2x Draft Media

Last season the Hamilton Steelhawks surprised many people when they recorded a 27-18-5 record in S48, which had them finish 2nd in the East. All this came about after many of their stars announced they would be retiring at the end of the season. After having 7 players score over 30 points in the season, Hamilton went into the playoffs confident that this would be the last season in their playoff window, so they needed to perform well. They got matched up with the reigning Champion Cup winners in the West Kendall Platoon, so it would be no easy task. After losing the first three games, Hamilton finally won one game, but only to be eliminated by West Kendall the very next game. A disappointing end to a surprising season. What deepened the sting even more is the losing of many of their stars. It was officially rebuild time in Hamilton.

Call-Ups & Re-Signings
Flash-forward to current day, and there have been many moves by the Hamilton brass that looks into making this rebuild a relatively quick one. The first actions of the GM were to extend the player's that needed it. These players included Sulak O'Hritea, Dale Miller, Aleksi O'Koivu-Volkova, Zivan Zidek, Angelo Odjick, Yuri Boyka Jr., Aaron Wilson, and Finn Kruger. All deals were 1 year deals except for that of Aaron Wilson. Aaron secured a three year deal worth $9 mil for a $3 mil AAV. After the extensions came the long-awaited call ups. Aaron Wilson and Dale Miller of the reigning 4 Star Cup Champion Vancouver Whalers were called up, along with Aleksi O'Koivu-Volkova from the Montreal Militia. Wilson, an elite playmaker, put up a stat-line of 15 goals and 28 assists for a total of 43 points in 50 games, while also being a +21 on the season. He also put up 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points in 19 playoff games. Miller, a pure goal scorer put up 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points in 50 games, and a +18. In 19 playoff games, Miller put up 10 goals and 12 assists. Good for 22 points, second only to Aaron Wilson (story of my life :p). O'Koivu-Volkova, a solid hybrid goalie, registered himself a .897 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.47, both stats have him at 3rd in the league behind Tibuk Soonika and Kasperi Braulin.

Send-Downs
The Steelhawks sent down 5 players to the SMJHL this season for them to fine tune their game before making the big transition to the SHL. Hamilton sent 1 player drafted in S47 down to Detorit in Savoli Tankovic. Tankovic, recently acquire via trade, had a great season for Detroit last season; posting 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points. The only S48 draft pick selected for the Steelhawks, Gabriel Johnson of the Anchorage Armada, had a... season(?) I guess? He had solid offensive production with 26 points, although 11 of those points came on the powerplay. I recently sat in an interview where the Hamilton GM was asked his thoughts on the performance of his recent 2nd Overall player. He was quoted saying "Absolutely f*****g disappointed." After that answer, he instantly walked out of the interview room, punching the door on his way out. Newly drafted prospects Jagger Fouquette and Skao Anazibf of the Detroit Falcons were also sent down as neither are quite ready for SHL competition yet. Jagger Fouquette posted a solid 16 goal and 16 assist split in S48 for a total of 32 points, for those of you that can't do basic math. Fouquette wasn't far behind a prospect I haven't mentioned yet in Hugh Jazz, for top SMJHL rookie. Anazibf also had a very solid season as a rookie; putting up 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points. Moving onto Hugh Jazz, who was recently acquired by the Lethbridge Lions from the Montreal Militia, is the most likely pick for Rookie of the Year in the SMJHL after putting up 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points. 


Although Hamilton's roster doesn't seem to bright at the current moment, the future is absolutely bright with these 5 top prospects who should all be ready for Hamilton action within the next season or two. 

The Offer Sheet heard 'Round the Site
The first ever offer sheet offered and accepted in the league. Right as the window opened to talk to free agents, 2 of Jax's teammates from Vancouver, as well as a few members of Hamilton management all contacted the former 1st Overall RFA defenseman in hopes of convincing him to join them. It was an extremely tough decision to make, but Jax made his choice. He would join Hamilton on a 3 year contact. Making $15 million in the first season, and $2 million in the 2 season following, Jax looks to be a staple for the Steelhawks in these upcoming seasons as he develops into the 1st Overall player everyone expects him to become. Last season Duggan put up 4 goals and 22 assists for 26 points, while also posting a +19. In the playoffs, Jax put up 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points in the playoffs, while also playing some games as a 2nd line right wing. 

