Liljeström takes the SMJHL by Storm
Detroit Falcons scoops massive draft haul
by Jan Parker Peters
For Superprospects

906 words - 2x draft media - Ready for grading

"Herre gud! [Oh my God]" - that was the first words uttered out of second overall pick Magnus Liljeström when the Detroit Falcons announced that with their first-round pick - the second pick of the entirety of the draft - they would select the Ornskoldsvik native. There had been increased interest in the rookie defenceman as the draft neared, but most mock draft boards had Liljeström in the high single-digit or low-double digit positions, with several more experienced and well-known players ahead of him. Some names that Liljeström jumped over included highly touted forwards Danny White, Axel Meszaros, Rocco Berni and Hiroshi Ohira, all sure-fire talents that could bolster any team's Four Star Cup aspirations.

"Unbelievable! Never in my wildest dreams would I think that I would be drafted this high at the SMJHL Draft!" exclaimed the young two-way defenceman. "Maybe in the late first, early second at the very highest - not this high, never! I was so surprised to see my name up there on the draft board, and walking down was like floating... I felt like my face was going to split open because of how wide I was smiling!

"To also have so many of the players that I bonded with during the prospect tournament on my team is amazing as well, and I look forward to being on the team with them! I can't wait until pre-season starts and we can practice together. Right now, I am going to be taking part in the World Junior Championships as part of the new recruits for Team Sweden, and I hope that when Team British Isles releases their rosters they will have picked Eddie [Edward Williams] and Freddie [Frederick Wanesly] as well!"

Detroit went for a bold strategy in top-loading their draft picks, with 8 picks in the first five rounds of the draft. The boldest strategy might have been to pick two skaters from Great Britain back to back with the first and second pick of the second round - Edward Williams and Frederick Wanesly. Superprospects had a chance to catch up with them after they were picked, and asked them how it felt to be going to Detroit - a team filled with young players and on the upswing of a rebuild. Usually contenders for the Four Star Cup, the past few seasons of being eliminated early in the play-offs has the team hungry for a deep postseason run.

Wanesly, the self-assured young man, went first: "Being from England, I have only heard rumors of how bad Detroit can be. Well let me tell you, Detroit's not gonna know what hit 'em when this bad boy rolls into town. This is the best day of my life, being picked by Detroit. I can't wait to get on the ice with these chaps."

Williams mulled over his words for a few moments before replying: "The first word I’d have to use is shock. Number eleven overall? I was stunned. I felt just an immense surge of gratitude towards Detroit. to be at a team like the Falcons with so many other talented recruits is a dream come true."

"Can I borrow Edward's quote?" asked Wanesly, after hearing the response of the more thoughtful half of the duo. I told him that he could.

Reid Sutherland, a playmaking forward out of the United States, was drafted 24th overall by the Falcons, and was grinning ear to ear when we caught up with him.

"Everyone dreams of going to a world class organization like Detroit. I’m excited to get to work with my new teammates," said Sutherland.

Post-draft, we caught up with Tiggie Smalls, the General Manager of the Detroit Falcons, who was rubbing his hands in glee (most likely at the talent that his draft choices had provided him).

“We could not be happier with how our draft worked out,” explained Smalls. “We got 3 of our top 4 draft targets at 2nd, 11th, and 12th overall and followed it up with snagging some more of our favourite prospects in the entire draft the rest of the way. In all, the addition of 10 energetic and talented rookies will mark a huge moment in this franchise's storied history and along with our existing veterans, hopefully propel us to a Four Star Cup in the coming seasons.”

“I think it’s an absolute home run. Couldn’t be more excited to see this group develop and grow into amazing players for the Falcons.”

The Detroit Falcons also drafted the following players with their picks:

22nd - Burlok Sulfurgold, power forward RW
30th - Zoltan Topalo, two-way LW
32nd - A Jobin, butterfly G
42nd - Toki Wartooth, defensive D
62nd - Jordan Biffis, power forward LW
72nd - Paddy Kane-Reilly II, offensive RW

Of note for the Swedish readers, is that Liljeström is the highest Swedish player taken in the S52 SMJHL Draft by an amazing 25 spots - the next highest Swedish pick is Yompy Stearf, another defenceman who Liljeström will be playing with in the IIHF World Junior Championship team in a scant week.

This concludes our draft coverage for the S52 SMJHL Draft, but do not fear - Superprospects will return shortly with coverage of the IIHF World Junior Championships, including previews for each nation’s roster and their projected lines. We have a few predictions already, stay tuned to find out what they are and how accurate we’ll be!

