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Ballerstorm · 07-14-2015, 04:49 PM

Ready to grade
<div align="center">The SMJHL top players is a list of the top 15 players currently in the SMJHL as voted by their peers and GMs. I polled all the SMJHL GM's and 5 players from each team to get each of their top 10 lists and then compiled the results based on average position in the lists submitted.

Without further adieu here is the list! Be sure to check in each day to see how the list progresses.

#15
Kelowna Knights - D - Maria Maximova
The rookie defender for the Knights has done nothing but prove the doubters wrong all season. Taken in the second round many were surprised at the selection but Maximova has shown everyone she was worth the selection and then some. The voters agree and are showing it by voting her as the 15th best player in the SMJHL in her rookie season. The future looks bright for this young player and which ever SHL team snags her in the draft will be getting a hard working player who provides a strong locker room presence as well as big performance on the ice.
256 TPE || 10G || 22A || +7 || 31 PIM

#14
Montreal Impact - RW - Buster Killington
A pure goalscorer, Buster Killington is a big time player for the Montreal Impact. Averaging over 20 minutes a game Killington plays on both the penalty kill and powerplay units for the Impact. He is no stranger to physical play and dishes it out as much as he takes it, shown by his 52PIM thus far on the season. Killington may fly under the radar but his peers have taken notice of him this season and given him his due by ranking him on this list. Expect to see Killington continue his development at a steady pace as he moves into the SHL in the near future.
392TPE || 20G || 18A || +3 || 52PIM

#13
Detroit Falcons - C - Kaapo Kekkonen
Despite being overshadowed by the big Knutsen-Mack pairing of the Falcons Kekkonen has quietly had a top notch season in the 2nd line for Detroit. Kekkonen doesn't play penalty kill but the coaching staff still recognizes his importance to the team and it has shown with the 20 minute per game average Kekkonen has received. More of an offensive player than defensive, Kekkonen is a natural playmaker who is also no stranger to scoring goals, as shown by his 25 goals this season. If Detroit is going to make a deep playoff run this season Kekkonen will be a big reason why, contributing from the second line and making their opponent choose which line they will try to pair their top defenders against.
342TPE || 25G || 23A || +9 || 46PIM

#12
Prince George Firebirds - RW - Mirko Antonio Scuderi
Scuderi may be the most gifted scorer in the SMJHL, and he knows it. His 207 shots thus far into the season are a dead giveaway at the type of game Scuderi love to play. Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. This approach does leave him more predictable to opposing goaltenders and defenders but even if he isn't the one scoring his shots are often bouncing off the goalie and giving juicy rebounds for his teammates. While Scuderi doesn't play the amount of minutes many others on this list do he makes the most of the time he gets. Currently averaging 19 minutes per game Scuderi is the only player on the Firebirds with over 20 goals, with his 25. The next closest is Patrick Brumm with 17. If Scuderi wants to be successful in the SHL he will need to diversify his game, but that is a concern for another day. For now he is one of the top players in the SMJHL, and his fellow players have recognized that.
349TPE || 25G || 23A || +6 || 16PIM

#11
St. Louis Scarecrows - RW - Robb Wind
The #1 overall pick of the S24 SMJHL draft came into the league with big expectations and he has lived up to what the Scarecrows expected of him. While he has been playing on the first line with top SHL draft picks Damien Wert and Mitchell Dambach, Wind has not looked out of place, currently 2nd in scoring on the Scarecrows. The Scarecrows haven't felt confident enough to have him on the penalty kill yet, limiting him to just 16 minutes a game, but this hasn't stopped Wind from standing out every chance he gets. The rookie has developed at a breakneck pace, leading his draft class right along side #2 overall pick Evandrus Jesster. The two of them are sure to stay #1 and #2 in the upcoming SHL draft, the question now becomes who will pull ahead?
342TPE || 16G || 26A || +6 || 10PIM

#10
Vancouver Whalers - RW - Vincent-Leon-Anze Draisaitl-McZehrl
One of the few bright spots for Vancouver this season, McZ, as his teammates call him, was the leader on and off the ice for the Vancouver Whalers during a rare down year for the team. McZ is a bit of an odd ball but is loved by his team and well respected around the league. Voters showed their respect by putting him #10 on this list despite him remaining quiet outside of the locker room. His on ice performance spoke loud enough to show everyone the type of player he is. McZ was taken with the 13th overall pick in last seasons SHL draft after much speculation of him going top 3. There is no question he is the steal of the draft and is all but guaranteed to have a long and successful SHL career.
426TPE || 22G || 28A || -6 || 28PIM

#9
Prince George Firebirds - G - Kyle Prince
After an underwhelming rookie season Kyle Prince came to show what he is really made of this season. He dominated early in the season and for the majority of the season was the only goalie with any shutouts in the SMJHL, and he had 2. Prince cooled off down the stretch but he still finished the season as a top SMJHL goalie and his position on this list shows that the voters recognized his spot among the leagues elite. Although Kyle Prince can be a bit streaky at times he is downright unbeatable when he is on his game and if he catches fire during the playoffs nobody will want to face the Firebirds.
391TPE || 21W || .884 SV% || 2.88 GAA || 2 SO

