Graves believes he will be drafted to his career-long team

[STZ 5,360]

Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Top VHL S69 prospect Benny Graves is very confident that he will land in a preferred destination come draft day. The skilled centerman is fresh off his second round defeat in the VHLM Playoffs, after having an incredible first full VHLM Season recording 143 points in 72 games played. He led all first year players in points, and was only behind teammate Jeff Tates for top points. Graves also led the league in Game Winning Goals with 15. He also impressed scouts by tallying 144 hits. Overall, Graves has come as advertized and should be a top three pick in the draft.

 

The draft lotto has yet to be completed, yet Graves believes that he is in the position to be selected by a team where he could play his entire career. He has made it well-known to many scouts and GM's that he is looking to land in a place that wants to commit to him long term, and can build around him as a leader of their future. The response has been very positive;

 

"I've had great conversations with a number of different teams. I have left a number of meetings believing that if this was the team to take me - I would be all-in in their program. The most important thing for me is that I want to know that the franchise believes that I'm a great fit for their vision, and not just that I'm an asset that they can use. Those discussions I've felt have been very positive, and I think there are a number of scenerios come draft day that would be exciting for me." - Benny Graves

 

The belief is that at least three of the four draft lotto teams have been in contact with Graves, and as many as three non-draft lotto teams. There has even been one team that has expressed an interest in buying their way into the lotto in order to get a chance to nab Graves. The STZ Player Agency hasn't given official word about what its clients preferred destinations are but did have this to say, "Benny had an unbelievable season; it has only validadted that he has the skilled and talent to adapt his game quickly and make an impact. He is a special player, and even a more special person. He's thrilled that he's gotten so much interest from scouts, and what's even more exciting is that there are teams that hold his value high enough to trade up and into the position to select him."

 

The VHL Playoffs wrap up in a week, and after that we will likely see the Draft Lotto and eventual VHL S69 Entry Draft a few weeks after that. There are a lot of exciting draft prospects this year, and after what was such a heavy defensive S68 Draft, there's a whole new class with some top-end forwards leading the pack.