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Muerto · 03-30-2024, 03:59 AM

1.

Nevada Battleborn - C - Gwendolyn Telenn @Revontulete

Prior to the pick: Nevada trades S76 9th Overall + S77 1st rd pick + S79 4th rd pick to Ottawa to acquire this pick

There was a great deal of speculation prior to the Draft as to whether Ottawa would choose to use the 1st Overall Pick in this Draft, or try to trade it to acquire more assets for the fledgling franchise. There was a lot of speculation on who might have the assets to trade for it, and who they might be targeting if they went for such a move. Turns out most of the speculation was wrong, as it was Nevada who swooped in with the best offer, surprising the pundits. But it was no surprise who they wanted and for good reason. Gwendolynn Telenn had been rising the draft rankings consistently as the big day edged closer, and rumor was rampant that Vancouver was looking to select her after they traded for 2nd OV just a couple days ago. Battleborn management had other ideas, and made their move to select their player. A prospect who has the potential to not only be a star player, but with the Locker Room presence to lead and inspire the team to new heights. A bold move by Nevada here, but a great selection who they weren't willing to risk letting be sniped by anyone else.

2. Whalers

Vancouver Whalers - D - Trevor Lopez @tredpalo

Prior to the Draft: Vancouver trades S76 6th Overall + S78 2nd to acquire this pick

Scouting conversations indicated Vancouver was looking for two things - defense and LR activity. As mentioned above, most predictions had the Whalers slotted to select the player who went 1st. But they get exactly what they were looking for with the player they announced as their pick. Trevor Lopez has been a relentless presence in the discords and media, a self-proclaimed 'vibe check' guru who brings an infectious enthusiasm to the room. As a first-gen in a class with multiple well-known recreates, his workouts in the combine and media presence elevated him into the upper class and was predicted to go top 8 in most mock drafts. If he can keep it up, I'm sure he will have SHL scouts taking a good look at him as well! A great pick for Vancouver.

3.

Great Falls Grizzlies - D - AT-AT Wøllker @Muerto

It wasn't that long ago that the Grizzlies were an expansion team, but already they are developing traditions and links to the past. They select a player here whose user was an inaugural member of the original Grizzly roster. Wøllker should slot in comfortably, filling a positional need on the ice and having a past connection with the team. Great Falls gets a player who is a virtual lock to max earn and stay active. A sensible pick here.

4. Tidal

San Diego Tidal - LW - Gina Pinard @JURT

San Diego makes their first ever draft pick here, and they take a player who will be a great piece for the expansion team to start building their culture and roster. Created just a day before the Draft, his arrival signaled a huge shift in mock draft thinking as here was someone who could legitimately be called a potential 1st Overall player. But would he have enough time to make an impression on the scouts? Clearly he did, as the Tidal decided he would be the face of the franchise for their first season! This is a homerun pick by Tidal management, assuredly Pinard's jersey will be a top seller as the San Diego surf culture gets swept up in hockey mania.

5. Kraken

Carolina Kraken - RW - Swedish Chef @DrunkenTeddy

Carolina had an interesting Draft. Originally they held 4 picks in the first round, an enviable position to be in. They made a number of trades, however, resulting in a windfall of future picks. But they did not trade all their picks, and took the podium with the 5th Overall selection. At this point they selected the player who most writers felt was the consensus 1st overall. Swedish Chef comes from a very well-connected player agency known for creating very excellent players. Adding this player makes a lot of sense, already a well-established team they add a player whose knowledge and abilities can help continue the Kraken tradition of producing future stars and future GMs. While overall the Kraken moves indicated they are looking to wait a couple seasons before rebuilding the roster, with the 1st round pick they didn't trade, they most certainly made a wise selection here.

6. Knights

Kelowna Knights - C - Pohler Beargeron @Ace

Kelowna acquired this pick + 31st OV in exchange for 2nd OV, in a three-way trade prior to the Draft

Another player whose late declaration for the Draft made mock drafters rip up their previous submissions and start all over again. There is everything to like about this pick for Kelowna. In a Draft with a lot of great players, they felt they could afford to drop a couple spots and add another later pick. They add here a player basically guaranteed to remain active and be a great presence for a team with a deep history. Beargeron himself won't be in the SHL Draft as his rights are owned by the Winnipeg Aurora, but he shows that he is definitely a valuable prospect and will be a great investment for the Knights as they look to build back into a contender.

7. Armada

Anchorage Armada - LW - Jefferson Steelflex @Steelflex

Anchorage breaks the recreate combo here going for a player who flew under the radar as far as the mocks were concerned. But he obviously made a great impression on the scouts for the Armada as they made no hesitation in announcing his name. His player agent is more well known in the baseball world, but recently expanded to start repping hockey players as well. Steelflex the player might be a bit raw in terms of hockey knowledge, but has the skills and potential to be molded into a player who could be a great offensive contributor to Anchorage.

8. Falcons

Detroit Falcons - RW - Simon Science @JasonHopefully

Prior to the pick, Detroit trades S78 1st + S80 2nd to Carolina to acquire this pick

Prior to the Draft, Detroit did not look like a team which was likely to be one of the bigger players. But they must have been encouraged in their scouting that this was a good draft to invest in. They make their first move of the night by trading into the draft for a top 10 pick. Here they take another player represented by an agent of affiliate leagues venturing into the hockey world for the first time. Science is similar to Steelflex in that he has a lot of potential which the Falcons coaching staff can mold into a great player. He has a lot of physical ability in terms of athleticism but it is his LR presence which is his real draw. He has already shown in the combines and discords that he brings a lot of positivity and personality which will make him an immediate fan favorite in Detroit.

