In what was considered a draft that was very deep at the higher end, the Hamilton Steelhawks did not have a first round pick at their disposal due to their trade to acquire Flacko Lagerfield the season prior. However, with 5 picks in the range between 28th and 44th, the Steelhawks made some shrewd business in taking 5 players, all from different juniors teams, in order to bolster their prospect pool. Here are the latest additions to the academy:
28TH OVERALL - Rikard Hammarberg ( @jtam - ): Hammarberg, the first selection in the draft for the Steelhawks at 28th, played in a depth role for the championship-winning Anaheim Outlaws. Due to the depth of the squad, Hammarberg was played on the fourth line of the Outlaws, but he did alright in the time he was given, scoring 5 goals and 9 points, as well as 2 goals and 4 points in their playoff run. With Anaheim set to have a decent-sized group of players go up, Hammarberg should see an increased role for the Outlaws next season as they look to defend their title.
33RD OVERALL - Krišs Dārziņš ( @lilstifler - ): Hailing from Latvia, Dārziņš was a late joinee of the Scarecrows this season, and like Hammarberg, saw limited time in St. Louis this season as a result. The winger had only a goal and 3 points in the 27 games he played in the regular season, but was a surprise impact player for the Crows in their run to the final, where he had 5 goals and 3 assists from their 4th line. With St. Louis also losing some forwards to call-ups, watch for Dārziņš to have the opportunity to show his quality over a full season.
35TH OVERALL - A Jobin ( @Awesomecakes - ): Jobin is the 4th goalie Hamilton have drafted in as many seasons, but has so far shown more upside than the previous 3, having been the starter for the Laurifer-winning Falcons most of last season. His numbers weren't spectacular, posting a .871 save % and 3.65 goals against average for Detroit, but he has been improving very steadily over time, as in the playoffs he put up a .892 save % and 3 goals against average. With Detroit's squad looking like it will a force to be reckoned with next season, Jobin has a great opportunity to improve his numbers and show Hamilton that this time they got it right.
36TH OVERALL - (Clean) Andrei Kostitsyn ( @Clean Andrei Kostitsyn - ): What more is there to be said about the Clean man himself? He stepped right into the Newfoundland team this season in a sizeable role, logging many powerplay minutes even, and scored 3 goals and 14 points this season, the most points out of all the Hamilton draftees. Despite being committed to an ongoing search for his long lost brother Sergei, Andrei has not let this affect his play on the ice, as he is still a hardworking and contributing member to the Berserkers. He will likely play a crucial role in Newfoundland next season, due to the large contingency of S50 class players that will be getting called up. If anyone reading this has seen Sergei, please be sure to inform him.
44TH OVERALL - @Lligma Broomstick ( Lligma Broomstick - ): The final Steelhawks pick in this draft, the Vancouver winger was alright in his debut juniors season, scoring 5 goals and 12 points in the regular season for the Whalers. He was also great in the playoff series where Vancouver lost to eventual champions Anaheim, as he scored two goals and two assists to tie the team points lead in the series. With Vancouver looking like they will have a rather thin and rebuilding squad next season, Broomstick could see his numbers improving if he slips into a more depended-upon role.
Despite the picks coming later in the draft than most other teams, Hamilton had a draft management is very satisfied with, and the Steelhawks will feel like their prospect pool has been heavily bolstered. The Steelhawks will now be looking forward to seeing how these youngsters develop playing in expanded roles next season.
Gwdjohnson
): Hammarberg, the first selection in the draft for the Steelhawks at 28th, played in a depth role for the championship-winning Anaheim Outlaws. Due to the depth of the squad, Hammarberg was played on the fourth line of the Outlaws, but he did alright in the time he was given, scoring 5 goals and 9 points, as well as 2 goals and 4 points in their playoff run. With Anaheim set to have a decent-sized group of players go up, Hammarberg should see an increased role for the Outlaws next season as they look to defend their title.
): Hailing from Latvia, Dārziņš was a late joinee of the Scarecrows this season, and like Hammarberg, saw limited time in St. Louis this season as a result. The winger had only a goal and 3 points in the 27 games he played in the regular season, but was a surprise impact player for the Crows in their run to the final, where he had 5 goals and 3 assists from their 4th line. With St. Louis also losing some forwards to call-ups, watch for Dārziņš to have the opportunity to show his quality over a full season.
): Jobin is the 4th goalie Hamilton have drafted in as many seasons, but has so far shown more upside than the previous 3, having been the starter for the Laurifer-winning Falcons most of last season. His numbers weren't spectacular, posting a .871 save % and 3.65 goals against average for Detroit, but he has been improving very steadily over time, as in the playoffs he put up a .892 save % and 3 goals against average. With Detroit's squad looking like it will a force to be reckoned with next season, Jobin has a great opportunity to improve his numbers and show Hamilton that this time they got it right.
): What more is there to be said about the Clean man himself? He stepped right into the Newfoundland team this season in a sizeable role, logging many powerplay minutes even, and scored 3 goals and 14 points this season, the most points out of all the Hamilton draftees. Despite being committed to an ongoing search for his long lost brother Sergei, Andrei has not let this affect his play on the ice, as he is still a hardworking and contributing member to the Berserkers. He will likely play a crucial role in Newfoundland next season, due to the large contingency of S50 class players that will be getting called up. If anyone reading this has seen Sergei, please be sure to inform him.
): The final Steelhawks pick in this draft, the Vancouver winger was alright in his debut juniors season, scoring 5 goals and 12 points in the regular season for the Whalers. He was also great in the playoff series where Vancouver lost to eventual champions Anaheim, as he scored two goals and two assists to tie the team points lead in the series. With Vancouver looking like they will have a rather thin and rebuilding squad next season, Broomstick could see his numbers improving if he slips into a more depended-upon role.
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