VSN S72 Top 24 Early Standouts

[Spence King 387]

It's SHOWTIME !! Season 72 is well underway and it's time to start looking at the biggest early standout players who are eligible for the S73 VHL Draft. This list is stockpiled with some VERY strong talent all the way from 24-1.

 

Analysts at first believed this might be a weaker draft class than S72 however the players are proving that very wrong with over a dozen draft-eligible players averaging over a point a game and some in the top 10 for scoring. This draft will be one for the history books that’s for sure. As we all know though there are lots of hidden gems still hiding in the rough that are just about to shine as well. 

 

 

Now let's get business; Here are the following Top 24 Early Standouts of the S73 VHLM season (This includes only players from when the data had last been updated, which was the week of 5/31. *) The Following rankings are from our amazing VSN Director of Scouting @Patrik Tallinder and myself @Spence King.

 LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE

24. Florent Vericel; User: @dart (Left Wing) | 5' 11" | 183 lb. | Age: 17 |  | 

Vericel is part of the very deep and strong S73 VHL prospect pool in Miami. This sophomore class is loaded and lots of players are also on this list. Florent has made a recent jump in activity after being very quiet after being drafted to the M, however, he has shown effort putting up back to back 16 TPE weeks. 

 

23. Jeremy Lin; User: @jman9theman9 (Right Wing) | 6' 2" | 200 lb. | Age: 18 | |

Jeremy has not had the start we're all sure he expected however it seems that recently Lin has a major increase in confidence on the ice and is really starting to come into his own. Recently Traded To Mexico, and Shortly after named to Team Asia, a very consistent player the numbers are going to come

 

22. Oh Sens; User @osens (Right Wing) | 5' 10" | 211 lb. | Age: 17 |  | 

The second player on this list that is flooded with prospects from Miami's S72 VHLM draft class. Oh Sens was recently named to Team Asia for the upcoming WJC. Oh sens has made a major increase in production recently with much more activity garnering himself some invaluable TPE proving and proving his growth and effort on the ice as well.

 

21. Rick Osman; User: @dylanjj37 (Defenceman) | 6' 8" | 250 lb. | Age: 18 |  | 

After winning the VHLM’s award for a top defenceman with Alex Armstrong, dylanjj37 has moved on to his second player, Rick Osman. Also a defenceman, Osman is a very peculiar prospect. He has earned 6-8 TPE in every full week so far but has not made use of much of it. With 98 TPE and only 55 TPA, he definitely isn’t playing to his full potential right now. The Halifax defender isn’t a perfect prospect, but a really intriguing one nonetheless, especially if he can sort out his build.

 

20. Bobbie Cheechoo; User: @Sharkie (Right Wing) | 6' 1" | 215 lb. | Age: 18 | |

American winger Bobbie Cheechoo is an offensive powerhouse, with outstanding speed and scoring instincts. He had a very active first three weeks, putting up a total of 42 TPE, but has since seen a drop in activity over the past week. Cheechoo could be a quality prospect with just a little more consistency, and working on his defensive game a bit.

 

19. Ajay Krishna; User: @Hooperorama (Goalie) | 6' 8" | 220 lb. | Age: 16 | |

With the number of high-profile goalie prospects this season, it has become easy for a first-generation goalie such as Ajay Krishna to fall off the radar a little. However, Krishna has been developing steadily and swiftly, earning every possible capped TPE so far in his young career. A tad more engagement in uncapped opportunities could go a long way for the massive goaltender but isn’t necessarily essential to his success. What he’s doing to earn TPE can be replicated each and every week, which is an encouraging sign.

 

18. Han Jae Kuk; User: @Dtayl (Defenceman) | 6' 0" | 175 lb. | Age: 18 | |

Following a trade to the Marlins, Han Jae Kuk has seen his on-ice production go up with increased ice-time. The South Korean prospect is a much more defensive-minded defender but has proven his ability to make solid offensive contributions as well. After a hot start earning 26 TPE in his first week, he has since found a groove of claiming welfare and practice facility each week, most commonly resulting in a total of 8 TPE due to his activity in the SBA. He could become a nice piece for a VHL team down the line if he keeps up his current pace.

 

17.Groovy Dood; User: @bigAL (Left Wing) | 6' 1" | 190 lb. | Age: 25 | |

After bigAL was named Miami’s first-ever assistant general manager, Groovy Dood has rapidly progressed into one of this draft’s top prospects. Between his AGM position and being one of S72’s WJC GMs, he has wasted no time in making a name for himself. Dood is a playmaking left-winger with experience at the center as well. In terms of earning TPE, he has been growing a lot. Lately, he has been capping out pretty often and making the most of the league’s uncapped opportunities too. There is honestly a ton of potential with this player, and only time will tell if he reaches it to the fullest.

