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***Jexter*** · 07-24-2024, 12:19 PM

The first seasons of a retool are always tough on players and fans alike, especially when dealing with a historically successful franchise like the Winnipeg Aurora. Still Winnipeg managed to make the playoffs but were subject to a first round exit. With 3 more players retiring, there is more of a pressing need for youth in this lineup. Thankfully, players like NoNo Jo, Pohler Beargeron, Hockey Player, Baron Samedi, and Yuri Boyka III all had great seasons in their development with NoNo Jo even winning the Four Star Cup with the Vancouver Whalers.

So how did the season go for the new drafted lights in the Aurora?

Juan Tymer learned that it’s going to be an exhausting couple seasons for him as the up and coming stud on the blue line for the Winnipeg Aurora. With 19:36 ATOI already in his first season with the Aurora, the new defender had his hands full on both ends of the ice and had 34 points for a plus minus of -11 with 102 blocked shots and 57 hits, showing off his two way talent. He was also on the higher end of PDO on the 100.2. However, in a worrying trend, Timer seems to have been hanging out a bit too much with Langston and has adopted his promiscuity for ending up in the penalty box quite a few times this season. Will Tymer be able to rectify that part of his game or are we seeing a new wave of bad boys playing for the Aurora? Only time will tell in that aspect. Expect Tymer to take on even more duties this upcoming season as more and more members of the Aurora blue line age.

You know when you have an older dog or dogs and you decide to get a younger dog to keep them company and it ends up giving the older dogs a new lease on life? That is basically what happened with the young dog beingLangston Hardison-Laurent and the old dogs being alias Ekholm Gunnarsson and Mikko Rashford. Quickly thrust onto the line with these two Winnipeg legends, Laurent made a name for himself in a questionable way. Many thought that Laurent would be a breath of fresh air and a new possible goal scoring threat on the Aurora, but this side of Laurent only emerged in the playoffs as he tied for the most points on the team, going a point per game. Laurent ended the season with 49 points, 20 goals and 29 assists. Interestingly, despite never playing on the penalty kill at all in the SMJHL, Langston was thrust onto the kill with Winnipeg. And while many thought it would be terrible, Langston actually scored 4 short handed goals and assisted two more shorties. However the bigger problem was keeping him on the ice for the penalty kill as Laurent led the Aurora in penalty minutes with 62. With none of these being related to fighting, it seems as though Langston was continually taking cheap shots at anyone and everyone, apparently wanting to get revenge on former teammates and rivals in the J when he could. Unfortunately, he had a hard time disguising it and found himself sitting alone a lot at hockey games. His plus minus was tied for the worst on the team, but his 7 shot blocks certainly did not endear him to his teammates.

But what will this team need in the draft to properly look at the future? The answer is mainly defenders with Conner Snooks retiring and most of their current blue liners on the wrong side of regression. They made the smart decision to draft Juan Tymer a few seasons ago but he will need help back there soon. They have plenty of forwards in the pipeline, however, they should see more retirements on that front too. Thankfully, young players like Langston Hardison-Laurent, and NoNo Jo will be along soon to keep on replacing what it lost. The Aurora will be looking for their next golden generation as they have had two already and with rumors of a sell off in the works, they will need these players to be hits to plug the big holes in the lineups.

The Aurora have control over quite a few first round picks so who are the big names in this season’s draft?

First we have to talk about Ville Sato-Maki, the current player in this rookie class who is the furthest along in their development. VSM is showcasing a well-rounded build with a high emphasis on skating ability. Additionally, VSM just won a Four Star Cup alongside current Aurora top prospect NoNo Jo.

Next we have Solaire of Astora, who plays defense, a position that the Aurora sorely needs. Solaire plays heavily into the defensive aspects of the game and reads the game beautifully. Playing on GFG that has churned out great defenders in the past is a certain boon as well.

Thirdly, we have Spaceman Spiff, a winger from the Ottawa Highlanders. With a heavy attack and great shooting, he reminds us a bit of a young Langston. With the Aurora needing scoring to round out their lineup, he could be an excellent pick.

Finally, we have Swiss Phenom Walter Scheibli in the net. While the current netminder for the Aurora is fantastic, there are questions on how well they fit the timeline. Getting a goalie that looks to have a great pedigree for the future may be the move.

Bear in mind this is not a definitive list of the Aurora’s choices as that will remain in flux as the Draft draws nearer. We wish all the future draftees the best of luck in the SHL, but we hope that that luck comes with being on the Winnipeg Aurora!

WC: 964

***By-Tor*** · 07-24-2024, 12:50 PM

:eyes:

Credit to enigmatic, Merica, tweedledunn, and jaypc8237 for sigs

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