Adam Thilander – McKeen's Hockey

OHL Playoff Preview: Greyhounds pacing the pack

Brock Otten — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 20:51:07 +0000

The 2018 Ontario Hockey League playoffs kick off this week after the regular season wrapped up this past weekend. Heading into the playoffs, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are the clear favorites to come out of the OHL and represent the league at the Memorial Cup in Regina. They have spent the vast majority of the season as the top ranked team in the CHL, one of only two teams to chart the entire season (along with Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL). But competition is always fierce and there are no sure bets in the OHL. Let us now take a look at each first round match-up.

Eastern Conference

#1 - Hamilton Bulldogs vs. #8 - Ottawa 67’s

Season Series: Hamilton leads 5-0

Will Bitten of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Analysis: The Conference Champion Bulldogs face off against the 67’s after the Steelheads won on the final Sunday, securing the number 7 seed. Hamilton has been the cream of the crop of the Eastern Conference for the vast majority of the season. They have been extremely active in trades this year to give them the best chance of coming out of the East. The Bulldogs added Robert Thomas (St. Louis), Riley Stillman (Florida), Nic Caamano (Dallas), Ryan Moore, and Nic Mattinen (Toronto) to an already stacked lineup, giving Ottawa an extremely daunting challenge in round one. This team rolls three powerhouse offensive lines with Matthew Strome (Philadelphia), Will Bitten (Montreal), Mackenzie Entwistle (Arizona), Marian Studenic (New Jersey), and Brandon Saigeon being other top options. Forward Arthur Kaliyev (2019) is another name to watch. He is the first 16 year old to score 30 goals in the OHL since Alex Galchenyuk and he is a potential lottery pick next year as a power winger. In net, the Bulldogs boast one of the OHL’s most improved players this year in Kaden Fulcher (Detroit).

Kevin Bahl of the Ottawa 67's. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Ottawa, on the other hand, is a very young team. In a few years’ time, they could be Memorial Cup contenders. They could have five players drafted in the first three rounds this year (Kody Clark, Mitchell Hoelscher, Merrick Rippon, Kevin Bahl, and Carter Robertson). Offensively, they are paced by Sasha Chmelevski (San Jose), Travis Barron (Colorado), Austen Keating (2018) and Tye Felhaber. Chmelevski was a much hyped prospect who fell hard at last year’s draft (all the way to the 6th), but he has returned much stronger this season. His play away from the puck has greatly improved and it has taken his game to another level. But for all their talent offensively, the 67’s have had a very difficult time keeping the puck out of their own net this year. Overager Olivier Tremblay has not provided the stability that the team had hoped for when they brought him in early this year.

This one has all the makings of a quick series. This Ottawa team, as talented as they are young, is not yet ready for this type of challenge. The Bulldogs are one of the deepest teams in the OHL and their offensive firepower is likely to overwhelm an inexperienced defense and inconsistent netminder. One particular thing worth watching is the 67’s struggling penalty kill going up against one of the league’s best powerplay units from Hamilton. This has to be troubling for Ottawa because they also happen to be one of the league’s most undisciplined teams. And while Ottawa does have some great young offensive talent, the Bulldogs have one of the oldest defensive units in the league and are likely to limit the offensive chances of the 67’s. I look for Robert Thomas to have a big series here (and a big playoff performance overall). His points per game has taken a big dip since joining the Bulldogs, but I think he explodes this postseason.

Prediction: This Hamilton team is just too experienced and too talented for the 67’s. They have the advantage in nearly every area and should dominate. If Ottawa was getting better goaltending, I would say that they might be able to steal a game or two, but I do not even see that happening. Hamilton in 4.

#2 - Barrie Colts vs. #7 - Mississauga Steelheads

Season Series: Mississauga leads 4-2

Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: If I was a betting man, I would bet that this is the match-up that Barrie wanted to avoid in the opening round. In fact, it was probably the match-up every team wanted to avoid in the first round. Mississauga has underachieved all season long, but they have shown some signs of finally coming to life the last month or so. Offensive talent is not to be questioned. Their first two lines include names like Michael McLeod (New Jersey), Ryan McLeod (2018), Owen Tippett (Florida), Trent Fox, Albert Michnac (2018), and Mathieu Foget. This group of six matches up well against any top six in the Eastern Conference and it helps to explain why the Steelheads are the third highest scoring team in the Conference. And this excludes their leading scorer, defenseman Nic Hague (Vegas), who was the first OHL defender to score 30+ since Allan Rourke. But keeping the puck out has been a challenge at times. Swedish import and defensive stalwart Jacob Moverare (Los Angeles) has been injured and that has really challenged their younger defensive players to play more minutes than they are ready for. Furthermore, young netminder Jacob Ingham (2018) has had an awful sophomore season that has seen him essentially lose the starting job to Emanuel Vella.

Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

This is potentially trouble because Barrie is the highest scoring team in the Conference and the 3rd highest scoring in the OHL. Their first line of Andrei Svechnikov (2018), Aaron Luchuk (Ottawa), and Dmitry Sokolov (Minnesota) has been absolutely shredding teams of late. The supporting offensive cast includes guys like Ryan Suzuki (2019), Jason Willms (2018), and Zach Magwood who work extremely hard in all three zones and bring energy that exhausts the opposition so that the first line can go to work. The Colts do not have any stars on the blueline, but they are a tight knit unit who work well with Barrie’s forwards to play a terrific team defense. In net, overager Leo Lazerev starts and while he does not necessarily win any games outright for the Colts, he is a mostly reliable presence. It should be noted that he has yet to win an OHL playoff series in his career and probably goes into this match-up with just as many question marks as Mississauga’s tenders.

There is no question that this is not your average #2 versus #7 seed match-up. This is especially true when you consider the fact that Mississauga largely dominated the season series, winning all three games in the new year by a combined score of 18-10. For whatever reason, the speed of Mississauga’s forwards gives the defense of Barrie a tough time and Lazerev has an .840 save percentage against the Fish this season. This is complicated even more by the fact that Andrei Svechnikov has been suspended for the first four games of the series for a head check. But I admit, I have a tough time picking Mississauga to win this series. I do not trust their defense to be able to handle Barrie’s depth up front. And if these games go to an offensive shootout like they did in the regular season, I think Barrie ends up coming out on top this time. Mississauga’s Mathieu Foget has also been suspended for the first four games of the series and his loss might actually be felt more because of Mississauga’s lack of depth. His acquisition really triggered the turnaround for the team. Barrie also needs to stay out of the box. In the regular season, they gave Mississauga almost double the amount of powerplays that they received and it cost them dearly with the Steelheads clicking at over 30% with the man advantage. If they can stay out of the box, and Lazerev can make a few saves, I still like Barrie to come out on top.

