Who has the better list of WJC prospects for camp this summer?

[HabLover]

Team Canada or Team USA?

2005 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp

GOALTENDERS (4)
Name Ht. Wt. Birthdate S/C Birthplace 2005-06 Team
Jeff Frazee 6-0 184 5/13/87 L Burnsville, Minn. Univ. of Minnesota (NCAA)
Ian Keserich 6-2 200 1/6/86 L Cleveland, Ohio Ohio State Univ. (NCAA)
Jonathan Quick 6-0 180 1/21/86 L Hamden, Conn. Univ. of Mass. Amherst (NCAA)
Cory Schneider 6-2 203 3/18/86 L Marblehead, Mass. Boston College (NCAA)

DEFENSEMEN (15)
Mike Brennan 6-0 190 1/24/86 R Smithtown, N.Y. Boston College (NCAA)
Taylor Chorney 5-11 182 4/27/87 L Hastings, Minn. Univ. of North Dakota (NCAA)
Brandon Gentile 6-0 200 4/23/87 L Clarkston, Mich. Michigan State Univ. (NCAA)
Nate Hagemo 5-11 192 10/2/86 R Edina, Minn. Univ. of Minnesota (NCAA)
Erik Johnson 6-3 215 3/21/88 R Bloomington, Minn. NTDP
Jack Johnson 6-1 201 1/13/87 L Faribault, Minn. Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
Zach Jones 5-11 191 1/14/87 L Lisle, Ill. Univ. of North Dakota (NCAA)
Matt Lashoff 6-2 202 9/29/86 L Albany, N.Y. Kitchener (OHL)
Kyle Lawson 5-10 200 1/11/87 R New Hudson, Mich. Tri Cities (USHL)
Brian Lee 6-2 202 3/26/87 R Moorhead, Minn. Univ. of North Dakota (NCAA)
Mark Mitera 6-2 175 10/22/87 L Livonia, Mich. Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
Matt Niskanen 6-0 194 12/6/86 R Mountain Iron, Minn. Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
Michael Sauer 6-2 198 8/7/87 R Sartell, Minn. Portland (WHL)
A.J. Thelen 6-3 206 3/11/86 L Savage, Minn. TBD
Keith Yandle 6-2 203 9/9/86 L Milton, Mass. Univ. of New Hampshire (NCAA)

FORWARDS (24)
Justin Abdelkader 6-1 195 2/25/87 L Muskegon, Mich. Michigan State Univ. (NCAA)
Chris Bourque 5-8 173 1/29/86 L Topsfield, Mass. Moncton (QMJHL)
Nathan Davis 6-1 193 5/23/86 R Milton, Mass. Miami (Ohio) Univ. (NCAA)
Brandon Dubinsky 6-1 196 4/29/86 L Anchorage, Alaska Portland (WHL)
Nick Foligno 5-11 184 10/31/87 L Hummelstown, Pa. Sudbury (OHL)
Jim Fraser 5-11 175 1/16/87 R Port Huron, Mich. Harvard Univ. (NCAA)
Tom Fritsche 5-11 183 12/30/86 L Parma, Ohio Ohio State Univ. (NCAA)
Nate Gerbe 5-5 160 7/24/87 L Oxford, Mich. Boston College (NCAA)
Phil Kessel 5-10 160 10/2/87 R Madison, Wis. Univ. of Minnesota (NCAA)
Chad Kolarik 5-10 170 1/26/86 R Abington, Pa. Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
Jordan LaVallee 6-3 203 5/11/86 L Corvallis, Ore. Quebec (QMJHL)
Bryan Lerg 5-10 186 1/20/86 L Livonia, Mich. Michigan State Univ. (NCAA)
Domenic Maiani 5-9 165 5/23/86 R Shelby Twp., Mich. Ohio State Univ. (NCAA)
Peter Mueller 6-1 190 4/14/88 R Bloomington, Minn. NTDP
T.J. Oshie 5-10 170 12/23/86 R Warroad, Minn. Univ. of North Dakota (NCAA)
Geoff Paukovich 6-4 208 4/24/86 L Englewood, Colo. Univ. of Denver (NCAA)
Adam Pineault 6-2 198 5/23/86 R Holyoke, Mass. Moncton (QMJHL)
Kevin Porter 5-11 184 3/12/86 L Detroit, Mich. Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
Bobby Ryan 6-1 213 5/17/87 R Cherry Hill, N.J. Owen Sound (OHL)
Robbie Schremp 6-0 189 7/1/86 L Fulton, N.Y. London (OHL)
Jack Skille 6-1 198 5/19/87 R Madison, Wis. Univ. of Wisconsin (NCAA)
Shawn Weller 6-2 187 7/8/86 L Glens Falls, N.Y. Clarkson Univ. (NCAA)
Blake Wheeler 6-4 205 8/31/86 R Robbinsdale, Minn. Univ. of Minnesota (NCAA)
Steve Zalewski 6-0 185 8/20/86 L New Hartford, N.Y. Clarkson Univ. (NCAA)

