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hockeyis66 · 10-04-2015, 09:05 PM

<ready to be graded>

<first article>

Lord Vader, a rugged defensive defenseman from the soon to be hockey powerhouse in the Netherlands, is an intelligent stay at home defenseman who isn’t afraid to take on power forwards either in front of the net or in the corners. He is also a decent skater that when combined with his passing and puck control allows him to aid his team in starting the rush out of his zone. Even though he doesn’t body check as often as he needs to, Vader is strong and big enough that opposing teams have a hard time knocking him off of the puck. He uses his strong defensive awareness to ensure he is in the right place in his defensive zone to shut the opposition down. He shows an impressive hockey sense, is a great listener/learner to his coaches advice and does whatever it takes to improve his game on and off the ice. Let’s take a deeper dive into his attributes:

Checking: This is one area of Vader’s game that will need to improve as he makes the move to North American hockey from the Netherlands. As mentioned before Vader isn’t afraid to bang around with forwards in front of the net or in the corners battling for the puck, but he needs to work on his open ice hitting and being able to wear opponents down by checking them into the boards. Becoming a little more physical in his game, will allow Vader to become a more aggressive defender and impose his will on unsuspecting forwards to generate turnovers and help to lead his team to more scoring chances at the other end of the ice. With Vader patrolling one side of the ice, the idea would be to force the other team to one side of the ice.

[Image: Zdeno+Chara+Toronto+Maple+Leafs+v+Boston...KHzB3l.jpg]

[Image: Zdeno+Chara+Toronto+Maple+Leafs+v+Boston...KHzB3l.jpg]

Skating: Vader has an ok first step for a player his size and will have to work on his skating for a couple of seasons before making the transition to the big leagues. Once he gets going, Vader is a pretty smooth skater and uses his hockey awareness to make up for his lack of speed. Since he does not have a lot of offense in his game, it is very rare that Vader finds himself trying to catch up to the rush of the other team or behind the play. Instead he uses his defensive abilities to aid and compensate for his elite skating ability to ensure he is covering in his zone. Pivots and lateral agility need some improvement.

Strength: As Vader works on becoming an all around better defenseman down the road, he will have to add about 20 pounds of muscle to his body. Once he comes over to North America, the key will be to get him on a weight lifting and diet program to add that muscle. Even though he is nearly 7 feet tall on skates, he does get pushed around by forwards who out weight him. Once he gets in front of the net, he is like a power forward in basketball and uses his strength to “box out” players to get to loose pucks and break up centering passes with his long wing span. With a little more weight and strength, Vader should end up winning 3 out of 4 battles for the puck along the boards.

Endurance: Another area to improve upon for Vader is his conditioning and endurance. Vader has added several different workouts enabling him to build up stamina so he can play in all situations as he improves upon the other areas of his game. Running, both long distance and sprints, lifting, biking and even yoga will provide Vader with a solid conditioning foundation that will allow him to work as hard in the last ten minutes of a game as he did in the first ten. You probably will not see Vader on the power play that much during his first season in juniors which should allow him to rest up and play a lot of even strength and penalty killing minutes.

Puck Handling: In an effort to use his defensive skills and ability better, Vader possesses above average stickhandling and creativity abilities with the puck. Although he can’t “stickhandle in a phone booth” yet, he uses his big body and wing span to keep the opposition from taking the puck from him while he works on getting the puck away from the front of the net. He also uses his strength, reach, vision and hands to protect the puck from other teams. The one thing Vader does need to work better on is his instincts to hold onto puck vs either carrying or passing the puck. Tends to hold onto the puck too long instead of using his abilities to make a play happen or just getting the rush started out of his own end.

Passing: Being a big,lanky defenseman doesn’t mean that Vader isn’t a decent passer either. Often times, his passes are too far ahead or behind his teammates instead of putting the puck right on their sticks. If Vader wants to maximize his potential especially on getting the puck out of his defensive zone, he will have to learn to make better passes to teammates to set up some open space for himself. He will always be that “pass-first” type of player, but being able to hit open teammates with passes will not only make the team better but will also make Vader a more well-rounded player who will be able to play in all situations including on the power play once he develops a little more of an offensive game.

