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Twitter Requested Media, Part 4
#1
(This post was last modified: 01-19-2021, 06:23 PM by dogwoodmaple.)

A few weeks ago, 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 two notes:
  • I wrote this over multiple days, so some players stats might be a little out of date.  
  • This piece is noticeably shorter than the last few - I didn't want to go too long between the articles so we'll do more of a rapid fire in the coming days!
C Alexander Roach - Buffalo Stampede @Faelax
We'll get part four started with Alexander Roach of the Buffalo Stampede!  This 6'3" 200 lbs center had a great season for the Stampede, finishing with 31 points thanks to 8 goals and 23 assists. Even more impressive than those numbers is the fact that Roach had an astounding +25 +/- in the regular season, proving their worth the minute they step on the ice. Roach definitely isn't just a one-hit offensive wonder, though.  With 70 hits and 34 blocked shots, Roach has proven to be an asset on the defensive end of the ice and one of the hardest workers on the team. Regardless of what Roach is asked to do, they come through for Buffalo in a major way.  And goalies beware!  Roach has a rapid-fire shot and can score from anywhere. 127 shots on goal during the season show off their ability to shoot from any position on the ice, setting up not only goals for themselves but also ricochets and rebounds for the other Stampede.  Roach's value was shown again and again this year and I expect more big things in the years to come from this balanced center.

LW Austin Smith - Vancouver Whalers @Kettellkorn
Next, we head to Vancouver and winger Austin Smith!  Smith was lights out for the Whalers this year and was a force on both offense and defense. This Spokanian (Spokanite?) finished with 22 points on a very balanced stat sheet.  With 13 goals and nine assists, Smith showed their coaches that they can do it all on offense. Whether it's long distance scoring, setting up teammates, or simply playing their role on offense to keep the puck moving, Smith was a proven asset on the ice this year.  And speaking of scoring, how about that 14.13% shot percentage?  Smith picks their spots well and when they let it fly, it's typically going to challenge the goalie, much to the defense's chagrin.  On the other side of the ice, Smith helped out in a big way with 12 takeaways and 46 hits.  Smith knows where to be and the perfect angles to take to quell any oncoming attack by the opponent. With more than 15 minutes of time on the ice each game, this rookie played a major role in the Whalers' scheme and I look for that to continue.  The future is incredibly bright for this Washingtonian as they continue to craft their skills into those of an all-around, all-world playmaker.

RW Zakkira Diporov - Winnipeg Jets @TheSparkyDee
Another winger here with Zakkira Diporov of the Winnipeg Jets!  Diporov, who hails from Russia, was one of the best two-way players in the league this year.  On offense, Diporov totaled 25 points on a balanced skillset. With 11 goals and 14 assists, this right winger was more than proficient on the offensive end and came up with more than a few incredible goals this year for Winnipeg.  But Zakkira really set themselves apart on the defensive end.  Not many players can combine that type of offensive showing with one of the best defensive resumes in all of hockey.  On defense, they finished with 212 hits which ranked fifth in the entire league.  Yes, you read that correctly!  Keep your head on a swivel if you're playing against Diporov because this high-energy winger is one of the most elite hitters in the game.  Plus, with 38 blocked shots to their name, they're more than willing to sacrifice their body to prevent shots from finding the back of the net.  When you look at overall skills, regular season stats, and the value to their team, you'd be hard-pressed to find many two-way players that are better than this stellar Jet.  Diporov is a pain to gameplan against and impacts the game in numerous ways the second they get off the bench.  Elite, elite, elite!