Prediction: The result of this series would not surprise me either way, even with the difference in seeding. But depth is critical in the playoffs and Barrie has the advantage there. I am excited to see how the Svechnikov/Luchuk/Sokolov unit handles the pressure of the playoffs. Svechnikov, in particular, can really cement himself as the #2 prospect available in the draft with a strong postseason performance once he returns from suspension (as long as Barrie does not get swept). Barrie in 7.

#3 - Kingston Frontenacs vs. #6 - North Bay Battalion

Season Series: Kingston leads 3-1

Gabriel Vilardi of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: This is an intriguing match-up because of how differently these two teams approached the OHL season. Kingston brought in Gabe Vilardi (Los Angeles), Max Jones (Anaheim), Cliff Pu (Buffalo), Sean Day (New York Rangers), and Mitchell Byrne at the deadline to bolster an already solid line-up and make them contenders to come out of the East. While they failed to secure a division banner, the results post deadline have been mostly extremely positive. A healthy and re-invigorated Vilardi has provided the biggest boost, as his 1.87 points per game in Kingston is second to only Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis) in the OHL. His strength, on and off the puck, makes him a dominant force in all three zones and the type of player who works to tire and grind out opposing defenses.

Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson /OHL Images,

The North Bay Battalion were sellers at the deadline this year, shipping out veterans Cam Dineen (Arizona), and Brett McKenzie (Vancouver). Those moves only worked to light a fire under the Battalion roster and the team actually improved their record in the New Year thanks to the play of new acquisitions Matthew Struthers (2018), and Jake Henderson, as well as veterans Justin Brazeau (2018), and Adam Thilander (2018). Brazeau, in particular, is a player to watch. The 6-5” winger finished just inside the Top 20 of league scoring and was named as the East’s most underrated player in the recent coaches poll that was released.

If we are measuring up these two teams, we need to give the edge to Kingston in nearly every area. The Fronts lead the season series 3-1, winning the three most recent games (February on). The biggest advantage Kingston has is in net with Jeremy Helvig (Carolina) manning the crease. The overager and veteran netminder has 19 OHL playoff games under his belt and is unquestionably one of the league’s top netminders. Meanwhile, the Battalion will rely on either Christian Propp (2018) or Julian Sime, who have a combined zero OHL playoff appearances. Kingston also has a heavy advantage on special teams, with their powerplay and penalty killing units operating at a higher level. With Robertson and Vilardi operating down low on the powerplay, North Bay is going to need to stay out of the box to have any chance in this series. One wild card to keep an eye on is the health of Max Jones. Jones has been out since the end of January after undergoing surgery on a broken finger. It is likely he returns at some point in these playoffs and he can be a major x-factor.

Prediction: Ultimately, Kingston’s experience and leadership should carry them to a relatively easy victory in this match-up. Gabe Vilardi and Sean Day won a Memorial Cup together last year. Mitchell Byrne won an OHL Championship last year. And Cliff Pu and Max Jones won an OHL Title and Memorial Cup in 2016. Kingston in 5.

#4 - Niagara IceDogs vs. #5 - Oshawa Generals

Season Series: Tied at 1 game apiece

Akil Thomas of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: Two teams that do not see a ton of each other match-up in round one. Niagara and Oshawa also happen to be two of the hotter teams in the OHL heading into the playoffs. The IceDogs are a team that rely on speed and energy to play an up tempo and offensively oriented style of game. They get after it on the forecheck and have a powerplay that has been much improved since the acquisition of overager Sam Miletic (Pittsburgh) from London. On top of Miletic, Niagara has a trio of offensive weapons that they rely on in Kirill Maksimov (Edmonton), Akil Thomas (2018), and Ben Jones (Vegas).

Jack Studnicka of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Oshawa, on the other hand, prefers to slow things down and grind it out in the offensive end. Their fearless leader is Jack Studnicka (Boston), an excellent two-way center who makes an impact in so many different ways. A pair of first time draft eligible forwards support Studnicka; Serron Noel (2018), and Allan McShane (2018). Defenseman Matt Brassard (Vancouver) is also critical to their offensive success. He was one of the highest scoring defenders in the league in the second half and finished the year 7th in defensive scoring.

If we are truly comparing these two teams, it is difficult to determine who has a clear advantage. In goal, the nod should be given to Oshawa and their starter Kyle Keyser (Boston). Keyser has been a stable presence in net this year, definitely more so than Stephen Dhillon who has struggled for Niagara this year, or the inexperienced Colton Incze. Up front, I give the slight edge to Niagara because of their explosiveness and depth. On defense, the two teams boast slightly inexperienced units who are mobile, but can be mistake prone. Ultimately, I see two things possibly tipping the favor in Niagara’s direction. The first is special teams play. As mentioned, Niagara’s powerplay has been performing at a high level lately and Oshawa has one of the league’s worst penalty killing units. The second is home ice advantage, which Niagara owns after finishing the regular season on a 7 game winning streak.

Prediction: With home ice advantage, better special teams play, and a slightly more explosive offense, I like Niagara to win this series. Their goaltending concerns me slightly, but between Dhillon or Incze, they should be able to make enough big saves to at least get the IceDogs into the second round. But this one will be close. Niagara in 7.

Western Conference

#1 - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. #8 - Saginaw Spirit

Season Series: SSM leads 7-1

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. Photo by Terry Wilson

Analysis: The juggernaut Greyhounds kick off their Memorial Cup push against the Saginaw Spirit, whose five game losing streak to end the season forced them down the standings and into this first round match-up. Sault Ste. Marie has nine NHL draft picks on their roster and two more potential first rounders for 2018. Up front, Boris Katchouk (Tampa Bay), Taylor Raddysh (Tampa Bay), Jack Kopacka (Anaheim), Tim Gettinger (New York Rangers), Barrett Hayton (2018), and the underrated Hayden Verbeek pace the attack. But the real star is OHL 2nd leading scorer Morgan Frost (Philadelphia), one of the breakout stars of this season. On the backend, the Hounds are equally strong, led by Conor Timmins (Colorado), and Rasmus Sandin (2018). Neither seem to make a mistake with the puck and both are just as good in their own end as they are offensively. In net, Matthew Villalta (Los Angeles) has been a steady presence who makes the saves when he needs to.

