Login

***hotdog*** · 03-25-2019, 02:47 PM

(wc: 569 nice)

The SMJHL is a league all about improvement, so it's no surprise that most players get better from season to season. The Most Improved Team will focus on players whose leaps this season were truly exceptional in a league full of improved players. Improvements can owe to a variety of factors, including increased playing time, altered coaching strategy on ice, and allocation of attributes. Regardless of the source of improvement, these six players (plus honorable mentions) demonstrated the most notable improvements in the box score this season.

Goalie - Patrice Nadeau Lions

S45: 13-27-3, 0.883 SV%, 3.23 GAA, 0 SO
S46: 21-15-1, 0.911 SV%, 2.24 GAA, 5 SO

Nadeau was first on the depth chart for the Lions in S45 and S46, but really stepped up his game in the crease this year, with drastic improvements in nearly every statistical category. Nadeau's save percentage rose nearly 30 points, and his GAA dropped by a full goal per game. Nadeau led the league in those two categories as well as shutouts.

Honorable Mentions: Casimir Stevens (VAN), Jakub Hasek (DET)

Defense - Basil Magnicotta Scarecrows

and Johnny Sins Armada

Magnicotta:
S45: 5G, 11A, +2, 19SB, 0 Fights
S46: 6G, 27A, +8, 45SB, 2 Fights
Sins:
S45: 2G, 12A, 35SB, 0 PPP
S46: 2G, 24A, 66SB, 6 PPP

Magnicotta and Sins elevated their games on both offense and defense this season, which earns them the honors among Defensemen. Magnicotta more than doubled his assists output from last season, and contributed significant time on the penalty kill. Sins also doubled his assists output from a season ago, contributing to the power play as well, and shot up the leaderboard like a Johnny Sins stiffy to lead the league in blocked shots.

Honorable Mentions: Joln DuBolk (LBL), Slip McScruff (STL), Olin O'Dowd (MTL)

Wingers - Brock Emmerton Armada

and Peter Mikulak Whalers

Emmerton:
S45: 4G, 4A, -1, 34 Hits, 0 PPP
S46: 12G, 22A, +2, 104 Hits, 14 PPP
Mikulak:
S45: 8G, 6A, -21, 35 Hits
S46: 20G, 24A, +18

Emmerton came out of nowhere this year to turn an unimpressive S45 (even by rookie standards) into a standout second campaign. Emmerton's time on the PP unit paid off to the tune of 14 points, and Emmerton displayed a newfound physicality en route to leading the Armada in hits by a Johny Sins dick-length with 104. Mikulak was part of the most electric line in the SMJHL alongside his fellow improvee Borromini Cannellini, finishing with 20 goals and 24 assists. A plus/minus (read into that stat with as few grains of salt as you please) swing from -21 to +18 is certainly notable.

Honorable Mentions: Troy Reynolds (HAL), Olivier Cloutier (ANC)

Center - Kristoffer Svensson Militia

S45: 5G, 5A, -9, 47.5% FOW
S46: 13G, 27A, +5, 54.0% FOW

Svensson also improved on an unimpressive S45 rookie season and exploded in S46 to lead his team in points and finish fifth among centers in the league. Svensson earned the first line center position and his coaches right by way of a 40-point showing. Svensson improved in the faceoff circle as well, finishing seventh in the league.

Honorable Mention: Borromini Cannellini (VAN) (honestly he probably deserves it but I wanted to shine the spotlight somewhere else this time around), Knute Knurtsson (COL), Barry Batsbak (KEL)