Conclusion
The Hamilton Steelhawks have a bright future ahead of them, even if this upcoming season looks a little murky. With 4 prospects making the jump to the big league team, and 5 prospects that won't be far behind, it's easy to be excited for the future of Steelhawks hockey. The GM has shown he's willing to go balls to the wall for this team. The players are ready to play their ass off. Let's get this season rolling. 

Ready to be graded. 985 words

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NeverBrokeAgain YoungBoy || D || Vancouver Whalers || Hamilton Steelhawks

Drafted 6th overall to the Vancouver Whalers in S59
Drafted 39th overall to the Hamilton Steelhawks in S60
S59 Esa Anrikkanen Trophy winner (best rookie)

S59: GP: 66 | G: 11 | A: 23 | P: 34 | +/-: -11 | PIM: 10 | SB: 33 | Hits: 48 | CF%: 52.7 | CF%R: 11.3
S60: GP: | G: | A: | P: | +/-: | PIM: | SB: | Hits: | CF%: | CF%R:

Fuck yea, good read mills, I'm excited to trounce the eastern teams

Team Ireland || Ragnar Lothbrok || San Fransisco Pride
                          Drafted 42nd Overall in SMJHL
                   Drafted 12th Overall in the SHL Draft

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Gabriel Johnson of the Anchorage Armada, had a... season(?) I guess? He had solid offensive production with 26 points, although 11 of those points came on the powerplay

you forgot to mention -23 

Player info | Updates | Stats


Aaron Wilson - C/LW/RW
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SHL
Challenge Cup x6 (S51, S53, S56, S58, S61, S63)
Sergei Karpotsov - Most points - x2 (S55, S61)
Anton Razov - Playoff MVP (S58)
Ron Mexico - League MVP (S61)
Sarmad Khan - League MVP (S61)
First all-star team x3 (S55, S60, S61)
Second all-star team x2 (S52, S59)
Third all-star team (S53)

SMJHL
Four Star Cup (S48)
Playoff MVP (S48)
Playoff points leader (S48)

IIHF
IIHF Gold x4 (S54, S56, S57, S58)
IIHF Silver x2 (S61, S62)
IIHF Bronze x4 (S50, S55, S63, S64)
WJC Gold (S48)
WJC Bronze (S46)
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S46: Drafted 37th overall by Vancouver Whalers
S47: Drafted 17th overall by Hamilton Steelhawks
S46: Signed a 1 year x 3M contract with Vancouver
S47: Signed a 3 year x 500k contract with Hamilton
S50: Signed a 3 year x 3M contract with Hamilton
S53: Signed a 2 year x 3M contract with Hamilton
S55: Signed a 2 year x 3M contract with Hamilton
S57: Signed a 3 year x 4M contract with Hamilton
S60: Signed a 1 year x 4M contract with Hamilton
S61: Signed a 3 year x 4M contract with Hamilton

oof

Capy Bara || D || Vancouver Whalers
Name: Capy Bara
Age: 17
Birthplace: Japan, Sendai
Height: 6ft 11
Weight: 200 lbs
Number: 1
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Career Statistics:
SMJHL Regular Season:
S64 | 0 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 P | 0+ | 0 H | 0 SHT | 0 SB
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SMJHL Playoffs:
S64 | 0 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 P | -0 | 0 H | 0 SHT | 0 SB
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Transactions:
Drafted 30th Overall by the Vancouver Whalers

Fuck yea, good read mills, I'm excited to trounce the eastern teams

Omegalul

KARI KEKKONEN | D | RETIRED
NAME: Kari Kekkonen
BIRTHPLACE: Oulu, Finland
HEIGHT: 6'1"
WEIGHT: 185 lbs
NUMBER: 33
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SMJHL CAREER STATS
S19 KEL: GP: 40, G: 10, A: 26, P: 36, +/-: 16, H: 42

