Login

UncleLeosKomrade · 05-10-2018, 08:45 PM

x2 Draft Week Media Bonus

SMJHL Draft Primer

As we close in on S41 SMJHL draft there has been a lot of hype around the many legacy players that are eligible for this yearâ€™s draft, coupled with the numerous new players that have made the jump to the SHL circuit from other professional leagues. With these two factors we have the makings of a historic junior draft come Friday. When the commissioner steps to the stage to begin the draft, everyone in attendance and watching from home could be witnessing many future hall of famer see where their careers will begin.

Along with the deep prospect pool for this draft, many of the SMJHL teams have found themselves in interesting predicaments following this past season, and the happenings at the SHL draft earlier this week. Some teams have seen many of the top players selected which could eventually lead to early rebuilds, other teams are looking to rebuild and could look to trade up in the draft to take one of the more highly touted prospects. Needless to say, Friday night could potentially shift the direction of the SMJHL season in a matter of hours.

This article is going to take a quick look at each team, where their picks in the upcoming draft lie, and who could be on their radar.

Detroit Falcons Falcons

The Falcons are coming off an emotional last week of hockey. After finishing fourth overall in the regular season, they dispatched the Montreal Militia in the first round of the playoffs in 6 games. They then proceeded to shock the 2nd ranked St. Louis Scarecrows in 5 games to find themselves in the Four Star Cup finals. However, Kelowna quickly doused their fire, sweeping the Falcons to end their championship hopes. Following their disappointing playoff ending, the Detroit Falcons got to see rookie forward Flacko Lagerfield drafted first overall by the Buffalo Stampede in the SHL draft; and then not far behind, the Falcons saw another one of players, Lightning Jones drafted 6th overall to the Los Angeles Panthers.

With the Falcons having two top wingers selected early in the first round, and having other players ready to make the jump to the SHL the Falcons could be looking to add some more young wingers to follow behind Lagerfield and Jones when they both make the inevitable jump to the pros. Unfortunately, Detroit currently only has 2 picks in the first 3 rounds after a trade with Montreal so their scouting has to be dead on with their picks.

Potential Targets: Teuvo Nurmi, Nicholas Falk, Cameron Cater III, Rafe Ulrich

Halifax Raiders raiders

Halifax is also coming off a disappointing end to the season that saw them exit the playoffs in the first round after 6th ranked Colorado was able to beat them out in only 5 games. Halifax had a solid season finishing 3rd overall and showing that scoring was not an issue, leading the league in player points with 490, and 176 goals scored. The Raiders did struggle defensively allowing 162 goals, third in the league, and had a league worst penalty kill. However, despite their defensive struggles, they watched Reginald MacIntyre get drafted 5th overall to the Manhattan Rage.

With their defensive struggles, and the potential of losing highly touted MacIntyre, amongst some of their other up-and-coming defenseman to the pros in the next season or two, Halifax could be looking to add a strong defensive-minded defenseman to their roster to round out their d-core for the future. However, like Detroit, Halifax only has 2 picks in the first 3 round (one being 4th overall), thus they must make them count.

Potential Targets: Karl Von Wittelsbach, Maui, Rolly Rollerson, Scottey Crawfling

Montreal Militia Militia

Montreal is coming off an interesting end to the season. They managed to edge their way into the playoffs by a couple points, but were then unfortunately eliminated in 6 games by the Falcons. However, after being eliminated from the playoffs, the Militia got a nice surprise when they were announced as the winners of the SMJHL draft lottery, meaning they will picking first overall come Friday. Getting the chance to pick first overall gives Montreal the ability to pick a player that could set the tone for seasons to come and potentially bring them the Four Star Cup finals in the near future.

Overall, Montreal had an alright year. They made the playoffs, but had a -13 goal differential. They had a penalty kill percentage of 80.45%, but had a powerplay percentage of 15.71%. Thus, it appears the Militia may need that high flying, high octane forward to fuel their offense. Luckily for Montreal, with the first overall pick and then back-to-back picks in the second round they have the potential to find that player.

Potential Targets: Nicholas Falk, Teuvo Nurmi, Lukas Toran, Pingy Pingu

St. Louis Scarecrows

Everything about the Scarecrows season was a success, except with how it eventually ended. They finished 2nd overall and saw themselves with a bye to the second round. They outscored their opponents 167 to 132. They had good special team numbers too. Everything seemed to go right for St. Louis, they just could not get the job done. Ousted by Detroit in the second round, they were left with an unfortunate end to a good season. Itâ€™s a moment where GMs ask themselves if maybe the bye had them coming out flat-footed, or was the regular season just a fluke? It honestly just appears as though Detroit came out wanting it more.

