Jake Kryski – McKeen's Hockey

WHL Playoff Preview (Eastern Conference): Prince Albert dominates but Vancouver hot down the stretch

Kevin Olexson — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 18:12:54 +0000

After another exciting season in the Dub it took one final game to finalize this year’s playoffs. The Kelowna Rockets and Kamloops Blazers finish the season tied forcing a one-game playoff, the seventh in WHL history, to move on and play the Victoria Royals.

The Blazers made up a seven-point deficit in the last week and a half of the season, going 5-0-1 to tie Kelowna and earn a home tie-breaker game. They came in riding some momentum and sported a 6-3-1 record against the visiting Rockets this season. The Blazers were led by 16-year-old rookie goaltender Dylan Garand, who put aside 27 out of 28 shots, and forwards Connor Zary, Zane Franklin, Brody Stuart, and Captain Jermaine Loewen to earn their biggest win of the season. Next year’s Memorial Cup hosts have some work to do, as this is only the second time in the Rockets tenure that they have missed the playoffs.

The Prince Albert Raiders were far and away the top team in the Dub this year finishing with a 54-10-2-2 record for a league leading 112 points. The Vancouver Giants finished with the second-best record after going on a real tear in the last quarter of the season, as they surpassed the Everett Silvertips for the best record out of the BC and US divisions erasing a 16-point deficit. The Edmonton Oil Kings finished the season as the hottest team down the stretch winning their last 10 games to edge out the Lethbridge Hurricanes by two points for the division title.

As the quest to represent the WHL in this year’s MasterCard Memorial Cup begins, the Eastern Conference matchups look like this:

Eastern Conference

Brett Leason. Photo by Robert Murray/WHL.

The top seeded Prince Albert Raiders open their playoff series against the Red Deer Rebels boasting the best overall record, and head in to the postseason with a 7-2-1 record, where the Rebels stumbled in with a 4-5-1 record down the stretch finishing with 33 wins and 72 points. These teams played four times this season, with the Raiders taking three of the four games, losing only their first meeting of the season in Red Deer. All four games were decided by one goal, including a 2-1 shootout win by the Raiders in their most recent game played in Prince Albert.

The Raiders led the league in goals scored and finished the season with the second-best goals against. They are loaded up front with Brett Leason (36-53-89), San Jose prospect Noah Gregor (43-45-88), Montreal prospect Cole Fonstad (29-44-73), Ottawa prospect Kelly Parker (35-32-67), and Dante Hounen (29-38-67) who was acquired from the Victoria Royals and put up 31 points in 28 games with the Raiders.

The Rebels are led by Buffalo pick Brandon Hagel (41-61-102), Reece Johnson (27-26-53), and a couple of acquisitions in Cameron Hausinger (21-33-54) who put 37 points in 40 games, and Dallas pick Brett Davis (20-30-50) who produced 31 points in 41 games. On the back end, the Raiders are more than solid with Brayden Pachal (15-36-51) with 51 sporting an amazing +76, his partner Zach Hayes (3-24-27) with an equally impressive +71, Sergei Sapego (10-33-43) with a +42, and Max Martin (6-35-41) showing a +45. They have Washington Capitals 2018 first round selection Alexei Alexeyev with 43 points in 49 games, who is dealing with something but should be available, and Dawson Barteaux (7-27-34) to work their blue line.

In goal, Ian Scott has had a stellar season for the Raiders, going 38-8-1-2 with a 1.83 GAA, and a save percentage of 0.932 posting eight shutouts. The Rebels are back stopped by Ethan Anders 28-22-4-1 with a 3.09 GAA and a save percentage of 0.907 and two shutouts.

The Raiders seem to have the edge in most of the categories, but every game has been extremely close, and Red Deer was a top team last year, and anything can happen in the playoffs.

Pick - Raiders in 5

Kirby Dach

The Saskatoon Blades and Moose Jaw Warriors are set to meet as the second and third seeds in the East. The Blades have dominated the Warriors this year going 5-1 against them, including a 5-3 win near the end of the season. These are two good teams meeting, with lots of talent and players to watch.

At forward the Blades are led by top prospect Kirby Dach (25-48-73) who is slated to be a top five pick in this year’s draft, Max Gerlach (42-32-74), Washington prospect Eric Florchuk (21-29-50), and acquisitions Ryan Hughes (30-39-69) who had 29 points in 25 games, and Gary Haden (31-35-66) who scored 62 points in 55 games. The Warriors are led by line mates Tristan Langan (53-60-113) who topped 50 goals and sports a +43, and Justin Almeida (33-78-111), finishing second and third respectively in league scoring. Rookie Brayden Tracey scored 36 goals and put up 81 points in his first season with the Warriors.

