S87 Toronto Legion Prospect Report (VHLE)

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S87 Toronto Legion Prospect Report (VHLE)

 

 

The Toronto Legion have built up one of the deeper prospect cupboards in the league especially when it come to forwards over the last few seasons. Some of Toronto’s highest profile draft picks are already playing with the team this season. S86 1^st-rounder Joel Castle @animal74 is the starting goaltender and last draft’s 1^st overall pick Mac Atlas @v.2 is centering the top line. Today we’ll look at the prospects playing in Europe that will hopefully make the jump next season to the Legion. There are six forwards, one defenseman, and one goalie currently plying their trade overseas. Here are their performances after 12 games in alphabetical order (by last name).

 

 

Name: Brayden Albrecht, C @Gage2

Drafted: 25^th Overall, S85 by Davos (Acquired via Trade)

Team: Vasteras 

Stats: GP: 12, G: 11, A: 9, P: 20

 

Despite coming to training camp in not-so-great shape, Albrecht has been on fire to start the season. He is one of three Iron Eagles to have scored 20 points in the first twelve games of the season leading the team. He is also tied for 1^st in the VHLE for goals (11) and power play goals (5). He is 2^nd on Vasteras in shots (80) and hits (27) and 3^rd in power play points (9). He’s also scored two game-winning goals to help the Iron Eagles hang on to a playoff spot early on.

 

 

Name: Evan Bihler, G @Eb14

Drafted: 48^th Overall, S84 by Toronto

Team: Vasteras 

Stats: GP: 4, W: 2, L: 2, SV%: 0.915, GAA: 3.07

 

After a four-year stint with Philadelphia in the VHLM including a Founder’s Cup in S85, Bihler has finally made the jump to Europe. He’s backing up Vasteras starter Wiley Blanchette and done an admirable job having already started four games and gone 2-2 with a 0.915 save percentage and garnered a 2^nd and 3^rd Star of the Game honors.

 

 

Name: Alex Bridges III, LW @Oatex

Drafted: 41^st Overall, S84 by Chicago (Acquired via Trade)

Team: Stockholm 

Stats: GP: 12, G: 9, A: 6, P: 15

 

The road has being a long one for journeyman winger Alex Bridges III. Now in his third season with Stockholm, he’s hoping to get the Vikings to the playoffs for the first time in his tenure. He’s definitely doing his part, pacing the team in goals (9), tied for 1^st in power play points (8) and is 2^nd in points (15).  

 

 

Name: Dirk Diggler, RW @Tbeez99

Drafted: 27^th Overall, S86 by Toronto

Team: Istanbul 

Stats: GP: 12, G: 2, A: 0, P: 2

 

The shifty American winger has struggled so far in Istanbul. Even with getting plenty of ice time, he’s only managed two goals (although one was a game-winner) and more surprisingly, no assists. He’s been hesitant to shoot, only firing 15 pucks on net over 12 games. That’s not nearly enough for the former 30-goal scorer in the VHLM last season. Hopefully, he will be able to generate more offense in the coming games.

 

 

Name: Sigma Freud, D @CODENAMEJIMMY

Drafted: 46^th Overall, S86 by Toronto

Team: Cologne 

Stats: GP: 12, G: 2, A: 5, P: 7

 

Usually under the radar, yet always very effective, Freud’s numbers don’t jump of the page, but he is part of the defensive core for Cologne that leads the VHLE in goals against. He leads the league’s third-best penalty kill in shorthanded minutes and is second on the team in shot blocks. His numbers are more impressive when considering that he has yet to play on the power play this season.

 

 

Name: Jimi Jaks, C @kelvi

Drafted: 3^rd Overall, S87 by Toronto

Team: Oslo 

Stats: GP: 12, G: 11, A: 9, P: 20

 

The Olso Storm are the VHLE’s highest-scoring team in this young season and Jimi Jaks is the main reason why. The highest-selected prospect on this list, and the VHLM runner-up points and goal-scorer to fellow Legion prospect Alexander Stroheim last season, Jaks has been an offensive force to start S87. He shares the league lead in goals and game-winning goals (4), and is Top-3 in points, plus/minus, and shots. Astoundingly, he also leads the league in even-strength goals as none of his 11 goals have been scored on special teams despite heavy usage on both the power play and penalty kill. Toronto has to be happy with how their top prospect from the last draft is faring in his first season in the VHLE.

 

 

Name: Kobe Johnson, RW @Vkobe-v

Drafted: 22^nd Overall, S86 by Toronto

Team: Geneva 

Stats: GP: 12, G: 5, A: 6, P: 11

 

After a fantastic 94-point season with Las Vegas in S86, Johnson has acclimated himself quite well in Europe so far. The talented Ukrainian has been putting his skills to good use for the Geneva Rush who are one of the top teams in the VHLE after finishing dead-last in S86. Johnson has directed 65 shots on net resulting in 5 goals which are 2^nd and 3^rd on the Rush respectively. He’s also one of three players on the team with two game-winners.  

 

 

Name: Alexander Stroheim, RW @Stroheim

Drafted: 34^th Overall, S85 by Toronto

Team: Istanbul

Stats: GP: 12, G: 11, A: 12, P: 23

 

All the German sensation did in his three-year stint with Mexico of the VHLM was score – a lot. Last season, he led the M in goals, assists, and points and has started S87 with Istanbul where he left off. He is leading the league with 23 points and points/20 (1.37), is tied for the lead in goals, and is 3^rd in game-winning goals with 3 and is 5^th in shots (88). Stroheim is also showing a chippy side as he’s dished out 25 hits and racked up 12 penalty minutes. He is doing everything for Istanbul but will it be enough to get into the playoffs?

 

 

Fair to say, Toronto has a legion of tantalizing players that they hope will turn the fortunes of the franchise around. Mired in a 21-season Cup drought, Toronto will need most of these young stars to continue to develop and fulfill their potential. Most of these prospects should have a good chance to play in the VHL next season. Only times will tell. Stay tuned for when we take a look at the Legion’s younger talent playing in the VHLM.  

Edited January 31, 2023 by animal74