We already have several draft overviews coming in, so I thought I’d do something in the same vein, but slightly different. I present, Edge’s Completely Arbitrary S65 SMJHL Draft Rankings of Players Created as of May 4, 2022 at 10:30 pm EDT ™.
 
As the title denotes, these rankings are completely arbitrary, and in this first issue I will be ranking the new-gens, an issue of ranking the recreates will come later this week most likely. I’m mostly dividing it up because it’s really difficult to decide where to put new-gens into the mix of proven players. This does not indicate the order I think the players will be drafted in, but the order in which I think you can reasonably rank the prospects based on known factors with in-universe explanations to make it even more arbitrary-looking. So without further ado:
 
1. Otis Boudreaux, RW: Measuring in at 6’1” 195 lbs, the Galway, Ireland native has impressed scouts early. Boudreaux is very balanced on the offensive side of the puck, not standing out in any one skill but incredibly solid in every skill. The physicals are there as well, with a mix of strength and speed, Otis will be a force to be reckoned with on the ice. The one flaw in Boudreaux’s game currently is on defense. They are decent with the stick and at being in position, but the young British Isles callup for the WJC is going to need to improve their use of the body if they want to be a real asset in the defensive zone. A sure thing first round pick for my money.
 
2. Emil Egli, LD: 6’4” 196 lbs and hailing from Lumnezia, Switzerland, Emil Egli seems far and away the best defender of this new class of new-gens so far. With impressive passing and shooting for a young defenseman, Egli will immediately provide points for whichever team he signs with. Emil is also very good with the body and not much worse off with the stick, and isn’t afraid to get in between the puck and the goal. The physicals lag slightly behind the skill, however, with a surprising lack of strength for his size, and generally physical traits more consistent with a forward than a defender, but even then nothing stands out.
 
3. Edge Rocks, RW: It’s a good sign for Ireland that seemingly 2 of the top players of this class call the country home, and hockey fans around the nation will be watching these two work together for years to come. Rocks comes in at 5’11 202 lbs out of Dublin. His passing is among the best of this class, and his offensive ability as a whole will have GMs around the SMJHL looking to call his name on Saturday night. Rocks lacks slightly in strength but makes up for it with his skating ability. The defensive side of his game needs some work, but he has reportedly been working hard on that side of his game both in St. Louis and in the offseason leading up to the draft. Rocks’ proficiency at faceoffs also makes him a flexible option, potentially working as a center for a team in need with a class that lacks the position. Rocks got his feet wet as a DFA with the St. Louis Scarecrows, notching a few assists in limited minutes.
 
4. Anthony Dionne, G: In a very goalie-heavy class, Dionne is the only new-gen goalie. The 6’4” 225 lb Canadian looks promising, with positioning being his standout attribute. Dionne is very well rounded as a goalie however. Equally good with the blocker and the glove, solid at defending low shots and able to control rebounds well, Dionne is very skilled in the crease, although there are slight questions about his stamina if he would end up on the wrong side of a shooting massacre. Don’t expect to see Dionne leave the crease or make any passes down the length of the ice to set off a breakaway, but this is a solid netminder with plenty of upside.
 
5. Koty Kochan, C: The four above are what I would consider the true 1st-2nd round prospects. Not to say the rest aren’t good or don’t have any upside, but the top 4 seems to have a pretty clear separation. Koty Kochan comes out of Wheeling, West Virginia at 6’ and 200 lbs even. As one of very few true centers in a year where many teams might be looking for one, Kochan could very well find a way into the early rounds. Wherever Kochan signs, he brings an immediate impact to the offense, with a superb reading of the offensive gain, good passing and puckhandling, and solid shooting with an ability to find space often enough. He isn’t likely to find any tip ins, but his agility is unmatched in this class. There is plenty of improvement to be made in skating ability, however, with scouts noticing a lack of balance and speed despite possessing quickness out of the gate. Kochan also needs to build some muscle and is seen as somewhat of a liability on defense. There is plenty of work for Kochan to put in to be ready for the start of the season.
 
6. Matty Ice, RW: At 6’2” 220 lbs with plenty of strength and a knack for using the body, Matty Ice will make his presence known on the ice early. The RW straight out of Compton has two real proficiencies: checking and shooting. Ice has a great shot on him, although lacks some range, but that can be forgiven for a forward. Solid faceoffs make him a potential option at center, giving him some flexibility for whoever drafts him. Quick out of the gate and fairly agile, Ice will look to get past opponents quickly and then use his body to keep them off of the puck to make up for his lack of overall speed. Ice lacks stickwork on both sides of the puck, however, and won’t be putting his body on the line to block any shots any time soon, and lack of defensive IQ puts his defensive value in question. Ice will surely start racking up goals quickly, but some would call the American RW selfish, citing his defensive struggles and low passing ability. Ice definitely falls under the “shoot first, ask questions later” category.
 
7. Jim Bob Alabama, LD: As you would expect from his name, Jim Bob Alabama comes from Mobile, Alabama. Jim Bob is an interesting prospect, at 5’10” 260 lbs, but with a complete lack of strength. Like Ice, Alabama excels in shooting, but has an extreme lack in passing ability and does not use his size well on the defensive side of the puck. Great stamina and skating makes Alabama appear more viable as a winger than a defenseman. Alabama is clearly an offensive defenseman, looking to contribute in the goals column quickly but needing to put in plenty of work on the rest of his game.

[1222 words, Ready for Grading]