On defense, both clubs have some nice features, as the Blades boast Dawson Davidson (13-62-75) and Nolan Kneen (6-39-45) with 25 points in 33 games since being acquired. One of the Warriors strengths is in their D-line, with Montreal prospect Josh Brook who scored 75 points in only 59 games, and Vancouver Canucks draftee Jet Woo (12-54-66).

In goal, Nolan Maier (36-10-6) backstops the Blades with a 2.64 GAA, a 0.910 save percentage, and four shutouts. The Warriors have used more of a committee approach as goalies Adam Evanoff (19-10-2-1) with a 2.62 GAA and a 0.916 save percentage, and Brodan Salmond (21-10-4-1) with a 2.73 GAA and 0.906 save percentage have shared the crease duties all season.

This should be a very good series to watch, and these teams are similar and should put forth an entertaining series. The Blades have dominated the regular season series, and have been the better club, and are headed in to the playoffs on an 8-2 run, but the Warriors enter on a three-game winning streak and will give them trouble, and make them earn it.

Pick - Blades in 6

Matthew Roberston, Edmonton Oil Kings

The central division winning Edmonton Oil Kings will host the Medicine Hat Tigers in the next matchup, and really seem to have the edge after going 5-0-1 against the Tigers this year, although all the games were relatively close except for one game which was a 5-0 final.

The Oil Kings Trey Fix-Wolansky (37-65-102), a Columbus Blue Jackets pick has led the charge all season and is definitely a player to watch. He is supported by Vince Loschiavo (37-25-62), Quinn Benjafield (15-39-54), and then 2019 draft prospects in Josh Williams, Vladimir Alistrov, and Jake Neighbours who will carry the load. The Tigers will rely on James Hamblin (33-44-77), Ryan Jevne (32-36-68), former Edmonton player Brett Kemp (33-27-60) who scored 21 points in 24 games for MH, and Ryan Chyzowski (27-28-55) to provide the scoring.

The Oil Kings defence is led by Conner McDonald (19-31-50), and Matthew Robertson (7-26-33) who is eligible for this year’s draft. The Tigers defence is led by Florida Panthers pick Linus Nassen (7-39-46) who will log a lot of minutes in this one. In goal, the Oil Kings have Dylan Miskew (28-11-2-3) between the pipes, who finished the season strong with his 2.53 GAA and 0.914 save percentage. He will battle the Tigers rookie Mads Sogard (19-8-2-2) with a 2.64 GAA and a 0.921 save percentage.

Even with the Oil Kings dominance throughout the regular season against the Tigers, it has been a close series and pretty equally matched. The Oil Kings ride an 11-game winning streak into the playoffs and look they have gotten hot at the right time. I like the forward depth for the Tigers and the defensive edge for the Oil Kings, and with two strong goaltenders this should be a close series. I feel it has upset potential, and despite the regular season series results, I think that Sogard can make a big difference and possibly steal this one.

Pick - Tigers in 7

Dylan Cozens

The last of the Eastern series is a central division matchup, with the Lethbridge Hurricanes playing the Calgary Hitmen. Once again, the Hurricanes dominated the season series by a 5-1 mark and scored handily as they averaged six goals a game in the series. Lethbridge has an abundance of offence, with five players who scored over 80 points, and will be a handful for the Hitmen.

The Hurricanes acquired forward Nick Henry (29-65-94) from Regina earlier this season, and the Colorado Avalanche prospect rolled on to lead the club in scoring as he put up 54 points in 44 games. Alongside of Henry, the Hurricanes also acquired Jake Leschyshyn of the Golden Knights (40-41-81) from the Pats, and he stepped in nicely as he had 49 points in 44 games. Top prospect Dylan Cozens (34-50-84), who is expected to go very early in this year’s draft, and Hurricanes Captain and Pittsburgh Penguins property Jordy Bellerive (33-50-83) filled the net regularly against the Hitmen, as Cozens had nine points in six games, and Bellerive had 13 in six. Joining them is Jake Elmer (39-42-81), who also had a very nice season and was able to knock 10 points in 6 games against the Hitmen.

As for Calgary, they have some offence as well, with line mates Mark Kastelic (47-30-77) and James Malm (34-43-77) leading the way. Malm, acquired from the Vancouver Giants put up a point a game against Lethbridge, while Kastelic scored nine points. They will be joined by Carson Focht (26-38-64), Kaden Elder (27-33-60) who was picked up from last year’s WHL champion Swift Current Broncos, Riley Stotts (19-38-57) , and Jake Kryski (19-27-46) to try keep pace with the Hurricanes.

