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the5urreal · 01-05-2025, 09:28 AM

When a player is drafted in the SMJHL, they are typically encouraged to remain in the minors for four seasons. That doesn't always happen but for the sake of this deep dive I'll be looking at SMJHL team performance over the previous four seasons as well as their outlook for S80 (with roughly a quarter of the regular season remaining) and beyond.

The table below is a summation of the standings over the past four seasons in the SMJHL (S76-S79). While this doesn’t illustrate the big picture, it’s clear that the Maine Timber have been a dominant force in the regular season over this time period. However, regular season success doesn’t always translate into playoff success and that can be said in this case.

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Maine Timber

From S76 to S79, the Maine Timber finished the regular season as the best team in the SMJHL twice (S77 and S78) and didn’t finish lower than 4th. While their 51-11-4 finish in S78 is absolutely insane, S79 was an even more impressive team effort with FIVE(!) players accumulating over 100 points. The Timber reached the finals twice, losing in S76 but hoisting the Four Star Cup in S78.

Maine is having another solid showing in S80 with 70 points through 50 games so far (only 2 points behind conference leader Carolina).

Quebec City Citadelles

While QCC is a distant 2nd to Maine over the past four regular seasons, they’ve arguably had more success overall. The Citadelles have won the Four Star Cup twice (S76 and S79) and were a force on both the offensive and defensive sides last season.

The S79 success has carried over to S80 as the Citadelles are cruising with a 42-7-2 record and 86 points, seven more than the next best team, through 51 games. QCC went all in this season. However, with no draft picks in S80, a down season or two could be on the horizon.

Colorado Raptors

Though the Colorado Raptors have had nearly as much success as the Citadelles over the past four regular seasons, that hasn’t translated to the playoffs. From S76-S78, the Raptors couldn’t make it past the second round of the playoffs. They did make a surprise run to the finals in S79 before running into QCC.

Through 50 games in S80, Colorado is sitting in the middle of the pack with 53 points. If their four first round draft picks in S79 and S80 pan out, they could be in great shape going forward.

Newfoundland Berserkers

It’s been a while since I’ve kept track of the SMJHL teams, but the Newfoundland Berserkers were a dynasty during my last stint in the J and have continued that success over the past four regular seasons. Like Colorado though, that regular season success didn’t carry over to the playoffs. The Berserkers made it to the conference finals in S76 but haven’t made it past the second round since.

Through 53 games in S80, Newfoundland finds themselves 2nd in the league with 79 points. They’ll have to go through QCC to get to the finals but have the firepower to do so. With three picks in the first two rounds of the S79 and S80 drafts, this success could continue.

Carolina Kraken

As the SMJHL seasons ebb and flow, so too does the Carolina Kraken. They’ve bookended two sub-par regular seasons in S77 and S78 with two great ones in S76 and S79. They made it count in those two great seasons with runs to the conference finals but were ultimately eliminated (by the eventual finals loser both times).

With 72 points through 50 games in S80, the Kraken sit atop their conference. Carolina’s six draft picks in the first two rounds in S79 and S80 could indicate that they’re just getting started.

Nevada Battleborn

The Nevada Battleborn were among the best teams in the league in S77 and S78 but fell near the bottom in S79. Over the past four seasons, Nevada has only made it out of the first round of the playoffs once (S76).

The Battelborn find themselves hovering around the middle of the pack through 50 games in S80. They got their franchise goalie in the S80 draft but will need to develop their remaining picks to continue improving.

Detroit Falcons

Outside of S77, the Detroit Falcons have been an average team in the regular season. Though their solid S77 finish with a first round playoff elimination, they did make a surprise run to the conference finals in S78 before running in the powerhouse that was Maine.

S80 finds the Falcons on the outside looking in, sitting in last place with 26 points through 53 games. Honestly, after only one first round pick and one second round pick over the S79 and S80 draft, Detroit could use the top overall pick if they hope to succeed in the near future.

Thunder Bay Walleye

The Thunder Bay Walleye (formerly known as the Regina Elk) relocated in S78. Relocation of a team always comes with its challenges and this was no exception. After Regina finished 3rd in the league in S77, the Walleye found themselves one spot out of the basement in S78 with a moderate improvement in S79.

