2024 Youth Olympics - Gangwon, Korea

[Czechboy]

I would also consider a goalie swap... jarys has been good but at least 2 are on him.

 

[William H Bonney]

Novak and Katolicky look like they're 20.

The US goalies suuuuck.

 

[William H Bonney]

US chokes it away with a horrific night on special teams and Larys badly outplaying Weeks. Katolicky and Novak were standouts for the Czechs. Big dudes at this age but lots of skill, too.

Likely Canada vs US in the semifinals.

Hurlbert reminds me of Will Smith. Him along with Berchild and Stuart have been the best Americans. Francisco gets a big role on the back end but it's been more bad than good, even though you can see the appeal. Reminds me of Hunter Brzustewicz at this tournament.

 

[Czechboy]

I would also consider a goalie swap... jarys has been good but at least 2 are on him.

This aged poorly.. he was key in the third and shootout

 

[Czechboy]

US chokes it away with a horrific night on special teams and Larys badly outplaying Weeks.

Likely Canada vs US in the semifinals.

Hurlbert reminds me of Will Smith. Him along with Berchild and Stuart have been the best Americans. Francisco gets a big role on the back end but it's been more bad than good, even though you can see the appeal. Reminds me of Hunter Brzustewicz at this tournament.

Hurbert was awesome! So smooth

 

[Czechboy]

Well, down 4 to 1 and we won 6 to 5. Novak came to life and was great.

I was having flashbacks to last months Juniors and how we lost to US in a long shootout. Nice we can have close games with them at the youth level.

Novak and kotalicky are fun to watch and both can fire it! Kachlir looks very promising.

Onto semis against lower ofcanada and Finland. Nice comeback. We scored on PP, 5 on 5 AND shorthanded. Reminded me of the bronze vs Finland.

 

[Czechboy]

Looks like Canada won 4-1... so North American and Euro semi's coming up!

Czechs vs Finns
US vs Canada in a blockbuster

 

[cg98]

Good to see the Czechs keeping up at the youth levels now. Its a good thing for the sport at the international level. Hard to see who wins in the semis for a Canada vs USA match, the US has had our number at this tourney for a while.

Could it really have been that much of a pain to add 2 more teams for group play? Its rather surprising that Sweden has never sent a U16 squad since this tourneys inception in 2012. Before it was just a 5 teams single pool with 4 games round robin. 2 game round robin is a bit ridiculous.

 

[Czechboy]

Good to see the Czechs keeping up at the youth levels now. Its a good thing for the sport at the international level. Hard to see who wins in the semis for a Canada vs USA match, the US has had our number at this tourney for a while.

Could it really have been that much of a pain to add 2 more teams for group play? Its rather surprising that Sweden has never sent a U16 squad since this tourneys inception in 2012. Before it was just a 5 teams single pool with 4 games round robin. 2 game round robin is a bit ridiculous.

It is.. Slovaks flew in.. played two close games in 24 hours and went home. That's brutal.

This tourney is a lot of fun... Fire wagon hockey.

Czech results are encouraging.. we are floundering at NHL level but junior results are encouraging... last 13 months

Finals of world Juniors
Finals of hlinka
Bronze at this year's junior
Final four here after beating US

It's encouraging because it isn't one age group. It seems to be nicely spread out from 14 to 19 years old.

Only black eye is the U18s where we bombed out. That team was also coached totally differently than the others. Very defensive and boring hockey. The other teams above have all been fun to watch and aggressive.

Hopefully a sign of things to come! Eg. Big 5 again in 5 years.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

Novák and Katolický are looking like top6 calibre players and both are physically imposing, very nice!

 

[Czechboy]

Novák and Katolický are looking like top6 calibre players and both are physically imposing, very nice!

The next Jecho and Sapo!lol Seriously though, they were very noticeable against the US and Slovaks. They are a problem for others. Might be because they are so big and have a physical advantage but they can fire the puck!

