The last time we saw the Whalers defense, it looked much different than what it appears to look like this year. During their playoff run, the defense looked like this below:

Narboza Manyhands – NeverBrokeAgain Youngboy
Adelie de Pengu – Doug Glatt
Zayne Rotzbua – Dara McQuick

In their first four preseason games, they looked like this below (Total TPE, not necessarily applied TPE, in parenthesis):

Narboza Manyhands (685) – NeverBrokeAgain Youngboy (393)
Sven Svechnikov (604) – Landon Fischermann (228)
Conner Tanner (219) – Dara McQuick (335)

So right off the bat, half the d-core has been changed in one off-season. We will break down each player individually with their strengths and weaknesses next, but right away, the big changes are adding two new rookies joining the fray in Landon Fischermann and Conner Tanner. Tanner was the Whalers’ first selection in this years’ draft (second round, 15th overall), while Fischermann was the Whalers’ second pick (third round, 35th overall. The other change on the back end is a guy who played some defense last season but has made the full change to the back end now from right wing, and that is Sven Svechnikov.

Let’s break down each player that will make up the new-look backend.

Narboza Manyhands: This guy is an absolute stud in his own zone. He is quick, while also being extremely responsible in his own zone. He also has the ability to lay a big hit when called upon and can eat minutes with the best of them in the SMJHL. He does not have that big shot from the point, but he has incredible hockey sense, leading him to be an outstanding distributor of the puck. He is a true number one defenseman. Last season he put up 31 points (10-21=31), appearing in all 66 games and led the team in average time on ice per game at 23:18.

NeverBrokeAgain Youngboy: The reigning Rookie of the Year, NBA (as he is known) comes back looking to show that last season was just the beginning of his promising career. An absolute offensive dynamo, NBA led all team defensemen last season in points with 34 (11-23=34) while ranking second among defensemen in time on ice (20:24). He is speedy as well, and if you want to try and find a weakness, he isn’t a tough guy, but that is not what you are looking at for this type of player. He looks like an absolute gem and it is a mystery how he slipped all the way to the end of the second round in this seasons’ SHL draft. The Hamilton Steelhawks have to be thrilled with that development.

Sven Svechnikov: Entering his fourth season with Vancouver, Sven was initially drafted as a defenseman, moved to forward, and has now moved back to defenseman. That type of versatility is unmatched in the league. He can really play anywhere he wants. Being a converted forward, it is obvious he has great offensive availability, mostly as a distributor, but he is very smart in the offensive zone. A hard hitter who plays very well in his defensive zone, there is not many weaknesses in this guy. He is someone who could be called up to the SHL sooner rather than later. Playing between right wing and left defense last season, Svechnikov put up 27 points (9-18=27) appearing in all 66 games and posting 20:46 average time on ice per game, second on the team.

Landon Fischermann:  Relatively unknown and under scouted coming into the SMJHL draft, Fischermann burst onto the scene during the prospect showcase as a member of the San Diego San Lions. He posted 30 points (7-23=30) and a plus-12 rating during the 40-game regular season was just the start of it. He tied for the most points by a defenseman and ranked tied for third overall in assists. He also ranked third in time on ice per game with 22:37 per game. He didn’t stop there though, he posted five points (0-5=5) in six postseason games before losing to the Tokyo Yoshi’s in the finals. His assist total was second in the league while he tied for third in league in points and second among league defensemen all while posting 22:24 time on ice per game, second best in the league. This speedy defenseman hopes to make big waves this season.

Conner Tanner: This massive, Left Defenseman Conner Tanner out of Osaka, Japan stands at six feet, six inches and weighs in at 240 pounds, this mountain of a man will definitely bring an edge and a grit to the Whalers’ back end. His strengths are his defensive responsibility, his hitting, positioning and strength. He does have a couple weaknesses, mainly his skating ability and he does not have much offensive upside, but you don’t pay him for that. You pay him for his edge and what he does in his own zone. During the prospect showcase, Tanner posted 15 points (6-9=15) and a plus-1 rating while recording 19:20 average time on ice for the Tokyo Yoshi’s during the 40-game regular season. Tanner won the championship with the Yoshi’s, scoring one goal (1-0=1) in six playoff games and recorded 19:50 average time on ice helping the Yoshi’s lift the cup.