Evan Cormier of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Saginaw’s strength actually starts in net where overager Evan Cormier (New Jersey) keeps the Spirit in a lot of games that they do not deserve to be in. This is important because the Spirit struggle to score goals. They were only one of three teams in the OHL to not score 200 goals on the season and the other two finished dead last in their conferences (Flint and Sudbury). Furthermore, their powerplay was a league worst 14.7%. There is definitely some offensive talent on this team, but the team’s best days are ahead of them as guys like Blade Jenkins (2018), Nicholas Porco (2019), Ryan Stepien (2020), Aidan Prueter (2020), and Damien Giroux (2018) gain experience. In fact, the team’s only NHL drafted forward, Brady Gilmour (Detroit) finished 9th in team scoring.

In all honesty, this series should not be close and is not likely to be close. The Spirit have a talented young roster, but they are not currently an equal to the Greyhounds. Sault Ste. Marie has the advantage in nearly every area except maybe goaltending. Even then, Evan Cormier can only do so much. Heck, we might see the Greyhounds score more shorthanded goals than the Spirit score powerplay goals in the series.

Prediction: I want to say that Evan Cormier can do enough to steal a game for the Spirit in this series, but I cannot even see the Spirit winning a game. The Greyhounds are just too strong. SSM in 4.

#2 - Kitchener Rangers vs. #7 - Guelph Storm

Season Series: Kitchener leads 5-3

Logan Brown of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Analysis: This is an interesting first round match-up between two teams that did not end the regular season the way they wanted to. Kitchener, a strong team all season, struggled down the stretch, although managed to hang on to their Division crown. Meanwhile, the Guelph Storm were one of the league’s worst teams in the last few months that saw them lose their grip on the #6 spot in the West. Kitchener loaded up at the deadline by bringing in Logan Brown (Ottawa), Givani Smith (Detroit), Mario Culina, and Austin McEneny. I think it would be fair to say that Kitchener is still waiting to see the best out of three of those four, with Culina playing well so far as a starter. It has been the guys around all season like Adam Mascherin (Florida), Kole Sherwood (Columbus), Joseph Gareffa, Logan Stanley (Winnipeg), and Riley Damiani (2018) that have been driving the team’s success. Moving into the playoffs, it will be about whether the newer faces can finally find chemistry or not. The health of defensive stalwart Connor Hall (Pittsburgh) could also impact the series.

Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Guelph, as mentioned, has also struggled down the stretch, especially when it comes to preventing goals. Goaltender Anthony Popovich (2018) appeared to tire of late after seeing a huge jump in workload this season. The defensive group, led by Ryan Merkley (2018), and Dmitri Samorukov (Edmonton) also struggled, to the point where Merkley was a healthy scratch at times down the stretch. The Storm do have a hard working forward group who is capable of icing multiple scoring lines. The offensive leaders are unquestionably Isaac Ratcliffe (Philadelphia) and Cam Hillis (2018), who along with Alexei Toropchenko (St. Louis) form a quality first line.

Looking at this series a little more under the microscope, it is probably closer than people are making it out to be. The special teams match-up pretty well. Neither team has a dominant goaltender that one would qualify as a game-changer (no offense meant to Culina or Popovich). Both teams struggled down the stretch with team chemistry issues. The tipping point for me is experience. The Rangers have the clear advantage there, especially on the defensive end. Guys like Logan Stanley and Austin McEneny, who won a Memorial Cup together with Windsor last year, should really help to stabilize things, even without Connor Hall. I also look for longtime Rangers like Mascherin or Connor Bunnaman (Philadelphia) to really step up offensively to get this team over the first round hump.

Prediction: As mentioned, I feel like Kitchener’s experience advantage will help them come out on top in this series. I also feel that they have a much better team defense approach that likely plays out better for success in the playoffs. Guelph has talent, but they play a very high risk game that, without a ton of playoff experience, could be their undoing. It will be close, but Kitchener in 6.

#3 - Sarnia Sting vs. #6 - Windsor Spitfires

Season Series: Sarnia leads 5-1

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: No offense meant to the rest of the Windsor Spitfires, but this match-up is about two things. The Sarnia offense (2nd best in the OHL) versus the goaltending of Michael DiPietro (Vancouver). The dynamic DiPietro is one of the few goaltenders in the OHL who is capable of stealing a series victory for his team. The Spitfires rebuilt, dealing off the majority of their veterans held over from their Memorial Cup victory last year, but decided to hang on to their star netminder for this reason. They battle hard in the offensive end behind the likes of Curtis Douglas (2018), Cole Purboo (2018), Cody Morgan (2019), Luke Boka, and Matthew MacDougall (2018). And they play smart in their own end thanks to Connor Corcoran (2018), Nathan Staios (2019), Grayson Ladd (2019), and Zach Shankar. But this team has zero NHL drafted players outside of DiPietro and are incredibly inexperienced.

Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

The Sting, conversely, were one of the biggest buyers throughout this OHL season, bringing in talented veterans like Cam Dineen (Arizona), Jonathan Ang (Florida), and Michael Pezzetta (Montreal). The lifeblood of the team is Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis), the league’s leader in points per game this year and possibly the best offensive player in the OHL. He is currently zero for three in first round appearances and is likely to do everything in his power to finally reach the second round (and beyond). You could likely argue that overager Justin Fazio is the team’s second most important player in the series, especially considering that he has to match-up against DiPietro. The margin for error is slim.

One of Sarnia’s biggest strengths is on the powerplay where Kyrou, Adam Ruzicka (Calgary), and Drake Rymsha (Los Angeles) have a combined 34 powerplay goals this year. Problem is, Windsor takes among the least amount of penalties in the OHL so as long as Windsor can continue to stay out of the box, Sarnia is going to need to beat DiPietro 5 on 5. The question I have is, how will Windsor manage to score goals, at least enough goals to win this 7 game series? It will not be with the man advantage either (likely) as the Sting have the league’s top penalty killing unit. I am slightly worried about Sarnia’s inexperienced defense though, but that concern is more directed towards round two or three (if the Sting advance that far). Sarnia will need big guys like Ruzicka, Pezzetta, Jordan Ernst, and Hugo Leufvenius (2018) to crowd DiPietro’s space as much as possible and really make him uncomfortable. Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. Windsor fans can tell you, sometimes the best way to beat Michael DiPietro is through sheer luck and bad bounces.

