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Randominoe · 02-17-2019, 04:21 PM

(2100 words x2 draft double media bonus)

There are only 8 games left in the Prospect Showcase tournament run by ArGarBarGar before the playoffs begin and many exciting storylines have developed throughout the tournament. From a truly inspirational bromance on the blueline to a Norwegian playmaking powerhouse leading the way.

I'm Mob Bckenzie and welcome to TSN(The SHL Network)'s draft insider where today we will be discussing the top 5 prospect performances at each position so far in the tournament. Keep in mind that many highly projected prospects did not make the trip to Lethbridge this week including Seemu Telanne, Patrick Muller, and Akashi SixNine. However, for those who did, let's analyze their impacts on the tournament so far and how they stand up against players in their draft class.

Wingers:

1. Jaguar Johnson - Stingrays
With the big names at forward missing the tournament, it provided all of the rookies on the wing with an opportunity to seize in front of the SMJHL scouts. Jaguar did not disappoint, in the first 16 games, he has netted 15 goals and 11 assists, which has him ranked first for goals and second for points in the tournament. He is also playing a strong defensive game, maintaining a +10 plus/minus and throwing some monster hits here and there. He has proven to be an effective goal scorer whether on the power-play or at even strength so he could go early to a team in need of a scoring touch.

2. Jules L'Eclair - Blazers
The Blazers are the blazing-hot team heading into the final stretch(see what I did there), and it's in big part to this man right here. Jules is playing a much more versatile offensive role, with a bit of playmaking here and a smidge of sniping there. He ranks top 5 in goals, assists, and points in the tournament and is also tied for the lead in plus/minus at +12 which proves he knows how to get back and defend. Any team that is looking for an all-around offensive threat should take a serious look at Jules during the rest of the tournament.

3. Kobe Krisp - Vipers
The Vipers have had a complete turnaround in performance in the last 8 games compared to their first 8. The top line which Krisp headlines has been producing at a 2 goal per game rate and the rest of the team has followed suit. Krisp is top 10 in goals, assists, and points and has helped the Viper's top line to present itself as a powerhouse in this tournament. Krisp does it all and I could see a team in search of a versatile forward picking him up early in the draft.

4. Cullen Gray - Wranglers
Cullen doesn't explode off the page as an offensive standout but he is over a point per game on a Wrangler side that has struggled thus far in the tournament. In order for the Wranglers to turn things around and contend for the championship, everyone will be looking to Gray to lead the way. If he can do so, his draft stock will quickly rise as teams are constantly on the lookout for the intangibles of a future SHL player, and bringing the Wranglers a championship would do just that for Gray.

5. Gunnar Soderberg - Blazers
Another elite two-way threat playing for the Blazers, that would explain their success so far in this tournament. Gunnar is top ten in goals, assists, and points so far in the tournament and leads the way in plus-minus with his teammate Eclair at +12. With these two on the same team, there's no question that by the end of today the Blazers will be in a position to win the championship and send Gunnar's draft stock soaring.

Centres:

1. Espen Knutsen Jr. - Vipers
Unlike at the wing position, there are no standout absentees from the tournament that play centre. That provided an even playing field for the many centre-ice men in attendance to show their faceoff, defensive and offensive skills to the team representatives in attendance. Espen began the tournament slowly while he learned the strengths of his linemates but in the past 8 games Knutsen Jr.(Son of CBJ legend Espen Knutsen) has exploded up the points leaderboards and claimed his place as the top playmaking centre in the draft. With 8 goals and 20 assists in just 16 games, that leaves him just under 2 points per game, and he is solid in the faceoff circle as well with a 54.25% success rate. I would be surprised if this young man escapes the first round in this upcoming draft as you can never have enough elite centres in the pipeline.

2. Marc Hagan - Blazers
Hagan is lined up in between two other top offensive prospects in Eclair and Banananák and that has allowed his playmaking abilities to shine in the first 16 games of the tournament. He headlines the second tier of centres that are producing at an above PPG pace but seeing Espen extend his lead every game. He is currently ranked top 10 in assists and boasts a +9 in plus/minus which proves he focuses on his two-way play more than gripping and ripping it. Hagan would be a solid pickup for any team in need of top-6 potential playmaking skills at the faceoff dot.

3. Isaiah Reece - Wranglers
On a struggling Wranglers side there are very few bright spots at the moment, but alongside Cullen Gray, Isaiah has provided hope to the scouts that there may be a diamond in the rough. He is producing at an above a PPG pace with 8 goals and 9 assists in 16 games and is the Wranglers go-to face-off man in dire situations. Look out for Reece to be a steal in this upcoming draft because he has the skill set to produce at the next level.

