Check-In On the S65 Saskatoon Alumni (NA Conference)

[Renomitsu 934]

The S65 Saskatoon Wild had a handful of solid players that have had (up to) two seasons to make their impact on the VHL -- so where are they now? Was this playoff-less squad at the mercy of STHS? How much value did this team have hidden away? Let's take a look at our Wild players in the North American Conference.

 

C Hans Gruber, Vancouver Wolves (506 TPE) - 45-point player with over 500 TPE for Vancouver, who's in an intense battle with Toronto for the North American Conference championship - and after today's games, they hold a 3-1 lead over the dominant Canadian squad. He's had a bit of difficulty getting on the board in the playoffs this season (3 assists through 11 games), but is playing second-line LW minutes for an increasingly scary Vancouver team. In fact, he shares a line with...

RW Shawnomir Jagr, Vancouver Wolves  (568 TPE) - Like Gruber, Jagr is one of three S66 forwards on the top two lines for Vancouver. He's on the same line as top pick Julius Freeman and retiring perennial starter Beau Louth, and is top 20 in points (7 points through 11 games) in spite of playing against the league's absolute best and averaging under 20 minutes a game. He's seen his role expand mightily this season, nearly doubling his shot total (102 => 171) and increasing his +/- from -20 to +0 in the regular season. Whether Vancouver can actually usher out the Legion this season remains to be seen, but these two have played an integral role thus far.

RW Nethila Dissanayake, New York Americans (368 TPE) - The massive 6'8" Nethi was taken mid-third round by the New York Americans, and promptly became one of the top-line players at even strength and on powerplays. The Americans are in something of a long-term rebuild, managing only 20 wins this season and finishing last in their conference - but they have a host of young, talented players, the oldest of which are S63 draftees. Though Nethi may see his minutes drop a little as other talented teammates bring themselves to the forefront, he'll be a main-stay depth piece as long as he remains active.