VSN Scouting Presents: S96 Rookie Team

[Will3 467]

Graphic by @ace_five_

 

I know it has been some time since I have written a long article. Life has been chaotic this summer and I have been dealing with things internally and externally. I have missed the ability to relax and just let the words flow. After seeing the theme for the week, I knew I would have to write something. As a VSN Scout, it is my job to write about upcoming players in this league. A job I do enjoy a lot. So what better way to return than to shine a spotlight on the best 5 rookie VHLM players going into the S96 Draft. It is time to go over my early picks for the best S96 draft prospects.

 

Goalie: Draw Mac @okochastar 

 

In a draft class filled with quality net minders, the best prospect to start in the current season has been Draw Mac. The thirty five year old Canadian has proven himself to be a top tier goaltender after being drafted eleventh overall by the Miami Marauders. Winning exactly half of all games started is impressive enough but with a 0.912 save percentage and a 2.23 goals against average has put Mac among the league's elite in the VHLM. On a good day, even the hottest fire struggles to pierce through the Mac Hull. His name should be among the first ones called on draft day.

 

Defender #1: Narnia Shaw @Dabnad 

 

Moving up to the blue line, we see the son of a VHL legend rising to make his father and his nation proud. The son of Dabnad Shaw, Narnia Shaw is a product of the recent ice hockey boom in India. It wasn't nepotism that got Narnia drafted ninth overall by Saskatoon. In short, he is the best offensive D-man in the VHLM. His impressive forty-five assists in forty-four games is crazy for a player in his first season. Clearly this kid has mastered the art of the pass, meaning any VHL GM looking for more offensive output from the blue line should not pass on this top prospect.

 

Defender #2: Shot Blocker @McGriddy10 

 

Skating beside Naria is a newer and very different player but one still making a impact regardless. The six foot four inch Canadian missed the draft and has played in only twenty two games this season for the Marlins. For a player starting to settle in, Blocker has earned a respectable fourteen points, seventy-one hits and twenty-eight of his namesake stat. Blocker is developing into a classic defensive defender with big hits, penalty minutes, and many blocked shots. With a solid start and plenty of time to grow, it would not surprise me to see Shot Blocker shoot up the draft boards by draft day.

 

Left Wing: Kirill Tyutyayev @ColeMrtz 

 

Moving up to the wings, we have an unexpected and underrated player taking the left side. Kirill will not be mistaken for a top prospect in S96 draft class. That is evidenced by his twenty-eighth overall selection in the VHLM draft by the Aces. But do not be so quick to write off the eighteen-year-old Russian. Surprisingly, Tyutyayev is at a point per game pace: forty-four points in forty-four games played. That is impressive for someone who, on paper, is half as good as many of the top players. In a draft class where left wingers are a scarce resource, the underrated Tyutyayev could possibly break into the first round.

 

Right Wing: Wefernardo Mackingikus @vincentlg2007 

 

Sliding across the ice to the right, we have a prospect who is as good as his name is unpronounceable. Mack, as I will refer to him, is a seventeen year old hailing from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines who was selected nineteenth overall by the Mississauga Hounds. He has since has produced 1.25 points per game or fifty five points in forty four games and is one of the best at winning games with five game winners under his belt. Mack is developing into a fine point producing forward and should be one of the first ten names called on his upcoming draft day.

 

Center: Joel Jakobs @Plate 

 

I end these player profiles in center ice with another underrated rookie. Joel would skip the VHLM draft and would shortly thereafter join the Philadelphia Reapers off waivers from the DEL. He has produced fifty seven points and eighty nine hits with two games winning, three power play, and even a shorthanded goal. Clearly his time commercial fishing in San Diego didn't slow him down a bit. Given his two-way style of  play and with plenty of room to grow, any team in the late first or early second would love to draft the twenty six year old. 

 

And those are my early selections for the VHLM S95 rookie team as well as a S96 VHL draft preview. S96 is already stacked with high end talent that should make many a happy GM come draft day. I hope nothing for the best for these prospects because life is precious and short. It can be unfairly and unexpectedly ripped away by another person's sheer stupidity. Value every moment you have because you never know what moment will be your last. Stay safe my friends. JOHNNY HOCKEY FOREVER! 

 

Editor's Note from Pifferfish: I'm from the same county as the Gaudreau's and this tragedy has hit me particularly hard. I didn't know them personally so I'm unsure why I'm so shook by this news. I just wanted to use this space to say I appreciate you all and I appreciate Grover and Ace for using this platform to shout-out and honor two great players, but more importantly great people, taken from us too soon. Even in the small ways they could. Somebody cherishes each of you as much as their families do and let's use this as a time to show love and care for each member of the VHL. Thank you for reading.

Edited September 4 by Pifferfish

[Plate 386]

Bro straight up read my rookie article to build on the Jakobs lore, this article is honestly insanely well done and researched HOLY.