19. (S34) C (Los Angeles Panthers) - Matthew Auston || +7
Grade: 86
Past Seasons: S42-81, S43-38, S44-26

Matthew Auston enters the top-20 for the first time in his career, coming in at number 19. Auston scored 23 goals and 48 points on the year, his fourth straight 45+ point season (and fourth season in a row with 20+ goals). In the middle of his prime, Auston appears to be really putting the pedal to the metal, and continues to be a very consistent player. His hits are even starting to go up, even though that may not last all that long.

18. (S31) D (Los Angeles Panthers) - Toivo Kosonen || +5
Grade: 86.90
Past Seasons: S36-76, S37-76, S38-84, S39-46, S40-60, S41-40, S42-53, S43-22, S44-23

At 18 is Panthers defenseman Toivo Kosonen, moving into the top-20 for the first time in his career as well. Kosonen has had quite the long career, doing pretty well for himself but not exactly being the center of attention. He scored 8 goals and 40 points, his third ever 40+ point season, which is somewhat surprising to see considering he has been a major staple of the Wolfpack lineup for many years, alongside Jasper Clayton during his hey-day there.

17. (S31) LW (West Kendall Platoon) - Alex Light || -3
Grade: 87.90
Past Seasons: S37-74, S38-80, S39-53, S40-49, S41-37, S42-62, S43-23, S44-14

At 17 is Platoon winger Alex Light, a player that has been incredibly consistent in his production over the last decade or so, scoring 40+ points for the last 7 seasons, and 8 of the last 9. Light scored 25 goals and 49 points, actually tying his career best goal total from S42 despite his body starting to break down. Light certainly isn't getting any younger, but to be at this level at his age is pretty incredible.

16. (S39) D (Texas Renegades) - Liam O'Callaghan || New Entry
Grade: 88
Past Seasons: None

At 16 is Renegade defender Liam O'Callaghan, a player who just exploded onto the scene after his first season in Texas, scoring 14 goals and 46 points. This was a career year for the young defender, even registering 102 hits which nobody was anticipating going into S44. O'Callaghan was certainly a sparkplug on the ice as well, so it will be interesting to see how his play continues from this point.

15. (S31) RW (Edmonton Blizzard) - Joe Kurczewski || -5
Grade: 88.80
Past Seasons: S37-44, S38-18, S39-18, S40-26, S41-2, S42-6, S43-2, S44-10

At 15 is newly added Blizzard winger Joe Kurczewski, who after 12 seasons is finally seeing a change of pace with a new team. His trade from Calgary shocked the world, and with Edmonton in contention status Kurczewski has nowhere to go but up. He scored 21 goals and 45 points in his final year with the Dragons, registering 211 hits (just 1 shy of his career best) and even 229 shots. Kurczewski has shown no signs of slowing down as of yet, and Edmonton is going to be happy for picking him up.

14. (S35) D (Toronto North Stars) - Finn Krüger || +19
Grade: 88.80
Past Seasons: S39-82, S40-77, S41-79, S42-66, S43-72, S44-33

At 14 is North Stars defender Finn Krüger, who vaulted into the top-20 for the first time of his career. On the cusp of entering regression, Krüger has been pretty solid of a defenseman, getting his physical game up (he registered 100+ hits for the first time in his career in S44), he also produced a career-best 10 goals and scored 40 points yet again.

13. (S35) LW (Calgary Dragons) - Mike Izzy || +8
Grade: 91.50
Past Seasons: S40-56, S41-59, S42-55, S43-27, S44-21

At 13 is Mike Izzy, a player who has demonstrated to the SHL world that you don't just need to be a one-way offensive forward to get up high on this list. One of the most physical players in the league right now, Izzy has averaged almost 200 hits through his entire career so far, and in S44 it was no different as he had one of his best seasons yet. He scored 19 goals and 52 points, his second 50+ point season in the last three, and topped it all off with 180 hits to boot.

12. (S36) RW (New England Wolfpack) - Tigole Bitties || +7
Grade: 91.90
Past Seasons: S41-66, S42-63, S43-18, S44-19

At 12 is Wolfpack winger Tigole Bitties, just a bit shy of the top-10 but not for a lack of production. Bitties is one of those players who has been surfing under the radar, scoring 50+ points twice in the last three seasons and averaging 20+ goals in the last five. Bitties scored 22 goals and 51 points in S44, and enjoyed a career high 181 hits, and with him getting into the thick of his prime seasons the best is likely yet to come.

11. (S34) LW (Minnesota Chiefs) - Noro Wozy || +20
Grade: 92
Past Seasons: S37-88, S38-68, S39-58, S40-30, S41-20, S42-27, S43-65, S44-31

At 11 and a hair outside the top-10 is Noro Wozy, a winger for the Chiefs who has finally come into his own and is single-handedly willing the Chiefs to victory these days. Wozy scored 22 goals and 54 points in S44, which was almost as good as his 29 goals and 56 points the previous season. With a lot of their players either being traded or retiring, the team relied on Wozy more than anyone to produce for them and actually get them into the playoffs, and with his prime years starting to run out he is going to need to work overtime if he wants to see the Chiefs win a cup with him in the lineup.