Magnus Liljeström | D | Tampa Bay Barracuda | WPG | DET | SWE
Ornskoldsvik, Sweden | 6' 1" | 199lbs
Achievements:
S56 IIHF Bronze Medal
S55 Ryan Jesster Nomination for Best Rookie of the Year
S55 SHL All-Rookie Team
****S53 Four Star Cup Champion***
S53 WJC Silver Medal
S52 WJC Bronze Medal
S52 Nominated for Zach Miller Trophy - Most Dedicated Player
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SHL Season Statistics
S61 | TBB | 66GP | 17G | 28A | 45P | +22
S60 | TBB | 66GP | 6 G | 19A | 25P | +6
S59 | WPG | 66GP | 7G | 22A | 29P | -18
S58 | WPG | 66GP | 16G | 25A | 41P | -3
S57 | WPG | 66GP | 11G | 22A | 33P | +11
S56 | WPG | 50GP | 3G | 8A | 11P | -13
S55 | WPG | 50GP | 3G | 22A | 25P | +8

SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

Cal Labovitch |'| RW #12 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Switzerland

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Personal details

Hometown: Lausanne, Switzerland

Height: 6'1" |'| Weight: 202 lbs

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SHL STATISTICS

Regular season
S55 REG |'| Minnesota Chiefs      |'| GP: 50 |'| G:   12 |'| A: 15 |'| P: 27

S56 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 50 |'| G:   21 |'| A: 12 |'| P: 33

S57 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   31 |'| A: 20 |'| P: 51

S58 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   19 |'| A: 34 |'| P: 53

S59 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   23 |'| A: 39 |'| P: 62

S60 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   24 |'| A: 31 |'| P: 55

S61 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   42 |'| A: 30 |'| P: 72

S62 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   27 |'| A: 33 |'| P: 60

S63 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   18 |'| A: 35 |'| P: 53

S64 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   28 |'| A: 25 |'| P: 53

S65 REG |'| Baltimore Platoon |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   23 |'| A: 33 |'| P: 56

Post Season
S55 PO |'| Minnesota Chiefs      |'| Did not make playoffs                 

S56 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs                

S57 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs                

S58 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs                 

S59 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs                

S60 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 4 |'| G:   3 |'| A: 0 |'| P: 3

S61 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 4 |'| G:   1 |'| A: 2 |'| P: 3

S62 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 5 |'| G:   2 |'| A: 2 |'| P: 4

S63 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs

S64 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Did not make playoffs

S65 PO |'| Baltimore Platoon |'| GP: 5 |'| G:   2 |'| A: 1 |'| P: 3

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SMJHL STATISTICS

Regular season

S51 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 50 |'| G:   7 |'| A: 24 |'| P: 31

S52 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 50 |'| G: 19 |'| A: 35 |'| P: 54

S53 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 50 |'| G: 16 |'| A: 25 |'| P: 41

S54 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 50 |'| G:   9 |'| A: 14 |'| P: 23

Post Season

S51 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP:   7 |'| G: 3 |'| A: 2 |'| P: 5
S52 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 10 |'| G: 5 |'| A: 1 |'| P: 6

S53 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 17 |'| G: 2 |'| A: 3 |'| P: 5

S54 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP:   7 |'| G: 1 |'| A: 3 |'| P: 4

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WJC STATISTICS

S50 WJC |'| Team Alpine |'| GP: 19 |'| G: 0 |'| A:   2   |'| P:   2

S51 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 21 |'| G: 4 |'| A: 10   |'| P: 14

S52 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 2 |'| A:   6   |'| P:   8

S53 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 1 |'| A: 12   |'| P: 13

S54 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 1 |'| A:   2   |'| P:   3

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IIHF STATISTICS

S51 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 0 |'| P:  0

S52 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 0 |'| P:  0

S53 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 2 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  5

S54 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 1 |'| A: 6 |'| P:  7

S55 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 4 |'| A: 2 |'| P:  6

S56 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 2 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  5

S57 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 3 |'| A: 5 |'| P:  8

S58 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 4 |'| A: 7 |'| P: 11

S59 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 6 |'| A: 7 |'| P: 13

S60 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 3 |'| A: 4 |'| P:  7

S61 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 3 |'| A:12 |'| P:15

S62 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 3 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  6

S63 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 4 |'| A: 6 |'| P: 10

S64 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 6 |'| A: 5 |'| P: 11

S65 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 9 |'| A: 6 |'| P: 15

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Awards, Cups and Medals

S51 |'| Elias Armia Award (Commissioners' award of excellence)

S51 |'| IIHF (Switzerland NT) |'| Silver medal

S51 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Co-GM

S51 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Bronze medal

S52 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Laurifer Trophy  

S52 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Co-GM

S53 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Laurifer Trophy 

S53 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Oriens Trophy 

S53 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Four Star Cup

S54 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Co-GM

S55 |'| Minnesota Chiefs |'| Called up to SHL

S55 |'| Ryan Jesster Trophy (nominee)

S56 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Co-GM

S59 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GM

S61 |'| Jay McDonald Trophy

S61 |'| Ron Mexico Trophy (nominee)

S62 |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GM

S63 |'| IIHF (Switzerland NT) |'| Silver medal

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Draft position
SHL     |'| Draft S52 |'| Round 1 |'|   2OA
SMJHL |'| Draft S51 |'| Round 3 |'| 25OA