or..............

Goaltenders

Dubnyk, Devan L/G 6’5 182 5/4/86 Calgary, AB Kamloops (WHL) EDM ‘04 (1, 14)
Ellis-Plante, Julien L/G 6’0 186 1/27/86 Sorel, QC Shawinigan (QMJHL) VAN ’04 (6, 189)
Pelletier, Pier-Olivier L/G 6’2 172 8/4/87 St. Louis, QC Drummondville (QMJHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Price, Carey L/G 6’3 209 8/16/87 Williams Lake, BC Tri-City (WHL) 2005 Dft/Rep

Defence

Barker, Cam L/G 6’3 220 4/4/86 Winnipeg, MB Medicine Hat (WHL) CHI ’04 (1, 3)
Bourdon, Luc L/G 6’2 204 2/16/87 Shippagan, NB Val d’Or (QMJHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Denny, Chad L/G 6’2 213 3/27/87 Eskasoni, NS Lewiston (QMJHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Fistric, Mark L/G 6’3 220 6/1/86 Edmonton, AB Vancouver (WHL) DAL ’04 (1, 28)
Funk, Michael L/G 6’3 189 8/15/86 Abbotsford, BC Portland (WHL) BUF ’04 (2, 43)
Gragnani Marc-André L/G 6’1 180 3/11/87 Ile-Bizard, QC PEI (QMJHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Jackson, Scott L/G 6’4 198 2/5/87 Salmon Arm, BC Seattle (WHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Kohn, Dustin L/G 6’1 180 2/2/87 Edmonton, AB Calgary (WHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Letang, Kristopher L/G 6’0 190 4/24/87 Montreal, QC Val d’Or (QMJHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Mikkelson, Brendan L/G 6’2 193 6/22/87 St. Albert, AB Portland (WHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Parent, Ryan L/G 6’2 190 3/17/87 Sioux Lookout, ON Guelph (OHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Rogers, Andy L/G 6’5 208 9/25/86 Calgary, AB Prince George (WHL) TB ’04 (1, 30)
Russell, Kris L/G 5’10 166 5/2/87 Caroline, AB Medicine Hat (WHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Staal, Marc L/G 6’3 204 1/13/87 Thunder Bay, ON Sudbury (OHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Stephenson, Logan L/G 6’3 185 2/19/86 Outlook, SK Tri-City (WHL) PHX ’04 (2, 35)
Vlasic, Marc-Edouard L/G 6’1 186 3/30/87 Montreal, QC Quebec (QMJHL) 2005 Dft

