Task #8 - 3 TPE
You just played out your very first season in the SMJHL to start a new chapter in your career. Overall, how would you say you performed in your rookie season? Did you meet expectations you set for yourself individually? What do you need to improve on for next season?
Requirements: 150+ words.

For me, I feel that my first SMJHL season was mediocre. Only putting up 22 points and not making a big impact was difficult to swallow, but I will be back next season to help the Scarecrows hopefully capture a Four Star Cup. I wasn’t happy with my performance, but I understand that I have to play the role that I’m given, not the role that I necessarily want to play. If the team trusts me to play defense, then I’ll play defense to the best of my ability. If they want me to quarterback the power play, then I’ll quarterback the power play.

For next season, I need to improve in a lot of areas – the most being reliable. I felt like I was inconsistent this season and I felt like perhaps the coaching staff didn’t necessarily trust me out there with the game on the line in the regular season. Playing on the third pairing, there is not a lot of room for error – if I mess up, I ride the bench. It’s a hard league to play in but these are the growing pains that we have to deal with in order to improve.

197.

Task #11 - 3 TPE
It's almost officially the offseason. Whether you just won the cup or didn't even make it past the first round of the playoffs, it's time to take a break and look toward the SHL draft. In 150+ words, tell us how you're spending your time this offseason.
Requirements: 150+ words.

Jonathan Mercer is spending his offseason training. There is no rest for the wicked, and there is also no rest for players in the SHL or SMJHL that want to become elite and win championships. Mercer qualifies under the latter, and even though he knows that he will likely go late in the SHL Draft, he has a big opportunity and a big chance to make a lasting impact on whatever franchise drafts him.

Mercer could spend the offseason out partying, but because his Scarecrows lost out early in the playoffs, he has to come back stronger next season so that he can make a bigger impact and perhaps be the piece that brings the Scarecrows over that hump of not being able to win in the playoffs. Will it happen? If it’s up to Mercer himself, that answer is a resounding yes. We’ll see what next season brings, but Mercer plans to be a big piece of the Scarecrows going forward.

162.

Task #10 - 3 TPE
So your team got eliminated these playoffs, and have to look forward to next season where hopefully things go differently. What does your team have to be excited about for next season, where they'll have another go at the coveted 4-star cup?
Requirements: 150+ words.

The St. Louis Scarecrows have to look forward to the growth of their rookie class, including defenseman Jonathan Mercer. With a few familiar faces leaving the team and moving on to the SHL, the Scarecrows will be in a prime position to let younger faces take the reigns and help move the team into a spot where they can compete with the Detroit Falcons and the Newfoundland Berserkers and see the light of the SMJHL Finals.

Will the Scarecrows be an immediate threat to win the Four Star Cup? Doubtful. But through the season and while players grow throughout the season, they have a chance to make a big impact in the playoffs and perhaps be a dark horse to make it all of the way to the Finals, and eventually winning the cup. Jonathan Mercer was a later round pick of the Scarecrows, but he could play a big piece in helping the Scarecrows achieve some championship hardware.

159.

Task #12 - 3 TPE
Write a pre-draft scout report on your player from the perspective of a journalist covering the prospects of the S66 SHL draft class. What do possible SHL suitors have to be excited (or perhaps wary?) about when it comes to potentially drafting your player?
Requirements: 150+ words.

Jonathan Mercer is growing to be a great asset to have on your blue line for any SHL team looking to acquire one at the draft. He is coming from a player agency which has been known to create “busts”, but this time, this player might be a hit.

Mercer isn’t very physical, but is poised with the puck and is working on his two way game to potentially be the powerplay quarterback that every SHL team salivates on, being able to score from the blue line as well as dish to his teammates to create scoring opportunities. The pure level of skill on Mercer is great to see, although many prospects in this draft are extremely skilled, Mercer could turn into being a diamond in the rough pick for any team that decides to draft him. With his 22 points in his rookie season, it could grow into many, many more points for the young Canadian defenseman.

158.

Task #13 - 1 TPE
Answer up to 3 of these prompts, each one being worth 1 TPE for 50+ words each.
A. Which player from either team has the best name in this series (just the name itself, nothing to do with the player themselves).

For me, Rand al’Thor is a great name because I read the Wheel of Time and was a big fan of the series. It doesn’t hurt that the also tied for leading the playoffs with assists at 16 and was 4th in points with 21 points throughout the SMJHL Playoffs.

50.

Task #16 - 3 TPE
Like with the SHL, you will have the opportunity to cover up to 3/16 TPE with milestones relating to your player's performance/accolades during the season. Link your post in the Milestones thread and post your comment in your CW reply to claim.

+3