By the Numbers: Adelaide Xtreme

by Eric Balnar

You've seen their roster, we've predicted their line combinations, but what do we see from a statistics point of view from the Adelaide Xtreme? 

You know I love my numbers, so let's dive in. 

So far we've looked at the skaters of the Noarlunga Stars and Port Adelaide Brewers. 

Here's a look at the roster and Premier League numbers from 2021 on the Xtreme. 

X-Factors - Not on the Stat Sheet

Xander Wardlaw: By all reports, Xander is moving to South Australia to play in this competition. The statistical significance of this can't be understated. Wardlaw is a top-line talent who put up over a point-per-game in the AJIHL and World Junior Championships.

Dean Peterson, David Huxley, Graham Charbonneau and Aaron Widger: Four former AIHL players were selected by the Xtreme and already the team has them training. This is huge. Huxley is a 250-game AIHL player and one of Australia's best ever defensemen. Charbonneau is as smart and savvy as they come on the ice and has been skating with the team. He played top-level junior hockey in Canada and was point-per-game in AIHL. Dean Peterson and Aaron Widger are making a return to hockey with successful club careers already behind them.

Jamie Woodman: The ultimate X-Factor. He's Australia's best defenseman but stuck in Perth. Can he make it over? Huge if possible. 

Adrian Esposito: He's been doing it for a long time at the top level. A great FIFO option for the team. 
 

Some interesting stats

- Olli Martin only played six Premier League games but he provides a great scoring option for the Xtreme. He's led the A-Grade competition in goals the last few seasons and has one of the most lethal shots in the country. He'll be set up frequently.

- The Xtreme only have two players who scored more than 10 goals this season. They'll need their X-Factors to play a role.

- That said, the Xtreme have 12 different players who scored a goal in the Premier League this year and a handful of players who never appeared in a game. It's a good ratio and a sign of a well-balanced team.

- 17 goals come from Adelaide's blue line - tied for most in the NHSL. The Brewers also have 17 but 12 of them came from Zach Boyle.

- It may not show up on the stat sheet, but the Xtreme are arguably the most dynamic two-way teams in the competition. MacDougall, Benson, Maley, Siemens and Holland all played a two-way role with their IHSA clubs this season. They'll be strong and versatile.

- If you control the puck, you control the play. That starts in the face-off circle. The Xtreme have more natural centres (6) than both the Brewers (2) and Stars (2). The match up game will work well.

- I know this is a series about "Skating Depth" but we can't let this story go by without mentioning the Xtreme's goaltending duo. Jeremy Friederich and Curtis Villani ranked #1 and #2 by a wide margin this year in Save % and Goals Against Average. How did this team get the two top statistical goalies in the comp?!