Claimed:S54 Prospects Early Look

[Baozi 1,658]

Potential Game Changers In S54 Draft
www.VHLHockeyNews.com

 

While still a ways off, the S54 VHL Entry draft is starting to show signs of holding some prodigal talent in its pool. VHLHN here looks to bring you up to date one some names to keep an eye on in the next year as they play out their minor league seasons.

 

The Rise of a King?
Marcus King, a netminder hailing from Western Canada has been making waves in Victoria region and whom recently has been playing in the WHL with the Regina Pats. What stands out for King is that he has tremendous lateral movement and puck vision, eerily reminding us of Daisuke Kanou early on. Athletic, determined and with size to boot, Marcus King could be the greatest goaltender since the days of Shaw and Kanou. The potential is there for sure, raw technical skills but the mind and heart to battle out to make the save no matter what was required. VHLN believes that King is the early favourite to go first overall as well, so incredible is his raw ability that he has big game hunter written all over his play.

 

Could be a short trip for this journeyman…
Slightly older but no less potent when it comes to age eligibility in the VHL, JourneyMan is a smooth skating defenceman out of the slums of Philly. A defense first thinker, Journey possesses a great outlet pass as well as the ability to dictate the pace of the play from the blue line. A little short in stature, Journey looks to have all the parts to become a top pairing defender.

 

The Russian Scott Stevens…
Big hits, big bodies and big heart is how one would describe Aleskei Federov. The thunderous man loves to break down plays and smash players open. A bit on the wild side however may hold Federov back at the draft day, he could be a complete wildcard in that respect. He could turn out to be the best defender In the draft or could end up being a plugger. Incredible work ethic and attention to detail in the defensive zone where he loves to crush bodies, he will likely become a fan favourite of whichever blueline he joins. Though he does have a ways to go in terms of skating and rounding out his game.  Projected to be a defense first top four defender.

 

The Offensive Dynamo…
With a draft this heavy in talent, its interesting to see that most of the talent is on the defensive side of the puck. With that being said, Shawn Gretzky comes in as one, if not the most talented point producer available to teams in this draft. A naturally gifted point producer, different than the current other counterpart – Fook Yu, Gretzky has all the weapons in his arsenal that GMs could build a team around. The only question is whether or not the work ethic and drive is there. Skating and two way play typically remain issues for younger players and that is no different in this case with Gretzky, but he has the scoring touch and the mind of a top line forward. He’ll have all the time to impress the crowd in the VHLM next season as pundits expect him to be among the top 10 point producers in the league.

 

As we’ve currently seen, the draft is a bit skewed towards the defensive side of the game. The first overall looks like a goaltender followed by possibly Gretzky before a bevy of defensemen are available. Definitely some major defensive talent in this pool, but where the draft lacks in offense may be what catapults someone like Gretzky or another offensive producer up as a fast riser.
 

[Phil 5,111]

[BluObieZ 1,125]

No mention of Axelberry? Wow

[Da Trifecta 1,896]

I see Fong has jokes

[Frank 5,058]

This draft looks pretty fooking good.

[Baozi 1,658]

15 hours ago, Rob e Z said:

No mention of Axelberry? Wow

 

Didn't want to do two goalies and Kendrick has a higher chance of going first than you

Edited December 29, 2016 by tfong

[BluObieZ 1,125]

1 hour ago, tfong said:

 

Didn't want to do two goalies and Kendrick has a higher chance of going first than you

Well no shit

[Jericho 917]

Claimed