In the final installment of our look at the top Rookies early on in season thirty-five in the SMJHL, we come to the top ten players. These young men and women have risen above theirs peers in terms of actual performance to become integral parts of their teams. With players drafted out the first, second, and third rounds of the SMJHL draft, it goes to show that anything is possible. As always, all statistics are taken from before the first rest day on Day eighteen.

10) D - Fedor Shirobokov



In the number ten spot, the defensive minded and physically gifted blueliner from Russia, and now Germany, shows up on our top ten list. The Kelowna Knights drafted Shirobokov in the second round, at twelfth overall, and have not regretted that decision. With a goal and five assists he's managed to put up some decent points, but his all round play is evident from his twelve hits and fourteen shot blocks on the season - good enough for third in the league among rookies. Though hesitant to get the puck on next at times, and a little drafty when it comes to being a true stay at home player, Shirobokov's start to the season has been exciting for fans of the Kelowna.

9) LW - Angelo Odjick



Rarely doe a checking winger make such an impact when they first step into the league, Learning the art of being defensively responsible, while still adding a sprinkle of offense, is a tough thing for a young player. Odjick has managed to do just that and has done it without spending much time in the penalty box - a feat that deserves praise. With eighteen hits on the season he has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with, and with nineteen shots on goal so far, he is clearly not afraid to put the puck on net when the need arises. Though his minus four is of potential concern, the rest of his game is solid, particularly given the young crew of players surrounding him. To top it all off Odjick, though he takes few draws, seems to excel as a stand in in that department, sporting the second best faceoff percentage among rookies currently.

8) LW - Sterling Slaughter



If the name Sterling Slaughter does not send a few shivers down your spine then it is possible that you do not experience fear. The 230 pound winger from Tokyo Japan has been a one man wrecking crew for the Kelowna Knights since joining their team in the second round of the SMJHL draft. With twenty-eight hits on the season he far outpaces any other rookie in that department, and has managed to do so while only racking up about a penalty a game. If you suspect Slaughter is a one dimensional goon then you would be wrong, as he has added three goals and two assists to his resume as well, making it clear that he has his eyes set on becoming one of the premier power forwards in the league right out of the gate. The Kelowna Knights must be elated with his performance early on as he has added a piece to the puzzle that few teams can handle.

7) LW - Maurizzio Arrivabene



At a healthy 6'1" and weighing in at 220 lbs, the Italian sniper has made himself a deadly reputation right from game one. Tied for second in rookie goal-scoring with four goals, and adding another couple of assists, Arrivabene has the third highest points per twenty minutes ratio for season 35 rookies. Clearly some of his goal scoring is due to a habit of shooting from nearly anywhere, with twenty shots on goal already fired on net. As if that were not enough, Arrivabene has dished out twelve hits as well, causing chaos as well as a red light to go off on a regular basis. Though he has declared for Latvia when it comes to International Games, Italy must still be proud of what this Detroit Falcon has done so early on in his career.

6) D - Indesvara Magar



From the land of sherpas and tall mountains comes Indesvara Magar, a bruising offensive defenseman who flew under the radar at the SMJHL draft, getting selected in the third round. The second highest ranked defenseman on this list, Magar has shown a talent at dispersing the puck, with six assists already, as well as no fear of shooting the puck, which has led to eighteen shots on goal, as well as two goals. With one of the best plus minus records on the team and nine shot blocks, the Tibetan blueliner seems to have adjusted well to the move to North America and is adapting to the much quicker and more difficult style of play.

5) LW - Daedric Heikennin



Yet another left winger finds his way into the top ten season thirty-five prospects to start the year and the Finnish playmaking forward may be an odd choice. With only three goals and two assists, one might wonder about his place this high up on the list. A closer look finds that his ice time is significantly less than many of the other point scorers on the list above him and when you factor in his seven hits, his eighteen shots, and his plus three rating, it's clear that he is the complete package. One has to wonder if Heikennin is ripe for an explosion in production should he see an increase in ice time for the Colorado Mammoth and it will be interesting to see how he develops as the season goes on. Daedric has the potential to climb even higher on this list as the season progresses.

4) RW - Spitfire



Deep within the bowels of Antarctica comes a beast that was thought only to be legends. A creature of such power and devastation that people were convinced it could only be myth. Then that being was drafted into the SMJHL. Thus began the career of Spitfire. An absolutely monstrous scorer, Spitfire erupted onto the scene in Vancouver. Spitfire has shown a desire to shoot whenever he possibly can, letting loose twenty-five shots on goal - tops in the league for rookies. What that has translated into is four goals and five assists and a real show for the fans each and every night. The man with only one name is rewriting the legend in Vancouver.

3) D - Tomas Toothsome



No defenseman has set himself apart to the degree that Prince George Firebirds blueliner, Tomas Toothsome, has to start the season. The offensive wunderkid from Germany has exploded out of the gates with five goals, a mark that leaves him tied for first in rookie goal scoring, and four assists. Leading the league in plus minus at a plus eight, and second among all rookies with fifteen blocked shots, he's doing it all for the Firebirds as a rookie and completely justifying his selection at third overall in the SMJHL entry draft. The fact that he plays an incredibly disciplined game with only one penalty so far this season, is just icing on the tasty cake that is Tomas Toothsome.

2) RW - Sophia Bennett



From the home of the Wheat Kings, Brandon Manitoba, comes Sophia Bennett. A truly magical scorer, Bennett is playing top line ice time in Vancouver and making the most of it. With the most goals, assists, and points, among rookies, she has demonstrated that first year players truly can make an impact right from Game One. The fact that Bennett is playing on a team filled with other rookies all trying to figure things out themselves makes her scoring pace all the more impressive, almost as if she doesn't know any better, and has decided to just be a star from day one. The sky is the limit for Sophia and the Whalers have a gem in her.

1) G - Artom Zhumbayev



The blood of the greats runs through the veins of this Kazakh goaltender. Drafted at fifteenth overall, the Prince George Firebirds made no bones about the fact that they were targetting Zhumbayev right out of the gate, knowing that he has been trained by SHL legend John McBride. In turn Zhunbayev has done his own part, grabbing the starting goaltending job for the Firebirds by the tender bits and yanking on it with all of his might. In eleven starts Zhumbayev has eight wins and two losses - a truly stunning start to the season. With a .920 save percentage and a 2.12 goals against average, he is head and tails above any other rookie goaltender in the draft and has shown that he is the real deal. Is it possible that the Firebirds can have a true rookie lead them to a Championship this season? Artom Zhumbayev is going to surely give it a real shot.