[Image: chara_bruins_getty.jpg]

Scoring: Vader has little offensive ability at all. He rarely plays on the power play and when he does, it is on the second unit because of his passing ability and is not a liability to have a shorthanded opportunity against him. Vader will pass up the open shot and either look to pass or send the puck down deep in the corners. One of the big areas he will have to work on when he arrives in North America, will be taking an extra shot or two a game and force the other team to “cover” him when he has the puck at the blue line in the offensive zone. Vader isn’t the type of player that will get a lot of points during the season, with most of those points coming on assists, but if he could chip in with 5-8 goals a season, it would be a huge benefit to not only his game, but the team as a whole.

Defense: Vader’s best attribute is his defensive awareness and the ability to control the tempo in his own zone. He can fire his team up with his physical play in the corners or in front of the net and doesn’t take any chances defensively to get himself out of position. Vader maintains gap control, activates toward the offensive player at the right time and takes the proper angles to shut the other team down. He uses his long reach to force opposing forwards to the outside and to disrupt and break up plays. He has quick reaction time in his own zone to tie up opposing players’ sticks and will use his body to force players off of the puck. Vader isn’t afraid to step up at center ice and deliver a big hit while making players pay in the corners or in front of the net. Vader is an honest, steady workhorse in his own end and will be one of the two defensemen teams will want on the ice at the end of the game with his team leading by one to shut down the other team. He will be the guy the you will love to have on your team and will hate if you have to play against him.

Now that we have had a little intro on the abilities of Vader, he would like to take some questions from the crowd, so feel free to ask away…

Q: "What are your goals for the next few seasons?"
A: From a team standpoint, whichever team I get drafted to in either the SMJHL this season or in the SHL in the future, I want to be a key component of helping my teams win a championship as well as making the players around me better. Team goals take preference over my personal goals so I want to do whatever it takes to help my teams win. From a personal standpoint, I have to continue to work on my skating, puck handling, checking and strength while developing better passing and offense so I can become an all around better player. I want to be on the ice in all situations and be looked upon as a leader. From an international standpoint, I would love to crack someone’s roster and show the world that I will be a force to be reckoned with and be part of a team that brings home an international championship.

Q: "Is your goal to crack the roster of an IIHF team this season?"
A: Since the Netherlands doesn’t have an IIHF team, I would love to compete this season in the IIHF championships, but my guess is that most countries will want to see me play a season before deciding on asking me to transfer. If that means I am on the 3rd or 4th line this season or next, I would be more happy just to gain the valuable experience and contribute in any way that I can. If I don't make it, I would definitely be disappointed but will take the feedback I receive from the countries and work on those skills so that I can make the team the following the year. I will be cheering my country on no matter what so we can show the world that great players come from the Netherlands.

Q: "Have you been contacted by any countries and do you have a particular country in mind to join?"
A: I haven’t been contacted yet but that does not surprise me. People are probably waiting to see my activity and my continual build. Plus mostly everyone’s minds are involved in the playoffs, so I am sure the IIHF is an after thought right now. Canada and the United States are out for me as they are completely stocked. There are probably only 3 or 4 countries that I would consider at this point and my eventual goal is to become the IIHF head of the country that I transfer to so that I can not only lead the country to glory on the ice but also aid in building the team into a power house each tournament season. I just don’t want to join a country to be a depth player, I want to get out there on the 3rd or 4th line and contribute right away.

Q: "Do you think you can be a first round pick in the upcoming draft?"
A: Honestly I think I am around a 2nd/3rd round pick right now even if I can continue to work and develop on some of my skills before the draft, I would probably have a ceiling of the bottom of the1st round. Coming from the Netherlands, teams maybe skeptical of the competition I have been playing against compared to other players from countries of Canada, USA and Sweden, but if I show teams that I am active and hard working, I will hopefully surprise a lot of people with my talents. I will definitely be active and be a team player and do whatever it takes to make myself a better player, so hopefully teams will recognize that and I can sneak into the late first round or early second round. Defensive defensemen like myself are not flashy, so we tend to fall in the draft unless a team has a specific need for a player build like mine.

[Image: grant_g_chara_sl_640.jpeg]

Q: "Do you have any preference for a particular SMJHL team?"
A: Actually I wouldn’t mind going to one of the two expansion teams, St. Louis or Detroit. I would like to have a well establish management team in place with a solid locker room. I want to go to an organization that will guide me along my career but also help me in my desire to become a SMJHL GM as well. Whatever team drafts me is going to get a hard working and active player who puts the team goals first and personal goals second.

