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KenitohMenara · 02-28-2021, 05:43 PM

Please Note: The Statistics used in this article are correct as of 28/02/2021. Do not count this note as part of the word count.

**887 Words**

We are now officially halfway through the SMJHL season. The 58th season of the junior league has been as intense as any season that has come before it. Old rivalries renewed, upsets nearly every day and of course, a new class of rookies fighting to prove themselves the best of the best before the SHL draft. The race for the Esa Anrikkanen Trophy (Awarded to the best rookie in the SMJHL) is as close as ever and now that we have approached the halfway point, of the season, it is time to go over the current best of the best in the future SHL S58 Class:

Alexis Saint-Michel - Vancouver Whalers @KenitohMenara

34 Games, 14 Goals, 11 Assists, 25 Points, +/- = +10, 8 PIMs

The Whalers felt incredibly fortunate to draft Alexis after his DFA campaign. The short time that ASM spent with Vancouuver during the 57th Season convinced the front office that with the right structure and training, Alexis could blossom into a top line winger in not only the junior leagues but also a generational winger. He has responded to that faith by giving them an incredible half season performance. Since his drafting, Saint-Michel has proceeded to lead in goals (14) and total points (25). In a season where Vancouver needed to see the youth movement emerge, ASM has emerged as a top 6 winger that can play in any situation. The fact that a rookie is but four goals away from the leading the SMJHL scoring race should show the sky high potential of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec native. We will see what will happen in the second half of the season but with stand out performances like two hat tricks in consecutive games, it's hard to bet against ASM right now.

Evgeni Petrov - Newfoundland Berserkers @RenoJacksonHS

13 Games, 9-3-1 Record, 1.76 GAA, 0.913 SV%, 4 Shutouts

When you are a rookie goalie, you must make every chance you get count. You must act like every game is your last game because all it takes is a few mistakes for GMs to look for alternative options. It is one thing to survive, it's quite another to thrive and Evgeni Petrov is definitely thriving for Newfoundland. Managing a 9-3-1 record, a .913 save percentage and a 1.76 Goals Allowed Average, Petrov has been nothing short of exceptional. For a lot of teams, a stat line like that would make you the number one goalie but it's hard to be that when the other goalie, Hugo Gronroos is arguably the best goalie in the league this season. Newfoundland looks to be contenders this season with a deep run awaiting them and with a rookie backup goalie that has 4 shutouts already, Newfoundland is in very good hands with Petrov. Speaking of Newfoundland…

Aleksanders Balcers - Newfoundland Berserkers @Randominoe

36 Games, 8 Goals, 10 Assists, 18 Points, +/- = +31, 6 PIMs

Generational Defensive Talent. Those are the only words to describe Aleksanders Balcers. The first overall selection has been everything Newfoundland hoped he would be and more with his play. The Grobina native has amassed 18 points this year, tied for 5th amongst defenseman and scored an impressive hat trick earlier in the season. There is so much more to Balcers' game than just scoring. He currently leads the entire junior league in +/- Rating, being the only player above +30. His defensive talent is something to be marvelled at as Balcers continues to practice his craft with a thriving Berserkers team. Much like Petrov, Balcers will play a key role in any four star cup for Newfoundland and the rest of the league is watching with great interest.

Lebron Brady - St Louis Scarecrows @Jackers41

35 Games, 8 goals, 13 assists, 21 points, +/- = -2, 14PIMs

4th round picks are supposed to be development pieces that work hard for the time they get. 4th round picks are not supposed to be outshining 1st round picks in terms of production. 4th round picks are not supposed to be near the top of rookie scoring and challenging for top six minutes. Then again, Lebron Brady has never let things let conventional hockey wisdom or draft positioning get in the way of him achieving success his way. The Jamaican native has torn it up for the scarecrows, being 2nd overall in point production for rookies with 21 points. With every shift and every play, Brady is trying his hardest to help the scarecrows win games. When the playoffs come around, he’ll be one of the players to watch out for.

Reidar Gronkjaer - Colorado Raptors @Copenhagen

37 Games, 5 Goals, 13 Assists, 18 Points, +/- = +5. 6PIMs

If there would be one word to describe Gronkjaer’s play, it would be selfless. The Trondheim native has emerged as the best rookie playmaking center in the SMJHL this season with over two thirds of his 18 points coming from assists (13 in total). One of the cleanest players on the ice this year with only 6 penalty minutes, Reidar has helped compliment an emerging core involving KEKW Kekkonen and Fedor Sotakov, both of which are also deep in the hunt for the Esa Anrikkanen trophy. With some of the best physical builds in the rookie ranks and offensive skills that are only getting better, if his play keeps up Reidar may just walk away with Rookie of the Year.

Randominoe · 02-28-2021, 06:00 PM

Nice writeup! Going to be a race to the finish thats for sure.

KenitohMenara · 02-28-2021, 06:05 PM

02-28-2021, 06:00 PMRandominoe Wrote: Nice writeup! Going to be a race to the finish thats for sure.

Indeed, there are another 5 players in this rookie class that could easily challenge for the award as well. We will see after the 66th game is played.

By the way, I didn't plan with Jackers to write this article, I had some spare time so I felt I would write it

Sopath · 02-28-2021, 08:11 PM

So thrilled to see Evgeni Petrov on this short list. Petrov has been absolutely phenomenal for a rookie. He's had some incredible performances in his losses as well. For example he only allowed 2 goals against Kelowna on 23 or shots. No small feat when you are a freaking rookie and Kelowna is a god tier scary team. Keep up the good work @RenoJacksonHS Berserkers

***Reno*** · 03-01-2021, 11:51 AM

yay thats me

steveoiscool · 03-01-2021, 03:26 PM

just give ASM the trophy, its over already

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