VSN Presents: The Top Prospect of Every VHL Team (S81)
With Season 81 recently commencing and the drafts in the rearview mirror, right now is prime time to take a look at each VHL team and its top prospect. Some teams are in win-now mode which makes the decision rather obvious as they have few prospects. However, a good portion of teams have a cupboard of prospects to choose from; many of whom could be a bonafide top prospect for another franchise!
*All statistics are updated through sims on November 25, 2021.
Seattle Bears
Top Prospect: Hulk Hogan 2, D, Istanbul Red Wolves
TPE: 320 | Drafted: 6th overall, S81
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 107 GP, 52 goals, 129 assists, 181 points, +63, 445 shots, 175 hits, 110 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 6 GP, 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points, +4, 46 shots, 15 hits, 20 shots blocked (Istanbul)
Hulk Hogan 2 leads Seattle prospects in TPE with 320. Hogan 2 won the Ryan Sullivan Trophy, awarded to the best defender of the VHLM, this past season with the now-defunct Yukon Rush before moving on to the Istanbul Red Wolves of the VHLE. A max earner, he can effectively shut down the best of the best while still producing in the offensive zone. Hogan 2 was a tremendous pickup for the Bears, as he will likely round out its top four next season, joining the likes of Zeedayno Chara, Nixon Caldwell and Sven Eightnine. Also worth noting is that Hall of Famer and career Bear Hulk Hogan was part of the same agency as Hulk Hogan 2 is.
Toronto Legion
Top Prospect: Cadmael Ixazaluoh, D, Bratislava Watchmen
TPE: 273 | Drafted: 5th overall, S81
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 77 GP, 23 goals, 69 assists, 92 points, -15, 132 shots, 97 hits, 144 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 6 GP, 0 goals, 6 assists, 6 points, +11, 10 shots, 9 hits, 19 shots blocked
While Cadmael Ixazaluoh, a first generation player drafted 5th overall this past offseason by the Legion, does not lead Toronto prospects in TPE, he does have the highest ceiling among them. Ixazaluoh earns 12 capped TPE per week regularly, and has been able to efficiently transfer his game to the VHLE level thus far. He is a terrific two way defender and power play quarterback who can set teammates up. The future looks bright for the Legion, and Ixazaluoh is at the forefront. Something to look for in the coming seasons is Ixazaluoh's Reaper teammate and excellent shutdown defender George Sanderson and him potentially being on the same pair.
New York Americans
Top Prospect: Tadhg Byrne, G, Vasteras Iron Eagles
TPE: 227 | Drafted: 16th overall, S81
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 43 GP, 23-19-1, 0.898 save %, 3.73 GAA, 1 shutout
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 6 GP, 4-1-1, .897 save %, 3.30 GAA, 0 shutouts
Tadhg Byrne, the top goalie selected in the Season 81 VHL Entry Draft, is a max earner with a solid all-around game. Drafted by the New York Americans with the final pick of the first round, he looks to replace former Americans goalie Thadius Sales as the next franchise goaltender of the team. So far in his career, Byrne has played a large role in his teams' successes, and New York hopes he can continue that when he reaches the next level of play, the VHL.
Calgary Wranglers
Top Prospect: Daniel Janser, LW, Oslo Storm
TPE: 280 | Drafted: 8th overall, S81
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 77 GP, 42 goals, 42 assists, 84 points, -10, 289 shots, 164 hits, 28 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 5 GP, 2 goals, 0 assists, 2 points, -10, 19 shots, 12 hits, 18 shots blocked
Daniel Janser is a fantastic two-way forward who has shown he can make an impact in all three zones. Janser has consistently been able to max capped TPE every week, and has the potential to be a superstar winger for Calgary, who ironically drafted Alex, his GM in Philadelphia, in the same spot three seasons prior. Janser is a strong skater who can handle the puck well, can use his body to his advantage, and can pitch in at both ends of the ice each game. The Wranglers managed to draft his brother, Marcel Janser, as well. They have played together on three teams already, the Brigade in the Junior Showcase Tournament in S79, and the Mississauga Hounds and Philadelphia Reapers this past season in the VHLM.