 

  

Julian Flörsch |'| LD #42 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Switzerland

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Personal details

Hometown: Geneva, Switzerland

Height: 6'0" |'| Weight: 200 lbs

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SHL STATISTICS

Regular season[/pbl]

S69 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:    8 |'| A: 23 |'| P: 31

S70 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   11 |'| A: 24 |'| P: 35

S71 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   10 |'| A: 18 |'| P: 28

S72 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   09 |'| A: 27 |'| P: 36

S73 REG |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   08 |'| A: 25 |'| P: 33

Post Season
S69 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 5 |'| G:   0 |'| A: 2 |'| P: 2
S70 PO |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| GP: 4 |'| G:   0 |'| A: 0 |'| P: 0
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SMJHL STATISTICS
Regular season
S65 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 66 |'| G:   7 |'| A: 15 |'| P: 22
S66 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 66 |'| G: 11 |'| A: 19 |'| P: 30
S67 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 66 |'| G: 16 |'| A: 36 |'| P: 52
S68 REG |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 66 |'| G: 13 |'| A: 40 |'| P: 53
Post Season
S65 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 17 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 3 |'| P: 3
S66 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP:  0 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 0 |'| P: 0
S67 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 10 |'| G: 2 |'| A: 2 |'| P: 4
S68 PO |'| Detroit Falcons |'| GP: 18 |'| G: 5 |'| A: 8 |'| P:13
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WJC STATISTICS
S64 WJC |'| Team SWEDEN |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 1 |'| A:   1   |'| P:   2
S65 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 1 |'| A:  5   |'| P:  6
S66 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 1 |'| A:   6   |'| P:   7
S67 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 3 |'| A:   1   |'| P:   4
S68 WJC |'| Team DACH |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 1 |'| A:  4   |'| P:  5
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IIHF STATISTICS
S66 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 1 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  4
S67 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 1 |'| P:  1
S68 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 13 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 1 |'| P:  1
S69 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 0 |'| P:  0
S70 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 1 |'| P:  1

S71 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 15 |'| G: 2 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  5

S72 IIHF |'| Switzerland NT |'| GP: 12 |'| G: 0 |'| A: 3 |'| P:  3

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Awards, Cups and Medals

S65 |'| IIHF (Switzerland NT) |'| Gold medal

S65 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Laurifer trophy

S65 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Linna-Landvik trophy

S65 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Four Star Cup
S65 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Gold medal
S66 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Gold medal
S67 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Gold medal
S68 |'| Quilha Agante Trophy
S68 |'| WJC (Team DACH) |'| Gold medal
S68 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Laurifer trophy
S68 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Linna-Landvik trophy
S68 |'| Detroit Falcons |'| Four Star Cup
S68 |'| Quilha Agante Trophy (nominee)

S69 |'| Minnesota Monarchs |'| Called up to SHL
S69 |'| Ryan Jesster Trophy (nominee)

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Draft position
SHL|'| Draft S66 |'| Autodrafted

SMJHL|'| Draft S65 |'| Round 1 |'|   11OA

 

  

 
Credit for the images goes to @Carpy48, @soulja, @fever95 and @Wasty

Great post! I'm loving this team so far!

                  Frederick Wanesly || Retired

Name: Frederick Wanesly

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 220lbs

Number: 5

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Career Statistics:

SHL Regular Season - Seattle Argonauts:
S56 | 50 GP | 11 G | 10 A | 21 P |  32 PIM | 20:20 AMG
S57 | 66 GP | 17 G | 13 A | 30 P |  35 PIM | 18:31 AMG
S58 | 66 GP | 12 G | 13 A | 25 P |  16 PIM | 15:40 AMG

S58 | 66 GP |   7 G | 13 A | 20 P |    8 PIM | 15:07 AMG

SMJHL Regular Season - Detroit Falcons:
S52 | 50 GP |   6 G | 10 A | 16 P |  14 PIM |   9.48 AMG

S53 | 50 GP | 15 G | 20 A | 35 P |  10 PIM | 15.58 AMG

S54 | 50 GP | 14 G | 15 A | 29 P |  22 PIM | 16.21 AMG

S55 | 50 GP |   7 G | 26 A | 33 P |  20 PIM | 19.23 AMG

SMJHL Post Season - Detroit Falcons

28 GP | 9 G | 7 A | 16 P | 2 PIM | 19:44 AMG

WJC - Team British Isles

S51 | 30 GP |  3 G |   0 A |   3 P |  8 PIM |  9.66 AMG

S52 | 22 GP |  7 G |   9 A | 16 P |  6 PIM | 13.75 AMG

S53 | 20 GP |  8 G | 11 A | 19 P |  2 PIM |  19.49 AMG

S54 | 22 GP |  6 G |   6 A | 12 P |  6 PIM |  15.54 AMG

IIHF - Team Great Britain
S56 | 22 GP |  4 G |  5 A |   9 P |  6 PIM |  9.05 AMG