark, and another two sitting around 200 TPE. Goaltending is also set when it comes to the starters position, with Petr Vrana nearing the cap. The only concern for the Militia is a back up goaltender, though they do not need to play a large amount of games so a weakness there is not a killer.
Another strength is centre depth. Down the middle the Militia have 5 centremen, boasting two capped players and one who is nearing 300 TPE. This leaves one spot for either their rookie C, or a C who has around 200 TPE. Both are solid options and are a testament to the strength in depth that the Militia has.
The Militia's weakness comes in the form of their right wingers. On the right wing they have 3 players, though 2 of them are capped. That lack of players means they will have to pull from their pool of left wingers to fill in any gaps they have. I can only assume they will play with one of their capped players on the off wing, but time can only tell.
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karlssens Registered
S28, S45, S49 Challenge Cup Champion
Posts:3,919 Threads: 182 Joined: May 2015 Reputation:73
Discord: karl#3942
Pronouns: He/Him
Player: Oskar Scholz
The three biggest strengths for the Edmonton Blizzard going in to S43 are depth, management personnel and lastly off season additions. Depth wise Edmonton possesses one of the strongest top 9 in the SHL and are able to throw three solid forwards lines at any team. Defensively the depth follows as they possess 5 skaters all over 1000 TPE, the last piece being a promising young rookie eager to make his debut. When referring to management personnel this goes beyond just the GM and co-GM levels, but all the way down to the coaches and scouts. The Blizzard GM's enjoy discussing strategy, line combinations and potential moves with all their players and in doing so can draw upon a wealth of experience. Lastly there is no denying the addition of high-end forward Geronimo Otto to an already strong top line of Tigole Bitties and Cory Knouse improves this club. Going back to the previously mentioned comment about depth, this gives Edmonton a deadly top line, followed by an equally lethal second.
The West Kendall Platoon are coming into the season looking much the same as they did last season. The key that may be on there side is that in general a year of extra seasoning may help them. There are a few players on the team who are benefiting from another year. There are also many who are not, however I don't think anyone will drop off a cliff this year. Another aspect that will help West Kendall going into the season is their stable management. As always JR will be at the helm with a stable member, in Bojo, in the nets and helping out. These are two of the aspects that helped the team win two seasons ago. The third thing that will help the team is getting over the cup hangover that plagued the team last year. They were not playing the best that they could, the hunger was gone after finally achieving the goal. Maybe this season they will look back a realize the effort level it takes to win, and they will be hungry to get to the promise land again.
Player Page --- Update Page Picture credit to Allen, Jenny, enigmatic, Wasty, ckroyal92, 701, and EJ
300+ Career Goals, 750+ Career Points
5th All-Time Goals Scored for WKP,8th All-Time Goals Scored for SEA/TBB
3rd All-Time in Playoff Points
17th All-Time in Goals 6 Consecutive 50+ Point Seasons, 7 Total
Quote:"idc if ur naked if ur holding that cup" -Jenny
1.Forward depth. The Steelhawks have almost 8 forwards that are over 1000 tpe. They are a very deep forward line-up and could match any line with any other line in the league. This will give them an option for future success as they don't have to rely on one line to carry the load offensively or defensively
2.Defensive Depth: They have 4 defenceman that are over 1300 tp. Those four guys could potential play 90% of the game and give you effective minutes defensively and moving the puck out of the zone. Not only are they great defensively that same unit last season had 146 points total. They can provide offence from the backend when ask to and is going to be great for some depth scoring. They have 12 players that could all potentially get over 30 points.
3.Elite Talent. This team isn't just a deep team that have a lot of hghly talented players like Kruger,abes,Phelps,odjick,Konig,Dover,Westbrook,Owens. These guys have game breaking ability and
honestly makes this team even scarer to play against on a nightly basis as these guys can carry the load offensively right now and they have a great supporting cast behind them for a strong depth.
09-05-2018, 01:59 AM(This post was last modified: 09-05-2018, 02:00 AM by Leoben.)
Montreal will be looking to build off another solid draft class heading into the 43rd season. A lot of the rookies that came in during Season 42 are a lot more skilled and a lot more experienced. I do not expect the Militia to be limping to the playoffs in the sixth seed this season. Below are a few of the key factors that will help set Montreal apart this season.
Elder Statesmen - While there have been a few call-ups recently, Montreal remains a strong team. Two key pieces to their success this year will be Winger Rafe Ulrich and Charlie Schieck. Heading into their third and probably final Junior season, expect big things from these guys. If the Militia are to have any shot at the Four Star Cup this season, these two will be a huge factor.
The Sophomores – Season 42 had one of the largest Junior drafts in history. Montreal struck big on a lot of their picks. This group is very dedicated and are helping each other improve daily. Brogen, Hudson, Pivonka, Kazarian, Raanteli, Vrana, and others are entering their second season. Ulrich and Schieck will be leaning heavily on these guys to get the job done. It will be interesting to see how the new batch of rookies mesh with this group but all signs are positive right now.
Leadership – While there was a GM change during the offseason, the presence of Keygan and Er is still felt all over this team. Their hard work and dedication over the past few seasons cannot be understated. If Montreal wins a Cup this season, part of the reason will be because those guys set us up for success. Not taking anything away from our new leadership who I am very excited to play for. But they inherited a solid group in Montreal.
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