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**bk1689** · 01-12-2017, 06:29 PM

[Ready to grade - 1600 words]

Hamilton had a fairly successful season this year, while missing the playoffs usually is looked down upon, for this young team they came together and put together a solid season. With as many rookies as the Steelhawks fielded this year, this season was looked at as more of a confidence builder. While they may of not made it to the post season I'd look out as this team looks to be a perennial contender very soon. We'll move on and take a look at the active players on Hamiltons roster this past season.

<b><div align="center">FORWARDS</b></div>

<b><div align="center"> Brennan Kennedy - RW</b></div>
<b><div align="center"> G - 13 A - 15 P - 28 +/- - -4 PIM - 17 HITS - 66 SB - 7 MP - 876 </b></div>

Kennedy had a very good rookie season in Hamilton, starting out on the third line at the beginning of the year, he kept plugging along and managed to work his way up the depth chart, eventually ending up on the first line as well as getting some PP time. Billed as a playmaker, Kennedy's scoring ways in the SMJHL seem to of kept right on going. A dangerous player on a 2 on 1 as you just don't know if he's thinking shot or pass as he can do both very well. Well his physical game has taken a step down, in the offseason he's looking to get bigger and stronger and throw his body around like he did in junior. 1 of 8 rookies that moved up to Hamilton this year, Kennedy looks to be a part of a strong young core that will move on to have great success over the next couple years.

<b><div align="center"> Ieuan Llewellyn - RW </b></div>
<b><div align="center"> G - 11 A - 10 P - 21 +/- - +7 PIM - 103 HITS - 141 SB - 13 MP - 814 </b></div>

Wow. That's all that really can be said when you take a look at Llewellyn's numbers. He can do it all, shoot, pass, punch and fight. He is a man of many talents and he showcased them all this season. 11 goals and 10 assists show that Ieuan is more then a one trick pony. Not only can he beat in your face, but he can also beat you on the scoreboard. The opposition takes note when Llewellyn is on the ice and try their best to avoid him, but those 141 hits prove that's much harder of a task then they expect. Word around the league is that Ieuan is mainly working on the physical part of his game this offseason. If that's the case, then I'm glad I wear the same colour jersey as him.

<b><div align="center"> Jon Ross - C </b></div>
<b><div align="center"> G - 11 A - 22 P - 33 +/- - -9 PIM - 16 HITS - 50 SB - 10 MP - 1015 </b></div>

Jon Ross joined the Steelhawks, coming from Minnesota. Even though he was young, he came in as a legitimate first line centre for the team. Ross struggled early on in the season, but his persistence finally paid off as he lit the league up on the back half of the year. He proved that he deserved to be on the first line as he notched 11 goals and 22 helpers on his way to leading all Steelhawks rookies in points. Jon is hoping to start next season right where he left off this season and start racking up the points from the get go. While his shooting percentage was a bit low (8.94) for what you want out of a top line guy like him, I expect that number to climb to over 10% next season if he keeps up his solid play that he ended this season with.

<b><div align="center"> Justs Sirmais - C</b></div>
<b><div align="center"> G - 14 A - 21 P - 35 +/- - +9 PIM - 6 HITS - 29 SB - 6 MP - 878 </b></div>

Sirmais is another younger guy that is taking a veteran role on this team of youngsters. He spent the majority of his time this season centreing the third line and the second power play unit. Even playing on the third line, Justs still managed to have a successful season, finding the back of the net 14 times while posting an unheard of 22.58 shooting percentage which was over 5 percent better then the next closest person in the league. 6 hits show he's not the most physical player, but with a shot like his, there's no need to be. As long as he keeps up his solid two way play, Sirmais will be a force to be reckoned with. I expect to see his shooting percentage drop a bit next season as it seems to be unsustatinable, but he could very well shock me and keep scoring at the same alarming rate.

<b><div align="center"> Martin Svensson - C </b></div>
<b><div align="center"> G - 11 A - 11 P - 22 +/- - -7 PIM - 16 HITS - 41 SB - 9 MP - 919 </b></div>

Another 1st year player, Svensson was among the rookies that had a solid first season. Centreing the second line and also a mainstay on the penalty kill, Martin had some very respectable numbers for his role on the team. Putting up double digits in both goals and assists while also only making 8 trips to the penalty box. Martin is an all around kind of player and he was able to do it all, he can throw the body when need be, or put his own body in front of a puck. Mainly playing against other teams top lines, his -7 is a product of that, not of his own lack of defense.

