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Detroit Falcons S46 Draft Recap and Season Preview - The Kids Are Alright
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notorioustigIIHF Federation Head Toast's Idiot of the Year 2021
(3600 words, 2x draft bonus)
DETROIT, MI – After a second consecutive Laurifier Trophy season and a devastating six-game defeat at the hands of the St. Louis Scarecrows in the Four Star Cup final, the management team of the Detroit Falcons knew that complete overhaul of the roster was being thrust upon them. Stars from the team's incredible S42 SMJHL draft class, such as Hippo Passamus, David Fantobens, Wolfhard Richter, and all-time winningest SMJHL goaltender Cedric Robinson would all be called up by their respective SHL teams, as well as more recent picks like Donnie Dicks and Nat Emerson. In addition, several players whose progression had stagnated were released by the team between the trade deadline and the offseason. The Falcons went into the draft needing players at every position and were able to accomplish just that. The upcoming season represents something of a passing of the torch for the team. After relying so heavily on the last remaining members of the S42 Draft for so long, the team's top players (especially up front) will now almost exclusively consist of players drafted in the S45 and S46 SMJHL drafts. With youth comes a learning curve, and it's likely that Detroit will struggle to repeat as the Laurifier Cup winners this season, but the chance for this cluster to grow together and gain experience makes them a darkhorse playoff threat as early as this season. As the team enters training camp for the season, the early storyline is the energy brought by the newest recruits, as well as some familiar faces returning. Fans flocked to open practices on Wednesday to see the team's high profile draft picks skate for the first time, and were surprised to hear a trade announcement over the PA system, as the team acquired former Falcon and steady defenseman Aaron Freakin' Rome, who had been selected in last year's expansion draft. As well, the team came to terms with returning defenseman Stolp Skottson on a one-year deal. So what can we expect from the players in this year's edition of the Detroit Falcons? Acquiring speed and skill with a focus on two-way play seems to have been the biggest focus for GMs Stephen Elgrok and Tiggie Smalls, who are reportedly over the moon with the results of the draft. "The biggest thing for us is that we've loaded up on talent, even if a lot of that talent is young and inexperienced," said Smalls in a media availability on Thursday morning. "There will be learning experiences and tough days ahead but I think the skillsets we've drafted alongside our returning players will mesh really well and should allow us to play a puck possession game because of our speed and skill. Defending in this league is the hardest thing for young players, so if we have the puck a lot, we're not going to put ourselves in as many bad spots." When asked what the concerns of the management team for the season were, Smalls replied that they were going to be relying heavily on young players on the back-end and that it may be necessary to shore up the defense if the youngest defenders struggle early. "We're willing to give them the chance to show us that they can handle these increased roles early, but we know it's a lot to expect out of them so soon. We hadn't been anticipating losing Emerson to the SHL quite this early, so it had a pretty big impact on the state of our defensive corps. That said, I believe strongly in our new defensemen and we were able to bring back Rome, which should help provide some shelter." Wherever the Falcons finish this season, it's likely to see them play in a number of fast-paced and exciting games that belie the fact that the team's winning record of the past few seasons may be put on hold for at least a while. But what can they expect out of the individual players this year? Where do the new draft picks fit into the lineup? We have provided an extensive breakdown of each player and how they'll factor into the Falcon's current and future seasons.  FORWARDS Kalvins Zvejnieks - C - @Gobbles The recent 9th overall pick in the SHL entry draft, Zvejnieks is the embodiment of the 200-foot player. A physically-imposing presence at 6'4, 216 pounds, he uses his intelligence away from the puck to force an incredible amount of turnovers and his sublime passing ability to create plays with the pucks he steals. A faceoff ace at a young age, he was entrusted with key penalty-killing duty as a rookie and will be counted on once again in that regard. The recurring criticism of Zvejnieks is his shot, which is both on the weaker side and not used frequently enough. Analysts have noted that this can often aid the opposition defense as they don't need to respect the shooting threat when he carries the puck. However, he does a solid job as a garbageman in front of the net, and scores most of his goals from within a foot of the crease. Raino Kyllönen - C - @CKT Another high pick in the SHL draft, Kyllönen is the brains to Zvejnieks brawn. Kyllönen is a master with the puck, both at stickhandling and distributing. His calmness with the puck on his stick allowed him to successfully quarterback a top powerplay unit as a rookie, and was a major factor in his leading of the rookie scoring race in S45. Like Zvejnieks, Kyllönen is a pass-first center, although his shot is significantly better and presents a moderate threat on the rush and on the powerplay. He uses his stickhandling ability and tight edgework to create space and passing lanes for teammates, and is likely to be an offensive leader for the Falcons once again. Kit Smeb - LW - @kit A high