James Faraday Rookie Profile [FINAL 8/8]

[Higgins 3,618]

With the 1st overall selection...

 

 

James Faraday is an American born left winger who plays for the Helsinki Titans in the Victory Hockey League and this is the story of his first year playing professional hockey. In the year building up to the S39 draft Faraday played with Boston College in the NCAA before joining the Yukon Rush for the second half of the VHLM season. Playing in just 45 regular season games he managed to score 7 goals and add 10 assists.

 

James Faraday on draft day alongside agent Mitch Higgins and GM Vince Wong.

 

JAMES FARADAY #4

Left Winger

Hometown: Essex, Massachusetts, USA

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 215 lbs.

 

It was finally time for the 1st overall selection of the Season 39 draft to make his debut in front of the sold out crowd at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland. There was a sour taste in the mouth of the Titan fans as the previous first overall selection had retired after only two seasons with the club, but Faraday created a sense of excitement and anticipation for them again. In his first game the Titans lost 6-4 to Quebec, but Faraday scored his first career goal to the loud cheers of Hartwall Arena. Things were looking good for the rookie left winger, but he soon found himself in a cold streak with no points that extended for 11 games half way through the season. Faraday finished the Season 39 regular season with 23 goals and 27 assists for 50 points as a rookie.

 

The Titans made the playoffs in the European conference and had a first round match up against the rival Riga Reign. The Titans would battle hard and take the Reign to a game 7, but they would ultimately lose. It was quite the achievement though as Riga went on to win the Continental Cup and only lost one other game. Faraday led the Titans in goals by scoring five, and adding one assist through the seven game playoff series. It was a good learning experience for Faraday on the challenges of the VHL playoffs. Faraday would go into the off-season looking to get stronger and faster for Season 41.

 

 

UPSIDES

 

#1 - SHOT

The ability to put the puck in the back of the net is something that is important for professional hockey players and every team to win. Every player is naturally gifted in at least one aspect, it could be toughness, passing, hockey IQ, and for James Faraday it is his ability to score goals. He doesn't have the hardest shot, but he does have one of the quickest and most accurate shots in the league. Faraday is a sniper and every sense of the word and his teammates know it as they are always on the lookout to see if Faraday is open for a pass when in the offensive zone.

 

#2 - SPEED

The most basic part of playing hockey is skating. For Faraday it isn't just about being able to skate well, he has to be one of the fastest players in the game. At 6'4" he doesn't have the fastest acceleration, but when he gets skating up the ice though the neutral zone he is like a stampeding rhino. It is a natural compliment to his goal scoring abilities as he is able to burn past defenders after blocking shots and can move in from the blue line to the crease in a matter of seconds to clean up any rebounds.

 

#3 - ENDURANCE

Hockey is a tough sport to play and it can be a grind during the 72 game VHL season. Faraday is like a work horse when he's on the ice. If he has his eye on the back of the net he will power through and get himself into a prime scoring position. He can play big minutes for the Titans as he has some of the best endurance levels in the league. This makes him a key player to have on the ice, especially during the final minutes of a game when the team needs a goal or two to tie the game and send it to overtime.

 

DOWNSIDES

 

#1 - DEFENSE

In hockey only half the battle is playing a strong offensive game, it also includes playing well in your own end of the rink to prevent goals against. Unfortunately for Faraday and the Titans his defensive game is non-existent. He lacks motivation in the defensive end of the ice and is constantly found floating around the even above the blue line waiting for an outlet pass. If his offensive game has coaches praising him, his defensive game has coaches pulling out their hair. You won't want to be putting Faraday on the ice if your protecting a one goal lead late in the third period.

 

#2 - PASSING

Being able to pass the puck efficiently and accurately is a key part of playing as a strong team that is in sync with each other. Since Faraday is a shoot first, think second type player he can put up over ten shots in a single game. With that said, almost all of his assists will come from rebound goals. Luckily for Faraday his teammates know his tendencies and they will push their way to the front of the net to look for rebounds or tip-in opportunities. They know that Faraday doesn't pass the puck and it has been one of his greatest downfalls as a hockey player. He would rather lose the puck then pass off to an open teammate and it's something he desperately needs to work on.

 

#3 - MENTALITY

During his rookie season, Faraday found himself in an 11 game pointless streak. When the puck is going in the net for Faraday he can score for many games in a row, but when the goals dry up it's hard for him to overcome the mentality of not being able to score. Some would say he is a streaky player and it has to do with Faraday thinking he is jinxed when he cannot score and that all the bounces aren't going his way. If he wants to be a successful VHL player he is going to need to become mentally tougher and overcome the eventual scoring droughts. The Titans pay Faraday to put the puck in the net, so it is important that his mentality evolves from his rookie season.

[Kesler 1,514]

wow didnt know you were a rookie

[Beketov 8,944]

wow didnt know you were a rookie

Nothing says a rookie profile has to be done in one's first season.

[CowboyinAmerica 2,843]

0/8 not a rookie what the hell man

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I mean...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview: 2/2 - Man, this should count as two points. Lots of information here, great run-down of his career so far.

 

Pros & Cons: 3/3 - Had 3 of each, and they all had depth as well. Solid reasoning behind each of the choices also. Great job. 

 

Grammar: 2/2 - Only a few small things actually incorrect, although the lack of commas in compound sentences made me flinch a little as well.

 

natural compliment = natural complement (unless his speed was saying his goal scoring looked sexy or something)

if your protecting = if you're protecting

 

Presentation: 1/1 - Sure. I like pretty pictures.

 

 

Overall: 8/8