10 Prospects who are a long way from the VHL: Part 1

[Quik 4,113]

A look into the medium-term future of the VHL

10 names to keep an eye on; part 1

 

Helsinki, FINLAND - Talent evaluators are always looking for the next big name. The player who will transcend their peers and become the best of their generation. A player who can lead their teams to victory, just by showing up. A player who will earn their agents a lot of money, by signing big contracts, year after year. When discussing the VHL, and its next great generation of players, that talk almost immediately focuses on those just recently drafted, and those who have declared for the upcoming draft. Rarely do scouts talk about those who will be appearing in drafts 3, 4, 5+ seasons away. Those prospects, who will not appear in the VHL, or its VHLM affiliate, for several seasons, are, however, the focus of this discussion, as we look at 10 prospects who could be joining the league in the medium-term future, with the earliest of them being draft eligible in S73.

 

Det. Psyduck

Currently playing in the Poke Hockey League, Det. Psyduck is clearly too good to be playing with other pokemon, and could one day decide to ply his trade in the human world. In 13 games to start the season, Psyduck has posted 32 goals and 17 assists. His ability to sleuth out openings in the opposing defence, while also seemingly entrance goaltenders with fakes and feigns, makes him an incredibly deceptive scorer, and compensates for his lack of foot speed. While not the fleetest of foot, Psyduck is built with an incredibly sturdy frame, standing 5'7, and tipping the scales at 225 lbs, which allows him to absorb contact and keep on trucking.

VHL Comparable: Scotty Campbell

 

Cal Dee

The nephew of Canadian comic/TV 'star' Gerry Dee, Cal is a fast skating, goal scoring, probably more of a roaver than a Defenceman. Playing in the GTHL for the Toronto Marlboros, Dee is looking to make a big impact at the upcoming Quebec PeeWee tournament, which is world renowned. No stranger to the big stage, Cal has already participated in the Brick Invitational tournament, hosted in Edmonton, where his team came 2nd, but he was named tournament MVP with 3 goals and 7 assists in 4 games. It is rumoured that he has already signed a contract to be represented by the same agent who represented Cal G, the Hall of Fame goaltender. Whether those rumours are true, we will need to wait until Dee declares for the draft before confirming.

VHL Comparable: Alexander Valiq

 

Yamcha Jr.

The son of the fabled Z Fighter Yamcha, Junior has taken to hockey and shows many of the admirable traits of his father. None can ever claim that they work harder than Junior, as he puts in more practice hours than any other player, always sure to be at every power-skating lesson, and off-ice training session he can make. While all the practice hours would indicate that Yamcha Jr. should be one of the best players in his peer-group, he is more in that solid, if unspectacular group. Some question whether he would be better off throttling back on some of his training, and even whether all that training is actually being applied to his skills as a hockey player. Time will tell if the hard working Yamcha Jr. will ever make a hockey career for himself, or if he'll end up one of the many "coulda beens."

VHL Comparable: Hunter Hearst Helmsley

 

Serge Iblocka

A goaltender out of Congo, Iblocka is making a name for himself as the best hockey player to come out of Africa since...Hall of Fame goaltender Alex Gegeny. Extremely lanky, at 6'3 and 165 lbs, the Congolese goaltender is known for his quick reflexes and vicious attitude. Known in his early school days to be short-tempered and quick to use his fists, Iblocka's parents sent him to boarding school in London, which is where he picked up the game whilst watching re-runs of ... Cool Runnings? Indeed, somehow, he saw the beautiful, snowcapped, Calgary, and looked more into the city that hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics. From there, he discovered the Calgary Flames, and while he could not understand why they would be a team, he fell in love with hockey. Since then, a dream of his has to play in Calgary, as a visitor, with eyes towards a VHL netminder job.

VHL Comparable: Alex Gegeny

 

Smith Carlton

Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Calrton has made no apologies for the opportunities life has afforded him. From attending the best academies, with the best training, and the most up-to-date equipment money can buy, Carlton has put all of those resources to use in his rise to the top of the novice hockey ranks. A small, spindly center, Smythe's motto is: "get me the puck". Whenever a game is on the line, the puck inevitably ends up on his stick, even if he needs to wrestle it away from a teammate. The antithesis of a "team player," the knock on Carlton is that he must always be the centre of attention. Whether that changes with age/maturity remains to be seen, but it does not take away from the fact that he has the ability to be the best player in the league when he finally arrives in the VHL!

VHL Comparable: Franchise Cornerstone

 

Malcom Ducasse

A former heroin junkie, Ducasse has turned his life around in a big way. Going from the stoop to being a private investigator's assistant, Malcom looks to change his fortunes even further, as he has begun to take the ice in a mens league, and is quickly learning the skills that make a great hockey player. His skating is currently on par with that of an 8-year old, and his shot is slowly turning into a real weapon, very similar to that of Fulton Reed, he of Mighty Ducks fame. While these may not seem like the tools for a great player, Ducasse only started playing the sport two weeks ago, so his progress is extremely encouraging for one who may one day dream of bigger rinks.

VHL Comparable: Colton Rayne

 

End of Part 1 - 1035 Words; Claiming for Bailey: W/E July 21 (Donation Doubles 2/2), July 28.

 

 

[Josh 1,691]

27 minutes ago, Quik said:

10 Prospects who are a long way from the VHL: Part 1

 

You missed Beau Louth

Edited July 15, 2019 by Josh.

[Beaviss 4,958]

7 minutes ago, Josh. said:

 

You missed Beau Louth

 

[McWolf 3,116]

I thought you were going to diss inactive VHLMers and I'm kinda disappointed it didn't go that way. 

[Quik 4,113]

24 minutes ago, Josh. said:

 

You missed Beau Louth

 

2 minutes ago, McWolf said:

I thought you were going to diss inactive VHLMers and I'm kinda disappointed it didn't go that way. 

 

Just now, Quik said:

Bonus: Beau Louth 

The center currently plays on a team just below the VHLM level, in Vancouver BC. Much like the previously mentioned Yamcha Jr., Louth is a hard worker who goes to the office with a smile on his face every day. His teammates love his go-getter attitude, and his coaches love that he is always in the gym. Indeed, he is like a dog on a bone when it comes to getting extra practice time! The training has been hit or miss, and some do question if it's a matter of skill or smarts, as he has only barely surpassed the point-per-game mark over his last 6 seasons with the junior team. Time will tell if he is ever truly a VHL player, his effort is there, it's just a matter of him putting up results. 

VHL Comparable: None available 

 

[Quik 4,113]

Bailey W/E July 28, Birthday Doubles +12