WJC: World Junior Previews

[w e l o s t b o y s]

http://overtimesportsnation.com/world-junior-preview-finland/

Part 2/10 in Tyler Yaremchuk's World Jr Preview

The one name of that list thats really exiting people is Urho Vaakanainen. An underage who isnt draft eligible until 2017, has alot of scouts exited

that's
exciting
isn't
a lot
excited

 

[Kshahdoo]

Here is our Team Russia World Junior Preview for those who are interested,

https://prospectshockey.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/team-russia-world-junior-preview/

The site also has previews on Belarus, Denmark, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Switzerland along with an article on the Top Draft Eligible Players skating in the tournament.

Check back in the coming days for previews on Sweden, Finland, Canada and the USA. Along with a Top 25 Players to Watch Article.

Very little was said about Kirill Kaprizov, who's numbers in the KHL are better, than Ovi's and Tarasenko's at the same age. I think it's way more impressive, than all those CHL numbers. Of course he's the 5th rounder, not the 1st...

 

[HF Article]

2016 WJC Preview: Mix of good goaltending and forward depth could be medal recipe for

Photo: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles forward and Detroit Red Wings prospect Evgeny Svechnikov is expected to be a main offensive cog for Russia at the 2016 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)


After returning home with a silver medal last year, Team Russia will make another strong push at a medal this year in Helsinki,*Finland at the 2016 World Junior Championship. Head Coach Valeri Bragin will have only three returnees from last year’s tournament, but the Russians are nevertheless expected to be in the group of gold medal contenders, especially due to excellent goaltending options and great offensive depth.… read more

The post 2016 WJC Preview: Mix of good goaltending and forward depth could be medal recipe for Russia appeared first on Hockey's Future.



More...

 

[HF Article]

2016 WJC Preview: Team Sweden looking to spoil the party in Helsinki

Photo: Toronto Marlies forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect William Nylander will lead the offense for Team Sweden at the 2016 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Graig Abel/Getty Images)


There will be fireworks this holiday season at the 2016 World Junior Championship*in Helsinki, and hockey pundits are certain: Team Sweden will be responsible for many of them!

For the national program itself, it is time to clear the slate after Finland crashed Sweden’s home country party at the 2014 World Junior Championship in Malmo, Sweden, where Finland triumphed on a Rasmus Ristolainen overtime goal in the gold medal game.

There are plenty of challenges to get there, but any team that can put together such a talented and balanced group of players while leaving the likes of Oliver Kylington (CGY), Rasmus Andersson (CGY), and Robin Kovacs (NYR) off the roster should be very confident in their ability to end up in a medal game.… read more

The post 2016 WJC Preview: Team Sweden looking to spoil the party in Helsinki appeared first on Hockey's Future.



More...

 

[Macker88]

Team Finland World Junior Preview

For those interested, here is our Team Finland World Junior Preview,

https://prospectshockey.wordpress.com/2015/12/24/team-finland-world-junior-preview/

The site also has previews on all competing World Junior Teams minus Canada and the USA. Those countries previous will come on Dec 24 and Dec 25.

 

[FiLe]

Good review, except for this glaring part...

Despite winning Gold at the 2014 World Junior Championships, struggling at the tournament has been some what common for the proud hockey nation, as Finland has captured just one medal outside of the 2014 gold. That came at the 2006 tournament in Vancouver, British Columbia, when current Boston Bruins netminder Tuuka Rask backstopped the Finns to a Bronze Medal.

How far back into the past did you look, exactly? Because Finland has racked up quite a bit of metal over the years. Yes, there was a long gap between the 2014 Gold performance and the bronze of 2006, but before that...

2014 - Gold
2006 - Bronze
2004 - Bronze
2003 - Bronze
2002 - Bronze
2001 - Silver
1998 - Gold
1988 - Bronze
1987 - Gold
1984 - Silver
1982 - Bronze
1981 - Silver
1980 - Silver

 

[Macker88]

It was meant to say has captured just one medal in the past 10 years outside of the 2015 Gold. I'll edit it now it was an oversight on my part. I appreciate the heads up because that does alter the perspective I'm writing from an is a pretty noteworthy error

 

[ikzu]

Well, that gap between 2006 and 2014 clearly shows how awful our junior production was.

Before that, there was a really good period when with Mikko Koivu, Tuomo Ruutu, Joni Pitkänen, Kari Lehtonen, Jussi Jokinen, Valtteri Filppula etc. was playing these games.

