08-31-2013, 07:00 AM
<div align="center">Steelhawks Set Their Sights On S15 Cup
![[Image: TeamBarSteelhawks.png]](http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff60/NJDHalo3/TeamBarSteelhawks.png)
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After a grueling but impressive rebuild beginning in S13 the Hamilton Steelhawks have emerged as one of the best teams in the League and one of the youngest.
Compiling a staggering 59 wins (10 more than Toronto and behind only Calgary and Manhattan at 61) and 126 points in their last 100 regular season games, the Hamilton Steelhawks are ready to take the next step. After back to back first round exits from the Playoffs, Hamilton says the S15 season has been their target to win another Cup.
With their core entering their 5th season and their young future stars from the S13 and S14 Drafts ready to shake off the rookie jitters, the Steelhawks are in a prime position to dominate the East this season. Players like Hans Schultz can expect to start the season at his natural forward position instead of the defensive post he spent most of last season at. Tuomas Vitikka and Ryan Haan should be much improved scorers this season after strong rookie performances. Emils Vilmenietis and James Reimer will look to see their first full season in the SHL and standout Defenseman Steven Jalopski looks to build on his impressive play on the blueline.
In total, the Hamilton Steelhawks expect to see the 4th and 8th overall picks from the S13 Draft as well as the 5th, 6th, 7th and 10th overall picks from the S14 Draft in the lineup this coming season. Those young talents will be supported by Hamilton's core players from the S10 and S11 classes. Power Forward Shawn Swerin has found a home in the top six next to Corey Tripp and the two provide Hamilton with extraordinary two way play in all situations. Rehn Miller turned in an MVP performance in S14 and will look to repeat that again this coming year. Brandon Cant and Roman Schultz anchor the blueline for Hamilton and both look to build off strong performances from S14 where they combined for 10 goals, 66 points, 212 hits and 178 shots during the regular season and added another 4 goals, 12 points and 20 shot blocks in their six post season games.
Hamilton is of course lead into battle once more by legendary forward Joe McKeil and Captain Kevin Lebacon. The Steelhawks also expect veterans Matthew Ekblad, Jan Benda and Michael Stich to return next season, all of which are under contract. Indeed, the Steelhawks already have a deep roster before the Draft and Free Agency even begin.
"We're building a very deep team with multiple ways to win. Depth wins Cups and we're building a stacked roster for S15. We were third in the League in Goals For last season, just six goals behind Calgary and we were third in the League in Goals Against. The year before that we were fourth in each of those categories and that was during a rebuild. Now that rebuild is done and we expect to be a lot better than this season. Our young guys will be better, our goaltending will be better, every position will improve. We're going to bring in some top players, we're going to be the best team in the League and we're going to be the favorites to win the Cup this season." - Roman Schultz Hamilton's Co-GM said.
![[Image: sea-dogs-team-picture.gif]](http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/sea-dogs-team-picture.gif)
<span style='color:blue'>Hamilton celebrates at the top of the Eastern Conference Standings
"This was always the plan. Since we started the rebuild this was always the goal. To be right here with this squad and this cap space to make this Cup run this season. This is going to be our time. We're a young team but we're not waiting. We're 1-2 players away from a Cup winner and we think we'll get those players this offseason. You saw it in James Blaine how much one player can change the course of the season. We know what we need and we know we're close to winning another Cup here in Hamilton. Only two teams have more wins in the last two seasons than Hamilton. Calgary and Manhattan each have won 2 games more than us but neither are as young and promising as Hamilton is. We've been building with this season in mind. This will be our year. And we'll have many more after that." - Hamilton's General Manager Joe McKeil said.
When asked why Free Agents should consider Hamilton, winger Tuomas Vitikka listed what he believes are the benefits no other team can offer: "The unbelievable locker room atmosphere, the chance to be part of and fastest up-and-coming team and the fantastic opportunity to make fun of Cant every day! :D "
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</div>After a grueling but impressive rebuild beginning in S13 the Hamilton Steelhawks have emerged as one of the best teams in the League and one of the youngest.
Compiling a staggering 59 wins (10 more than Toronto and behind only Calgary and Manhattan at 61) and 126 points in their last 100 regular season games, the Hamilton Steelhawks are ready to take the next step. After back to back first round exits from the Playoffs, Hamilton says the S15 season has been their target to win another Cup.
With their core entering their 5th season and their young future stars from the S13 and S14 Drafts ready to shake off the rookie jitters, the Steelhawks are in a prime position to dominate the East this season. Players like Hans Schultz can expect to start the season at his natural forward position instead of the defensive post he spent most of last season at. Tuomas Vitikka and Ryan Haan should be much improved scorers this season after strong rookie performances. Emils Vilmenietis and James Reimer will look to see their first full season in the SHL and standout Defenseman Steven Jalopski looks to build on his impressive play on the blueline.
In total, the Hamilton Steelhawks expect to see the 4th and 8th overall picks from the S13 Draft as well as the 5th, 6th, 7th and 10th overall picks from the S14 Draft in the lineup this coming season. Those young talents will be supported by Hamilton's core players from the S10 and S11 classes. Power Forward Shawn Swerin has found a home in the top six next to Corey Tripp and the two provide Hamilton with extraordinary two way play in all situations. Rehn Miller turned in an MVP performance in S14 and will look to repeat that again this coming year. Brandon Cant and Roman Schultz anchor the blueline for Hamilton and both look to build off strong performances from S14 where they combined for 10 goals, 66 points, 212 hits and 178 shots during the regular season and added another 4 goals, 12 points and 20 shot blocks in their six post season games.
Hamilton is of course lead into battle once more by legendary forward Joe McKeil and Captain Kevin Lebacon. The Steelhawks also expect veterans Matthew Ekblad, Jan Benda and Michael Stich to return next season, all of which are under contract. Indeed, the Steelhawks already have a deep roster before the Draft and Free Agency even begin.
"We're building a very deep team with multiple ways to win. Depth wins Cups and we're building a stacked roster for S15. We were third in the League in Goals For last season, just six goals behind Calgary and we were third in the League in Goals Against. The year before that we were fourth in each of those categories and that was during a rebuild. Now that rebuild is done and we expect to be a lot better than this season. Our young guys will be better, our goaltending will be better, every position will improve. We're going to bring in some top players, we're going to be the best team in the League and we're going to be the favorites to win the Cup this season." - Roman Schultz Hamilton's Co-GM said.
<span style='color:blue'>Hamilton celebrates at the top of the Eastern Conference Standings
"This was always the plan. Since we started the rebuild this was always the goal. To be right here with this squad and this cap space to make this Cup run this season. This is going to be our time. We're a young team but we're not waiting. We're 1-2 players away from a Cup winner and we think we'll get those players this offseason. You saw it in James Blaine how much one player can change the course of the season. We know what we need and we know we're close to winning another Cup here in Hamilton. Only two teams have more wins in the last two seasons than Hamilton. Calgary and Manhattan each have won 2 games more than us but neither are as young and promising as Hamilton is. We've been building with this season in mind. This will be our year. And we'll have many more after that." - Hamilton's General Manager Joe McKeil said.
When asked why Free Agents should consider Hamilton, winger Tuomas Vitikka listed what he believes are the benefits no other team can offer: "The unbelievable locker room atmosphere, the chance to be part of and fastest up-and-coming team and the fantastic opportunity to make fun of Cant every day! :D "
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~ViBe WiT uS~ 