Hello there all this is kdr looking for some media money.  There is a nice contest going on to relocate some of that great SHL funding from the haves to the have-nots.  And at this time, I seem to be a have-not,  with under $25 mil in the bank. 

[NOTE: I totally missed the part about it has to meet 3 specific categories, so I found an article topic I like, but I don't qualify.  Hopefully it is a good article anyway.]
So, what exactly can I write about?  It was suggested that I do my rookie transition experience and I was like yeah, I was actually going to start that a week or so ago, but never did it.   But them I thought will that actually get me the big bucks and impress anybody?  The magic eight ball say, no way try something else.  So, then I thought you know I am still new to this league and don’t know much of the right history and tradition that has gone on in the previous 81 seasons.  Let’s go back to something I enjoyed doing for the ISFL and was well received and maybe it will be just as fun here. And so we have….


BOOM, BUST, OR PUSH


What is this you ask, well it is my task to go back through every draft run for the SHL and look at the number one overall pick and determine is they were a great pick (boom), a waste of a pick (bust), or just a pick that was you know an average pick (push).  


First some ground rules or explanations

1. First, this is all subjective and is the opinion of the kdr media enterprises which is made up of, well, me, kdr.  
   
   
   
   
2. Now, as I said, I am still relatively new, and this might spark some debate from long time users who know what GOATS the player/user inquisition will become.  But, I will have tunnel vision. And I would like conversation to ensue and to be proven wrong.
   
   
   
3. The rating is strictly for the pick and not the player, for example player N is selected by team Y and plays 3 or 4 mediocre seasons for Y but then moves to team Z and has a HoF career, this is a BUST.  
   
   
   
4. I will be using the Entry Draft listings, the index, and if not too time consuming will try to find the awards and accolades earned.  Might even try to compare some of the other draft picks of te class, but that might be too time consuming.  Since there are over 75 years, this might be broken up into multiple articles. We will see how it goes.
   

[*]


And now I give you Boom, Bust or Push


So, it looks like the league started off with an original 6 just like the NHL (at least I think it is normally an original 6 still left): Calgary, Wisconsin, Hamilton, Winnipeg, West Kendell, Toronto.  And only 2 ½  of these are still the same franchise in Season 81 (Toronto added North) 


Season #1:
1. Calgary Dragons (via WIN) - Ryan Jesster G 
Years Played: 14 all in calgary


Carrer Review: Jesster had a nice 14 year stint with the Dragons.  He was the #1 goaltender for 12 of those seasons it looks like.  For those seasons they avg 23-16 record and a 2.33 GAA. Best year being in season 10 going 39-3-2 with a 2.44 GAA and 4 SOs. Won back to back Cups in season 8 and 9. 


Awards: Note: I have found that the portal only goes back to the 50s, so it won’t be as easy to find awards and such won by a player until then.
Best Goalie S8 (nominated5x)
Most Dedicated S9 (nominated 3x)
Players MVP 3X (S4, S8, S9)
Playoff MVP S8 (Nominated 2X)
The Rookie of the Year Trophy is named for player.


Rating: BOOM no doubt about it this was a great pick, it was a different time back then, but led to Cups and a players MVP, most dedicated.  Wish I new who the user was so could track.


Hall of Fame: S15 Class


[Season 2
Note: There are an additional 2 teams added to the league for this season: Manhattan and Edmonton
1. Steelhawks - Drayson Williams C
Years Played: 1 (in Toronto)


Carrer Review: Nothing to review.  From what I see a one and done on a different team then got drafted to.


Rating: BUST


Season 3
1) Platoon (Via Ice Wolves) - Abdullah Muhammed Jabir  LD
Played: 9 seasons (3 for Platoons)


Carrer Review: For the 3 year that they played for the Platoon, the Platoons were a very good team.  And he was the top scoring Defenseman on the team. However, after 3 years he was gone and had a journeyman carrer for the remaining 6 years. Moved to playing primarily Cand not scoring much.


