[1st Media Bonus - 2,815 Words]

With S77 come and gone, it's time to look back at the second round of the S77 Draft Class and see who has begun to sneak through as a diamond in the rough selection. With a deep draft class and many teams nabbing great second players in this round, it'll be more a question of who's swing landed shortest than which out of the park selection is our favourite. That aside, let's get into the roundup!

David Vent - RD - 378 TPE @ImShiny
SMJHL Draft: 1st Round, 17th Overall by Vancouver Whalers
SHL Draft: 2nd Round, 21st Overall by New England Wolfpack
S76 TPE: 238 || Current TPE: 378 (+150)
S76 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 16 || A: 24 || P: 40 || -16 || BLK: 89 || HIT: 112
S77 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 09 || A: 19 || P: 28 || -21 || BLK: 113 || HIT: 102
Kicking off the second round was right defense David Vent, who's a talented skater with a great two-way game. Vent wowed SHL scouts and fans alike in his rookie season with the Vancouver Whalers, putting in 40 points and laying the body 100+ times and helped the lift the team past Regina in the first round despite a rocky season and 12th place finish in the standings. The Whalers would lose out in the second to the eventual champions of Quebec City so who knows what Vent could have got done. Following this he was selected 21st overall, and despite progressing fantastically has seemingly hit the stereotypical sophomore slump. While his defensive gameplay remained consistent, Vent wasn't able to make quite the same contribution on the offensive side this year. The Whalers as a team grew more successful, ranking in the top half with the #6 seed going into playoffs and a first round matchup against Yukon on the horizon, and Vent's coaching staff will be looking to him to step it up and find his way back onto the scoresheet. All in all, the issue can likely be fixed by Vent having the same offensive chances he would have last year as his SF/60 dropped from 33 to 30.4 and GF/60 from 3.1 to 2.6 along with S% from 9.8% to 5.1% signalling a dramatic drop-off in partners on the ice. That aside, Vent did see growth in defensive categories with SA/60 dropping from 37.6 to 31.9 and GA/60 3.6 to 3.5 also showing the benefits of his defensive development. Vent should continue to grow into a strong two-way player for Vancouver next season, and hopefully New England down the line.
Pick Grade: A

Raw Cheese McPickle - RW - 368 TPE @Belmont
SMJHL Draft: 2nd Round, 25th Overall by Colorado Raptors
SHL Draft: 2nd Round, 22nd Overall by Montreal Patriotes
S76 TPE: 222 || Current TPE: 368 (+144)
S76 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 16 || A: 32 || P: 48 || +6 || BLK: 28 || HIT: 103
S77 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 21 || A: 34 || P: 55 || +14 || BLK: 27 || HIT: 104
McPickle was the second player off the board, and there wasn't much left up to interpretation with Montreal's reasoning on this pick. An exciting, fleet footed young winger with an exceptional hundred foot game still available after twenty picks isn't an opportunity you're presented often, but when you do you take it, and Montreal did just that. RCM put up nearly 50 points in his rookie season and was dependable on both ends of the puck, ending as a plus player right in the middle of the pack amongst team mates. Oddly enough, in his rookie season RCM was dead-last on his team in SF/60 with 33.3 suggesting high opportunity conversion rate despite a lack of chances, while in S77 he ranked 4th on the team with only a slightly higher SF/60 at 34.1. The team saw this dip in offensive opportunities as Colorado sank from 5th to 7th in the standings YTY and will have an even matchup with 5th seed Ottawa in the playoffs starting this week. RCM is going to be looking to capitalize on Ottawa's underperforming defensive core in this series as the Highlanders allowed more goals against than four of the other five teams in the league's top 6. Picking apart Ottawa sophomore goaltender Bishop Can Apeldoorn will be the name of the game for RCM, and if he can manage to dial up the offense Colorado could be moving into the second round.
Pick Grade: B+