RW Burlok Sulfurgold - Texas Renegades @leviadan
From Winnipeg, we go due South!  Very, very due South to the Texas Renegades and Bulok Sulfurgold.  Sulfurgold was a key part of the Renegades this season, averaging an impressive 19:04 minutes of ice time.  Despite constantly being on the ice for Texas, Sulfurgold only ended up with 19 penalty minutes, which shows their discipline and attention to detail while skating for the Renegades.  On offense, they finished with an impressive 35 points with a dozen goals and 23 assists.  Their plus/minus of +14 is just further proof of their importance to the team, improving Texas' play immediately upon entering the game.  Not only that, but their value was proven again and again with stellar defensive play.  They finished with a combined 115 hits and blocked shots (54/61) and ended the year as one of the most well-rounded players in the league. The 6'1" 220 lbs German spent as much time on SportsCenter's Top Plays as anyone in the league, thanks to some highlight reel finishes, enormous hits, and constant incredible play for Texas.  Burlok increased their point total by double-digits over last season and I foresee another huge improvement for next year.  We could be looking at a multi-year All-Star in the immediate future with this fantastic Renegade.

RD Slimey Snail - Minnesota Monarchs @FleshBagSoup
Next up is everyone's favorite gastropod - Slimey Snail of the Minnesota Monarchs!  Snail was a defensive machine this year in Minnesota and was constantly a thorn in the side of the opposition. Whether it was blocking shots, checking forwards into next week, or simply maintaining perfect positioning on the ice, Snail did it all for Minnesota. On the season, they finished with 140 hits, which ranked in the top 25 in the league.  Not only that, but their aforementioned shot blocking was stellar the whole year. They ended with 88 blocks and made a name for themselves as one of the top all-around defenders in the league.  This 5'0" 300 lbs Czech star wasn't just a defender, though. They had 16 points on the offensive end and were powered by an impressive 13 assists.  From long, cross-ice dimes to quick passes in front of the net, Snail provided a major lift for the entire Monarchs offense this year. One of their best qualities is their fantastic stamina, as evidenced by their near 20 minutes of ice time each game.  No matter how the team was playing or what the score was, Snail constantly played at a high level and displayed some of the best instincts, positioning, and overall defense in the entire league.  Just make sure not to salt the ice before this defender hits the ice!

RW Nick Brain – Winnipeg Jets @StadiumGambler
Another Jet here with Nick Brain!  Brain was incredible on the ice this year, finishing the regular season with 69 points, which ranked in the top 20 in the entire league.  Making up that point total was 24 goals and 45 assists, making Brain one of just 14 players with 20+ goals and 45+ assists on the season.  Brain also led the Jets in points and assists, and finished second in goals, showing just how valuable they were to the offense in Winnipeg.  But Brain’s contributions on the ice didn’t just stop with being the engine that drove the Jets’ scoring attack. This elite two-wayer also finished the year with 114 hits and 110 blocked shots, making them one of the best all around players in all of hockey.  In fact, take a look at the list of players with 62+ points, 100+ hits, and 100+ blocked shots: Nick Brain.  That’s it.  That’s the list.  When you’re talking about the best two-way players in the game, you’ve gotta start with this Jets superstar.  They do everything at a high-level and are truly one of the most gifted players in the game.  Rookies, take note – Brain is a great player to try and emulate.

LW Dick Clapper – Hamilton Steelhawks @5ympathies
We stay with wingers here and Dick Clapper of the Hamilton Steelhawks!  This Canadian was fantastic this season for the Steelhawks and was a big part of their success.  Clapper finished fourth on the team in points (68) which puts him in the top 25 of all players in SHL.  Their 28 goals and 40 assists each individually rank third for Hamilton and further prove that Clapper is an elite playmaker.  On the year, Clapper finished with a +28 and that figure didn’t come cheaply as this winger spent nearly 22 minutes on the ice every single game. That figure only grows more impressive when you consider the miniscule amount of time Clapper spent in the penalty box this year.  On the whole, Clapper only had 14 penalty minutes thanks to next-level positioning, instincts, and overall athleticism.  Let’s not forget their defensive numbers, though.  Clapper ended the regular season with 72 hits and 86 blocked shots, which further cements them as the definition of an All-World superstar.  Whether it’s scoring, passing, running the offense, or locking down opponents on the defensive end, Clapper can do it all.  Incredible talent!