Dara McQuick: The third and final ‘defensive’ returner, Dara is an extremely solid sixth defenseman. He won’t contribute much in the offensive zone, but he is extremely solid defensively and just what you want from your sixth defenseman. A hard hitter and stalwart in his own zone, Dara registered eight points last season (4-4=8) while posting an average time on ice of 19:34, good enough for fourth on team.

All-in-all, the Whalers should develop into one heck of a defensive power-house, as they have their sights set on a much better regular-season and postseason outcome than last year.


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1,022 words
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Approved, +5 to @efischermann

Campbell Fischermann | RW | Colorado Raptors | 558 TPE | GM SEA
Drafted 17th overall by the Colorado Raptors
Drafted 36th overall by the Seattle Argonauts
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Awards and Honors
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SMJHL Regular Season Stats
S77 COL | GP: 66 | G: 17 | A: 33 | P: 50 | +/-: +13
S78 COL | GP: 66 | G: 26 | A: 23 | P: 49 | +/-: -3
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SMJHL Playoff Stats
S77 COL | GP: 4 | G: 0 | A: 2 | P: 2 | +/-: -6
S78 COL | GP: 13 | G: 7 | A: 5 | P: 12 | +/-: +2
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International Play
S77 Team USA-Blue WJC | GP: 12 | G: 2 | A: 5 | P: 7 | +/-: -4
S61 Team USA-White WJC | GP: 4 | G: 2 | A: 3 | P: 5 | +/-: +1