pick of the expansion Chicago Syndicate, Smeb is short in stature but enormously talented. Standing just 5'7 and 150, the Korean import uses his incredible hockey sense and quick stickwork to find open space and win loose pucks so that he doesn't have to do it physically. On top of that, he is one of the league's most lethal finishers, capable of blowing the puck by goalies at a distance of picking corners through a screen. His skating, while not the best in his class, is still very strong and he is bullish on his skates for his size. His stickhandling ability is world-class and allows him to make plays in tight spaces and heavy traffic. It's likely that he will be a centerpiece on Detroit's top line and should be a serious contender to lead the league in goals. Franz Cooper - RW - @Coops While the once-promising professional potential of Cooper has since faded, his value to the Falcons is still evident. A balanced offensive player, he is a strong goal scorer who also possesses great playmaking ability. This allows him to be something of a "chameleon" that helps him develop chemistry with almost anyone he plays with. Cooper is an accomplished defensive forward and has earned the enduring trust of his Detroit coaches even as his professional prospects wither due to stagnated development. It's likely that he'll be a mainstay in Detroit's top-six, bouncing between lines based on needs and the whim of the coaching staff. Marc Palicka - C/W - @BaseScoutX1 Once considered a controversial loudmouth at the time he was drafted by Detroit in S42, Palicka has matured into an older, wiser controversial loudmouth. His skills are well-suited to a flexible role up and down the Falcons lineup, and he excels at playing a defensively-oriented game that will allow the Falcons coaching staff to shelter some of the raw rookie talents on the roster. Palicka is also a servicable member for either special teams units, and it's this flexibility that Detroit will be relying on this season as Palicka takes one last ride into the sunset before retiring. Look for him to spent significant amounts of time on every forward line this season depending on the situation, and to be a key contributor to special teams success. Lunga Gumba - LW - @Pingy Pingu Gumba was one of the most polarizing figures available in the S45 SMJHL draft, and remains so to this day. Some scouts found his potential and explosive exuberance appealing, while others pointed to a one-dimensional skillset and grating personality traits. After a mid-season trade to Detroit, it seems that Gumba has found a home that believes the former. Nobody can argue his pure shooting talent, which perhaps even exceeds that of his teammate Kit Smeb. While there are fairly significant holes in Gumba's game, such as skating and playmaking, that may prevent him from most effectively utilizing his greatest weapon, Detroit's coaching staff and management are confident in his development as a potential goal-scoring machine. Expect to see Gumba oogelin' and boogelin' up and down the line up in the middle-six consistently, with sheltered usage on the powerplay to utilize his devastating shot. Gabster TheMagnificent - C - @Barboustache After a rough start that made his career look over before it really began, TheMagnificent finally hit his stride about halfway through S45 and began to develop in the way Detroit had hoped he would after making him a late selection in the S45 draft. Gabster is a classical two-way centre that is a strong playmaker and well-positioned defensively. He offers solid, if unspectacular puck skills that allow him to effectively take and make passes through the neutral zone, and excels at letting the puck do the work in terms of moving it up the ice, which compensates for his average skating. While physical play is not his strongest element, he is willing to engage physically and will occasionally use his large frame to devastating effect. TheMagnificent is slated to start the year as the third line centre, although given the number of young centre options it is likely that he, like all of them, will spend some time on the wing as well. Espen Knutsen Jr. - C - @Randominoe The 9th overall selection in Tuesday's draft, Knutsen seems poised to make an immediate impact on the Falcons roster. Knutsen is a strong skater and uses his strong hockey sense to both create offensively and disrupt the opposition defensively. A skilled playmaker, Knutsen likes to draw defenders to him before finding an open teammate for a scoring chance. He is skilled with the puck and comfortable carrying it for long distances, but excels in making quck give-and-go plays with his linemates or otherwise making plays happen quickly, before the defense has time to prepare. Knutsen will likely start the season on the third line and on the wing, although a move back to his natural centre is position is likely as he further develops. Oleg Scoreov - RW - @MR_Datsyuk13 Another player whose development has been stunted and is unlikely to reach the SHL, Scoreov instead has the potential to reinvent himself into a productive member of a bottom-six in the SMJHL. Initially drafted as a shoot-first, ask questions later winger, Scoreov quickly developed into a defensive stalwart, although it seemingly cost him a great deal of his offensive output and his progression faltered. The Falcons hope that they can coax that same defensive effort out of him while also unlocking his significant scoring talent. Scoreov could range anywhere from the third line to a healthy scratch this season, but offers the team some flexibility up front. Lex Peters - C - @LPeters17 A common refrain from before the recent draft was that Peters had the sought after skillset of a top two-way centre and the attitude to match, and that is