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Ason94 · 02-14-2019, 06:22 AM

A look at Knute Knurtsson rookie season in the SMJHL. The SMJHL entry draft:

Knute Knurtsson, a center from Sweden, knew nothing of the SHL or SMJHL until about a week before the entry draft for the SMJHL, where he was eligible to be drafted. When he got a message from the League saying thst he was, he got very excited and did everything he could to improve his game and shiw the general managers and scouts that he was a legitimate prospect with potential. This particular desft class was incredibly big and so it was hard for scouts to get a close look at Knute, he was not thought of as a top prospect due to his lack of production and limited game tapes to watch. This made him a player of the masses, no scout had really gotten a hang of what this kid was about. Come draft day, Knute was not anticipating to get drafted high, he just knew that no matter where he would get drafted it was up to him to prove to the team that he was the right choice. Whether he got drafted in the second or 8th round it didn't matter caus it is always up to him how much work and effort he puts in to become the best. The season 45 entry draft started and player were getting drafted, top prospects getting up on the stage and reciving their jerseys and talking to the press and waving to the fans. The round went on, first round, second round, third round, fourth round, Knute went to the back room, fifth round, sixth round, No one yet to call Knute Knurtssons name. He sat and waited in the stands, for his name to be called, excited to see who would show faith in him. In the 8th round just after Detroit picks Kyle Wellwood 72 ovarall Knute recives a message from someone in the Detroit organisation saying that "If you fall to our next pick, we will take you" and as he read the message and were about to show it to this family, he heard "With the 74th pick in the season 45 SMJHL entry draft Colorado Raptors select: Knute Knurtsson!" It was Al Askas voice coming out of the speakers, the General manager of Colorado Raptors. Knute was chocked, he had barely had any contact with the scouts from Colorado. He stood up, hugged his family and went to meet his new team!

First impression of the Raptors was great, a friendly management and nice players, it's always tough to enter a new room and finding you place amongst the team and what role you have there. Knute found his place quickly, he is pretty laid back, quiet at times but can go off when excited about something. There is somewhat of a language barrier and confusion is easily created in the mind of Knute. Anyway, Knute has really enjoyed his first season as a Raptor and is looking forward to many more seasons with the team and eventually moving on to the SHL.

On the ice, Production, Consistency and Progress, Nuts scouting report:

Knute got to start the season playing on the 4th line, as you would expect a fresh rookie to do. He immediately showed his worth and that he was the right pick by Colorado. In his first game of the season, the home opener against Halifax raider, he got the primary assist on Nick Novaks first goal of the season helping colorado to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Colorado went on to win the gane in the shootout. It was a good first showing for Knute, playing 9:49 on the 4th line. Next game Knute Knurtsson opened the scoring for his first career goal as a Colorado Raptor. This was also against the Halifax Raiders and the earley success of Knute in his first two games might be because of Halifax roster containing mostly rookies. Knutes third game of the season was a solid one versus Anaheim Outlaws, first time he managed to win 50% of the faceoffs, 5 out of 10.

Colorado started the season with two home n home games so the fourth game they faced Anaheim again this time Anaheim came out on top after beating the Raptors in the shootout, Knute played okey, he was good in the defensive zone but he struggled offensively.

Colorado faced Halifax again for their third meeting earley in the season and here the coaches wanted to see what Knute could do on the power play. Getting to play a whole 52 seconds, but with no resaults. Knute has potential to be a great playmaker on the powerplay if he keeps progressing the way he is, showing much promise on the Raptors roster even in his limited role. Sixth game of the season, Knute and the Raptors are once again up against Anaheim, not much to comment on as far as Knutes play, 6 out of 12 on the faceoff, 9:34 playing time, wasn't really noticeable.

Looking forward at Knutes tenth game, against the Anchorage Armada he opened the scoring in the first period. First peeiods semes to be where Knute playes the best, seeing as all of his points has come during the first period. Despite playing sheltered minutes on the forth line Knute might have a problem with his stamina, not being able to produce at later stages of the games he has played.

St. Louis is ou next for Knutes eleventh game, he scores again, for his third of the season, this time also in the first period. Knute got two goal in his past two games, which lead to coaches wanting to try him on the powerplay again. He got the chans in game twelve, for their back to back against the Scarecrows, but it yielded no results yet again. Knute played a season high of 14:43 which includes a team high 4:29 on the power play for that game. Knute also won 11/14 faceoffs, that being a season high too of 78.5%. I would say that knute had a solid yet disappointing showing, the disappointment being that he got to play over four minutes on the powerplay and did not make anything happen.

