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dogwoodmaple · 01-05-2021, 04:59 PM

Last week, I posted this tweet and it received an overwhelming response. Because of that, I've decided to split this article into multiple parts as we start the Twitter Requested Media series.

What could be more fun than talking about some of the league's most notable players? Nothing!

And one note - I wrote this over multiple days, so some players stats might be a little out of date. And I went with the position listed in the stat table (I think...)

RW Alexander Oscarsson - Maine Timber @Zema
We get part two started with one of my fellow Timber in Alexander Oscarsson! This standout Swede is fifth in the league in points and has tallied 16 goals and league-leading 37 assists. They're leading the way in Maine and has us primed for a deep postseason run. They get it done on both ends of the ice for the finest J-franchise around and certainly isn't a liability on defense. They've logged 51 hits and is approaching 50 blocked shots (45), which is just further proof of their value to our team. When you've got the league's assist leader, a willing defender, and someone who can score from anywhere on the ice, you know you've got yourself a bona fide superstar. The future New England Wolfpack winger is someone they can build around for years and will be an instant boost to their franchise when they make the jump. Good luck finding a better all-around RW!

LW Valtterri Kauppinen - Vancouver Whalers @Pythonic
Another elite J-league winger here with Valtterri Kauppinen of the Whalers. Kauppinen has an incredible 55 points (2nd most) with 26 goals (3rd) and 29 assists. But Kauppinen isn't just an offensive juggernaut - they also get it done on defense as well. They're the only player in the league with 47+ points and 63+ hits and is certainly in the discussion for best overall forward. Not only that, but Kauppinen has also blocked 67 shots and regularly lays it all on the line for Vancouver. While the Whalers are having a rough season overall, Kauppinen has been a bright spot for fans and teammates alike. Whether it's crashing the boards, forcing numerous takeaways, or just constantly working hard, Kauppinen does all the little things that sometimes go unnoticed. No matter what the situation or score, they're always doing everything they can to bring home a win for the Whalers. What a start to part two with these two all-world wingers!

SHL Facts
This request came from the SHL Facts twitter account and I'm not sure which player to tag? Their profile picture is a duck, but we've already highlighted Puddles O'Duck....let's go with another bird?  Simothy Drunkebird @Esso2264. Drunkebird is a member of the San Francisco Pride and has a solid 12 points on the season. The left wing also has 74 blocked shots and isn't afraid to throw his body in the way of shot after shot headed his way. They've also laid the lumber to an opponent 50 times, which shows off Drunkebird's two-way ability. The Czech star can be counted on to excel in every aspect for the Pride and is on their way to a more than solid SHL career with everyone's favorite Bay Area franchise. They're definitely a bird of prey, always on the hunt for a loose puck or ill-positioned defender. The true definition of a power forward in today's modern style of play.

RD Johnny Shuffleboard - Vancouver Whalers @mee
How 'bout a defender? Let's talk about Johnny Shuffleboard from the Vancouver Whalers! Shuffleboard is having a phenomenal season in Vancouver, totaling 41 points thanks to 13 goals and 28 assists. The 5'10" 180 lbs New Yorker has been one of the top overall players on the power play so far this year. They've got 18 power play points, of which 14 are assists. That's good for fifth best in the league and just one of many areas where Shuffleboard has excelled for the Whalers. Most notably, Shuffleboard rarely comes off the ice for Vancouver, averaging over 23 minutes of ice-time per game. And despite being a constant fixture, they are as disciplined as any player in the league. Only 18 minutes of penalty time so far is downright bananas. You'll never find Johnny out of place or having to make up for taking a wrong angle by running afoul of the rulebook. When you're looking for the total package in a defenseman, you're looking for someone with Shuffleboard's skillset, attitude, and work ethic. Offense, defense, hustle plays, you name it. Shuffleboard'll come through for you.

C Bobby Sharp - Buffalo Stampede @Nerio
Did someone ask for the player with the 10th most points in the SHL? Looks like they did, because that's where Bobby Sharp of the Buffalo Stampede ranks so far this season. They've got 75 points total and only six players have more assists than Sharp's 49. An astounding 19 of those assists have come on the power play, which leads the league. Opponents dread when they're shorthanded against this sharp passing center. Whether it's long cross-ice passes or quick flips to a teammate, Bobby Sharp is perhaps the league's most deadly setup man. Sharp also has the most blocked shots among players with at least 70 points (85) and is always quick to hustle back on defense when an attack goes awry. The Stampede currently have the third most points in the entire league and that's certainly due in large part to the 6'1" 215 lbs American ace, Bobby Sharp. Don't discount his scoring, though. Despite being one of the top assist players in the game, Sharp definitely knows how to trigger the horn early and often during Stampede games. Whether it's smooth puckhandling and nifty finishes or launching rockets from the outside, Sharp has proved they can score any way they like. What a player!

