Szatkowski Jr. Path to the VHL

[Mike 708]

 

Name: Mike Szatkowski Jr.
Position: G
Age: 20
Handedness: Left
Jersey Number: 78
Height (inches): 75
Weight (lbs.): 220
Birthplace: Canada

 

The path to the VHL is a difficult one for most young hockey prospects.  After Thirty-Five Seasons the VHL is no longer a random pick up hockey league that anyone can join.  For Mike Szatkowski Jr. the path to the VHL wasn’t quite so difficult as most.  For starters he is the son of VHL Hall of Famer Mike Szatkowski.  That gave the younger Szatkowski plenty of connections to the league making for a much easier journey.

 

Without any real formal structure in terms of consistent local league or high school play Szatkowski learned the game from his father and other VHL players along the way.  Using these connections Szatkowski was able to enter the Season 35 VHLM Dispersal Draft but little actual scouting information was available.  The Gow Family who currently run the Ottawa Lynx has a connection to Mike Szatkowski Sr. and current GM of the Riga Reign.

 

 

“With the 2^nd overall pick in the Season 35 VHLM Dispersal Draft the Ottawa Lynx are proud to select Mike Szatkowski Jr. goaltender.” Jim Gow

 

The Ottawa Lynx already had a deep roster and chose to select Szatkowski likely due to the history shared by these families.  Ottawa saw Brick Wahl go first overall in the draft and didn’t want to chance Szatkowski at one of their later picks just in case.  This is what he said about being drafted to Ottawa in a recent interview.

 

“Other than just winning the Founders Cup being drafted second overall to Ottawa is the greatest moment and memory of my young hockey career.”

 

As Szatkowski mentioned in the interview the Ottawa Lynx went on to win the VHLM Founders Cup this past season.  During which the Lynx had a tremendous roster which allowed Szatkowski to flourish in a non-leading support role.  He wasn’t asked to do much in net but did enough each night to keep the team in the game.

 

Regular Season Statistics

Record: 60-8-4
Save% 90.80
G.A.A.: 2.16
Shutouts: 7

 

These numbers were good enough to put him near the top in each of the above categories.  His save percentage was third, g.a.a. second, first in wins, and third in shutouts.  To put things into perspective though he also faced the least amount of shots compared to all other starting minor league goalies.  The Lynx also scored 38 more goals than the next closest team.  Not to take away from the good minor league season he had but many critics point to the success of the entire team.

 

Heading into the playoffs Szatkowski was feeling really confident having been drafted second overall and now having a full season under his belt.  There was no question he was now comfortable at the minor league level but the playoffs are another beast entirely.  Many players make a career out of regular season success only to fall in the playoffs.  Not to mention that the pressure of competing for a Founders Cup is no joke.  To throw even more on the pile the Ottawa Lynx were heavy favorites.

 

Playoffs Statistics

Record: 8-1-0
Save%: 88.80
GAA: 2.53
SO: 0

 

Respectfully that put him first for wins, third for save%, and first for G.A.A.  Most goalies dropped a bit in the tougher playoffs and he was still near the top among them.  Many consider save percentage to be a better indication of actual goalie ability and in that respect you could consider Szatkowski’s performance a bit lackluster.  However it was enough to give the rest of the league notice.  Szatkowski didn’t put up amazing numbers but with 60 wins in the regular season and 8 out of 9 including a cup victory that is a great feat.

 

Where does this leave Szatkowski heading into his rookie season?

 

After a good season in the minors he was drafted in the eleventh round of the VHL Super Cup.  The Super Cup is a new off-season mini-league showcasing the best talent from around the league.  Also to no surprise Szatkowski was claimed via the VHL’s GM Rule by his father to the Riga Reign.  The Reign have stockpiled quite a bit of draft picks but had no goalie under contract with Rock Star hitting free agency.  Look for Szatkowski to struggle in his rookie season with the Reign.  However he does have the foundation and tools available to become a real starting goalie in the league.

Edited December 14, 2013 by Mike

[eaglesfan036 4,585]

Content: 5/5 - Cool overview of how Szatkowski got to where he is today. It sure seems to help having connections, whether it's a dad as a VHL GM or a family friend as a VHLM GM. I also like that you put in stats and analyzed them. It was really fun winning a cup with you in Ottawa, let's go win another one in Riga!

 

Grammar: 0.75/1 - There were lots of arbitrary places that I felt needed commas, but these were the ones I believe to be the main ones.

 

For starters he is the son = For starters, he is the son 

high school play Szatkowski = high school play, Szatkowski 

Using these connections Szatkowski = Using these connections, Szatkowski 

mentioned in the interview the Ottawa Lynx went = mentioned in the interview, the Ottawa Lynx went

Heading into the playoffs Szatkowski = Heading into the playoffs ,Szatkowski  

 

Appearance: 1/1 - Looked really good.

 

Over 500 Words: 1/1 - Yup.

 

Overall: 7.75/8

[Fire Tortorella 2,653]

Content: 5/5 - Szatkowski Jr. had one job while in Ottawa, and that was to not screw up. As long as he played solid, the Lynx would always have a chance to win. Szatkowski Jr. definitely showed that he could do more than that, and I also don't think you can hold his team's success against Mike's potential ability. Riga should have a solid goaltender for the foreseeable future.

 

Grammar: .5/1 - Commie commas Mike.

 

Thirty-Five Seasons = thirty-five seasons

Gow = Gow said.

Founders Cup = Founder's Cup

season.  During = season, during

 

Appearance: 1/1 - Riga.

 

Over 500 words?: 1/1 - Yes.

 

Overall: 7.5/8

 

FINAL: 8/8