Login

*Flowseidon* · 08-29-2018, 08:35 AM

A strong night at the draft for the Militia

Translated from Le Devoir

It’s been a couple days, and things have been allowed to settled since the draft. Our Militia players and taking their time and settling in with the characters of their future SHL teams and taking everything they can from these pros to bring back to the SMJHL for another season of Militia hockey.

Cut back to the day, Vital Kravtsov, Pavel Pivonka, Kevin Kazarian, Mason Hudson, Jeff Brogen, Petr Vrana, Christian Walker, Veikka Toivanen, Stephen Wormster, and Marco Raanteli went into Manhattan with dreams and nerves over who was going to draft them.

While a few turned out not to get their name called, it was a very successful night for the Militia, with most of their draftees coming off the board in the 2nd round. Many of the Militia faithful are surprised that Veikka Toivanen came off the board so late, but we all expect that he will defy expectations and turn into a tour de force in the SHL.

Unfortunately for Vital Kravtsov, Christian Walker, and Stephen Wormster, their names were not called at the draft and they will become free agents as they try to hone their game and step into the SHL.

In chronological order, we’ll take a look at the different draftees and where they ended up:

Pavel Pivonka

[Image: hFmY5x4.png]

Drafted: 18th overall by the Seattle Riot Riot

First Name: Pavel
Last Name: Pivonka
Position: Center
Shoots: Right
Jersey Number: 43
Height: 6ft 5in
Weight: 235 lbs
Birthplace: Czech Republic
Player Type: Two Way Forward
Strengths: Passing, Skating, Defense
Weakness: Strength

Season stats: 50gp, 5g, 11a, 16p, +/- 0
Playoffs stats: 9gp, 1g, 1a, 2p, +/- -3

This right shooting center is a solid pick with very low risk. It’s pretty easy to see that he will be an effective member of the Riot for years to come. He plays a tough all around game, and will take a bit of time to develop but will become an effective SHL center

Marco Raanteli

Drafted: 21st overall by the Los Angeles Panthers

First Name: Marco
Last Name: Raanteli
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Jersey Number: 16
Height: 6ft 4in
Weight: 239 lbs
Birthplace: Latvia
Player Type: Defensive Defenseman
Strengths: Defense, Strength, Passing
Weakness: Scoring

Season stats: 50gp, 0g, 13a, 13p, +/- 0
Playoffs stats: 9gp, 1g, 6a, 7p, +/- -2

Raanteli is a very strong defensive defenseman who can move the puck well and is always making the right decisions in his end. While his game doesn’t have much offensive upside or flash, he will be the anchor of the Panthers blueline for years who will make opposing forwards fear his size and hard style of hockey.

Kevin Kazarian

[Image: HansSHL.gif]

Drafted: 23rd overall by the Texas Renegade Renegades

First Name: Kevin
Last Name: Kazarian
Position: C
Birth Date: January 12th
Shoots: Right
Jersey Number: 12
Height (ft.): 6'3
Weight (lbs.): 192
Birthplace: USA
Player Type: Offensive Forward
Strengths: Passing, Scoring, Skating
Weakness: Checking

Season stats: 50gp, 6g, 18a, 24p, +/- 10
Playoffs stats: 9gp, 0g, 2a, 2p, +/- -3

Another center off the board in the second round, showing that a lot of teams are taking that coveted center position seriously and that the Militia have a very strong lineup down the middle. Kazarian’s knock is that he won’t be the best player in the corners, and shies away from the hitting. Beyond that, he has a ton of offensive talent and is very adept at moving the puck around to his teammates and helping them bury. He will be racking up the point totals if he can be put on a line who can finish.