On defense, the Hurricanes are led by Cale Addison (11-54-65), the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect will play a major role in this series and should have a good showing. He will be joined by hulking Ukranian defender Igor Merezheko (4-31-35) who will be responsible to shut down the Hitmen forwards. For Calgary, Russian defenseman Yegor Zamula (10-46-56), who was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers, and Belarussian Vladislav Yereomenko (7-26-33) will work with Dakota Krebs (4-21-25), as they have their work cut out to try and keep the Hurricanes forwards at bay, and hopefully keep the scoring to a minimum.

This will be an even more interesting series in the net, as both teams have rookie goaltenders that will duel against one another. Both goalies have been rather impressive thus far. Carl Tetachuk of Lethbridge put up a record of 24-9-1-1, with a GAA of 2.88 and a save percentage of 0.909 and two shutouts. His counterpart in Calgary, Jack McNaughton, went 25-14-3, with a GAA of 3.25 and a save percentage of 0.888, while posting two shutouts.

The Hurricanes finished the season going 9-1 down the stretch, while Calgary comes in with a 6-4 record to finish. The strong offence and forward depth of the Hurricanes should propel them to win the series, but the real story will be which 17-year-old goaltender will outplay the other, and even though McNaughton has played well down the stretch, his numbers against Lethbridge have not been good, going 1-2 against them, with a GAA of 5.16 and a save percentage of 0.838.

If the Hitmen can keep it close, and their special teams play, which was much better than the Hurricanes this year, seem to click, then they could make a good series out of this. The Hurricanes do have the experience after losing the Eastern Conference Championship two years in a row and should be extra motivated to get going for another chance.

Pick - Hurricanes in 6

LINK TO WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW HERE

WHL 2018-19 Season Preview

Kevin Olexson — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 13:22:04 +0000

Another exciting season is underway in the WHL, and 2018-19 should be a good one. The 2017-18 season ended with the WHL’s Regina Pats hosting the 2018 Memorial Cup, in which they were defeated 3-0 by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the final. This season, the Kelowna Rockets have been awarded the 2020 Memorial Cup, and as the host team, trying to retool and rebuild in transition, they have a bit of work to do before then.

The WHL had some great players move on, including prolific scorers, dynamic defenders, and some top goaltenders. Now the next draft class of players is developing into prominent roles with their respective clubs, and will see more of the spotlight and new opportunities as we head towards the 2019 draft in Vancouver.

Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks.

The WHL was dominated primarily by the US and Eastern Division, but there will be a change in the power and balance with all of the player turnover. The US division has established itself as the strongest division over the past few years and there is no reason to think that this season will be any different. It is likely that this division will boast five playoff teams as well. Along with the three seeded division teams, two other teams will battle for the conference wild card spots. The Portland Winterhawks and Spokane Chiefs should battle for the top spot in the division. The Hawks look poised to take the division, under the leadership of the Vegas Golden Knights first franchise pick Cody Glass, who will challenge for the WHL scoring title this season and be one of the best players to take the ice in the league. The Hawks lost two top defenders in Dennis Cholowski (Detroit) and Henri Jokiharju (Chicago), as well as forwards Skyler McKenzie (Winnipeg) and Kiefer Bellows (NYI). They have a solid supporting cast, and overage forward Joakim Blichfeld (SJ) and defender Brendan DeJong (Car) will flourish this season. They also boast two top draft prospects in defenders --Clay Hanus and John Ludvig who should produce on the back end.

Jaret Anderson-Dolan, photo by Larry Brunt/Spokane Chiefs

The Chiefs are set to push for the division title with plenty of offense even after losing Edmonton prospect and team leader Kailer Yamamoto, and graduate Hudson Elynuik (Toronto Marlies). They will be led by LA Kings prospect Jaret Anderson-Dolan (who will surely be one to watch after he returns from the NHL), Sharks prospect Jake McGrew, a nice complement of 19-year-old players, and New Jersey Devils first round selection Ty Smith who will step up his game. This season the Chiefs will also show off prospect Luke Toporowski, who will contribute with a larger role for the club.

