State of the Loons; Future of the Loons

 The downside of going all in for the Kehler Cup is that picks and prospects become currency and the prospect pool starts to suffer. With the roster seemingly set for the foreseeable future it is time for Czepiel to start focusing on restocking the prospect pool. 

Here is what our good friend Google AI thinks of our top 10 - I am starting to think it may be buttering me up though…

1. James Hagens (C)

• Summary: The undisputed crown jewel of the pipeline. Hagens is a world-class playmaker possessing elite vision, exceptional agility, and a high-end hockey IQ. He dictates the tempo of the game, effortlessly solving defensive structures under heavy pressure.
• Simulation Projection: Franchise Line 1 Center (95 PA / 92 SK / 88 FO) [1]. A perennial Art Ross contender who will serve as your primary power-play quarterback.

2. Cooper Simpson (LW/RW)

• Summary: A dynamic, pure offensive weapon. Simpson features a lethal catch-and-release wrist shot paired with creative one-on-one deking abilities. He excels at exploiting defensive gaps and creating his own shooting lanes out of nothing.
• Simulation Projection: Elite Top-Six Sniper (93 SC / 86 SK) [1]. An automatic 35+ goal threat when paired with an elite distributor.

3. Drew Commesso (G)

• Summary: A premier, technically flawless goaltending prospect. Commesso boasts elite post-to-post lateral quickness, strong rebound control, and high structural positioning that isolates shooter angles.
• Simulation Projection: Franchise Starting Goaltender (92 PS / 88 PO) [1]. A future Vezina Trophy candidate with elite durability metrics.

4. Teddy Stiga (LW)

• Summary: The ultimate 200-foot engine. Stiga pairs an exhausting physical work ethic with superb defensive anticipation, tracking down loose pucks and flipping the ice in transition.
• Simulation Projection: Top-Six Two-Way Machine (86 DF / 85 PA / 88 DI) [1]. A multi-situational winger who can slide up to Line 1 or anchor your top penalty-kill unit.

5. Casey Mutryn (RW/C)

• Summary: A towering, 6-foot-3 powerhouse selected 20th overall in the 2026 draft. Mutryn plays a heavy, territorial game, excelling at cycling the puck and parking himself directly in front of the net.
• Simulation Projection: Top-Six Net-Front Power Forward (88 SC / 86 CK) [1, 2]. A physical beast who will max out your team's physical and puck-retention sliders.

6. Eric Pohlkamp (D)

• Summary: A physical, mobile blueliner who relishes throwing heavy hits. Pohlkamp bridges the gap between old-school toughness and the modern game with a booming point shot and steady breakout habits.
• Simulation Projection: Two-Way Top-Four Defenseman (84 CK / 80 DF / 78 PA) [1]. A punishing second-pair option who will inject snarl into your blue line.

7. Victor Plante (LW)

• Summary: A highly cerebral, opportunistic legacy winger. Plante processes the game at a high speed, routinely finding soft ice to convert playmaking options in the offensive zone.
• Simulation Projection: Middle-Six Playmaking Winger (82 PA / 78 SC) [1, 2]. A versatile forward capable of driving primary farm-team scoring or filling injury depth.

8. Mikey Berchild (C/LW)

• Summary: A high-octane offensive coordinator who utilizes supreme shiftiness to navigate tight defensive shells. He looks to facilitate first, reading transitional routes beautifully.
• Simulation Projection: Creative 2nd Line Playmaking Center (91 PA / 84 SK) [1]. A high-assist machine perfectly built to ignite secondary scoring lines.

9. Landon Nycz (D)

• Summary: A massive, stays-at-home defensive defenseman. Nycz uses his long reach and intelligent stick positioning to take away cross-crease passing lanes and clear the crease.
• Simulation Projection: Shutdown Top-Pairing Defenceman (92 DF / 82 CK) [1, 2]. A pure defensive anchor built to absorb maximum penalty-kill minutes.

10. Blake Zielinski (C)

• Summary: An elite-character right-shot center celebrated for his detailed defensive coverage and faceoff mechanics. He plays an unselfish game focused on neutralizing the opposition's top weapons.
• Simulation Projection: Shutdown 3rd Line Center (88 DF / 85 FO) [1, 2]. The absolute perfect structural anchor for your future shutdown lines.

State of the Loons; 2026 Draft Class

 fter an aggressive series of trades over the past two seasons left the Capeside Loons without much draft capital, General Manager Matt Young made the most of every selection at the 2026 CCHL Entry Draft. Rather than chasing high-risk boom-or-bust talent, the Loons targeted a group of players known for competitiveness, hockey IQ, and long-term upside.