exactly what Detroit has found in him thus far. A positive influence from the moment he first walked into the arena, Peters has brought a level of energy to the ice that has raised the tempo of training camp. With that said, he is by no means a role player - Peters is a balanced offensive player with the ability to shoot and pass the puck, making him a dual threat on the attack. As well, he is a terrific backchecker and uses his smarts to track down players and force turnovers. He'll be part of Detroit's bottom six to start, but with so much talent on those two lines it's likely that all of them see a fairly significant amount of ice-time right from the start. Przemysław Brzeszczyczkiewicz - LW - @Lunatyck If Brzeszczyczkiewicz scores as many goals in his career as he has letters in his name, he'll be a first ballot Hall of Famer. The Polish forward fell to the Falcons' pick at 50th overall, and they have been rewarded with what looks to be an incredible steal so far. A chippy playmaking forward, Brzeszczyczkiewicz excels at retrieving pucks below the goal line and spotting a player crashing the net, or a defenseman pinching. His high-energy style is sure to make him a fan favourite, and his skillset is well-suited to producing offense, even in a depth role. Brzeszczyczkiewicz will start the year alongside Peters, and the hope is that the two can form an effective pair both now and into the future. Savoli Tankovic - RW - @ItssYoBoiDaLegend After joining the Falcons after the S45 trade deadline to skate with the team and participate in practices, Detroit found Tankovic available at 60th overall. Having had an inside track on the player, they felt that the fit was right and that the potential was there for him to step into the lineup this season as a true member of the team. Tankovic is a speedy sniper who excels at barreling down the wing with speed and using a hard, accurate shot that can handcuff goalies due to a unique release. While other components of his game are a work in progress, there is substantial natural talent at play with this player, and his placement alongside two competent (albeit inexperienced) defensive players like Peters and Brzeszczyczkiewicz should put him in a position to succeed. DEFENSE Stolp Skottson - LD - @oskarmeo A returning player from last year's squad also Detroit's top offensive option on the back end by a fairly large margin with the news that Wolfhard Richter had been recalled by the Toronto North Stars. While Skottson's career has stagnated and he is unlikely to ever see the pro ranks at this point, he still makes for an effective offensive defender at the junior level, as shown by his 37 points in S45. While his aggressive offensive game is his most prominent feature, he possesses a solid defensive game as well. Skottson is not really a true top pairing defenseman at the SMJHL level, but will be forced to peform the role out of necessity this season. The Falcons hope that his puckmoving ability and ability to score on the powerplay will shine through and allow them to develop the younger defensemen on the squad. Jimmy Cahill - LD - @JLysohirka Cahill will be the player most heavily relied upon to fill the void left by the departure of stalwart defensive defensemen Pierre Laroche-Durocher and Nat Emerson, both in terms of skillset and experience. Cahill is a modern shutdown defenseman who arrives to every puck battle in a bad mood. He uses his impressive wingspan to great effect defensively and his positioning is extremely reliable, but his physical play is where he excels the most. Cahill's ability to throw an earth-shattering bodycheck at a crucial moment of the game has led to him being a beloved member of the team by fans and teammates alike. His responsibilities will be greatly increased this year and he is likely to play alongside Skottson on the team's top pair. Aaron Freakin' Rome - D - @ssingh26 Returning to Detroit after a single-season hiatus due to the expansion draft, Rome was reacquired on Wednesday to the elated response of fans and his former teammates. With so many holes in the defensive lineup compared to the previous season, this addition appears to have been both astute and necessary. Rome provides a steady, low-maintenance style of play that will fit seamlessly onto the team's second pair. While Rome will never be confused with an offensive defenseman, he is a capable - if unspectacular - puck mover who can make a good outlet pass under pressure. Detroit's hope is that he can exert a calming presence on some of the team's rookie defenders, while also providing a high level of play on his own. Rome is likely to remain on the second pairing for the majority of the year, or until the play of a young draft pick forces him down the lineup. Miikka Salo - D - @mcgriddleluver The Falcon's 2nd round pick at 20th overall in this week's draft, Salo possesses a toolkit that appears to be specifically designed for the modern defenseman. Already an accomplished player on the defensive side, he also possesses a wealth of talent with the puck on his stick as well. He owns average speed when carrying the puck, but excels at making fast breakout passes that allow his team to gain entry into the offensive zone within seconds. As well, he excels at reading the play and jumping into the rush, and while he is not the most skilled stickhandler or shooter, his execution of these plays allows him to contribute to a number of great scoring opportunities. More polishing will be necessary as he jumps into a higher level of play, but Salo appears to be the potential jack of all trades that Detroit needs on the back end for the future. Wibbly McButternutz - D - @Wibbly McButternutz "Piss and vinegar." That was the description given by a pro scout in the stands watching