2023-2024 Division 1 Post-Draft Analysis and Season Preview

Jade McGraw
Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

Leading with this is a travesty, but an otherwise fantastic evening of laughs, jeers, and beers was overshadowed by the unfortunate robbery and subsequent attack of our teammate Chris in the small hours of the morning as he was making his way home from the bar. We are all thankful that Chris escaped unharmed from the robbery and machete attack that left him with just stitches and soreness. I want to pause and thank the good samaritan tuk-tuk drivers who came to Chris’s aid and most likely saved his life by taking him to a hospital that would treat him and then stayed with him until he was out of danger. To those good samaritans, we as a community thank you.

The draft held for the first time at Mad Monkey Hostel was a great success, the above story withstanding, we all had a great time and our hosts provided an excellent vibe.

Expected and Unexpected Draft Outcomes

Expected: Zak and the Pirates take the most chaotic players.

2023-2024 Draft Board

Captain Zak values pace and scoring at the expense of hockey sense and cohesion. Tyler, Robin, Chis, and Julien can all skate and shoot (sometimes score) but they will drive any coach to drink who tries to get them to play together or in a system. Zak and the Pirates believe that defense won’t matter in the roller derby chaos that is CIHL hockey, so by leaving their goalie as their only defenseman, they plan and need to outscore their problems.

Unexpected: Passing on RW and Francois and taking Chris.

I suppose this fits the earlier narrative of the chaotic scoring approach, but passing on the only pro hockey player in the draft is almost inexcusable, especially since you could have gotten him on the next pass too! Strange behaviour from the Subury Kid.

Expected: Tuks read and react.

Mighty Tuks 2023-2024 - Courtesy of Mark Selby

With the Pirates aggressively drafting all the “firepower” the Tuks made the simple pick of drafting the best available player. With Pierre being the only proven scorer, the Tuks will need to be patient and play together to have a chance. With aging veteran Jade the only lower lineup player with any pace and Mark Selby the only player with a track record of scoring, the Tuks will need to score by committee, play solid defense, and attack Zen early and often.

Draft Day Winners and Losers.

Winners: Robin was drafted 3rd overall.

Welcome to the league Robin! A rising star in the CIHL. With his physical gifts and growing familiarity with the inline game, Robin is going to be a handful for defences.

Robin the 3rd Overall Pick & Captain Zak - Courtesy of Mark Selby

Winners: CIHL and Mad Monkey

An awesome time at a fun and easy venue. Thanks to our hosts at Mad Monkey Hostel.

Posing Pirates - Courtesy of Mark Selby

Overall

Beer bong at Mad Monkey Hostel - Photo Courtesy of Jesper Hasen

The draft was a good primer for the season setting up a showcase of two opposing styles and mindsets. With the Bangkok team joining us on Sept 15th for the first of two “tournament” style visits we look forward to having a well-rounded league with a diversity of hockey playing styles. Jesper and Kolja, the Tuk Captains, have positioned themselves for a conservative and counter-attacking style, while the Pirates will skate and score their way to a championship. Bangkok remains the wild card, as they haven’t completed their roster and no one is privy to their gameplan. Thanks again to Kolja for getting in touch with Mad Monkey and organizing the event, our sponsor Mad Monkey, and Zak for being the catalyst for this league.

See you all at the rink.