Skyler Stevens - RW - 371 TPE   @Security Shark
SMJHL Draft: 1st Round, 14th Overall by San Diego Tidal
SHL Draft: 2nd Round, 23rd Overall by Baltimore Platoon
S76 TPE: 264 || Current TPE: 371 (+107)
S76 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 25 || A: 29 || P: 54 || -17 || BLK: 29 || HIT: 140
S77 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 14 || A: 31 || P: 45 || -19 || BLK: 40 || HIT: 82
Coming into S76, Stevens was a player off the board in the middle of the first round to San Diego, and has kept up that calibre of play and progress but sunk to the start of the second round come SHL Draft day. Stevens had a fantastic rookie season with the league's new franchise in SD, shovelling in 25 goals and 29 assists for 54 points, but a glaring hole in his defensive gameplay began to shine through as he finished with the team's third worst rating at -17 and was one of only six players on the roster to finish in the negatives. With 36 PIM's and the team's second highest hits at 140, it was clear Stevens had a grittier edge to his gameplay that would need to be honed in before it could be taken to the next level. This may have been the reason teams skirted away and allowed Stevens to sink on draft day, but Baltimore was more than happy to scoop him up. Stevens hit a bit of a sophomore slump in S77 as many players do, seeing his offensive production dip slightly and err in favour of assists over goals, while his physical role getting dirty in the corners shrank. Stevens will be looking to rebound in S78 with the Tidal before eyeing a jump to the SHL.
Pick Grade: B

Simon Science - RW - 356 TPE @JasonHopefully
SMJHL Draft: 1st Round, 8th Overall by Detroit Falcons
SHL Draft: 2nd Round, 24th Overall by Chicago Syndicate
S76 TPE: 243 || Current TPE: 356 (+113)
S76 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 10 || A: 32 || P: 42 || -19 || BLK: 36 || HIT: 132
S77 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 24 || A: 28 || P: 52 || +19 || BLK: 28 || HIT: 91
Another player highly touted coming into the SMJHL Draft, Science was selected at 8th overall by the Detroit Falcons and have a solid rookie campaign adding 42 points for Detroit and being a huge presence physically despite his young age with 132 hits and 36 blocked shots. Despite Science's contributions, Detroit would finish 11th in the standings and quickly be exited by the Colorado Raptors in the first round. With his season cut short, Science fell a bit behind his class in development heading into the draft and wound up in the second round, with a very happy recipient in the Chicago Syndicate who were seeking depth offensive pieces with their second round pick. Returning to the Falcons in his sophomore year, Science saw his goal scoring double, jumping into the 50+ point category for the first time in his career. While it first glance it may appear as though Science wasn't as present defensively this season, but further inspection shows a massive decrease of GA/60 from 3.7 to 2.6 which is also reflected in his rating mirroring from -19 to +19 the very next season. Science also allowed less offensive chances while on the ice, with SA/60 dropping from 32.8 to 29.7. With the Falcons holding the 4th seed going into playoffs, they'll have a fairly easy matchup against Carolina to get their post season going, and Science looks to be a big part of that.
Pick Grade: B-

Elvar Gil-Galad - G - 448 TPE @Gaia Mormont
SMJHL Draft: 2nd Round, 24th Overall by Great Falls Grizzlies
SHL Draft: 2nd Round, 25th Overall by Chicago Syndicate
S76 TPE: 269 || Current TPE: 448 (+179)
S76 Stats: GP: 28 || 16-9-2 || GAA: 2.50 || SV%: 91.2 || SO: 4
S77 Stats: GP: 47 || 25-17-3 || GAA: 3.22 || SV%: 88.9 || SO: 4
Dropping into the second round, goaltender Elvar Gil-Galad is an Icelandic prodigee progressing at an extreme rate down with the Great Falls Grizzlies, who's ability to sneak past scouts has amazed our writers. Despite being one of the fastest growing players in the league, Gil-Galad managed to slide all the way to 25th overall, one pick behind where he was selected in S76 by the Grizzlies. Gil-Galad had a solid rookie campaign in Great Falls, putting up a winning record and strong showings in both GAA and SV% while adding a handful of shutouts. Coaching staff have been disappointed to see though that despite all his hardwork in the training room, his goaltending stats have dropped hard in his sophomore season, allowing 28% more goals this season than last. The small silver lining is that his save percentage has not dipped the dramatically, suggesting his team is allowing more shots on net and that the math is simply expononential. Finishing middle of the pack, he'll be up against a scary offense in Kelowna this first round, and will have to keep himself poised to push Great Falls into the second round.
Pick Grade: A+