Thunder Bay took a step back in S80 and sit in the 15th spot with 31 points through 50 games. The Walleye have had some solid picks in S79 and S80 and another high draft pick or two in S81 could help set them up in the future.

Anchorage Armada

Anchorage wasn’t great in S76 or S77 but vastly improved in S78 and S79. The Armada were finally able to find playoff success in S79 with a run to the conference finals after three straight one-and-dones in the playoffs.

The Anchorage Armada have ridden on the coattails of the S79 run with a great start in S80. Their 75 points through 51 games puts them 3rd in the league, ready to make another run. With only one first round pick and one second round pick over the S79 and S80 drafts, Anchorage will need to hope their other draft picks pan out or will have to find other ways to continue this success.

Great Falls Grizzlies

The Great Falls Grizzlies have been the epitome of mediocre over the last four seasons finishing 8th, 9th, 9th, and 12th respectively. They made it to the second round of the playoffs in S76 and S78 but have otherwise had their share of difficulties.

So far, through 50 games in S80, GFG has 39 points which put them at 13th in the league. They’re looking at another high draft pick and can hopefully make that work with their other solid picks in S79 and S80.

Ottawa Highlanders

The Ottawa Highlanders were an expansion team in S76, which was their worst finish over this time period (14th), and have been up decent since then. Ottawa best season (S77) saw them make a surprise run to the finals before eventually losing steam. They finished 8th in S79.

Through 51 games in S80, the Highlanders have 58 points which is good enough for 6th in the league. They’ll have some big shoes to fill in the coming seasons but hope to maintain their success with their recent and future draft picks.

Yukon Malamutes

The Malamutes have found themselves in the bottom half of the league more often than not over the past four seasons. Despite that, Yukon has found some playoff success recently, even making a run to the conference finals in S78.

If the Malamutes can keep it up, they’ll find themselves in the top half of the league in S80 with 55 points through 51 games. That puts them at 7th in the league currently. If they hope to continue this success, they’ll need the S79 and S80 picks, including the coveted Océane Söderberg-Tremblay, to lead them.

St. Louis Scarecrows

St. Louis followed two 15th place finishes in S76 and S77 with two 7th place finishes in S78 and S79. However, they have been unable to make it out of the second round of the playoffs over that period of time.

The Scarecrows are 14th place with 31 points through 50 games so far in S80. They had a big draft in S79 but may find it difficult to turn things around after having no picks in the S80 draft.

Kelowna Knights

The Kelowna Knights were gradually improving from S76 through S78 but found themselves falling back to a 15th place finish in S79. Those improvements came with rewards as they made a finals appearance in S78 but they unfortunately ran into a dominant Maine team.

The Knights sit in 10th place through 49 games in S80 with 47 points. The Knights have had several picks in the first two rounds of the S79 and S80 drafts. If those players pan out, they could be looking at a return to the top.

Vancouver Whalers

The second worst team over the past four seasons, the Vancouver Whalers are a bit of an enigma. They were abysmally bad in S79 which heavily contributed to this placement. The Whalers took home a Four Star Cup in S77 despite a 6th place regular season finish. Crazy how much things can change over just a couple seasons.

Vancouver is 12th in the league with 47 points through 52 games so far in S80. The Whalers had a first round pick in S79 but stockpiled draft picks for the S80 draft. If they nailed most of those picks and have strong drafts in the future, the Vancouver Whalers could be set up for big things over the next few seasons.

San Diego Tidal

Another S76 expansion team, the San Diego Tidal have been bottom feeders since their inaugural season in which they finished 9th in the regular season. They’ve been on-and-done in the playoffs in all four seasons.

In S80, the Tidal are 11th place with 47 points through 51 games. Like Vancouver, the San Diego Tidal had numerous picks in the S80 draft. Combined with their previous draft picks, they’ll need a major uptick in production and successful future drafts if they hope to make a run to the top.

[1,760 words]

*Ara* · 01-06-2025, 12:51 PM

@the5urreal Well done! Approved for 5 TPE.

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