LD Sean Gatez - Maine Timber @SewingWithNancy
We head back home to Maine with Sean Gatez! This 6'4" 220 lbs Coloradoan is having a great year for us, headlined by their incredible plus/minus and point total. So far, they've racked up a +17, which leads the team and ranks just outside the top 25 of all players in the J-league. They also have 30 points on the year and is tied for third-most in Maine with 23 assists. When Gatez is not dishing out assists left and right, they're is shutting down offensive attacks on a regular basis. Gatez is quickly approaching the century mark in hits (97) and has blocked 59 shots for us so far. Both of which have been a huge boost to our defense, which has resulted in us having the third most points of any team in the league. One area where Gatez is especially deadly? The power play. Careful when you go down a player against the Maine Timber - we'll unleash Sean Gatez and before you can turn your head, they've added another assist. On the power play overall, Gatez has 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) and is downright deadly when we have an advantage. The bottom line is that Gatez checks all the boxes when you're looking for an elite defensive player. Gatez has the size, the speed, and an overall skillset that makes them a cornerstone piece of any franchise.

LD Ruggs McOoooh - Colorado Raptors @Ruggsy
Another LD! This time we head southwest from Maine and find Ruggs McOoooh of the Colorado Raptors. McOooh hails from Ireland, checks in at 6'1" 201 lbs, and has been lights out for the Raptors this year. In all, they've accounted for 23 points and are buoyed by an impressive 18 assists. Not only that, but Ruggs has done some of their best work when the Raptors have been shorthanded. McOoooh is one of the few players across the league with at least two shorthanded assists which have dig the Raptors out of some serious jams this season. And speaking of jams, McOoooh rarely gets into one. Despite playing nearly 22 minutes per game, McOoooh has only racked up 20 penalty minutes as one of the league's most disciplined players. A combined 149 hits and blocked shots highlights McOoooh's defensive stats and makes everyone's favorite Irish Raptor one of the most beloved players on the team. Big hits, strategic checks, and forcing turnovers is McOoooh's forte and has truly separated themselves as a premier two-way player in the J-league. It hasn't been a great year for Colorado so far, but McOoooh has definitely been a bright spot for the Raptors and their rabid fanbase.

LD Lyle Odelein III - New Orleans Specters @Huck24
It appears the LDs have taken over! We'll highlight our third in a row with Lyle Odelein III of the New Orleans Specters. Odelein is one of the most prolific hitters in the league and regularly puts their 6'2" 210 lbs frame on the line for New Orleans. In all, Odelein has 167 hits which is in the top 10 among all players. That's not the most impressive stat for LO3, though. So far this season, they've blocked an insane 238 shots! That's good for fourth most in the league and just speaks to Odelein being one of the top defenders in the league. In fact, Odelein is one of just two players with 150+ blocked shots and hits and is a menace for forwards to deal with. Rarely out of place, LO3 is perhaps the most frustrating defensive player for forwards to deal with from positioning, to instincts, to raw athletic ability. Never out of the play, LO3 routinely appears out of nowhere, like a ghost or perhaps even a specter, if you will, to throw cold water on any seemingly good looking attack my opponents. They're also the only player with 9+ power play points and 200 blocked shots - this is no one-trick pony. This Canadian veteran is a model for any young defensive player looking to be effective on both ends of the ice. Take notes, rookies! Odelein is the way.

C Luukas Lilja - Carolina Kraken @retuperkele
From New Orleans, we head to Carolina and the Kraken's Finnish star, Luukas Lilja! Lilja is one of the most well-rounded centers in the J-league, as evidenced by their incredible 108 blocked shots on the season. That total is good for ninth overall and is a testament for how willing Lilja is to lay it all on the line for Carolina. On the offensive side, they've been no less impressive. With 8 goals and 17 assists, Lilja is one of the engines that drives the Kraken offense. But it's not only the points and blocked shots that show Lilja's value to Carolina - they simply so not make mistakes on the ice. Lilja is out there for 18:00 minutes per game and rarely loses the puck. With only 21 giveaways, Lilja can be trusted to handle the puck anywhere on the ice to set up the offense and keep things moving for Carolina. In addition, Lilja rarely finds themselves afoul of the rules. 16 penalty minutes with the huge role this alliterative star plays is almost unbelievable and is just further evidence of LL's status as an elite, all-round star for Carolina. Overall, it's been a rocky go of it for the Kraken this year but if there's one thing the franchise can keep its chin up about, it's the future. With Lilja in the middle of the offense, things'll pick up for the Kraken, no doubt.

Sand Lions @"TommySalami"
I'm not gonna even pretend like I know exactly what's going on with the (Salt Lake City?) Sand Lions. Is this an entirely new species of lion? Is this just Panthera leo that prefers only the sandiest parts of savannas? Who can be sure? If there's one thing I know about lions, it's that their scrawny, scarred younger brothers cannot be trusted. So I will say this to the Sand Lions - be careful who you trust to pull you up from the cliffs of a ravine. Stampedes are serious business.