That was Finland's previous "golden generation". Thankfully this current "golden generation" has much more depth and even more talented players than those guys were.

 

[Macker88]

While it was a pretty disappointing from 2006 to 2014, Finland did still produce some quality players in that time. - Mikko Lehtonen led the 2006-2007 tournament in scoring with 10 points in six games. Leo Komarov, Mikeal Grandlund, Sami Vatanen, Olli Maatta, Rasmus Ristolainen, Alex Barkov, Teuvo Teravainen all went on to play in the NHL. However I feel the biggest issue with the teams between 06 to 14 was the lack of depth. Obviously those team had some of the names I mentioned and some players who where excelling through their junior careers, but most of those Finn teams where two line, three D teams.

It's some what interesting to note that it hasn't been the first time Finland had an excellent run of capturing medals and then when quiet for an extended period of years. Before the medal run from 1998 to 2006, Finland had not one a medal since 1988. With that being said from 1980 to 1988 Finland won six medals including 3 silvers and 1 gold.

 

[Atas2000]

Here is our Team Russia World Junior Preview for those who are interested,

https://prospectshockey.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/team-russia-world-junior-preview/

The site also has previews on Belarus, Denmark, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Switzerland along with an article on the Top Draft Eligible Players skating in the tournament.

Check back in the coming days for previews on Sweden, Finland, Canada and the USA. Along with a Top 25 Players to Watch Article.

Pretty amateurish preview for Russia... as always.

 

[HF Article]

2016 WJC Preview: Team USA seeks first medal in three years

Photo: ZSC Lions forward and 2016 prospect Auston Matthews has produced 14 goals and 25 points in 22 games in 2015-16 playing in Switzerland’s top league (courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)


</p>The United States will be seeking a return to the medal round at the 2016*World Junior Championship in Finland. The Americans last medalled in 2013 when they captured gold at this event in Ufa, Russia.

Team USA is comprised of 12 current or future collegians, eight CHL players and one each from the AHL and Swiss Pro league that feature a combined 14 NHL-drafted players. Boston University is the most well represented team, NCAA or otherwise, with three current or future Terriers on this year’s roster.… read more

The post 2016 WJC Preview: Team USA seeks first medal in three years appeared first on Hockey's Future.



More...

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[DoubleDouble*]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udGJHlgDHmI

Let's all agree that avoiding this again would be in everyone's best interests.

 

[NTDP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udGJHlgDHmI

Let's all agree that avoiding this again would be in everyone's best interests.

Hell no, I love this. The Chant

 

[Macker88]

Prospects Hockey - Team USA World Junior Preview

For those interested here is our Team USA World Junior Preview,

https://prospectshockey.wordpress.com/2015/12/24/team-usa-world-junior-preview/

The site also features WJC previews on every team competing in the tournament, minus Team Canada which will be posted later this evening.

 

[Macker88]

Prospects Hockey - Team Canada World Junior Preview

For those interested here is our Team Canada World Junior Preview,

https://prospectshockey.wordpress.com/2015/12/25/team-canada-world-junior-preview/

*The Site now features Previews on all 10 teams competing in the 2016 World Junior Championships along with a feature on the Top NHL draft Eligible Players to Watch at the WJC article.

 

[HF Article]

2016 WJC Preview: Team Belarus hoping to avoid one-and-done scenario in return to top

Photo: Ottawa 67’s defenseman and draft-eligible Stepan Falkovsky will be a towering presence for Team Belarus at the 2016 World Junior Championship (courtesy of CHL Images)


</p>The Belarusians are back in the elite division at the World Junior Championship after making their last appearance at the 2007 WJC tournament, when the team’s stars were Sergei Kostitsyn and Mikhail Stefanovich. This time around, Team Belarus does not have such stars in their lineup, but instead has more depth down the roster. But the ultimate goal is the same: to avoid relegation at all costs.

Last year, the Belarusians had a good ride in Italy, winning the WJC Division*1A championship.… read more

The post 2016 WJC Preview: Team Belarus hoping to avoid one-and-done scenario in return to top junior level appeared first on Hockey's Future.



More...

 

[HF Article]

2016 WJC Preview: Team Switzerland has a tough road to hoe in Group A

Photo: Halifax Mooseheads forward and San Jose Sharks prospect Timo Meier brings a wealth of international experience to the Team Switzerland squad competing at the 2016 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)


</p>After failing to secure a spot in the quarterfinals by losing the decisive game against Denmark at last year’s World Junior Championship, Switzerland is trying to avoid adversity this year by catching a spot in the medal round for only the third time in the last seven years.