Landon Fischermann | RD | Seattle Argonauts | 2,071 TPE (max) | GM SEA
Drafted 35th overall by the Vancouver Whalers
Drafted 10th overall by the Seattle Argonauts
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Awards and Honors
S61 SMJHL Four Star Cup Champion
S61 SMJHL All-Star
S61 WJC Gold Medal - Team USA
S62 SMJHL All-Star
S62 Quilha Agante Trophy Winner (Best Defenseman in SMJHL)
S62 SMJHL First Team All-Star
S62 WJC Gold Medal - Team British Isles
S62 WJC Harvey Danger Award Winner (Best Defenseman)
S67 SHL Challange Cup Champion
S68 SHL Challange Cup Champion
S70 IIHF Best Defender
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SMJHL Regular Season Stats
S60 VAN | GP: 66 | G: 8 | A: 13 | P: 21 | +/-: +7
S61 VAN | GP: 66 | G: 12 | A: 38 | P: 50 | +/-: +52
S62 VAN 'C' | GP: 66 | G: 12 | A: 45 | P: 57 | +/-: +40
S63 VAN 'C' | GP: 51 | G: 6 | A: 15 | P: 21 | +/-: -40
S63 REG | GP: 13 | G: 5 | A: 5 | P: 10 | +/-: +4
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SHL Regular Season Stats
S64 SEA | GP: 66 | G: 7 | A: 13 | P: 20 | +/-: +5
S65 SEA | GP: 66 | G: 11 | A: 22 | P: 33 | +/-: +31
S66 SEA | GP: 66 | G: 8 | A: 26 | P: 34 | +/-: +24
S67 SEA 'A' | GP: 66 | G: 7 | A: 26 | P: 33 | +/-: +36
S68 SEA 'A' | GP: 66 | G: 16 | A: 24 | P: 40 | +/-: +52
S69 SEA (Co-GM) | GP: 66 | G: 10 | A: 31 | P: 41 | +/-: +38
S70 SEA (Co-GM) | GP: 66 | G: 22 | A: 32 | P: 52 | +/-: +18
S71 SEA (Co-GM) | GP: 66 | G: 13 | A: 39 | P: 52 | +/-: +11
S72 SEA (Co-GM) | GP: 66 | G: 8 | A: 21 | P: 29 | +/-: -32
S73 SEA (Co-GM) | GP: 66 | G: 8 | A: 30 | P: 38 | +/-: -20
S74 SEA (GM) | GP: 66 | G: 6 | A: 26 | P: 32 | +/-: -53
S75 SEA (GM) | GP: 66 | G: 5 | A: 9 | P: 14 | +/-: -66
S76 SEA (GM) | GP: 66 | G: 8 | A: 19 | P: 27 | +/-: -33
S76 SEA (GM) | GP: 66 | G: 10 | A: 32 | P: 42 | +/-: -28
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SMJHL Playoff Stats
S60 VAN | GP: 13 | G: 1 | A: 3 | P: 4 | +/-: +1
S61 VAN | GP: 14 | G: 2 | A: 4 | P: 6 | +/-: +5
S62 VAN 'C' | GP: 12 | G: 2 | A: 4 | P: 6 | +/-: +6
S63 REG | GP: 4 | G: 1 | A: 0 | P: 1 | +/-: +0
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SHL Playoff Stats
S64 SEA | GP: 7 | G: 1 | A: 1 | P: 2 | +/-: -1
S65 SEA | GP: 6 | G: 2 | A: 1 | P: 3 | +/-: +2
S66 SEA | GP: 22 | G: 3 | A: 5 | P: 8 | +/-: +0
S67 SEA 'A' | GP: 23 | G: 5 | A: 6 | P: 11 | +/-: +11
S68 SEA 'A' | GP: 21 | G: 2 | A: 7 | P: 9 | +/-: +23
S69 SEA (Co-GM) | GP: 16 | G: 0 | A: 3 | P: 3 | +/-: -6
S70 SEA (Co-GM) | GP: 13 | G: 2 | A: 6 | P: 8 | +/-: +1
S71 SEA (Co-GM) | GP: 7 | G: 1 | A: 1 | P: 2 | +/-: +1
S72 SEA (Co-GM) | GP: 5 | G: 1 | A: 2 | P: 3 | +/-: +0
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International Play
S60 Team USA WJC | GP: 13 | G: 1 | A: 3 | P: 4 | +/-: +8
S61 Team USA WJC | GP: 15 | G: 1 | A: 2 | P: 3 | +/-: +5
S62 Team BI WJC | GP: 15 | G: 6 | A: 7 | P: 13 | +/-: +14
S63 Team BI WJC | GP: 13 | G: 2 | A: 6 | P: 8 | +/-: -6
S64 Team GB IIHF | GP: 13 | G: 2 | A: 6 | P: 8 | +/-: +4
S65 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 2 | A: 0 | P: 2 | +/-: +0
S66 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 2 | A: 1 | P: 3 | +/-: -2
S67 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 3 | A: 6 | P: 9 | +/-: +2
S68 Team GB IIHF | GP: 13 | G: 2 | A: 7 | P: 9 | +/-: +3
S69 Team GB IIHF | GP: 15 | G: 2 | A: 2 | P: 4 | +/-: -1
S70 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 9 | A: 7 | P: 16 | +/-: +1
S71 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 0 | A: 8 | P: 8 | +/-: -1
S72 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 5 | A: 3 | P: 8 | +/-: -3
S73 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 1 | A: 4 | P: 5 | +/-: -4
S74 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 5 | A: 8 | P: 13 | +/-: -10
S75 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 2 | A: 1 | P: 3 | +/-: -3
S76 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 3 | A: 2 | P: 5 | +/-: -2
S77 Team GB IIHF | GP: 12 | G: 1 | A: 6| P: 7 | +/-: -11

S61 Four Star Cup - Game-Winning Goal in the clinching Game 4