Q: "Have you been contacted by any teams yet?"
A: Not yet, but I don’t even think I have been approved yet even though I signed up right after the trade deadline. I am sure teams on focusing on the playoffs and once they are over, things should hopefully pick. I will continue to be active in the mean time and work on improving my player.

Q: "How do you plan to develop your player through your first SMJHL season?"
A: By doing activity checks, writing articles, and various PT's/camps, I will look to focus on improving skating, puck handling, strength, checking, endurance and passing. Defense will continue to be a focus as well, but developing an all around game is important to I can be on the ice in as many situations as possible to help my team win.

Q: "The team that drafts you says you will start the season on the 3rd line and probably play in the minors for at least 2 years. What is your response?"
A: I will be happy with whoever drafts me and whatever role they give me. I have always been a team first type of player and will do whatever it takes for the team to win. If that means the third line, while I continue to improve my skills, then that is what I will do. I will also be willing to take honest feedback on my game to improve it as well. I don't mind staying in the minors a couple of seasons to work on all the aspects of my game and hopefully I will get drafted into the SHL after my first season and listen to the coaches as they tell me what I have to work on in the minors to make it to the big club the following year. I definitely will not have the all around game needed to compete in the SHL after just one season in the SMJHL, so the advice I receive from GM’s will be invaluable and I will take it to heart.

Q: "If you could lead the league in one stat, what would it be?"
A: Definitely would have to be plus/minus. I need to be able to get the job done for my team at even strength to make sure the other team is not scoring while pushing the play toward our offensive zone. I need to clear the puck out of our zone or break up plays and pass the puck forward to my center or wingers to allow them to get quality scoring chances at the other end.

Q: "What type of player will you be at practices?"
A: I will be the guy who will show up first and be the last one to leave. I will work hard on each and every drill and continue to refine my skills during the season. Coming from the Netherlands, I will need to prove myself day in and day out and show that I belong in the SMJHL and prove my worth to the teams looking at me for the SHL. I am a student of the game and am always watching video not only of myself to ensure I am critiquing my own game, but also to see if I can pick up on anything that the other teams do as well.

Q: "Your SMJHL GM comes to you and says we in last and can trade you to a first place team with a chance to win the Four Star Cup while receiving some assests back in return. How do you respond?"
A: It would be a sad day for me to leave the SMJHL team that drafted me but if moving me helps to make that team better in the long run, then its something I would agree to do. The goal is to win a championship no matter where I go and make my teammates better based on my play so if moving me makes sense to reach both of those goals, then I have no problems with it.

Q: "What is the coolest SHL team, in your opinion?"
A: I haven't really done much research at the SHL level yet since my focus is making myself as attractive as possible to the SMJHL teams as well as continuing to work on my skills. However, I wouldn’t mind getting in on the ground floor of one of the two new expansion teams that just joined the league this season and being able to become a cornerstone on defense to hopefully aid the team in winning a championship for the first time. Seattle, West Kendall and Manhattan look like attractive places for me to end up as well.

Q: "Would you sacrifice salary so your team could afford another superstar (assuming you become one)? "
A: So assuming I would become a superstar, I would still put the team goals over my own and I have been brought up to do whatever I could to make the team better, so I definitely take less salary to ensure the team could sign a couple of better players. I could care less if I lead the league in scoring or goals, but would rather see my team win a championship and compete year after year. The team can’t compete night in and night out if we only have a couple of good players. I would rather have 3 or 4 lines that the team can put out there to make the game difficult for the opposition and we can’t do that if we are too top heavy in salary.

Q: "What NHL player you think better reflects what you are now and what kind of player you want to become (make an NHL comparison)?"
A: I would say a young Zdeno Chara -- Chára spent four seasons with the Islanders organization, becoming a reliable, stay-at-home defender in a primarily defensive role. He earned a reputation as a tough player to play against – intimidating, physically strong and a punishing hitter who could, on occasion, fight. His physical strength also gave him a very hard slap shot, which seemed to improve each season, although Chára was never deployed in an offensive role as an Islander. As I continue to grow into my body and develop my shot, I hope that teams will realize that I can hop on the power play unit like the Senators used Chara and can be relied upon for a handful of goals per season. If I can consistently get to 25-30 points a season in the SHL – 5 goals and 20-25 assists per season – then I will consider my career pretty successful. I would also like to be near the league leaguers in checks and shots blocked as well.

