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Sir__Magoo · 12-27-2018, 02:26 PM

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Ready to grade

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With the SMJHL S45 season right around the corner lets have a look at the top four S44 teams previous season record, notable draft picks in the recent entry draft, notable players that have departed the SMJHL, and give a quick prediction of how the team will do in the upcoming season. These predictions, and analysis are mainly based of my gut feeling, and the potential be accurate is slim.

Detroit Falcons Previous season record 32-12-6 (1st in SMJHL S44)

The Falcons stayed hot during the regular season earning the title of regular season champions, and a bye into the conference finals. Though they lost the series in game 7 against the Colorado raptors for a bid into the finals. There 2nd highest point leader Tony Pepperoni has departed the team for the Edmonton blizzard of the SHL western conference. The team is also loosing Ola Wagstrom who tied for first in goals for the team ashe has departed for the Winnipeg Jets, but they are hopefully retaining the service of Hippo Passamus who lead the team in points. The Falcons also lost Aaron Freakin Rome to the Anhiem Outlaws in the expansion draft. With the fourth overall pick of the entry draft the Flacons added Kalvins Zvejnieks, a Latvian power forward. Zvejnieks is a strong face-off man, though his shot isn't impressive his puck handling, and skating are. The young centerman needs to improve his shot to be balance out his game to be a real threat. The Falcons used their 2nd round pick to draft another centerman Raino Kyllönen. The young playmaking finnish center has a strong defensive game which Detroit will rely on him to be a dependable player. With these key players leaving the falcons, and they will be looking to their rookies to fill the gaps. Overall the falcons still have a strong team
Season Prediction 28-17-5

St. Louis Scarecrows Previous season record 28-15-7 (2nd in SMJHL S44)

The scarecrows ended the season on a 5 game win streak which earned them a bye into the conference finals. The Scarecrows matched up against the whalers who they got through to then face the Colorado Raptors in the finals. St. Louis came out as the playoff champions winning the four star cup, sweeping the Raptors in the series. St. Louis will be hard pressed to do a repeat as they will be loosing Nicholas Williams, Nicky Pedersen Jr, Alex Winters, Philipp Winter, and Adam Taylor to deserved call ups. Gordie Maple who has been a Scarecrow his whole junior career finally hit the age limit. The call up list included their 3 top scorers in Philipp Winter, Nicholas Williams, and Nicky Pendersen Jr. They also lost Roger Baston to the expansion draft. That is a big chuck of their main roster, and without a second round draft pick they’ll be hard pressed recovering the talent to be able to repeat a cup run. Luckily this SMJHL entry draft was loaded with possible talent. The Scarecrows traded up for the 6th pick, and ended up taking Tyler Tougard, skipping out on the dropping Borromini Cannellini who was the consensus 1st overall pick until word got out he was looking to only stay 1-2 seasons in juniors . With the 27th pick the Scarecrows picked up a speedy playmaking winger Michael Fox. This dedicated winger was an absolute steal in the GM’s eye, even going as far as saying ” I’m telling you he’s going to challenge for rookie of the year. We nailed this pick.” Not long after that the Scarecrows picked up Basil Magnicotta, and offensive D-man with a cannon of a shot at 33rd overall. Magnicotta will bolster their powerplay this upcoming season. Though the Scarecrows lost a good chunk of talent, they had a really strong draft and it isn’t hard to imagine that they will be considered a favourite to repeat this upcoming season.
Season Prediction 30-14-6

Vancouver Whalers Previous season record 27-18-5 (3rd in SMJHL S44)

While the Vancouver whalers put up a decent record in the regular season, and got past the first round against the Armada. They ultimately fell short losing in the conference finals to the St. Louis Scarecrows, who ended up being the playoff champions so overall it wasn’t a terrible season. This team will be looking to make a step this upcoming season. With the departure of Luke Thomason their 2nd leader in points to the San Fransico Pride, the Whalers picked up Borromini Cannellini. Cannellini will be a force in juniors, but may only spend one or two seasons. Vancouver is looking to make a push for a championship before he decides to leave for the SHL. Vancouver did not have a pick until the third round, and with that pick they took Bernik Vzral. This pick was to replace the defenceman that Benois Minuscule that was lost to the Lethbridge Lions in the expansion draft. They have an active defenseman in Vzral that will bolster up the back end.
Season Prediction 27-19-4

Montreal Militia Previous season record (24-21-5 4th in SMJHL S44)

The militia are arguably the top favourite to win it all this year. With how few player they have lost this off season, and a good inflow of rookies from the draft they will be looking at a long playoff run. They have a solid foundation of depth capped players, as well as a capped starting goalie in Peter Vrana. The Militia added Chuck Crutchfield who solidifies their top 4 defence. With the number 1 overall pick in the entry draft they selected Nikolia Evans, an offensive defensive with a solid starting build. Evans will bolster an already strong defensive core. The Militia had the fortune of having the 1st, and 2nd pick of the 2nd round. With that they were able to add some offensive winger depth with Hans Zucker, and a future goalie in Alexsi O'Koivu-Volkova. Overall the Militia had a very solid draft to an already well established core. Montreal is in a fantastic spot to take a run at the Four Star cup this year
Season Prediction (34-12-4)

In conclusion look for the Montreal Militia to lead the pack followed by the St Louis Scarecrows, Detroit Falcons, and the Vancouver Whalers rounding out the top 4 for S45

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