Awards
Playoff MVP S5 (no record of S5 in index)


Rating: BUST  just not enough play for a 1OA pick. Wonderwhy after a Playoff MVP performance he was on another team the following year.
Season 4
1) Vancouver Ice Wolves (Via Toronto North Stars) - Michael Abdalla C
Played: 4years, (2 Wolves)


Carrer Review: Started off very well, but then moved teams and was gone very quickly.  Maybe went IA and then was traded?  He was a high scorer for his brief career.


Awards
Nominated Rookie of the Year.
Most Goals: S7


Rating: BUST  I really wanted to make this a PUSH, but had relatively little impact for the time they were playing for the Platoon.


Season 5
NOTE: add another two teams to the mx as Los Angeles and Minnesota are welcomed to the SHL.
1. Toronto North Stars - Danielle Hogan C
Played: 15 years (10 with TPR)


Career Review: Was really a tale of 3 players.  First 4 years in Tor was a good scorer had a ton of PIM even was nominated for an MVP award.  Then moved to the Platoon for 5 years and continued as a proven scorer.  However, on returning to Tor was a shell of former self with not much scoring, but they did make back to back cup finals.


Awards
MVP nominated 1X
Most dedicated nominated 1X
Most points S7
Most Goals S9


Rating: PUSH  was good, but not long enough for original team to make a boom.


Season 6
1. Los Angeles Panthers - Kanye Summers 


BUST I don’t find any trace of Kanye Summers anywhere on the index, unless they changed their name.


Season 7
01. :comets: Edmonton Comets (via Hamilton Steelhawks) - Elias Armia C
[Played: 10 seasons (3 for Edmonton)


Career Review: Elias was an ok player for the Coment’s in the first three years, however they were still not a good team, they did turn into one not long after Elias left for Texas.  This is also where Elias’ career kicked into high gear.  AS they won 2 of the next 3 MVP awards.  But while Texas won one Cup in Elias’ time there Edmonton went on to win 3 in 4 years.  So, Edmonton probably got the better of the exchange.


Awards
MVP 2X (S11 S13)
Players MVP S11
Playoff MVP Nominated S14
Rookie of the Year S7
Most Goals S8
Most Points 2x (S11 S13)
2 way forward nominated S11
Most dedicated player Nominated 6X
Also Best GM 2x (but not really a player award)


Our 2nd HoF inductee S18 class


Rating: PUSH  while most of the success was in Tex, they started good in EDM and perhaps it was a trade to Tex that brought back some of the pieces that led EDM to 4 cups in 5 years.


Season 8
1. :comets: Edmonton Comets - LW Antero Salmelainen
Played: 12 (1 in EDM)


Career Review: Truthfully for this exercise I don;t have to go past one very poor season in EDM.  But then they did play another 11 serviceable seasons bouncing between 3 teams. 


Rating: BUST like I said one poor season


Season 9
1. Winnipeg Jets - C Armin Brovalchuk
Played: 19 (6 in Winnipeg)


[i[Career Review: [/i] This is an interesting one to look at.  So far it is the longest career for a 1OA selection.  Still there was only ⅓ of the full career in the drafting city.  And Winnipeg did go to the Cup finals in season 10 and 12 even though the best year for Armin was S11.


Awards
Rookie of the Year Nominated 


HoF S29 class
Rating; PUSH they had a decent run with 2 Cup appearances when they were there. But not long enough to be a Boom.


Season 10
Note: 2 more teams enter in Hartford and Las Vegas (note sure where they are now) and the minor leagues are created
1. Edmonton Blizzard (via Buffalo Thunder) - D Michael Haan
Played: 9 years (7 in EDM)


Career Review: The first two seasons in Edmonton were not the greatest with one seemingly at C.  But then he found his groove and then next 5 were excellent seasons in the defense and helped EDM to 3 cupsin 4 years. He then moved to Hamilton for two years to close out their career.


Awards
Best Defenseman Nominated S12
Playoff MVP Nominated S13


Rating BOOM anchoring 3 cups is a good enough haul in my book to rate a boom.


Season 11
1. Manhattan Rage - Simo Hayha
Played: 8 seasons (2 in Man)


Career Review:I would say not much of a career here.  Only twice above 20 points and never on the positive side of +/- which is not great for a defenseman.  They did win one cup with Texas in S14.