Calgary Dragons @Steelhead77@Mike Izzy
Enough with players, let’s look at a team – the Calgary Dragons, to be specific!  Calgary had a fantastic regular season, finishing with the 5th most points in the league. Their defense was especially stifling, leading them to allow the fewest goals in the Western Conference and fourth fewest overall.  On offense, they were led by the three-headed monster of Maxime Bouchard, Esa Parmborg, and Barry Batsbak, who finished with a combined 235 points.  The best thing about this trio is how well their skills complement one another.  Bouchard had the most goals on the team (35), Parmborg had the most assists (54), and Batsbak proved their worth with high numbers in both categories (30 goals, 48 assists).  On the defensive end, they were led by big hitters Boris Poroshenko who finished with 220 hits, which was 4th most in the league.  But don’t forget the formidable defensive pairing of Brennan Kennedy Jr. and Kaspars Claude – that duo had 147 combined hits and each had at least 128 blocked shots. And between the pipes, Calgary had a pair of fantastic goalies.  Kata Vilde finished with a league-leading eight shutouts, while Cale Amundsen posted an insane .924 save percentage.  From top to bottom, this Dragons’ roster is the definition of elite.  What a squad!

LW Grape Fruit – Carolina Kraken @canes2112
Next we’ll head to the J-league and everybody’s favorite citrus – Grape Fruit!  This Carolina Kraken had a phenomenal season by virtually any metric.  They ended the regular season with 39 points on 9 goals and 28 assists.  That assist figure ranked second on Carolina and is a testament to Fruit’s work ethic, top-level passing, and overall offensive instincts.  Fruit was also a willing defender this year, ending the season with 75 hits and 76 blocked shots.  They were one of just two Kraken with 75+ hits and blocks, while also totally at least 30 points.  Fruit has certainly put the rest of the league on notice – when it comes to wingers who can do it all, this Kraken is on the shortlist.  Not only that, but Fruit spent a ton of time on the ice (more than 20 minutes per game) yet only finished with four penalty minutes.  That’s right – f o u r.  There just aren’t any weaknesses in Fruit’s game and it won’t be long until this Vitamin C machine becomes a household name once they’re called up to the SHL.  We’re likely looking at perennial All-Star selection once they make the jump!

G Blunt Man – Carolina Kraken @Obsidian311
The final player for part four is Blunt Man – another Kraken!  Blunt Man patrolled the posts for Carolina this season and put together a sensational season. Man finished with a .918 save percentage, which was fourth-best among goalies who started at least 35 games.  That’s not only evidence of Man’s skills, but also of their stamina day in and day out. As a whole, they had the fourth most saves of any goalie, thanks to a fantastic glove and some of the best reflexes in the entire league. Despite the Kraken’s somewhat rocky season, they could always count on Man to keep them in every game and to make the opposing offense work hard for every single goal.  If you’re skating against Blunt Man, you better make sure you bring your A-game.  Nothing comes cheaply and it takes perfectly placed shots to even threaten this incredible goalie.  A fan favorite and one of the most beloved Kraken on the roster, Blunt Man has truly forged a legacy of excellence that will last long after they leave the J-league.

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Part 1 - https://simulationhockey.com/showthread.php?tid=112955
Part 2 - https://simulationhockey.com/showthread.php?tid=113003
Part 3 - https://simulationhockey.com/showthread.php?tid=113078

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#2

Ooooo

Dragons

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Knights|Dragons|Austria
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#3

I fully endorse this assesment of my play. If  @puolivalmiste could read this before our next contract negotiation that would be great.

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#4

:pog: 

Jets Jets Jets Jets

Drafted 2nd round 21st Pick by the Winnipeg Jets in S55 SHL Entry Draft 
GM of the UCORCAL in the WJC S55
S55 WJC Gold Medalist GM/Player for UCORCAL
Management Role for Russia in the IIHF
Recent Management Role / Head Coach for Winnipeg Aurora in SHL 
CO-GM St. Louis Scarecrows S57-S60
GM of the St. Louis Scarecrows S61-S72
S72 Challenge Cup Champion
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#5

Thanks for the kind words! Smile  Whalers
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