McButternutz in his first training camp in the SMJHL. The sentiment is repeated everywhere from teammates to scouting reports for this week's draft - this kid is an absolute monster to play against, even in practice. A fearless competitor, McButternutz plays every shift with a Texas-sized chip on his shoulder and is no stranger to fisticuffs. He epitomizes the classic throwback defensive defenseman, an aggressive bodychecker who makes opponents pay the price just for having the audacity to be in his presence. This doesn't mean he's just there to hit people, though - McButternutz is an intelligent player with this stick and an expert shot blocker, and should be the driving force behind an elite penalty killing unit sooner than later. While he's likely to start on the third pair, he's likely to become a fan favourite within a few shifts. Joshua Maugher - D - @DasMoose Maugher's arrival at camp has been delayed due to visa issues, so we have yet to see him on the ice with his new teammates as of yet. Based on scouting reports, we know he is an extremely one-dimensional defensive defenseman, so don't expect much in the way of fancy stickwork when he arrives. Maugher stands at an astounding 6'11 and 290 pounds, and uses every inch to his advantage defensively. His massive wingspan alone is capable of denying zone entries and blocking pass lanes, and he fearlessly puts his body on the line to block shots. While not as physically aggressive of a player as Cahill or McButternutz, Maugher does throw his weight around and is exceptionally effective at separating his man from the puck, in part due to his incredible size. We'll see if Maugher's slow arrival hurts his ability to play to his potential, or if he can step in and play effective defense for the Falcons. GOALTENDERS Jakub Hasek - G - @"Jakub" Hasek patiently bided his time last season as a rookie, spending most of the year watching Cedric Robinson put up another incredible season and become the winningest goalie in league history. The waiting game is a tough one for any backup goalie, and he is stepping into some rather large shoes as the starting goalie this season. However, Hasek finished his work in the S45 season with a run of four straight wins, which has to have been a confidence boost for both the player and the team. Hasek is an exceptionally athletic goaltender, known for dramatic saves and remarkable acrobatics while keeping the puck out of the net. Sources from the team indicate that the locker room absolutely adores him, and there is no doubt that he'll get their best effort defensively each night. With the Robinson era over in Detroit, it's time for a new goalie to make their mark on the franchise. Luke Derion - G - @Barracuda Selected 40th overall on Tuesday, Derion offers Detroit another promising young goaltender that should be able to tandem effectively with Hasek for the forseeable future. Unlike most modern goaltenders, Derion is the furthest thing from a lanky, long-limbed wall of equipment. Standing just 5'8, he has had to overcome that physical limitation to even catch the eyes of SMJHL scouts - much less be the second goalie off the board in the draft. What Derion lacks in size, he makes up for in speed and agility, which allows him to aggressively challenge the shooter without making backdoor passes unreachable. Derion's technique, unlike the chaotic style of his partner, is extremely refined and controlled, and he seems to absorb every puck coming his way. After four seasons of a defined starter in goal, Derion's talent may force the coaches into a 1A/1B system over time. ![[Image: Skree.gif]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/208621163776049152/488393447422820352/Skree.gif) ![[Image: crtigger.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/crtigger.gif) ![[Image: murphy.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/832982603623432192/880210179436716052/murphy.png)
VikRegistered Posting Freak
Skreeeeeeeeeeee
I only read about myself but papa tig gonna be getting those dollas
Need a sig :-/
Pingy PinguRegistered Posting Freak
Good job tiggy : )
![[Image: unknown.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/524595115767889943/858471642769391626/unknown.png)          "Bring back Pingy Pingu Lunga Gumba esq. And I mean bring him all the way back. I want every thread on this forum that involves even a modicum of salt to get razed to the ground by our most notorious shitposting penguin. I want every thunderdome to drown in ABAGABA spam and a signature that doesn't end. I want the userbase of this fine league to cower in terror, slinking about the forums and making as little noise as possible for fear of attracting the Shitpost Slenderman. When some poor immigrant from the NFL sim blunders into the forum and makes an angry post about how his player slipped to the early second round despite having done ALL the rookie tasks(!), let the veteran survivalists stare in horror and pity while the newbie rages. They will know it is only a matter of time before @Pingy Pingu descends upon his post like a ravening wolf and obliterates his tread, reducing it to a radioactive waste-dump of unintelligible spam. They will not interfere, for Pingy is our immune system. Because he can take it. Our Dark Knight of Shitposting"  Sig credit to @WannabeFinn @JSS @Mordaciious @Mayuu @TommySalami Falcons banner credit to @karey
SecondSucks22Registered Unlucky!
mcgriddleluverSHL GM SHL GM
LunatyckRegistered Member
I make proud you me promise
Samsung virtual assistantRegistered Anime Enthusiast
notorioustigIIHF Federation Head Toast's Idiot of the Year 2021
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notorioustigIIHF Federation Head Toast's Idiot of the Year 2021
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