World Junior Championships User's Guide

[Bob Miller]

2015 IIHF World Junior Championship

Dates of Play: December 26, 2014 through January 5, 2015

Venues: Air Canada Centre - Toronto, Ontario Bell Centre - Montreal, PQ

Order of play: 10 international teams divided into two pools for round robin play, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, the bronze medal game and the gold medal game.

Comprehensive coverage with standings, schedule and current stats at: tsn.ca

Address to US TV coverage schedule: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=744492

Round robin pools:
Group A: Finland, Canada, United States, Slovakia, Germany
Group B: Sweden, Russia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Denmark

Fearless Prediction:
Canada over Russia in the gold medal final
United States over Finland in the bronze medal game

2014 results (Malmo, Finland)
Finland defeated Sweden, 3-2, in the gold medal game
Russia defeated Canada, 2-1, in the bronze medal game

Players to watch, by team, posted separately in this thread

 

[Bob Miller]

The Rest of the World

The Rest of the World

Switzerland Kevin Fiala (F) 1st round draft pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2014 NHL Draft. Puck skills galore both in playmaking and scoring. High compete level.

Switzerland Jonas Siegentahler (D) Stay at home defender who uses his 6-2 214 frame to good advantage in his own zone. Late first round/early second projection for the 2015 NHL Draft.

Switzerland Noah Rod (F) 2nd round pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 2014 NHL Draft. Up and down winger who isn't afraid to stick his nose into the dirty areas.

Denmark Nikolaj Ehlers (F) Outside of Pastrnak, my second fave international player. Drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1st round of the 2014 NHL Draft. Uber-skilled puckhandler and goal scorer despite his slight 6-0 176 build.

 

[Bob Miller]

Czech Republic

Czech Republic

David Pastrnak (F) 1st round pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2014 NHL Draft. A personal favorite of mine, Pastrnak has spent most of this season in the AHL with a brief five-game stint in the NHL with the parent Bruins. A natural skater with outstanding quickness and the capability of creating offensive chances out of nothing.

Jakub Vrana (F) 1st round pick of the Washington Capitals in the 2014 NHL Draft. An offensive force due to his elite skating skills and excellent shooting skills.

Pavel Zacha (F) Playing for Sarnia in the OHL, Zacha is rated #8 overall by ISS for the 2015 NHL Draft. A 17-year-old who already stands 6-3 205, Zacha uses that size with an impressive work ethic to wear down opponents.

Jakub Zaboril (D) ISS' 27th rated skater for the 2015 NHL Draft, Zaboril currently skates with Saint John of the QMJHL. Skating, hockey IQ, and puckhandling are among his strengths.

 

[Bob Miller]

Finland

Finland

Kasperi Kapanen (F) 1st round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2014 NHL Draft. Sniper off the wing; known for his goal scoring.

Julius Honka (D) 1st round pick of the Dallas Stars in the 2014 NHL draft. Talented offensive defenseman with a solid shot from the point and the ability to move the puck well.

Artturi Lehkonen (F) 2nd round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2013 NHL Draft. Excellent stickhandler, playmaker and scorer.

Mikko Rantanen (F) Rated #13 overall by International Scouting Services for the 2015 NHL Draft. All-round skills for a big-bodied forward.

 

[Bob Miller]

Russia

Russia

Nikolai Goldobin (F) 1st round pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 2014 NHL Draft. Lightning quick offensive player who has a goal-scoring knack.

Valentin Zykov (F) 2nd round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2013 NHL Draft. Powerfully built skater who excels along the boards and contributes offensively.

Vladislav Kamenev (F) 2nd round pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2014 NHL Draft. Talent to be one of Russia's leading offensive contributors. Streaky scorer and dangerous because of that fact.

Ivan Proporov (D) A vet of Cedar Rapids in the USHL and the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL, Proporov is strong on his skates and isn't afraid to shift into offensive mode using that skating ability. ISS #16 projected pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

This post was edited on 12/26 6:02 PM by Bob Miller

 

[Bob Miller]

Sweden

Sweden

William Nylander (F) 1st round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2014 NHL Draft. Slightly built excels in setting up offensive opportunities. Versatile between the three forward positions. Very quick and shifty on skates.

Jacob de la Rose (F) 2nd round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2013 NHL Draft. Strong two-way game. Aggressive defensively on the puck.

Adrian Kempe (F) 1st round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 NHL Draft. Physically imposing power forward with good quickness for a player of his size.

Robert Hagg (D) 2nd round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2013 NHL Draft. Typically good Swedish puck movement skills. Ironman in time on ice.

