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Lurking at the Berserkers
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Berserkers Lurking at the Berserkers Berserkers


Just by looking at their roster, one would think that the Newfoundland Berserkers would have struggled this season with their team littered with S54 players, a rookie goaltender, and no real veteran players up the middle. But, the Berserkers had themselves a wonderful season all things considered with a 23-22-5 record which led them to third in the Eastern Conference. They managed to score 1 more goal than they allowed and were only 6 points behind the second-place St. Louis Scarecrows. Overall, many would suggest that the Berserkers overachieved with their current roster, although the Berserkers would say they are where they thought they would be. Let’s take a look at how the Berserkers look next year as they build on an already successful season this year.

The Berserkers added quality players in the S54 draft in Defenseman PBJ Souppan, Jack Klompus, Tinke Jutila, and star goaltender Cale Amundsen. They continued to add to their already young group in free agency signing defenseman Renji Atake, Elias Kierkegaard as well as centers Matthew Forrester and Matts Marner. A young team like the Berserkers comes with a dire need for leadership which the Berserkers definitely have. They have S53 Jukka Timonen leading the back end with a bunch of rookies as well as captain Slatt Potts on the wings, along with Steve Harrington, (Clean)Andrei Kostitsyn, and Ryuuji Minamino on the wings too. The Berserkers had a massive veteran gap in what some would call the most important positions on the ice meaning center ice and in goal. The Berserkers gave full reigns to rookie Cale Amundsen in goal which proved to be a good decision both results-wise as well as development-wise. With all this young talent, it makes one wonder what next season will look like for the Berserkers, and maybe next year will be an even stronger year for the Berserkers.


Berserkers Potentially Leaving? Berserkers

The only potential loss the Berserkers may face is captain Slatt Potts. It seems rather unlikely right now that the Texas Renegades prospect will be moving up, but if he does the Berserkers will definitely feel it. Slatt had 34 points in 50 games this season with 20 goals and led the league in shots of goal. He was the only Berserker with 20 goals this year which means that losing him would be losing a lot of offense. It would also be argued that losing Slatt from the locker-room would be a huge loss as he is, in fact, the captain and has been there for all the rookies this year. If Slatt Potts does stay in Newfoundland, he will likely be set up to have a big year while likely playing with a more developed centerman which may increase his point totals substantially while also playing on a likely stronger Berserkers team.


Berserkers Defenseman Berserkers

Jukka Timonen – The only veteran on the Berserkers blueline led the team in defenseman points with 7 goals and 21 assists for 28 points in 50 games. He finished the year with 94 shots blocked and averaged an impressive 26:41 time on ice. Jukka was the main defenseman on the team who was counted upon both at even strength and on special teams. He averaged around 3:26 minutes on the powerplay and 2:42 penalty kill minutes making him a valuable asset. Jukka was drafted to be a two-way defenseman but this season showed off his defensive prowess on a young developing team. Next season should be a big season for Jukka as the Berserkers blueline will have more SMJHL experience to allow Jukka to play more offensively.

Elias Kierkegaard
One of the young bluelines, Kierkegaard put up solid numbers in his first SMJHL season with 2 goals and 15 assists for 15 points in 50 games. Elias did not get much power-play time but did spend some time on the penalty kill. The young defenseman is still developing, just at a bit of a slower pace than some of his peers on the Berserkers but he still should be a quality asset for the Berserkers next season.

Renji Atake
A common theme throughout the Berserkers, Atake is a young defenseman who put up 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 50 games. Atake is more of a defensive defenseman right now with the potential to grow his game offensively. He prides himself on being reliable on both ends of the ice. He had 56 hits and 50 shots blocked while playing some penalty killing minutes with not much power playtime.

PBJ Souppan
Souppan is another young two-way defender who had a solid rookie year in the SMJHL. The third overall pick in the S53 SMJHL draft put up a solid 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 50 games. In addition, Souppan had 58 hits and 55 shots blocked while racking up an average of 20 minutes per game which is impressive for a young defenseman. He was heavily relied upon which can be hard for rookies in the SMJHL. Souppan will likely be on the top pair next season and with a year of development under his belt should put up closer to a point per game pace next year on a much improved Berserkers squad.

Tinke Jutila
Sticking to the theme, Jutila is a young defenseman who can play at both ends of the ice. He scored 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points in 50 games. He led defenseman with 80 hits and led the team with 130 shots blocked. Jutila proved to be a rock on the backend with his sparkling plus 16 on the year. He was relied upon at even strength averaging 23 minutes per game as well as averaging almost 3 minutes of penalty kill time per game. Jutila was and is a defensive force for the Berserkers. He had an impressive defensive season for a developing team in the SMJHL.

Jack Klompus
Klompus is another high potential defenseman who had a good rookie season in the league like his peers. Klompus had 7goals and 6 assists for 13 points in 50 games. He had 70 hits and 61 shots blocked and averaged 20:36 minutes per game. He also had considerable special team minutes averaging over a minute of each per game. Klompus is another two-way defenseman who will probably see his point totals rise next season. He will likely be a high pick in the upcoming SHL draft along with his fellow Berserkers blueliners.