Prediction: As much as I want to predict a Windsor victory, I do not see it in the cards. DiPietro will steal a few games and he will make Sarnia sweat. But the offensive firepower of Sarnia, combined with the inexperience of Windsor’s defense is likely to give the Sting too many scoring chances for the Spitfires’ star netminder to handle. Sarnia in 6.

#4 - Owen Sound Attack vs. #5 - London Knights

Season Series: London leads 4-2

Evan Bouchard of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

Analysis: As is usually the case, the 4/5 matchup in the Western Conference looks to be the closest match-up of the first round, and subsequently the most difficult to prognosticate. London traded off the vast majority of their big guns to retool to fight another day. Instead, the team played inspired hockey down the stretch led by a host of younger players eager to make their mark. When talking about London, we have to start with defenseman Evan Bouchard (2018), the lifeblood of the Knights. His 87 points are the highest by a blueliner since Ryan Ellis hit the 100 point mark in 2011. The speedy Alex Formenton (Ottawa) is also playing the best hockey of his OHL career thus far with 12 goals in 14 games to close out the regular season. And you cannot talk about London without mentioning how good the “kid” line of Liam Foudy (2018), Billy Moskal (2018), and Nathan Dunkley (2018) has been since the trade deadline. This trio was challenged to step up their games with increased ice time and they all responded accordingly.

Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Owen Sound, on the other hand, was expected to be one of the top teams in the OHL this year but struggled to keep their star players healthy all year and subsequently struggled to perform consistently. That is, until the last few months when they have been, arguably, the OHL’s best. This team is scary good when healthy and they are now finally healthy. They roll three outstanding scoring lines, including a top unit of Jonah Gadjovich (Vancouver), Kevin Hancock (2018), and Nick Suzuki (Vegas) that has been one of the OHL’s best over the last two seasons. They also have one of the OHL’s top offensive blueliners in Sean Durzi (2018), who if he did not get injured, likely could have challenged Bouchard for the defenceman scoring title. It is in net where Owen Sound has struggled this season as Olivier Lafreniere and Mack Guzda (2019) have battled to find consistency. No question, Owen Sound has to have their offense rolling to win because they are not going to win many 2-1 games.

So who has the advantage going into this match-up? Experience wise, the nod has to be given to Owen Sound...and by a wide margin. The Attack are returning the vast majority of a roster that lost in the Conference finals last season. The Knights are an extremely well coached team, but they are relying on a lot of rookies and sophomores in key roles and that can often prove to be a recipe for disaster in the postseason. The deciding factor in this series probably comes down to the goaltending. So long as Owen Sound can get at least adequate goaltending from one of Lafreniere or Guzda, they should win this series. But if their goaltending struggles and team is forced to constantly play catch-up, the series tips in London’s favor, a team with nothing to lose.

Prediction: I have to give the nod to Owen Sound here because now that they are fully healthy, they look like a tough team to stop. This is especially true for a team as inexperienced as London; even if they are extremely talented. The Attack can get the saves they need to win this one, even if London pushes them and makes them sweat. Owen Sound in 6

OHL Finals Prediction

When the field is finally narrowed down to two teams who battle it out for OHL supremacy, I expect those two teams to be the Kingston Frontenacs and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

From the East I like Kingston for a couple reasons. The first is experience. As I already alluded to, they have a lot of players on that roster who have already won a Memorial Cup or OHL Championship (or both). That type of leadership goes a long way in the playoffs. The second is special teams play. The great Scotty Bowman always said combined special teams play was a great indicator of postseason success. Well the Fronts have the best powerplay in the league and the second best penalty kill. The third is goaltending. Jeremy Helvig is a veteran netminder who is about as consistent as they come. I have a ton of confidence in his ability to make saves when he needs to.

From the West, I like the Soo Greyhounds as they have looked about as dominant as anyone in the OHL has over the last few years. Their 116 points is the most since Barrie put up 116 in 2010. This team has it all. Special teams success. Good goaltending. Speed. Physicality. But most of all...depth. Drew Bannister’s players rarely seem to take a shift off and they rarely make mistakes with the puck. That composure at both ends of the ice makes them the favorite.

For the OHL Title, I am taking the Soo Greyhounds to win their first J. Ross Robertson Cup since they won back to back championships in the early 90ś.

Youngblood: 2014 World U17 Hockey Challenge – Top 50 Performers

Brendan Ross — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 15:47:59 +0000

Photo by Kelsey Vermeersch/ CKSN.ca

For the past week, Sarnia and the surrounding community of Lambton Shores played host to the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, an international tournament featuring the world’s top hockey talents from the 1998 age group. With an eye on the 2016 NHL Draft, USA sent a roster full of potential first round talent looking to defend its gold medal from the year prior. Through round robin play, USA dominated the competition sweeping their way to the gold medal game scoring a tournament high 29 goals and allowing just 11 goals, also a tournament best.

Entering the gold medal game versus Russia, USA had won twelve consecutive games at the Under-17 tournament but on Saturday, November 8^th, Russia’s stingy defensive efforts and impressive shot-blocking game stifled the American attack lifting them to gold.

The following is a fluid ranking of the best performances from the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, many of whom are top prospects for the 2016 and 2017 NHL Entry Drafts.

Disclaimer – This is NOT a ranking for the upcoming NHL draft classes but rather a ranking of performances from the 2014 World U17 Hockey Challenge.

50. Mikhail Sergachev (Russia) – The Russian defense core was good by committee but if there was one standout it would have to be Mikhail Sergachykov. He is a big defender who played tough minutes en route to Russia’s gold medal. With advanced mobility and effective puck moving skills, Sergachev was instrumental to getting the puck into the hands of their talented forwards. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

49. Michael McLeod (Canada Red/Mississauga Steelheads) – An elite level skater with blazing outside speed, McLeod uses his feet and lengthy wing span to operate well in the possession game. He can be a little hesitant in his decision making and passes up prime scoring opportunities for a pass but this kid has the total package to become a special talent – he just has to put it all together. He only posted one assist despite receiving prime offensive minutes but he was a big part of their quick offensive attack. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

48. Urho Vaakanainen (Finland) – One of two standout underage 1999-born players on Finland, Vaakanainen’s number 28 was easy to spot because this smooth skating defender has the total package – size, strength, hockey IQ and an ability to make impact in all three zones. He’s been deemed a comparable prospect as Sabres pick Rasmus Ristolainen was at the same age and teams certainly have him circled as a potential top pick for the 2017 draft.

