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TheFlash · 11-30-2020, 12:29 PM

Oh look! Another season. Today we're going to be heading to Colorado and looking at the outlook for their season. The Raptors have been in a bit of a rebuilding mode, dealing some assets last season for picks/prospects. They also lost some big time players this year to the big leagues, so they'll be looking for their last two draft classes to really step up to the plate and make an impact. Let's have a peek at their projected lines and how they forecast for the season.

FORWARDS

First Line Raptors

LW- Jarmo Kekalainen (S57) 358 TPE C- Josh Dolphin (S56) 440 TPE RW- Juni Panda (S55) 537 TPE

The three prized forwards for the Raptors from each of the last three drafts come together to form their biggest scoring threat. Not one of these three have really proven themselves in a scoring role, so this could really go either way for the Raptors. Dolphin and Panda each scored 23 and 22 points respectively last season, although they were playing behind some older players who have now made the move to the SHL. Kekalainen split last season between Nevada and Colorado, and has yet to be put in a position to succeed offensively. This line has a chance to really make some waves in the league, with Dolphin being the setup man to Panda and Kekalainen, whose builds lean more to the scorer role. There's an outside chance this line returns next year as well, depending on how Panda's big league team views his future. A really great chance for them to build some chemistry and return for a cup run next season

Second Line Raptors

LW- Noel Blanchet (S58) 215 TPE C- Sonata Diamante (S57) 267 TPE LW- Eero Makinen Jr. (S56) 368 TPE

The second line brings us another smorgasbord of draft classes. This line brings us our first rookie in Blanchet, the Raptor's sixth overall pick in the most recent draft. Blanchet brings a physical, offensively balanced game to the Raptors and he looks to be an important piece in their future. Diamante had 17 points in his first campaign in the league, and looks to build on a solid rookie season here in his new, larger role. The Italian center brings more of a scoring role to what's traditionally a playmakers position. Rounding out the second line, Eero Makinen Jr is yet another player getting a taste of a scoring role. He, like Diamante, notched 17 points last season.

Third Line Raptors

LW- Ruedi Hueber (S58) 174 TPE C- Leon Schweingruber (S58) 198 TPE LW- Connor Broussard (S58) 155 TPE

Some brand new toys for the Raptors get the start on the team's third line. Less to say about this line, as all three players are unknowns! This line could see some sheltered minutes, as their defensive ratings (as most new builds do) are on the lower side. Expect them to continue to focus on those to make themselves less of a liability. The good news is that all two of the three players seem active (waiting on Broussard to make an update thread and it'll be all three!) so it seems that the team has a few nice pieces for their squad next season.

Fourth Line Raptors

LW- Terrance "Big Terry" Smith (S55) 444 TPE C- Twenty Twenty (S58) 155 TPE RW- Bobby Motz (S57) 200 TPE

Ahhh, the line of the inactives (minus Twenty Twenty). The Raptors throw some of their spare parts here to round out the lineup, along with a brand new free agent signing in Twenty. Terry Smith was a draft pick of the Edmonton Blizzard and looked poised to have a solid career, but hasn't updated in nearly four months and is instead now an over qualified fourth liner. He's a defenseman, but the team has seven currently on the roster and will likely use one to fill the hole as their twelfth forward. Twenty is a brand spanking new acquisition, being signed just yesterday. He's yet to update, but sources tell me that he's going to getting that done today. Motz was a promising rookie last year, but hasn't updated in two months. On the off chance he comes back, he has the potential to resurrect his career and be a solid bottom six player for the Raptors.

DEFENCE

First Pairing Raptors

LD- Jed Mosley Jr. (S55) 616 TPE RD- Ruggs McOoooh (S57) 335 TPE

Mosley moves up into the position as top dog on the Raptor's defence this season. After two back to back twenty point seasons for him, look to see him really take hold of that powerplay quarterback spot and put up some great numbers in what could be his swan song in the SMJHL. He's got a well rounded game that well help him nicely in what is sure to be a minutes packed season for Mosley. McOoooh comes into his second season as the heir apparent to Mosley. McOoooh was leaned on fairly heavily for a rookie last year, playing just over twenty minutes per game. He didn't see much power play time, so look to for that to change this season.

Second Pairing Raptors

LD: Ren-Ekelemchi Shimizu-Okoli (S57) 340 TPE Basil Sivart (S58) 230 TPE

A really solid second pairing for the Raptors. RESO, along with Ruggs, was a rookie last year and put up a respectable 13 points. He's been a great earner, and will create a formidable 425 capped top pairing next season with Ruggs. Sivart is a rookie who looks like he's going to have a fantastic season. The eighth overall selection by the Raptors in the draft, Sivart is already at 230 TPE and looks like a sure fire capped second year player. The Raptors defence is in great hands with the three of these young players.

Third Pairing Raptors

LD: Arnijs Asts (S54) 439 TPE RD: Rovolio Clocksberg Jr (S58) 186 TPE

The final defensive pairing for the Raptors, this rounds out what's a pretty solid group for the Dinos. Asts is a veteran of the league, who is entering his fifth and final year of eligibility in the SMJHL. He's been on and off in his activity, taking two previous breaks from the league, each lasting about a month. He's coming up on two months of not updating this third time around, so it's unclear if he'll be back. At the very least, he's a great inactive 425 capped defender for the Raptors. Hopefully we'll see him come back. Clocksberg is another S58 player for the Raptors. Getting off to a good start, he has an outside shot at being one of two capped second year defenders for the Raptors next year. This year though, he'll cut his teeth on the third pairing, hopefully remaining active and moving up in the lineup next season

GOALTENDERS Raptors

Starting Goalie: Yanno Rosejac (S57) 393 TPE Backup Goalie: Russell Rattie (S58) 155 TPE

The youth movement continues in Colorado, as second year goalie Yanno Rosejac returns after his great rookie season. The Raptors have to be pleased with his progess, as he's now a capped 350 player and is well on his way to eclipsing his maximum 425 build of next season. If the Raptors are going to continue to build and grow into a contender for next season, they'll need their star goalie to hit that mark and stay active. The prospects after Rosejac aren't very encouraging. They have a rookie in Russell Rattie, a player who has yet to update. Their other option is Tyrone Banks, a S56 goalie who updated a grand total of one time!

Well, there you have it. Your S57 Raptors. I think this is a squad that could surprise some people. Last year they won 24 games and just squeaked into the playoffs. Although they did lose some big name players, I believe as a whole they've improved and could easily have an improved finish. The season to watch for this team is Season 58 I believe, as their current team will mostly be returning next year, and if their S58 draftees stay active, they'll ice a really competitive team with a real shot at the cup!

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