Game thirteen they faced Lethbridge and Knute managed to record his first point, an assist, that was not in the first period. Knute also got to keep his spot on the power play, sadly still no points gained from that. Again Colorado plays a game versus Lethbridge, fourteenth of the season, just like last game knute got an assist in the second period which is a good sign that he not only can put up points in the first and now we just await a point in the third.

After five games without any points from Knute, he manages to find the back of the net in the second period of game twenty against Vancouver Whalers. It was a tough 7-4 loss for the team, letting in three goals in the third. Next game up is game twenty one against Anaheim Outlaws, Knute opened the scoring again for his fifth of the season and this being the third time he is of the start the scoring. Again it did not help that knute scored, Colorado lost 4-2 and knute got to play 9:43.

Knute gets an assist in a 3-2 loss to Anchorage Armada in Game twenty two now having a total of 5 goals and 4 assists. It was a solid game by Knute but the team got pressured hard and got out shot 14 to 41. Yuri Ushakov played out of his mind but the skaters could not deliver.

After a five game losing streak Colorado got a close win 2-1 over Montreal in game twenty three, Knute won 9 out of 14 faceoffs. On to a winning streak instead, taking home game twenty four versus Kelowna Knights. Knute played well, getting an assist and winning 12 of 15 face offs for a career high 80%. For it to be a strek it need to be three.

Game twenty five for Knute and the Raptors was a Shutout of Montreal with Knute winning 7 of 8 faceoff for a 87.5 % which of cours is a huge factor in this win. That is also a career high for Knute, congratulations.

The second half of the season ofcourse starts with game twenty six. It was a big game for Knute, getting promoted to the third line and scoring a goal and getting a primary assist. Although that wasn't enough for to get the win. Knute finished the game with a +2 in the +/- statistic, being able to keep the Outlaws from scoring when he was on the ice.

After Colorados wining streak was snapped by Anaheim, Colorado came back and won their next game against Halifax, it was a bleak performance by Knute. Almost being invisible on the ice and it might be the tougher match ups he is facing on the third line. Knurtsson seems to struggle on the third line after a great first game against Anaheim. He only managed to win one faceoff in game twenty eight against montreal. Then again it might be a consistency issue or he might just need time to adjust to a tougher task.

Knute came back swinging (not literally) against a strong Kelowna Knights team. He got a primary assist and a secondary assist for two point, his second multi point game of the season.

With only twenty games left of the season it is again time to face Anaheim, Knute had a good game in this win for the Raptors getting a shot past Mike Hunt and inntonthe Anaheim net. He also took his first penaly of the season a slashing call.

For game 31, St Louis were the opponent, a strong team and defending champions, they beat Coloradoin last seasons finals and they beat them i this game. Knute got 3 shots on goal and won 10 of 14 face offs.

Detroit was next in line for game 32 and manged to beat Colorado 2-1 and heavily out shot them 33 to 13. Knute got the only goal for the Raptors in the middle of the third period but Detroit held them off.

Halifax came to beat Colorado in their 33d game 3-1 in a low shooting game where none of the teams got past 20 shots on net. Knute ended the game with no points, a -1 and one 3 out of 9 on the faceoff. Colorado got 6 attempts on the power play but only found the back of the net once. Halifax manged to come out on top in both of the back to back games these teams played shutting out Colorado in their own arena for the second win.

After loosing four straight games Colorado finally got a win when facing Kelowna for game 35. Colorado came back from a three goal deficit to win the game 4-3, Knute played okey but had a disappointing face off percentage of 12.5% and no shots on goal.

For game 36 against Detroit Knute got a primart assist in the first period but yet again having a bad showing on the dot only winning 4 of 13. It's clear that Knute needs to work on his face offs if he is looking to stay as a third line center or even climbe to the second line.

Yet again the Raptors find a way to beat the Kelowna Knights. The game ended 4-2 and Knute had no points, was a -1. He did whoever have two shots on goal a hit and one blocked shot.

Time for game 38 and it's the Whalers Coming to town. After a back and forth game Vancouver came out as the winner in the shootout, Knute still not being able to win face offs and ending as a -2 this was not a game Knute wanted scouts to see.

Colorado ends a three game home stand with a loss to Anaheim, Knute getting a primary assist and winning some face offs. He also got a try at the power play with 0:46 of ice time and 0:21 on the penalty kill.

Game 40, with only 10 games to go Colorado travels to Vancouver to make their two latest losses become three so that we now can call it a streak. Knute had one shot on goal and one hit, winning 9 out of 12 faceoffs. Maybe he can start winning more now.

