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Theo Morgan Praises Whalers Draft, Welcomes New Rookies
#1
(This post was last modified: 04-17-2019, 12:37 AM by Otrebor13.)

The Vancouver Whalers did not have the end to the season they were hoping they would have. A team full of developing players was ready to make some noise in the playoffs, however they may have overestimated their abilities and their development just a little, as they fell to the Detroit Falcons in the opening round of the SMJHL Playoffs.

The playoff loss was lessened when the Vancouver Whalers won the lottery and got the 1st overall selection. This gave fans, management and the team something to look forward to in the off season. The pick wasn’t in Vancouver’s hands very long, as they traded the pick, along with the 16th overall pick to Detroit (ironically) in return for the 3rd overall and 12th overall pick. In a draft class with lots of high end talent, moving up those 4 spots in the 2nd round made moving down in the 1st round worth it.

Then it was time to get to work, management was scouting the draftees during the prospect showcase, trying to see what they could salvage from the draft. Draft day rolled around, and Vancouver came prepared for it. Let’s take a look at the selections that were made:

3rd Overall Selection – D Kaspars Claude
This was a pick many expected, as Claude had some ties to Vancouver prior to the draft. Not only was he signed by Vancouver after the S46 trade deadline to give them a boost, but he is also Theo Morgan’s billet brother. Besides the connection to the team, Claude brings a very skilled defenseman to an already deep blueline. Claude can play at both ends of the ice. For a rookie, his positioning is very good in his own end and he has a good eye and he can read the game well, helping his team get out of trouble with a great first pass.

12th Overall Selection – RW Bobby Bobcalf
Probably one of the more interesting names in the SMJHL this season, but regardless of that, Bobcalf was somewhat of a surprise to have fell to Vancouver at this spot. Bobcalf has been very active and has developed well since declaring for the SMJHL entry draft. He has shown signs of willingness and motivation to improve and help his team. He is a goal scorer, plain and simple. This man knows how to put pucks in the net. He has began working with his team already to improve his secondary traits to become a more all around threat on the ice, but his goal scoring ability cannot be taught. Bobcalf will likely play on the 3rd line this season behind a very deep roster, so he will have ample time to develop and learn the SMJHL game.

23rd Overall Selection – C Kathwyrm Hepbjörn
Perhaps somewhat of an underrated pick here, this was another great pick made by Vancouver management. A team that heavily relied on their top line for offense and with Sami Raanta agreeing to make the switch to play on the wing, the center ice position was beginning to look a little thin in Vancouver. That was until Kathwyrm Hepbjörn was selected. It’s an interesting name, I still have not learned how to say it, but I am looking forward to seeing his growth. He brings a little bit of everything to the team, which is needed when you’re starting off in this league. He is going to have plenty of time to work with the team and refine his skills.

33rd Overall Selection – G Kasperi Braulin
Another fantastic pick, and at this late in the draft to boot! With Ask getting the nod to play in the SHL full time this season, goaltender Casimir Stevens was the only one left. With no apparent heir to the throne in Vancouver, management made sure to go out and fill this gap immediately. Braulin is going to be backing up Stevens for the time being, likely until Stevens gets the call to the big leagues, but it should be the perfect mentor to get a grasp of the league, the talent and to hone his skills. Constant development and work with the team will see his play time increase exponentially every season that he is here.

Looking at the picks made in this draft, Vancouver walked away with 4 quality players. With a great mix of capped vets and developing sophomores, Vancouver brought in the perfect group of rookies to move forward. What is likely Boromini Cannellini and Petr Mikulak’s last SMJHL season, Vancouver has added a center and a winger to come in and move up the depth charts next season when there is a spot to be filled. The blueline also has capped players which may see the upcoming S47 season be their last, and Claude should fill the void moving forward perfectly. Lastly, and surely not least, Braulin will be the perfect successor to Stevens when he inevitably gets a starting role in the SHL.

Vancouver Whalers management did a tremendous job scouting and drafting, bringing in these very talented rookies. They will be a great addition to what is already a very deep Whalers lineup. From a sophomore here in Vancouver: Welcome to the team boys, I look forward to having you here!

Whalers

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#2

very classy guy

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                Raptors  Mikelis Ozoliņš - D - Colorado Raptors Latvia
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#3

Whalers suck

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#4

Whalers draft review: A+
This article: A++
SlashACMs comment: F

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#5

A good ol' Canadian boy

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#6

Whalers









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#7

Whalers are best

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#8

Accurate article

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#9

Now Luke is GM whalers suck even more than they used to

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#10

04-17-2019, 08:38 AMFordyford Wrote: Now Luke is GM whalers suck even more than they used to

Please tell me, before last season(as that was a clear rebuild) when was the last time we “sucked”

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#11

Welcome rooks, Whalers > everyone

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#12

Whalers Whalers Whalers

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#13

04-17-2019, 01:17 AMSlashACM Wrote: Whalers suck
Cain sucks

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#14

04-17-2019, 10:34 PMSecondSucks22 Wrote:
04-17-2019, 01:17 AMSlashACM Wrote: Whalers suck
Cain sucks

Not for free

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#15

04-17-2019, 10:35 PMSlashACM Wrote:
04-17-2019, 10:34 PMSecondSucks22 Wrote: Cain sucks

Not for free

how about 10 noots?

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