47. Maxim Bain (Russia) – Talk about a player elevating his play as the games became more important and Russia’s Maxim Bain should be the focus of that conversation. The small quick-footed forward was a thorn in opposing defensemen’s side as he tenaciously hounded pucks on the forecheck. With great hand-eye coordination and a will to win any loose-puck battle, Bain forced turnover after turnover. Fortunately, he also plays the game with some noteworthy skill, showing the poise and puck handling ability to create his own offensive chances. Four of Bain’s six points came in the final three games and included the opening goal in the gold medal game. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

46. Brett Howden (Canada White/Moose Jaw Warriors) – Pro scouts have to be excited about Howden’s 6-foot-2 power game after showing a real knack for playing around the net. This big bodied winger flashed good physicality and strong skating skills, and despite battling some quiet moments, appears to own some serious pro upside. Howden potted two goals and three points while acting as an alternate captain for Canada White. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

45. Adam Mascherin (Canada Red/Kitchener Rangers) – Packed with one of the best shots in the tournament, Mascherin impressed out of the gate but as the tournament unfolded, he couldn’t maintain his offensive presence as often. Mascherin should be applauded for his two-way commitment, especially in the first two games, as he pushed the offensive attack with linemate Michael McLeod and demonstrated good backpressure on the defensive end. This budding sniper snapped home two goals and three points. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

44. Nicolas Hague (Canada White/Kitchener Dutchmen/Mississauga Steelheads prospect) – Hague was just one of four Canadians playing outside of the Canadian Hockey League (Dante Fabbro, Tyson Jost, Michael O’Leary). The 6-foot-5 defender has experienced one of the sharpest development curves over the past calendar year and he showed many people why he has a bright future in hockey with an overall strong showing. Earning more minutes after 1^st overall OHL pick Jakob Chychrun was ruled out of action, Hague stepped up and took advantage of his new opportunity. Not the fleetest of foot or prettiest of skater, Hague stifled opposing offenses and even showed a simple, yet effective, ability to kick start the breakout. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

43. Janne Kuokkanen (Finland) – Kuokkanen was one of the engines that drove the Finns offensive attack and his two goals and five points speaks to his efficient motor. Playing at a quick pace, Kuokkanen is an intelligent forward who recognizes soft spots and exploits them. Under pressure or on the attack, Keokkanen excels in one-on-one situations often relying on his quick puck skills to evade trouble or create offense. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

42. Sam Steel (Canada Black/Regina Pats) – There were certainly highs and lows to Sam Steel’s play throughout the week, the good outweighed the bad for me. Blessed with high-end skating ability, Steel pushed the pace for Canada Black, keeping defenders on their heels. Unfortunately, Steel, who played on a line with Tyler Benson, didn’t receive a lot of support and didn’t develop much chemistry and as a result, his threatening speed wasn’t utilized very well. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

41. Mikhail Mesheryakov (Russia) – There wasn’t a more puck-hungry player on Team Russia than Mikhail Mesheryakov, as this buzzsaw forward was on a constant hunt for loose pucks. Mesheryakov impressed with his ability to slip into scoring areas uncontested and In possession, he was difficult to contain as he eluded with sharp cuts to change direction. Mesheryakov put up one goal and three points in U17 play and appears to be a good option for teams searching for possession players. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

40. Jesper Bratt (Sweden) – Jesper Bratt was the sparkplug that ignited the Swedes’ offensive attack. Skating at an underwhelming 5-foot-8 , Bratt lacks ideal size but he makes up for it in his enthusiastic offensive attacks. Blessed with good foot speed and elusive agility, Bratt slashes in and out of traffic seeking out scoring opportunities. He displayed good one-on-one puck skills and times his entries into scoring areas extremely well. Bratt’s one goal and four points trailed only Nylander in team scoring. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

39. Tyson Jost (Canada White/Penticton Vees, BCHL/Everett Silvertips prospect) – His game is based around speed and Tyson Jost wreaks havoc on opposing defenders when he’s trying (and usually succeeding) to bust out-wide on them. He is an all-around player who can be utilized in every situation and he was especially efficient in his own zone. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

38. Otto Somppi (Finland) – Somppi was a consistent attacker from the start of the tournament to the end of it, earning quality offensive minutes along the way. Intuitive in his attacks, Somppi uses his teammates well in quick give-and-gos to open up space. He was a standout in cycles and the Finns possession game, using a long reach and nifty in-tight fakes to find open linemates. As effective as he was offensively, Somppi appeared to play a committed defensive game as well. With three goals and six points, Somppi was Finland’s scoring leader. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

37. Luke Green (Canada White/Saint John SeaDogs) – He wasn’t the most consistent defender but it was clear that Luke Green possesses some intriguing upside. Green was among the most mobile defenseman and his willingness to jump into the play and act as a fourth forward was threatening. He also shakes the offensive defenseman stereotype since he showed that he can be a reliable defender inside his own blueline as well. Green joined Black’s Jake Bean and Red’s Sean Day as Canada’s highest scoring defensemen with four points. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

36. Jake Kryski (Canada Red/Kamloops Blazers) – The near point-per-game WHL forward, Jake Kryski, was among Canada Red’s most active forwards scoring one goal and five points (in five games). A buzz-saw of a forward, Kryski always seemed to be in the heat of the action showing that he was very effective playing in traffic. With great hand-eye coordination, Kryski stripped opponents of possession on several instances and then quickly turned it into a prime scoring chance. With a good work ethic and some opportunistic positioning, Kryski was among Red’s most dangerous forwards. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

35. Jacob Cederholm (Sweden) – Brother to Vancouver Canucks prospect Anton Cederholm, Jacob followed in his brothers footsteps by failing to record a point. However, offensive production aside, Jacob was an instrumental part of Sweden’s transition game and was used as a pillar of defense in their shutdown game. Cederholm owns admirable size and his strength, physicality and long reach are all advantageous skills in his defensive game. With a powerful long stride, Cederholm is an impressive skater and was exceptional at lugging the puck up the ice to gain the offensive zone. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