Forwards

Bass, Cody R/D 6’0 187 1/7/87 Guelph, ON Mississauga (OHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Bertram, Daniel R/D 5’10 180 1/14/87 Calgary, AB Boston College (HE) 2005 Dft/Rep
Blunden, Michael R/D 6’4 210 12/15/86 Gloucester, ON Erie (OHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Bolland, David R/D 5’11 171 5/6/86 Mimico, ON London (OHL) CHI ’04 (2, 32)
Bourret, Alex L/G 5’10 214 10/5/86 St.-Guillaum, QC Lewiston (QMJHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Boyd, Dustin L/G 6’0 185 7/16/86 Winnipeg, MB Moose Jaw (WHL) CGY ’04 (3, 98)
Brule, Gilbert R/D 5’11 180 1/1/87 Burnaby, BC Vancouver (WHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Cabana, Frederik L/G 6’0 187 5/16/86 Fleurimont, QC Halifax (QMJHL) PHI ’04 (6, 171)
Chipchura, Kyle L/G 6’2 197 2/19/86 Vimy, AB Prince Albert (WHL) MTL ’04 (1, 18)
Chucko, Kris R/D 6’2 190 3/13/86 Burnaby, BC Minnesota (WCHA) CAL ’04 (1, 24)
Cogliano, Andrew L/G 5’10 189 6/14/87 Woodbridge, ON St. Michaels (OPJAHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Comeau, Blake R/D 6’1 207 2/18/86 Meadow Lake, SK Kelowna (WHL) NYI ’04 (2, 47)
Crosby, Sidney L/G 5’10 193 8/7/87 Cole Harbour, NS Rimouski (QMJHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Gagnon, Aaron R/D 5’10 185 4/24/86 Armstrong, BC Seattle (WHL) PHX ’04 (8, 240)
Kennedy, Tyler R/D 5’10 175 7/15/86 Sault Ste. Marie, ON Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) PIT ’04 (4, 99)
Latendresse, Guillaume L/G 6’2 222 5/24/87 Ste-Catherine, ON Drummondville (QMJHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Little, Bryan R/D 5’10 190 11/12/87 Cambridge, ON Barrie (OHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
McArdle, Kenndal L/G 5’11 195 4/1/87 Burnaby, BC Moose Jaw (WHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
McGrath, Evan L/G 6’0 184 1/14/86 Oakville, ON Kitchener (OHL) DET ’04 (4, 128)
O’Marra, Ryan R/D 6’1 194 6/9/87 Mississauga, ON Erie (OHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Pouliot, Benoit L/G 6’2 180 9/29/86 Ottawa, ON Sudbury (OHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Pyatt, Tom L/G 5’11 180 2/14/87 Thunder Bay, ON Saginaw (OHL) 2005 Dft/Rep
Reddox, Liam L/G 5’9 177 1/27/86 Whitby, ON Peterborough (OHL) EDM ’04 (4, 112)
Wolski, Wojtek L/G 6’3 197 2/24/86 Mississauga, ON Brampton (OHL) COL ’04 (1, 21)

Click to read more...

 

[stugotz]

On paper i think the US and Canada are fairly even i'd say goaltending is even, Defence might be more towards the US, and offence might be more towards Canada. The only thing i see that will become a big deal is Canada's inexperience since almost all of last years gold medal team is gone. but it should be a great tourny this year, and i dont see that as too big a stumbling block for canada. can't wait to see what Cogliano can do!

 

[orangeandblack]

both are pretty even. i am just alot more confident canada will pick the right team after the usa's brainfart last year. if the gold medal game was played btwn the 2 it would come down to whatever goalie is hot, bc it doesnt look like either side has a bonafide game stealer, at least not yet. you know both sides have strong d, and forwards who can score, so if it plays out it would be worth the price of admission.

 

[Habsfan 32]

I think it's really close both teams have a super phenom (Crosby,Kessel) both have unproven goaltending. I think the U.S. has a bit better defense but Canada's offense is a bit better.

 

[SmokeyClause]

I think it's really close both teams have a super phenom (Crosby,Kessel) both have unproven goaltending. I think the U.S. has a bit better defense but Canada's offense is a bit better.

If there is an NHL season, will Crosby even play? A few of these players could be on NHL rosters by the next WJC's.

 

[Le Golie]

Looks to be close enough that a player of Crosby's calibre makes the difference. With him, Canada is better, without him the edge goes to the US.

 

[DaveG]

I like the US defense and goalies (namely Frazee) a bit better, I like Canada's offense a bit more despite the chance that Crosby won't be there and Kessel almost certainly will. If the US team doesn't let the selection process fall victim to politics again then we'll be in for one heck of a game if the teams face eachother.