Evil Kyle Murray - G - 419 TPE @Jimmysmo27
SMJHL Draft: 2nd Round, 23rd Overall by St. Louis Scarecrows
SHL Draft: 2nd Round, 26th Overall by Calgary Dragons
S76 TPE: 269 || Current TPE: 448 (+179)
S76 Stats: GP: 46 || 12-29-4 || GAA: 4.42 || SV%: 88.7 || SO: 1
S77 Stats: GP: 54 || 18-27-2 || GAA: 4.25 || SV%: 87.9 || SO: 2
It's not easy trying to turn around a team that's been dead last in the league for two straight seasons, and that was EKM's position as a rookie goaltender heading into S76 with St. Louis struggling to front a competitive roster. Despite EKM's elite level goaltending, the team has been unable to get it done in the years since as the defense has allowed him to be peppered by shots. With save percentages consistent with others in his class like the aforementioned Elvar Gil-Galad, it's shocking to see his GAA 76.8% higher than his classmate in his rookie season and 31.9% higher this year. It may take a change of scenery for EKM to truly realize his potential, but with his sights set on a starting spot with Calgary in the near future, he shouldn't have to wait too long. And who knows, there may be a surprise winning campaign in store for him down in the SMJHL yet.
Pick Grade: B+



Gina Pinard - LW - 397 TPE @JURT
SMJHL Draft: 1st Round, 4th Overall by San Diego Tidal
SHL Draft: 2nd Round, 27th Overall by Seattle Argonauts
S76 TPE: 251 || Current TPE: 397 (+146)
S76 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 25 || A: 42 || P: 67 || +6 || BLK: 45 || HIT: 101
S77 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 24 || A: 38 || P: 62 || -23 || BLK: 29 || HIT: 103
Pirard came into S76 as one of the top young prospects, and sealed the deal as San Diego's first ever draft selection at 4th overall. She lived up to the expectation in her rookie campaign, finishing third on the team in scoring with an astounding 67 points and helping San Diego finish in the middle of the pack in their inaugural season. Despite this, she was selected in the middle of the second round by the Argonauts at 27th overall, an absolutely steal of a selection at this point in the draft. San Diego as a whole had an unfortunate slip the following season, dropping to the bottom of the league leaderboard, but Pinard's play remained consistent despite, with another 60+ point campaign under her belt and almost 130 points in her career heading into her third season. Alongside this, Pinard has a rough and tumble attitude on the ice and isn't afraid to get aggresive, bolstering 200+ hits through two season and 75+ blocked shots, making her viable two player and a strong contender for PK/PP minutes at the SHL level with the Argos when she makes the jump.
Pick Grade: A

Roquefort Cotswald - RD - 472 TPE @roquefort
SMJHL Draft: 2nd Round, 35th Overall by Detroit Falcons
SHL Draft: 2nd Round, 28th Overall by Seattle Argonauts
S76 TPE: 264 || Current TPE: 472 (+208)
S76 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 06 || A: 15 || P: 21 || -8 || BLK: 125 || HIT: 99
S77 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 04 || A: 22 || P: 26 || +4 || BLK: 99 || HIT: 80
Talk about a needle in a haystack, Roquefort Cotswald is one of the best secrets the SMJHL currently has to offer. One of the games most elite defensive defenseman, this is the kind of guy every single team in the SHL would love to have patrolling their blue line. Coming into S76 he was already a solid prospect, but managed to slide all the way to 35th overall where he was scooped up by the Detroit Falcons. Throughout the year he managed to develop at an absolutely insane rate, really dialing things up following his second round selection by the Argos at 28th overall. Now, he stands near the top of his class in terms of development, and managed to survive the sophomore slump curse that has seemed to plague this draft class, bolstering higher offensive figures, swapping to a positive rating of +4 and remaining consistent in terms of defensive categories and physical play. All in all, Coswald is a fantastic defensive piece that Seattle now has to build around and was an awesome budget add for a second round pick.
Pick Grade: A+

