Looking at S72 Draftees and Where They are Now (3/4)

[Da_Berr 219]

With most S72 players entering their 4th or 3rd year in the VHL, I think it's about time to review each draft pick (at least in the first round) and determine how they have been doing so far. Today it's time for picks 13-16.

 

13. Andrew Su
Coming into the VHL draft, Andrew Su was predicted to go as high as 7th OA but somehow ended up sliding to the second round. So far in the young center's career, he has shown to the teams that passed on him in the first round, that they messed up. Despite having an absurdly bad rookie season with only 19 points, he quickly bounced back in the following seasons. Notching over a PPG in his sophomore season and then getting 100 points in S74 (as well as being a main piece of VANs cup run), Su has shown consistent improvement in his abilities. Being an offensively focused player, he has broken 40 goals twice in his career and 100 points twice as well. He could very well be a HOFer in the future.

 

14. Chris Hylands
Chris Hylands has had a mighty impressive career so far in the VHL. Honestly, it's hard to find any faults in his well-rounded game, especially since he decided to stay another season in the minors to polish his skills. MAL with this pick got a steal. Posting an impressive 34 G, 42 A in his rookie season, Hylands started his VHL career by turning some heads at his performance. He showed that it wasn't just a one-off year, by improving at a rapid pace. In his sophomore season, he reached 95 points, with splits of 46 G and 49 A. This season, despite not improving on his already stellar offence, he has worked on his physicality and 2-way play, notching 174 HITs so far. He so far seems to have the potential to be another HOFer from S72 or at least one of the best players in the draft.

 

15. Gregg Stallion
Gregg Stallion has so far been a quieter player from S72. He has shown impressive consistency so far by notching 51 and 56 points in his first two seasons. Despite the unassuming point totals, from his first to his second season, Stallion improved greatly on all fronts. This can most clearly be seen with his 16 points in 19 games in VANs S74 cup run. This season, Stallion seems to have finally broken past the wall that was holding him back in the past with 76 points, 42 A and 34 G. Considering where Stallion was picked in the draft he is a steal and has been consistently good. Any team would benefit from a player like Stallion and he has the potential to be great.

 

16. Liam Flaten
This is the first so-called "bust" from the second round. Despite Liam Flaten being called a bust here, he isn't as bad of a pick compared to Gino, from the same draft, due to both his draft position and performance so far. Back to back disappointing seasons in DC, with 30 points in both, and a slow development rate led to DC trading him to LA. So far this season, with LA, Flaten has improved slightly with 47 points. Perhaps the change in scenery has helped him a bit. If it can help him regain his passion for the game, he can eventually become a decent-good player. Despite his low point totals, his defensive ability has still been pretty good, racking over 100 SB in all 3 seasons he's played in so far.

[Da_Berr 219]

Claiming Christmas Doubles week on this