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mee · 04-14-2023, 05:44 PM

With the second overall pick in the S54 Entry Draft, the Toronto North Stars select Ryosuke Sato, defense, Vancouver Whalers.

Sato's career is coming to its end, he has just a few more seasons over 1K, it's as good of as time as any to look at this career and consider his potential for a HOF bid.

After finishing his junior career with a Four-Star Cup in Vancouver, Sato made his debut in S57 for Toronto. As a rookie he put up 3 goals and 12 assists. A 45.1% CF% was not the best, but rookies often struggle at the SHL level. Toronto finished last in the Great Lakes, a brutal division for many years, keeping Toronto from the playoffs many seasons.

In S58 Sato had just 2 goals, but showcased some passing with 20 assists. A fantastic 56.3% CF% showed much improvement, behind a much improved Toronto team, who at 98 points were second in the GL, but fell to Buffalo in the semifinals.

In S59 Sato's offensive numbers rose to 2-24-26, but his possession stats fell to 51.9%, still good but not the fantastic from the year before. Toronto's 93 were last in the Great Lakes, and out of the playoffs. 93 would've been first in 2 of the other 3 divisions, and 2nd in the 3rd.

In S60 Sato went 14-22-36, a career high in goals, as well as an appearance out of the single digits. A fantastic 59.2% CF% as well. Their 90 points put them in the playoffs, where Hamilton swept them away.

In S61 Sato put up a new career high in assists and points at 8-31-39, with a 56% CF%. Alas, Toronto's 70 points were bounced by Baltimore in the first round in 5 games.

In S62 Sato had a bit of a down year, 8-21-29, a CF% of 52.2% not the best. Toronto and their 69 points were swept by Buffalo in the first round.

In S63 Sato put up just 6-22-28 with a CF% of 49.2% another down year. Toronto had 80 points, but once again fell to Buffalo in the first round, this time in 5.

At this point Sato left the Toronto North Stars, traded for a huge haul of a first rounder and 2 second round picks.

In S64 Sato had his best season by the numbers, 17-42-59, all career highs, with a CF% of 64.7% a career high. Texas with 101 points, fell in the second round to Chicago in 7.

In S65 Sato had a solid offensive campaign at 9-25-34 with a CF% of 54.2%. Texas at 51 points got swept by Los Angeles in the first round.

In S66 Sato returned to Toronto. He put up a 4-25-29 line with a CF% of 51%. At 78 points, Toronto defeated the Montreal Patriots in 6 but fell in Buffalo in a sweep in the second round.

In S67 Sato had a 12-42-52 line with a CF% of 56.7%. At 97 points Toronto was second in the league. Alas, after a 6 game series win over Tampa Bay, the Patriots swept Toronto out of the second round.

In S68 Sato had a 10-38-48 line with a 55.3% CF%. 96 points from Toronto was 4th in the league, but after defeating the New England Wolfpack in 5, they fell to Buffalo once again, this time in 6.

In S69, Sato played for the Calgary Dragons, after being part of a large trade. His 9-17-26 line with a 48.8% showed a decline beginning to show a little more. 90 points put the Dragons in the middle of the pack, but they got swept by the Edmonton Blizzard in the first round.

As S70 is winding down, Sato now plays for the Seattle Argonauts, as part of a large free agent class that went to Seattle. He has a line of 3-13-16 through 48 games with a CF% of 55.5% more like himself. Leading the Pacific Division, the Argonauts are hoping for a long run in the postseason.

All in all, I think Sato has had a fantastic career, always has good possession numbers together with solid offensive numbers. He is also a fantastic user, was a GM of the Vancouver Whalers, runs the league budget and was a great media presence at the beginning of his career. Of course, like many his media died away as he put together a 9 digit bank account, but he was fantastic to work with in the SJHN when I was involved.

I vote for Sato in the HOF.

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756 words. Love you dex Wink

chetib · 04-18-2023, 02:27 PM

Approved! +5 TPE for @"mee"

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