The Toronto North Stars have been sitting in a familiar spot for the past couple seasons, finishing between 14th-20th in the SHL since their 4th place finish in Season 68. Currently in the late stages of a retool and rebuild, two offseasons ago saw the North Stars make a huge splash in the trade market; acquiring some of the core players from the Edmonton Blizzard. Picking up Oles Kobliska, Eggward Elric, Jack St. Clair and Louise St. Martin in a huge deal that saw Toronto move 3 first round picks, 3 second round picks and 3 prospects. Signaling to their fans that they are committed to success, Toronto has a strong young core and is starting to push for some playoff success. Since this deal the North Stars have been trending upwards with St. Clair, Elric, and Kobliska leading the team in scoring last season and St. Clair currently sits first in scoring for the club this season. After mortgaging their futures, you would expect the North Stars to have a shallow prospect pool but they actually have a strong young core with most of their rostered players coming from Season 71 to Season 74. To go along with a young group of players, they don't have a massive quantity of prospects but they have some of the best quality prospects in the league. When these players make the jump to the SHL in the next few seasons they could be massive difference makers that can help elevate the franchise to the next level.

In this article we will be taking a look at some of their prospects that are in their final SMJHL season and were drafted in the Season 75 draft. Toronto currently has 3 Season 75 prospects that are all forwards, playing each forward spot and combining to make a full line.

Slava-Ukraini Heroyam-Slava
Center - Yukon Malamutes
Drafted 6th Overall in Season 75

The Ukrainian center is coming from the Yukon Malamutes, a team that the North Stars are very familiar with. Slava-Ukraini Heroyam-Slava will be the latest Malamute to join the North Stars, joining his former Yukon teammates Florian Soderberg-Motyla and Bobby Tkachuky in the big leagues.  Splitting his time on wing and center for the Malamutes, Heroyam-Slava is projected to play center in the SHL and is currently having a career year in the junior league. Tallying 54 points in only 39 games so far, he is 3 points away from matching his junior high of 57 points. Able to play in all situations, Slava-Ukraini has been a big part of the Malamutes powerplay and penalty kill ever since joining the club back in Season 74. He has put up 151 takeaways so far in his junior career and has been winning the majority of faceoffs with a great 54.4%. Slava-Ukraini will break the 30 goal mark for the first time this season and barring a crazy slump will finish with over a point per game on the Malamutes. Able to play a playmaking role or a two-way role, Slava-Ukraini Heroyam-Slava is a versatile forward that can excel in whatever role Toronto needs him in.

As someone who has been in a locker room with him, he is a great locker room presence that is always uplifting and positive. Toronto had a great pickup at 6th overall and Slava-Ukraini will no doubt make a big impact on the North Stars once called up.

Andrade La Sombra
Left Wing - Colorado Raptors
Drafted 8th Overall in Season 75

Andrade La Sombra hails from Gomez Palacio, Durango in Mexico, and will look to be another big part of the North Stars future. Being a key part of the Colorado Raptors' cup win in Season 75, the winger has taken a big step forward this season and has been excelling in a bigger role. With an ice time increase of close to 5 minutes, La Sombra is lighting the lamp for the Raptors and sits second in scoring for his team. With 42 points in 36 games, Andrade is on pace to smash his previous career high of 62 points. Surpassing 30 assists each season, the Future North Star has been an expert at setting up teammates and dishing the puck throughout his 4 seasons on the Raptors. Andrade has taken on more of a two-way role this season, going from little to no time on the penalty kill the past couple seasons to averaging 2:39 on the penalty kill this season. Showcasing his ability to adapt to team needs and putting the team first, La Sombra is able to do it all for the Raptors and will look to replicate that in the SHL. A very physical forward, he has averaged 144 hits each season and often punishes defenders on the forecheck. He can play in any role on either wing and will be a great addition to the North Stars wherever they want him.

Andrade La Sombra projects to be a great contributor at the SHL level and is another great prospect from the strong Season 75 draft that Toronto had.

Teemu Salami
Right Wing - Detroit Falcons
Drafted 10th Overall in Season 75

Teemu Salami is a flashy offensive winger that was one of the biggest contributors of Detroit's Four Star Cup win in Season 74. The Finnish winger came up big, tallying 17 points in 17 games in the playoffs during his rookie season. With 20 goals each season with the Falcons, Salami is an offensive play driver that could help the North Stars score some goals while contributing meaningful minutes on the penalty kill. Playing mostly right wing for Detroit, the North Stars cap off their strong Season 75 draft with a third amazing forward and completed drafting a full line of forwards from this draft. Salami has been playing an average of 1:44 on the powerplay since his rookie season and started averaging around a minute on the penalty kill in the past three seasons. With his already blazing speed he has been able to fly into the offensive zone to either forecheck or get open for his team to generate offense. Developing his already strong offensive game and working on the defensive side of the puck this season, Salami could develop into a solid two–way player that is a big threat in the offensive zone. With 179 points in 236 games so far, Salami is a great offensive threat that can contribute at the SHL level next season. Last season Salami upped his physical game and amassed an incredible 187 hits almost double his previous season high of 97 hits, showcasing his willingness to throw the body and punish teams physically.

Being able to pick up Salami at 10th overall was a steal for the North Stars and he looks like he will be a solid contributor for them.

Toronto had a great draft in Season 75 and will be bringing up a solid trio of forwards next season who will help push the team into playoff contention.