VHLM Season 41: Third Mock Draft

[Kingma 34]

SEASON 41 VHL ENTRY DRAFT BIG BOARD

 

 

Some of the Season 41 draftees are starting to take advantage of their achievement tracker which is having an impact for the first round projections. Again, it appears the last few picks in the first and a first few in the second rounds will be the toss ups. As promised, this edition will break down the projected top ten picks.

 

10

Kyle Kingma, RW

Projected VHL Club: New York Americans

VHLM Club: Bern Royals

GP: 48 G: 21 A: 26 PTS: 47

 

Kingma really burst onto the scene during Season 40. Identified to be a strong power forward, Kingma shows a great upside and has been putting in many practice hours to prove himself worthy of a first round selection. What might be most impressive about Kingma is that he is a first gen waiver claim (i.e. no carryover TPE and no post trade deadline TPE gains). He's been working hard, and sources are telling me that he may in fact go higher than tenth. Teams may be taking chances if they are hoping he falls into the second round. I just don't see that happening.

 

9

Borje Samuelsson, D

Projected VHL Club: Davos HC Dynamo

VHLM Club: Saskatoon Wild

GP: 73 G:20 A: 78 PTS: 98

 

Samuelsson is a big Swedish defenceman at 6'7, 235 lbs who has high mobility. Samuelsson is a quarterbacking type defenceman who can make strong outlet passes and use his size to his advantage. Borje is one of many defencemen projected to be taken in the first round. Taking this into consideration, a strong interview and personal workout with teams could land him higher than the ninth spot.  

 

8

Jakob Ackerman, D

Projected VHL Club: Seattle Bears

VHLM Club: Minot Gladiators

GP: 72 G:11 A: 47 PTS: 58

 

Being a native Seatteite, Ackerman would definitely like to play for his hometown team. He may get that chance if the Bears elect to take a defenceman at eighth rather than a much needed winger. Ackerman is a smooth skater with a heavy pass. He controls the puck well and is a powerplay specialist. Ackerman shows potential to work on his defensive game, but he's actually been transitioning to more of an offensive type skillset. Ackerman should be thought of as an athlete in this draft, and can be molded into whatever his team asks of him. That's something special.

 

 

7

Fedir Okranitz, G

Projected VHL Club: Toronto Legion

VHLM Club: Yukon Rush

GP: 69 W: 21 L: 40 GAA: 4.26

 

Okranitz is the second ranked goaltender in this draft class. Goalies who can train hard and make a name for themselves can do well at the next level (or at the very least be drafted high). Okranitz may see his named call early in this draft due to his position and the needs of the Toronto Legion. Fedir shows some promise, and would be a safe pick at this spot if his dedication to improvement can be verified.

 

 

6

Jakub Rhinehart, D

Projected VHL Club: Helsinki Titans

VHLM Club: Saskatoon Wild

 

GP: 64 G:1 A: 14 PTS: 15

 

Jakub Rhinehart is a heavy hitting defensive player with a great shot. But that's about it. Rhinehart hasn't been working on his passing game and needs to work on the fundamentals. Rhinehart might be able to transition into any system, but teams might see it a little risky to select Rhinehart so early in the draft. He may develop into a powerhouse, but he has not been putting in the work he needs to prove his dedication to development.

 

 

 5

Gifford Shock, C

Projected VHL Club: Davos HC Dynamo

VHLM Club: Bratislava Watchmen

GP: 72 G:18 A: 29 PTS: 47

 

Gifford Shock is a well-rounded gritty centerman that can get the job done. Shock played a supporting role this past year with the Watchmen and was an excellent team player. Shock appears to be able to develop into any role his draft team will need with his widespread skillset.

 

 

 4

Rift Pajodcast, C

Projected VHL Club: Stockholm Vikings

VHLM Club: Minot Gladiators

GP: 72 G:22 A: 52 PTS: 74

 

Pajodcast is a faceoff phenom and a skilled two-way forward. Rift may transition into a defensive role later in his career, but if can improve his scoring abilities, he could blossom into a great talent. It seems as if he has spent a lot of time working on his defensive game recently and any club wanting to draft him should be aware of his intentions. 

