S74 SMJHL Post Season Bonanza:

Total TPE Earned: 16/16

2. Looking Towards the Future (3 TPE)
As we near the end of S72, the SMJHL draft will be happening soon. Going into next season, what are your team's biggest needs and areas of strength? Do any holes need to be filled with call-ups? Do you have a position that is incredibly stacked? Give us all an overview of your team, from top to bottom.

The St. Louis Scarecrows mortgaged their future to win the season 72 SMJHL Championship, and this created a large issue for the future teams. Left with a lack of draft capital, it has created a significant skill gap between the top line and the rest of the lines. While having the fourth overall pick in the last draft, in the upcoming draft the earliest pick that they have is in the 4th round. It will be important for the Scarecrows to be active on the waiver wire and try to get as many active players as possible. Now, this leaves a very large weight on the shoulders of some of the most recent draft picks to be top earners and for them to carry the Scarecrows if they do intend to compete soon. The major holes to fill are the ones that require active players in general, so get as many as they can the future will look bright for them!

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3. Secret Plans (3 TPE)
It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to gain a competitive edge next season! How is your team going to go the extra mile to get wins next season? Is it a secret training regimen? Sneaky equipment modifications? Booby trapping the visiting teams’ locker room? Anything goes.

Going into the next season, I want to the take the next step in my player’s development and become the true number one center that the Scarecrows had in mind when they drafted me fourth overall. This will require intense training to not only focus on my strengths, but to also improve my weaknesses. Next, I will do a better job of learning my opponents and evaluating scouting reports before every game better. I do think a large part of getting a win is done on the ice, however if you can research and learn about your opponent you are that much more likely to perform better on the ice and know what their next move will be. I think that this will be an important skill to learn not only for this upcoming SMJHL season, but also into my SHL career. Also, I will begin to involve my teammates more into this exercise.

154 words

6. Team History (5 TPE)
I know history isn't everyone's favorite thing to discuss, but a team's past can really define its identity, what its known for and who they are in the present. Tell us about your team's past! Have there been any franchise defining moments that are integral to your team or even SHL history? Conversely, is there some interesting tidbit that not many around the league know?

The St Louis Scarecrows franchise is one that has had a great amount of success, with multiple dynasties taking place. Going back to the season 40s is what I believe was the best decade of performance from any team in the history of the SMJHL. There were 5 championships won in 10 seasons, with the first 3 happening back-to-back to back, and then a few seasons later, the Scarecrows won back-to-back again, just falling short of another three peats. Many players for this decade have gone on to have very successful careers in the SHL and even some have reached Hall of Fame status. This feat is something that will never be matched and will continue to be looked at, as how great a dynasty can be in the SMJHL. Every single day that a current or past player has walked into the locker room they are constantly reminded of the season 40 teams and what they did for the franchise. They symbolize the ability to not only win, but to also keep winning and retooling while being competitive every single season in their dynasty run. Now often we see teams sell their future to win or get the chance to win a championship, while these season 40 teams were able to keep most of their draft capital to keep rebuilding their prospect stock. I don’t ever think there will be another three peats again, or even a team that comes close to winning 5 championships in a 10-season window.

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12. On the Radar (2 TPE)
Write a pre-draft scout report on your player from the perspective of a journalist covering the prospects of the S75 SHL draft class. What do possible SHL suitors have to be excited (or perhaps wary?) about when it comes to potentially drafting your player?

Being the fourth overall pick in the SMJHL has given me high expectations both in the SMJHL and then also in the SHL. My player has developed an outstanding ability to make plays in tight situations and is on the right track to be a complete two-way player. The SHL is an amazing league, and it would be honored to be able to be drafted and be a part of any great organizations. I think I may want to be drafted by a team that is in the middle of their rebuild, so I can grow with similar aged players, and we all enter the SHL at the same time, to take over the league together. A rewarding rebuild is a priceless experience that every player may not want, but some do.

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18. Milestones – (3 TPE)
You will have the opportunity to cover up to 3/16 TPE with milestones relating to your player's performance/accolades during the season. Link your post in the Milestones thread and post your comment in your CW reply to claim. They will come soon!

https://simulationhockey.com/showthread....pid3459664