<b><div align="center"> Taro Eichelele - LW </b></div>
<b><div align="center"> G - 7 A - 19 P - 26 +/- - -8 PIM - 6 HITS - 49 SB - 5 MP - 886 </b></div>

Eichelele is the last active forward we will take a look at, he's another one of the many rookies on this team. Taro spent his time this season playing the wing on the 2nd line and 2nd power play unit. He was ver effective in both roles as his stat line shows. 8 power play points show he's a danger on the man advantage. He also shines through during 5 on 5 play. 6 penalty minutes prove Taro is not making an stupid plays against the opposition, his plus minus is low, but on this team it's about average. Next season Taro looks to put up 30 points as well as continue his solid two way play.

<b><div align="center"> DEFENSE </b></div>

<b><div align="center"> Ben Dover - D </b></div>
<b><div align="center"> G - 8 A - 23 P - 31 +/- - -11 PIM - 16 HITS - 29 SB - 82 MP - 1253 </b></div>

Dover, the self proclaimed Ass Captain, led the charge as a mainstay on the first defensive pairing. His shots managed to tickle the twine 8 times and proves what a force he can be from back there. Not to much of a physical defenseman, which his 29 hits prove, where Dover really shines is putting his body on the line and acting as a second goaltender. His 82 blocked shots led the team and made the Steelhawks goalies lives a bit easier. Billed as an offensive defenseman, Dover seems to be transitioning into more of a two way D, and it seems it's working out great for him.

<b><div align="center"> Danny "Bananas" Foster - D </b></div>
<b><div align="center"> G - 4 A - 25 P - 29 +/- - +9 PIM - 134 HITS - 216 SB - 76 MP - 992 </b></div>

Foster came over to the Steelhawks this year and hit his stride right out of the gate. Like Llewellyn, Foster is the total package. With hands of stone when he's pummeling his opponents, they turn into the softest hands ever when he has the puck. His 134 penalty minutes led the team and most of the other teams were happy when he was in the box. During his time on the ice he was either dishing out bone crushing hits left and right, or making a perfect pass. Foster was a welcome addition to the team this year and looks to be a top Rookie of the Year candidate. Danny looks to get bigger and stringer this off season in order to strike more fear into his opponents.

<b><div align="center"> Ludwig Koch Schroder - D </b></div>
<b><div align="center"> G - 6 A - 21 P - 27 +/- - 0 PIM - 6 HITS - 22 SB - 69 MP - 1202 </b></div>

Fosters partner, Koch Schroder was the yin to Foster's yang. Complete opposites when it comes to the physical part of the game, Ludwig's offensive style really complimented Danny. As one of the top defensive prospects in the league, Koch Schroder proved the hype was real. With a good breakout pass, he managed to collect 21 assists as well as quarterback the power play unit. Ludwig has proved to be one of the hardest workers in his draft class and doesn't show an signs of slowing down.

<b><div align="center"> GOALIES </b></div>

<b><div align="center"> Ben Waters - G </b></div>
<b><div align="center"> W - 8 L - 9 OTL - 2 SV% - .894 GAA - 3.17 MP - 1155 SO -1 </b></div>

Waters started the season as the backup to Earnest Ciarelli, after a trade that saw Ciarelli sent to New England, Waters took over the reigns as the Steelhawks starting netminder. While his numbers aren't overly impressive, on a rebuilding team like this no one expected him to shine. Ben managed to keep himself at a respectable level stat wise, and looks to improve quite a bit next year as the rest of the team grows with him. Waters seems to have the style and endurance to play in the SHL as a starter and it seems he will start next season as Hamiltons sure fire number 1.

Well there we have it. Next season looks to be another promising one as I'm sure a new crop of rookies will join in with the already very young team. Throw in what Hamilton picks up at the draft and Hamilton looks like it will grow to be a contender for many years to come and a team that other teams in the SHL will not look forward to facing.

daBenchwarmer · 01-12-2017, 11:23 PM

Fuck me, Kennedy's gonna get more cocky in the future.

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