(PHOENIX) The Phoenix Screaming Cacti are bringing the excitement of the SHL to Arizona. The team composed of new prospects for the upcoming juniors draft is drawing some attention from the GMs and scouts of the league. But what is the recipe to their success? All signs seem to point to how balanced the team is, with players producing at high level in every position.

 

Before we dive in, a little background on the current situation of the prospect league. The Screaming Cacti (8-4-2) currently are leading the league, with the San Diego Sand Lions (8-4-1) coming in hot in second place. In 3rd place we have the Tokyo Yoshi’s (7-5-0) followed by the Mexico City Aztecs (3-9-1) in last place. The league has been mostly competitive and it has produced wonderful back and forth matches.

 

The Screaming Cacti’s effectiveness all starts in goal with Jordan PlayStation. The goalie has been vital for such a great run, earning 6 wins in 9 games and posting 209 saves. If he can stay hot and clean up his rebound game he will definitely flourish in the next level. Next up we have a strong defensive core led by Vincent Fox, Pudge Gortz and Hans Graf. All three players have contributed to the team both offensively and defensively, which in turn helps free up the forwards and provides support to the goalies. Lastly we have the very solid offense headed by the team leading goal scorers Petra Sabor and Peanut Butter, with 5 goals apiece. If the team can generate more high danger chances, they have a great opportunity to win the whole prospect league.

 

Lastly we have gotten some exclusive quotes from the players in a personal interview that was offered to us. Here are the best quotes of that evening:

 
“This is Clem Fandango, can you hear me?” –Clem testing out the microphone
“In the end, the game is all about X and O's… Squares and triangles too” –Jordan PlayStation on his teams display the last game
“I’m the Jelly and he is… well the Peanut Butter” –Petra Sabor on his line mate Peanut Butter  


That is all for today's column and until next time!


(Word count: 403)

      




Hans Graf || RD || Colorado Raptors
Name: Hans Graf
Birthplace: Füssen, Germany
Height:6'1"
Weight: 220lbs
Number:47
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Career Statistics
[pbl]SMJHL Career:[/pbl]
S60: GP 66 |G 7|A17|P 24|-9|74Hits|56Blk

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Highlights
S60: Cassius Darrow ROTY winner
S61: Alternate Captain
S62: Captain

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Transaction History
S61: Drafted 20th overall by the Colorado Raptors 



   


Hans Graf || RD || Philadelphia Forge
S60: Drafted 7th overall by the Philadelphia Forge 

Awards  
S62: "The Chisel" LR award




      


Hans Graf || RD || Germany/DACH
International Awards
-WJC S60 Bronze Medal
-WJC S61 Harvey Danger Best D-man Winner
-WJC S61 Spotlight award Winner

Awesome. Glad you've been enjoying the showcase

DEMIR BELLONA | RD | MONTREAL PATRIOTES
Name: Demir Bellona
Height: 5' 11''
Weight: 185 lbs
Number: 21

