Welcome to the Vancouver Giants 2021-22 Season Preview. The Giants come into this marketing campaign hungry and able to compete within the hardest division of the WHL. Listed here are six storylines that you would be able to see this season.
Oh captain! My captain!
After being named the 18th captain in franchise historical past, nice issues are anticipated of Justin Sourdif. He not solely has to steer this staff on the ice, but additionally off it. If final season is any signal of that, the Giants famous person will be employed for a historic marketing campaign with the group.
Just a few phrases from the captain .. pic.twitter.com/yfqDfkSADX
– Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) October 1, 2021
Final season, Sourdif was fifth within the WHL on factors and assists. He was inducted into the BC Divisions All-Star Crew and was named BC Divisions Participant of the Yr final season. With gamers like Fabian Lysell, Justin Lies and Zack Ostapchuck round him, he may very well be near breaking Casey Pierro-Zabotel’s franchise single season assists file of 79 this season.
How Swedish it’s
The 2 most essential acquisitions within the low season come from Sweden. The Giants introduced in Boston contender Fabian Lysell and Vegas contender Jesper Vikman. (First-round NHL choose Fabian Lysell will convey “unimaginable ability and velocity” to the Vancouver Giants line-up, The Province, 09/30/21) Lysell was drafted by the Bruins within the first spherical final 12 months and is predicted to gentle up the WHL with its deadly shot and killer velocity. Presently, the franchise file for a single season for a rookie is 60. If Lysell has the season it’s anticipated to have, we’d see a brand new title on the high of the checklist by the top of the marketing campaign.
“I am wanting ahead to the beginning of the season. It is good to be right here. ”@NHLBruins prospect Fabian Lysell checks in on his return to Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/eF8ZsaUKE5
– Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) September 30, 2021
The opposite addition is Vikman. The 19-year-old was already a draft choose within the fifth spherical of the Golden Knights in 2020. Vikman carried out properly at coaching camp in Vegas and ought to be Sweden’s goalkeeper for the World Juniors this season. He is nice dimension, posability and ought to be an enormous a part of the Large’s goalkeepers this season.
Firmly within the fold
The Giants are on-line with Jesper Vikman, Drew Sim and Will Gurski. It seems like Vikman will get essentially the most begins, however do not underestimate Sim and Gurski. Each can get scorching and will hit the streets if Vikman struggles in the course of the season.
Welcome again @jespervikman_!
Extra: https://t.co/I9lMHqeVg2 pic.twitter.com/WAetp4daOv
– Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) September 27, 2021
Sim and Gurski are nice choices as Vikman makes the transition to the WHL. Each have expertise and know among the participant tendencies within the league. The massive query is who will transfer up when Vikman joins the World Juniors. If Sweden goes far within the event, they might miss as much as seven video games. The inner competitors will probably be nice as all three ought to encourage one another to have nice seasons.
Particular groups
If the Giants wish to achieve success, they want their particular groups. Final season they completed fifth within the penalty kill, however solely thirteenth within the energy play. That will probably be a significant focus this season. The gamers must step up, particularly given the defeats of Alex Kannok Leipert, Tristen Nielsen and Eric Florchuk who had been key figures with the person benefit.
PPG 2 pic.twitter.com/2md4knFIFz
– Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) September 25, 2021
The excellent news is that the Giants can launch two balanced energy performs this season. The addition of gamers like Payton Mount and Ty Thorpe ought to give this second unit some bounce this season. There’s additionally the anticipated return of Cole Shepard, which offends the group much more. They’ve the employees to be within the high ten within the league; they must put all of it collectively and execute it.
The Younger Weapons are strengthening
A giant a part of the staff’s success this 12 months would be the integration of the staff’s rookies. Jaden Lipinski, Damian Palmieri, Ethan Semeniuk and Ty Halaburda. All 4 gamers have impressed this season and will probably be assured they’ll enhance of their first season within the WHL.
The newest from @ChevroletCanada Coaching Camp – The long run is NOW for 2005 born striker Ethan Semeniuk. pic.twitter.com/SXjaLjV3Vu
– Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) September 4, 2021
Even when their ice age could also be restricted at first, all 4 gamers should go away their mark in each recreation. Whether or not it is a hit, a shot within the internet, or a stable face-off, it’s a must to do one thing in each recreation. The Giants have a powerful rookie class this season and might make a distinction this season.
Insult from the blueline
The Giants come into play with some playmakers in protection this season. In the event that they wish to win, they must discover a solution to generate the offensive from the blue line this season. We all know that this group can carry out in its personal zone; Now the query is whether or not they could make a distinction on the different finish of the ice.
Maz with the penalty shot! pic.twitter.com/7riRsPaiSk
– Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) September 5, 2021
All eyes will probably be on Mazden Leslie sophomore relating to the offensive. He seemed good in camp and proved final 12 months that he can get the puck into the web. The opposite is Tanner Brown. He took 10 factors final 12 months and ought to be a part of one of many energy play periods this season. If each can do their half with the additional man and the remainder of the group can observe up with some five-on-five offensives, the staff ought to be one of many hardest to play in opposition to this season.
BC Division prediction:
The BC Division is tough to foretell. It seems like Kamloops will end first and Victoria final, however locations two by means of 4 ought to be essential. Kelowna, Prince George and Kelowna are all robust groups. Primarily based on roster, Vancouver ought to are available in second, Kelowna in third, and Prince George in fourth. All three groups ought to transfer into the playoffs this season.
Giants have fun a purpose in opposition to Prince George. 09/24/2021. Picture credit score: Rob Wilton / Vancouver Giants
It’ll be a troublesome street for the Vancouver Giants this season, however the staff is headed by a head coach
Michael Dyck and assistant coach Keith McCambridge appear able to do some injury this season.
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