 

 

3

Teuvo Ruutu, D

Projected VHL Club: Davos HC Dynamo

VHLM Club: Minot Gladiators

GP: 72 G:17 A: 86 PTS: 103

 

Ruutu is a sure pick early in this draft. He is committed to becoming a great defenceman and would likely develop quickly to get on the VHL ice as soon as possible. Ruutu benefited this past year by having scoring talent on his line. Ruuto is a solid blueliner and powerplay specialist.

 

 

 2

Jack Kowalski, D

Projected VHL Club: Stockholm Vikings

VHLM Club: Oslo Storm

GP: 72 G:14 A: 56 PTS: 70

 

Kowalski will certainly become a great defenceman throughout his career. Perhaps a hall of famer. He's an imposing force on the back end and can lay the body down consistently. Kowalski takes the body hard, but can also help out in the offensive game. He's a definite top two pick, and in most drafts, would be a sure first overall selection.

 

 

1

Niklaus Mikaelson, G

Projected VHL Club: Seattle Bears

VHLM Club: Oslo Storm

GP: 72 W: 60 L: 9 GAA: 2.11

 

What can I say? Mikaelson is one of the top rated goaltenders in history and Seattle is primed to rebuild from the goal out. The Bears will be getting a sure hall of famer in Mikaelson and I think everyone looks forward to seeing how his career will pan out. Just shy of 300 practice hours, Niklaus has a great skillset to have an immediate impact. He has a long career ahead of him, and I think he's by far the strongest prospect in this class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KitRas 188]

Ouch I took a hit  

[Da Trifecta 1,899]

Them words tho

[Frank 5,211]

Looks like a very solid draft hopefully everyone finds a place in the league and stays active. 

[probably not noah 346]

Looks like a very solid draft hopefully everyone finds a place in the league and stays active. 

 

$20 says Gifford Shock gets pissed off and leaves the league because it's run by an oligarchical elitist old boys club

[Da Trifecta 1,899]

LOL Noah

Edited November 28, 2014 by Da Trifecta

[Frank 5,211]

$20 says Gifford Shock gets pissed off and leaves the league because it's run by an oligarchical elitist old boys club

 

Insert negative comment about the BOG here. Something original though. 

[Victor 10,942]

$20 says Gifford Shock gets pissed off and leaves the league because it's run by an oligarchical elitist old boys club

ain't that the truth

[Boomcheck 161]

I think the draft order is a lot different than what you have here.

[Kesler 1,514]

Who is Samuelson?

[Victor 10,942]

why don't you go and find out?

[BOOM 8,748]

Who is Samuelson?

 

A top 10 pick who is now disappointed that a GM had no idea who he was.

 

http://www.vhlforum.com/index.php?/topic/11594-borje-samuelsson-updates/

[Victor 10,942]

It's a good thing Quebec won't be drafting for a while.

[AIM-11 134]

I have not dropped to the third round yet.  Must work harder at degrading my value while still remaining active.  Challenge accepted!

[Kesler 1,514]

Why have these stopped?

[Smarch 3,153]

i blame the french

[boubabi 4,725]

Omelette du fromage

[Smarch 3,153]

i don't speak spanish

[Da Trifecta 1,899]

Omelette du fromage

 

One please

[Frank 5,211]

i don't speak spanish

 

que papi?

[Edgar 283]

Edit: Tried posting the Community Spanish Rap, but after 4 failed attempts, I give up.  Please imagine that I posted the youtube video and respond accordingly.

Edited January 3, 2015 by edgar

[BOOM 8,748]

Edit: Tried posting the Community Spanish Rap, but after 4 failed attempts, I give up.  Please imagine that I posted the youtube video and respond accordingly.