With 10 returning players from last year’s squad and the addition of several players from the strong ’97-born class – a group that finished fourth at the 2015 U18 World Championship and which might be one of the best Switzerland has ever produced – the direction to the quarterfinals is clear.… read more

The post 2016 WJC Preview: Team Switzerland has a tough road to hoe in Group A appeared first on Hockey's Future.



More...

 

[HF Article]

2016 WJC Preview: Goaltending, forward depth could serve Czech Republic well

Photo: Sarnia Sting forward and New Jersey Devils prospect Pavel Zacha (#14) will bring his mix of skill and size to a Czech Republic squad that will need him at his best to have a chance at a medal at the 2016 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)


</p> Firmly engraved as one of the top six hockey nations on the planet, the Czech Republic is entering the 2016 World Junior Championship*with a few question marks.

Of the myriad of goaltending options, who will take the reigns as the ne plus ultra starter?

Will the heavy influence of North America-based players have a decisive impact, especially come playoff time when the USA or Canada could be the first opponent?… read more

The post 2016 WJC Preview: Goaltending, forward depth could serve Czech Republic well appeared first on Hockey's Future.



More...

 

[Steve Kournianos]

The Draft Analyst: 16 Draft Prospects for the 2016 WJC

thedraftanalyst.com/prospects/2016-wjc-draft-prospects

We've already created in-depth draft profiles for half of them, but we focused on the first-year draft eligibles, and LHD Igor Rykov since Russia has all overagers.

 

[Macker88]

Prospects Hockey - Top 20 Players to Watch at the 2016 WJC

With the 2016 World Junior Championships kicking off today in Helsinki, Finland here is a preview on the Top 20 Player to Watch at the Tournament.

https://prospectshockey.wordpress.c...watch-at-the-2016-world-junior-championships/

*No draft eligible players are listed, as we did an article on the top 2016 NHL draft Eligible players to watch. We've also tried to preview at least one player from each country in the Article

 

[jiggy35]

What's the deal with all these HF 'partners' who can't spell or put together original and intelligent write-ups?

 

[Macker88]

While you've a point that there are some spelling errors in the write up, what's the issue with intelligence. The article provides stats, background info on players an most have scouting reports. Really what more do you want? If it's not "original" enough for you why do you even read it ?

I have no problem discussing what is written in the article, if you want to have an intelligent hockey conversation rather than just coming on here an complaining about content.

 

[YARR123]

What's the deal with all these HF 'partners' who can't spell or put together original and intelligent write-ups?

Well that's uncalled for. If anything, it seems more like a lack of intelligence on your part to completely throw this writer under the bus without giving any solid arguments. I didn't find any spelling mistakes, nor do I really care. The piece was informative and original enough for me, whatever you mean by originality, lol.

So thanks for the write up and ignore the trolls! Btw as a Finn, the part about Julius Nättinen was kinda interesting. He's been having an incredible season, and he's stayed completely off the radar from most finnish hockey fans and media. We've had years when Nättinen would've been a godsend and the best offensive player on the team. This year he's just one piece of the puzzle and rarely discussed about. Imo right now it seems like Nättinen will center the 3rd line, as they are planning to play Sebastian Aho and Roope Hintz as centers on the top two.

 

[BillyShoe1721]

Top 20 Players to Watch at the WJC

Obviously missing Dmytro Timashov considering his performance today, and hopefully William Nylander is healthy enough to continue the rest of the tournament....

Travis Konecny (Canada): He received rave reviews at Flyers training camp before being sent down, and continued his impressive play as the captain of the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL. He’s undersized, but plays like he’s 6’2″, 220 lbs, and has plenty of shiftiness in his game. Has impressed so far in camp, with James Duthie calling him Canada's best player in their pre-tournament games.

Alex DeBrincat (USA): Many said his 104 point season last year was largely a byproduct of playing on the same team as Connor McDavid, but DeBrincat has shown this season that he is no fluke. In his first 25 games this season, he racked up 31 goals, 21 assists, and 52 points, while being held pointless in a game just twice. Is currently slotted to start the tournament on the top American line with Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews.

http://thehockeywriters.com/20-players-to-watch-at-the-wjc/