The Seattle Thunderbirds, Tri-City Americans, and Everett Silvertips will follow up jockeying for position. The T-Birds are building and are looking to improve after a big changeover in players. The load will be shouldered by Nolan Volcan and Zach Andrusiak, who will play as 20-year- olds this season and lead the team offensively. Jared Tyszka (Montreal) will lead the blue line, and help draft eligible prospect Jake Lee. Secondary scoring will come from Noah Philp, Matthew Wedman and eligible prospect Dillon Hamaliuk. Tri-City will be anxious to get back prospects Michael Rasmussen (Detroit), and defensemen Juuso Valimaki (Calgary), but it may take some time, if they return at all. Aside from that they will have a solid set of forwards led by Kyle Olson (Anaheim), Nolan Yaremko, and top draft eligible prospect Sasha Mutala. The defence is young and could be shaky, meaning that the offence and goaltending will both have to be better. The Everett Silvertips have had the biggest turnover, losing scoring leaders Patrick Bajkov (Florida) and Matt Fonteyne, as well as elite goaltender Carter Hart (Philadelphia). They will get back forwards Riley Sutter (Washington) and Connor Dewar (Minnesota) to lead the attack. Goaltender Dustin Wolf is a top prospect and played admirably behind Hart last season. He will have his chance to be in the spotlight and shine this year. Wyatte Wylie (Philadelphia) will lead the blueliners the depth of which is a strength of this team.

Milos Roman. Photo by Chris Relke/Vancouver Giants

The B.C. division took a step back, as the powerhouse teams have slipped. Now the Vancouver Giants seemed poised to sit atop the division along with the Victoria Royals. The Giants lost forwards Tyler Benson (Edmonton) and Ty Ronning (NYR), but have a great follow up with James Malm, Brayden Watts, and prospect Milos Roman (Calgary) to lead their offence. The Giants also have a great stable of defensemen, including Alex Kannok-Leipert (Washington), Dylan Plouffe, and a definite 2019 first round selection in Bowen Byram. The goaltending is also sound with the tandem of Arizona Coyotes pick David Tendeck and highly touted prospect Trent Miner who has put up great numbers with his play between the pipes.

The Victoria Royals will also challenge for the division title, as they have a good nucleus of players, solid goaltending, and great coaching. They lost a lot of firepower in Tyler Soy (San Diego Gulls) and Matthew Phillips (Calgary), but will be led by Dante Hannoun, Dino Kambeitz, and Kaid Oliver. The back end is good with Scott Walford (Montreal), Lane Zablocki (Detroit), and Ralph Jarrett. The Royals will be backstopped by one of the top goaltenders in the league in Griffin Outhouse who will help them with their push for another division title.

Kyle Topping of the Kelowna Rockets. Photo by Marissa Baecker/Kelowna Rockets

The Kelowna Rockets, Kamloops Blazers, and Prince George Cougars round out the division, as they will jockey for the third spot and possibly a wild card. The Rockets, after winning the bid to host the 2020 Memorial Cup will have to step things up, as this season looks a bit rough for them. They lost a good portion of their team, and top players Cal Foote (TBL), Dillon Dube (Calgary), Kole Lind (Vancouver), Carsen Twarynski (Philadelphia), have graduated and the team is in transition. They do however show five top rated prospects this season including Kyle Topping, who surprisingly went unselected in last year’s draft and will lead the team offensively this season. Top prospect and projected first rounder Nolan Foote will bear a larger role and be relied on to provide some much needed offence along with Leif Mattson. The Rockets are known for turning out defensemen, and they have top rated prospects in Kaden Korczak and Lassi Thomson in the works. In goal they have Roman Basran, another top prospect who pitched a shutout in his first ever WHL game, and will share backstop duties with James Porter.

The Kamloops Blazers are looking to take a step up after going through many changes last season. The Blazers seem like they are in rebuild mode, but they will be led by Jermaine Loewen returning from the Dallas Stars. The Blazers have some young players on their roster, and the back end will be anchored by Nolan Kneen, who should be in store for a big year. The Blazers could very well surprise a lot of teams, especially if returning goaltender Dylan Ferguson (Vegas) can put up solid numbers as he should be busy. The Cougars are also in the midst of a rebuild, as they unloaded many of their assets to finish at the bottom of the division. They have a young team without any returning NHL draftees on it, but will be led by defenders Joel Lakusta, Ryan Schoettler, Rhett Rhinehart, and forwards Ethan Browne and import Vladislav Mikhalchuk. They have a top rated goalie prospect in Taylor Gauthier between the pipes, and he looks to face a lot of shots behind a weak defence.

The battle of the Central Division should come down to the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Medicine Hat Tigers, followed by the Red Deer Rebels and Edmonton Oil Kings, leaving the Kootenay Ice and Calgary Hitmen battling for the wildcard positions.

Calen Addison. Photo by Robert Murray.

