Sunday, 18 December 2016

From the Editor's Chair: Edition 17


Normally I round up a daft post for Christmas. Something on the lines of what presents members of the hockey community should get for Christmas. Daft things like for example, Moose getting some superglue for his catcher so the puck stays in there and enables him to get his well deserved shutout.

However, as in previous editions, I've kinda strayed from talking about the Steelers and done a few different things such my trip to Jönköping to watch our good friends HV71 (yes, I plan to go back) or the statistics last week. This week will be a different one too, as I talk about five players from other teams who have caught my eye this season for one way or other. Hope you enjoy...

Number one on this list is a netminder, Shane Owen of Fife:

I'll go along and say it right now, Shane Owen has been exceptional pick up for Todd Dutiaume and Fife this season. The guy is only 26 and, to be honest, got his better years ahead of him. Look what happened to Dan Bakala who came to Dundee, he's now the starting netminder for Frölunda in SHL and CHL. The same thing can happen to Owen, he's damn good. He's played with Steelers' own Mathieu Roy and Braehead's Matt Beca at Florida, in fact a number of players that have played on or are playing on these shores. Owen gives Fife a chance to win every night, and that's the sign of a good 'tender.

Number two, Pavel Voroybev of Edinburgh:

Run this past me first of all, how did the hell did the Caps acquire this guy? He's played in "The Show" for the 'Hawks, he's also played in the KHL and 98 points in 168 regular season AHL games. Want me to list any more statistics at you? He's good, and despite being 34 now, he's still damn good. Despite the Caps position, he has averaged over a point a game and that's not to be sniffed it. Never mind Jared Staal, this man is the Caps go-to guy this season. He's got to be the unsung signing of the season for a new forward, and if he was any younger: the big clubs would be looking at him as a definite signing for 17-18. Definitely!

Third on the list, Félix-Antoine Poulin of Dundee:

Another player from the Gardiner Conference. Getting to be a bit of a feature in itself isn't it haha... Only in his third season of professional hockey and he's putting up some decent numbers. Acquired from Joey Talbot's old ECHL side Alaska Aces, old Furby seems to have a found a bit of gem in this 26 year old French-Canadian. Félix is averaging almost a point a game and is the Stars' main man when on the point for the powerplay. He could be one to watch out for next season, especially if teams are looking seriously at an offensive defenceman especially on special teams.

Fourth, Manchester's Captain Fantastic himself Trevor Johnson:

I do apologise but the fourth of the list is also a Gardiner Conference player. This guy is the opposite to Mr Poulin, but one that plays a similar type of role. After over 400 games in Italy, and points almost equivalent to that - I bring you Trevor Johnson. He's the kind of powerplay defenceman I would have had in Sheffield. He makes things happen, and commands respect too: that's what Pach had no hesitation in handing him the "C". Quality never leaves you, and Trevor Johnson is just that.

And finally, Patrick Asselin of Cardiff:

I've finally picked an Erhardt Conference player, and to be honest had to choose a Cardiff player due to the fact they've been the dominant the force in this Conference as well as the league too. Of the newcomers that Andrew Lord has brought in, Patrick Asselin to me is the one that stands out the most. For a player that didn't play at all last season, this guy is seriously good. He knows where the net is and also supply the dinner for his line-mates. Imagine him on a line that had Mathieu Roy and say Matt Beca of Braehead (whom I also rate) then you have some serious firepower. I would not be surprised if he features in the All-Star teams this season.
 

I honestly could list a few more players, but have selected those five. Which five non-Steelers players would make a similar list of your own choosing. I'll be interested to hear them. So what's stopping you? Nothing. Go ahead and start thinking then..

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