Miervaldis Arpa Prospect Report

[diacope 1,696]

     

 

     In just a handful of games, young goaltender Miervaldis Arpa was able to secure his first VHLM win in his first game, defeating the Mexico City Kings during an away game and made 20 saves along the way. Although he may have shown a lot of potential and has created enough buzz to have scouts notice him, getting drafted to Mississauga 22nd overall, it looks like he may have more cons than he wanted to show before getting used to things himself. Recently the media have started to ask questions and the pressure builds for the youngster as his team prepares to fight for a playoff spot so this up and coming VHL prospect may have his biggest test yet so focusing on the game and blocking out the rest is what needs to be done to prove he has what it takes to make an impact in the big leagues. 

 

     Starting off with his potential and raw skill it looks like these attributes are a sure thing for this draftee, not only do they give him an edge in the crease but they also should be fine tuned before reaching the next level of hockey.

 

 

PROS

 

1. REBOUNDING

The scouts don't stop talking about how this skill and the ability to slow down a game with his excellent rebound control while stopping momentum in the process is a excellent way to get your team motivated and ready for the next play. Using his frame and not giving up any extra shot attempts, this rookie is patient with the puck and uses his whole body to make saves around the net, converting the puck whenever he can.

 

2. SIZE

With this skill it makes it easier for him to cover the net and take up any holes, frustrating shooters and making them change their shot. He's alway been a big dude and doesn't shy away from clearing players from in front of him to get a clear view of an incoming blast from the point. Another thing that still needs to be worked on but should give him a lot of highlights in the future is his ability to stretch the leather when facing breakaway dangles or stopping a one timer with a crowd silencing toe save.

 

3. HAND SPEED

Practice makes perfect and this up and come has been training on his off hours to maintain his hand speed, juggling tennis balls, getting extra reps in at the endurance facility and climbing rock walls to get better grip and strength. One of the key skills moving forward since most of the league shoots and you never know when the next chipper will float your way.

 

 

     Now with the cons of his game and some skills that could use work or may never get better for him, if the team needs it or not.

 

 

CONS

 

1. PENALTY/SHOOTOUT SHOTS

Thriving in a environment with tons of body parts is something this goaltender enjoys but is a long way away from being able to stop the top offensive threats this early in his career. Nerves, overthinking and trying for the highlight moment will only embarrass him in the present. Thank god these don't happen too often because only a few nitpicking scouts really cared to mention the inability to seize the moment, but it's something to look out for if your a minor league coach.

 

2. SKATING

Don't expect to see a pass on a iced puck or a whole lot of challenge the shooter for this netminder because he stays at home for the full 60+ minutes. Something that may frustrate managers along his journey but it's a mentality he can work with and doesn't need to really worry about it until the end of his career if he ends up being part of defensive teams. It may hurt his overall game after all but keep an eye of this if thing changes, could be the reason he gets drafted lower than other people in his draft class.

 

3. AGILITY

Most goaltenders fail to be agile enough to recover and make a game winning save and the second effort from this man is funny to watch whenever he doesn't smother the puck, flip flopping and losing his stick most of the time has made for some entertaining highlights for the other team. Back in his home country the whole league is more defensive minded so that didn't help anything as he clearly wasn't expecting the barrage of shots from some of the leagues best. Another skill to definitely watch out for if you were the opposition because he would be crazy to not get better at it before trying to leave a mark in the history books someday, could make or break it for potential suitors. 

 

 

     There it folks, one of the leagues gem picks in this year's upcoming draft if they are in need of a sure thing later on, not only does he bring consistency but he should also brings a ton of team morale and a shutdown game any fan would respect while using his experience to grind it out harder than newer performers of the crease variety. 

Edited November 23, 2021 by 16z