MATT KHOLIN | C | BUFFALO STAMPEDE | RETIRED 
Name: Matt Kholin
Height: 6' 1''
Weight: 205 lbs
Number: 15
Peak TPE: 2069
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Achievements
Round 4 #35 overall S45 SMJHL by Halifax Raiders
Round 1 #14 overall S46 SMHL by Tampa Bay Barracuda
S45 WJC Team Canada Silver Medal Winner
S45 Nominated for the Esa Anrikkanen Award (Rookie of the Year)
S46 WJC Team Canada Bronze Medal Winner
S47 WJC Team Canada Gold Medal Winner
S47 Jared Hanson Award Winner (Most Points)
S47 Roberto Martucci Award Winner (Most Goals)
S47 Ideen Fallah Award Winner (Regular Season MVP)
S47 Brandon Holmes Award Winner (Top Defensive Forward)
S47 Ron Bolt Award Winner (Most Sportsmanlike Player)
S48 All Rookie Team
S50 IIHF Team Canada Bronze Medal Winner
S53 Damian Littleton Award Nominated (Most Dedicated)
S53 Elias Armia Award Winner
(The Commissioner's Award of Excellence)
S54 Traded at the Trade Deadline to Buffalo Stampede
S54 Damian Littleton Award Winner (Most Dedicated)
S54 Jeff Dar Award Nominated (Best Two-Way Forward)
S54 Aidan Richan Award Nominated (Most improved)
S54 All-Star 2nd Team
S54 IIHF Team Canada Gold Medal Winner
S55 IIHF Team Canada Bronze Medal Winner
S56 IIHF Team Canada Gold Medal Winner
S57 IIHF Team Canada Gold Medal Winner
S57 Damian Littleton Award Nominated (Most Dedicated)
S59 Damian Littleton Award Nominated (Most Dedicated)
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SHL Statistics
S48 TBB: GP: 50 G: 14 A: 19 P: 33
S49 TBB: GP: 50 G: 9 A: 20 P: 29
S50 TBB: GP: 50 G: 11 A: 22 P: 33
S51 TBB: GP: 50 G: 13 A: 16 P: 29
S52 TBB: GP: 50 G: 14 A: 28 P: 42
S53 TBB: GP: 50 G: 15 A: 24 P: 39
S54 BUF: GP: 50 G: 32 A: 40 P: 72
S55 BUF: GP: 50 G: 19 A: 35 P: 54
S56 BUF: GP: 50 G: 20 A: 33 P: 53
S57 BUF: GP: 66 G: 23 A: 46 P: 69
S58 BUF: GP: 66 G: 24 A: 43 P: 67
S59 BUF: GP: 66 G: 36 A: 45 P: 81
S60 BUF: GP: 66 G: 32 A: 51 P: 83
S61 BUF: GP: 66 G: 40 A: 28 P: 68
S62 BUF: GP: 66 G: 20 A: 36 P: 56
Career: GP: 846 G: 322 A: 486 P: 808
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SHL Playoffs Statistics
S48 TBB: GP: 7 G: 1 A: 2 P: 3
S49 TBB: GP: 12 G: 2 A: 8 P: 10
S50 TBB: GP: 19 G: 4 A: 8 P: 12
S51 TBB: GP: 4 G: 0 A: 2 P: 2
S52 TBB: Eliminated
S53 TBB: Eliminated
S54 BUF: GP: 13 G: 2 A: 8 P: 10
S55 BUF: GP: 17 G: 4 A: 11 P: 15
S56 BUF: GP: 23 G: 6 A: 11 P: 17
S57 BUF: GP: 17 G: 7 A: 9 P: 16
S58 BUF: GP: 21 G: 9 A: 4 P: 13
S59 BUF: GP: 19 G: 12 A: 9 P: 21
S60 BUF: GP: 22 G: 5 A: 15 P: 20
S61 BUF: GP: 9 G: 5 A: 0 P: 5
S62 BUF: GP: 9 G: 1 A: 5 P: 6
Career: GP: 192 G: 58 A: 92 P: 150
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International Statistics
S45 WJC CAN: GP: 22 G: 2 A: 5 P: 7
S46 WJC CAN: GP: 29 G: 7 A: 23 P: 30
S47 WJC CAN: GP: 28 G: 7 A: 21 P: 28
S47 IIHF CAN: GP: 12 G: 2 A: 2 P: 4
S48 IIHF CAN: GP: 13 G: 0 A: 2 P: 2
S49 IIHF CAN: GP: 13 G: 1 A: 4 P: 5
S50 IIHF CAN: GP 14: G: 0 A: 3 P: 3
S51 IIHF CAN: GP 13: G: 1 A: 4 P: 5
S52 IIHF CAN: GP 12: G: 7 A: 3 P: 10
S53 IIHF CAN: GP 14: G: 9 A: 9 P: 18
S54 IIHF CAN: GP 17: G: 10 A: 9 P: 19
S55 IIHF CAN: GP 14: G: 6 A: 8 P: 14
S56 IIHF CAN: GP 15: G: 3 A: 13 P: 16
S57 IIHF CAN: GP 15: G: 7 A: 5 P: 12
S58 IIHF CAN: GP 15: G: 3 A: 7 P: 10
S59 IIHF CAN: GP 12: G: 1 A: 5 P: 6
S60 IIHF CAN: GP 13: G: 3 A: 8 P: 11
S61 IIHF CAN: GP 15: G: 3 A: 6 P: 9
S62 IIHF CAN: GP 15: G: 1 A: 4 P: 5
Career: GP: 302 G: 70 A: 138 P: 208
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SMJHL Regular Season
S45 HAL: GP: 50 G: 15 A: 17 P: 32
S46 HAL: GP: 50 G: 10 A: 17 P: 27
S47 HAL: GP: 50 G: 24 A: 24 P: 48
Career: GP: 150 G: 49 A: 58 P: 107
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SMJHL Playoffs Statistics
S45 HAL: GP: 11 G: 4 A: 6 P: 10
S46 HAL: GP: 13 G: 3 A: 5 P: 8
S47 HAL: GP: 4 G: 0 A: 2 P: 2
Career: GP: 28 G: 7 A: 13 P: 20
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