#8
Montreal Impact - C – Evandrus Jesster
Jesster entered the SMJHL paired with Robb Wind as the big two can’t miss picks of this draft. Despite being taken #2 behind Wind, Jesster arrives higher on this list than Wind. One could attribute this to his ties to hall of fame goaltender Ryan Jesster who was one of the greatest goalies the league has ever seen. Evandrus Jesster has blazed his own trail to the SMJHL though and has shown that he deserved to be a top pick. He finished 2nd on the Impact in scoring and proved his versatility for the team by playing 18 minutes a game as a rookie. Jesster is a shoot first center but he is no slouch when it comes to setting up his teammates, shown by his 24 assists this season which leads all Montreal forwards. Just like in the SMJHL draft he is sure to go top 2 with Wind, but if this list is any indication he may surpass Wind this time and be taken first overall. Time will tell, but it certainly creates an interesting storyline for the upcoming SHL draft.
337 TPE || 19G || 24A || +2 || 18 PIM

#7
Detroit Falcons- RW – Bjorn Knutsen
No player had more controversy surrounding them in the SMJHL this season than Bjorn Knutsen. Following his retirement announcement many players around the league expressed their disagreement with his ability to play the season, and why wouldn't they? Nobody wanted to play against the Falcons top line this season, which was led by Knutsen. He led the league in points for the entire season and finished tied with Adam Abodobe. People can say whatever they want to about Knutsen playing this season but his production cannot be argued. There is no question Knutsen was one of the best players in the SMJHL this season and had he not announced his retirement he would have surely been higher on this list in the eyes of the voters.
443 TPE || 33G || 29A || +19 || 20 PIM

#6
St. Louis Scarecrows - LW – Damien Wert
The #2 overall pick in the S24 SHL draft, Damien Wert has cooled off his development off the ice since being drafted, but his on ice performance has shown vast improvements. Wert finished among the top of the league in points and led the Scarecrows in both goals and points this season. He is probably the most important player for the St. Louis Scarecrows on game day and it remains to be seen what next season holds for him. Drafted by the West Kendall Platoon we could see Wert make the jump next season depending on the needs of the team, but the Scarecrows would surely love to have their big time sniper back for another season.
424 TPE || 28G || 26A || +8 || 8 PIM

#5
Kelowna Knights - LW – Randy Randleman
Randy Randleman was the first overall pick of the Calgary Dragons last season during the first draft with Esa at the helm. After a lackluster rookie season the pick was a surprise to some, and combined with the pressure of being picked #1 many weren't sure how Randleman would hold up to the pressure this season. Randleman proved the doubters wrong and had a great season for the Knights. Although he expected more from himself in terms of offensive output the team still ended up where they wanted to be. As captain for the Knights Randleman led the team to a first round playoff bye with first place in the west, helping bring along many outstanding rookies for the Knights that will surely prove to be big pieces for the Knights in the playoffs and in the future.
454 TPE || 24G || 23A || +8 || 25 PIM

#4
Detroit Falcons - D – Brandon Girard
"I hate playing against that guy" was the most common reply you will hear when talking to players around the league. Brandon Girard is a mean player on the ice who can beat you up with his fists or on the scoresheet. Girard led the SMJHL in pims this past season and also managed to stay near the top of the league in points. The Falcons captains value to the organization is huge not only on the ice as the teams top defenseman, but also in the locker room as the leader of the team. Ask any young player on the Falcons about Brandon Girard and they will have nothing but great things to say. His pre game speeches are inspiring and his lead by example approach on the ice is a great example of what any team would want in a defenseman.
357 TPE || 12G || 44A || +20 || 102 PIM

#3
Detroit Falcons - C – Alex Mack
You won't hear Alex Mack talk very much, but his play on the ice does all the talking he needs. For the second straight year Alex Mack is one of the best players in the SMJHL and this veteran knows what it takes to be great. He already has one Brandon Holmes Trophy under his belt from last season and he looks to be the top candidate for this this season as well. Any young player coming up in the league should look at Alex Mack if they want to find an example of what it takes to be a great player in the SMJHL. This looks to be the last season for Mack with the Falcons and they will surely miss him next season. Players like this are hard to find and even harder to keep around. You can be sure the team will be playing hard to get Mack one more four star cup in his SMJHL career.
619 TPE || 16G || 42A || +19 || 26 PIM

#2
Kelowna Knights - RW – Adam Abodobe
Last season he won the Vyacheslav Onoprienko trophy as most underrated, but nobody can say he is underrated anymore. Abodobe stormed out of the gates this season and finished tied for the league lead in points with Bjorn Knutsen. He looks to go from being the most underrated, to being in the running for league MVP. Although Abodobe isn't a natural scorer he certainly didn't look like it this season. Normally a playmaker, Abodobe surprised everyone this season by netting 32 goals and 30 assists. His goal total can be attributed to his insanely high shooting percentage of 19.51%. Heading into the playoffs the Knights will need Abodobe to keep up his stellar play if they are to have a run to the Four Star cup.
366 TPE || 32G || 30A || +9 || 29 PIM

#1
Prince George Firebirds - D – Patrick Brumm
We finally come to the #1 player as voted by GMs and fellow players. Patrick Brumm, the swiss army knife from the Prince George Firebirds. Unlike most players who would fit that role Patrick Brumm excels wherever the Firebirds put him. Wing, defense, penalty kill, power play, it doesn't matter where he is. When the Firebirds put him on the ice he stands out. Brumm has a big mouth off the ice but is loved by teammates and opponents around the like and his play backs up his mouth. A magnet for attention Brumm has the type of persona that other players gravitate towards. He has a great time and those with him have a great time too. He brings this big personality with him wherever he goes and that is a huge reason why he is so valuable in the Firebirds locker room. The secret is out though, and the whole league knows it now which is reflected by the voters putting Patrick Brumm #1 among players in the SMJHL this seaon.
399 TPE || 18G || 32A || +4 || 54 PIM

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