VSN Presents: The Draft That Built The Future: A Calgary Wranglers Story

[Alex 2,876]

 

The season 86 Victory Cup winner, The Calgary Wranglers have become a powerhouse in the VHL. While the team is home to superstar forward Daniel Janser @Daniel Janser, the 8th overall pick in the season 81 draft, a couple seasons later, there is one distinct day in which Calgary transformed from a playoff hopeful to a true contender, April 6th; the Season 83 VHL Draft!

 

Coming into this draft Calgary held only 1 first round pick, 10th overall. Then GM @Ricer13 got busy and made a series of trades to move up in the draft and pick up 2 more firsts for veteran players. The first domino to fall was a big one as Calgary traded Erlantz Jokinen @jRuutu and Gustislav Nasherov @Vat to Helsinki in exchange for Bob Chicoine @PoignardLeclerc11, Lenny Sanderson @Gally, the season 83 Seattle 1st (9th overall), the season 84 Helsinki 2nd, and the season 84 Helsinki 3rd. Shortly after Calgary would trade Reylynn Reinhart @Ricer13 to Prague in exchange for Riga’s season 83 1st (13th overall). Lasty, Calgary would move up from their own 1st as they would trade it and the previously acquired season 84 Helsinki 2nd to New York in exchange for the 5th overall pick.

 

With Vancouver trading away Erlantz Jokinen they were in need of a number 1 defensemen, and they addressed that with their 5th overall pick in AirRig GoodBrandSun @Rhynex Entertainment. GoodBrandSun was exactly what Calgary needed as they would hit the ground running and post a ridiculous season right away which would see them take home the Jake Wylde Trophy as the leagues top defensive defensemen. After a slight sophomore slump which saw them record only 34 points, GoodBrandSun hit the ground running in season 85 and has never looked back. To date GoodBrandSun has recorded an impressive 61 goals and 228 assists for a total of 289 points in 305 career games. Furthermore they have shined on the defensive side of the puck with 530 hots and 638 shots blocked.

 

After drafting GoodBrandSun at 5th overall, GM Ricer had his eyes set on a pair of forwards that would truly make Calgary’s offense a force to be reckoned with. The first one off of the board was Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg, the 9th overall pick. Gonclaves would spend season 83 in the VHLE with Vasteras, where you would post a nice 69 points in 72 games played. Upon coming up to the VHL, Goncalves had a very respectable rookie season with 24 goals and 18 assists. Unlike GoodBrandSun, Gonclaves took a huge step forward in their 2nd season and has been over a point per game since then and has amassed 102 goals and 115 assists for a total of 217 points in 233 games played. In Season 86 Goncalves really stepped up their physical game as they jumped from 55 hits in Season 85, to 184 in 86.

 

With Calgary’s final selection in the Season 83 1st round, Calgary selected Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877 at 13th overall. Wolanin would spend Season 83 in the VHLE with Istanbul where he would have a above average season with 24 goals and 31 assists for 55 points. Upon coming to the VHL Wolanin would make strides forward each and every season, in their rookie season Wolanin posted 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points and has followed that up with 87, and 99 points in seasons 85 and 86 respectively. Currently Wolanin has 20 points in 17 games this season. We can look for Wolanin to hopefully continue their progression and cross the 100 point mark this season.

 

Calgary has continued to build around these players with more recent draft picks in Phil Strasmore @Phil, Sax Justice @Eso, Larry Abass Jr @RileyL, and Vincent Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007. This Calgary team truly has a bright future and will look to finally capture the elusive Continental Cup this season having finally solved issues in goal by brining in VHL veteran Oskar Lindbergh @Doomsday to shore up the crease. The season 83 draft is one that the wranglers can look back to fondly and a strong draft has put Calgary in the position they are today having just come off a Victory Cup win and with their eyes set on bigger things.

Edited February 4, 2023 by Alex

[Rhynex Entertainment 447]

Yes AG is 530 hot

[Frank 4,777]

If it weren't for the salary cap Calgary would be a dynasty. That was a goated draft. @Ricer13

 

@jacobcarson877 watching you go from fringe active to one of the most active and respected members of the community brings a tear to my eye. 

[jacobcarson877 2,075]

10 minutes ago, Frank said:

If it weren't for the salary cap Calgary would be a dynasty. That was a goated draft. @Ricer13

 

@jacobcarson877 watching you go from fringe active to one of the most active and respected members of the community brings a tear to my eye. 

A testament to what a great GM can do to someone! You made me want to earn and grow for my team, and then continue to grow for myself, and then the league. Appreciate you always!

[vincentlg2007 461]

On 2/4/2023 at 6:23 PM, jacobcarson877 said:

On 2/4/2023 at 6:10 PM, Frank said:

 

A testament to what a great GM can do to someone!

True