July 3, 2007
GN.040

WORLD JUNIOR A CHALLENGE

Mike Oke, International Scouting Service

A clear indication of the high caliber of players that participated in the inaugural World Jr A Challenge could be noted by the fact that during the 2007 NHL Entry Draft held June 22 and 23 in Columbus, 11 players who participated in the event held in November in Yorkton, SK, were selected. This list includes Kyle Turris, Riley Nash and Brendan Smith, who were all taken in the 1st Round.

Turris, the 2006 World Jr A Challenge MVP, went 3rd overall to the Phoenix Coyotes, while his teammate on the Gold Medal winning Canada West squad, Riley Nash, was selected 21st overall by the Edmonton Oilers. Brendan Smith who was a member of the Silver Medal Canada East entry was selected 27th overall by the Detroit Red Wings.

Below you will find a brief bio on each of the players that participated in World Jr A Challenge that were selected in the draft.

KYLE TURRIS
Position: Center
Born: 10 Sept 88
Height: 6’0.5”
Weight: 170
NHL Draft – Phoenix – 1st Round – 3rd Overall

Scouting Report:
In addition to an excellent 2006-2007 season with Burnaby in the BCHL where he racked up 121 points in the regular season, Turris was also a key player on Canadian National team entries at the World Jr A Challenge in November 2006 and the World U18 Championships in April 2007. With excellent his excellent puck skills, good shot, and sound playmaking ability, Turris was one of the most dangerous players in the offensive zone, eligible for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

RILEY NASH
Position: Centre
Born: 9 May 89
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 175
NHL Draft – Edmonton – 1st Round – 21st Overall

Scouting Report:
Nash led the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL during the regular season with 84 points. Scouts were impressed with Nash, as each time they went to watch him improvement was noticeable. A hard working two way player who is dependable at both ends of the rink.

BRENDAN SMITH
Position: Defense
Born: 8 Feb 89
Height: 6’1.5”
Weight: 170
NHL Draft – Detroit – 1st Round – 27th Overall

Scouting Report:
Smith, one of the most offensively skilled defenceman available in the 2007 NHL Draft, had a solid season with the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the OPJHL. A good skater, Smith has the ability to jump into the rush and join the offensive attack. With his hard shot and playmaking abilities, he was a fixture on the Buzzers power play. Next season Smith is slated to attend Wisconsin where he will have the opportunity to hone other area’s of his game before moving on to pro.

SERGEI KOROSTIN
Position: Right wing
Born: 5 July 89
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 180
NHL Draft – Dallas – 3rd Round – 64th Overall

Scouting Report:
A good skater with good acceleration and quickness, Korostin is a smart player with the puck. His strong work ethic and sound decisions with the puck, makes coaches feel comfortable using him in all situations.

EVGENI DADONOV
Position: Right wing
Born: 12 Mar 89
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 178
NHL Draft – Florida – 3rd Round – 71st Overall

A hard working player, Dadonov can be counted on at both ends of the rink.
As a member of the Russian entry in the World Jr A Challenge and the World U18 Championships, Dadonov showed a competitive spirit and was used in all situations.

CASEY PIERRO-ZABOTEL
Position: Centre
Born: 1 Jan 89
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 200
NHL Draft – Pittsburgh – 3rd Round – 80th Overall

Scouting Report:
Pierro-Zabotel had an outstanding season for the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL, racking up 51 goals and 116 points during the regular season. With a nice touch around the net, he was one of the most dangerous players around the net, eligible for the 2007 NHL Draft.

MAXIM MAYOROV
Position: Left Wing
Born: 26 Mar 89
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 187
NHL Draft – Columbus – 4th Round – 94th Overall

Scouting Report:
Mayorov has an excellent combination of size, speed and skills that suits the new NHL well. During the 2006 World Jr A Challenge showed good speed and an ability to take the puck wide then cutting into net and creating a scouring chance. His good shot with a quick release makes him a dangerous player in the offensive zone.

BEN WINNETT
Position: Left wing
Born: 3 Apr 89
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 173
NHL Draft – Toronto – 4th Round – 104th Overall

Scouting Report:
Winnett is another highly skilled player from Salmon Arm of the BCHL. A good skater with solid offensive skills, has a good shot with a quick release, Winnett is a dangerous player in the slot area with the puck.

MAXIM GONCHAROV
Position: Defence
Born: 15 June 89
Height: 6’03”
Weight: 190
NHL Draft – Phoenix – 5th Round – 123rd Overall

Scouting Report:
Maxim plays a simple style of game and is able to either skate or move the puck up the ice effectively with a good first pass. A member of the Russian Under 18 teams that participated in the World Jr A Challenge and the World U18 Championships.

MILAN KYTNAR
Position: Centre
Born: 19 May 89
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 183
NHL Draft – Edmonton – 5th Round – 127th Overall

Scouting Report:
Kytnar reliable two-way center, was a bright key player on Slovkia’s entries at both the World Jr A Challenge and the World U18 Championships. He plays hard each shift at both ends of the rink.

DENNIS REUL
Position: Centre
Born: 29 June 89
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 213
NHL Draft – Boston – 5th Round – 130th Overall

Scouting Report:
A big player who uses size to make some bone crushing hits. Reul does a nice job of moving the puck hard and does a nice job utilizing reach when battling for loose pucks.

ALAIN GOULET
Position: Defence
Born: 22 Sept 88
Height: 6’0.5”
Weight: 189
NHL Draft – Boston – 6th Round – 159th Overall

Scouting Report:
Goulet is a a solid defender who generally makes good, safe plays. With good positioning, does a nice job of taking away the time and space of opposition players. Has good shot and is effective in getting it off quickly from the blueline.

SERGEI GAYDUCHENKO
Position: Goalie
Born: 6 June 89
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 222
NHL Draft – Florida – 7th Round – 202nd Overall

Scouting Report:
Gayduchenko is a big goalie who takes up a lot of space in the net and does not leave many opening for opposition players to shoot for.

LOUIS CAPORUSSO
Position: Center
Born: 21 June 89
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 180
NHL Draft – Ottawa – 3rd Round – 90th Overall

Scouting Report:
In addition to an excellent 2006-2007 season with St. Michael’s in the OPJHL where he racked up 50 points in only 37 regular season games, Caporusso was also a key player at the World Jr A Challenge in November 2006 and the CJAHL Prospects Game in December 2006. With his excellent puck skills, solid shot, and sound playmaking ability, Caporusso was one of the most heads-up players in the offensive zone, making him a strong candidate to be selected within the first three rounds.

The 2007 World Jr A Challenge is scheduled to take place in Trail/Nelson, BC November 5-11, 2007 and promises again to feature numerous NHL prospects.

Some of the International Top Prospects that could potentially play in 07 event include:

Nikita Filatov – Russia
Vyacheslav Voynov - Russia
Krill Petrov – Russia
Jerome Flaake - Germany

The 2007 World Jr A Challenge is scheduled to take place in Trail/Nelson, BC November 5-11, 2007 and promises again to feature numerous NHL prospects.

Some of the International Top Prospects that could potentially play in 07 event include:

Nikita Filatov – Russia
Vyacheslav Voynov - Russia
Krill Petrov – Russia
Jerome Flaake - Germany

» 2007 World Junior A Challenge