RatingBUST  just2 years of nothing for the team.


Season 12
1. West Kendall Platoon - LW Alexey Kovalenko, Montreal Impact
Played: 12 Years (1 for West Kendall)


Career Review: His first and only year in West Kendall was an okay but not great season.  He also played one of his two seasons at LD that year.  He did turn into a good C for other teams, mainly New England.  


Awards
Best Rookie Nominated
Most Goals S14
Best Two Way Foward Nominated 3x 


Rating: BUST sorry even though he did have a good career overall one and done spells B-U-S-T.


Season 13
1. Minnesota Chiefs (via New England Wolfpack) - RW Christian Bauer, Prince George Firebirds
Played: 5 years (1 with MIN)


Career Review: Not much to cover here.  In and out in a flash.  No outstanding seasons. No awards.  Nada


Rating: BUST


Season 14
01. New England Wolfpack (via West Kendall Platoon, via Hamilton Steelhawks from Las Vegas Kings) - D Chuck Winnfield, Prince George Firebirds
Played: 10 years (4 with NEW)


Career ReviewHAd a very good career.  Was a standout hitter for nearly defenseman contributed ok at the beginning to the offense and developed into a solid point scorer. And importantly for a D had only a single year with a - +/-.  Never did make it to a cup though.


Awards
Best Rookie Nominated
Most Improved Nominated S21
League MVP(awards) Nominated S21
Best D S21


RatingPUSH not long enough to make a Boom with New or get them any cups, but a descent career overall.


Season 15
01. Toronto North Stars - Logan Court C
Played: 8 years (1 in Tor)


Career Review: Nothing.  Must have been a 4th liner as never got much ice time or contributed to many goals.


Rating: BUST I think this is getting repetitive in that there were so many 1OA that didn’t pan out for the drafting team early on.


Season 16
1. Winnipeg Jets - Maxim Horvat  C
Played: 19 years (5 with Win)


Career Review: Started off with a solid beginning.  Was doule digits in goals and assists in every season they played for the Jets.  was only a - +/- for the first season.  Helped them win the Challenge Cup inS19.  After moving to Tex also helped them to win a Cup in his first season there.  Had a long and solid career overall.


Awards
Playoff MVP Nominated S19


Rating: BOOM solid contributor leading to a Cup let’s get the boom sticks going finally.


Season 17
1. Texas Renegades (via Manhattan Rage) - C Chico Salmon
Played: 18 years (7 with Tex)


Career Review: Comes roaring out of the gate with a 29 Asst, +5 performance in his first season with Tex.  And continues it as in 4 of his last 5 seasons with Tex he scores over 40 points (I think thisi s good for the time since only 50 games).  They also won back to back Cup titles in S20 and 21.  And won another with Edminton.  


Awards
Won Rookie of the Year
Best Two Way Forward S25 Nominated 2x (S24, S27)
MVP S25 Nominated S24
Players MVP S25
Most Points 2x (S25, S27)


HoF S37 Class


Rating: BOOM this is definitely a top 3 1OA draft pick that I have reviewed so far.


Season 18
1. Los Angeles Panthers (via Minnesota Chiefs) - LW Jhonas Skarsgaard, Detroit Falcons
Played: 17 Years (12 with LA)


Career Review: The first item of note is I believe this is the longest a1OA has stayed with their original draft team since S1.  That says something right there.  They started off playing LD, which was not much of a success, but then settled into their C position nicely.  They scored over 40 pts in 4 of the next 5 seasons before moving back to LD. They win the Cup in their first year, and win the west in another two seasons, but never get back to the promised land.  


Rating:   BOOM indeed finally a trifecta of 3 booms in a row.


Season 19
1. Minnesota Chiefs (via Toronto North Stars) - D Ryan Sullivan, St. Louis Scarecrows
Played: 8 Years (6 in Minn)


Career Review: An interesting point about Sullivan’s career, there was only one year as a defenseman that were in the positive in the +/- category, and that was by far their worst when it comes to scoring points.  In S24, their last with Minn, they were at a +12, but only scored 1G 8A for 9 points. The only time they were under 20 points in their career.  Wait, I am mistaken as S23 they were a +1, oh well it is still an interesting point that they seemed to do better defensively when they didn’t get involved in the offense as much.


