Today we will take a look at the red-hot start by the Yukon Malamutes and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of that group and what expectations may be for them in the current season and the future.

Top Forwards

Ylib Kove (S76)
Hugo Spycher (S77)

Depth will be key for the Malamute forward group if they are to keep up the torrid pace to start the season. Looking at the roster there is little to no depth scoring but it doesn’t seem to affect the Malamutes at the start of the year as they are still yet to lose in regulation. The massive start to Djoe Anderson’s rookie campaign (13 points in 9 games) was a surprise to be sure but one has to wonder if he can continue that pace for the full season. They will need their young players to step up and continue to progress every day if they want to remain a top contender the rest of the year. Unfortunately the development of several key prospects appear to be stunted namely Big Papi and Nick Sansone. If they can make a leap this year they could very well contribute in the next 2 seasons.

Top Defensemen

Dash Jackson (S76)
Bouch Bomb (S77)

Defense is a strength for this Malamute squad and appears that they have their core to build around in the next 2 seasons with McLovin, Bouch Bomb and Hummus God all locked in for the next two season and 2 great prospects in Isamu Knievel and Earl Biggins to slot right into top pairing when the veterans leave for the SHL.

Goalies

Phemia McLaughlin (S78)
Jokull Magnusson (S79)
Goalies are not the strength of this current squad but may be enough to steal some games for Yukon especially with the D in front of them. Phemeia McLaughlin is the current starter and while a diminuitive 5’3 has shown promise during their development and may become a great SHL starter in the future. Consistent development will be key for not only their forward group but the goalies as well.

Top Prospects

Earl Biggins – 1st overall pick S78 SMJHL entry draft
Djoe Anderson

Yukon had the luxury of the 1st overall pick in the S78 SMJHL entry draft and did not hesitate to draft towering defenseman Earl Biggins. Through 9 games this season the number one overall pick did not look out of place logging over 20 mins a night but in true rookie fashion does sport the worst +/- on the team. A true revelation at the start of the season is Djoe Anderson. He has had an electric start to his rookie year leading the team in points with 13 and assists with 10. He also logs 20 mins a night and plays on both special teams units. This level of production is welcomed but it is fair to ask if this pace can hold up over the course of the season.

Current Outlook
The Malamutes currently sit in 1st place in the Northern Conference but time will tell if they are legitimate or the sample size is simply too small. One stat that may regress to the mean is their unbelievable goals against vs. the rest of the league. Through 9 games Yukon has only allowed 17 goals for a sparkling 1.89 GAA. The next closest team to them is Vancouver with 25 allowed in one less game played. Offensive numbers will need to pick up as well, on the year Yukon is the 8th ranked team in goals scored which doesn’t bode well if the goals against does start creeping up.

I think Yukon will challenge for the top seed in the North but I can’t help thinking that Anchorage, Vancouver, and Kelowna may be passing them in the standings at some point.

3 year outlook
They have some top prospects but may be faced with the same issues facing the current Yukon team which is depth. They will need to hit on a number of draft picks in the next 2 seasons if they will look to be a perennial cup contender in the near term. That being said, with development of key prospects and a few late round draft gems, the future could be brighter than a summer day in Whitehorse.

Very nice deep dive! Good read

Thank you for the great read! I enjoyed this a lot.

Approved @Mtstreaks04 @CptSquall

Tibuk Soonika - G - Tampa Bay Barracuda| Portal Page


Tibuk Soonika Career Stats
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Tibuk Soonika SMJHL Career S69 (nice) to S72
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S69 KEL | 29 GP | 1753 MP | 15 W| 11 L | 3 OTL | 722 SHA | 644 SAV | 78 GA | 2.67 GAA | 4 SO | 0.892 SAV% | 67 GR
S69 Playoffs | 2 GP | 121 MP | 1 W| 0 L | 1 OTL | 49 SHA | 45 SAV | 4 GA | 1.98 GAA | 0 SO | 0.918 SAV% | 74 GR
S70 KEL | 32 GP | 1928 MP | 13 W| 14 L | 5 OTL | 843 SHA | 757 SAV | 86 GA | 2.68 GAA | 2 SO | 0.898 SAV% | 69 GR
S70 Playoffs | 7 GP | 417 MP | 3 W| 4 L | 0 OTL | 210 SHA | 191 SAV | 19 GA | 2.73 GAA | 1 SO | 0.910 SAV% | 74 GR
##AWARD## S70 Matt Lewis-Flood Trophy
S71 KEL | 42 GP | 2329 MP | 11 W| 24 L | 4 OTL | 1484 SHA | 1310 SAV | 174 GA | 4.48 GAA | 0 SO | 0.883 SAV% | 68 GR
S71 Playoffs | 0 GP |
S72 KEL | 41 GP | 2302 MP | 11 W| 27 L | 2 OTL | 1487 SHA | 1307 SAV | 180 GA | 4.69 GAA | 0 SO | 0.879 SAV% | 67 GR
S72 Playoffs | 0 GP |
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Tibuk Soonika SHL Career S73 to ???
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S73 TBB | 59 GP | 3211MP | 22 W| 31 L | 1 OTL | 2250 SHA | 2013 SAV | 237 GA | 4.43 GAA | 2 SO | 0.895 SAV% | 73GR
S73 Playoffs | 5 GP | 227 MP | 1 W| 4 L | 0 OTL | 188 SHA | 161 SAV | 27 GA | 7.12 GAA | 0 SO | 0.856 SAV% | 56 GR