TheGreatOne - LW - 379 TPE @TheGreatOne
SMJHL Draft: Undrafted - Waivers by Newfoundland Berserkers
SHL Draft: 2nd Round, 29th Overall by Buffalo Stampede
S76 TPE: 233 || Current TPE: 379 (+146)
S76 Stats: GP: 53 || G: 18 || A: 24 || P: 42 || -6 || BLK: 7 || HIT: 79
S77 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 21 || A: 42 || P: 63 || -13 || BLK: 5 || HIT: 153
It was clear from the moment TGO joined the SMJHL as a late bloomer waiver pickup with the Newfoundland Berserkers that he was going to be a crucial member of this draft class, and thus far he has absolutely not disappointed. This young star steamrolled his rookie season, playing 53 games and recording 40+ points, helping lift the Berserkers to a 2nd place finish and pushing them all the way to the semi-finals before they'd lose out to the eventual champions of Quebec City. After being picked up by Buffalo in the second round at 29th Overall, the floodgates were open for TGO and it was only just beginning. S77 has been an exhilirating campaign to watch from this young winger as he's jumped into the 60+ point category with 21 goals and 42 assists. Alongside this, he's put up an absolutely insane 153 hits this year, almost double his previous total of 79 which was already quite a strong showing a for a winger. With two play, grit, and an amazing offensive touch, this is the kind of guy you wanna play with, not against, and Buffalo knew that on draft day.
Pick Grade: B+

Hugo Spycher - LW - 390 TPE @Boomerange
SMJHL Draft: Undrafted - Waivers by Yukon Malamutes
SHL Draft: 2nd Round, 30th Overall by Tampa Bay Barracuda
S76 TPE: 230 || Current TPE: 390 (+160)
S76 Stats: GP: 31 || G: 07 || A: 09 || P: 16 || -10 || BLK: 06 || HIT: 34
S77 Stats: GP: 66 || G: 17 || A: 41 || P: 58 || -15 || BLK: 33 || HIT: 122
Rounding out our article today is Hugo Spycher, a talender Swiss born winger who joined at nearly the half way point of the season, scooped off of waivers by Yukon and throw into a third line role on the team. As such, Spycher had a relatively unassuming first season and dropped into the middle of the second round come SHL draft day, once again taken by a more than happy to oblige Tampa Bay leadership. With his rookie blues out of the way, Spycher exploded in his second campaign with Yukon, rounding up almost 60 points and dominating the physical game with 122 hits and 33 shots blocked. He proved he can be a solid two way piece, and played a crucial role in Yukon's powerplay core. While his defensive gameplay still lacks the polish and poise of a veteran player, his dominant offensive presence more than makes up for it. Look for him to be a big part of Yukon's plan to make a deep playoff push this year, starting with their first round matchup this week against Vancouver.
Pick Grade: B

Hugo Spycher || LW || Yukon Malamutes || 410 TPE
Name: Hugo Spycher
Age: 18
Birthplace: Bern, Switzerland
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 205 lbs
Number: 28
------------------------------------------------------------
CAREER STATS
SMJHL Regular Season:
S76 - YUM | GP: 31 | G: 07 | A: 09 | P: 16 | PIM: 08 | H: 34 | SB: 06 
S77 - YUM | GP: 66 | G: 17 | A: 41 | P: 56 | PIM: 40 | H: 122 | SB: 33 
------------------------------------------------------------

HISTORY

S76: Claimed on Waivers by Yukon Malamutes

S77: Drafted 30th Overall by Tampa Bay Barracudas

Nice write up, great work!