 

[GettingYourMoms]

The next Jecho and Sapo!lol Seriously though, they were very noticeable against the US and Slovaks. They are a problem for others. Might be because they are so big and have a physical advantage but they can fire the puck!

Wouldn´d be mad for another generational talent like Jecho.

 

[FrHockeyFan]

Good to see the Czechs keeping up at the youth levels now. Its a good thing for the sport at the international level. Hard to see who wins in the semis for a Canada vs USA match, the US has had our number at this tourney for a while.

Could it really have been that much of a pain to add 2 more teams for group play? Its rather surprising that Sweden has never sent a U16 squad since this tourneys inception in 2012. Before it was just a 5 teams single pool with 4 games round robin. 2 game round robin is a bit ridiculous.

Apart from the host country, each nation can line up only one team at the YOG and Sweden has always picked to play in the women's tournament. I believe they are the only to make that choice voluntarily.

Expanding the format would be nice but it becomes a question of logistics as all hockey events have to be played in a single arena and the 3x3 tournaments take 6 days. I know many would scrap them but the YOG are more of a developmental event than your regular OG/WCs and are supposed to also offer young athletes from non traditional countries to take part in a world class event.

 

[William H Bonney]

It would be cool if they just didn't rely on the YOG to have a useful U16 tournament. Having a yearly tournament would be a great way for players to make their cases to leagues, coaches, scouts, etc. ahead of junior league drafts, NTDP team selection, etc.

 

[Albatros]

It would be cool if they just didn't rely on the YOG to have a useful U16 tournament. Having a yearly tournament would be a great way for players to make their cases to leagues, coaches, scouts, etc. ahead of things junior league drafts, NTDP team selection, etc.

I guess everyone can agree on that in principle, but when it comes to footing the bill no one wants the burden of hosting a major tournament annually.

 

[William H Bonney]

I guess everyone can agree on that in principle, but when it comes to footing the bill no one wants the burden of hosting a major tournament annually.

Of course. It'd probably have to be a tournament largely held in Canada to draw enough to make it worthwhile.

 

[Czechboy]

I think Czechs and.Finns in 6 hours???

 

[Voodoozz]

Just rewatched most of the US game. Very fun hockey from both teams. It's been so refreshing to watch Czech underage teams play active and enthusiastic hockey like that in the past year or so. Skating, transition, defensmen activation...lots of things to like.

 

[Czechboy]

Just rewatched most of the US game. Very fun hockey from both teams. It's been so refreshing to watch Czech underage teams play active and enthusiastic hockey like that in the past year or so. Skating, transition, defensmen activation...lots of things to like.

This tournament has been a blast! 3 like hockey with shortened periods. Everyone is shot out of a cannonball! Also, those jerseys are beautiful.

Beautiful hockey in beautiful jerseys.

What's next? They fix the junior league and our players stay? Extraliaga becomes a hot spot for scouting? Players (other than Kassian) come to us to develop? Maybe I am getting ahead of myself lol

 

[Czechboy]

 

[cagney]

The US goalies suuuuck.

It's bringing me back to the 2012 YOG. The goalies on that team combined for a sub 80% save percentage as well, though most of that was at the hands of the Russians (2 games) and Canadians. Hopefully these guys can redeem themselves over the next few games, but it's tough getting Canada in the semis.

 

[Eye of Ra]

So Sweden did not even qualify, where are u now, all u people laughing at me for saying Sweden is on the decline.

 

[Czechboy]

So Sweden did not even qualify, where are u now, all u people laughing at me for saying Sweden is on the decline.

They chose womens instead. I think you can only chose one. Which is why Canada and US don't have women's teams. It wasn't because they didn't qualify. It was because they chose the mens competition.

 

[William H Bonney]

They chose womens instead. I think you can only chose one. Which is why Canada and US don't have women's teams. It wasn't because they didn't qualify. It was because they chose the mens competition.

It's just part of a running charade put on for attention.

 

[Czechboy]

It's just part of a running charade put on for attention.

I know.. but, in fairness, I like the poster, he's been here longer than me and they makes nice roster predictions.lol