9.

Ottawa Highlanders - C - Hockey Player @Ruggsy

Ottawa acquired this pick from Nevada in exchange for 1st Overall + S77 1st rd pick

Ottawa came into this Draft as a wild card, as an expansion team with the 1st Overall Pick in this Draft, there was much debate about whether they would select or trade, and the GMs weren't letting any secrets slip. With an expansion team, what they do with the pick would go a long way to establishing their identity. But right as the Draft began, there was a trade to announce and Ottawa ended up with an extra pick next draft, and still had a top 10 pick in their pockets this Draft. They select a player here who most had speculated was a lock to go to the same team where prior players with the same agency had played a big role. Hockey Player is not just a prospect with a great future on the ice. They had already established themselves as a true leader of the rookie class, being one of the ringleaders of much of the pre-draft shenanigans. In addition, the Highlanders gain access to the agent behind the player, someone with a lot of experience and success in guiding a team. With the management of Carolina as their mentors, they know the value of bringing in another active set of eyes and ears into the War Room. This is a great pick to establish the base on which the team will be built.

10. Knights

Kelowna Knights - RW - Emeric Gagner @Whitecap

Prior to the Draft, Kelowna traded S78 1st rd pick + Rodrigo Banes to Carolina to acquire this pick

Kelowna utilized a wise strategy this Draft, recognizing the value of picks in the 6-10 range, they traded down in their first move, then traded into the top 10. They followed up their earlier pick with another knockout here, selecting a player who most mocks had going in the top 5, if not higher. They take another player who won't be available in the SHL Draft, as Gagner's rights are owned by the Challenge Cup winning Los Angeles Panthers. So once again, a pick which not only assures them an active developing player, but brings a wealth of experience and winning culture to a team itching to restore themselves to their rightful place atop the SMJHL world.

11.

Yulon Malamutes - D - McLovin @Soviet Sexpot

Yukon steps up to the podium with still a solid pool of prospects to choose from. They elect to go with a defender here, and with that in mind they take a first-gen player whose agent is a veteran of affiliate football leagues. McLovin gained some early notoriety by going public with their takes on various SMJHL brandings, which wasn't always flattering to every team! But they rated the Malamutes highly so it obviously had a positive effect as well! Yukon gets a player with well-rounded attributes with a great potential already for developing even further, projecting into a future 1st liner.

12. Falcons

Detroit Falcons - D - Smitty Werbenjaegermanjensen @ZodiacEXE

Detroit comes in with their second pick of the Draft, and they take a defender this time who was one of the first players to declare for the Draft. Already established in the worlds of football and baseball, the Agency here ventures into the hockey arena for the first time but with plans to make a big impact for his team. Despite his name being probably the hardest to pronounce amongst the prospect pool, the Falcons do not shy away and must be thrilled to be able to add this player to the locker room. He's displayed great patience waiting for the Draft and maintaining his positive attitude throughout the process, now that the wait is over, expect him to raise his draft stock even further as the season goes on.

13. Timber

Maine Timber - D - Boofa Benson @dasboot

A player who has been somewhat reclusive when it comes to the media and social media side of things, Benson has been steadily keeping active and participating in the combines. His agent previously represented a player who spent his junior career in Maine, so I imagine the scouting process here was a smooth one. Both team and player have the luxury of not having to worry about the LR fit or loyalty. It helps a team to have continuity in their culture and assure the alumni and current roster players that they, too, will always have a home in Maine. A stable franchise is a happy franchise! Also thanks to Maine management for leaking this pick and giving us our only correct mock pick!

14. Tidal

San Diego Tidal - RW - Skyler Stevens @Security Shark

Prior to this pick, San Diego traded 19th OV + S77 2nd rd pick to Carolina to acquire this pick

So this is kind of a funny pick, or at least the circumstances around it. Skyler Stevens has been declared for the Draft almost from the time the recruitment process began, and has been widely regarded as one the most ready-to-compete-now players available. Most people expected Stevens to go quite high, but they just kept dropping. Stevens themselves seemed dumbfounded by this, and was actually caught on the hot mic in the green room blasting every GM that passed on them, questioning their collective wits and vowing retribution on all who might wrong them. Just as the trade was being announced, to paraphrase, Stevens was commenting what bullshit! As if a team would trade up for me, what a load of HEY WAIT HEY DID TRADE UP FOR ME! And there was much rejoicing. San Diego obviously hopes they can bring that energy to the ice and focus it on their opponents!

15.

Newfoundland Berserkers - C - Ólafur Atlason @HabsFanFromOntario

How long have we known each other and you seriously thought Gaia and I were married? God damn, dude.

16. Knights

Kelowna Knights - G - Doom Guy @Snowy

Prior to the pick, Kelowna trades 25th OV + S77 2nd rd pick + S79 4th rd pick to Colorado to acquire this pick

As the first round draws to a close, Kelowna makes another trade here, looking to jump up the Draft to grab a player they want. It might be a bit of a surprise that this pick is for a goalie, but at this point, the Knights have already nabbed two blue chip prospects and have a particular positional need to fill. There really aren't many goalies available in this Draft, so obviously they feel it's best not to let the one they have in mind be exposed any longer than necessary. Doom Guy was a late declarer for the Draft but obviously Kelowna had a chance to gain a good first impression. And thus the Knights end the first round ending up with 3 picks and probably feeling pretty good about how their strategy unfolded.