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*JURT* · 04-04-2020, 04:11 PM

The Colorado Raptors are having a good start to the season, and a lot their early success is obviously due to a great core of veteran players at every position. However, we cannot let some of the latest additions to the roster fly under the radar.

Raptors

Sheen Beckett - Defenseman Raptors

It's not really surprising that a fourth-round SMJHL pick has a direct impact on his team in his first season, but Beckett is exceeding expectations so far in the season. Playing with second-year veteran Bradley Barkov, Beckett has really stepped up to fill the right spot on the second defensive pairing - a spot many thought would be given to first-round pick Aumy Jr (but more on him later on). Beckett has managed to get five assists in nine game so far, and sees his fair share of icetime on the powerplay. Despite a few mistakes in the defensive end, the young San Diegan has his coach's trust that he will keep getting better as the time goes on and so keeps seeing more than 17 minutes of icetime every night.

Raptors

Aumy Jr and Anrijs Asts - Defensemen Raptors

Both Finnish players joined the Raptors in really different ways. The former was a first-round pick, highly skilled and motivated at the beginning of the season. The latter signed after the draft as a free agent. They have been reunited on the third pairing and, despite not being the most prolific pairing, have three points each so far (2G, 1A for Aumy Jr and 3A for Anrijs Asts). Nothing to scoff at for rookie defensemen in a defensive role, who also see a noticeable chunk of their icetime on the penalty kill. There is still much room for improvement, but the pairing is playing adequately so far and had some crucial plays, like Aumy Jr's game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Kraken.

Raptors

Jean-Uthred Ragnarsson-Tremblay - Center Raptors

Ragnarsson-Tremblay was one of the last players drafted in the SMJHL this year, and not without cause : the young forward showed very little motivation and had seemingly no upside to offer. However, he really turned thing aroung during training camp, and proved he could be a valuable asset in a defensive role. Centering the fourth line, he shadows the opponents players and sees his fair share of icetime on the penalty kill. Overall, Ragnarsson-Tremblay still doesn't play a lot, but does a good job hitting and blocking shots. On top of that, he's won 68% of his faceoffs so far and managed to put up six assists in those nine games since the beginning of the season.

Raptors

Noah Johns II - Right wing Raptors

The man who is obviously most deserving of being on this list, the addition Colorado wouldn't want to have missed. Noah Johns II is not only leading the team in points so far (his seven goals and four assists in nine games put him one point over captain Simothy Drunkbird), he is also leading the league in goals. An early candidate to the Esa Anrikkanen Trophy, Johns did it all playing on the fourth line. And, to make things even more interesting, he hasn't even begun to tap into his full potential. A very promising career should be in front of the young forward once he starts developing.

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