St. Louis does have the ability to be successful, they just need to keep their heads in it and push through to the finish. Now with 3 picks in the first 2 rounds (6, 15, 16), St. Louis can simply look to at some depth to try an repeat this past season, but hopefully find their way to the finals.

Potential Targets: Nicholas Falk, Maui, Charlie Schieck, Herb Robert, Sachimo Zoidberg Jr.

Colorado Mammoths

Colorado had a storybook end to their season, well kind of. With an overall losing record of 24-22-4 (24-26), Colorado found themselves in a battle in the first round of the playoffs; and like every good underdog story, they surprised the 3rd overall Halifax Raiders in only 5 games. It all came crashing down in the second round when the eventual champs, the Kelowna Knights dispatched them in 6, but they still made it further than a team with the record they had should have.

Colorado showed everyone in the league that they compete with the best of them and in a few years they will be a team to be reckoned with. Very deep defensively, the Mammoths will most likely be looking to end a bit more offense and maybe some grit to their group of forwards.

Potential Targets: Rafe Ulrich, Cameron Carter III, Herb Robert, Soren Kierkegaard

Kelowna Knights Knights

Kelowna is coming off a championship season so obviously it is a bit difficult to find an area where they need improvement. Only 2 goals off the league lead in scoring, a +46 goal differential, and Only 16 loses, the Knights were a solid team all season. However, a closer look into their team stats shows that the team as a whole was last in the league when it came to hits and shot blocks; two categories that speak to their playersâ€™ defensive mind set.

Now entering the draft the Knights do not pick until 4th round, so the chance of drafting an impact player at that point in the draft is rare. However, if there was a season to find a diamond in the rough it would be this draft as the prospect pool is a deep one. Another option Kelowna may have to explore come draft day or even further into the off-season my by trading for a power forward or defensive defenseman.

Potential Targets: Maui, Rafe Ulrich, Andrew Sayle

Prince George Firebirds

Prince George is coming off a less than ideal season. There is no way to really sugar coat it, they were straight up awful. Scoring a league low 99 goals all season and allowing 191 against, the Firebirds had the worst goal differential by a wide margin. The Firebirds Also had the league worst penalty kill, and a league low in shots. No matter where you look, Prince George would most likely want to forget this past season happened.

Clearly in need of a rebuild, the Firebirds will be looking to stock up on quality prospects during the draft Friday night. Unfortunately for Prince George they traded their own first round pick to Vancouver, however, they luckily possess 2 other first round picks and another 1 in each of the second and third rounds. With a deep prospect pool, the Firebirds should be able to build a solid foundation for the future on Friday night.

Potential Targets: Nicholas Falk, Karl Von Wittelsbach, Maui, Scottey Crawfling, Buck Maverick, Charlie Schieck

Vancouver Whalers Whalers

The Vancouver Whalers probably have one of the more interesting stories entering this season's SMJHL draft. Following a slew of trades prior to the S40 SMJHL draft, Vancouver found themselves on the clock after the first overall pick. They stepped up and selected newcomer to the hockey world Alex Andani; and 8 picks later the Whalers added Kristaps Ball. Both of those players were just drafted in the first round of the SHL draft this past Monday. However, even after coming off a solid season and adding two high end prospects, the Whalers missed the playoffs this past season. Fortunately for Vancouver, they were the recipient of Prince Georgeâ€™s first round pick this season and now sit at 2nd and 3rd overall in the upcoming draft. Add another pick in the 2nd round and 2 more in the third, Vancouver is poised to make a splash Friday night.

When it comes to where Vancouver should be looking to improve, the answer would be everywhere. Not that they were necessarily bad, but all aspects of the Whalersâ€™ game have room for improvement. A -2 goal differential shows that they could be scoring more and allowing less but also suggests that they were keeping pace with their opponents all year. Major improvement could come in the form of special teams though. Their penalty kill was almost the league worst and their power play was mediocre at best. Thus, Vancouver has the opportunity at the draft to set themselves up for a run next year with some key picks.

Potential Targets: Nicholas Falk, Rafe Ulrich, Maui, Sashimo Zoidberg Jr., Herb Robert

Word Count: 1754

RippleLuck · 05-10-2018, 09:30 PM

Wow that's a good article!

DeletedAtUserRequest · 05-10-2018, 09:41 PM

^^^^
#CAMP-IZZY Rated Rookie alert

|

|

|

|

Beaver · 05-10-2018, 11:56 PM

Nice article. Should be an interesting draft tomorrow.

Navigation

Extra Menu

About us