Claimed: S54 Draft Profiles: Pt. 2

[Frank 4,758]

Season 54 Draft Profiles

Written by: Frank Chadwick

 

 

Shawn Gretzky - Center (166 TPE) @TheLastOlympian07

Gretzky has really come on in the second half of Season 53. 

 

With the name Gretzky comes great expectations, most players would shudder at the thought. Not Shawn he relishes the challenge to live up to the greatest player in history. Shawn is a pure two-way centerman in every sense of the word, he does nothing exceptionally but he excels at every facet of the game. He also comes from the Olympian agency who just retired Shawn Muller a prolific goal scorer in the VHL, with his current track record this should help improve Gretzky's draft position. Shawn is probably the most intriguing player in the draft just based on which team will select him. Centers are always a valuable commodity but with differing team needs it could be anywhere in the first round. 

 

Likeliest Destinations:

Dark Horse:

 

 

 

Vernon Von Axelberry - Goalie (163 TPE) @BobertZ

A future starting goalie but rarely mentioned after the big two in the draft.

 

One GM told me he would take Axelberry much higher then most pundits expect him to go just based on his agencies reputation. The Robbie agency has produced many talents most recently Sir William Covington III who is currently playing for the Helsinki Titans. Axelberry is all charisma and character he just oozes confidence. His play style is that of a prime Marty Turco his style is a bit unorthodox and his puck handling abilities make you scratch your head as to why he ever chose to play goal in the first place. Axelberry will be a starting goalie at the very least he could easily be one of the faces of whichever franchise takes a flyer on him. Could easily be the steal of the draft depending on where he lands.

 

Likeliest Destinations:

Dark Horse:

The Las Vegas _______

 

 

Takashi Fujimoto - Right Wing (133 TPE) @HFD

Fujimoto almost quick hockey to pursue a baseball career, VHL GM's are glad he didn't.

 

In a candid interview this month with Fujimoto, he questioned his commitment to hockey and whether or not he would last in a sport he isn't even that interested in. Luckily it appears Takashi has found a second gear as he's driven his stock through the roof all the way into the first round. His raw potential has most VHL GM's salivating at taking a player with his potential in the late first round. Takashi is a pure sniper, he runs the half wall on the powerplay. He's a member of the HFD agency which is fairly new to the VHL. His agency has been active throughout the league and VHL GM's are taking notice. Whoever Fujimoto lands to will have a pleasant surprise on their hands. Takashi projects to be a top line forward in the VHL, who could possibly play in the VHL next season. 

 

Likeliest Destinations:

Dark Horse:

Any team not mentioned.

 

 

Rudolph Schmeckeldorf - Left Wing (TPE: 143) @Corco

Schmeckeldorf is a pest, if he's on your team you love him otherwise you wanna clobber him. 

 

Drawing comparisons to Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins, Rudolph Schmeckeldorf is making a name for himself. He is a an absolute nightmare to his opponents. Show boating, dangerous plays, and the talent to back up all the smack talk. Schmeckeldorf has already been fined 5 times by the VHLM commissioners this season for his on ice antics. We've also heard from various sources he's quite a character off the ice. Fortunately for him he has all the talent in the world so his ceiling is really up to him and the Corco agency. The Corco agency was well known back in the mid 30s for churning out VHL talent but has been dormant for quite some time. Schmeckeldorf projects to be a top line forward who's greatest impact could come in the post season. After polling all VHL GM's he may be the biggest wild card of his draft class just based on all the variables. 

 

Likeliest Destinations:

Dark Horse:

 

 

Verner Reinholdt - Right Wing (TPE: 106) @Devise

Reinholdt has the most to prove in this draft class. 

 

Reinholdt skates like the wind, shoots like Legolas and has the vision of Sauron's eye. So what's not to like? Well firstly the Devise agency has had trouble recently with their respective players careers. Although Verner has much more valuable skill sets compared to his counterparts such as the infamous Thaddeus Humbert. We won't go there. If Devise can spend time and update this player to the 700+ tpe range he will be a very valuable commodity in the late first round. For now Reinholdt is a high risk high reward type player as most late picks generally are. He is currently tracking to be a top line forward. Devise might have a bit of a chip on his shoulder as MT Power has become the butt end of jokes recently.

 

Likeliest Destinations: 

Dark Horse:

 

 

Thanks for the read everyone, next week will be a Season 54 Mock Draft with GM/Player interviews. Stay tuned!

 

Again thanks to @Kendrick for the TPE numbers I know they're not quite up to date but I wanted to have the continuity of the first part of this article, cheers everyone. 

 

Over 500 words

 

Claim for Savard

[BluObieZ 1,125]

NOICE

[Kendrick 4,714]

Very nicely done. Great piece!

[TheLastOlympian07 2,388]

the love i feel it frank

[Corco 1,124]

Niceeee