Rating: PUSH A solid, but short career overall.


Season 20
1. Manhattan Rage (via Toronto North Stars from West Kendall Platoon) - Chuck Goody
Played: 11 Years (4 in Man, not counting the 3 Games inS20)


Career Review: Hey I have back to back interesting points.  This is the first 1OA pick to not play a full season in their draft year.  Not sure why they only got 3 games.  I wonder if expansion is coming soon and there are too many active players per roster.  However, they were a solid assist man for a LD and helped to lead the team to a Cup win in S22. Other than that it was a relatively short career as a 1OA player.


Awards
Nominated Best Rookie S21
Best Defenseman S23


HoF S36 Class


Rating: ending it with a BOOM.  Maybe it should be a push due to the short career, but getting a Cup win and being a Best Defender in the league for a year.  Boom me up Scotty.




And this is where we will end part one of my look at 1OA draft picks.  Almost a quarter of the way through the leagues history.  It was a little harder and not as much data since the players aren’t in the portal to easily see what awards and all-star accolades they have won.


At this point let’s look at some of the composite and interesting facts about the first 20 1OA draft picks in the league’s history.


By Position
There was a tie for which position was drafted the most between C and LD at 8 each.  This far leads any other position as next is LW with 2 and RW and G each with 1.  There was never a RD selected 1OA, so let that be a lesson of history so far, don’t create a RD if you want to be a 1OA pick.


By Years and Team
Firstly, there were 7 teams that had multiple 1OA picks in this time frame: West Kendal, Toronto, LA, EDM, WIN, MAN, Minn and of those EDM is the only one to have 3 picks.  Of course this doesn’t mean they were the worst team in the league at the time as there was a lot of trading of draft capital.


Avg time in League: 10.5 years
Most: S16 Maxi Horvat 19 years WIN  Least: S6 Kayne Summers LA 0 years


Avg time on drafted team: 4.5 years
Most: S1 Ryan Jesster 14 Years CAL   Least: S6 Kayne Summers LA 0 years



This is interesting in that on average a 1OA pick only spent a little over 40% of their time in the league with their original team. That doesn’t seem like a lot.


By Rating
It started out with Busts ruling the roost, but Booms started to catch up at the end.


BUST: 9
BOOM: 6
PUSH: 5



One thing I found interesting from looking at all of this data for the first time was that, even when the minor league teams started play, a 1OA would automatically come up to the Majors team.  There wasn’t any time spent in the minors once you were drafted. In fact only one player S20 didn’t spend their whole draft season in the majors.


Ok, two things, at first I couldn’t get a handle on what made a good season points wise with only 50 games in a season.  Is 30 pts a good total.  I am also just noticing that the positional component is not as surprising as when I glance at full teams there seem to be only two skating positions, C and LD.  There are no line demarcations so not sure if these 1OA went right into a first line position of 3rd line or how many lines were actually run.


So, thanks for reading. I hope this was enjoyable for some of you. Not sure when or if the 21-40 installment will come out. It will depend on having time and needing money.  


 

Awesome article, sorry that it doesn't fit the criteria but loved it! A slight note, Armia was traded as he founded the renegades in that expansion period

“The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. ... There are neither beginnings nor endings to the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.”





Ólafur Atlason| C | SMJHL Prospect | Future Edmonton Blizzard
Birthplace: Reykjavik, Iceland
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Transactions
[/pbl]
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Awards
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Achievements
[/pbl]
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SMJHL Season Stats
S76: GP: 0 | G: 0 | A: 0 | P: 0 | 0 | PIM: 0 | Hits: 0 | |
SMJHL Playoff Stats
S76: GP: 0 | G: 0 | A: 0 | P: 0 | 0 | PIM: 0 | Hits: 0 | |
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SHL Season Stats

Great article!

