40. (S20) RW (Toronto North Stars) - Kristian Eriksson || +17
Grade: 57/80 || Average: 7.125
Past Seasons: S22-96, S23-77, S24-57

We start up the top 40 with one of the leagues brightest young stars, playing wing for the Toronto North Stars and really starting to make a name for himself, Kristian Eriksson. Eriksson had a great season production wise, scoring 19 goals and 41 points. With a 17 point jump this season, much higher placements are expected from him, if his production keeps climbing.

39. (S14) LW/RW (Winnipeg Jets) - Emīls Vilmenietis || -29
Grade: 57/80 || Average: 7.125
Past Seasons: S20-39, S21-47, S22-58, S23-47, S24-10

Emils Vilmeniietis had a great finish last season landing in the top 10. However, this year he has dropped nearly 30 spots to 39th overall due to a slightly lower scoring production than the season prior. Emil’s is still in the top 40 of the league, and is proving to be a very dynamic scorer, getting an even 21 goals and 21 assists, and even putting up 136 hits.

38. (S19) C (West Kendall Platoon) Zallerras Szlerchek || +30
Grade: 57/80 || Average: 7.125
Past Seasons: S20-86, S21-58, S22-40, S23-71, S24-68

Zalleras started off back in S20 ranked 86th on this list, he managed to get up to rank 40 after 2 seasons, and then dropping down to rank 71 the following season. 2 seasons later, he’s back in the top 40, with his best finish ever at 38th overall. He has some rather low goal totals, but has been a fantastic playmaker for the Platoon. 30 of his 42 points were assists.

37. (S7) RW (Seattle Riot) - David Winter || -28
Grade: 58/80 || Average: 7.25
Past Seasons: S20-24, S21-6, S22-10, S23-23, S24-9

David Winter put up 13 goals and 24 assists good for 37 points this season. One of the oldest players left in the game has had a drop in production which resulted in a 28 spot drop in these rankings, however the fact that he is ranked 37th after 18 seasons of play is still incredible.

36. (S10) LW (West Kendall Platoon) - Ivo Willems || -13
Grade: 58/80 || Average: 7.25
Past Seasons: S20-11, S21-12, S22-12, S23-24, S24-23

The natural scorer from West Kendall Ivo Williems has dropped out of the top quarter of these rankings to spot number 36. He managed to put 21 goals and 39 points last season. Olliver Pettyfer who had a career year in Texas, will be rejoining his Platoon squad, and that must be very intriguing for Ivo.

35. (S20) D (New England Wolfpack) - Benjamin Reid || +38
Grade: 59/80 || Average: 7.375
Past Seasons: S22-90, S23-66, S24-73

One of the fastest up and coming defenseman in the SHL, Benjamin Reid put up a great season for the New England Wolfpack, scoring 40 points and blocking 72 shots. Reid is a big part of the Pack’s rebuild and if he keeps up this play, he could be the corner stone to their next cup run.

34. (S18) LW (Calgary Dragons) Esa Anrikkanen || -27
Grade: 60/80 || Average: 7.5
Past Seasons: S20-45, S21-48, S22-35, S23-6, S24-7

Its hard to imagine it was just a season ago Esa was ranked the 7th best player in the SHL. This year Esa falls 27 spots to 34th overall due to a pretty average 34 point season that only included 16 goals for the Calgary Dragons. Esa did put up 156 hits however, so at least that department is still strong.

33. (S20) LW (Minnesota Chiefs) - Pedro Sarantez || -3
Grade: 60/80 || Average: 7.5
Past Seasons: S22-75, S23-54, S24-30

Pedro Sarantez made a big jump last year to spot 30, and he managed to nearly repeat that finish, this year finishing 33rd. Pedro put up a solid 40 point season for the Chiefs and managed to put up 17 goals.

32. (S14) D (Calgary Dragons) Steven Jalopski || -1
Grade: 60/80 || Average: 7.5
Past Seasons: S20-30, S21-22, S22-27, S23-30, S24-31

The controversial Calgary defenseman has been one of the most consistent players on this list, never finishing lower than this year’s 32nd position, and never higher than S21’s 22nd spot. Jalopski had another great year at the Dragon’s blue line, scoring 40 points and nearing 50 shot blocks.

31. (S15) C (West Kendall Platoon) Roberts Birkavs || -19
Grade: 60/80 || Average: 7.5
Past Seasons: S20-62, S21-35, S22-30, S23-14, S24-12

Robert Brikavs’ 44 points was not good enough to keep him up with his pace in the last 2 editions of this list, which had him just outside the top 10. He’s now finished outside the top 30 which must not settle well with him.