SMJHL PLAYOFF STATS
S19 KEL: GP: 6, G: 0, A: 6, P: 6, +/-: 0, H: 6
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KAAPO KEKKONEN | C | RETIRED
NAME: Kaapo Kekkonen
BIRTHPLACE: Helsinki, Finland
HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 210 lbs
NUMBER: 19
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SHL CAREER STATS
S25 LAP: GP: 50, G: 2, A: 3, P: 5, +/-: -4, H: 75
S26 LAP: GP: 50, G: 4, A: 5, P: 9, +/-: -13, H: 94
S27 LAP: GP: 50, G: 6, A: 9, P: 15, +/-: -2, H: 35
S28 LAP: GP: 50, G: 7, A: 10, P: 17, +/-: -2, H: 96
S29 LAP: GP: 50, G: 13, A: 21, P: 34, +/-: -15, H: 85
S30 LAP: GP: 50, G: 23, A: 22, P: 45, +/-: 4, H: 130
S31 LAP: GP: 50, G: 20, A: 18, P: 38, +/-: 5, H: 162
S32 LAP: GP: 50, G: 18, A: 28, P: 46, +/-: 27, H: 183
S33 LAP: GP: 50, G: 17, A: 22, P: 39, +/-: 20, H: 210
S34 LAP: GP: 50, G: 12, A: 25, P: 37, +/-: -2, H: 131
S35 LAP: GP: 50, G: 10, A: 22, P: 32, +/-: -3, H: 115
S36 LAP: GP: 50, G: 11, A: 20, P: 31, +/-: 10, H: 138
S37 LAP: GP: 36, G: 9, A: 17, P: 26, +/-: -1, H: 72
S37 WKP: GP: 14, G: 1, A: 0, P: 1, +/-: -4, H: 19
TOT : GP: 650, G: 153, A: 222, P: 375, +/-: 20, H: 1545
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SHL PLAYOFF STATS
S25 LAP: DNQ
S26 LAP: DNQ
S27 LAP: DNQ
S28 LAP: DNQ
S29 LAP: DNQ
S30 LAP: DNQ
S31 LAP: DNQ
S32 LAP: GP: 5, G: 1, A: 3, P: 4, +/-: -2, H: 15
S33 LAP: GP: 12, G: 2, A: 3, P: 5, +/-: 0, H: 38
S34 LAP: GP: 7, G: 1, A: 3, P: 4, +/-: 3, H: 23
S35 LAP: GP: 5, G: 1, A: 1, P: 2, +/-: -4, H: 4
S36 LAP: DNQ
S37 WKP: GP: 12, G: 0, A: 2, P: 2, +/-: -2, H: 35
TOT : GP: 41, G: 5, A: 12, P: 17, +/-: -5, H: 115
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TATU MÄKELÄ | D | RETIRED
NAME: Tatu Mäkelä
BIRTHPLACE: Tampere, Finland
HEIGHT: 5'11"
WEIGHT: 180 lbs
NUMBER: 65
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SHL CAREER STATS
S40 BUF: GP: 50, G: 5, A: 17, P: 22, +/-: -28, H: 14, SB: 86
S41 BUF: GP: 50, G: 10, A: 21, P: 31, +/-: -3, H: 9, SB: 78
S42 BUF: GP: 50, G: 9, A: 21, P: 30, +/-: 2, H: 13, SB: 65
S43 BUF: GP: 50, G: 6, A: 24, P: 30, +/-: 1, H: 8, SB: 51
S44 BUF: GP: 50, G: 6, A: 28, P: 34, +/-: -6, H: 10, SB: 63
S45 BUF: GP: 50, G: 4, A: 37, P: 41, +/-: 10, H: 130, SB: 71
S46 BUF: GP: 50, G: 6, A: 36, P: 42, +/-: 25, H: 139, SB: 73
S47 BUF: GP: 50, G: 5, A: 23, P: 28, +/-: -4, H: 137, SB: 76
S48 BUF: GP: 50, G: 7, A: 25, P: 32, +/-: 9, H: 151, SB: 70
S49 BUF: GP: 50, G: 6, A: 22, P: 28, +/-: 5, H: 159, SB: 66
S50 BUF: GP: 50, G: 6, A: 20, P: 26, +/-: 14, H: 152, SB: 72
S51 BUF: GP: 50, G: 3, A: 23, P: 26, +/-: 8, H: 143, SB: 50