Stavros Kondos || F || Seattle Argonauts



Theo Kondos || F || S77 HoF - Jesster & Darr - CC x2 || 
-- CAREER STATS --
-- SHL Regular Season --
S58 - GP:66 | G:17 | A:36 | P:53 |  SOG: 130 |  HITS:35  |  TOI: 17:32
S59 - GP:66 | G:14 | A:36 | P:50 |  SOG: 181 |  HITS:41  |  TOI: 18:15
S60 - GP:66 | G:19 | A:37 | P:56 |  SOG: 184 |  HITS:44  |  TOI: 18:34
S61 - GP:66 | G:32 | A:26 | P:58 |  SOG: 188 |  HITS:48  |  TOI: 19:50
S62 - GP:66 | G:21 | A:32 | P:53 |  SOG: 207 |  HITS:57  |  TOI: 20:36
S63 - GP:66 | G:23 | A:40 | P:63 |  SOG: 297 |  HITS:90  |  TOI: 22:00
S64 - GP:66 | G:27 | A:59 | P:86 |  SOG: 237 |  HITS:110 |  TOI: 21:30
S65 - GP:66 | G:39 | A:46 | P:85 |  SOG: 240 |  HITS:161 |  TOI: 21:59
S66 - GP:66 | G:39 | A:65 | P:104| SOG: 230 |  HITS:134 |  TOI: 22:08
S67 - GP:66 | G:27 | A:38 | P:65 |  SOG: 177 |  HITS:164 |  TOI: 21:40
S68 - GP:66 | G:19| A:41 | P:60  |  SOG: 177 |  HITS:159 |  TOI: 19:51
S69 - GP:66 | G:16| A:41 | P:57  |  SOG: 143 |  HITS:110 |  TOI: 19:21
S70 - GP:66 | G:11| A:37 | P:48  |  SOG: 120 |  HITS:123 |  TOI: 18:40
S71 - GP:66 | G:30| A:36 | P:66  |  SOG: 199 |  HITS:126 |  TOI: 20:46
-- SHL Playoffs --
S58 - GP:12 |  G:2 |  A:7   |  P:9   | SOG: 16  | HITS:6  | TOI: 17:35
S59 - GP:16 |  G:6 |  A:10 |  P:16  | SOG: 33  | HITS:4  | TOI: 19:39
S60 - GP:9  |  G:0 |  A:5   |  P:5   | SOG: 23  | HITS:11 | TOI: 18:55
S61 - GP:19 |  G:6 |  A:12 |  P:18  | SOG: 47  | HITS:18 | TOI: 19:21
S62 - GP:24 |  G:9 |  A:11 |  P:20  | SOG: 75  | HITS:34 | TOI: 20:55
S63 - GP:9  |  G:0 |  A:3   |  P:3   | SOG: 37  | HITS:20 | TOI: 22:21
S64 - GP:13 |  G:3 |  A:10 |  P:13 |  SOG: 58 | HITS:31 | TOI: 22:55
S65 - GP:17 |  G:3 |  A:7 |  P:10  |  SOG: 46 | HITS:46 | TOI: 22:21
S66 - GP:14|  G:8|  A:12 |  P:20  |  SOG: 56 | HITS:22 | TOI: 21:59
S67 - GP:7 |  G:0 |  A:4  |  P:4  |  SOG: 18  | HITS:9 | TOI: 22:01
S68 - GP:15|  G:5 |  A:12 |  P:17 |  SOG: 56 | HITS:27 | TOI: 21:45
S69 - GP:7|   G:1 |  A:6 |  P:7 |  SOG: 14 | HITS:19 | TOI: 19:59
-- SMJHL --
S54 - GP:50, G:7, A:7, P:14, SOG: 47, HITS:31, TOI: 11:22
S55 - GP:50, G:13, A:16, P:29, SOG: 98, HITS:35, TOI: 18:09
S56 - GP:50, G:18, A:26, P:44, SOG: 128, HITS:35, TOI: 16:53
S57 - GP:66, G:26, A:26, P:52, SOG: 220, HITS:48, TOI: 19:05
-- AWARDS --
S54: Drafted 6th Overall - Anchorage Armada[SMJHL]
S55: Drafted 5th Overall - Texas Renegades [SHL]
S57: Four Star Cup Champions - Anchorage Armada [SMJHL]
S57: DeMaricus Smyth Award for Top Forward - Dach [WJC]
S57: Brady McIntyre Award for WJC MVP - Dach [WJC]
S58: Ryan Jesster Award - Best SHL Rookie [SHL]
S58: All Rookie Team [SHL]
S59: CHALLENGE CUP WINNERS [SHL]
S62: CHALLENGE CUP WINNERS [SHL]
S64: West All Star [SHL]
S64: 2nd Team All Star [SHL]
S65: West All Star [SHL]
S65: 3rd Team All Star [SHL]
S65: Darr Nominee [SHL]
S66: West All Star [SHL]
S66: Darr Winner [SHL]
S66: 1st Team All Star [SHL]
S68: Bronze Medal - Austria  [IIHF]
S71: West All Star [SHL]