The Hurricanes seemed primed and ready, as they welcome back their leaders from other camps and tryouts. The offence will certainly be dynamic with Jordy Bellerive (Pittsburgh) returning, and prospect Dylan Cozens - who will definitely be an early first round pick in next year’s draft - leading the charge as they both push for the WHL scoring title as well. The secondary scoring will be in the hands of eligible prospect Logan Barlage, Taylor Ross, and Kelti Jeri-Leon. On the back end, Calen Addison (Pittsburgh) returns to beef up this blue line and contribute from the point. The goaltending looks solid with Reece Klassen, who should have a good nucleus of defence in front of him to help him put up good numbers. Medicine Hat should also be able to keep up with Lethbridge on the offensive side of things, as they also have some firepower up front. Ryan Chyzowski and Josh Williams are one of the top tandems in the league, and Williams is a likely first round selection in the upcoming draft. Captain James Hamblin will also provide some scoring punch, as they also show a very balanced group of forwards.

The Tigers lost offensive defensemen David Queneville (NYI), meaning defenders Linus Nassen (Florida) and Dylan Macpherson will have to step into bigger roles to help fill that void. The goaltending will be fine with Jordan Hollett (Ottawa) stopping pucks on the back end, but the defence is young. The Rebels also have some nice players returning, and coach Brett Sutter will be happy with Brandon Hagel and Jeff DeWit coming back to lead the forward group. The Rebels also welcome back Alexander Alexeyev (Washington) and Dawson Barteaux (Dallas) to the group, as they should both have very productive seasons. The Rebels have two players of note for draft hounds with import center Oleg Zaytsev and goaltender Ethan Anders, who should both improve this season with expanded roles.

The Edmonton Oil Kings have also been in a rebuild mode, and are looking to take the next step of their transition. They have a young team who will be led by Trey Fix-Wolansky (Columbus), along with veterans Quinn Benjafield and Vince Loschiavo to play along side of draft eligible prospects David Kope, Vladimir Alistrov, and Brett Kemp. On defence, a top prospect and projected first round selection Matthew Robertson leads the blue line with fellow draft-eligibles Jacson Alexander and Conner McDonald. The Oil Kings also have some young goaltenders in their net, and could help this team move up the ranks with some solid play.

Riley Stotts. Photo by Candice Ward/Calgary Hitmen.

Calgary will have forwards Jake Kryski and Riley Stotts (Toronto) back, along with defenseman Vladislav Yeryomenko (Nashville) who will all take larger roles and provide leadership for their maturing team. The Hitmen have a hulking defender on the radar as Jackson Van De Leest is a top draft-eligible prospect. The Kootenay Ice have been developing and rebuilding for a few years now, and they are showing a lot of youth, and a top end talent in Peyton Krebs (yet another definite first round selection). He will be joined by Brett Davis (Dallas) to lead the charge for the young ICE team. They will rely on Jonathan Smart to anchor and lead their group of defensemen as this team looks to improve and make a surge for a playoff spot.

The Eastern Division standings will look different. This division has been hit the hardest as the top teams from last season have had major overhauls, and return depleted rosters. After being defeated in the Memorial Cup Final, the Pats have lost forwards Sam Steel (Anaheim), Cameron Hebig (Edmonton), and Matt Bradley from their impressive lineup of scorers. They will be led this year by Jake Leshyshyn (Vegas), Nick Henry (Colorado), Austin Pratt, and eligible prospect Koby Morrisseau to carry the load. On defence, losing Josh Mahura (Anaheim), Cale Fleury (Montreal), and Libor Hajek (TBL) opens the door for Aaron Hyman to take a leadership role, and allow eligible prospects Nikita Sedov and Jonas Harkins to play larger parts and flourish on an experienced team. In goal, they have Max Paddock, who should get some consideration, as he backstopped the Pats to the Memorial Cup final as a rookie netminder and looked good in the process.

Cole Fonstad

It looks like the Prince Albert Raiders are ready to take a major leap and push for the division crown. The Raiders are loaded up front with players to watch in Cole Fonstad (Montreal), Noah Gregor (SJ), undrafted Brett Leason, and returnee Kody McDonald leading the way. They have an experienced blue line with Sergei Sapego, Max Martin, and Brayden Pachal ready to deliver in larger roles. Goaltender Ian Scott (Toronto) is ready to be one of the top tenders in the DUB this season and lead this team. They will battle with the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Saskatoon Blades for the division crown in what should be an exciting division to follow. The Wheat Kings will also boast a stellar offence and solid goaltending. With last seasons leading scorer Ty Lewis (Colorado) eligible to return, which would add even more scoring punch to this already impressive lineup of forwards.