34. Markus Niemeläinen (Finland) – Niemalainen boasts great size and strength but with his mobility and booming shot, the future looks bright for this budding 2016 NHL Draft prospect. He doesn’t make many errors and his ability to make opposing attackers work for ice is a testament to his defensive capacity. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

33. Logan Brown (Canada Red/Windsor Spitfires) – Logan Brown had a strong showing playing to his strengths and abilities. He set up on the top powerplay unit as the primary shooter, adding one goal and two powerplay assists. Brown made good use of his size in board play and was impossible to stop as he drove the net for rebounds. The Spitfires forward recorded two goals and four points. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

32. Jordan Kyrou (Canada White/Sarnia Sting) – After being the only player not to be invited or participate in the Summer Orientation camp, Jordan Kyrou was selected to play for Team White and made Hockey Canada look smart for his inclusion after being the team’s most dangerous offensive forward. Blessed with silky hands, creativity and the confidence to create scoring opportunities, Jordan Kyrou had his hometown Sarnia Sting supporters on the edge of their seats. Occasionally, Kyrou tried to do too much individually but with his self-assurance, he was truly an asset. Kyrou registered four assists in five games. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

31. Linus Weissbach (Sweden) – Game after game, Linus Weissbach continued to ramp up his play with each passing shift. Weissbach is a good skater with nifty jukes and jives and his outside speed is troublesome for even the top defenders to contain. Bratt was one of four Swedish skaters who recorded four points in the tournament. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

30. Vladislav Sukhachyov (Russia) – Sukhachyov received action in four of Russia’s six games including the 6-1 semifinal win over Finland to book their ticket to the gold medal but, for whatever reason, he didn’t receive the nod in the Gold Medal game versus USA. Sukhachyov isn’t a big but he was very good in every showing posting the tournament’s third best GAA (1.70) and save percentage (.931). Quick with his reflexes and natural athleticism allows Sukhachyov to cover the net from post-to-post, teasing opponents with shot openings before quickly closing them off. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

29. Vitali Abramov (Russia) – Russia’s Mr. Steady-Eddy, Vitali Abramov came to play in all six games posting points in all but one game (vs. FIN) totalling three goals and nine points. Sharing the team scoring lead with Dmitri Sokolov, Abramov was among Russia’s most lethal offensive options. He showed good patience in possession, outwaiting checkers for open lanes, and used his agility and top-end speed to keep defenders guessing. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

28. Kristian Vesalainen (Finland) – Born in ’99 makes the 6-foot-2 Kristian Vesalainen a 2017 draft prospect but this underager showed no lag in development finishing the tournament with a team-high three goals and five points (T-2^nd in team scoring). Vesalainen is a patient and quick puck handler who thrived in the dirty areas. His ability to stick handle in tight and execute difficult feeds was very impressive. He appears to be an opportunistic scorer with a knack for slipping away from coverage into scoring areas. 2017 NHL Draft Eligible

27. Sean Day (Canada Red/Mississauga Steelheads) – Day had a decent showing but failed to get his Red squad into the medal round despite being considered one of Canada’s top teams. Day’s exceptional mobility has been well documented over the past few years and it continued; however, it was surrounded by some poorly executed passing and several instances of bad decision making. There’s another level to Day’s game but we did not see it this past week. Despite his sporadic performance, Day logged a ton of minutes for Red and finished the week with a strong four points, including one powerplay goal. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

26. William Bitten (Canada Red/Ottawa 67’s) – One area that William Bitten will never fall short on is his work ethic and tenacity. The hard working 67s forward steps on the ice each shift with a balls-to-the-walls approach and when his skill level is factored in, few can match his ability to impact the game. Not overly big or strong (yet), Bitten plays every shift as if it were the last shift of a championship game. He possesses good speed and isn’t afraid to attack one-on-one or slash right into traffic. He was a sparkplug for Canada Red and he was rewarded with two goals and five points to lead his team in scoring – and rightfully so. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

25. Kailer Yamamoto (USA/Spokane Chiefs) – As one of the two late additions Kailer Yamamoto took some time to adjust to his new teammates (all of whom play together in the USNTDP). Once his feet were wet, Yamamoto formed great chemistry with sniper Max Jones and racked up three goals and seven points in as many games. A creative passer and quick in transition, Yamamoto pushed the pace for USA’s second line and showed why he’s excelling with his hometown Spokane Chiefs (12-2-6-8) as a rookie. 2017 NHL Draft prospect.

24. Jake Bean (Canada Black/Calgary Hitmen) – The only undrafted major junior player of the 66 Canadian players who competed in the U17s, Calgary Hitmen defenseman Jake Bean was among the feel-good stories of the tournament. Bean is an enthusiastic defender who has the raw potential to develop into a very good player. The Calgary Hitmen blueliner led the entire Canada Black team in scoring with one goal and four points (five games) and was named Player of the Game versus USA when he scored the lone goal (shorthanded) on a beautiful individual effort. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

23. Samuel Girard (Canada Black/Shawinigan Cataractes) – Here’s a fun defender to watch – Samuel Girard possesses the elusiveness, skating skills and puck handling abilities to excel in an offensive role rolling off checks at the offensive blueline to keep plays alive. He plays a high-risk game at times and could certainly round out his defensive game but his rare skillset will be coveted. Girard finished with on goal and three points in tournament play. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

22. Adam Fox (USA/Harvard University commit/Kitchener Rangers) – Coming off a year with the Long Island Gulls where he scored 51 points in only 22 games, Adam Fox adopted an offensive role on the USA blueline often earning top powerplay minutes alongside Luke Martin or Chad Krys. Surprisingly, Fox only earned a pair of assists in the tournament but his offensive abilities certainly created countless other prime scoring chances that went unfinished. Undersized at 5-foot-10, Fox uses elite edgework and sharp attacking skills to push the pace up ice. He operates as a crafty quarterback and flashes some high-end puck handling abilities. Fox was often the defenseman who kick-started the transition game and remains an intriguing offensive defenseman option for the 2016 draft. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

21. Joey Anderson (USA/University of Minnesota-Duluth commit/Brandon Wheat Kings prospect) – The third member of the Pastujov-Keller-Anderson line, Joey Anderson was a player who continued to elevate his play with each passing game. He was a major factor in USA’s win over Canada Red with two assists to clinch top spot in Group B and then added three goals in the quarter and semi-final games. Anderson is a hard-working two-way forward with keen hockey sense, making him an asset in all three zones. He was the perfect complement to his highly skilled linemates. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

