Minnesota Storm S67 VHLM Draft Recap [1/2]

[animal74 1,863]

 

Minnesota Storm S67 VHLM Draft Recap

 

 

This past draft was seen as a huge success by Minnesota Storm GM @Rayzor_7 and Assistant GM @DMaximus. Not only did the Storm have four picks in the first two rounds including the coveted 1st overall pick previously acquired from the Houston Bulls, they made seven other selections in rounds 4-7 for a total of 11 new prospects. The Storm drafted four right wingers, three defensemen, two left wingers and two goalies from eight different countries. These new faces will go a long way to bringing the Storm back into the contender discussion. Along with the post-draft signing of RW Killy Foilen, the management team should be feeling pretty good about their off-season.

 

GM Rayzor_7 said after the draft: “I think all in all the draft went really well for the Storm. We picked up some really strong players with every one of our picks as well as getting some value by trading out of some rounds.” He also gave credit to Assistant GM DMaximus saying, “He was a big help to me during the draft… with the scouting and selecting of players.”

 

Assistant GM DMaximus, in turn, gave koodos to the GM for his ability to “wheel and deal” as he made a “ton of moves to accumulate draft picks” including the #1 overall.

 

Here’s how the Storm’s haul looked after it was all said and done...

 

Round 1

1.  MINNESOTA STORM (from Houston Bulls): LW - Berocka Sundqvist, Australia
Arguably the best winger available at the draft, Sundqvist have scouts drooling at his combination of size, skill, and speed. One of the most polished prospects available, Sundqvist is also considered the most VHLM-ready, having already played a season as a free agent. One of the top players not playing in the VHL, the Aussie is an offensive force and DMaximus believes is talented enough to lead the Storm to the Cup.

 

8.  MINNESOTA STORM (from Saskatoon Wild): D - Danny DeYeeto, Niger
This little-known behemoth defenseman from the wilds of Niger impressed scouts with his skating ability and acumen in his own zone. At 6’ 8”, he puts fear into the heart of opposing players (and sometimes his own teammates and will do anything to protect his end of the ice. While early on considered a loose cannon with no offensive upside, his passing seems to have improved and he may develop into a two-way threat.

 

Round 2

15.  MINNESOTA STORM : G - Stanley Sawchuk, Canada
The monster netminder from Canada was the second goalie selected in the draft. Size is not an issue for the Canadian, as he is as tall as new teammate, Danny DeYeeto, standing 6’ 8” and coming in at a whopping 250 pounds! Although he is surprisingly agile, mobility and puck control are areas that will need working on and he’ll have plenty of time for that as he probably won’t see much playing time behind defacto starter, Justin Cole.

 

21.  MINNESOTA STORM (from Ottawa Lynx): D - Hugh Chan, Hong Kong
Hugh Chan is from Hong Kong and was discovered by a Canadian scout who encouraged him to come to North America. It seems to have been the right move as he developed into one of the highest-rated prospects in the draft. DMaximus said after the pick that he was surprised the slick puck-moving defenseman dropped so far. He may be slightly-built for today’s VHL but he makes up for it in speed, hockey sense, and passing, and is also quite good in his own zone. Minnesota thinks they got a steal here. 

 

Round 3

No picks.

 

Round 4

 

37.  MINNESOTA STORM : RW - Mac Hooper, UK
Despite his size (only 5’ 8” and weighing 150 pounds) and shortened development period, the Storm like what they see in the energetic winger. Here’s hoping he has enough skill and speed and can withstand the rigors of the VHLM. Works hard and is a deft passer and has good hockey sense.

 

39.  MINNESOTA STORM (from Mississauga Hounds): RW - Ryo Yamazuki II, Japan
Another 6’ 8” player selected by the Storm, the Japanese giant has tantalizing physical tools and awe-inspiring skills. He can really move for a big man and stickhandle around defenders like pylons. His shot is hard and accurate which is helped by his huge frame. Many scouts peg him as one-dimensional and others question his attitude, largely attributed to his pampered upbringing. Can he work on his weaknesses enough so they don’t hinder his raw talent? Time will tell. 

 

Round 5

49.  MINNESOTA STORM (from San Diego Marlins): D - Charles Drumm, Australia
The solid, rugged defender from down under is a stalwart in his own end and skates well for a man of his size. Considered a shot-blocking specialist, some wonder if there is any offense to his game. Was traded after the draft to the Las Vegas Aces.

 

52.  MINNESOTA STORM (from Saskatoon Wild): RW - Jacob Rogers, USA
This American winger was considered a safe pick in this stage of the draft. Very strong and a hard worker, his key skills are a slick outlet pass and fantastic vision that allows him to move the puck deftly up the ice. He does everything else well but not great. Has a reputation as a good teammate and a positive influence in the locker room. 

 

Round 6

 

66.  MINNESOTA STORM (from Philadelphia Reapers): G - Douglas Steel, USA
Steel is known for being a leader in the locker room and on the bench, which is where scouts predict he’ll start for now as he rounds out his game. He has good size at 6’ 2” and 220 pounds, so he fills a lot of net. But while he is good in most areas, his agility and puck control need work. Was traded shortly after the draft to the San Diego Marlins.

 

Round 7

 

68.  MINNESOTA STORM (from Las Vegas Aces): LW - Ondrej Ohradka, Slovakia
Little-known Ohradka had one of the best 18-year-old seasons in Slovakia Extraliga history before being snagged in the 7th round. The solidly-built yet shifty winger is looking to build on his success back home and become the next great Slovakian hockey export. He’s quik, has a sneaky wrist shot, plays with an edge and is already a solid two-way player. The tools are there but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few weaknesses in his game. He will need some time to adjust to the North American style of hockey.

 

70.  MINNESOTA STORM: RW - Myles Angellus, Canada
This Canadian winger has good skating ability and is strong on the puck despite his slight frame but scouts wonder if that is enough to push him to the next level. The raw talent is there but he needs to get stronger and work on his overall game.

 

This is over 1100 words so claiming for two weeks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     @berocka @Cran @Molholt @HughJas_ @MacH @Donno100 @frescoelmo @raghas @animal74 @50states @co2angel
 

Edited July 20, 2019 by animal74

[Berocka 2,263]

Great article well done

[diamond_ace 3,114]

All-Asia pair, Chan-Kefka

[Elmebeck 378]

Review: It pains me that @berocka didn't stay in Houston. And @Cran and @HughJas_ were obviously steals too. Looking forward to meeting you all.

[Berocka 2,263]

6 hours ago, Elmebeck said:

Review: It pains me that @berocka didn't stay in Houston. And @Cran and @HughJas_ were obviously steals too. Looking forward to meeting you all.

But I was never in Houston?

[Elmebeck 378]

I was going by "MINNESOTA STORM (from Houston Bulls): LW - Berocka Sundqvist, Australia"

[animal74 1,863]

@Elmebeck The pick was traded from Houston. @berocka was never there.

[Elmebeck 378]

Fair enough, I still wish he played with me in Houston.