Ty Smith

Stelio Mattheos (Carolina), Connor Gutenberg, Cole Reinhart, and draft eligible Luka Burzan will lead the charge for the Wheat Kings. The defence will be led by Schael Higson and Chase Hartje, with youngsters Braden Schneider and Jonny Lambos getting increased minutes. Las Vegas prospect Jiri Patera will handle duties in net, and looks to be very solid for the Wheaties, which will also help push them to the top of the division. The Saskatoon Blades have also made enormous strides this year, and will take a step up as well. They have some great prospects on the roster that will make their way to the draft this spring. They also have a forward group that can fill the nets with Max Gerlach, Eric Florchuk, and Josh Paterson returning to support Kirby Dach. Dach will be a prolific scorer and early first round pick at the draft. He will be joined by import defensemen and fellow top prospect Emil Malysjev who will settle in to a prominent role by playing with the likes of Dawson Davidson and Jackson Caller. The Blades also feature a top goaltending tandem with top prospect Nolan Maier who will carry the load this season after a stellar rookie season, and Dorrin Luding, who has looked very impressive in his appearances.

Jett Woo

The Moose Jaw Warriors will find themselves in the mix as well with Justin Almeida (Pittsburgh) back in the fold, and leading the way as one of the top players in the Dub. Almeida will take the reigns of the offence after the loss of Jayden Halbgewachs (SJ), Brayden Burke (Arizona), and Brett Howden (NYR). He will be joined by Ryan Peckford, who looked promising last year despite being passed over in the draft. He will look to make amends for that with a good showing this year with an increased role on this club. He will be joined with fellow prospect Brayden Tracey and veteran forward Tristan Langan. The back end will miss top defender Kale Clague (LAK), but will be in good shape with a strong core as Josh Brook (Montreal) and Jett Woo (Vancouver) are back there. In net, the Warriors have Adam Evanoff who was great in a limited role in his rookie season, and will get to display his skills this year in a main role. He will share time with ex-Kelowna Rocket Broden Salmond who will add some experience.

Last but not least, last seasons WHL Champion Swift Current Broncos will be hit the hardest of all teams. They have lost most of their scoring, and are in a definite rebuilding mode. Gone are the likes of Glen Gawdin (Calgary), Aleksi Heponiemi (Florida), Giorgio Estephan (Buffalo), Matteo Gennaro, Beck Malenstyn (Washington), and their leader in Tyler Steenbergen (Arizona). The defence was also depleted by losing Colby Sissons (NJ), and surprisingly undrafted Artyom Minulin (who will miss lots of time with offseason surgery). This team will be led by Max Patterson, Alec Zawatsky, and defender Connor Horning. The Broncos are young, and will be in development mode for the next few seasons. Goaltender Joel Hofer (St. Louis) is the only player that has NHL labelling, and will be extremely busy throughout the year and will face a whole lot rubber. He will have to hone his skills and stop a lot of pucks, but is unlikely to steal many games for this team.

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)

Feel free to comment below or spark up conversation on Twitter (@RossyYoungblood)

Youngblood: World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Preview

Brendan Ross — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 18:36:02 +0000

Currently known as the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the international tournament has underwent a name change from the Quebec Esso Cup (in 2011) and most recently, Hockey Canada has decided to change the format of its own team entries into the tournament. For the first time in 2014, rather than sending five provincial teams (Ontario, Quebec, Pacific, Atlantic and Western) to compete, Hockey Canada has opted to combine players from across the nation into three competitive teams - Red, White and Black. Canadian players will now have the opportunity to play alongside talented competitors from other provinces. For example, Ontarian Jakob Chychrun will be taping Nova Scotian Mitchell Balmas with passes rather than laying him out in the corner. The Under-17 Hockey Challenge is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence that is used to help identify talent for the Under-18 and National Junior Team and it has seen over 1400 National Hockey League draft picks come through the tournament.

Tournament organizers have moved up the Challenge on the calendar to November to avoid conflict with the World Junior Championships that runs over the holiday season. For the first time since Windsor hosted in 2012, the tournament returns to Ontario and the world’s top hockey talents have arrived in Sarnia, Canada as the border-town city, in collaboration with nearby Lambton Shores, is ready to host the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Group A consists of two Canadian teams (Canada White and Canada Black), Finland and last year’s bronze medalists Russia while Group B will feature Canada Red, Slovakia, Sweden and the defending champions, Team USA. For more information on World Under-17 Hockey Challenge schedules and rosters, visit the tournament website.

The majority of participants are born in the 1998 age group and these players have spent months going through evaluations to reach their goal of donning their nation’s sweater. The following breakdown of teams will help to familiarize the general public with some of the names to watch. Here are just a few of the top talents skating in the #WU172014.