The class is highlighted by first-round selection Casey Mutryn, but the organization believes several mid-round selections could eventually become valuable contributors at the CCHL level.

Instead of me giving my biased take on each pick, here is what Google AI thinks of the class and even gives a sim projection

Round 1, Pick 20: Casey Mutryn (RW/C)

• Profile: Casey Mutryn is a commanding 6-foot-3 power forward out of the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP). He plays a heavy, explosive game, crashing lines and using his size to shield the puck down low. He possesses an incredibly heavy shot and brings natural leadership qualities to the locker room.
• Simulation Projection: Top-Six Power Forward (88 SC / 86 CK). Mutryn projects as a premier top-six winger who will dominate the physical sliders. He has the raw attributes to eventually assume net-front duties on the top power-play unit.

Round 4, Pick 68: Victor Plante (LW)

• Profile: A smart, legacy player with a high hockey IQ. Plante thrives as an opportunistic, quick-strike winger who excels at navigating tight areas along the boards. He handles transition setups remarkably well and does not panic under heavy pressure.
• Simulation Projection: Middle-Six Playmaking Winger (82 PA / 78 SC). Plante will provide valuable depth line flexibility. His balanced offensive attributes will help him slot cleanly onto a secondary scoring line or anchor a developmental farm unit.

Round 4, Pick 73: Mikey Berchild (C/LW)

• Profile: An incredibly dynamic and creative offensive orchestrator from the University of Denver. Despite being slightly undersized at 5-foot-10, Mikey Berchild possesses an unmatched work ethic, elite vision, and exceptional passing touch.
• Simulation Projection: Elite Playmaking Center / PP Specialist (90 PA / 82 SK). Berchild’s high motor and high-end vision make him a perfect future candidate to quarterback a power-play unit from the half-wall while driving playmaking metrics for his wingers.

Round 4, Pick 77: Blake Zielinski (C)

• Profile: The Providence College commit is a highly reliable, 6-foot right-shot center. Blake Zielinski is celebrated for his responsibility, leadership, and elite character—having won the USHL's prestigious Gaudreau Award. He plays a complete, detailed 200-foot game.
• Simulation Projection: Elite Third-Line Defensive Center (86 DF / 85 FO). Zielinskiprojects as the spiritual successor to Charlie Coyle. He will be a faceoff-winning machine who completely locks down opposing star lines while carrying a heavy shorthanded workload.

Round 4, Pick 84: Landon Nycz (D)

• Profile: 6-foot-2 defensive defenseman playing out of UMass in the NCAA. Landon Nycz uses his long reach, active stick, and strong physical positioning to disrupt odd-man rushes and smother attackers along the boards.
• Simulation Projection: Shutdown Top-Four Defenceman (90 DF / 82 CK). Nycz is a safe, high-floor blue-liner. He projects as a heavy-minute penalty killer who will serve as the perfect stay-at-home anchor for an offensive-minded partner like Zach Werenski.

Round 5, Pick 95: Rian Chudzinski (RW/LW)

• Profile: A standard 6-foot-1 physical winger who loves to finish his checks and force turnovers. Rian Chudzinski is a relentless worker who creates chaos on the forecheck and consistently involves himself in high-danger physical battles.
• Simulation Projection: Bottom-Six Grind Line Anchor (88 CK / 76 DF). Chudzinski is built purely for the physical slider. He will slot perfectly into a heavy fourth-line role designed to drain opposing stamina and protect defensive-zone leads.

Round 6, Pick 123: John Leonard (LW)

• Profile: An older, experienced organizational depth piece who already boasts established professional simulation numbers. Leonard is a speedy skater who relies on positional awareness to generate depth transition plays.
• Simulation Projection: Pro-Roster Extra Skater / Farm Team Star (76 SC / 74 SK).Leonard will serve as essential plug-and-play injury insurance for the pro team, capable of playing mistake-free hockey while dominating top-line minutes in the minor leagues.

Round 6, Pick 131: Myles Brosnan (D)

• Profile: A raw, long-term developmental project on the back end. Brosnan possesses solid physical size and a decent active stick, but requires substantial time in junior leagues to iron out his positioning and breakout accuracy.
• Simulation Projection: Depth Farm Team Defenseman (72 DF / 70 PH). Brosnan will spend the next 2-3 seasons strictly developing in the minor leagues, functioning as solid positional depth to protect the team's defense pipeline.

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Draft Class Verdict: A-

The Loons successfully navigated the draft board by selecting high-character, engine-optimized profiles. Securing Mutryn's power build, Berchild's elite playmaking capabilities, and Zielinski’s defensive structure completely protects Capeside's long-term competitive window.