Introducing the Prague Phantoms [1/2]

[Seabass 593]

Introducing the Prague Phantoms (Part 1/2)

 

The Czech Republic has had deep hockey history that's seen its peaks during the powerhouse Czech World Cup teams of the late 90s and early 2000s that included the likes of ex-NHLers like Radek Dvorak, Pavel Kubina, Robert Reichel, Petr Sykora, Milan Hejduk, Patrik Elias, Dominik Hasek, Martin Straka and Jaromir Jagr. These teams won an olympic title and three straight IIHF World Chamionships between 1999-2001.

 

Well that was the peak until now, as the VHL has decided to include Prague as a destination for one of their VHL Expansion Teams this season. The country had been experiencing lows when it comes to excitement for the sport of hockey but that has all completely turned around as the Phantoms had already sold out of season tickets months before their inaugural season opener. The Czech's love for the game has revived itself after being FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY by the KHL and lately much ignored by the NHL. 

 

In this article I plan to introduce the team members of the new Prague Phantoms. We're going to start with the forwards and work our way down from there. 

 

THE FORWARDS

 

F - Erik Draven 

 

Draven was highly touted by the Phantoms as he was selected first overall in the expansion draft to become to the player in the teams history. Draven played a full season in the VHLM last year and has shown some excellent leadership qualities as a member of the Yukon Rush. Obviously those leadership qualities didn't go ignored as Draven was named the teams first captain in the team's history. He had a slow start in the VHLM last season but had a strong finish soon after being placed on the Rush's 2nd line where he found chemistry with fellow Phantom Willie Dredge. He ended his VHLM season a goal shy of 30 goals and a point shy of 60 pts.  We predict Draven to start the season on the Phantom's first line as the team looks to build around his character. 

 

F -  Scotty BigSotty

 

Scotty is on of the bigger offensive threats on the ice for the Phantoms. He had a stellar VHLM season last year as he posted 31 goals and 52 points for the Philadelphia Reapers. Scotty was selected with the 7th pick of the Expansion draft. The Moscow Menace originally drafted the man 22nd overall in the S67 Entry Draft after his first season in Philly but surprisingly gave him up after he improved his point totals by 64 points. The Phantom are happy to take Scotty off the Menace's hands and he's rumoured to be penciled in as the Phantoms first line center this season. 

 

F - Willie Dredge

 

Dredge was drafted in hopes that he'd recreate last year's chemistry he had with captain, Erik Draven. Dredge being a year younger than Draven was selected in this year's VHL Entry Draft with Prague's 19th overall pick. The Phantoms hopes he will build on his last season in the VHLM with the Rush where he had solid numbers with 22 goals and 53 points. The speedy winger will be deployed alongside Draven on the team's first line at the season's opener but he has to be consistent as the Rush have a more experienced Don Draper that could easily slide into that spot as well. 

 

F - Blake Laughton

 

Finally some VHL experience. Laughton was acquired early on in the season from the New York American in a trade for Dalton Wilcox who was drafted in the expansion draft by the Phantoms but requested a trade to join his friend Frederik Elmebeck shortly after Elmebeck was drafted by the Americans. Laughton however will fit in well with the team on paper as he is one of a few members of the Phantoms to have previous VHL experience.  Laughton had a 37 point rookie campaign last year for the Americans but his defensive play is something to be desired as he went -26. The Americans drafted Laughton hoping he'd bring some goal scoring prowess to their team after his 41 goal season in the VHLM. After letting him go for Wilcox after his rookie season, Laughton is looking forward to showing the Americans up and prove that they picked the wrong player. He is slated to being the season on the teams 2nd line. 

 

F - Don Draper

 

Another player with some VHL experience Don Draper has all the tools to be a true defensive forward. Unlike Laughton he learned the defensive side of the game rather quickly but his offensive game is lacking as he only put up 17 points for Davos in his rookie season. Draper however thinks he can improve his offense this year and be more of a consistent scorer playing for his new team in what's going to be his sophomore season. If thats the case I can see the team give him more ice time but for now we will find Draper playing on the teams 2nd line. 

 

F - Zeno Miniti

 

Miniti is another rookie here that's up to make his debut soon. Miniti although is coming off an incredible season where he lead the Founder's Cup Winning Ottawa Lynx in scoring and also lead the VHLM in points with his 55 goal, 134 point season. In the playoffs Miniti continued his high scoring ways as he put up 22 points in 15 games. With all that being said Miniti is probably the biggest offensive tool at the Phantoms disposal and it's a wonder how GM, Jasson Glasser was able to acquire him and defenseman Bert Meyers for a meager 3rd round draft pick in S70.

 

F- Alex Pearsson

 

Is another big scoring threat as he was chasing Zeno Miniti for the VHLM scoring title for a good portion of the season until he hit a slump. Still a campaign with 48 goals and 98 points is not something other teams will overlook. It was a surprise to find out that Pearsson wasn't lined up to play with his former Reaper teamate, Scotty BigShotty. Maybe this is a attempt to spread out the scoring by the Phantoms Head Coach, who knows. Pearsson will at least be paired with Scotty however on the teams first powerplay unit, so maybe we will get a chance to see them recreate some of their magic from last season. 

 

That does it for the forwards folks. Toomoorow I will be releasing the Defenseman and Goalie portion of this segment and I hope this article has offered some insight on our team for our fans in Prague. The team looks forward to your support and are anxious to get the show on the road.

 

 

[Renomitsu 934]

Review

Nice job! There are always a lot of moving parts for expansion teams. I think it's easy to dig yourself into a hole of just rattling off the team a player came from + stats without any of your own interpretation, but I'm glad to see that you elected to include where you thought players would fall in the depth chart and a bit about how they where acquired/if the trade made was worth it. Looking forward to reading more of your stuff!