Keep an eye on…
Players to watch at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
Who will be looked upon in the dying minutes of a tie game? Who will be counted upon to provide leadership on the long road to gold? Who will make the key pass? Score the big goal? Make the huge save?
International Scouting Services has selected three players from each of the eight teams competing in Sarnia-Lambton, Ont., that it believes are players to watch at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Who made the list?
CANADA BLACK
TYLER BENSON total package offensively … makes things happen with acceleration and creativity … off-the-charts intelligence … excellent offensive timing … good skater … great inside-out fake … changes gears without missing a beat
KALE CLAGUE intelligent and poised … good two-way defenceman … excellent skater … rocket from the point … very good reads on partner … plays reliable and responsible … makes a good first pass … can control flow of the game
SAM STEEL dynamic scoring threat … great compete level … very good speed … tenacious on pucks … great vision … reacts very well with the puck … good release … picks his spots … uses teammates well … strong skater
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CANADA RED
SEAN DAY incredibly skilled skater … fluid, effortless stride … great frame … tremendous mobility for his size … very dangerous in transition … key to success on both sides of the puck … combination of size, skating and offence
ADAM MASCHERIN highly-skilled forward … great hands … plays with high energy … can create something out of nothing … explosive offensive ability … good linear speed … confident with the puck … great shot off the rush
NOLAN PATRICK developing power forward … very good size … strong offensive ability … has physical desire … very good hand-eye coordination … strong around the net … wins space using power and puck protection skills
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CANADA WHITE
JAKOB CHYCHRUN blue-chip prospect … tremendous upside on both sides of the puck … powerful shot … can control tempo of the game … separates players from the puck at will … can be an intimidating presence … very good size
LUKE GREEN gifted offensive player … natural play-making abilities … excellent skater … can change gears without hesitation … loves rushing the puck … good vision … excellent anticipation … doesn’t get intimidated
BRETT HOWDEN big-bodied, two-way forward … tenacious around the net … powerful and mature … excellent offensive intelligence … can play in all situations … very good work ethic … good edge control … absorbs contact
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FINLAND
JANNE KUOKKANEN seems to be a step ahead of everyone else … knack for finding open ice … aware and intelligent … nifty hands … can make defenceman look silly … creative offensive threat … sees the ice incredibly well … very composed
TARMO REUNANEN elite vision from the back end … true quarterback on the break-out … composed, accurate and calculated with the puck … very intelligent … good mobility … aggressive mindset … likes to challenge opponents
OTTO SOMPPI leads by example … tremendous character and work ethic … plays a 200-foot game … strong puck protection skills … versatile offensive game … slick hands … physical presence ... bullish frame … sets the tempo
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RUSSIA
NIKITA A. POPUGAYEV power forward with skill … man amongst boys with strength and frame … slick hands … likes to engage opponents physically … tremendous upside … untapped offensive abilities … sky is the limit for future
MIKHAIL SHABANOV play-making forward … oozes on-ice vision and creativity … elusive … seemingly creates offence at will … elite acceleration … quick feet … good puck possession skills … strong centre of gravity … uses speed on the PK
EGOR ZAITSEV puck-moving defenceman … tremendous anticipation … high offensive intelligence … fantastic hockey sense … shows character … hits hard despite small size … top-notch vision … loves to jump into the rush
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SLOVAKIA
MARTIN BODAK two-way defenceman … hard, accurate point shot … above-average mobility … very good stick … uses speed to recover when beaten … enjoys physical play … very good at cutting down angles … good play-making skills
VILIAM CACHO good size … excellent hockey skills … very good skater … mature beyond his age … strong on face-offs … very good stride … excellent anticipation … unpredictability makes him difficult to contain … good puck control
DAVID HRENAK great size … plays with competitiveness … strong technical goaltender … plays an effective butterfly style … good movement … very confident … doesn’t panic under pressure … fantastic puck control skills … smart
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SWEDEN
WILLIAM FÄLLSTRÖM shifty, dynamic centre … lethal shot … has ability to take over a game … dual threat off the rush … uses quickness and hands to burn opponents … elusive in the offensive zone … elite IQ … leads by example
ALEXANDER NYLANDER creativity is off the charts … excellent bloodlines … incredible vision … elusive puck carrier … has the mentality of a play-maker … noticeable confidence … plays at a high tempo … makes teammates better
ADAM THILANDER excellent skater … strong mobility … creative puck carrier … tremendous puck smarts … strong power-play weapon … leader on the back end … gets pucks through traffic … plays with an air of confidence … mobile
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UNITED STATES
MAX JONES emerging power forward … rare ability to affect the game just by stepping on the ice … can throw a big hit or score a big goal … plays a gritty game … good hockey sense … wins battles … likes to go to the net
CLAYTON KELLER fun to watch … tremendous hockey sense and vision in offensive zone … hard to handle one-on-one … jaw-dropping skill with the puck … can make plays at top speed … is always around the puck … always a threat
CHAD KRYS smooth skater … two-way defenceman … great mobility and quickness … very dangerous in transition … joins the rush intelligently … outstanding hockey sense … quick hands … very good stick-handler … hard shot
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