Oliver Kylington (D) Rated #7 overall by ISS for the 2015 NHL Draft. Skating is his calling card. Good offensive and puck movement skills are also part of his portfolio.

Wings' fans should watch for forward Christoffer Ehn, a "stay at home and mind the defense" type of center, drafted by Detroit in the 4th round of the 2014 NHL Draft.

 

[Bob Miller]

Canada

WATCH THE WHOLE TEAM!!! But, in particular, watch:

Connor McDavid (F) Ranked consensus #1 for next June's NHL Draft. Considered to be "the next" by scouts everywhere. Skating ability and hockey IQ off the charts. Already can play effectively at NHL pace.

Michael Dal Colle (F) 1st round pick of the New York Islanders in the 2014 draft. Winger who can create offense for himself and his linemates.

Max Domi (F) 1st round pick of the Arizona (then Phoenix) Coyotes in the 2013 draft. Son of Tie Domi, noted NHL enforcer. Like his father, Domi plays a very aggressive, high-energy style. Unlike his father, Domi has the offensive creativity and acumen to be a top scorer.

Robby Fabbri (F) 1st round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues in the 2014 NHL draft. Best playmaker on the team, two-way player with a bullet of a shot.

Frederik Gauthier (F) 1st round draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013. 6-5 power forward who can play both ends of the ice and take all the important faceoffs.

Sam Reinhart (F) 1st round pick, second overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2014 NHL Draft. Another forward capable of playing all zones. Perfect fit as a third line center or wing.

Nick Ritchie (F) 1st round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2014 NHL Draft. Power forward wjp exudes toughness.

Jake Virtanen (F) 1st round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2014 NHL Draft. Often overlooked for his elite skills due to inconsistent play. But, watch out when he's motivated.

Hadyn Fleury (D) 1st round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Draft. Has size, elite skating ability and shut-down defensive capability.

Samuel Morin (D) 1st round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2013 NHL draft. 6-6, lanky mostly defensive blueliner.

Josh Morrisey (D) 1st round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets in the 2013 NHL draft. Smallish defenseman who makes up for size with skill and smarts.

Darnell Nurse (D) 1st round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2013 NHL draft. Combative, big-bodied defender who controls his own zone with a fierce attitude.

Eric Comrie and Zach Fucale, both 2nd round choices in the 2013 NHL Draft, will share the goaltending duties.

Note for Red Wing fans: Diminutive (5-8, 185) defenseman Joe Hicketts, signed by the Wings as an undrafted free agent, is on Canada's roster. Will be interesting to see if he can crack the lineup. Hicketts was the surprise of the Red Wings fall rookie camp last September and earned an entry-level contract despite his undrafted status.

 

[Bob Miller]

United States

United States

Jack Eichel (F) Consensus top two pick for the 2015 NHL Draft. Boston University's super-freshman. His reach, prototypical pro size, puckhandling ability and patience are matched by his knack for scoring. Lots of expectations for Eichel to produce in this tourney.

Auston Mathews (F) In the conversation as the number one pick in the 2016 draft, Mathews possesses an equal amount of power and skill, unusual for a player so young. Still uncommitted to any university, Mathews could very well wind up playing his developmental hockey in the CHL when he graduates from the NTDP U-18 this spring. Earlier hints that he could be interested in accelerating his HS completion have died down recently.

Nick Schmaltz (F) 1st round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2014 NHL Draft. University of North Dakota forward who will provide playmaking and two- play for the USA squad.

Alex Tuch (F) 1st round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2014 NHL Draft. Super-sized forward from Boston College who brings all-round talent to the rink. One of those players who out-performs the expectations of his perceived talent.

Sonny Milano (F) 1st round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014. Offensive force combining skating speed with playmaking ability. Skates with the Plymouth Whalers (OHL).

Noah Hanifin (D) #3 choice of ISS, consensus top five, for the 2015 NHL draft. Elite skating ability drives his game. A QB on the power play.

Will Butcher (D) 5th round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2013 draft. Solid at 5-10 200, University of Denver's Butcher could be the best combination of scoring and puck-moving defenseman on the US squad.

Ian McCoshen (D) 2nd round pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2013 NHL Draft. Rocket of a shot from the point and can be a shut-down defender. Boston College sophomore.

The University of Michigan guys, listed as a group because you all know them, or should anyway. JT Compher, Dylan Larkin and Tyler Motte on offense. Zach Werenski on defense.

Boston College's Thatcher Demko should see the bulk of the minutes, if not all of them, in the USA net.

 

[Bob Miller]

Please respond in separate thread*

Nm

 

[tony89]

Checked WJC off the bucket list

Attended Czech vs Den after Marlies tourney. Sat right in front of Draper. Air Canada Centre is awesome!