Login

spidey · 09-22-2013, 10:40 AM

Season 15 Draft recap

What can I say this draft had it all, a bit of drama, a bit of excitement and a ton of great young players just starting to come into the league to make a name for themselves. This draft has it all talented top 6 on offense or top 4 on defense, guys who will fill bottom 6 roles and it could produce a handful of superstars. Like I said there was no certainty when it came to this draft because the talent of the top 15 players or so were off the charts that anyone could and did fall anywhere.

1. Maxim Hovart - Center - Kelowna Knights
6â€™2â€
205 lbs

Hovart was one of the top 3 players on most draft boards and it was no real surprise to see his name come up first. A big strong center that has all the makings of being a top 6 forward once he reaches the SHL level Maxim will need a year or two to develop into that role and could become a top star of the SHL with the right commitment. Overall he is an offensive weapon that does a little bit of everything well, shoots, scores, passes, and he should win the majority of his face-offs. He has already been in the media a number of times and is a bit of a gym rat which should workout very well for the Kelowna Knights as he becomes a top player in the juniors quickly.

Projected Totals:
40 GP - 20 G - 25 A - 45 P

2. Joshua Toevs - Center - Montreal Impact
6â€™
200 lbs

Once again a player most draft experts placed in their top 3 Joshua looks like he is going to be a great addition for the Impact. More of a playmaker and a face off wizard then Hovart, Joshuaâ€™s game will work with his support talent around him rather then doing it all himself, which is not a bad thing, it is a team game after all. Joshuaâ€™s endurance is also off the charts for a junior player just cracking into the league, so while a number of others will slow down come the third period Joshua will still be playing near top level. A great combination puts high expectations on Toevs this season. I do see this Center becoming a top 3 talent but will require a second season in juniors.

Projected Totals:
40 GP - 10 G - 33 A - 43 P

3. Jarrko Kallestrom - Right Wing - St. Louis Scarecrows
6â€™1â€
195 lbs

This may have been the first bit of drama in the draft, a last minute deal lead to quite an argument pre-draft between the two GMs and Kallestrom became the center of it. Who can blame them, This young two way forward has the ability to play in all three zones, can be counted on to score goals as well as set them up, and he is no slouch in the face circle. It is a little bit of a surprise in a lot of ways that Kallestrom slipped down to third overall, but it could have to do with being a slight bit under weight. Still Kallestromâ€™s game is not to get into a physical match he would rather skate around the opposition at this point in his career. An obvious choice for a future top 6 SHLer who could slip into his future teams line up as early as next season, in a top 9 role.

Projected Totals:
40 GP - 15 G - 23 A - 38 P

4. Slava Boominen - Right Wing - Vancouver Whalers
6â€™4â€
220 lbs

A player who went a little bit of everywhere on the draft charts and it is hard to blame the experts on this pick, Slava is more of a true sniper then any other pick so far, and he still isnâ€™t afraid to move the puck when needed. However some question how long the towering Finnish sniper transition to the SHL if he will be committed to his craft, after all his mentor is Chainsaw McGraw. Still if Boominen stays focused as he has already shown so far he could be the best pick in the draft and make the Whalers look real smart for the trade out of the third overall position. Slava has all the ability to be a top 6 sniper in the SHL level but and if he commits to the overall build it will be impossible for SHL GMs to ignore him.

Projected Totals:
40 GP - 23 G - 17 A - 40 P

5. Dustin Rose - Goalie - Prince George Firebirds
6â€™9â€
242 lbs

The Wall is going to be an imposing force for an offense to get by, just by standing 6â€™9â€ it is nearly impossible for a person to score on him. Rose is a good overall goalie with everything being developed evenly leaving no real weakness to his game. May I also say anyone expect a goalie to go in the first round please raise your handâ€¦no one good it is not just me. Still the Firebirds see more in Rose and accept they may have more of a difficult season by building from the crease out, but their goal is the post season. Buying into defense wins championships the Firebirds must figure the future number one goalie will be worth the 1st round pick.

Projected Totals:
40 GP - .890% - 2.78 GAA

6. Bradley Wingels - Right Wing - St. Louis Scarecrows
6â€™3â€
210 lbs

Bradley is the best pure sniper in the first round, he can move with the puck like Toevs can compete all night at a high level, and will rarely pass, but has the ability to do so. Bradley was brought into the Scarecrows for one thing and that is to score, and he will and often. Bradleyâ€™s game does fall a little short on the defensive side of things but that is why a team has defenders, so the forwards can score right Brad. At 6â€™3â€ he is a scary sight for any opposing player specifically defenders that are trying to contain him. I would expect Brad to be in juniors for two seasons before making the jump to the SHL but if a team needs a little more help on scoring and Bradley focus on that part of his game he might be one of the few to make the early jump next season.

Projected Totals:
40 GP - 27 G - 11 A - 38 P