Team USA (Roster)

Knocking the four-time gold medalists off of the podium will prove to be a difficult feat as Team USA enters this tournament with a very talented roster, including 20 of 22 players who compete with the US National Under-17 Team. Non-National Under-17 skaters Spokane's Kailer Yamamoto and 6-foot-3 Riley Tufte (Blaine High School) will replace injured forwards Zach Walker and Graham McPhee. The Americans won’t have to fight through chemistry issues with such familiarity and with them icing five University of Michigan commits in Nick Pastujov, James Sanchez, William Lockwood, Griffin Luce and Luke Martin. In addition, Everett Silvertips draftee Patrick Khodorenko, London Knights first round selection Max Jones and Boston University commit and USNTDP leading scorer Clayton Keller are expected to help Pastujov and Sanchez with the offensive production. Towering netminders Joseph Woll and Minnesotan Jake Oettinger won’t surrender much net for the opposition and with Griffin Luce, Luke Martin, Plymouth Whalers’ hopeful James Greenway, Chad Krys (Moncton Wildcats prospect) and Harvard commit Adam Fox patrolling the blueline teams will be in tough against the champs.

Team SWEDEN (Roster)

Just like his older brother William Nylander (Maple Leafs draft pick), Alexander Nylander is an immensely skilled forward and has the ability to create space for him to showcase his elite puck skills, vision and shot. Playing alongside Nylander on the AIK U20 team, Jesper Bratt is a two-way forward with speed to burn and a blue-collar work ethic. Undersized and physically raw defenseman Alexander Andersson owns some slick hands, shrewd hockey sense and a poised approach that helps spark the offense and quarterback the powerplay. Committed to the University of Minnesota, William Fällström is a complete two-way competitor who offers a good level of physicality and the awareness to be trusted in critical game moments.

Sweden is a team that lacks a true individual standout but the squad is comprised of some solid depth full of smart and competitive players. Look for Oskar Steen, a shifty winger with a quick release and some untapped offensive upside, and Linus Weissbach to act as forwards who have an ability to create offense on their own. Jacob Cederholm, younger brother to Vancouver Canucks draftee Anton, has already suited up in the SHL and will help the Swedes defend their zone. Niklas Andersson, the son of current Los Angeles scout and former NHLer Niklas Andersson, is already off to a hot start with the HV71 U18 team picking up six goals and 14 points through 10 games. It could be a coming out party for 5-foot-6 defenseman Oliver Horrsell as this offensive blueliner certainly knows how to fill the score sheet. Lastly, pivot Tim Wahlgren should earn plenty of minutes as his great hockey intelligence and sense for the game is evident in all three zones. Both of Sweden’s goaltenders, Filip Gustavsson and Gusten Lundh have the size and big-game pedigree to provide Sweden with great stability between the pipes.

Team FINLAND (Roster)

Without forwards Jesse Puljujärvi, Patrik Laine, defensemen Olli Juolevi and Jusso Välimäki, the Finns will unfortunately be missing some of their top talents from the `98 age group. However, Finland is a nation that has been pumping out some great prospects and their entry isn’t without talent. Kristian Vesalainen and Urho Vaakanainen are two of Finland`s top underagers. Vesalainen is already skating at 6-foot-2 and offers up confident puck skills, suffocating physicality and an impact shooting arsenal. Emil Oksanen is a skilled right-shooting forward playing for Blues Espoo and his game features a deceptive shot that seems to find the net with regularity. The 6-foot-1 left shooting Tappara forward Otto Mäkinen is the former teammate of Patrik Laine and he`s got an advanced playmaking skill set, featuring soft hands and creative vision. Look for Finland to rely upon their depth and play some defensive hockey, much like they`re known for, to compete in Group A.

Team RUSSIA (Roster)

The Under-17 tournament provides an opportunity for the North American hockey world to be introduced to the up-and-coming talent from overseas. As a result, there isn’t much familiarity with these players coming into the World U17 Hockey Challenge. Headlining the Russian team are forwards Dmitri Sokolov and Vitali Abramov. Undersized but extremely skilled, Vitali Abramov is considered a potential first round talent for the 2016 NHL Draft and he`s off to a great start with Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL) scoring six goals and eight points (12 games). As good as Abramov is, it`s Dmitri Sokolov who projects as a potential Top 10 selection for the 2016 draft. The 6-foot-2 forward has racked up nine goals and 10 points through 13 games with Omskiye Yastreby Omsk (MHL). Russia will lean heavily on Sokolov and Abramov to provide the bulk of scoring but 6-foot-4 forward Nikita Popugaev (not to be confused with 5-foot-8 teammate Nikita O. Popugaev), Vladimir Kuznetsov and Vyacheslav Shevchenko should offer good secondary support.

