In this season’s early-goings, a few prospects are standing out. 18-year-old Herman Traff is one of them.
Starting the early season on loan to the Nybro Vikings of the HockeyAllsvenskan, Herman Traff has since settled in to a role for HV71 of the SHL. With three points in his first four SHL games this season, including two goals, the 6’3, 18-year-old power winger drafted by the Devils in the 3rd round (91st overall) is already making an impact. It’s early yet, but if trendlines continue, the Devils may have found another legitimate mid-draft prospect in Herman Traff.
Here is Traff’s latest goal:
Herman Traff (’24 3rd Rd) snipes one on the power-play for HV71. 4 games in the SHL, and has 3 points (2G & 1A) #NJDevils
(*Traff goal on the left ⬅️)pic.twitter.com/8t9TkBNOP8
— Daniel Rebain (@pvtmcbain) October 10, 2024
It’s a professional snipe.
It’s early yet, but Traff’s start is impressive. Accoring to QuantHockey, Daniel Sedin holds the record in points for a 18-year-old in the SHL with 42 in 50 games. After four games, Traff is on a 38 point pace in 50. Whatever happens, Herman Traff will be a player to watch as he develops.
Around the Pool
- A sellout crowd witnessed the Utica Comets get crunched by Syracuse 5-0 in their opening game Friday night. Nico Daws earned the loss after getting pulled. In relief, Issac Poulter stabilized the net, surrendering only one goal on ten shots.
- Goaltender Nico Daws fared better on Saturday, losing 4-1 to Rochester but stopping 36 of 39 shots in the contest. Max Willman scored the lone goal for Utica, who start the season 0-2.
- Winger Arseni Gritsyuk leads all Devils prospects with 14 points in 15 games for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL. Here are a couple of his assists.
Another couple of assists for Gritsyuk today. He’s still leading SKA in scoring and is now back up to PPG pic.twitter.com/vftY6FaVhd
— Chris (@SkyIightt) October 5, 2024
- Forward Samu Salminen scored his first goal for the Pioneers after transferring to the University of Denver. He has one point in two games.
- Forward Matyas Melovsky scored this snipe in overtime for the Baie-Comeau win in the QMJHL. Melovsky has two points in his first two games.
“Melo” est de retour !
L’attaquant du @DrakkarBAC et espoir des @NJDevils, Matyas Melovsky, célèbre son retour dans la @LHJMQ en marquant le but gagnant en prolongation. pic.twitter.com/MBcVAqkA81
— Ligue canadienne de hockey (@LCHhockey) October 11, 2024
- Touted as a “fearless leader” who “leads by example, center/winger Max Graham has been named captain of the Kelowna Rockets for the upcoming season. Graham has two points in three games to start the season.
Hear from @Kelowna_Rockets HC Kris Mallette why Max Graham is the right choice for captain. pic.twitter.com/bfeiKsqDGX
— Rocket Fan (@RocketFANdotca) October 9, 2024
- Although he has two goals on loan in the Czechia 2, forward Petr Hauser is still pointless in seven games for HC Plzen in Czechia. At 21-years-old, one would hope for an offensive breakout this season for the hefty winger, but so far that has not happened.
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