Q: "Would you rather have success at the club level or at the international circuit?”
A: Being successful in the SHL is definitely a priority whether than is through winning championships or being an all around defenseman, but being able to bring home a gold medal to the country I am playing for would be the ultimate goal. There is just something about winning on a global level that takes the cake.

Q: "Would you rather be the star on a not so successful team or a player who works hard, but doesn't get enough credit on a good team"
A: I would rather be the player that works hard on a good team that doesn't get enough credit. I am all about doing whatever it takes to make myself better and work hard in various situations to help the team win. Winning a championship takes higher priority and I am not about having the spotlight shine on me.

Q: "How has your experience been in the SHL so far?"
A: Its been ok so far. Little disappointed that I didn’t get approved in time to get on board with a team before the playoffs and the lack of overall communication on what to expect while I am waiting to be drafted, etc. Would have been nice to get a few games under my belt and experience the playoffs, but that will have to wait until next season. I will continue to check the site and make sure I am getting the necessary points done for the week to continue to work on improving my player and making myself attractive to the SMJHL teams for the upcoming draft. I look forward to meeting new people and teammates and being able to work on becoming a leader in the community itself.

Q: "Is there one particular prospect you would like to play with and who would be your ideal line mates?"
A: There are not a whole lot of prospect out there yet, so that is a hard one to answer right now. The ideal defensive partner for me would be the offensive minded defensemen who I can get the puck to right away and he can lead the rush up of the ice without the worry of there not being any defensive coverage behind him. I will definitely need my defensive partner to have smooth skating skills, can puck handle and pass the puck since he may have to drop the puck back to me to lead the rush or hurry back to the defensive zone to break up a 2 on 1 opportunity. More often or not, I will be the player behind the play since I will be deeper in the defensive zone but I also want my partner to know that I will not be too far behind the play either.

Q: "What type of person are you off the ice and more importantly, what will you bring to the locker room?"
A: I am a quiet, easy going type of person but that doesn't necessarily mean I am that way on the ice. I want to be a leader not through example but also through my words. Whether that is giving a pep talk to a teammate or honing up for a mistake I made, I want to be looked at as that leader on and off the ice.

Q: "Will you be an active player?"
A: I am on the site daily checking to see not only what is going on in the SHL world but also are there any tasks that I can do to improve my skills. The only way I can show teams how serious I am about improving my game is by being an active member of the site. One of my main goals is to help my team win championships but I cant do that unless I continue to get better in all phases of my game. I may not post a lot, but I do like writing articles and earning money so that I can put that toward improving my player and putting my name out there so that I can be a SMJHL GM or IIHF federation head within the next 2-4 seasons.

Q: "Do you feel that you will have a tough time adjusting to the smaller rinks in North America?"
A: There will be an adjustment period no doubt, but once I get use to the smaller rinks and having less space out on the ice, I will be working that much harder to use my skating, puck handling and defensive skills to help the team. I will have to make quicker decisions and make sure I am keeping my defensive coverage correct and not getting caught out of place against the faster and more skilled forwards of the league.

Q: " What do you feel you need to do to one day be an SHL starter or successful in the SHL?"
A: I feel like I have to train harder, and that all comes down to finances. I have to have enough money in the back in order to get to the point where I can improve my player to the level that is needs to be. I also think I need to gain a lot of experience moving forward. I have to become a regular player, and use the mentor ship that is provided to me to gain the knowledge I need to improve, I have to work on the right skills, and not take weeks off, because that's the most important part, training at the maximum level that I possibly can to be better than the person who is my competition.

Q: "Are you looking forward to the SMJHL prospect tournament if the league decides to hold one during the off season?"
A: I am definitely looking forward to playing against the players in my rookie class and see how I stack up against them. It will be good to get back out on the ice and showcase my skills for the GMs in the league and show them my strengths as well as how much I am improving the other areas of my game.

Q: "Do you have any hockey superstitions or pre-game rituals?"
A: Because I am right handed but shoot lefty, I always put right skate on first or put right arm or leg into the sleeve first. I always tape my stick from heel to toe and use the same brand of black tape that I have been using since I started playing hockey. In terms of pre-game rituals, I always get a good night of rest and have pasta with meatballs as my pre game meal. Hopefully, the city I end up in has good Italian food.

