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*Otrebor13* · 11-23-2019, 06:12 PM

Ah the off season. Not many people like the off season because it just means you need to wait for the next season to start. This off season is a little different, as there has been a slight delay due to issues that have risen with regards to the sim engine. However, this article isn’t about that. This article is about one of the most exciting times in the SHL/SMJHL: the entry draft! Everybody loves the entry draft. You either are a new draftee who gets to go through it and meet your new teammates, or you’re a member of a team and you get to meet the new guys coming in to help your team win games. Either way, it’s a great time and everybody loves meeting new people.

As someone who is no longer a part of the SMJHL, you might think I am no longer involved. However, that is not the case. I am still actively involved in the Vancouver Whalers discord server and help out with whatever I can, and sometimes that includes the draft. The Whalers went through a little bit of a turnaround last season. They were not expected to do very much, but it all comes with the ups and downs of the SMJHL. With natural turnover occurring and players getting promoted to their SHL clubs, there are always changes to be made. That being said, the Vancouver Whalers had glaring holes in the roster that needed to be addressed and management did just that when drafting this past weekend. Let’s take a look at who they brought in.

First Round
1. Whalers

Vancouver Whalers: Sabo Tage

The illustrious first overall pick that Vancouver won. This was the first time since the Season 38 SMJHL Entry Draft that the Vancouver Whalers possessed the 1st overall pick and they knew what they were going to do with it. They brought in defenseman Sabo Tage. With the weakening of the D core and Bjorn Leppanen surprisingly being called up to the Texas Renegades, there was a clear need for defenseman to turn this team around.

Tage comes in to the Whalers as a familiar face. His agent, Glyc, was the GM of the Vancouver Whalers for some time (including when I was brought in to the team back in Season 46). He is a well respected member of the community, has had a lot of success in both the SHL and SMJHL, and will surely be someone will be an anchor to lead the blue line for the Whalers. I think the Whalers hit a home run with this selection.

Second Round
11. Whalers

Vancouver Whalers (Via HFX): Nicholas Corrigan

Next the Whalers decided to go with a winger in Nicholas Corrigan. I would be lying if I said I knew a lot about Corrigan, but I really don’t. I have seen him around the Whalers discord and I have spoken to him a little bit. I will say, he looks very eager to learn and improve, and that’s all you can ask for from your new draftees. That drive and that will to be the best is what makes successful SHLers, and I see that in Corrigan. I think he will be a nice compliment to the roster this season, while eventually rising to be one of the Whalers key pieces in a season or two. The Whalers needed to patch up their defense, but when you have a chance to bring in someone like Corrigan, you can’t only look at team needs, you take the best guy available.

14. Whalers

Vancouver Whalers: Sven Yxskaft

There we have it, our second defenseman for the Whalers and it’s only the 14th pick in the draft. As I mentioned before, this was an area of focus for the management team, and I think they did a good job at addressing it. Spoiler alert: this is the last defenseman the Whalers take this draft. While that only brings in two defenseman, the Whalers still have other guys who can lead the way for now while the rookies grow.

Yxskaft is in the same boat as Corrigan for me. I don’t know very much about him and I’ve only ever spoken to him once. However, he’s a teammate that’s very easy to get along with and has gotten along with everyone in the locker room so far. I have yet to see how his work ethic is, but if he continues to be part of the locker room, there is no doubt he will continue to improve. The only thing I need to do now is learn how to say his last name. Not sure how to say it, he might have to give me some pointers.

Third Round
24. Whalers

Vancouver Whalers: Austin Powers

And here you have the Vancouver Whalers’ final pick on the Season 51 SMJHL Entry Draft (ya babyyy). I have not seen much of Austin Powers in the locker room just yet, so I hope that changes. That being said, I believe in the Whalers’ scouting department in selecting the players they believe will bring the most value to the team and be the best they can to help this team succeed. So, Austin Powers, if you read this and you’re not too busy trying to find Dr. Evil and fight other crime, come pass by the locker room, get to know your teammates!

And there you have it, a little recap of the Season 51 SMJHL draftees brought in to the Vancouver Whalers system. At first glance, this looks like a very solid bunch who will grow with the current core to hopefully get the Whalers back to the promised land and win another Four Star Cup for the franchise. I don’t know too much about the other teams and what they accomplished on draft day, but the one thing I do know is, they’re not Whalers and they’re already starting behind the 8 ball.

Best of luck to all the draftees who were selected this past weekend and I hope you enjoy your new teams. Just be careful for these Whalers at some point soon, they’re hungry for another cup.

1029 Words
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*kenvald* · 11-23-2019, 08:23 PM

Nice write-up! Whalers

I wouldn't want anyone to sprain their tongue. Here's the closest I can get to pronounce Sven's last name in English: iks-skàaft

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