(First article, not a snappy title but whatever)

18 year old Nicklaus Engel has been turning heads of late after signing a contract with the Krefeld Pinguines early December after the scouting team discovered him playing in Frankfurt, Germany.  "All I needed was someone to take a chance on me.  I've shown that I can play at high levels, but people always underestimated me."  While playing in Frankfurt for the Löwen Frankfurt, Engel was a consistent force on the ice.  He wouldn't score the flashy goals or make the highlight reel plays, but his 200-foot game and his vision on the ice is what set his teammates up with goals.  "As an 18-year old player he shows a....maturity about how he approaches the game that isn't seen a lot in youth hockey players." his former head coach told media.  "The way he thinks the game and studies the game, he's playing 4D chess while everyone is playing checkers" 

Currently playing in 20 games with Krefeld, has amassed only 10 points but that could be due to playing third line minutes, but he's the top penalty killer for the Pinguines and is relied on in high pressure defensive situations late in games.  Despite his size, he is very tenacious and doesn't back down though he has suffered some injuries due to his "balls to the wall" style.  He missed a good chunk of his 17-Year old season when he was on the receiving end of a vicious hit that ended up separating his shoulder.  When asked about the injury and it's impact on his draft stock for the SJMHL; "Yeah, it sucked not playing last year and I think it hurt my stock.  I showed I could play in DEL2 as a 17 year old, but questions were definitely asked about whether I could handle the bigger leagues.  I was only 5'7" last year and hit a growth spurt.  I feel I can still add some muscle and I'm still growing."  Look for Engel's name to continue climbing up the boards as he participates in the U20 Tournament later this month. 

Nicklaus Engel - a growing German forward with excellent two-way and playmaking skills is creeping up the #SHLHockey prospect board. One scout compared him to a Mark Recchi type of player

- Scout Hans Fernindad

I'm here for an exciting new German prospect! Welcome and solid first article!

M'Baku Olubori || #81 || RW

Drafted 4th overall in S64 SMJHL Draft by Regina

Drafted 95th overall in S65 SHL Draft by Baltimore

Won S68 Ryan Jesster Trophy (Rookie of the Year)

Cassius Darrow || #81 || RD
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SMJHL Stats:
S44 - S46 || COL  || GP: 150 || G: 15 || A: 85 || P: 100 || +/-: +1 || SB: 195
S47 - S55 || BUF  || GP: X || G: X || A: X || P: X || +/-: X || SB: X
S56 - S63 || SEA  || GP: 0 || G: 0 || A: 0 || P: 0 || +/-: 0 || SB: 0
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Drafted 8th overall in S44 SMJHL Draft to Colorado
Co-Winner of S44 Zach Miller Trophy
Drafted 4th overall in S45 SHL Draft to Buffalo
Named S45 & S46 Captain of the Colorado Raptors
3-time Challenge Cup Champion (S46, S48, S55)
Named Assistant Captain of Buffalo Stampede S53-S55
Drafted 1st overall S56 Expansion Draft by Seattle
Named Captain of the Seattle Argonauts in S56
Bojo Biscuit Winner S57, S58

Baltimore Platoon GM || S64 - present

SHL Executioner || S62 - S65
SHL Awards Committee || S57 - S66
SHL Historian Committee || S53 - S64
SHL Head Office || S60 - S61
SMJHL Awards Head || S48 - S57
Colorado Raptors GM || S48 - S53
Colorado Raptors Co-GM || S47
Team Germany Federation Head || S44 - S46
SMJHL HO Member - S45-S46
SMJHL Head Office Intern - S44 

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Thank you karey, OrbitingDeath Ragnar, and sköldpaddor for sigs!