20. William Fällström (Sweden) – A leader on and off the ice, Captain William Fällström led all Swedes in goal scoring with four tallies. Fällström combines his smart hockey sense with his all-around offensive skill set well and the outcome is a very dangerous attacker. He is a shifty pivot with a goal scorers’ touch but his two-way game is well developed also. Fällström is the type of player coaches can lean on in big-game situations. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

19. Kale Clague (Canada Black/Brandon Wheat Kings) – Canada Black’s captain, Kale Clague, is among the top defensive prospects for the 2016 draft and his play at the U17s confirmed that this smart two-way threat is among Canada’s best 98-born defenseman. Smooth and effortless in stride, Clague makes calculated risks offensively but honours his defensive commitments first and foremost. He was a fixture on Black’s powerplay displaying good reads, passing ability and occasionally used his high-end one-timer. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

18. Michael Campoli (USA/Blainville-Boisbriand Armada prospect) – Born in Quebec, Canada, defenseman Michael Campoli was one of two Americans with Canadian citizenship (Griffin Luce being the other). The American coaching staff used Campoli in a defensive shutdown role but this extremely mobile defender intrigued with his outstanding patience under pressure, bull-like defensive commitments and overall demeanour on the blueline. There’s some massive upside with Campoli as he owns the size, mobility and puck handling ability to develop on his offensive game. Consider him a top defensive prospect in my books for the 2016 draft. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

17. Adam Thilander (Sweden) – Excellent in stride, Thilander thrives in possession and his ability to use his imagination in setting up teammates proved to be high-end in this tournament. Thilander uses clever feints and fakes to evade checkers and then showed a tendency to strike quickly with an absolutely booming point shot. Smart in transition and a pitbull in defensive battles, Thilander should be considered a top prospect for the 2017 NHL Draft (another late birthday). 2017 NHL Draft Eligible

16. Patrick Khodorenko (USA/Everett Silvertips prospect) – Khodorenko has always been one of the most skilled forwards in his peer group and while he may have took a back-seat to the Keller-Jones show at the U17s, he was definitely among the Americans’ best forwards. The Silvertips 2^nd round draftee hasn’t made a decision on his future (WHL or collegiate) but wherever he chooses to play, he will be fine. Khodorenko is a creative pivot with strong playmaking abilities and had he earned more top powerplay minutes, he could’ve pushed for the team scoring lead. The Californian finished with one goal and six points finishing tied for 8^thin U17 scoring. 2017 NHL Draft Eligible

15. Tarmo Reunanen (Finland) – From the past week of action, Tarmo Reumanen was Finland’s best defenseman. He’s not the most technical skater but he is elusive, surprisingly quick (specifically in acceleration) and can quarterback a powerplay with ease. Booming with confidence, Reunanen is capable of unleashing a howitzer or executing a difficult pass under pressure but it’s his vision that is his best asset and allows him to be the team's prime distributor. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

14. Ryan Lindgren (USA/University of Minnesota commit/Brandon Wheat Kings prospect) – Coming out of the illustrious Shattuck St. Mary’s program where he racked up 24 goals and 88 points in 55 games during his Bantam year, Ryan Lindgren has always owned the offensive pedigree and he flashed it during competition at the U17s. Wearing the ‘C’ for the Americans, Lindgren showed to be an exceptional skater and puck possession defender. Under pressure, Lindgren would casually cut away from pressure then send a precise seam-pass to a streaking teammate. He didn't risk his defensive responsibilities for offensive rushes but occasionally, Lindgren displayed his upside as a puck-rushing defender when he made end-to-end rushes, virtually going untouched. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

13. Nikita Popugaev (Russia) – Skating at over 6-foot-4 and 205-pounds, Nikita Popugaev could have been Russia’s best pro prospect. Despite his size and youthfulness, Popugaev’s fluid and powerful skater is all that more remarkable. The 15-year-old is a late birthday which makes him a 2017 draft prospect and he has to be considered a top prospect for his age group. With slick hands and slippery outside-inside cuts at top speed, Popugaev is a beast to contain. Unlike most physically mature big men, he knows how to utilize his size and power game to his advantage. This high potential forward had three goals in tournament play. 2017 NHL Draft Eligible

12. Nick Pastujov (USA/University of Michigan commit/Saginaw Spirit prospect) – A dynamic forward with make-you-miss puck skills, Pastujov clicked on a line with Keller and Joey Anderson eventually finishing with three goals and eight points (5^th). Pastujov is especially creative and dangerous around the scoring areas as he uses quick strikes or unexpected passes to hit teammates for easy tap-in goals. Patient under pressure and effective playing in high traffic areas, Pastujov’s puck handling and quick shot are on display as he releases from pressure along the boards and steps into the slot to strike. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

11. Jake Oettinger (USA/Portland Winterhawks) – Based on this tournament alone, 2017 NHL Draft goaltender Jake Oettinger has to be among the top goaltenders ranked in his draft class. Playing with a pro-sized frame (6-3, 196), Oettinger is an exceptional blocking style goaltender to owns his crease with an intimidating presence. His opponents’ attacks were sporadic but he remained poised between the pipes flashing a high-level of concentration, rebound control and an fathomable demeanour. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a goaltender play such a fundamentally solid game from the tournament’s start to finish. Oettinger finished with a sparkling 1.34 GAA to lead all goaltenders and his .934 save percentage trailed only Sweden’s Filip Gustavsson. 2017 NHL Draft Eligible

10. David Quenneville (Canada White/Medicine Hat Tigers) – Joining Chad Krys, Victor Mete and Samuel Girard as one of the tournament’s most exciting offensive defensemen, David Quenneville was a treat to watch in possession. In a similar mold as former junior superstar Ryan Ellis, Quenneville possesses outstanding hockey instincts and a natural puck handling ability. Like Ellis, Quenneville can unleash a powerful point shot and is a regular on the powerplay, operating as the team’s powerplay. At 5-foot-8, Quenneville lacks ideal height but this enthusiastic defender can lay out bone-crushing body checks with the biggest of players. His statline for the U17s reads one goal and three points. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

