Claimed: Insider look at the Ace's Defense [1/2]

[Spade18 1,303]

Defense has been spectacular this year in the VHLM.  Ottawa is showing what a strong, point producing back end can achieve and Keaton Louth is putting up MVP type numbers in Saskatoon.  This article will break down the well balanced defense of the Las Vegas Aces and we will take a look at the pieces that make up one of the most well rounded defensive cores in the VHLM.

 

Casey Jones

The Pace Maker, The Killer, The Nuke From New York, Casey Jones sets the tone for Las Vegas' Defensive play making.  The 6'1" Defenseman has obvious chemistry with VHLM superstar Sergei Komarov.  They are the top two point-getters for the team and many of Jones' assists have come from Komarov's buckets.  Right now, Jones is ranked as the 2nd best Defenseman in the draft behind Boner, which puts him as a projected 5th overall pick.  Jones plays a tenacious Offensive game, his shot totals would put any goal scoring winger to shame and he sits at 3rd OVER ALL in that stat category.  The only draw back on Jones is he could work on skating with his head up.  He is in the top 10 of hits taken, but that will come as his game matures.  He is a cant' miss prospect and teams in the top 5 will be salivating at the opportunity to add him to their defensive core.

 

Colton Rayne

 

A new comer to the VHLM, Colton Rayne is quickly making a name for himself as a shut down defender.  Rayne completes the top pairing for Vegas along side Jones, and while many at the beginning of the season thought it may be to tall a task for the hulking defenseman (he stands at 6'4") Rayne has for the most part, silenced any critics with his play so far.  A self proclaimed shut down defenseman, Rayne has been putting in large minutes on the PK and preforming admirably.  Even though he mostly plays gate keeper, allowing Jones to make those risky plays, Rayne is putting up surprising numbers for a player in his role.  The rookie is at above a point per game, 10th in points among all defenseman, 9th is assists over all, and tied for second in the whole league for plus minus.  This offensive output has earned Rayne some Power play time, and he anchors the 2nd D unit. Despite these numbers, one draw back on Rayne is his shooting percentage.  Sitting around 6%, for how many opportunities this defenseman gets to unload an admittedly underwhelming shot from the point, he should be putting up more goals with the chances he has received.  Currently ranked to go 15th overall at the draft, he has already moved up 2 spots, and I would guess we will see this defenseman climb up the charts even more before his name is called.

 

Charles Cote

Charles Cote is the newest member of the Ace's defensive unit.  Exploded onto the scene would be an understatement.  In his first 13 games, Cote has already put up 15 pts!  15! on the second pairing both even strength and power play!  A two way defenseman, his positioning and passing are by far his strongest suits.  Even though he was late in arriving to the VHLM, Cote has been seen putting in the work that turns heads.  Currently ranked at 32nd overall for the draft, you know his point production alone will see that draft stock rise in the future.  We don't yet have a lot of tape on him, but with an entrance to the league like the one Cote has had, all cameras will be turned his way.  Make sure to keep your eye on this one.

 

Thomas Sankara

Thomas Sankara is the silent killer of the Vegas back end. He is one of those players that make the game boring, which is honestly the highest compliment I could pay to a defenseman.    His point totals may not match those of of Jones, Rayne and Cote, but his shut down role is not unnoticed.  He plays first pairing penalty kill minutes along side Rayne, and shuts down the oppositions top players when they are at an advantage.  Very active at practice, Sankara has caught the eye of many scouts and is currently ranked to go 18th at the draft. Expect that number to rise as we get closer to picking time.   

 

 

ALSO ATTENDED

Mr. Shakedown

 

[Beaviss 4,949]

Great read! I definitely think defence is whats giving the winning teams there wins this year.

 

Review:

 

Well laid out Media Spot! I love how you included pictures for every player and how you included there strengths. Great formatting and idea. Great Media Spot from one of the websites best up and coming members!(id know). 10/10 would bang read again!