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ontanis · 06-27-2019, 02:04 PM

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2011 words, ready for grading.

Meet the Vancouver Whalers free agent signings

The Vancouver Whalers GM Arnost Holub had a very busy schedule not only before and during the S48 SMJHL Entry Draft, but also – after the picks were made and contracts with the new drafted rookies have been signed.
Vancouver had a healthy draft, stocking up on centers, picking Jan Zacha at #7 in the first round, Mike Richard at #28 in the third round and Jared Lammi at #38 in the fourth round. All of the picks made were centers, which gives the Whalers some time to prepare for the upcoming call up of Whalers’ first-line center Aaron Wilson to the SHL.

But preparing for the future did not stop there. Vancouver Whalers were able to snap up three European skaters: a left winger from Russia - Artem Mozgov, Swedish right wing - Jastik Janörkssön and a defenseman hailing from Lithuania - Mikas Bieksa.

With 22 games into the regular season, the Vancouver Whalers are currently sitting in the 6th position overall with a record of 11-9-0, only 3 wins behind the 1st place Anaheim Outlaws. Whalers surely will need all the help they can get for the Four-Star Cup run.

Without further ado, let us present the new Vancouver Whalers signings!

@badsleepover

First Name: Jastik
Last Name: Janörkssön
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Left
Jersey Number: 69
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 200 lbs
Birthplace: Sweden

A responsible up and down right wing from Sweden with excellent skating ability and feel for the attack zone. Can play the physical game given his 6’2 height, excellent weight for his size and position.
Is actually quite strong in SMJHL terms, can force his way through traffic and smaller defenders. Jastik is a hard-nosed wall player and likes contact.

He is smart with the puck and his vision will allow him to hit linemates with the pass on the move, or put his hard shot on the net.
Finds the open space and creates scoring chances. Has an extra gear that he can hit to get to that scoring lane. Is a patient puck-handler who can slow things down in order to break them open because of his strong skating ability.

Needs more credit for being a finisher, as he really can score in the SMJHL, even though he is always willing to use his feet and then send a soft pass to a teammate.
Smooth skating winger with soft and silky mitts and good instincts. His deceptive stride shows excellent acceleration which he uses to get by pairs of defenders and able to get of quality chances.
When he shows more edge, maturity and activity in the high traffic areas – he will be solid as decision making is still raw given his maturity.

Like so many SMJHL youngsters, his defensive game is a work in progress as he is not quite defensively sound yet, but he shows effort in that area, and with proper development, we could see that area of his game grow. He will excel in late-game situations because of his high stamina and endurance.

Vancouver Whalers were able to sign him to a 1-year/3 million-dollar deal. Inside sources tell that Vancouver Whalers were able to snap Jastik Janörkssön right from Halifax Raiders’ nose. We are eager to see what this youngster can bring to the SMJHL and we wish him best of luck going forward. Is eligible for S49 SHL Entry Draft.

@diacope

First Name: Artem
Last Name: Mozgov
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Right
Jersey Number: 88
Height: 6ft 6in
Weight: 222 lbs
Birthplace: Russia

At 6’6 and 222 pounds and with a powerful left hand, Artem Mozgov is an absolute monster out on the ice and skates extremely well for a player of his size. Artem has a good powerful skating stride and displays good lateral mobility. He absolutely loves to use his size in the offensive zone and is a mean, nasty, physical player. Looks to jump up into the rush and push the offensive pace whenever given the chance.

Mozgov is a dynamic scoring wing who just keeps getting scoring chances - and capitalizes on them (5 goals from 15 shots with a 33.33 SHT%). He currently has 6 points in 22 games played (5 G, 1 A) and leads all of the Whalers rookies in points so far.

Artem Mozgov displays quick hands and a scorer mentality, but doesn’t necessarily use his size and power as a one trick pony in the attack zone. Has a wicked one-timer, and a quick release - cannon of a snap shot. Has shown an elite attacking prowess in the SMJHL given very limited minutes (averaging just 8.36 MPG).

Can barrel by defenders from the outside and power push them out of his way as he cuts for the front. One of the drawbacks is that Artem plays like more of a one-man show that wants to attack and shoot, and doesn't look for teammates or passing options while on the attack. To be a serviceable 1st/2nd line forward must improve his on-ice vision and awareness, must open up and trust his teammates. If play-making skills develop, he could raise his SHL draft stock very easily.

It typically takes a while to develop the necessary edgework and skating for a big man, but that is one of Artem Mozgov’s biggest attributes. As it stands right now, he’s physical, but still quite scrawny.

Artem Mozgov signed with the Vancouver Whalers for a 1-year/3 million-dollar deal before the start of the regular season.

