twillcox94 21 Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 (edited) Top 5 Season 41 VHL Draft Sleepers Who will have their named called out first at the Season 41 VHL Entry Draft? With today marking the opening day of the season fourty VHL and VHLM playoffs, the top prospects of the VHLM are inching closer to realizing their dreams of becoming a VHL player. The VHLM playoffs will give these youngster a grand stage to assert themselves amongst the top of their draft class. For the likes of Niklaus Mikaelson, Jack Kowalski, and Rift Pajodcast, their stock in the draft is set as the head of the group. For many other prospects, these playoffs will go a long way in determining their draft position. Today we will countdown the top five sleeper picks for the upcoming draft. These prospects, while not ranked amongst the top of the class, have the potential to become the next draft day steals for their future VHL teams. 5. Dirk Firkley (Ottawa Lynx) Currently ranked seventeenth in the latest prospect rankings, German right winger Dirk Firkley enjoyed a successful rookie season statistic wise for the struggling Ottawa Lynx. In fifty-nine games for Ottawa, Firkley registered twenty-two goals and twenty-seven assists. The nineteen year old power forward was able to implement a physical style of play for Ottawa, registering one-hundred and twenty-three hits for the club. Standing six-feet three inches and weighing in at two-hundred and twenty pounds, Firkley will bring size and scoring ability to the club that selects him. Firkley has the potential to be a powerful second line goal scoring winger. 4. Raphael Pettyfer (Bratislava Watchmen) Bratislava Watchmen's center Raphael Pettyfer impressed VHL scouts all season long with his strong two way play. As of the beginning of playoffs, Raphael is ranked fifteenth in the season forty-one VHL draft rankings. Pettyfer finished with ten goals and twenty-three assist to finish with thirty-three points in seventy-two games with the Watchmen. These were impressive numbers as he averaged only fifteen minutes per game as a seventeen year old. While he isn't the type of player to standout offensively, Pettyfer's strong play in the defensive zone and smooth skating makes him a very interesting prospect for the upcoming draft. Raphael has the potential to be a strong, two-way second line center for the VHL club to select him. 3. Maris Ziedins (Moscow Redwolves) Latvian born left winger Marias Ziedins was one of the top offensive performers in the VHLM this season. Maris registered fifty-six goals and seventy-two assists, ranking him among the top wingers in the league at the young age of eighteen. Maris is one of the top athletes to enter the draft in recent years; standing at six feet eight inches and weighing in at two-hundred and fourty pounds, he is still one of the fastest players in his draft class. Currently Ziedins is ranked twentieth in the draft rankings, making him one of the top options for general managers in the mid to late second round. Maris has the potential to be an elite power forward in the VHL if his size and speed can transition smoothly to the VHL. 2. David Blind (Minot Gladiators) Goaltender David Blind is in the mist of a great season with the Minot Gladiators. Currently ranked twenty-sixth in the VHL draft rankings, Blind has the biggest potential to climb up in this years draft. Finishing with a 30-10-3 record with the Gladiators, Blind also recorded a .863 save percentage and 3.90 goals against average. While his statistics don't stand out on paper, Blind was able to always pull through in the clutch with Minot in the heavily offensive VHLM. Blind's amazing work ethic should pay due in the next couple of seasons as he is sure to improve and become one of the best young goalies in the VHL. Blind has the potential to be a strong number one goaltender in the VHL. 1. Brandon Holmes (Yukon Rush) American born defenceman Brandon Holmes has done the most to show scouts that he should be selected a lot higher than his ranking suggest. Ranked thirteenth in the latest draft rankings, Holmes' great season with the Rush might of been enough to slide him into first round consideration. The eighteen year old tallied twenty-two goals and ninety-one assists for the Rush. While great offensive statistics for Holmes, it was his physical defensive play that is shining through for the scouts. Holmes also has one of the best first passes in the VHLM, making him a great option to start the offensive rush. Holmes may be one one of the top players to come out of this draft, having the potential to be a solid top pairing defenceman in the VHL. Edited November 21, 2014 by twillcox94 pxzero, Frank and Higgins 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendrick 4,741 Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Great article! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank 5,194 Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Nice read! Too bad the idiot who runs Quebec traded away all his Season 41 picks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOOM 8,738 Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Holmes is #1 on this list because of the advice he gets from the elite management team in Yukon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molholt 2,185 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Content: 3/3 - Very nice overview of some great prospects!Grammar: 2/2 - VHL club to select him. -- that selects mist -- midstAppearance: 1/1 - Looks great!Overall: 6/6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 77 Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Claimed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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