C Victor Fedorov - St. Louis Scarecrows @Serpe x 13
St. Louis is the gateway to the Midwest and also the gateway to our next player...it's Russian center Victor Fedorov! On the season, Fedorov has 20 points for the 'Crows thanks to 15 assists and five goals. A willing passer, Fedorov is always looking for to setup a teammate in the perfect spot in front of the goal. Whether it's long-distance lasers or a perfectly positioned short pass, Fedorov is an elite distributor. The Scarecrows' center also rarely gets chastised from the referee, with only 20 penalty minutes on the entire season. When it comes to the younger players in the league, you won't often find someone with Federov's combination of acceleration, defensive acumen, and overall on-ice intelligence. Some teams have to cover for their centers when it comes to defense, but Fedorov is always helping on that side of the ice. The 6'3" 210 lbs Scarecrow has an impressive 67 blocked shots and perhaps an even more impressive 43 takeaways. A magician with the hockey stick, Fedorov has mastered the stickcheck and seems to always separate the puck from his opponent. St. Louis can surely build around this lefty for the foreseeable future as they look to the future.

RD Jöörgüštrâäd DuBølk - Anaheim Outlaws @MCP_
From Russia, we head to Sweden and Anaheim star Jöörgüštrâäd DuBølk! With 36 points on the season DuBølk is one of the standout players for the Outlaws. That total ranks fifth on the team and his impressive 26 assists are second-most among Outlaws. Standing 6'8", DuBølk is one of the most intimidating figures in the league and puts that enormous frame to good use. With 91 blocked shots, they're seemingly always in the way of oncoming attacks and willingly sacrifice their body to keep the Outlaws on top. The most impressive stats is definitely DuBølk's power play ability. They are the top defender when it comes to power play points (19) and tied-for-7th among all players with an eye-popping 13 power play assists. As far as playing time is concerned, few players are on the ice more than DuBølk. They rank 13th in the league in time on ice, which only serves to highlight their 22 penalty minutes even more. It's no surprise DuBølk is on the ice so much, considering their stamina is among the tops in the J-league. They can skate for days and are a true weapon on offense and on defense. Well-rounded and dangerous, DuBølk causes more than a few headaches for opposing coaches when it comes to gameplanning. A true weapon.

C Michael Fitted - Tampa Bay Barracuda @Fitted2106
We'll stay in Europe with Michael Fitted of the Tampa Bay Barracuda! Fitted is the definition of a playmaker and has been balling out in Tampa Bay this year. With 34 points, Fitted ranks third on the team and is just one of two Barracuda to have 15+ goals and assists this year. Fitted's 15 goals are in a tie for the lead on the team and the offense runs though them whenever they're on the ice, which is often. Averaging over 21 minutes per game, Fitted is seemingly always out there for Tampa Bay yet rarely ends up in the penalty box. With only 10 minutes on the year, Fitted is one of the best players in the league when it comes to avoiding the referee's whistle. Just another example why Fitted is one of the leaders for the Barracuda, as they can always count on him to help the team. They've done great work when the Barracuda have had the advantage, as well, making the most of those opportunities with a team-high six power play goals. Fitted's agility, strength, and balance are virtually unmatched as he makes skating in and around the ice look like a piece of cake. From cleaning up the garbage in front of the net to dancing through defenders and cleverly slotting a shot, Fitted has the ability to score from anywhere on the ice and in any situation. A true forward's forward.

RW Cal Labovitch - Minnesota Monarchs @Mutedfaith
We'll end part two in Minnesota with Cal Labovitch of the Monarchs. When it comes to this standout Swiss star, the first thing that jumps out is the goal scoring. Labovitch has 29 goals so far, which is top 20 in the league. What's even more impressive? Take a look at their insane 17.16% shooting percentage. That number ranks third among all players with at least 25 shots and highlights Labovitch's virtually unmatched skill with the hockey stick. Don't look at that figure and assume it's all breakaways, either. Labovitch regularly scores from long distance and gives goalies sleepless nights as they try to prepare for his insane accuracy. They're also just one of three players with 29+ goals and more than 70 blocked shots, which shows that this Monarchs' superstar isn't just focused on finding the back of the net. Always helping out on defense, Cal works hard at every aspect of the game and has developed an almost unmatched skillset. Let's not forget their 18 assists, though! There's simply not an area where Labovitch lags behind. They an score with anyone in the league, find an open teammate for an easy goal, or race back on defense to stop a breakaway or dive in front of a would-be goal. There just aren't enough words to describe the kind of player we're talking about here - one of the true greats in the SHL.

Keep an eye out for part three!

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