Warsaw Predators Key Offseason Additions, Part 1 - The Drafts

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After a whirlwind week for the VHL's four expansion teams, the Warsaw Predators have been able to set their future about as well as one could hope considering the other factors the new teams have had to contend with. In this two part VHL.com series, we'll highlight the key players that Warsaw has been able to bring in.

 

Arthur Dayne - Center

Drafted 3rd overall in the VHL Expansion Draft

 

Dayne has come a long way since being selected in the third round of the VHL and VHLM drafts last season. He developed into a key piece for the Mexico City Kings last season, finishing second on the team in goals and third in points, and played well in a run to the cup for the upstart Kings. His ascension in his first post-draft season led Dayne to be highly targeted by Warsaw; he will spend one more season growing in the VHLM before making his presumed VHL debut in Season 74.

 

Alex Bridges - Defenseman

Drafted 11th overall in the VHL Expansion Draft

 

Bridges was the lone player that Warsaw selected to play in the VHL immediately across both drafts this offseason. A slow grower, Bridges, a former second round pick by Seattle, spent his first two post-draft seasons in the VHLM before making his pro debut for Davos last season. Now, he'll have the opportunity to prove himself as the top defenseman for a new franchise where he'll have plenty of chances to put up solid numbers.

 

DAKOTA Lamb - Center

Drafted 10th overall in the S73 VHL Draft

 

The first rookie draft pick in Warsaw Predators history, Dakota Lamb entered the VHLM as a 4th round steal for the new Miami Marauders and he was able to parlay the success of a 93-point first season into being drafted much higher by another expansion franchise. Although he plays center, like Arthur Dayne, he gives the Preds some versatility, as the team can run both players up the middle to solidify their long-term standing at the position, or one can split out wide.

 

Ajay Krishna - Goaltender

Drafted 17th overall in the S73 VHL Draft

 

Warsaw's second S73 VHL Draft pick was originally 21st overall, a pick they acquired with the 6th overall pick in the expansion draft. However, the Preds worked the phones feverishly after using their 10th overall selection on Lamb, originally trying to get back into the first round to secure Krishna. The team was ultimately able to move up from pick 21 to pick 17, the first in the second round, while also picking up 55th overall, and sending away 46th overall to make the move. That allowed the team to select Ajay Krishna, an incredibly promising goaltender-of-the-future who has moved up his stock considerably since being selected 63rd overall in the last VHLM Draft.

 

Victor Grachev - Defenseman

Drafted 24th overall in the S73 VHL Draft

 

Grachev was a late joiner to the VHLM last season, so he's lower TPE than many of the guys selected around him, but Warsaw saw a lot of promise in his early run, enough so to select him with their second supplemental 2nd round pick. Grachev was just drafted 7th overall in the VHLM draft, and he figures to be a key part to a Miami Marauders team that looks like it will roll over the VHLM this season.

 

Jeremy Lin - Right Winger

Drafted 30th overall in the S73 VHL Draft

 

Lin has been a solid and steady contributor to the Mexico City Kings since they drafted him 35th overall last season in the VHLM draft, and he immediately slots in as the top outright winger prospect in the Predators organization. He will look to take on a bigger role with the team in their quest to make it back to the VHLM Founder's Cup finals.

 

Check in for part 2 in a few hours, where we highlight Warsaw's key free agency signings!