9. Victor Mete (Canada Red/London Knights) – London Knights defenseman Victor Mete turned in one of the best showings from any player. Well aware of Mete’s offensive abilities that are featured around elite skating, intelligent playmaking and a veteran-like ability to run the powerplay, Mete was most impressive in his defensive zone. The young defender was a shot-blocking machine and he was very good holding down his blueline, making sure he wasn’t conceding easy entries. Of course, he was a fixture on Canada Red’s powerplay and played a vital role to their transition game too. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

8. Dante Fabbro (Canada Red/Penticton Vees, BCHL/Seattle Thunderbirds prospect) – After watching the undersized Dante Fabbro in action, I can only imagine the damage this intelligent defenseman does in the BCHL. He’s at the top of his peer group in the way that he sees and thinks the game, allowing him the extra time to plan his next decision. He’s a precise passer and is unfazed under pressure. Strong in every direction, in possession and without the puck, Fabbro moves about the ice at will and his advanced hockey mind allows him to change his plan of attack at the last second. In terms of offensive upside, few possess his potential. Fabbro had a pair of goals and three points at the U17s. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

7. Nolan Patrick (Canada Red/Brandon Wheat Kings) – His late 1998 birthday means Nolan Patrick won’t be eligible for the NHL draft until 2017 and that’ll be a long wait for some scouts who are very excited about adding this responsible two-way forward. As Captain of Canada Red, Patrick was used in every situation including top penalty kill and powerplay units. There may not have been a smarter and more trust-worthy forward competing in the U17 as Nolan Patrick. He already owns a projectable frame, good mitts (although not overly flashy), two-way awareness and a long powerful skating stride. He is a beast in board battles and is suited as a future possession guy. Patrick plays a similar style as Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele and finished with five assists through five games. 2017 NHL Draft Eligible

6. Dmitri Sokolov (Russia) – Dmitri Sokolov had a coming out party at the U17s introducing himself to the North American hockey world. The big power forward has a wicked shot but also showed us some silky playmaking abilities as well, finding teammates with creative no-look passes. Not the greatest skater and he appeared a bit heavy but Sokolov uses high-end puck skills to escape pressure and his physical strength was dominant against his peers. Sokolov is a dynamic power winger who showed this past week that he owns first round pedigree. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

5. Chad Krys (USA/Moncton Wildcats prospect) – The smooth skating elusive Chad Krys finished the tournament with a defense leading seven points (all assists) and showed why he’s considered a top prospect for 2016. Elite mobility and a knack for spinning off of pressure, Krys defines a puck-rushing defenseman. With an ability to turn up ice quickly in transition, Krys is able to weave through traffic using clever puck skills, shrewd on-ice vision and high-end skating techniques. To add, Krys’ intelligence makes him an astute defensive presence as well. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

Sweden's Filip Gustavsson was the U17's top goaltender (Photo: Brendan Ross)

4. Filip Gustavsson (Sweden) – The U17’s top goaltender by a fair margin, 6-foot-2 Swede Filip Gustavsson was impenetrable from start to finish stopping 131 of the 139 shots thrown at him, more than 41 saves than the next best goaltender. With great size, Gustavsson provided few holes for the opposition to shoot at. He flashed quick reflexes and displayed fluid lateral coverage as a butterfly goaltender. He was the sole reason that Sweden advanced to the semi-finals after a 35-save shutout performance against Canada White. Filip Gustavsson held a shutout streak of over 179 minutes until he finally surrendered a goal in the USA game. Outstanding performance. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

3. Alexander Nylander (Sweden) – Famous family name aside, it’s hard not to be impressed immediately by the skill set of Alexander Nylander, son of NHLer Michael Nylander and brother to Maple Leafs’ top prospect William Nylander. To some degree, I was more impressed with the younger Nylander son than the NHL draftee based on his overall compete level and attention to defense. Alexander was Sweden’s most dynamic offensive player showcasing all-world creativity and confident one-on-one dangles. Like his brother, Alexander is a slippery playmaker who masks his intentions extremely well and his knack for slipping a pass to an unchecked linemate at unexpected times is a rare and treasured skill set. He packs a great shot and can operate at top speed. Nylander paced all Swedes in scoring with two goals and seven points. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

2. Clayton Keller (USA/Windsor Spitfires prospect) – The tournament’s leading scorer with six goals and 13 points in a half-dozen games is very big (5-9, 165) but Clayton Keller certainly showed that he plays a big-time game. The Boston University commit is an exciting player to watch with his elite puck skills, veteran-like patience and off-the-charts creativity. Each time he hit the ice, Keller was an offensive catalyst with his ability to make defenders miss. He was on his own level in this tournament with his ability to create something out of nothing. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

1. Max Jones (USA/London Knights prospect) – The London Knights had many of their brass in attendance to check out the progress of their 2014 1^st round pick Max Jones. The Knights current offensive leader, Max Domi, will definitely be playing his last year of junior hockey this season but London is hoping to exchange one dangerous player named Max for another in 2015-16. Playing a throwback style of hockey in the mold of a power forward that is featured around impressive size, strength and aggressiveness, Max Jones is the whole package and he will have NHL scouts drooling when the 2016 draft comes due. His ability to play a high-paced north-south game and his elite shooting arsenal are unmatched among his competitors. Jones led the 2014 U17’s in goal scoring with seven tallies, including a tournament leading four powerplay markers, and placed second in overall points (11). Consider Max Jones one of the leading candidates to be selected first overall come 2016. 2016 NHL Draft Eligible

Honourable Mentions

The following players performed well in tournament action and should be considered prospects to watch for future NHL drafts…

Reagan O’Grady (Canada Black), Nolan Volcan (Canada Black), Beck Malenstyn (Canada Black), Zach Poirier (Canada Black), Mason Shaw (Canada Red), Evan Fitzpatrick (Canada Red), Tanner Kaspick (Canada White), Travis Barron (Canada White), Josh Anderson (Canada White), Samuel Harvey (Canada White), Markus Nurmi (Finland), Pete Niemi (Finland), Emil Oksanen (Finland), Leevi Laakso (Finland), German Rubtkov (Russia), Nikita O. Popugayev (Russia), Mikhail Shabanov (Russia), Jakub Lacka (Slovakia), Adam Ruzicka (Slovakia), Lias Andersson (Sweden), Linus Lindstrom (Sweden), Tim Wahlgren (Sweden), Luke Martin (USA), Joseph Woll (USA)

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