Prospect Profile - Kisshan Shan [1/2]

[McWolf 3,116]

Hey guys, McWolf here delivering this totally unnecessary themed point task. As a VHLM Mag Writer (check us out, Issue II was just released yesterday, we are doing okay, I guess), I could have only claimed the double week and the 4 bonus uncapped TPE, but I think I need to seize this opportunity to talk about one up-and-coming player/member I really like. What's funny is I actually talked about him in this week's VHLM Mag issue in my weekly column where I talk about 3 prospects eligible for the S62 VHL Entry Draft. I try, in this column, to refrain myself from taking the easy way and talk about Tzuyu or Kastelic every week. Instead, I try to give the spotlight to 3 players that might not be seen as future stars, and that might slip in the draft because GMs don't really know them much and there's one player/member I talked about already who I feel like a third of a page isn't enough to say how impressive and underrated he truly is. So, without further ado, here's an in-depth prospect profile about @Kisshan 'the Streak' Shan, the member and the player.

 

As a player

Kisshan Shan is a right winger with natural offensive abilities. His most important assets and what sets him above fellow wingers eligible in the upcoming VHL Entry Draft are his deceptive speed (SK: 70), his deadly shot accuracy (SC: 64), his above average puck control (PH: 55) and his precise set-up passes (PA: 55). He joined the Victory Hockey League Minors through free agency, after missing the S62 Dispersal Draft by a week or two. He decided to sign with the Oslo Storm and has truly been their one silver lining in this rebuilding season. He currently plays top 6 minutes (like, the whole top 6, not 1st or 2nd line, both) and performs well, considering the fact that he is still lacking in some departments, when compared with players he is facing, and considering the lack of help he receives from fellow Storm forwards. After 35 games so far this season, he totals 11 goals, 12 assists and 23 points. Only Shawn Mendes has more TPE than him in that whole forward core and, even though his build is basically only scoring and skating, he doesn't lead Shan by much, only getting 2 more goals and 6 more assists, in 15 more games. Had Shan joined the team on day one and had he started the season with the ratings he has now, he would probably have a shot at leading the team in every scoring statistics.

 

This year, Shan also had the chance of participating in the first World Junior Championship edition since Season 56, as a part of the deadly offensive squad of Team Asia. For the whole tourney, he centered the second line, with Golovoy and Flipachyev on his wings. The round robin was a little rougher for him, as he finished the 8 games with only a goal and an assist. The goal was clutch though, as it was a game-winning goal in a close game versus Team USA. The Russian sniper stepped up big time in the medal round, notching his second goal of the tournament, again against the States, and adding an assist in Team Asia's 5-4 semi-final win. They'll meet with Team Canada, the team to beat in this edition of the WJC but, if everyone can beat them, it's Team Asia. This is coming from a Canadian, role-playing an European that actually got to play for team World: go Asia!

 

As a member

Even more importantly than the build he opted for with his player, or the goals he's scoring both in the minors or in the international stage, I think what really sets Kisshan ahead of other members of this crazy Season 63 Draft Class is his implication in the VHL community. He seizes most capped TPE opportunity he can, averaging 8 every week since he joined the league (thanks Tagger for crunching the numbers down), which places him above the middle of the pack. He also got around doing his Biography and his Rookie Profile on the same week, helping him rise 16 ranks, up to #19 in the latest TPE ranking. But, among all those stats, TPE amounts and everything, the thing that really made me realize what a great guy with great potential to live a good VHL career Kisshan is, was when he applied to be a GM in the WJC. It was sadly a bit too soon in his VHL adventure to give him that role, we were not ready to take a risk on someone we barely to could basically have ghosted the league already, by now. But his interview was among my favourite ones. I can't even say what it was that hit me the most about it, but it did. And seeing how he's still around and pretty active 3 weeks later, I'm sure he wouldn't have disappointed us if we appointed him as General Manager of Team Asia. If this opportunity comes around again, I'm sure he'll apply again and one day, he'll get the job and do it real fine.

 

Career projections

He sadly ranked right outside the top 3 rounds in Tagger's mock draft, but I'm sure he'd figure in those first 24 selections, maybe even in the 2nd round, when the mock draft is updated when the draft will be closing in. When the other VHL members and, most importantly, VHL GMs, realize just how much potential he has. He's been shadowed by other members that joined earlier than him (and there are a lot of them, there are like 100+ prospects eligible for the upcoming draft) and by members are maybe a bit more vocal than him, so he might slip farther than he should in the actual VHL Entry Draft, but I got the feeling that the team that drafts him won't regret that decision. I got the feeling Kisshan will stick around for his whole career and, while he may not go the full 12 capped TPE week in week out for 8 seasons, he will definitely be active enough to force his team to play him top minutes. He seems the enjoy the adventure the league offers him and wants to play a bigger part in it. Get this kid a job, help him reach that 12 capped TPE every week and watch him flourish as a great sniper in the upcoming seasons.

Or hold me responsible for that 1st round bust if you listen to me and I'm wrong. Really, anything is possible and it's hard to tell where we'll all be at the same time next year, but I think Kisshan is a safe sleeper pick in the upcoming draft. Don't give up, man!

Edited September 11, 2018 by McWolf

[McWolf 3,116]

I don't know why this got posted, this is still in progress.

[McWolf 3,116]

Ok, this is done now. I really don't understand why it got posted, my computer was still open on the "Create a new topic" page with half the text in. Computers, amirite?

[Kisshan 17]

Man, I can not even believe someone else is writing about me and out of all people, it's damn you. I still remember that interview and honestly, that made me want to prove that I would have been a great GM regardless of not being selected. I didn't even realize how far I've gotten to this point because the TPE just keeps coming in. Thanks a lot for this man, it's much appreciated.

[McWolf 3,116]

52 minutes ago, Kisshan said:

Man, I can not even believe someone else is writing about me and out of all people, it's damn you. I still remember that interview and honestly, that made me want to prove that I would have been a great GM regardless of not being selected. I didn't even realize how far I've gotten to this point because the TPE just keeps coming in. Thanks a lot for this man, it's much appreciated.

 

I'm sure you would have done a fine GM. And you're climbing the TPE ladder quick, man. You'll have the free uncapped 10 soon too, so you'll continue to climb!

[SlapshotWrangler 864]

Review:

Good choice! Kisshan is a really good player, and I am excited to see his progress as well! I love the nickname too, The Streak. Really good, very organized, and a really good ms in general!