Well people it is the draft season. I am Dale Murphy here to report on the Vancouver Whalers' current roster and their needs for the upcoming S60 draft.

Here is a quick look at the players that are sent to leave the Whalers for the SHL.

Valtterri Kauppinen is S56 forward who is set to go to the Tampa Bay Barracuda. He scored 16 goals this season along with 25 assists. Replacing his goal scoring is going to be a very difficult task for the Whalers.
Rikki "Playoff" Petrov is another S56 forward. He is currently under contract with the Minnesota Monarchs but he is a pending UFA. With 31 assists on the season (along with 12 goals), Petrov's playmaking is a major need for the Whalers.
KnockedOut ByOvechkin is the third and last of the S56 forwards. He is another member of the Tampa Bay Barracuda but like Petrov, ByOvechkin is a pending UFA.
Wile Coyote, who once scored a hat trick in a game seven, is set to age out of the SMJHL. He put up 31 points this season.

From the backend, the Whalers are sent to lose Zebulon Leavitt,  a bit of a defensive defenseman. On his way to Baltimore, the player who wears an "A"  is sent to be an RFA this season, but it would be a surprise to see him anywhere but Baltimore. He has been a great possession player all of his career, replacing him won't be easy. Baltimore is getting a gem.

Another player they will lose is Lonnie O'Donoghue. O'Donoghue is a S55 offensive defender, he put up 17 points this season. His hockey career is likely over.

The last player that will see some time in the SHL is goaltender Jon St. Ark, who will play a little bit for the New Orleans Specters. With St. Ark missing some time this season, it is time for the Whalers to draft his successor.
The Whalers should certainly look to some of the top forward and defensive prospects as well as potentially grabbing a goaltender.
Here is what their roster will look like next season


Nikolai Boyle- Ako Zile- Alexis Saint-Michel
Austin Smith- Makrus "The Tater" Jager- Robot Sunfish
DRAFTEE-  Mario Abeebehboosedibadibo-  Strawberry Sailfish
DRAFTEE- DRAFTEE- DRAFTEE

Zayne Rotzbua- Narboza Manyhands
Sven Svechnikov- Dara McQuick
DRAFTEE-DRAFTEE

Jon St. Ark

As you can see there are holes all over the Whalers roster for next season. I would like to see them take at least two or three wingers, two defenders, and a goaltender. 
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421 words (2x Draft Media)

Class S55

Johnny Shuffleboard || D || Vancouver Whalers || 23S53 || VAN|| 0-0-0 || 20 PIM || 6 SOG || 14:45 TOIS54 || VAN|| 4-17-21 || 24 PIM ||76 SOG || 19:57 TOIS55 || VAN|| 4-15-19 || 24 PIM ||74 SOG || 20:54 TOIS56 || VAN|| 9-15-24 || 28 PIM ||144 SOG || 21:07 TOIS57 || VAN|| 15-29-44 || 18 PIM ||152 SOG || 23:05 TOI

Johnny Shuffleboard || D || Winnipeg Aurora || 23S58 || MIN || 3-13-16 || 16 PIM || 102 SOG || 19:05 TOIS59 || EDM || 6-17-23 || 32 PIM || 186 SOG || 19:33 TOIS60 || EDM || 8-20-28 || 24 PIM || 137 SOG || 20:32 TOIS61 || WPG || 6-12-18 || 20 PIM || 93 SOG || 20:33 TOIS62 || WPG || 6-9-15 || 32 PIM || 93 SOG || 23:11 TOIS63 || WPG || 6-17-23 || 30 PIM || 94 SOG || 21:14 TOIS64 || WPG || 10-17-27 || 4 PIM || 121 SOG || 18:01 TOIPlayer History:Drafted 3rd Round to BUF S56Traded to Minnesota with a second rounder for a first round pickSigned with EDM 4Mx3yrTraded to SEA, Traded to WPG S61Signed with WPG IA Contract

Reincarnated- Class S71

Johnny Shuffleboard || D || Anchorage Armanda || 23S70 || ANC || 3-5-8 || 14 PIM || 36 SOG || 17 GP S71 || ANC || 20-39-59 || 60 PIM || 157 SOG || 22:20 TOIS72 || ANC || 15-30-45 || 30 PIM || 163 SOG || 22:46 TOIS73 || ANC || 17-36-53 || 42 PIM || 190 SOG || 21:51 TOI

Johnny Shuffleboard || D || Philadelphia Forge || 23S74 || PHI || 11-21-32 || 24 PIM || 116 SOG || 16:50 TOIS75 || PHI || 6-24-30 || 44 PIM || 98 SOG || 17:23 TOI------------------------------------------------------------Player History:Drafted 2nd Round to PHI Pick 36

They're whalers on the moon
They carry a harpoon

oh hey I play Left Wing

Jimmy Larkin-Conway | LW | Seattle Argonauts
=============Transactions==============
- Drafted 19th overall by Nevada (S59)
- Drafted 27th overall by Baltimore (S60)
- Traded to Winnipeg Aurora (S63)
- Traded to Toronto North Stars (S64)
- Re-signed with Toronto North Stars (S65)
- Re-signed with Toronto North Stars (S68,etc.)
- Signed with Seattle Argonauts (S76)
================Trophies================
- Aidan Richan Award (S65)


Kit Kirkstone | G | Retired



Charlie Schieck | D | Retired



Jeff Kirkstone | G | Retired | Former GM