As the number of remaining games gets smaller Colorados losing streak gets bigger, extending to four games when they get Shutout by the Anchorage Armada. Knurtsson takes 17 faceoff losing 9 of them. Knute was promoted to the second line for this game, made him take more face offs than he is used to If given some time Knute might be able to find comfort in playin on the second line.

Knute gets to play on the secons line in their next game as well, facing Lethbridge Lions. It was a huge game for Knute, opening the scoring in the first period yet again for his ninth goal of the season and in the third he manages to tie the game innthe middle of the period for his tenth goal. Knute had three shots on goal and won 10 of 14 faceoffs. He was awarded 2nd star of the night.

Knute holding tight on his second line center position and gets an assist in Colorados 43rd game of the season against Detroit Falcons. He gets two shots on goal but struggled against a stacked center line up in the face off circle. Only winning 5 of 15 taken. Versus Lethbridge, for game 44, Colroado made it a winning streak by beating the Lions 5-3. Knute had 2 shots on goal and won 11 of 14 face offs for 78.5%.

The longest win streak of the seaso for colorado came late in the season with game 45. Colorado exploded against Detroit, winning the game 6-0. The Raptors scored four goals in the first period with Knute scoring the last in the period. Knute got a penalty for hooking, his second penalty of the season, should have been a no call. Knute also got some revenge on the Falcons centers ending the game with a 78.5 win % on the dot. If Knute can continue his play he should be able to keep the second line center spot entering the playoffs.

Unable to extend their winning streak, Colorado gets beaten by St Louis Scarecrows 5-1 and was again heavily out shot 43-16. Knute had an okey showing, getting two shots on net but showing inconsistency in the face off circle again only winning 6 out of 15.

Colorado faces Detroit at home with only four games remaining, loosing a close game in the shootout. Knute gets a secondary assist on the power play and gets to play 20:47 on the ice with 2:38 on the power play and 1:07 on the Penalty kill. Knute ended the game as a -2.

Back on the streak again, Vancouver beats colorado 5-1. Knute got the confidence of the coaches to play on the power play and penalty kill again, taking over Konstantin Voloshins spot because of a suspension. Knute played 20:29, 3:31 on the man advantage and 3:55 on the penalty kill. He took 26 face offs winning 11 of them.

Only two games remaining, game 49 versus Halifax Raiders and the last game of the season where Colorado takes on Kelowna Knights befor heading in to the post season.
Halifax helped Colorado extend their losing streak to four games, it was a okey game by Knute. He put four shots on net but didn't get them past the Halifax goalie Mike McKorsy.

Finally, the last game of the season. Kelowna. They beat Colorado and colorado finnishes the season with a five game loosing streak. It was a good game for Knute though, scoring his twelfth goal and getting his thirteenth assist of the season. Finishing the game as a +2 and winning 82% of the gace offs he took.

Regular season review:

Knute struggled at the start to find consistency in his game having stretches of games without producion. This is expected though and not seen as a problem since he is a rookie adjusting to the SMJHL. I see Knute Knurtsson having a vert bright future in the SMJHL and in the future with which ever SHL team picks him in the upcoming draft. He is a pass first player which has had some luck in his first season, putting 12 goals in the net. With a 19.67 shooting percentage we can expect to see some regression but with that said Knute might take on a bigger role in his second year with Colorado. Getting more ice time and working on his shot during the offseason he might score more. But the 19.67% I don't believe will last. With inconsistency on the face offs throughout the season Knute some how ended the season with a 51.81 win percentage which is a very respectable number for a rookie. Knute finnished tied for fitfh in points at 25 on Colorado with Konstantin Voloshin. Second in points only counting rookies. With a avarage of 12 minutes of ice time per game Knute had a .83 P/20 second only to fellow rookie Parker Smed which had a .86 P/20. Knute had 6 penalty minutes 8 hits which is a team low and only 2 blocked shots.

Word count: 2991 words, I can no longer feel my fingers and my eyes hurts. Not a native speaker
2× draft media

Grapehead · 02-14-2019, 06:36 PM

Well done

vbottas17 · 02-14-2019, 07:01 PM

Awesome work! Especially since English is not your first language. Best of luck in the draft!

Cheers

***39alaska39*** · 02-14-2019, 07:16 PM

Extremely glad we were able to get you in the draft! You’ve been a fantastic addition to the locker room and a great person to have in the organization!

Alex Winters (retired)
Matej Winters (retired)
Dominik Winters
S45 Jesster Trophy Winner
Challenge Cup Winning Goal Club: S52

*slothfacekilla* · 02-14-2019, 07:36 PM

Great write up and good luck in the draft!

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