Today we are going to look at the first-round picks from this years’ SMJHL draft, and how they have fared through the first two days of the pre-season.

Konstantin Selich, who was selected first overall and plays for the Quebec City Citadelles, has gotten off to a relatively slow start with the Citadelles. He has posted two points (1-1=2) and a -5 rating in seven games with the Citadelles. He is averaging 15:52 time on ice though, and being depended on heavily by Quebec City, who is currently 3-4-0 to start the pre-season.

Melvin Majestik-Moose was taken second overall and plays for the Nevada Battleborn. The defenseman has scored two goals (2-0=2) through the first seven games for the Battleborn who stand at 0-6-1 at this point of the pre-season. His -5 rating is not ideal, but he is eating up a lot of minutes as rookie, averaging 19:52 time on ice per game and over two minutes of ice time per game on the power play.

Adelie de Pengu was the third selection of the draft and plays for the Anaheim Outlaws. This defenseman is off to a scorching start offensively, posting five points (1-4=5) in his first seven pre-season games, however his -7 rating has to be a little concerning. The Outlaws are off to a 1-6-0 start this season, so his plus/minus rating is largely a factor of the teams’ -21 goal differential.

Tanner Fox was the fourth pick in the draft and plays for the Carolina Kraken. The Kraken also took Patya Perevalov with the fifth pick, so these two guys can be put together. Fox has three points and a plus-6 rating through seven games, while averaging an amazing 21:18 time on ice per game. The Kraken have to be thrilled with how this defenseman is playing. Perevalov has gotten off to a great start as well, posting three points while only playing 8:34 per game. This right winger seems to have a lot of promise for a team that has started the pre-season 5-1-1.

Willie Miller was taken sixth overall by the struggling Battleborn and the first goaltender taken. He has been ok to start his career, posting a .895 save percentage and a 4.78 goals against average. I am not sure what else can be expected on a team that is 0-6-1 and in last place so far with a -26 goal differential.

Gabe-Gooney-Waters-Harrak was taken seventh overall and plays for the Colorado Raptors. He has registered two points (1-1=2) and a plus-3 rating in Colorado’s first seven games. He has also played a pretty significant role with the Raptors, with 13:54 average time on ice. That speaks volumes on a team that has starting the season 6-1-0 and tied for first in the league.

Jannik Nordstern was selected eighth overall and plays for the Newfoundland Berserkers. He has been off to a scorching start for the Berserkers, posting four points (1-3=4) and averaging 18:54 time on ice. His plus-7 rating is tied for third on the team, a team that has started the pre-season 3-2-2.

Sam Stone was the ninth overall selection, currently playing for the St. Louis Scarecrows. He has two points (1-1=2) in seven games, while averaging 12:09 time on ice. He and the Scarecrows have been on a tear to start the pre-season, tied for first with a 6-1-0 record.

Clem Fandango was the 10th selection, and currently plays for the Detroit Falcons. The defenseman has three pints (0-3=3) and an incredible plus-7 rating in the first seven games of the pre-season. He is averaging 19:20 time on ice for a team that has started 4-3-0.

Dobby Hintzskanen was the 11th selection and currently plays for the Anaheim Outlaws. He is the second member of the Outlaws to be taken in the first round, and he has posted three points (1-2=3) and plus-3 rating for Anaheim.

Leons Briedis was the last pick of the first round, 12th overall and currently plays for the Kelowna Knights. He has fared well for the 4-2-1 Knights, posting three points (1-2=3) and a plus-5 rating in 19:12 average time on ice.


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