Sig by Lazyeye

Sig by DaBoot

Logan Webb || Kelowna Knights || Maine Timber || San Francisco Pride
Name: Logan Webb
Age: 22
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200 lbs
Number: 55
Postion: LW
------------------------------------------------------------
SMJHL REGULAR SEASON
KELOWNA - S70: | GP: 66 | G: 21 | A: 26 | P: 47 | -3 | 28 PIM | 130 HITS
KELOWNA - S71: | GP: 66 | G: 23 | A: 42 | P: 65 | -25 | 24 PIM | 195 HITS
KELOWNA - S72: | GP: 66 | G: 21 | A: 35 | P: 56 | -31 | 34 PIM | 160 HITS
MAINE - S73: | GP: 66 | G: 44 | A: 48 | P: 92 | 23 | 48 PIM | 187 HITS
SMJHL Playoffs:
S70: | GP: 7 | G: 1 | A: 4 | P: 5 | +2 | 2 PIM | 5 HITS
S72: | GP: 6 | G: 3 | A: 3 | P: 6 | 0| 2 PIM | 12 HITS
S73: | GP: 13 | G: 9 | A: 14 | P: 23 | 0| 2 PIM | 12 HITS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
AWARDS:
S70: Elias Armia Trophy - Awards in Excellence Given by League Commissioner
S71: Zach Miller Trophy - Awarded to Most Dedicated Player
S73: Four Star Cup Champions - MAINE TIMBER

Kain Webb || 21 || LW || Calgary Dragons || RETIRED
Kain Webb || 21 || LW || Calgary Dragons || RETIRED
Name: Kain Webb
Age: Retired
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 215 lbs
Number: 21
------------------------------------------------------------
Total - GP: 554 || Goals: 248 || Assists: 318 || Points: 566 || Rating: +118
Status: Hall of Famer & LEGEND
TROPHIES/AWARDS:
S06: Jesster Award (Dragons MVP)
[pbl]S09: Anton Razov Trophy
S12: Ron Mexico Trophy
S12: Jay McDonald Trophy
S13: Jay McDonald Trophy
S13: JJ Krever Award
S15: Jesster Award (Dragons MVP)
S15: Dragons Hall of Fame
S16: SHL Hall of Fame

Well done my friend!