 

[NYR469]

On paper i think the US and Canada are fairly even i'd say goaltending is even, Defence might be more towards the US, and offence might be more towards Canada. The only thing i see that will become a big deal is Canada's inexperience since almost all of last years gold medal team is gone. but it should be a great tourny this year, and i dont see that as too big a stumbling block for canada. can't wait to see what Cogliano can do!

i agree. slight edge to us on defense, slight edge to canada on forward. but overall both teams should be stacked and the usa/canada game should be really fun to watch

 

[Joe Hallenback]

I really think the difference will be what defence the US brings this tourny. If they bring the small weak defence they brought last tourny Canadas Big players like Blunden,Chipchura,Chucko and Latendresse will just overpower them. I hope guys like Thelen,Johnson and Lee make the team to add a little backbone.

 

[Le Golie]

I think Canada's hidden strength is in goal. It isn't obvious right now and I highly doubt it will be until the tournaments starts, but I would bet money on Dubnyk turning in the best goaltending performance for Canada since Fleury in Halifax.

I give Canada the edge in goal.

 

[Kovy274Hart]

I'd give Canada a slight edge up front. Rest is pretty even.

 

[HabLover]

If there is an NHL season, will Crosby even play? A few of these players could be on NHL rosters by the next WJC's.

If there is an NHL season and it looks like there will be, Crosby will most definitely not be at the WJC's. There is no way an NHL team releases him to play for Canada!

 

[Rabid Ranger]

IMO, the U.S. has a slight edge at all positions. I think the U.S. offense is being a tad underrated. Here's the 13 guys I'd bring:

Kessel
Mueller
Ryan
Bourque
Fritsche
Porter
Schremp
Skille
Paukovich
Wheeler
Dubinsky
Pineault
LaVallee

That's a pretty potent line-up.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I really think the difference will be what defence the US brings this tourny. If they bring the small weak defence they brought last tourny Canadas Big players like Blunden,Chipchura,Chucko and Latendresse will just overpower them. I hope guys like Thelen,Johnson and Lee make the team to add a little backbone.

That is a key concern. Here's who I'd bring:

Brennan
Hagemo
Jack Johnson
Lashoff
Sauer
Thelen
Lee
Mitera


That's a nice mix and can play it both ways. At least Jeff Likens isn't eligible anymore!

 

[NYR469]

If there is an NHL season and it looks like there will be, Crosby will most definitely not be at the WJC's. There is no way an NHL team releases him to play for Canada!

very true. not sure that anyone else from the list is gonna be in the nhl next year. the lose of crosby could shift the overall edge to usa. canada would still have a great team, but it would be a young team and the edge they have up front would pretty much disappear. minus crosby i think the us forwards match up with the canadian forwards to atleast be considered even.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

very true. not sure that anyone else from the list is gonna be in the nhl next year. the lose of crosby could shift the overall edge to usa. canada would still have a great team, but it would be a young team and the edge they have up front would pretty much disappear. minus crosby i think the us forwards match up with the canadian forwards to atleast be considered even.

Personally, I don't feel Crosby would be that much of a differance maker. He's only one guy, and as the Memorial Cup showed, even the best can't do it on their own. I'm not saying he wouldn't be a key player for Canada, but the differance between winning and losing the gold medal? I don't think so.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

both are pretty even. i am just alot more confident canada will pick the right team after the usa's brainfart last year. if the gold medal game was played btwn the 2 it would come down to whatever goalie is hot, bc it doesnt look like either side has a bonafide game stealer, at least not yet. you know both sides have strong d, and forwards who can score, so if it plays out it would be worth the price of admission.

You don't think the U.S. brass will learn from last year's errors in judgement when it came to the make-up of the team, particularly the defense? I think they will.

 

[Le Golie]

Personally, I don't feel Crosby would be that much of a differance maker. He's only one guy, and as the Memorial Cup showed, even the best can't do it on their own. I'm not saying he wouldn't be a key player for Canada, but the differance between winning and losing the gold medal? I don't think so.