 

16. Cal Conway; User: @Shaka (Goalie) | 5' 10" | 180 lb. | Age: 20 |   |

5’10” goaltender Cal Conway has found himself as the backup for the incredibly successful Saskatoon Wild, behind fellow S73 prospect Grekkark Gyrfalcon. He has excelled in that role, putting up the league’s best save percentage among goalies with more than 10 games played. His weekly TPE output has varied quite a bit from week to week but has never fallen below 6 in any given week to date. Like bigAL, he is also one of this season’s WJC GMs. His status as a backup may make Conway easy to overlook, but don’t make that mistake; he is definitely someone to keep an eye on ahead of the draft.

 

15. Mikeal Keef; User: @RStar (Defenceman) | 6' 4" | 205 lb. | Age: 19 |  |

Mikeal Keef of the Minnesota Storm is a fantastic puck-moving defenceman with a skill set that allows him to thrive in any situation on the ice. His stats are consistently nice across the board, displaying no flaws in his game. His TPE production has relied somewhat heavily on uncapped opportunities, which could become a bit of an issue if those dry up. However, that hasn’t happened yet, and as long as he stays active, he will surely find ways to earn those precious training points. I like his potential and think he could be quite the prospect with steady improvement.

 

14. The Terrible Trivium; User: @der meister (Right Wing) | 6' 1" | 197 lb. | Age: 23 | |

Our second straight member of the Storm, The Terrible Trivium is an exceptional possession winger with some quick hands and feet that allow him to keep the play moving forward. He has also shown an offensive flair in his game, with almost a point-per-game average to show for it. Having had a very successful career with Casey Jones, der meister has proven himself to be a strong candidate to make a star forward this time around.

 

13. Jean Pierre Camus; User: @solas (Goalie) | 6' 8" | 250 lb. | Age: 19 | |

Teenage netminder Jean Pierre Camus has had quite the season so far, playing at an elite level for the ninth place Rush. Camus is second to only Woody McPine in save percentage among starters and has done that on a much weaker team. He has been capping out recently, as well as engaging in uncapped opportunities as well. This is a goalie with tremendous upside, and he could end up being a huge steal if the amount of great goalies in this draft causes him to fall at all.

 

12. Kosmo Kramerev; User: @Mongoose87 (Defenceman) | 6' 2" | 165 lb. | Age: 39 | |

Kosmo Kramerev is a Ukrainian defenceman who is fantastic with the puck on his stick. He has an arsenal of weapons in the offensive zone, all stemming from his hard shot and smooth skating. The potential to be an all-situations defender at the VHL level is there, and all it will take is time and consistency. Kramerev earns 10 capped TPE most weeks, along with whatever uncapped TPE is available too. The 39-year-old is already making noise in the VHLM with his 19 goals and 61 points in 42 games, and this is just the beginning of what’s to come.

 

11. Dan Baillie Jr; User: @wcats (Right Wing) | 6' 4" | 225 lb. | Age: 19 | |

S70 Continental Cup champion Dan Baillie had his career come to an end in S71, but now wcats looks to capture that same success and more with Dan Baillie Jr. The new Baillie has jumped to the right-wing, opposite of the man before him. He is about as consistent as they come in earning TPE, always claiming welfare, and often attending press conferences and trivia. Baillie Jr likely won’t be your team’s superstar but is nearly guaranteed to be a really solid part of your forward core.

 

10. Andre Lebastard; User: @Andre LeBastard (Center) | 6' 3" | 202 lb. | Age: 18 | |

The captain of the VHLM’s newest expansion franchise, Andre Lebastard is a playmaking centre who possesses a remarkable vision and a quick stride. He is inches away from a point-per-game average and will reach it by season’s end in all likelihood. Lebastard is on a good path right now, regularly earning 12+ TPE per week, with one recent exception. If he’s still in Miami next season, it will be fun to see him lead a group which contains many names in this list, en route to what they hope will be a deep playoff run.

 

9. Wolf Stansson; User: @ahockeyguy (Defenceman) | 6' 2" | 184 lb. | Age: 17 | |

Coming over from Great Britain the feisty defender Wolf Stansson was selected by the expansion Miami Marauders. Miami is currently is a major rebuild phase but it looks to be working having a strong sophomore group locked up for the S74 season leading the way along with team captain Lebastart, Stansson proves every night he's here to play and you can't watch the game without noticing and saying “who is that“. His activity has been consistent and shows the potential of being a star at the next level maintaining this rate of activity in the community. VHL scouts describe Stansson’s play as a style that all coaches love, his name is the best way to describe it. He truly is a Wolf, you never see him take a shift off and he's the player you love to play with and hate to play against.

