It was the S59 SMJHL Entry Draft. The Outlaws had the 1st overall pick, and held additional selections at number 15, 22, 24 and 37. Each one of these selections were made on active, still earning players. Recently during the S60 SHL Entry Draft, a competing General Manager referred to Anaheim’s performance in the draft as the “Oh No Anaheim” draft. I’d counter that it was the “Oh Yeah Anaheim” draft.

At 1st overall, with the assistance from Gilbert Gottfried, Anaheim selected centerman Stan Din’desque. Inf1d3l carries a healthy $42M bank account to this day, and projects to be an elite top line centerman for the Montreal Patriotes after he subsequently went 1st overall in the following SHL Entry Draft. Din’desque has already easily eclipsed the 350 TPE cap for his draft and is knocking on the door of the 425 cap. The Czech born centerman has elite vision and is mightily creative with puck distribution. I’d project a large point production increase from Din’desque this season.

At 15th overall, the Outlaws tapped ISFL import High Haschdi on the shoulder. Haschdi, a German scoring winger, has already eclipsed the 350 cap and is nearing the 425 cap, although he has to wait another season in order to unleash his full potential onto the SMJHL. He enjoys a $27M bank account. The young forward is a quiet presence in Discord but has consistently been on top of his earning and will be an effective Outlaw for a long, long time.

At 22nd overall, the first pick that drew ire from competing managers was made. The Outlaws selected loud and proud American sniping winger, Daniel Merica Jr. Many scouts advised managers to avoid this player due to their lack of defensive play, but after draft interviews with Merica Jr., he had assured Anaheim’s staff that he would be rounding out his game, and the winger has followed through on his word. Merica Jr. has already eclipsed the 350 cap, and has one of the stronger offensive builds on the team, with a 15M bank account. He bleeds Outlaws red.

Two picks later, the Outlaws had a decision to make. Long time starting goalie Vincent Mietitore was starting to reach the end of the runway for the Outlaws, and it looked imminent that the Aurora were going to give him the call to serve as full-time backup goaltender. With this inevitability in mind, the Outlaws selected Russian netminder, Zhen Roza. Roza has assumed the mantle of starting goaltender and is the 4th player from this draft to already surpass the 350 TPE cap for the Outlaws. Roza had a strong rookie season with a 12-10 record, and has a 20+M bank account. The starters’ crease now belongs firmly to Roza, and between Roza and Bombay, the Outlaws tandem looks promising.

After the 24th selection, Anaheim management sat idle until the 37th overall selection. Here comes the 2nd “oh-no” pick. American defenseman Jonathon Hagan was announced as the pick for Anaheim, eyebrows raised. CampinKiller has a long track record in the league, and has gone IA with a couple previous players. With the 24th pick, the Outlaws happily called out Hagan’s name at the draft table, and their faith in the player has been rewarded with a team-first, driven player. Hagan is the 5th player from the draft to surpass the TPE cap for his draft season. Hagan brings an offensive touch to the Outlaws’ blue line.

Overall, what is associated as a “blunder-draft” from some other teams, this draft was a perfect supplement to the strong S59 Anaheim draft, and will fashion a strong competitive roster for seasons to come. I’ll defer to Kool-Aid man on a deeper analysis.



Approved! +5 TPE @Ace
OH YEAAHH