Do you think the Russians would have made the gold medal game without Ovechkin? No way in hell. After him and Malkin the team was average.

Crosby would be better this year than Ovechkin was last year. It would be the first time in three tournaments where he'd have a chance to play against some guys his own age, he single-handedly makes a huge difference at this level.

None of this will matter anyway because he'll be filling the net on the top or second line of an NHL team at Christmas anyway, but don't sell him short - he would dominate this tournament.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Do you think the Russians would have made the gold medal game without Ovechkin? No way in hell. After him and Malkin the team was average.

Crosby would be better this year than Ovechkin was last year. It would be the first time in three tournaments where he'd have a chance to play against some guys his own age, he single-handedly makes a huge difference at this level.

None of this will matter anyway because he'll be filling the net on the top or second line of an NHL team at Christmas anyway, but don't sell him short - he would dominate this tournament.

I have no doubt he would have a great tournament. IMO though, his presence wouldn't assure Canada of the gold, or even making the gold medal game. Conversely, I don't think his absence would mean Canada would be a bottom feeder either.

 

[Le Golie]

I have no doubt he would have a great tournament. IMO though, his presence wouldn't assure Canada of the gold, or even making the gold medal game. Conversely, I don't think his absence would mean Canada would be a bottom feeder either.

He won't be the difference between 1st and 8th. But I think it is fair to say the best junior aged player in the world does affect where his team will finish. Especially when you are talking about a player as dominant as Crosby.

Since the US is one of the teams that will be very close to Canada at this tournament, I also think it's fair to say that with Crosby on the roster - Canada should beat them. Without him, the US is probably favoured to win. He does indeed make that much of a difference in a close matchup.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

He won't be the difference between 1st and 8th. But I think it is fair to say the best junior aged player in the world does affect where his team will finish. Especially when you are talking about a player as dominant as Crosby.

Since the US is one of the teams that will be very close to Canada at this tournament, I also think it's fair to say that with Crosby on the roster - Canada should beat them. Without him, the US is probably favoured to win. He does indeed make that much of a difference in a close matchup.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. IMO, a forward just doesn't have that kind of influence in today's game. EVERYONE can be shut down, especially by a great team. Just ask Ovechkin in the gold medal game againt Canada in this year's WJC's, or Crosby in the Memorial Cup against London.

 

[nomorekids]

I like that LaVallee is invited. One of my favorite players in the CHL this year, and a kid I'd love for the Preds to grab in the third or fourth round. He's huge, has great scoring ability and is also a mean checker.

 

[Le Golie]

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. IMO, a forward just doesn't have that kind of influence in today's game. EVERYONE can be shut down, especially by a great team. Just ask Ovechkin in the gold medal game againt Canada in this year's WJC's, or Crosby in the Memorial Cup against London.

Those are pretty poor examples. Canada as a team was significantly better than Russia. And the London Knights equally as dominant against every other team in the CHL this year.

Nothing on paper suggests that either Canada or the US this upcoming WJHC will be significantly better than the other.

For a better comparison, maybe we should look at how Crosby was clear the difference maker in the Memorial Cup against teams that were very close on paper, like Kelowna and Ottawa.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Those are pretty poor examples. Canada as a team was significantly better than Russia. And the London Knights equally as dominant against every other team in the CHL this year.

Nothing on paper suggests that either Canada or the US this upcoming WJHC will be significantly better than the other.

For a better comparison, maybe we should look at how Crosby was clear the difference maker in the Memorial Cup against teams that were very close on paper, like Kelowna and Ottawa.

Fair enough. I guess I'm just harder than most on Crosby, although I should point out I think he's a fantastic player. I'd say the same things about Kessel or anyone else for that matter.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I like that LaVallee is invited. One of my favorite players in the CHL this year, and a kid I'd love for the Preds to grab in the third or fourth round. He's huge, has great scoring ability and is also a mean checker.

I don't think he'll last that long. I think he's another guy that has a great chance at making the team, especially since he's one of the few natural left wings at the camp.