VSN Presents: Biggest Active Draft Steals!

[Alex 2,876]

@Jason kranz

 

Hi everyone! Today we’ll be taking a look at the biggest active draft steals. For the most part all of these players were selected outside of the first round, and some of which have had hall-of-fame careers! All of the players selected would go earlier than their initial draft position by a significant margin, and likely would make the largest jump in their respective draft class. Without further to do, let’s dive right in starting with the biggest steal of the S82 draft!

 

Season 82

Pick: 26th

Team: Warsaw Predators

GM: @dlamb

Player: Brian Payne @Scurvy

 

The Season 82 VHL draft did feature a fairly strong draft class, that was fairly goaltender heavy early on with 5 teams selecting what they thought was their franchise goaltender. However, in the middle of the 2nd round, the Warsaw Predators found one of the best players in the draft with Brian Payne. Payne would make the roster in S83, and would go onto to forge a hall of fame career with Warsaw, and Vancouver. Of note are seasons 84 to 86, where Payne would pick up significant hardware, including 2 Jake Wylde Trophies, a Sterling Labatte Trophy, and a Continental Cup while with Warsaw. In their career Payne has played 550 games and has 143 goals, and 458 assists for a total of 601 points! They are also third in their draft class for TPE!

 

Season 83

Pick:19th

Team: HC Davos Dynamo

GM: @Alex

Player: Jake Thunder @Thunder

 

In recent history the season 83 draft stands out as one of the strongest with superstars being found throughout the first round. Early in the second round, Davos would strike gold as they would draft a franchise defensemen in Jake Thunder! Who much like Payne, will be in the Hall of fame as they have racked up the accolades to do so with a Dustin Funk Trophy, Alexander Beketov Trophy, Daisuke Kanou Trophy, and a Continental Cup! To date Thunder has been outstanding with a total of 99 goals, and 433 assists for a total of 532 points! Jake Thunder also has the most playoff points out of every Davos player ever with 97!

 

Season 84

Pick: 39th

Team: Prague Phantoms

GM: @Acydburn

Player: Jason @Jason kranz

 

The season 84 draft was a interesting one to say the least with a few players who could be considered the biggest steal, namely Jason and Todd Cooke, however, being selected in the mid-3rd round and making it over 1000 TPE is just ridiculous! Jason would make Prague’s roster in season 86 and would go onto have a very good rookie season with 49 points. Following 3 successful seasons with Prague, Jason would be traded to Moscow, and would then be traded to DC one seasons later. Currently, Jason is looking like they could pick up their first piece of individual hardware this season as they currently lead the league in goals with 33! Jason has 337 points in 334 career games.

 

Season 85

Pick: 17th

Team: Prague Phantoms

GM: @Acydburn

Player: Nikolas Kauppi @Tetricide

 

The season 85 draft wasn’t as strong early on as other drafts, but that did not stop Prague from drafting an elite talent with the 17th overall pick as they selected Nikolas Kauppi! Kauppi made the VHL 2 seasons after their draft where they had a solid first season with over 50 points, however they would take a step back in season 2 before bursting on the scene in S89 with 87 points! Kauppi has not looked back since then and is over a point per game this season as well. While Kauppi has yet to win any major awards, their career is still young and we should be looking for them to contend for awards soon!

 

Season 86

Pick: 55th

Team: D.C. Dragons

GM: @Enorama

Player: Lucas Grey @emidas

 

Out of all the players previously discussed the S86 draft had by far the biggest steal with Lucas Grey, the 55th overall pick. Grey would take a few seasons to make it to the VHL, but has since developed into a great secondary scoring option for the upstart DC Dragons. Currently they have 104 points in 190 career games. Grey will be looking to continue their great play and potentially forge a successful career.

 

Season 87

Pick: 20th

Team: Helsinki Titans

GM: @Rayzor_7

Player: Steve Lattimer @pugsood

 

The season 87 draft was an interesting one as the draft really fell off quickly following the first round. However that did not stop a few teams from drafting solid players, of those Steve Lattimer stands out above the rest with a total of 571 TPE and 30 points so far in their first VHL season! Lattimer was traded to Calgary following the draft and by the looks of it that move is paying off for Ricer!

 

Season 88

Pick: 25th

Team: Malmo Nighthawks

GM: @KaleebtheMighty

Player: Justin Williams @JCV

 

Here’s the point where things get difficult with players still being super young and just starting their VHL journey. With that being said, we can safely say that Malmo hit this one out of the park with their selection of Justin Williams at 25th overall. While Williams hasn’t had the best rookie season with only 7 points in 47 games, they have developed well and will be looking to take a larger role in the near future.

 

Season 89

Pick: 10th

Team: Moscow Menace

GM: @Spartan

Player: Jeff Lewis @nerji

 

I made the decision to bend my own rule here, just due to how big of a steal this was despite being selected 10th overall. Jeff Lewis has quickly improved over the season since his draft and is now the 3rd ranked player in the S89 draft class. Lewis also currently leads all rookies in scoring with 43 points and by all means should be taking home top rookie honours following this season.

 

Season 90

Pick: 17th

Team: Helsinki Titans

GM: @samx

Player: Alexandre Crosby @hockeyis66

 

This one was really tough given that the S90 draft was only a few weeks ago, to date several players have outperformed their draft position. Of those Alexandre Crosby stands out as they are now the 12th ranked player in their draft class. Crosby will likely be a considerable piece for Helsinki moving forward as they will look to remain competitive with an aging core. Crosby is set to make their VHL debut next season and we are excited to see the impact that they can make.

 

Thank you all for reading, stay tuned for more content coming out in the near future!

[dstevensonjr 258]

I'm going to re-do my snub article to not being included in this list 

[Tetricide 579]

10 minutes ago, Alex said:

Season 90

Pick: 17th

Team: Helsinki Titans

GM: @samx

Player: Alexandre Crosby @hockeyis66

Crosby! I feel like his rookie season in the VHL is gonna be one to watch.

[KRZY 415]

Happy to be even considered as a steal in my draft class , heck of a career so far @Jason kranz

[Alex 2,876]

Just now, KRZY said:

Happy to be even considered as a steal in my draft class , heck of a career so far @Jason kranz

I was very on the fence there, was a tough choice

[Jason kranz 611]

3 minutes ago, KRZY said:

Happy to be even considered as a steal in my draft class , heck of a career so far @Jason kranz

thanks! you too, I'm trying to catch up to you in points lol 

[Scurvy 1,115]

wow!  Great post and thank you!!

[Spartan 4,003]

JEFF LEWIS FAN CLUB @nerji

[KRZY 415]

1 hour ago, Jason kranz said:

thanks! you too, I'm trying to catch up to you in points lol 

It’s been a fun season , Both having huge seasons lol !!

[KRZY 415]

1 hour ago, Alex said:

I was very on the fence there, was a tough choice

I’m just happy to get some recognition, either player was deserving

[dlamb 1,299]

atta boy, way to make me look good @Scurvy  

[Frank 4,777]

@Scurvy 

[Ahma 1,292]

Thunder!

[pugsood 87]

thank you for including me on this list