Team SLOVAKIA (Roster)

Much like the Russian squad, Slovakia`s entry is a bit of a mystery. Forward Samuel Solensky is a pint-sized offensive making noise with HC Liberec`s U20 team with six goals and 16 points through the club's first 20 games. Viliam Cacho is a 5-foot-9 forward who has noteworthy playmaking skills and the offensive prowess to be considered a prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Cacho racked up eight goals and 44 points in 37 games playing up with Dukla Trencin's U20 club. Keep an eye on underagers Milos Roman, Patrik Hrehorcak and Adam Ruzicka to see how they handle the competition against older opponents.

Team CANADA WHITE (Roster)

The first of Canada’s three tournament entries may just be the most popular, at least among local fans. With Sarnia hosting the event, local fans can come out to cheer on their 2014 1st-overall selection in Jakob Chychrun and 2nd-round forward Jordan Kyrou as key members of Canada White. Chychrun and Kyrou have already stepped up in their rookie seasons and are playing top minutes. In addition to the familiar Sting faces, fans can expect to get excited about Ottawa 67`s two-way threat Travis Barron, Erie`s Taylor Raddysh, Moose Jaw's Brett Howden and high scoring BCHLer Tyson Jost.

Charlottetown winger Mitchell Balmas (who replaces the injured Hunter Moreau), Saginaw Spirit defender Keaton Middleton (who replaces Josh Mahura) and Soo Greyhounds top 2014 pick Anthony Salinitri (who replaces Dillon Dube) are excited about their renewed opportunity.

The strength of Canada White comes from their outstanding defensive core which starts with Jakob Chychrun, Medicine Hat's David Quenneville (brother of New Jersey Devils 2014 1st rounder John), Luke Green of Saint John, Gabriel Bilodeau of Val d'Or and ends with the outstanding Samuel Harvey in net.

Team CANADA BLACK (Roster)

Donning the black threads for Canada is potential Top 10 2016 NHL Draft prospect and 2013 1st-overall WHL pick Tyler Benson (Vancouver Giants), 2013 2nd-overall WHL selection Sam Steel (Regina Pats) and a slew of OHL 1st-rounders in Brandon Saigeon (Belleville Bulls), Matthew Hotchkiss (Guelph Storm), Chris Paquette (Niagara IceDogs), Zach Poirier (North Bay Battalion), Cliff Pu (Oshawa Generals) and Reagan O'Grady (Kingston Frontenacs). Canada Black features some underrated scoring depth with the likes of Nolan Volcan (Seattle Thunderbirds), Pascal Laberge (Gatineau Olympiques) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) who are all off to strong starts in their respective junior leagues.

On the blueline, look for Brandon Wheat Kings Kale Clague, Shawinigan's Samuel Girard, London Knights' Tyler Nother to help solidify the defensive zone in front of 6-foot-4 goaltender Stuart Skinner (Lethbridge Hurricanes) and Reilly Pickard (Baie-Comeau Drakker) who will share crease duties.

Team CANADA RED (Roster)

A quick glance down the roster for Canada Red will certainly appear as if Hockey Canada formed an All-Ontarian team as 11 players are from the Ontario Hockey League including exceptional defender Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads), a potential 2016 Top 3 draft prospect. Joining Day on the blueline from the OHL is the intelligent Matthew Timms (Peterborough Petes), big tough Windsor Spitfire Logan Stanley and slick skating Knight Victor Mete. On the front lines, dazzling puck rusher Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads), dangler Tye Felhaber (Saginaw Spirit), sniper Adam Mascherin (Kitchener Rangers), clutch forward William Bitten (Plymouth Whalers), power forward Givani Smith (Barrie Colts) and top 2016 prospect Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires) will all represent the OHL. In total, eight of the OHL's Top 20 selections from the 2014 draft are competing for Canada Red.

Beyond the tremendous "potential" firepower from the Ontario top picks (McLeod, Mascherin, Felhaber and Brown), Canada Red may have three of the most productive 98s in the nation in Wheat Kings forward Nolan Patrick (15-4-8-12), William Bitten (13-3-6-9) and Kamloops Blazer Jake Kryski (16-5-6-11).

Blueline soldiers outside of Ontario will consist of BCHL stud Dante Fabbro, Sherbrooke's Thomas Gregoire and Victoriaville's Guillaume Beck - all fantastic defensive prospects. With goaltenders Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes) and 6-foot-4 Phoenix puckstopper Evan Fitzpatrick in net, goals against should be held to a minimum.

On paper, Canada Red may have the best opportunity to end the red and white's three year drought of a World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal. If I were a betting man (and I am), I would look towards Canada Red as the best chance to unseat the Americans.

With exhibition play slated to kick off Halloween night and the tournament commencing on Sunday, the shores of Lake Huron will be home to some outstanding world-class talent looking to make their country proud in hopes of taking home the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal.

Follow @RossyYoungblood on Twitter as he covers the entirety of the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.