Vancouver Wolves
Top Prospect: Rhys Trenton, D, Cologne Express
TPE: 337 | Drafted: 17th overall, S79
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 134 GP, 48 goals, 107 assists, 155 points, +33, 413 shots, 290 hits, 236 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 78 GP, 16 goals, 50 assists, 66 points, +0, 260 shots, 107 hits, 153 shots blocked
Rhys Trenton is playing their second season in the VHLE, posting nine points in six games as a defender so far. Through their time both in the VHLM and VHLE, Trenton has been one of the top two-way defenders. They do a fabulous job at pitching in on offense while stifling the best of the best on defense. With another season or two in the VHLE Trenton will join a top notch back end in Vancouver.
Los Angeles Stars
Top Prospect: Florida Man, RW, Stockholm Vikings
TPE: 352 | Drafted: 13th overall, S80
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 108 GP, 22 goals, 24 assists, 46 points, -3, 268 shots, 67 hits, 15 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 85 GP, 42 goals, 45 assists, 87 points, +20, 344 shots, 97 hits, 20 shots blocked
Florida Man, LA's top pick in the Season 80 VHL Entry Draft, is undoubtedly their #1 prospect as of right now. He has followed his point-per-game scoring rate last season with almost double that in six games (11 points). With another season in the VHLE under his belt he will surely be ready for the VHL. He and AJ Williams will make up a very proficient one-two punch at right wing for a long time.
Chicago Phoenix
Top Prospect: Austin Towbaker, RW, Bratislava Watchmen
TPE: 272 | Drafted: 28th overall, S80
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 144 GP, 111 goals, 102 assists, 213 points, +44, 742 shots, 176 hits, 79 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 6 GP, 6 goals, 5 assists, 11 points, +9, 53 shots, 8 hits, 5 shots blocked
Austin Towbaker, the captain of the Season 80 Founder's Cup Champion Ottawa Lynx, is not disappointing for Bratislava through six games this season. He is a prolific scorer, evidenced by his 75 goals last season with Ottawa and the goal per game rate he is scoring at with the Watchmen this season. With Chicago greats Lee Xin and Christian Mingle retiring after this season, Towbaker will be in a prime position to become a VHL star player, either next season or in Season 83.
D.C. Dragons
Top Prospect: Adeline Delle Donne, C, Las Vegas Aces, Bratislava Watchmen
TPE: 145 | Drafted: 36th overall, S81
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 82 GP, 29 goals, 31 assists, 60 points, +5, 209 shots, 66 hits, 27 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): N/A
With D.C. entering a rebuild, they will be relying on up-and-coming talent. Adeline Delle Donne is among that talent. Currently playing for the Las Vegas Aces in the VHLM, he is tied for the league lead in goals (9) with Vasile Lamb of the Mississauga Hounds. Although Donne still has some seasons of development left, he could be a stellar two-way player for the Dragons when he reaches that point.
Riga Reign
Top Prospect: Alexandre Leduc, RW, Cologne Express
TPE: 269 | Drafted: 13th overall, S81
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 87 GP, 45 goals, 69 assists, 114 points, +60, 348 shots, 50 hits, 13 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 6 GP, 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points, +2, 33 shots, 19 hits, 3 shots blocked
Alexandre Leduc, a first-gen player, is a steady TPE earner and an all-around player. Leduc is a fine skater and puck-handler who can affect offensive and defensive play. They are building on their 90 point season in the VHLM last season with eight points so far in six games for the Express. Leduc is at the center of the Reign's group of young talent, and they should make the lineup either next season or in Season 83, at the latest.
Malmo Nighthawks
Top Prospect: Miroslav Tsarov, LW, Istanbul Red Wolves
TPE: 358 | Drafted: 16th overall, S79
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 164 GP, 79 goals, 91 assists, 170 points, +51, 701 shots, 253 hits, 52 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 78 GP, 23 goals, 23 assists, 46 points, -10, 278 shots, 89 hits, 15 shots blocked (Istanbul)
Miroslav Tsarov leads Malmo prospects in TPE, and has outstanding goal-scoring ability, shown by their 51 goal season in Season 79 with Philly. They are off to a good start with Istanbul this season, already potting a goal and having three assists for four points in six games. Tsarov could play on the second line in Malmo next season, where they can showcase their offensive skills in the big league.