Ostap Maksimov || D || Retired || Challenge Cup x3 ||
------------------------------------------------------------
SHL Regular Season Statistics:
600 GP - 325 P - 3 Cups
--------------



Ales Smirnov RW/D || Retired || Ron Mexico MVP: S35 ||
-- CAREER STATS --
REGULAR SEASON GP: 857 G:210 A:389 P:599
-- AWARDS --
S21: SMJHL Presidents Trophy & Four Star Cup | Kelowna Knights
S21:Elias Armia Trophy (Award in Excellence Given By The League Commissioner.)
S22: Four Star Cup Champs | Kelowna Knights
S22: Ted Lindsay Award (SMJHL MVP)
S22: Brodie Witzel Trophy (Playoffs MVP)
S23: SHL All Rookie Team
S26: IIHF Gold (Russia)
S28: IIHF Silver (Russia)
S32: IIHF Bronze (Russia)
S35: Ron Mexico (SHL MVP)
S38: IIHF Gold (Russia)

Grade too high. C at best

[font-size,element-width,text-color,background-color,Arial]
David Vent || Vancouver Whalers/Czechia || Defensemen
------------------------------------------------------------

                                                         
David Vent||Manhattan Rage/Kelowna Knights/Czechia||Retired

Birthplace: Czech Republic
49 Career Fights. Record 19:wins|6:losses|24:ties 
S52 Challenger Cup Champion
------------------------------------------------------------
SHL Total Stats
Career(G:68|A:169|Points:260|Hits:691|SB:713)
------------------------------------------------------------
SHLTotal Playoff Stats
Career(G:9|A:30|Points:39|Hits:122|SB:116)
------------------------------------------------------------
SMJHL Total Stats
Career(G:10|A:75|Points:85|Hits:286|SB:230)
------------------------------------------------------------
International Play           
WJC Career (G:8|A:46|Points:54|Hits:164|SB:148)
IIHF Career (G:7|A:32|Points:39|Hits:107|SB:122)
------------------------------------------------------------

Awards and Records

S59 IIHF Silver Medal
S53 Named Captain for the Manhattan Rage
S52 Challenger Cup Winner
S52 Named Assistant Captain for the Czechia IIHF Team
S50 Named Assistant Captain for the Manhattan Rage
S50 IIHF Bronze Medal
S49 Named Assistant Captain for the UCORCAL WJC Team
S48 Named Assistant Captain for the Kelowna Knights
S47 Named Captain of the Czech WJC Team
S46 WJC Gold Medal Winner
S46 Laurifier Trophy
S44 WJC Gold Medal Winner
 ------------------------------------------------------------
Records
Czech WJC Career Major Penalties: 5
Czech WJC Career Fights: 5
Czech WJC Career Fight Ties: 2
Czech WJC Career Fight Wins: 2