 

8. Jeffrey Pines; User: @rory (Left Wing) | 5' 10" | 158 lb. | Age: 18 | |

Finally, we have our next forward on the list, even though it's at eight don't be fooled this draft class has some serious future hall of famers and Pines without a doubt has the potential to be one of those men. If it were not for the once in a generation player like Frostbeard, Pines would be the without a doubt first forward pick and is truly a legitimate contender to be selected #1 overall on draft day. Assistant VHLM GM. Extremely active along with some great graphic skills, Jeffrey Pines has proven early he knows how to score and continues to prove he knows how to put the puck in the net and where to be and when, his hockey IQ is off the charts, Pines has the skill, the IQ and the effort. The sky's the limit and Pines has a very bright future ahead

 

7. Viktor Mjers; User: @InstantRockstar (Defenceman) | 6' 1" | 188 lb. | Age: 17 | |

The Second VHLM GM in this draft and the 3rd of the trio of Superstar Defensemen available in this draft Viktor is continuously showing major improvements in his game from week to week. In a league with very little Russian presents and a very foreign country, Mjers stepped into the league looking like an 8-year vet. Viktor has the potential to be the best offensive defenceman of this draft class, he has shown signs of extreme finesse and poise, very reliable and high energy free-wheeling type of play. His poise and calmness with the puck are amazing. Truly the definition of a 2 way D and a great leader. 

 

6. Grekkark Gyrfalcon; User: @Sharkstrong (Goalie) | 6' 8" | 230 lb. | Age: 27 | |

Whichever team drafts this superstar goaltender won't have any worries about activity as he is strongly affiliated with VHLs Partner the EFL Grekkark  can claim 12 TPE welfare for his position in the EFL, That guarantees he caps out every week.

 

5. Shawn Glade III; User: @ShawnGlade (Defenceman) | 5' 11" | 175 lb. | Age: 18 | |

After a very strong start to the season playing almost impeccable hockey and shining. Recently selected as a rookie to S73 Team Canada WJC where he is proving he fits right in.  Relative to the legendary Shawn Glade could potentially dethrone Micah as the top d in the S73 class as Shawn has the highest ceiling of any play in this draft, currently in the top 10 in D scoring in the VHLM (Glade is proving the apple doesn't fall far from the tree)

 

4. Jacob Tonn; User: @MexicanCow123 (Goalie) | 5' 5" | 140 lb. | Age: 22 | |

 Jacob Tonn was by far the biggest name and most highly touted goalie going into the S72 VHLM draft, but to everyone's surprise, no one was taking goalies and Tonn slipped to Mississauga at 18th OVR !!) -Maybe it was his size that turned teams off? However, they made a mistake letting him slip that far Tonn is and has always remained extremely active in the community (Working as VHLM GM) Tonn Has the Potential to be a Superstar Starting Goalie in the VHL one day 

 

3. Micah Adrienne; User: @Poptart (Defenceman) | 6' 6" | 250 lb. | Age: 16 | |

“Micah is one of the league best defencemen already at age 16, he came onto the scene late last season with The Reapers and was one of the best defencemen on the team immediately. Adrienne will without a doubt be a top 5 pick come a draft day”

 

2. Tyler Walker; User: @Advantage (Defenceman) | 6' 2" | 197 lb. | Age: 18 | |

“The legitimate #1 (consider "@Frostbeard is protected) Player who is most likely to have his name called first on draft day, Nothing short of a generational talent and future franchise defenceman. Walker possesses all the skills needed to be a star defenceman in the VHL and he has shown in his very short time in the VHLM, he's not here for long. Tyler has proven to be one of the best prospects out of the VHLM and will be playing in the VHL before you can blink”

 

1.Marshall James Frostbeard; User @FrostBeard (Left Wing)  | 6' 5" | 240 lb. | Age: 24 | | Marshall James Frostbeard aka MJF, the first thing that comes to mind when you see him play is “WOW” This young man is on pace and on the path to being one of the VHLs all-time greats. @Frostbeard has the protection rights to his own player in the VHL draft meaning MJF will more than likely NOT even be the first overall pick. Marshall has basically entered the league as a top 5 player in the league (Arguably the best in the whole league) and the VHL and VHL scouts have very good reasons why the report is long here are some key points highlighted;  A born goalscorer, always finds the back of the net, his leg strength and stamina allow him to be first on the puck and many times be the first guy back, but can also use his deceptive speed to split the defence carrying the puck

 

Here we are and with that comes the conclusion of our Top 24 Early Standouts. Be on the lookout for our next piece coming out in the near future focusing on the waiver players that have surpassed some of our early standouts as well as checking in with some players from this list and tracking their development.

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[Spence King 387]

Claiming for week ending Jun 21*

[Sharkstrong 166]

Wooo!! Top 10!! Great article, gets me to know a bit better my contemporary players

[Hooperorama 126]

litty

[Spence King 387]

Claiming 2nd week Job-Pay   [Week end Jun 28]