Q: "Who has failed you for the last time?"
A: The NHL. Don't like how the league is run and its Mickey Mouse operation....that's why I am bringing my talents to the SHL instead. Vader's talent are more suited for the SHL game anyway and I feel I have more room to grow as a player.

Q: "Can you handle a lot of pressure at your position if you a re relied on?"
A: I thrive on pressure and I love being the guy out there at the end of the game stopping the other team from getting that game tying or winning shot on goal. I don't see it as pressure but more as leadership. You want your leader out there at the end of the game commanding his teammates and setting the tone and being an example on the ice -- giving everything you got in order to stop the other team and win the game.

Q: "As defense your the last man before they have a shot on net how do you handle this pressure? how do you plan to make consistent plays to prove your a top notch defender"
A: You cant be scared out there or show any fear. You have to trust in the amount of work and practice time you have put in the past to make the right decisions on the ice in pressure situations. You have to go with your instincts as a defender and take the man out from in front of your or dig the puck out of the corner or dive across the ice to break up and pass or give up your body to block a shot. Not only do you have to do things like making a big check but also the little things like chipping the puck out of the zone and forcing the other team offsides or making them regroup at center ice. You cant let the game come to you since these players are fast and skilled, you have to control the game.

Q: "How devoted are you to SMJHL/SHL hockey here in the states and Canada?"
A: I want to come over to North America and show everyone that I can play hockey and that decent players can come from the Netherlands. It may take a couple of seasons to get myself to where I need to be in terms of an all around game, but I am willing to put in the hard work, extra practice time and film study to do what I need to do as a player to improve my game.

Q: "List in order or importance:"
A: Winning a 4 star cup
Being named Captain
Improving the overall moral and atmosphere of your teams LR
Boosting LR activity
Winning MVP before entering the SHL
Being drafted to your favorite team

Winning a 4 Star Cup is the ultimate team award in the SMJHL. I have and always will put the team ahead of my own personal awards, but there is nothing better than hoisting that trophy over your heads and skating around the ice as a team. One person cannot win it, it takes all 20 players to win. The next 3 on the list kinda go together for me but being named Captain by your teammates shows that I have the leadership skills and the respect of my teammates and really nothing means more than that. I want my teammates to know that i will go to bat for them and work my butt off for the team. If I make a mistake, I will own up to it and make sure that it doesn't happen again. Part of that leadership is being an active member in the LR and showing your teammates that you will stick up for them not only on the ice but off of it as well. I would rather win a championship and have no points than be a MVP and not win as a team. It would be nice to play for my favorite team but in the end, I want to join a SMJHL team and show the league what I can do not only from my player's standpoint but also the leadership and winning attitude I can bring to a team

hockeyis66 · 10-04-2015, 09:07 PM

I will be willing to answer another 6-10 GOOD hockey questions

***HabsFanFromOntario*** · 10-04-2015, 11:01 PM

Who has failed you for the last time?

Slappydoodle · 10-04-2015, 11:33 PM

Where are the missing plans?

Are you a rebel and a spy?

Cheers

10-04-2015, 11:35 PM

Great first article man. I'll have to read it more indepth in a bit and ask some questions

TML99 · 10-05-2015, 08:55 AM

Damn :o

List in order or importance:

Winning a 4 star cup
Boosting LR activity
Winning MVP before entering the SHL
Being named Captain
Being drafted to your favorite team
Improving the overall moral and atmosphere of your teams LR

Interview

Can you handle a lot of pressure at your position if you a re relied on?

Interview

As defense your the last man before they have a shot on net how do you handle this pressure? how do you plan to make consistent plays to prove your a top notch defender

Interview

How devoted are you to SMJHL/SHL hockey here in the states and Canada?

Thanks for your time

hockeyis66 · 10-06-2015, 10:09 PM

thanks for the questions so far, will leave the thread open for another day or two for questions before switching to "ready to grade"

Atlas · 10-06-2015, 10:13 PM

That picture of Chara in Isles gear just gave me a wave of anger and sadness and rage and frustration and minor PTSD

hockeyis66 · 10-08-2015, 08:20 PM

vader's first article is now ready to be graded...thanks for all the questions and feedback

Slappydoodle · 10-08-2015, 08:37 PM

Quote:Originally posted by hockeyis66@Oct 8 2015, 07:20 PM
vader's first article is now ready to be graded...thanks for all the questions and feedback

Totally ignored my questions. How rude. :(

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