The Berserkers blueline was extremely young this season but also successful considering. It is full of top-level SHL prospects, and with all of them coming back next season the Berserkers should be set on the blueline for many seasons to come.


Berserkers Forwards Berserkers


Ryuuji Minamino
After being drafted 11th overall by Chicago in the S53 SHL draft, Minamino led the Berserkers in scoring with 17 goals 19 assists for 36 pts in 50 games. The power forward provided a net-front presence and was very good on the power-play scoring 13 points on the power-play. Minamino will certainly be back with the Berserkers next season but will have more help as his centerman this year were all rookies.

(Clean) Andrei Kostitsyn
A Hamilton prospect, Kostitsyn scored 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 50 games. He provided a lot of grit with 80 hits and currently has a solid defensive game.Kostitsyn will look to have better offensive numbers next season while not sacrificing his grit and defense.

Patric Twist
The San Francisco product had a good season scoring 8 goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 50 games. He was also a solid plus 13 while having 65 hits and 61 shots blocks which shows his solid defensive year as well. He also spent only 10 minutes in the penalty box this year which is good compared to some of his teammates.

Steve Harrington
The third overall pick in the S53 SHL Entry Draft of the Buffalo Stampede had a good season in the SMJHL scoring 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 50 games. Harrington was heavily relied upon on the power-play averaging 3:26 per game and also averaging over 20 minutes per game at even strength. The playmaker will likely see his point totals rise next season with help coming from developing centerman on the team.

Mats Marner
The rookie centerman might be one of the most critical players to the success of the team next season. Marner almost needs to develop for the Berserkers to have success next season as the center ice position is known to be one of the most important positions in hockey. Marner looks to have the potential to be a star and likely will but it is going to take some time. The rookie center scored 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points in 44 games last year. He was eased into the lineup averaging 10 minutes per game and having very little special team’s time. If Marner continues to develop and becomes the number one guy on the Berserkers, it could be a special season for him next year playing with Potts.



Berserkers Depth Berserkers

Niccolo Livius, Gavin Wallace, Mattias Birdstrom, Guy LeGrande all provided solid depth for the Berserkers this year. Wallace scored 21 points in 50 games and LeGrande scored 18 points in 50 games. LeGrande was the most heavily relied upon centerman averaging 15 minutes per game whereas Wallace averaged around 13 minutes. The two centermen provided insolation for Mats Marner who was a bit young than them and will likely be the eventually top centerman for the Berserkers when he develops.



BerserkersGoaltending Berserkers

Cale Amundsen
Amundsen was a star for the Berserkers as a rookie goaltender. He finished the year with a 21-17-4 record which placed him fourth in wins in the SMJHL. His .919 save percentage was good for second in the league among goalies who started over 20 games while being tied for first with 5 shutouts on the year. Admundsen’s goals-against average was a bit high at 2.68 goals against average but overall his rookie season was excellent. Admundsen’s performance this season gives hope to the Berserkers next season as he will develop even more and continue to get better. It would not be surprising if he is the best goaltender in the league next season.


Berserkers Draft Picks Berserkers
The Berserkers have most of their picks for the upcoming draft, they have an extra third from Anaheim but also do not have their fourth-round pick. The Berserkers will be able to add depth to their roster this year. It will likely come from the wings and maybe an extra centerman or backup goalie. The Berserkers first picks will likely be forwards specifically wingers and maybe in the third round grab an extra center. The Berserkers do not have any real glaring needs coming into the draft but it will still be important to add depth for the obvious run next season.



The Berserkers look poised to be a strong team next season with a bunch of S54’s with more experience and development under their belt. The team is full of activity and potential and will only get better with more time to develop. This past season was likely just a test run for next season which showed the Berserkers were better than everyone thought they would be. A really strong S54 Draft could set the Berserkers up for many seasons to come with the core group of S54’s they currently got. I would predict that the Berserkers will be battling the Falcons for the top spot in the East next season and giving them a run for their money all year long next year.

While it is possible the Berserkers flop, it will be up to the team to keep their S54 group active and developing. If they can do that and add some quality depth they will be a scary team next year. They will need replacements upfront for their veteran players like Potts, Minamino, and Harrington which makes the next two drafts important for the Berserkers. Any picks that they miss on could potentially put them back if they cannot replace their veterans. The Berserkers will just need to keep having strong draft classes and they will be fine. It will be interesting to see how this young team does in the upcoming SMJHL playoffs again St. Louis.


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Made by Rindiee, rum_ham & Carpy

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#2

So smart

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#3

Lurkzerkers

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Germany Berserkers Stampede Stars Barracuda syndicate
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#4

best article i've seen yet on SHL

04-18-2020, 01:58 PMnour Wrote: we received 2 complaints from Site Member @caltroit_red_flames about his site rep being brigaded
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