S52 BUF: GP: 50, G: 9, A: 21, P: 30, +/-: -3, H: 141, SB: 71
S53 BUF: GP: 50, G: 5, A: 14, P: 19, +/-: 23, H: 50, SB: 98
TOT : GP: 700, G: 87, A: 332, P: 419, +/-: 53, H: 1256, SB: 990
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SHL PLAYOFF STATS
S40 BUF: DNQ
S41 BUF: GP: 7, G: 3, A: 2, P: 5, +/-: -3, H: 0, SB: 10
S42 BUF: GP: 5, G: 0, A: 1, P: 1, +/-: -9, H: 2, SB: 10
S43 BUF: GP: 9, G: 0, A: 5, P: 5, +/-: -1, H: 1, SB: 8
S44 BUF: DNQ
S45 BUF: DNQ
S46 BUF: GP: 17, G: 0, A: 12, P: 12, +/-: 11, H: 59, SB: 28
S47 BUF: GP: 13, G: 0, A: 5, P: 5, +/-: 2, H: 32, SB: 18
S48 BUF: GP: 22, G: 2, A: 10, P: 12, +/-: 2, H: 64, SB: 32
S49 BUF: GP: 5, G: 0, A: 5, P: 5, +/-: 5, H: 15, SB: 8
S50 BUF: GP: 6, G: 0, A: 5, P: 5, +/-: -2, H: 18, SB: 12
S51 BUF: GP: 8, G: 2, A: 5, P: 7, +/-: -3, H: 15, SB: 11
S52 BUF: GP: 15, G: 4, A: 5, P: 9, +/-: 4, H: 47, SB: 26
S53 BUF: GP: 4, G: 0, A: 0, P: 0, +/-: 0, H: 6, SB: 13
TOT : GP: 111, G: 11, A: 55, P: 66, +/-: 6, H: 159, SB: 176
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KOLJA KEKKONEN | D | RETIRED
NAME: Kolja Kekkonen
BIRTHPLACE: Lappeenranta, Finland
HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 225 lbs
NUMBER: 8
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SMJHL CAREER STATS
S53 DET: GP: 3, G: 0, A: 1, P: 1, +/-: -1, H: 2, SB: 0
S54 DET: GP: 50, G: 2, A: 8, P: 10, +/-: -6, H: 15, SB: 37
S55 DET: GP: 50, G: 4, A: 12, P: 16, +/-: -24, H: 32, SB: 24
S56 DET: GP: 50, G: 4, A: 17, P: 21, +/-: -20, H: 52, SB: 71
S57 ANA: GP: 66, G: 6, A: 20, P: 26, +/-: 14, H: 52, SB: 70
TOT : GP: 219, G: 16, A: 58, P: 74, +/-: -37, H: 153, SB: 202
SMJHL PLAYOFF STATS
S53 DET: DNP
S54 DET: GP: 7, G: 0, A: 0, P: 0, +/-: 0, H: 2, SB: 3
S55 DET: GP: 4, G: 0, A: 1, P: 1, +/-: -2, H: 3, SB: 0
S56 DET: GP: 5, G: 2, A: 2, P: 4, +/-: 0, H: 3, SB: 7
S57 ANA: GP: 21, G: 2, A: 13, P: 15, +/-: 5, H: 13, SB: 34
TOT : GP: 37, G: 4, A: 16, P: 20, +/-: 3, H: 22, SB: 44
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KEKW KEKKONEN | C | RETIRED
NAME: Karl-Erik-Karl2-Wojtek Kekkonen
BIRTHPLACE: Lohja, Finland
HEIGHT: 6'4"
WEIGHT: 220 lbs
NUMBER: 69
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SHL CAREER STATS
S61 BUF: GP: 66, G: 10, A: 28, P: 38, +/-: 21, H: 59, SH: 134
S62 BUF: GP: 66, G: 19, A: 36, P: 55, +/-: 9, H: 84, SH: 194
S63 BUF: GP: 66, G: 17, A: 14, P: 31, +/-: -13, H: 91, SH: 148
S64 BUF: GP: 66, G: 16, A: 51, P: 67, +/-: 36, H: 82, SH: 212
S65 BUF: GP: 66, G: 25, A: 41, P: 66, +/-: 33, H: 136, SH: 230
S66 BUF: GP: 66, G: 38, A: 43, P: 81, +/-: 18, H: 64, SH: 222
