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DarkCanuck29 · 08-18-2021, 08:55 AM

With the SMJHL Draft just days away, it is time to take a look at the Kelowna Knights and where they will look to improve just one season removed from the latest Championship in the Franchise’s storied history. With a move to a rebuild starting in earnest last offseason, the team hit hard in the draft, picking up 11 players. Though the season was tough, finishing second to last in the league, Kelowna worked their rookies into the regular rotation and ensured team Veterans like Gerry Atrick, Danny C, Cian McFelter and Satoru Gojō would impart as much experience as possible on the young future core.

This offseason sees the departure or likely departure of almost the entire veteran group of the Knights. Although some positions are filled, there are several inactive players that skew the team to looking more fleshed out than it actually is. This will be the second rebuilding season for the Knights, and this draft will be absolutely key to re-opening the window of contention.

FORWARDS

At Centre, the Knights will be relying on Satoru Gojō to lead the way, with Sean Stevenson III behind. Inactives Tim Rocker and Tommy Westbrook currently fill the other two spots, but expect these players to be immediately overtaken by anyone drafted by Kelowna. Stud Centre Cian McFelter unexpectedly retired after the season and will not return.

On the Wings it is the Calgary Dragon’s First Round pick Duncan Mackenzie, the Flashy Petr Svoboda, sniper Petra Sabor, and Hard-nosed Scott Thorn who will be relied upon to take the reins and bring respectability to the season. Inactive Luca Shark will likely not make the team this year. Winger Gerry Atrick has a good shot at cracking the Calgary Dragons Roster in the SHL, and will likely not return to Kelowna for another season. If he does return, it will be a massive boost to the teams chances. Second year forward and 8th overall pick in the SHL Draft Thomas Zadina has already been called up to the New Orleans Specters and will be the first of the Season 60 drafted Knights to make his debut in the big leagues.

The current depth chart at Forward looks something like this:

D. Mackenzie S. Gojō P. Svoboda

Scott Thorn S. Stevenson P. Sabor

- T. Rocker(IA) L. Shark(IA)

- T. Westbrook(IA) -

The lack of depth is an issue and all of the players except Gojō are headed into their second season, with a 350 TPE Cap. This was always part of the plan and the Season 60 and 61 drafts will make up the core of the teams competing for the Four-Star Cup in Seasons 63 onward. The big takeaway is there are many spots open up front for someone to grab right out of the Draft and any prospect should be excited to join this organization.

DEFENCE

The defensive depth is so thin as to be frightening. The conversation starts with third overall pick in the SHL draft Leons Briedis. The spectacular Latvian was a revelation on the ice, putting up 23 points and logging serious minutes in his rookie campaign. He leads the S61 Knights in TPE and is a leader in the Dressing Room. Expect him to take a commanding hold of the #1 Defence spot.

Next is second year defenceman Sebastian Weiss, a player who unexpectedly slipped in the SHL draft and is ready to prove to everyone just how wrong they were. I expect Weiss to have a very strong year for Kelowna and to slot nicely into the #2 role behind Briedis

The last true defenceman is Patrick Toes. He was the #1 defenceman last season for Kelowna, however, he has stagnated and has been passed on the depth chart. Kelowna need him to pick up his game and to keep improving, though reports are that he has returned to the gym with a vengeance and is ready to put up a strong season for the Knights.

Following them is a long list of inactive players who will be quickly overtaken by the new crop of youngsters.

The Depth Chart at Defence look like this:

L. Briedis S. Weiss

P. Toes -

- -

There is a lot of work to do over the course of this offseason to fill in the gap here. The size and depth of the draft class means that there are a lot of potential options to fill in here and Kelowna must get the picks correct to ensure the contention window opens on time to mesh with the fantastic pickups from the Season 60 draft class.

GOALIE

There are two goalie spots open in Kelowna, with long-time starter Benjamin Blue-II moving on to start his SHL Career. Backups Jason Playstation and Corey McFarland are Inactive, meaning there is a large opportunity for any of the 10 (at the time of this writing) goalies available in the Season 61 Draft.

SUMMARY

Kelowna hit upon the majority of its 11 picks in the Season 60 draft and this has gone a long way to creating the future core of this team, but the work is not done yet. There are major opportunities for any young player at any position coming out of this year’s draft. A lot of work lies ahead of the Knights scouting staff as they sort through this massive draft class to find the players that will truly exceed expectations for this club.

Winnipeg Aurora Aurora

monochroma · 08-18-2021, 10:51 AM

> Kelowna hit upon the majority of its 11 picks in the Season 60 draft

damn right

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