Prague Phantoms
Top Prospect: John Baard, LW, Bratislava Watchmen
TPE: 345 | Drafted: 19th overall, S79
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 137 GP, 57 goals, 93 assists, 150 points, +11, 492 shots, 191 hits, 53 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 82 GP, 37 goals, 50 assists, 87 points, +0, 390 shots, 166 hits, 54 shots blocked
John Baard is the only active prospect that the Phantoms have, and one who will make an impact once he joins the team. Baard is a two-way forward who can make plays happen while shutting down opponents in his own end. In all his seasons both in the VHLM and VHLE, Baard has been close to or at a point-per-game. He will likely start on the third line when he first arrives in Prague.
Moscow Menace
Top Prospect: Sergey Preobrazhensky, C, Geneva Rush
TPE: 247 | Drafted: 15th overall, S81
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 64 GP, 47 goals, 42 assists, 89 points, +0, 395 shots, 84 hits, 48 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 5 GP, 5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points, +0, 46 shots, 8 hits, 7 shots blocked
Sergey Preobrazhensky will undoubtedly be a force for the Menace, who selected them 15th overall this past draft. An explosive young center, Preobrazhensky is scoring at a two-point- per-game pace right now for Geneva in the VHLE. They have superb hands and a great shot, and can also backcheck extremely well. Preobrazhensky does not lead Moscow in TPE at the moment, but does among prospects drafted within the past three seasons. Look for them to potentially slot in on the third line once Brian Strong Jr retires following the season.
Warsaw Predators
Top Prospect: Brendan Marner, LW, Rome Gladiators
TPE: 379 TPE | Drafted: 21st overall, S80
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 67 GP, 2 goals, 8 assists, 10 points, -37, 44 shots, 77 hits, 6 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 82 GP, 3 goals, 13 assists, 16 points, -9, 104 shots, 108 hits, 8 shots blocked , Rome
Despite the fact that the Predators have been in win-now mode for the past few seasons, winning it all in Season 78, they have made the most of their draft pick selections. Brendan Marner is at the top of that list. They are having a career season for Rome right now, posting five points in six games. Marner continues to max earn each week three seasons in. They join Bogdan Trunov and Zach Kisslinger II as another good young forward that will help form the next core of Warsaw.
HC Davos Dynamo
Top Prospect: Ray withers, RW, Houston Bulls, Geneva Rush
TPE: 148 | Drafted: 53rd overall, S81
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 39 GP, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, -22, 18 shots, 50 hits, 3 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): N/A
Ray withers is poised for a breakout season ahead; they already have half the amount of shots as they did in 35 games last season. They can skate well and create chances for their team. Very well rounded overall, withers will be a solid player over time. They lead active Dynamo prospects in TPE at the moment, and could join an emerging core on offense after making the move to the Geneva Rush of the VHLE.
London United
Top Prospect: Nils Godlander, RW, Bratislava Watchmen
TPE: 377 | Drafted: 11th overall, S80
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 115 GP, 67 goals, 97 assists, 164 points, +9, 567 shots, 226 hits, 43 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 6 GP, 6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points, +12, 51 shots, 15 hits, 3 shots blocked
London has two highly-talented wingers in Nils Godlander and Zaza Colors, but Godlander gets the edge here solely because he is further ahead in his development with more TPE. He is also another great first-gen player who could become a star for the United in the next few seasons. Godlander continues to dominate in the VHLE after doing so in the VHLM. Himself, Colors and current London center and superstar That Dude will be a deadly combination up front as early as next season.
Helsinki Titans
Top Prospect: Nezuko, LW, Oslo Storm
TPE: 307 | Drafted: 1st overall, S81
VHLM Stats (Including Playoffs): 111 GP, 67 goals, 69 assists, 136 points, +79, 453 shots, 112 hits, 30 shots blocked
VHLE Stats (Including Playoffs): 5 GP, 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, -7, 44 shots, 5 hits, 10 shots blocked
Nezuko is an elite sniper who went 1st overall in this past VHL entry draft. They put up 121 points last season with the Minnesota Storm, who have since relocated to Oslo to compete in the VHLE. Although they do not currently lead Helsinki prospects TPE-wise, they will very soon. Nezuko has quite possibly the highest potential among prospects of the Titans. Only time will tell, but Nezuko could be a great fit at first line left wing, playing with Jonathan Ori and Alex Johnston.
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