Stavros Kondos || F || Seattle Argonauts



Theo Kondos || F || S77 HoF - Jesster & Darr - CC x2 || 
-- CAREER STATS --
-- SHL Regular Season --
S58 - GP:66 | G:17 | A:36 | P:53 |  SOG: 130 |  HITS:35  |  TOI: 17:32
S59 - GP:66 | G:14 | A:36 | P:50 |  SOG: 181 |  HITS:41  |  TOI: 18:15
S60 - GP:66 | G:19 | A:37 | P:56 |  SOG: 184 |  HITS:44  |  TOI: 18:34
S61 - GP:66 | G:32 | A:26 | P:58 |  SOG: 188 |  HITS:48  |  TOI: 19:50
S62 - GP:66 | G:21 | A:32 | P:53 |  SOG: 207 |  HITS:57  |  TOI: 20:36
S63 - GP:66 | G:23 | A:40 | P:63 |  SOG: 297 |  HITS:90  |  TOI: 22:00
S64 - GP:66 | G:27 | A:59 | P:86 |  SOG: 237 |  HITS:110 |  TOI: 21:30
S65 - GP:66 | G:39 | A:46 | P:85 |  SOG: 240 |  HITS:161 |  TOI: 21:59
S66 - GP:66 | G:39 | A:65 | P:104| SOG: 230 |  HITS:134 |  TOI: 22:08
S67 - GP:66 | G:27 | A:38 | P:65 |  SOG: 177 |  HITS:164 |  TOI: 21:40
S68 - GP:66 | G:19| A:41 | P:60  |  SOG: 177 |  HITS:159 |  TOI: 19:51
S69 - GP:66 | G:16| A:41 | P:57  |  SOG: 143 |  HITS:110 |  TOI: 19:21
S70 - GP:66 | G:11| A:37 | P:48  |  SOG: 120 |  HITS:123 |  TOI: 18:40
S71 - GP:66 | G:30| A:36 | P:66  |  SOG: 199 |  HITS:126 |  TOI: 20:46
-- SHL Playoffs --
S58 - GP:12 |  G:2 |  A:7   |  P:9   | SOG: 16  | HITS:6  | TOI: 17:35
S59 - GP:16 |  G:6 |  A:10 |  P:16  | SOG: 33  | HITS:4  | TOI: 19:39
S60 - GP:9  |  G:0 |  A:5   |  P:5   | SOG: 23  | HITS:11 | TOI: 18:55
S61 - GP:19 |  G:6 |  A:12 |  P:18  | SOG: 47  | HITS:18 | TOI: 19:21
S62 - GP:24 |  G:9 |  A:11 |  P:20  | SOG: 75  | HITS:34 | TOI: 20:55
S63 - GP:9  |  G:0 |  A:3   |  P:3   | SOG: 37  | HITS:20 | TOI: 22:21
S64 - GP:13 |  G:3 |  A:10 |  P:13 |  SOG: 58 | HITS:31 | TOI: 22:55
S65 - GP:17 |  G:3 |  A:7 |  P:10  |  SOG: 46 | HITS:46 | TOI: 22:21
S66 - GP:14|  G:8|  A:12 |  P:20  |  SOG: 56 | HITS:22 | TOI: 21:59
S67 - GP:7 |  G:0 |  A:4  |  P:4  |  SOG: 18  | HITS:9 | TOI: 22:01
S68 - GP:15|  G:5 |  A:12 |  P:17 |  SOG: 56 | HITS:27 | TOI: 21:45
S69 - GP:7|   G:1 |  A:6 |  P:7 |  SOG: 14 | HITS:19 | TOI: 19:59
-- SMJHL --
S54 - GP:50, G:7, A:7, P:14, SOG: 47, HITS:31, TOI: 11:22
S55 - GP:50, G:13, A:16, P:29, SOG: 98, HITS:35, TOI: 18:09
S56 - GP:50, G:18, A:26, P:44, SOG: 128, HITS:35, TOI: 16:53
S57 - GP:66, G:26, A:26, P:52, SOG: 220, HITS:48, TOI: 19:05
-- AWARDS --
S54: Drafted 6th Overall - Anchorage Armada[SMJHL]
S55: Drafted 5th Overall - Texas Renegades [SHL]
S57: Four Star Cup Champions - Anchorage Armada [SMJHL]
S57: DeMaricus Smyth Award for Top Forward - Dach [WJC]
S57: Brady McIntyre Award for WJC MVP - Dach [WJC]
S58: Ryan Jesster Award - Best SHL Rookie [SHL]
S58: All Rookie Team [SHL]
S59: CHALLENGE CUP WINNERS [SHL]
S62: CHALLENGE CUP WINNERS [SHL]
S64: West All Star [SHL]
S64: 2nd Team All Star [SHL]
S65: West All Star [SHL]
S65: 3rd Team All Star [SHL]
S65: Darr Nominee [SHL]
S66: West All Star [SHL]
S66: Darr Winner [SHL]
S66: 1st Team All Star [SHL]
S68: Bronze Medal - Austria  [IIHF]
S71: West All Star [SHL]


Ostap Maksimov || D || Retired || Challenge Cup x3 ||
------------------------------------------------------------
SHL Regular Season Statistics:
600 GP - 325 P - 3 Cups
--------------



Ales Smirnov RW/D || Retired || Ron Mexico MVP: S35 ||
-- CAREER STATS --
REGULAR SEASON GP: 857 G:210 A:389 P:599
-- AWARDS --
S21: SMJHL Presidents Trophy & Four Star Cup | Kelowna Knights
S21:Elias Armia Trophy (Award in Excellence Given By The League Commissioner.)
S22: Four Star Cup Champs | Kelowna Knights
S22: Ted Lindsay Award (SMJHL MVP)
S22: Brodie Witzel Trophy (Playoffs MVP)
S23: SHL All Rookie Team
S26: IIHF Gold (Russia)
S28: IIHF Silver (Russia)
S32: IIHF Bronze (Russia)
S35: Ron Mexico (SHL MVP)
S38: IIHF Gold (Russia)