Claimed:Lynx Alumni in Season Thirty-Seven VHL Entry Draft

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Lynx Alumni in Season Thirty-Seven VHL Entry Draft

 

 

          Five players who previously played for the Ottawa Lynx were selected in the Season Thirty-Seven VHL Entry Draft. While these players may have only been waiver selections in both Season Thirty-Five and Season Thirty-Six, Tom Slaughter, Konstantin Azhishchenkov, Travis Boychuk, Ron World Peace, and Jack Ryan were all selected in the first two rounds of this year’s draft. While Tom Slaughter will make the jump to the VHL this upcoming season, the rest of these recent draftees will find themselves in the VHLM for at least one additional season. While none of these players will most likely don the black and gray of the Lynx again, their legacies will all live on in Ottawa.

 

 

TOM SLAUGHTER - C

 

          The most hyped prospect of the Season Thirty-Seven draft class, Slaughter joined the Founder’s Cup winning Season Thirty-Five team at the trade deadline. While his presence wasn’t felt immediately (four points in eight games), Slaughter stepped it up during the playoffs, recording six goals and three assists in nine games. After going second overall in the Season Thirty-Six VHLM Dispersal Draft to the Bratislava Watchmen, Slaughter would add another Founder’s Cup to his collection. Slaughter’s domination on the ice and proven leadership ability made it a no brainer for the New York Americans to select the recently converted center with the third overall pick in this season’s VHL Entry Draft. Slaughter will most likely center the Americans’ first line next season and is a favorite for the Stolzschweiger Trophy.

 

 

KONSTANTIN AZHISHCHENKOV - C

 

          The first of many waiver claims by the Lynx last season, Konstantin Jaroslav Azhishchenkov, most commonly known as KJA, was picked up during the first week of the season and immediately named captain. As the only improving player on Ottawa’s roster at the time, KJA’s work ethic was extremely impressive, improving every single week of the season. Although help would arrive later in the year, the Lynx were essentially a one man show for half of KJA’s time on the team. In only sixty-eight games, KJA would go on to lead the Lynx in scoring, recording forty-one goals and forty assists in only sixty-eight games. KJA immediately stood out as one of the top new members in the league, and was recently rewarded for his hard work when he was selected fifth overall by the Riga Reign in the recent draft. KJA will join fellow Lynx alumni Robin Gow, RGIII, Brennan McQueen, and Mike Szatkowski Jr. in the Reign organization. While KJA has progressed nicely since he entered the league, the young center still needs one more season in the minors, although there is the outside

chance that the Reign may call up the young center in the event of a playoff race.

 

 

TRAVIS BOYCHUK - C

 

          Somewhat stuck in the shadow of KJA in Ottawa, Boychuk quietly had an excellent first season in the VHLM. Claimed off waivers about a quarter of the way through the season, Boychuk played as both a winger on the first line and second line center although he is a center by trade. While his time on the second line may have hurt his individual numbers, Boychuk still put up a respectable forty-four points in fifty-six games. Known primarily as a playmaker, the lack of forward depth on the Lynx last season hurt his overall numbers when he forced to play off KJA’s line. However, Boychuk’s work did not go unnoticed, as he was selected eighth overall by the Calgary Wranglers. Coincidentally, that is the same exact spot and team his previous General Manager, Jim Gow, was selected in the Season Twenty-Eight VHL Entry Draft. Boychuk will need at least one more season in the minors before joining the VHL.

 

 

RON WORLD PEACE - D

 

          Lacking defensive depth, Ron World Peace was brought in towards the end of Season Thirty-Five in order to solidify Ottawa’s second pairing. Although World Peace wasn't asked to do much offensively, he brought a stabilizing defensive presence to the team. His one assist in eight regular season games and three points in nine games helped propel the Lynx to their championship. World Peace was selected with the first pick of the second round by the Bern Royals in the Season Thirty-Six VHLM Dispersal Draft, who would go on to fall to the Bratislava Watchmen in the European Conference Finals. The German born player was selected by his hometown Cologne Express with the twelfth overall pick in the recent VHL Entry Draft. World Peace may have a longer development time than most prospects, but the one or two season wait will be well worth it for the Express.

 

 

JACK RYAN - D

 

          Claimed by the Ottawa Lynx about halfway through Season Thirty-Six, Ryan immediately became the team’s number one defenseman and succeeded in that role. Ryan finished second on the team in points (58), third in hits (142), and first in shots blocked (136). Jack slowly but surely improved each week during the season. While not quite on the level of Slaeter Fjorsstrom or Ron World Peace, Ryan is still a solid defensive prospect, although he may have a low ceiling. Ryan joined fellow teammate Travis Boychuk in the Wranglers organization when he was selected fifteenth overall. Although it may take a couple additional seasons for Ryan to progress to a VHL level player, a defensive prospect like Ryan would be welcome on any team.

[stevo 792]

That S35 Finals Series.

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Content: 3/3

904 words. A really good look at the Ottawa Lynx alumni, who had success in the VHLM, which resulted in their selections at the VHL Entry Draft. The writing was almost effortless because everything transitioned into each other very smooth and seamless.

Grammar: 2/2

Awesome!

 

draft = Draft

when he forced = when he was forced

 

team his previous General Manager, Jim Gow, was selected in the= team that his previous General Manager, Jim Gow, was selected to in the

 

Appearance: 1/1

Looks schmick-schmacular other than the one sentence which separated at the end of the third paragraph.

Overall: 6/6

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