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Finetales · 01-14-2020, 08:33 PM

2x Draft Bonus - Ready for Grading (saving first article bonus for later) | Word Count: 853

Tall Grass Media SMJHL Draft Watch Series presents:

A Wind from the East
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Season 53's junior draft is days away and excitement has been mounting in a big way throughout the league. Junior draft day is one of the biggest days of the year for the SHL and SMJHL, and the days leading up to it are always a maelstrom of draft predictions, prospect interviews, and scouting by interested GMs. This draft is no different, and with a whopping 123 prospects as of this writing, teams and scouts certainly have their work cut out for them. Notable in this class is a wealth of promising forwards eager to make names for themselves in the SHL, and not a moment too soon as the league is in dire need of an offense injection. It's not just the forwards that make this draft class exciting though - several D-men and even a handful of goalies from the class stand out with huge potential. But the common sentiment is that it's the Year of the Forwards, and today we're going to be taking a closer look at one of them.

Hiroshi Ohira is notable for being the only Japanese player in this class, but that is far from the only way in which he stands out. A right winger who excels in the offensive zone, Ohira has exceptional skating and puck handling skills for his age that allow him to defeat defensemen 1-on-1 and get close to the net. He lacks the mass to land or deflect effective checks, but in scholastic hockey this was rarely a problem for him as his impressive speed allowed him to outskate larger players. This speed, combined with his skating and puck handling allow him to easily move the puck into the offensive end, where he is the most dangerous. While his slapshot is no slouch, his accurate wrist shot has proven deadly against opposing netminders. However, as comfortable as Ohira is at scoring goals close in, his passing ability is arguably even better and his assist stats back that up. He will need to improve his game in the defensive end to excel in the SMJHL, but this disciplined speedster should be on every team's radar.

We caught up with the elusive prospect for an interview shortly before draft day.

TGM: With your draft in a few days, what kinds of things are on your mind right now?

HO: Well, I'm excited, of course. I've wanted to play pro my whole life and getting drafted is a big step that way. I'm a little nervous too. I mean, who isn't? You want to get picked. There's a lot of great players in this draft too. Everybody's good.

T: Are there any teams you hope to be drafted by?

H: Yeah, I mean, not really. I really just want to play hockey, I'll be happy on any team. Whichever team picks me is my team and I give 100% for them.

T: What do you think are your best assets as a player?

H: My speed and skating, I think. Beating the defense to the offensive zone. I like scoring and making cool passes of course, but I think getting the puck to the other end fast is what I'm best at.

T: What are some things you think you need to improve on the ice?

H: Well, my defense isn't so good. Checking neither, but big checks aren't part of my game so much so I'm not so worried about that one.

T: Did you pick #36 or was it assigned to you?

H: I picked it, I guess because I'm a nerd. 36 is a cool number, look it up. I could explain it but you probably want me to talk about hockey stuff.

T: Another time, maybe. Last question: do you have a favorite NHL player?

H: Easy, Nik Backstrom. His passes are amazing.

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We think this interview was fairly enlightening. This draft's prospects have been very tight-lipped about what teams have been talking to them and Ohira is no exception. The only thing we can fairly predict is that whoever picks Ohira will not be disappointed, and his career will be one to watch.

*fishy* · 01-14-2020, 08:35 PM

Just a heads up its double draft media week so you can save your first article bonus for a different article!

Finetales · 01-14-2020, 08:37 PM

01-14-2020, 08:35 PMjfisherr Wrote: Just a heads up its double draft media week so you can save your first article bonus for a different article!

Oh great point! Edited.

DeletedAtUserRequest · 01-14-2020, 08:40 PM

@Calgary - keep an eye on this kid.

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SlashACM · 01-14-2020, 08:43 PM

01-14-2020, 08:40 PMMike Izzy Wrote: @Calgary - keep an eye on this kid.

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That's you

*fishy* · 01-14-2020, 09:15 PM

01-14-2020, 08:37 PMFinetales Wrote:
01-14-2020, 08:35 PMjfisherr Wrote: Just a heads up its double draft media week so you can save your first article bonus for a different article!

Oh great point! Edited.

Happy to help! Welcome to the league.

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