4. Sami Raanta - Stingrays
In a tough set of games against a hot Vipers team, Sami has been the leading Stringray's centremen despite being snubbed of first line minutes. If the Stingrays plan on challenging for the championship at the end of the weekend, they might want to consider swapping their first and second line centres because Raanta has been a beast with limited minutes thus far. Just under a PPG pace but also brings an edge to a game that can get the team going in the late minutes of an important game. If everything goes right for the Stingrays prodigy, we could see his name at the top of this list by tournament's end.

5. Esa Parmborg - Blazers
It would be naive of me to exclude Esa from this standout list, because not only is he producing at the tournament but he has legend status already attached to his name due to being the recreate of Esa Anrikkanen and having the bank account to show for it. Esa is suffering in this tournament so far because of the extraordinary depth at centre-ice that the Blazers possess, however with 3rd line minutes Esa is still producing above a PPG with 5 goals and 13 assists and that should scream wonders for the young man from Iceland.

Defensemen:

1. Thomas Bathory - Stingrays
Bathory came into the tournament being touted as the best defenceman in the draft class after his experience in the SMJHL at the end of last season, along with extra time to develop his skills. He has proven why throughout the tournament but other defencemen in the class have closed the gap around him. With his slight attribute advantage, Thomas has been producing at an above PPG pace as a defenseman and has helped the Stingrays stay competitive through the first 16 games. Alongside Khan Smeb on the top 2 pairing, Thomas has given scouts no doubt that if they have a team need on the blueline he should be their go-to pick.

2. Tony Ford - Vipers
Ford arrived at the tournament as an unproven rookie prepared to show his stuff. It was a game of catch up for the big defenseman as Bathory had the head start on him pre-tournament but he has done everything in his power to put his hat in the ring with the other skilled defensemen here in Lethbridge. Ford is also producing at a PPG pace but he brings much more to the Vipers in terms of leadership, chemistry and an edge that protects the offensive superstars like Kobe Krisp. He has it all and if a team is looking for an immediate game changer come Tuesday, don't be surprised to see Ford off the board quickly.

3. Miikka Salo - Blazers
With his team performing splendidly on offense, Salo's Blazers needed someone on the back end as an insurance policy for games where an opposing goalie was playing out of their mind. They got that in Salo as he has been a rock defensively while also contributing on offense, he has 2 goals and 12 assists in 14 games which puts him just under a PPG. This guy is a future bonafide top 2 defensive-defensemen and teams would be silly to leave Miikka on the board past round two of the upcoming draft.

4. Charlie Serpe - Wranglers
Charlie was the number two rated defensemen in the class coming into the tournament but hasn't quite lived up to his expectations. He played some SMJHL games as a free agent last season and developed a ton because of it. In 16 games so far, Serpe has managed to accumulate 1 goal and 13 assists which isn't terrible but relative to the other dmen in the class he has struggled despite his attribute advantage. However, these meager statistics could be a result of a poor supporting class but if you aspire to be selected in the first round you must be able to bring your team to a whole new level when playing against players of a similar age.

5. Taylor Lights - Stingrays
Just like the Blazers at centre, the Stingrays have a plethora of skilled defencemen that could be drafted in the first round on Tuesday. Taylor Lights has transformed from an unknown rookie into a highly ranked offensive defenceman throughout the tournament all while playing second line minutes for the Stingrays. With 4 goals, 15 assists for 19 points, all while playing 2nd pairing minutes this man could be #1 on these ranking if Thomas didn't have previous SMJHL experience.

Goaltenders:

1. Harry Carpet - Vipers
Just like the centre position of this draft class, none of the goalies have had any SMJHL experience so the four goalies in attendance arrived on an even playing field as well. It's hard to distinguish the goaltenders as of now as they all have fairly similar stats, and a lot of their success has been dependent on the supporting cast offensively and defensively. In Harry's case, the Vipers started slow but have picked it up as of late on both fronts. He has 9 wins, 1 shutout, the best save pct. and GAA of the four goaltenders. Safe to say he has the best stats and all four could develop into solid pickups for SMJHL squads based on future activity.

2. Alexander Andersson-Grande
I'm going to keep the goaltender's bios short as they all have potential and are all fairly close in skill level and performance so far in the tournament. Alexander has posted a 0.888 save pct. and a 4.10 GAA in 16 games for 2nd in both categories but leads the tournament in wins with 11.

3. Ja'Aj Coitus-Wagg
So far, Ja'Aj is performing well with a 0.880 save pct and 4.48 GAA in his 16 games however his team's performance is much weaker with only 4 wins to his name.

4. Luke Derion
Luke isn't performing badly, he is just in last of the four in both essential categories(0.875 save pct. and 4.54 GAA) in a very tight race that could easily change in the next 8 games and playoffs.

Thats all from me, Mob Bckenzie for today, stay tuned for a full tournament recap after the champion has been crowned.

TSN Signing out.