I'm at the U17s here is my take on my 1st day:
i drove up today and caught the Russia vs USA game in Port Hawksbury then caught the game in North Sydney with Quebec vs Pacific
here are some guys who caught my eye:
Russia vs USA:
Noah Hanifin - This guy i can not say enough will be right up with McDavid and Eichel, great skater, great puck rushing, scored a great goal on the rush, excellent vision and passing all game, great smarts, this guy got it down at both ends of the ice and was dominant.
Colin White - Had some great scoring chances, scored a decent goal, always buzzing in the offensive end, very smart, moved well with and without the puck, strong, this guy is very smart, does all the things right and is just down right great on the ice.
Jeremy Bracco - Excellent skating, very good puck handling, was buzzing in the offensive zone, made a mockery of Russia skating around them twice lol.
Auston Matthews - This guy was my first time watching play and i was very very impressed, the guy is fast, strong, goes to the net, excellent puck handler at high speed, great puck protection, excellent shooter and dished the puck well, he is going to be a major major talent for 2016 NHL draft.
guys i did not get a good read on in the game Tkachuk, Greenway, Werenski
On Russia:
Alexey Platonov - played ok, only him and Sidorov impressed me on defense, Platonov was passing the puck well and playhing in his own zone very well.
Artem Ivanyuzhenkov - the 98 born on Russia he reminds me a bit of Alexander Svitov when he was that age, he is big, strong, physical, was following the play well, worked well on the boards, was going to the net, had good hands.
Ivan Kashtanov - IMO the best offensive player on Russia, he was skating well with the puck, had speed, excellent hands, was doing well creating offense, he was passing well and shooting well.
The other game here are my thoughts:
Quebec:
Jeremy Roy, made some nice hits, was passing well, skating with the puck well, making good decisions, he was Quebecs best on defense.
Nicolas Roy - Showed some great puck handling and excellent playmaking skills, very shifty for a big guy, better than when i saw him last.
Jason Bell - Skating very well with the puck, very smart, good passing
Julien Gauthier -showing his straight line skating but was very fast, very physical and aggressive, worked well on the boards, took a nice shot on goal, used his size and strength well.
Nicolas Meloche - Played a safe game, good outlet passing, smart knock aways.
I personally was disappointed with Anthony Beauvillier a bit, i found he was passing to guys who were covered, he had trouble getting his offense going.
Callum Booth - This guy imo stood on his head for Quebec, made some great saves in net.
Pacific:
Brad Morrisson - Showed off his hands very fast puck handler gifted with the puck, I found he needs to improve in his own zone but in the offensive zone i loved watching him, he holds onto the puck a bit too long but he is very exciting and gifted offensively.
Tyler Soy - very impressed with his ability to cut to the net with and without the puck, excellent hockey sense, very good skater, great hand eye, very good passing skills and shooting skills.
Janson Harkins - Strong, great on the boards, super smart player, goes to the net, uses his strength and smarts, good in own zone, excellent puck protection, good hands, made some good shots, made things happen....I can see the comparison to Jonathan Toews a bit.
Merkley - skating well with the puck, took some nice shots, I really liked his offensive ability, he was good on the fly.
Adam Musil - I liked his power on the boards and strength going to the net.
Noah Juulsen - This guy caught my eye with some nice plays, I look forward to seeing him some more.
Ty Ronning looked good in the offensive end, he is pretty small though, but was fast and good with the puck, made some nice rushes.
never got a good read on Reddekopp, Guhle, Estephan and Gawdin yet.