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*Katth* · 06-28-2022, 08:53 AM

It’s almost that time of the year again. The SHL draft is nearly there and every prospect in the SMJHL is eager to find out on which team they will (hopefully) spend the rest of their careers. Rikkert Biemans is my second player in the SHL. My previous player Barry Batsbak was drafted in season 46 somewhere in the second round by the Calgary Dragons, where I spent my entire career and scored over 800 points and won one Challenge Cup. Now I have returned with Rikkert Biemans, a left winger, also playing for the Kelowna Knights right now.

I will take a look at the draft order and the individual teams and talk about if I could see myself playing there for my entire career.

1.)

New England Wolfpack

New England is one of the teams that are currently doing a rebuild. They have a pretty big prospect pool and being drafted here could make me another piece of their puzzle to be competitive again. Their timing could fit well with my peak, so I could see myself playing here for a long time. Only downside is that their GM is a Flyers fan, but I am willing to look the other way on this.

2.)

Montréal Patriotes

Montreal is a pretty new team in the SHL and have not achieved much so far except for one playoff appearance. They also have a pretty stacked prospect pool and as with New England their timing fits with my timing. Also having one of my former mentors on the team and an old draftee as general manager, it would possibly be a great fit and hunt for the team's first chances of success.

3.)

Minnesota Monarchs

Hard pass.

4.) Dragons

Calgary Dragons

The Dragons would be the most obvious destination for me to end up. I spent my entire career here with Barry Batsbak, I was a co-general manager for 3 seasons and have been a part of their front office for a long time. Kez and DC are trying to turn this team around to be competitive again and I could be a big asset for them to achieve this. Even though I would really love to be a Dragon again, I do believe (and I’m very much open to it) that a different environment can be a good experience on this site. Besides there is a saying with the team: Once a Dragon, always a Dragon. So I’m never really gone.

5.) Rage

Manhattan Rage

I don’t really know much about Manhattan Rage and I don’t really have an opinion on them. At least nothing negative which is a plus. So I wouldn’t mind ending up there.

6.)

Texas Renegades

Texas has been one of the most successful franchises in the FHM6 era, but is also now undergoing a rebuild. They also have new leadership. There’s some familiar names on the team that I wouldn’t mind having on the same team. In my eyes Texas could be a good team to end up.

7.)

Edmonton Blizzard

Even though Edmonton had some changes in leadership the last few seasons and is now rebuilding as well, it seems weird to go here after spending my entire first career in Calgary. The rivalry is real. I do believe HFFO is making some good changes and is setting himself up for a decent rebuild, but I don’t think it will be the place for me.

8.)

New Orleans Specters

New Orleans came around when I first entered the league. JoeK was a former member of the Dragons franchise and stuck around in our Discord. From what I hear it’s a good team to be in so I can see myself in a Specters jersey for sure. They also have Vlatislav Malik and would be fun to be on the same team.

9.)

Hamilton Steelhawks

I don’t know much about the Steelhawks franchise. They are going through a rebuild right now after having dominated the league ever since we switched to FHM. There’s a lot of envy going around the league for their performance in that time. I must admit it got a bit old, but you have to give them credit. But I don’t really see myself playing for the Steelhawks. I have little to no affiliation with them or their players.

10.)

Buffalo Stampede

When I had Barry Batsbak I negotiated a no trade clause to Buffalo and I think I’m fine not going there.

11.) Inferno

Atlanta Inferno

I have known hotdog for some time as we were in the PT Department for quite some time together. He runs an organized ship and by looking at the roster they have a few great users I’ve played with before on either Calgary or Kelowna. Last season they were in a pretty competitive division with Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Philly all ending within 6 points from each other. So they are already a pretty competitive team. Also their branding is pretty cool. It would be cool (or hot) to play for Atlanta.

12.) pride

San Francisco Pride

I think Batsbak has scored a ton of points on the Pride in the past, but right now San Francisco has the upper hand. It took some time, but this franchise really came back from the bottom and worked their way back up. Pretty good achievement by its leadership. The Pride’s roster also looks really good and my current co-GM is also part of the Pride. I’d be happy to play for San Francisco.

13.) Forge

Philadelphia Forge

I Didn't really know much about the Forge until a day ago when I was approached by one of their scouts. Seems like a team that would fit me well. They have a few Ozzies on the team and they talk about food (that’s always good). So it sounds like a fun team to be on.

14.)

Tampa Bay Barracuda

Another pretty unknown team to me, but checking at their roster thay have a few great guys on there that I know of. They are also a quite competitive team and it seems Tampa Bay is good at hockey. So it could potentially be a great fit with my new player.

And the teams that don’t have a first round pick? You snooze, you lose.

S50 Challenge Cup Finals Game 7
[Image: gNFVjT6.png]

***HabsFanFromOntario*** · 06-28-2022, 09:36 AM

Really enjoyed our talk and know you'll go to a great team, excited to see where your career goes.

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