S67 BUF: GP: 66, G: 40, A: 45, P: 85, +/-: -6, H: 76, SH: 224
S68 BUF: GP: 66, G: 47, A: 46, P: 93, +/-: 45, H: 51, SH: 326
S69 BUF: GP: 66, G: 35, A: 31, P: 66, +/-: 22, H: 43, SH: 269
S70 BUF: GP: 66, G: 33, A: 48, P: 81, +/-: 18, H: 66, SH: 297
S71 BUF: GP: 66, G: 36, A: 41, P: 77, +/-: 37, H: 55, SH: 257
S72 BUF: GP: 66, G: 25, A: 35, P: 60, +/-: -1, H: 58, SH: 281
S73 BUF: GP: 66, G: 31, A: 41, P: 72, +/-: 23, H: 48, SH: 305
S74 BUF/WPG: GP: 66, G: 17, A: 47, P: 64, +/-: 33, H: 101, SH: 164
TOT : GP: 924, G: 389, A: 547, P: 936, +/-: 275, H: 1014, SH: 3263
SHL PLAYOFF STATS
S61 BUF: GP: 9, G: 2, A: 6, P: 8, +/-: 4, H: 11, SH: 24
S62 BUF: GP: 9, G: 3, A: 1, P: 4, +/-: 2, H: 5, SH: 25
S63 BUF: GP: 12, G: 1, A: 2, P: 3, +/-: -1, H: 32, SH: 33
S64 BUF: GP: 11, G: 2, A: 2, P: 4, +/-: -6, H: 12, SH: 41
S65 BUF: GP: 18, G: 4, A: 7, P: 11, +/-: 8, H: 34, SH: 62
S66 BUF: GP: 16, G: 11, A: 9, P: 20, +/-: 3, H: 13, SH: 49
S67 BUF: GP: 4, G: 2, A: 2, P: 4, +/-: -3, H: 3, SH: 20
S68 BUF: GP: 17, G: 6, A: 8, P: 14, +/-: -4, H: 11, SH: 75
S69 BUF: GP: 4, G: 1, A: 0, P: 1, +/-: -5, H: 2, SH: 13
S70 BUF: GP: 7, G: 1, A: 3, P: 4, +/-: -8, H: 2, SH: 25
S71 BUF: GP: 21, G: 12, A: 9, P: 21, +/-: 6, H: 24, SH: 97
S72 BUF: GP: 5, G: 0, A: 2, P: 2, +/-: -4, H: 7, SH: 25
S73 BUF: GP: 6, G: 3, A: 0, P: 3, +/-: -3, H: 11, SH: 33
S74 WPG: GP: 22, G: 3, A: 4, P: 7, +/-: -2, H: 15, SH: 37
TOT : GP: 161, G: 51, A: 55, P: 106, +/-: -11, H: 182, SH: 559
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KAL ÅKAR KEKKONEN | D | SEATTLE ARGONAUTS
NAME: Kal Åkar Kekkonen
BIRTHPLACE: The Wilderness, Gielinor
HEIGHT: 6'6"
WEIGHT: 240 lbs
NUMBER: 75
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SMJHL CAREER STATS
S74 DET: GP: 66, G: 6, A: 14, P: 20, +/-: 3, SH: 83, H: 76, SB: 29
S75 DET: GP: 66, G: 8, A: 22, P: 30, +/-: 31, SH: 129, H: 123, SB: 114
S76 DET: GP: 66, G: 17, A: 21, P: 38, +/-: -10, SH: 193, H: 74, SB: 130

SMJHL PLAYOFF STATS
S74 DET: GP: 17, G: 3, A: 7, P: 10, +/-: 8, SH: 18, H: 16, SB: 5
S75 DET: GP: 14, G: 5, A: 6, P: 11, +/-: 2, SH: 40, H: 26, SB: 27
S76 DET: GP: 4, G: 1, A: 2, P: 3, +/-: -2, SH: 8, H: 8, SB: 8
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Fuck yea, good read mills, I'm excited to trounce the eastern teams

Omegalul

I SAID TROUNCE FINN, TROUNCE I SAY

Team Ireland || Ragnar Lothbrok || San Fransisco Pride
                          Drafted 42nd Overall in SMJHL
                   Drafted 12th Overall in the SHL Draft

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