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Dhoop · 11-03-2021, 11:25 PM

The Anaheim Outlaws Outlaws

It is finally here, the S62 preseason has begun. With some additions this offseason in Free Agency and the entry draft, the Outlaws look to take the step forward and get their names in discussion for the cup. Coming off a second to last finished last season Anaheim as a lot of room upwards. They had a 19-42-5 record last year and the worst goal differential with a -147. Anaheim had a tough year to say the least, but that was last year and work is being done to get back to winning ways.

The Anaheim Outlaws started the offseason really paying attention to new comers and recreates in the SMJHL entry draft. They were pro active being quick to reach out first to all prospects entering the S63 Draft Class. They spent hours reaching out getting to know each prospect to really get a feel to who can come in and help make a immediate impact. As mentioned before, the Outlaws were in dire need of some presence on the defensive side of play. The forwards and defensemen they researched and scouted needed to have a good sense of defensive play to help keep pucks out of danger areas. They approached this years draft with a solid list of players who could make a difference on both ends of the ice. It was to no ones surprise Ergo Nomic was on the top of everyone's list going into the draft. Unfortunately, #1 overall pick was traded for and Ergo went to the Carolina Kraken. The Outlaws knew it was going to take a lot for Ergo to fall out of the top spot. They had contingencies in place for that turn out. They selected Lesgo Brandon with the #2 pick. Lesgo comes in with solid upside in both skating and scoring. He also doesnt have a huge hole at defense either, having hitting, checking, positioning, and stick checking at a solid rating. He will surely bring a much needed lift to the outlaws and hopefully some quality scoring. The Outlaws also had the #4 overall pick. They selected D-man Drakocarr Sunazzo. Sunazzo is a great pick at #4. He was looked at as one of the top D-men in the draft with Ergo Nomic. Sunazzo brings a 3 facet style game to the Outlaws. He is dynamic with the puck offensively, has great skating for being 6'6 with good speed, quickness and strength, as well as a big body presence in the defensive zone helping block shots and limit danger zone scoring. He is helps in the exact areas the Outlaws were looking to improve from last year. He even start the Outlaws season with their first preseason goal. The Outlaws also took advantage of the free agency pool and picked up IA Nicola Schumperli, who add 2 goals in game 1 of the preseason. These Outlaws mean business this year. The GM's; Talls and TakeTheHorizon have being making fantastic moves and are eyeing that GM of the year award! I see this team making a huge leap from last year and I would not be surprised a real shot to contend!

Here are some of the "keep an eye on players" for the Outlaws this season:

Sconnie McHits, LW

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Sconnie is coming off a less than stellar season (not many stellar seasons for Anaheim). He had 6G 19A last year with a -25 rating. Though statistically not a stand out year for Sconnie, he brings a lot of leadership and a solid base build to really make anyone who is paired with him that much better. He has made big moves coming into this year and with a better supporting cast he will look to have a great year statistically.

Eddie Creller, RW

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Much like Sconnie, Creller looks to benefit from the great moves Anaheim made this off season. Creller was tied for team league points with 30 (14G,16A) but also had one of the best +/- on the team with -20. Creller could possibly be one of those tool mentioned with Sconnie to bolster the top line, only time will tell. Creller will look to garnish more scoring as a front net screen type player with the additions to the blue line this year, big player to watch this year.

Lesgo Brandon, LW

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With #2OA, its hard not to mention Lesgo in this list. There is a lot of pressure to perform this year and based off the first 2 games of the preseason things look promising. He has yet to hit the score sheet in preseason but his positional ratings, shots on goal, and +/- through 2 games all show promise to give Anaheim that depth they need to make strides up the standings. He has made huge steps in progression in limited updates moving nearly 50TPE from the draft so far and has plenty of room grow throughout the season. Possible Esa Anrikkanen Trophy watch!

Borje Samuelsson, RD

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There really not much weakness to Samuellsson's game. This build is solid from top to bottom and from offense to defense. Borje should see a lot of time on the Outlaws top D pairing and see significant time as their main PP quarterback. Borje tied the top points for Anaheim last year as a defensemen and should look to put up even bigger numbers with the new additions like Sunazzo and Brandon.

This is definitely not a chalky pick for a cup win style team, but they are a great pick for most improved and a team to be a solid dark horse this season. The Outlaws have just made way too good of moves this offseason to have a year like last year. Look to see the Outlaws near middle if not pushing a spot close to the top. They do have a tough division this year with Colorado and Newfoundland but being improved they can seem a bit more success with those teams than years past. This season should be fun to watch! Outlaws

(approx. 1100 words)

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