06-20-2023, 04:10 PM(This post was last modified: 06-22-2023, 02:17 PM by CptSquall. Edited 1 time in total.)
The Yukon Malamutes are the youngest team in the Simulation Major Junior Hockey league. Because of this, to talk about the most influential draft class in Malamutes history, you actually have to go back in time to when the team was the Anaheim Outlaws. The Season 64 draft was crucial to the future success of Yukon, although it failed to win them a Four star cup it produced many star players for the Malamutes, even extending into the later rounds. I believe this could quite possibly be one of the best drafts for a team in SMJHL history.
To kick off the draft the Anaheim Outlaws selected Lord Farquaads 9th overall. Standing at a mighty 4'6, Farquaads was a prototypical stay at home defenseman, whos fantastic defensive play made the job for Yukon's goaltenders that much easier. While he didn't put up too many numbers on the stat sheet, scoring only 77 points in his junior career, he was a core piece of the Malamutes blueline for years to come.
In the second round Yukon snagged a perfect defensive partner for Lord Farquaads, taking Patches the III 20th overall. This smooth skating, nearly 7 foot tall dog was the Yin to Lord Farquaads Yang. Right from his rookie season Patches the III cemented himself in the games elite, racking up 9 goals 32 assists for 41 points, good for 4th in team scoring as a rookie defenseman. In his second season he broke out even more, scoring a career high 19 goals, and a career high 44 points. Patches the III was a perfect second round pick that gave them a fantastic puck moving defenseman.
Also in the second round with a pick acquired from the Great Falls Grizzlies , Anaheim continued their drafting master class with selecting Reed Kobo 26th overall. Kobo didn't light the world on fire in his rookie season like his teammate from the second round, but he proved to be a valuable asset scoring a respectable 19 goals 12 assists. Reed Kobo really had his breakout year in season 66. He lit up the league with 38 goals 46 assists for 84 points, a key factor in the best line in the J that season and helping the Malamutes to a 4th place finish. After such a dynamic season he was noticed by his SHL team Los Angeles and didn't play his 4th jr season.
Marty Sanderson III, was taken 34th overall in the 3rd round. Marty Sanderson III was a solid depth player for his jr career. Starting off slow he only scored 13 pts in his rookie season, and then failed to improve on that his sophomore season. After that however he came into his own with 2 solid seasons scoring 43 points and 53 points respectively. Solid contributions from a 3rd round pick.
Very similar to Marty Sanderson III, Bond, Adison Bond was taken 48th overall. Bond had a fantastic rookie year with 41 points in 66 games. He regressed slightly in his second season scoring only 38 but improved the next with 44 points, very solid career.
And now onto the steal of the season 64 draft. This pick is what takes the draft from great to fantastic. Selected 62nd overall, after two teams had passed on drafting players, the Anaheim Outlaws selected Left wing, Billy Blazes. Billy started off slowly, like you would expect from a 5th round pick, scoring only 28 points in his rookie season. But he showed a willingness to get down in the nitty gritty with 4 fights, 67 blocks and 73 hits. Because of this energy Billy Blazes was named the first captain in Yukon Malamutes history, in only his second season. HIs career progressed seeing him lead in the best line of season 66 alongside Reed Kobo and Oles Kobliska, Billy finished 4th and 5th in league scoring and was one of the most dominant power forwards the game has ever seen. Despite never winning a championship, Blazes was clutch in the playoffs, holding the franchise record for playoff goals scored. He was later inducted into the Yukon Malamutes hall of fame with his former line mate Kobliska.
Finally in the 6th round they selected Goaltender Andrew Kiehl, who played 19 games in an Anaheim sweater before being traded to the Great Falls Grizzlies.
And with that, that is the season 64 draft by the Anaheim Outlaws/Yukon Malamutes. What do you think, is this one of the best drafts in J history? Sound off in the comments below, also don't forget to like and subscribe and ring the bell to join the notification squad.
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