Eric Balnar's Top 10 Marquee Player Candidates

NHSL and Premier League hockey broadcaster Eric Balnar has looked at the player pool and has identified 10 players he would consider as marquee players.

The league has been announced. Over 120 players have nominated themselves for a draft. The three general manager have been appointed.

All that's left to do is build a team.

But how do you do that? It's not a task that would be easy for any General Manager but gee is it ever fun to think about.

General Managers can choose two marquee players to build their team around. The two players can't be from the same club but other than that it's a free for all - players can sign with who they like.

The rest of the talent pool will be entered in a draft. 

I've narrowed it down to 10 players I would consider making a marquee on my team.

If you missed some of the names that have already nominated, check it out here. 

Who would you pick? Here's who I would consider... 

Jake Riley (Adelaide Adrenaline / Jokers) – Forward 

It’s hard to look past this rising star of Australian hockey. 

After missing all of 2020 with an injury, Riley returned to the line up and showed off his skill, smarts and clutch moments all Premier League season season long. 

He’s about as dynamic of a player as they come in South Australia. He put up 25 goals, 21 assists and 46 points in 19 games this year to lead the competition in scoring. 

Riley is a game-breaking player that can win it for you on his own. 

One competitor in South Australia said Riley is an "easy choice" to build a team around. 

"He is the guy that sets the pace for his line. He seems to have endless amounts of energy to get the puck and put it in the net," they said. 

Steve Best (Adelaide Adrenaline / Red Wings) – Forward 

He’s been a leading player on the Adrenaline for years but Steve Best looks like he’s playing some of the top hockey of his career as of late.

He had the longest point streak in the Premier League this season when he tallied 15 goals and 10 assists over 13 games. Best has put the Red Wings on his back and there's no reason to think he can't do this with an NHSL team too. 

For me, it’s been his leadership and versatility that’s made the difference this year. The Red Wings have been riddled with injuries which has required Best to take charge of the squad in different ways. He’s been a play maker, goal scored, a strong two-way player and a great leader.

Best can play with nearly anybody in the competition. Securing him down the middle would make a big difference.

One player in Adelaide called Steve Best the best player in the state when he's on his game.

"When he finds his rhythm and doesn't force his play on the other team... he's nearly untouchable," he says. "One thing that sets Steve apart from everyone else in this league is his absolute will to cause a turnover on the back check. You often won't see that commitment from players. He would be hands down my first pick in the draft.

"You need to play with people who want to do the small things to win the big games."

Josh Harding (Adelaide Adrenaline) – Defense

This is one of the best players in Australian Ice Hockey history. Why not build your team around him in Year 1? 

Harding last played a couple seasons ago on the Adelaide Blackhawks when they loaded up and won a Premier League title. He played 250 games for the Adelaide Adrenaline and was a mainstay on Team Australia's blue line. Harding was the first player in Adrenaline history to have his number retired. 

Yes, he’s a bit older now and hasn’t played in a couple seasons. But Josh Harding is that good when he's at his best.

A puck moving defensemen, a leader, a champion. What's not to like?

I talked to a former teammate of his and they called him "the best player they've played with."

"He controls the tempo of games," they said. "You can win with Josh Harding because he excels in every aspect of the game."

Why wouldn't you build a team around that? 

Nathaniel Benson (Adelaide Adrenaline / Jokers) – Forward 

The 20-year-old spent the last couple years playing junior hockey in Canada while attending school. He returned to the Premier League in 2021 and took the league by storm.

He's strong up the middle, is a solid puck distributor and a keen student of the game. 

Benson tallied 44 points, including 18 goals, this season and showed off his great vision and playmaking ability. He's much improved since returning from Canada.

Benson has a couple seasons of AIHL hockey under his belt and appears ready to take that next step. 

Personally, I’d love to see Benson paired on a team with a guy like Steve Best or Joey MacDougall. Maybe even Joey Rezek. Just a player with experience that he can set up.

One of his competitors in the Premier League says you would want to pick Benson on his smarts alone.

"He has the hockey smarts to find the right plays and the right time to make those plays to get good scoring opportunities," they said. 

Josef Rezek (Adelaide Adrenaline / Falcons) – Forward 

Rezek didn’t play club hockey this season but when Aussie Joe comes to play, he’s one of the most exciting players in the country.

As they old saying goes: "You want to score goal? Call Aussie Joe."

I'm not sure he's nominated himself for the draft yet but it would be a great shame for everyone if one of the best players in the country didn't play. 

If I were a General Manager I'd at least sit down with him for a chat. 

He had 24 points in 19 games during the last AIHL season in 2019. With the Falcons in 2020, Rezek led the league in scoring by putting up 35 points in 11 games. 

A guy with a great shot, flare for the dramatic, and buckets of hockey experience…how could you not want him on your team? Remember when he pulled out all the stops to entertain the crowd at the AIHL All-Star Game? That stuff is FUN for the league. 

One of his AIHL opponents called Joey "the best shot in the country."

"Any time we played the Adrenaline we had to make sure we didn't give Joey any space. His shot and his smarts can beat you. I'd be talking to him right away," he said. 

Joey MacDougall (Adelaide Adrenaline / Tigers) – Forward 

The man known as ‘Showtime’ has been a leader for the Tigers and a revelation for the Premier League this season. MacDougall brings it every night.

He put up 38 points in 18 games but more importantly he showed how dynamic and versatile he really can be. 

MacDougall is just relentless. He works hard and makes you earn every inch. He can also put the puck in the back of the net.

With MacDougall you’ll get a great teammate, excellent leader and a player with an exceptional Hockey IQ.

You can safely build a team around Joey knowing that you will have a player who demands the best out of himself - and his teammates - and will push you in a positive way to succeed.

An opposition player in the Premier League called Joey a "nightmare" to play against.

"He's so hard on the puck. He's relentless. He keeps coming at you, and at you, and at you," they said. "You need to have him on your team. The easy #1 overall pick in the NHSL"

Jan Koubek (Tigers) – Forward