First Name: Mikas
Last Name: Bieksa
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Jersey Number: 11
Height: 6ft 1in
Weight: 205 lbs
Birthplace: Lithuania

The Lithuanian defenseman is is over 6 foot 1 and the first thing you notice is how fast he transports himself and the puck around the sheet. He is an adept passer but you can’t help but notice he wants to hold on to the puck, come into the attack zone, and be the difference maker.

Mikas Bieksa likes to put a lot of power behind his heavy shot. Easily slips down to soft areas, receives pucks, and take shots between the dots. He would love to do it more as he only has 2 shots on target in 11 games. Uses his skating ability as an asset when being a defender, although it needs some improvement.

Willing to use his size to step up and into opponents, and will clear the front. Tries to be calm in his own end, even when you may think he isn’t. Mikas Bieksa is yet another player who seems less inclined to play conservatively by holding back in transition and sometimes tries to do too much too soon, which can hurt his team (currently has a +/- rating of -1). He wants to get the transitioned pucks and go back down so he can see the defending goalie's eyes and then score. It is this all-in, I'm-gonna-win-it-for-us play. Many times, it comes back, bites Mikas in the ass and hurts his team, but there is so much to like about his abilities.

Obvious flaws in skating, puck handling and mentality issues (which are quite common in this level of SMJHL), Mikas is already being compared in ability to his compatriot and Vancouver Whalers legend – Tauras Karazija. But at this point, he cannot be seen as Tauras’ equal. Mikas has issues with discipline management – 8 penalty minutes in 11 games.

However, his natural defensive ability and upside on the offensive end is the reason why Vancouver Whalers took a chance on him. He currently is a bottom pair guy, with no ceiling in terms of the defensive position. He could become the guy on defense if he is willing to put in the necessary hours of work.
He tries to be a high character kid, and a scholastic player. He may just grow into a good defensive SHL prospect with continued growth and commitment.

Although, much has been made of his "immaturity" for not using the summer as an intense preparation period for his draft year, missed out on the draft. This impacted Mikas’ performance and the larger role that he could have had if he had been drafted. It will take him awhile to return to the level of play he had displayed in the European hockey leagues.

He was not viewed as a guy with offensive abilities when the season started, but recommended himself as a solid defender, who compares favorably in that aspect with many S48 SMJHL drafted defenders. Can use his size to deliver big hits, and makes that solid first pass.

Far from a poised finished SHL prospect, Mikas Bieksa is not a big name in the SHL prospect world right now. Although he is not having a stellar season as expected, he could be quite effective as a two-way defenseman if he puts in the necessary work.

FUN FACT: All of the players mentioned above are left-handed. Was it a conscious pick by the Vancouver top-brass or just a coincidence?

We had the chance to interview Vancouver Whalers co-GM Arnost Holub and ask him about the new free agent signings.

What was your approach in regards to signing Bieksa, Mozgov and Janörkssön? Why did you target these free agents?

I target all active players, I like to get more active and more people into the Locker Room, so I talk to all free agents and try to get them to Vancouver. With Mikas specifically, he was recommended by our past player - Tauras Karazija, whom was in Vancouver, so we really wanted Mikas. With the rest we just want a good active Locker Room, so we try to get everyone.

Interview

What do you expect from newly signed free agents?

I just expect them to be active and earn TPE, I don't expect any points from them at all, I just want them to be happy and be active.

Interview

What is the outlook on Whalers’ future regarding the approaching call-ups of center Aaron Wilson, Theo Morgan, Cullen Gray?

The outlook is still bright, sadly some people have gotten inactive, so we get to keep them a little longer, but we are set up for success. We try to always be retooling so we don't go into a rebuild for a long time. The future is bright here and we try to get the active people to keep on earning so we don't fall into the rebuilding era.

Interview

Can you elaborate on Mikas’ Bieksa recent performance? Do you think it is just problems with adapting to the pace and overall different game from the European leagues?

Yeah, so the rink is different in European leagues, and the atmophere is a lot different here than in Lithuania or Europe. Of course there is some language barrier, but we have some of the best linguists working with us so that they can adapt easier. We draft a lot of Europeans, so it makes it easier for everyone, and it helps with team bonding. I think thats our strength though, no one played in one place, so we have all of their experiences and tricks on the ice that makes us better.

Interview

Do you think you got a steal in Artem Mozgov? He currently leads all Vancouver rookies in points with 6 in 22 games.

Oh yeah, we definetly got a steal in him, I'm very happy that we were able to convince him to give Vancouver a chance and get away from Russia. Whoever picks him up in the SHL will have a great player.

Interview

How do you feel about your new right winger Jastik Janörkssön? What can he expect in terms of playing time?

He will get 3rd line playing time, unfortunately some of the rookies haven't lived up to my expectations of being active, so if you're active, you get more playing time, so working with our coach we are able to get the best possible lines.

Interview

Thank you for the quick word.

Whalers