Claimed: Klopfenstein and Scheel: Calgary's Prospective Centres [1/2]

[MD9 139]

Klopfenstein and Scheel: Calgary's Prospective Centres

 

 

This season, the Calgary Wranglers had a fairly successful draft - at least looking at it without the benefit of hindsight. They were able to select far and away the most touted player in the draft in Felix Savard, who has already started to have a significant impact on the main roster. With 35 points, the rookie defender is second in points for his team, third overall for all defencemen, as well as third overall for rookies. Having selected such a clear, franchise player, it would be easy to say the Wranglers were among the top winners of the draft without even going down the board. However, they had two more selections in the first two rounds, and picked up two of the VHLM's young centers: Jake Scheel at the #5 slot, and Corey Klopfenstein at #13. While Savard was developed enough to make the jump to the VHL immediately, Scheel and Klopfenstein were generally viewed as more longterm projects, neither having rounded out their game enough to join the league immediately. That being said, both players hold enough promise that Calgary fans can stand to be at least a little optimistic about their future.

 

Both players have made their name in the VHLM off of being playmakers first. and scorers second -- but on an Ottawa Lynx team that needs the scoring, Klopfenstein has proven himself to be a much more versatile player than some suspected at that point in the draft, as he's begun to showcase a knack for the net that came almost out of nowhere, sitting with 16 goals, making him the top goal-scorer for the Lynx (as well as their leader in points overall). Some concerns had been raised over Klopfenstein's ceiling, which led to his dip in the draft, but as he's continued to develop as a very steady pace, there seems little doubt that he will be able to make the transition into the VHL as an extremely solid, well-rounded centre.

 

Perhaps what sets Scheel apart from Klopfenstein in terms of style is simply that Scheel identifies more as playing a two-way, bordering on defense style of play. Although he can still put up points, as evidenced by his 30 assists for Saskatoon, placing him first in assists for the team (and second in points), he comes off at some points as somewhat reserved. He prefers to make safe passes, always ready to retreat on the defensive if the puck gets turned over. Although he is fully willing to get more creative when the team needs a goal, his modus operandi is to make the game easier for his wingers -- putting them in position to score, and covering them on defense. Scheel dropped a bit down the boards similar to Klopfenstein, albeit still making the top five. After being pegged for number two through four most season, some scouts became concerned with Scheel's ceiling as well. However, it appears that like Klopfenstein, he is bound for the VHL sooner rather than later.

 

Certainly, history has yet to be written: looking back, one or both of these players could turn out to be a bust. They could burn out, slow down, or simply fail to develop properly as players. However, the potential is there for the Wranglers to walk away from this draft with both the top prospect in Felix Savard, and two highly capable roster players in Scheel and Klopfenstein, acquired with a mid-1st and early-2nd respectively. Given that's when things start to get a little more uncertain for draft picks, seeing the Wranglers offense either supported or led by these two centers would make Calgary's scouts look quite good for their head office.

 

@crutchfield

[eaglesfan036 4,605]

Great work u 2 will be steals!

[TheLastOlympian07 2,388]

gonna go out on a limb and say @crutchfield is the cabbie beating rapist

[TheLastOlympian07 2,388]

Review

Good stuff from you as always MD9. I love reading about your take on the VHL as a newer member. Hopefully you and crutch stay active because I think you guys can do some damage in Calgary.

#TrustTheProcess