The YaBoi Oven Rookie Experience

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The YaBoi Oven Rookie Experience

Virtually from the moment YaBoi Oven officially became a VHL prospect, it seemed set in stone that the Hungarian defenseman was bound to be the top selection of his draft class. He somehow seemed miles ahead of the rest of his class in TPE, and there were zero signs of it slowing down. Surely enough, he was selected first overall in the Season 89 VHLM Dispersal Draft by the Ottawa Lynx (Matt Bailey) and shortly thereafter he reached the 200 TPE cap. While he did not set the VHLM ablaze statistically, he was part of a Lynx team that rebounded from finishing dead last in Season 88 to reaching the playoffs, even achieving a shocking upset of the second seed Houston Bulls in the process. Oven, however, continued to develop further, and as the Season 90 VHL Draft drew nearer, it seemed all but certain that the Helsinki Titans would select him first overall, especially once samx was hired as the team’s new general manager. Once the selection was made official, that was when the questions began.

It was quite clear that Oven would exceed 400 TPE before the season began, and while it was public knowledge that he was planning to play in the VHLE, there was a very real possibility that he could make the jump straight to the VHL if the Titans were unable to acquire a fourth defenseman. One of the biggest stories around the VHL/VHLE became the question of whether or not YaBoi Oven was going to be in the VHL or the VHLE in Season 90, and it was a question that was unresolved on the night of the Season 90 VHLE Draft. Having the opportunity to be selected first overall in all three drafts would have been a unique achievement, but instead, he was selected 33rd overall by the Rome Gladiators. As it turns out, Helsinki never did find that fourth defenseman, and Oven never played a game for Rome: Season 90 would be his rookie season in the VHL.

 

Rome shortly after learning that YaBoi Oven would not be playing for the Gladiators.

The final addition to an off-season of change in Helsinki, the Titans and their new front office were no longer content with being adrift in mediocrity: they wanted to contend. On the second pairing, Oven had no doubt he was prepared for the VHL, but his primary goal was to not be a liability on a roster with Continental Cup aspirations. However, his offensive abilities meant that he was more than just a defensive presence, recording his first VHL point in just his second game, assisting along with Rick Grimes on a Chip Stone goal against the Malmo Nighthawks. Oven was not an offensive powerhouse, and despite being consistently in the top five for VHL rookie scoring, Oven was capable of more.

 

However, things changed quickly for him when superstar defenseman Hammar Voss was acquired through a trade with the Moscow Menace, with the reigning Alexander Beketov Trophy winner taking a prominent role offensively. Oven became mired in a major slump shortly after Voss’ arrival as he struggled to find his new role on the Titans. Game after game passed without him recording a point, and his +/- rating sank as well. As the games passed, however, Oven continued to work at carving out a new role on the team, and after 13 games, he finally broke out of his slump, soon after regaining a form similar to that with the Ottawa Lynx in the VHLM as a specialist on the power play. Through 68 games, his nine power play goals led the Helsinki Titans, and his 120 shots blocked and 13.21 shooting percentage also led the team.

 

YaBoi Oven stonks are absolutely skyrocketing as Season 90 comes to a close.

 

Season 90 had many ups and downs, and entering the final four games, the Titans seem poised to reach the playoffs and extend their season. From just wanting to avoid being an anchor to leading the team in multiple statistical categories, YaBoi Oven’s rookie season has displayed the skill and resilience that have made him a top prospect in the league, and he seems destined to continue to grow even further as a player as the playoffs roll around.