Jeff Brogen

[Image: Ig0ZLTQ.png]

Drafted: 26th overall by the San Fransisco Pride pride

First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Brogen
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Jersey Number: 9
Height: 6ft 1in
Weight: 215 lbs
Birthplace: Canada
Player Type: Offensive Forward
Strengths: Scoring, Passing, Skating
Weakness: Checking

Season stats: 50gp, 12g, 10a, 22p, +/- 4
Playoffs stats: 9gp, 1g, 3a, 4p, +/- -3

Another player of the Militia who loves to put up the points. Brogen’s game is a fast, flashy game and he promises to make you hurt any time he’s on the ice. Well suited to both feed the puck and bury it himself, Brogen is extremely dangerous in the offensive end. He is skilled in the defensive game as well, but in order to be a more well rounded player, Brogen will need to become a fair bit stronger, as he is tries to avoid hitting and being hit. Brogen had a good season with limited icetime and will be expected to take a bigger role with the Militia next year. They began to place that faith in him in the playoffs as they gave him more ice time with bigger responsibilities.

Mason Hudson

[Image: aItOWmo.gif]

Drafted: 27th overall by the Seattle Riot Riot

First Name: Mason
Last Name: Hudson
Position: LW
Birth Date: April 15, 1998
Shoots: Right
Jersey Number: 57
Height (ft.): 5'11"
Weight (lbs.): 179 lbs
Birthplace: Czech Republic
Player Type: Sniper
Strengths: Scoring, Defence, Skating
Weakness: Checking

Season stats: 50gp, 8g, 7a, 15p, +/- 2
Playoffs stats: 9gp, 1g, 4a, 5p, +/- -2

Taken just one pick after his teammate, Hudson will provide a strong scoring presence on the wing for Seattle. While his point totals may not reflect it, Hudson has the tendency to bury the puck, and can score from pretty much anywhere. He was another player who was given sheltered minutes, and will likely be taking on a bigger role with the Militia this year as he develops more. Keep an eye out for his speed, as this kid can fly.

Veikka Toivanen

Drafted: 47th overall by the Seattle Riot Riot

First Name: Veikka
Last Name: Toivanen
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Jersey Number: 5
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 211 lbs
Birthplace: Finland
Player Type: Two-Way Defenseman
Strengths: Passing, Defense, Puck Handling
Weakness: Scoring

Season stats: 50gp, 1g, 10a, 11p, +/- 0
Playoffs stats: 9gp, 1g, 3a, 5p, +/- 4

Toivanen is a puck moving defenseman who will help the rush move quickly and is great at making that outlet pass to generate offense. While he has a lot of offensive upside, that doesn’t mean that he shirks his defensive responsibility. Paired with Marco Raanteli for much of the year, he was the more offensive as the pair as they worked very well in tandem on the blueline. As he develops, he will be a strong member of the Riot, and may be afforded the opportunity to continue playing with his current lineup and further develop their chemistry.

Petr Vrana

[Image: Bradford_2.gif]

Drafted: 51st overall by the San Fransisco Pride pride

First Name: Petr
Last Name: Vrana
Position: G
Birth Date: June 5th, 2000
Shoots: Catch left
Recruited By: n/a
Jersey Number: 33
Height (ft.): 6'2
Weight (lbs.): 210 lbs
Birthplace: Prague, Czech Republic
Player Type: Hybrid Goalie
Strengths: Hand Speed, Reaction Time, Rebound Control
Weakness: Weakness: Skating

Season stats: 45gp, 18-23-3, .890sv%, 2.70 GAA, 1SO, 8 PIM
Playoffs stats: 9gp, 5-4-0, .891sv%, 2.59 GAA, 1 SO

Vrana is a very strong goalie prospect. While pieces of his year have been a little inconsistent, he was a strong presence in the net and like other goalies will need a little time to develop. This guy is like a vacuum, sucking pucks into himself and controlling the rebounds to not allow a second chance. He promises to go on and have a very strong SHL career, and become a household name between the pipes. An absolute steal this late in the draft for San Fransisco.

Overall, a great night at the draft for the Militia, as they have 7 players drafted who all promise to have bright SHL careers. Be sure to keep track of your favourite Militia as they take the time to learn everything they can during their pro training camps and hope to crack the roster. While most won't, they'll have learned a lot by the time they return for next year's season, and will help take on bigger roles with the Militia as they try to make the playoffs again and push deeper.

(1363 words)